Changes for Rnd 2 V Port Adelaide

[barry]

I think if Reid, Hannas and Rohan are all fit and train well they'll be in next week. On the whole not many passengers last week, some rusty skills but that's to be expected.

For the outs it would have to be 3 of Florent/McVeigh/Cunningham/Fox/Hayward/Newman. The first 3 miss out for mine

No way Hayward can be dropped. And I like fox as a player as much as I like his name.

The other three are in danger.

[rb4x]

Disposal Efficiency Hayward 47.6% Florent 100%
Time on ground Hayward 75% Florent 67%
Really liked what I saw of Florent but there was not enough of it.
He will likely be the first omission but he looks great for the future.

[Mountain Man]

Time on Ground

I often look at the TOG as an indicator of the coaches views on their personnel - who is carrying injuries, like for like rotations, protection of youth etc, as well as an assessment of value to the team.

Surprisingly Jack played only 66% of the R1 game, with Florent at 67% a more understandable TOG.

Hewett, Haywood Cunningham and Newman were all at 79%; again seems a reasonable assessment (but which emphasis how well Hewett played)

At the other end of the TOG spectrum were (surprisingly) Lloyd, and Mills at 94%

All others were between 89% (Melican and Franklin) and Towers at 78%.

So a pretty even spread - and not much of a clue as to who might be ranked lowly and omitted for this week!

- - - Updated - - -

Hewett etc were at 75% not 79%

[AnsweredPrayers]

Agree with Auntie and others about Florent.

There was so much criticism of Lloyd in his first run of senior footy. Same with Hewett. So many questioning why he was getting a game. They finished 2nd and 5th respectively in the B&F last year. Now everyone loves them.

We have to look at what Florent, and Hayward as well, offer for this stage of their development, which involves skills, as well as physical and mental development. Both seem very advanced to me in all areas except physical development. Lloyd was similar. He was very committed and mentally tough, but simply not strong enough to mix it with the big guys. He's growing into it now.

It's hard to decide how much senior game time to give them when there are options available that might produce better short term results for a team seriously looking to win a premiership.

We have to back our development group. They've done such a great job bringing through players of all types to play a high level of AFL footy.

At this stage of the game we should be looking at the kinds of things that Florent and Hayward can do. They are both very classy footballers. Once they get the physical strength and experience to win more of the ball, we will see them explode on to the AFL scene.

Have to disagree. I think Lloyd was a bit of a ball magnet from the start. The early criticism was around ineffective disposal - short kick, missing targets etc. Florent struggles to win the ball but his disposal is excellent.

[The Runner]

I'd leave Rohan out. Do we really need him? Still not sure what it is exactly he provides the team...

In: Hanners, Reid
Out: Cunningham and Florent

Hayward had a great game. Lots of touches in tight with the hands, which is something he wasnt doing last year. The majority of his touches would have been in the central third of the ground.

[rb4x]

I would not call Hayward's disposal efficiency of 47.6% as great. Easily the worst for the team and even boosted by his last charity free goal.

[Jeynez]

I really liked Hayward's game. Really got himself involved in the contests, and those two goals at the end were reward for his effort. Only averaged 9 goals a game in 2017, so early signs are good.

Zac Jones simply has to be in the side, he attacks the contests hard, breaks the lines and makes daring plays (which can backfire), but he's the exact type of player we need.

[Ludwig]

I really liked Hayward's game. Really got himself involved in the contests, and those two goals at the end were reward for his effort. Only averaged 9 goals a game in 2017, so early signs are good.

He will have to up his game if he wants to reach 200 this year. It would be a shame if he fell 2 goals short and had to wait for finals to cross 200. I think he's got Lance covered, even with Buddy's good start. Will should overtake him in a couple of weeks, unless he gets dropped.

[jono2707]

Lloyd's TOG stat isn't a surprise - in fact I thought it could be even higher. He's a running machine and his high levels of fitness have pretty much got him where he is today.

[Auntie.Gerald]

We are in a fairly luxurious position with depth

I really liked how much towers pulled away as the small ruckman as he had some very important fathers and disposals

Oppositely lysaght has minimal impact I thought

Tough match up for two ruckman to keep up with a ruckman plus midfielder

[AB Swannie]

The article on afl.com suggests that Hanners will likely come in but Reid is doubtful and Aliir is ruled out. Rohan could also miss awaiting the birth of his twins.

[Ludwig]

It would be good if at least one of Rohan or Reid can play Sunday to give us another strong forward target. Port will be missing a couple of solid mid-sized defenders in Pittard and Broadbent, but they seem to have a lot of depth all over the ground and can cover injuries quite well.

I hope Aliir can at least get a run in the reserves practice match this week. It looks as we might be targeting a round 3 comeback against a very tall GWS forward line. There are a few teams where it would be very helpful to play 3 KPDs + Rampe, the Giants being one, with Essendon and Adelaide the other 2. On the flip side, I wouldn't play Reg against Richmond and even maybe just one of Aliir or Melican. There's just no good matchup for Reg v Tigers. We will have to be flexible with this as well as our ruck combos during the season.

[AB Swannie]

I agree that Rohan or Reid is important. I think it worked well leaving Buddy one out against West Coast but opposition teams will work out a way to double team him. I have always like Rohan playing as full forward. If we can manufacture an open forward line again, he and Buddy can lead to different places using their speed and athleticism.

[Ludwig]

It seems as though our official website injury list is now gone. Injury reporting has started out the season in an ever more haphazard fashion. Although we are still awaiting the possible weekly media appearance from our Manager in Charge of Obfuscation, he seems to be doing his fine work behind the scenes.

We know that Toby Pink has a serious ankle injury which will keep him out for six weeks plus, but not a mention. Hot prospect for a shot in our best 22 this year, Jordan Dawson, was apparently closing in on a return date, but has now dropped off the radar. Also no news on Matt Ling. Is he ready to play now? At least we are being kept updated on AJ.

I don't know if there's any official AFL policy on injury reporting. It seems to be left up to each club to decide what they want to do, although they like to have updates by late Tuesday. The details don't seem to matter much.

Watch this space.

From the AFL website:
Aliir Aliir Ankle 1 week
Alex Johnson Groin/hip 1-2 weeks
Sam Naismith Knee Season
Sam Reid Hamstring Test
Gary Rohan Personal reasons TBC
Kurt Tippett Retired
Ludwig Mental Illness TBC
Updated: Tuesday, March 27
Early prognosis
Hannebery (calf) is likely to be back to face Port Adelaide, but Reid is in doubt again. He'll continue his running program on Wednesday so could miss again, while Aliir is likely another week away. Rohan is another set to miss as he awaits the complicated birth of twins. - Adam Curley

[Auntie.Gerald]

TB-Committed