Changes for Rnd 4 V Western Bulldogs

[aguy]

So. We are without Marsh and Reid. Who will be in. Quite possibly without Rohan too.

I suspect it will be in Newman Marsh and Jones. Out Reid Melican and Rohan. They will rotate two back and one forward plus play another small more forward.

[Markwebbos]

I was a bit surprised how well we handled the GWS talls. I feel that if we can play 2 tall defenders plus Rampe most weeks that we will be tall enough. The trend is toward smaller quicker sides and we are also heading in that direction.

Glad to hear you?ve changed your tune Ludwig.

[Beerman]

It is a huge blow to lose Reid - he makes us a different team. But as Ludwig says, with his history (not to mention his brother's history), we really can't count on him playing.

Agree that Rohan needs to play deep and make strong leads to draw defenders away from Buddy. He's been a bit off form lately and I'm not sure how much he's going to provide for us. He's not exactly a "crash the pack" type of player either. The other player who I think looks good in the forward line is Heeney, but it is such a waste when he is doing so well in the midfield.

I agree that Marsh and Jones are the most likely ins. Hopefully Jones has found his groove and fixed up his disposal efficiency after round one.

I think we should win this. Bulldogs were woeful against GWS and I'm not convinced by what I saw of the Essendon game that they are really "back".

[ugg]

I'd bring in Fox for Melican, Jones for Reid (with Heeney spending more time forward) and if Rohan is unavailable then Newman comes in for him.

[RogueSwan]

... Agree that Rohan needs to play deep and make strong leads to draw defenders away from Buddy. He's been a bit off form lately and I'm not sure how much he's going to provide for us. He's not exactly a "crash the pack" type of player either. ...

More a "crash into the fence" type

[Papernick]

Certainly this gives Dawson the perfect opportunity to get a good run at it one he?s had a couple of games in the Neafl

[dimelb]

I'd forgotten all about Jones. Agree that he is more likely to come into the side than Newman.

Rose might get a chance if Rohan isn't available but I think they're more likely to bring in a Newman or Robinson. The forward line will need a rejig without Reid, even more so if Rohan's absent. But that might just mean Heeney, Hayward, Parker and/or Kennedy spending a bit more time in the forward line.

Sinkers did a great job "resting" in the forward line. That would also work against the Doggies, as would Deano "resting" there as well.

[mattybloods]

I don't think there's a tall forward (or ruck) on our list who gets a call up this weekend. It's crazy to stick to the same game plan if we don't have the quality players to pull it off.

Marsh in for Melican makes sense as Aliir missed most of the pre season and could use a few more NEAFL games. Jones is an automatic in if fit, otherwise Newman. More time in the forward line for our marking Midfielders Joey, Parks and Heeney.

This is a great chance for either Cameron or McCartin to press his claim. If Cameron has a couple of good NEAFL games we can shift Sinclair into the forward line, he's one of our better marks at the moment

[Sandrevan]

Losing Sam Reid is a big loss. Having him creates doubt in opposition defenders. IMO Gary Rohan fills the role of swingman and it might help him get into the game more. If Melican is the only other injury then it's
Out: Reid and Melican
Ins: Newman and Jones (if fit) otherwise Marsh

The Bulldogs were quite frenetic on Sunday. They've now got a 6 day break and we have a 7 day break. I can't see them being able to back it up for next week. Their forward line only has 1 tall (Redpath) although Josh Dunkley is a good marking target.
They probably won't get the favorable treatment from the umpires either - Beveridge is still paying off the umpires from the 2016 arrangement

[Blood Fever]

Losing Sam Reid is a big loss. Having him creates doubt in opposition defenders. IMO Gary Rohan fills the role of swingman and it might help him get into the game more. If Melican is the only other injury then it's
Out: Reid and Melican
Ins: Newman and Jones (if fit) otherwise Marsh

The Bulldogs were quite frenetic on Sunday. They've now got a 6 day break and we have a 7 day break. I can't see them being able to back it up for next week. Their forward line only has 1 tall (Redpath) although Josh Dunkley is a good marking target.
They probably won't get the favorable treatment from the umpires either - Beveridge is still paying off the umpires from the 2016 arrangement

In: Marsh, Jones

Out: Reid, Melican

Cunningham stays because of his speed. Marsh underrated and can play tallish. Buddy and Rohan to interchange playing high and low. Jones gives us speed and spite.

[MattW]

It is a huge blow to lose Reid - he makes us a different team. But as Ludwig says, with his history (not to mention his brother's history), we really can't count on him playing.

Agree that Rohan needs to play deep and make strong leads to draw defenders away from Buddy. He's been a bit off form lately and I'm not sure how much he's going to provide for us. He's not exactly a "crash the pack" type of player either. The other player who I think looks good in the forward line is Heeney, but it is such a waste when he is doing so well in the midfield.

I agree that Marsh and Jones are the most likely ins. Hopefully Jones has found his groove and fixed up his disposal efficiency after round one.

I think we should win this. Bulldogs were woeful against GWS and I'm not convinced by what I saw of the Essendon game that they are really "back".

I agree with this, particularly on Rohan, Marsh and Jones. I'm a little more cautious about this week - they've matched up well against us under Beveridge.

[Edit: Although I reckon Rohan does crash the packs - he's one of the best contested marks in the team, just a little less often of late.]

[SeanM]

I would probably select the replacements for Reid and Melican based on the opposition. So this week go smaller and more mobile.

I would pick Fox for Melican. He has been playing more as a half back. But he has been involved in the side recently, is quick and can leap. Alternatively we can bring in Jones or Newman into defence. Or Marsh seems our squad depth medium defender. It seems like Aliir is not match ready but could be a worthwhile risk because once Melican returns I am not sure when he gets another chance.

Against the bulldogs I would rather bring in Jones/Newman as another midfielder instead of Cameron. Jones would be good around the contest and Newman with his kicking.

If Rohan does not travel. I would be happy to take a gamble on a unproven player. Ronke could provide quick forward pressure and seems to find the ball. Amartey and Stoddart are unlikely but could be a possible half forward.

[stevoswan]

Reid is a huge loss.....I don't believe we can win the premiership without him. We are a sensibly structured team with him in, we are a confused rabble without him.......

[longmile]

Reid is a huge loss.....I don't believe we can win the premiership without him. We are a sensibly structured team with him in, we are a confused rabble without him.......

Agreed but we can beat the dogs without him.

In: Newman, Jones

Out: Reid, Melican

Cunningham the first to go when we get more fit bodies on the park

[I?m-uninformed2]

I know Buddy got us through in rd1 and everyone points to the model from Richmond last year. But Reid?s loss worries me a lot for our season. Other defences worry about him. He gives us flexibility on how we use Buddy. He?s quick and good defensively. And can drop back to defence if needed. And with our ruck stocks thin and McCartin so young, we don?t have an easy option as an alternative up forward. I think it?s going to be a suck it and see approach on whether we play Buddy solo, or take a punt with Cameron. But it will challenge our ability to press for top four.