Changes for Rnd 5 V Adelaide

[Beerman]

Give Rohan some space for a few weeks. He needs to spend time with his family. They need him more than we do.

It sounds like it will be up to him. I can think of plenty of reasons why he might or might not play but there?s really no way of knowing.

I?m glad the club is giving him room to make the right decision for himself and his family.

[barry]

It sounds like it will be up to him. I can think of plenty of reasons why he might or might not play but there?s really no way of knowing.

I?m glad the club is giving him room to make the right decision for himself and his family.

He can choose to make himself available. But it's up to the club, not him, whether he plays seniors or two's.

If it were me, I wouldn't play I've had time to a) grieve and b) setup for a new baby, and if I did play I think the anomimity of the two's would be where I would start.

[Blood Fever]

I would have thought that the main thing to have come out of the Bulldogs game is that we must have an alternative forward marking target to allow Franklin to roam. If he plays as a static forward, he's much easier to double-team, plus we lose out on his intimidating round-the-ground play. When you watch him live (as opposed to TV) you realise just how much the opposition @@@@ themselves when he runs at the ball.
With that in mind, Cameron seems the best option to come into the seniors in place of Aliir. Aliir looked seriously underdone on Saturday, and will have done his confidence no good at all. Plus, he's a natural defender - he kept wanting to plug holes rather than find space. Cameron is a better mark then Aliir, and he seems quite at home when he takes a rotation in the forward 50. And if Cameron takes the odd stint in the ruck, it gives Sinclair the chance to go forward and be the marking target.

Watched the replay of the game. Allir wasn't that bad in bringing ball to ground and applying pressure if that was his role. Haven't seen Cameron but would be surprised if he could apply as much forward pressure as Allir who will be better of for the run. Rohan will probably replace him if he is mentally ok to play, otherwise I would leave Allir in. Would also leave Hayward in despite poor game. Has a touch of magic about him and will only get better.

[Mountain Man]

With the Crouch brothers out, I can see George Hewitt being set on Sloan and doing his outstanding job of nullifying a prime contributor of theirs. Hewitt is having a great season so far

[chammond]

Watched the replay of the game. Allir wasn't that bad in bringing ball to ground and applying pressure if that was his role. Haven't seen Cameron but would be surprised if he could apply as much forward pressure as Allir who will be better of for the run. Rohan will probably replace him if he is mentally ok to play, otherwise I would leave Allir in. Would also leave Hayward in despite poor game. Has a touch of magic about him and will only get better.

Because Aliir has been in the limelight for a couple of years I think we forget that he's still a complete novice. He looked lost playing forward, and really had no idea where to position himself. If there was a stoppage on the wing, Buddy was constantly calling him to move into the space in the pocket, but as soon as the ball was back in play he would get sucked back into defensive mode. His lack of experience and match fitness made him a passenger for much of the game. He desperately needs a fixed role to focus on, and a few weeks in the NEAFL to hone his skills before being thrown into the deep end again.

Cameron won't star in the seniors, but he's well drilled in the technique of the ruck/forward, and can play a supporting role for both Sinclair and Franklin. Certainly, Rohan can play full forward if selected, but I think we'd get the most out of Buddy if Sinclair and Cameron were also rotating in the goal square.

[Vonsteinman]

With the Crouch brothers out, I can see George Hewitt being set on Sloan and doing his outstanding job of nullifying a prime contributor of theirs. Hewitt is having a great season so far

Will Sloane even make the trip though? He looked pretty unfit from the little bit I saw on the weekend...

[aguy]

Will Sloane even make the trip though? He looked pretty unfit from the little bit I saw on the weekend...

I agree. Sloane looked very sore. And even if he plays won?t impac enough to warrant a tag. I think Hewitt should tag Laird. laird has been in everything for the crows this year and it will also keep Hewitt in the forward half where he is actually quite capable of taking a mark and kicking a goal or two

[Beerman]

He can choose to make himself available. But it's up to the club, not him, whether he plays seniors or two's.

If it were me, I wouldn't play I've had time to a) grieve and b) setup for a new baby, and if I did play I think the anomimity of the two's would be where I would start.

I'm with you - personally playing in the twos would be a great way to get back into the routine without the high stress of an AFL game. But based on past history of the club picking Gary to play when no-one else would, I would say that if he makes himself available he will play firsts.

[AB Swannie]

I'm with you - personally playing in the twos would be a great way to get back into the routine without the high stress of an AFL game. But based on past history of the club picking Gary to play when no-one else would, I would say that if he makes himself available he will play firsts.

I guess we?re all different. If it were me, I?d either not play or I?d commit fully and be ready to give it my all in the firsts. No half measures in elite sport. Whatever decision he makes, he will be supported even if that means he plays and has no possessions.

[Ludwig]

Anyone on the injury is an injury list too long, but we going into the next 3 important games in a better injury position than our next 3 opponents, Adelaide and Geelong.

Of our core players only Reid is a long term out. Melican looks to becoming back in the next couple of weeks. Aliir has started his comeback into our best 22. Rohan should be okay to go this week.

Adelaide are missing the Crouch brothers, Eddie Betts and Sam Gibson. Brodie Smith is out for the year. Rory Sloane is playing a bit injured. Taylor Walker is out of form. From last year's team, Bryce Gibbs comes into the side, but they lost Lever and Cameron in post season trades. The loss of Betts is particularly significant with Cameron also gone. Promising pressure small forward Lachlan Murphy missed last week and is in doubt this week as well.

[mattybloods]

Aliir to play in defence against the Crows and will have a much better game than last week. Really his chance to cement a spot, would be great if both he and Melican can play in the same side

[Markwebbos]

There?s suggestions The Pelican might get up to play and it feels like Rohan will return, so I?m thinking they?ll come in and Newman, Aliir will go out.

[707]

Not sure where this goes but Heeney & Mills were on AFL360 tonight.

[RogueSwan]

One of the footy podcasts this week mentioned the Tex may have plantar fasciitis but is unwilling to go for surgery...

[barry]

One of the footy podcasts this week mentioned the Tex may have plantar fasciitis but is unwilling to go for surgery...

I've had that. Nasty. Took nearly 6 months to get over it.
I don't think surgery is very successful.