Team Changes for Round VIII v Bombers

[Ralph Dawg]

I'm assuming there are no AFL standard coaches in this discussion but when we are all saying the same thing, especially as we would all have to be Swans / AFL tragics to be here, surely there has to be something in our observations. Let's hope for the worst, ie Clarke gets picked, Jack stays, Mills plays back etc, and he pleasantly surprised if the match committee finally sees some sense.

[Roadrunner]

If what you say happens RD, we as fans need detailed explanations from the MC, or they should be sacked!!

[AnnieH]

I'll play.
It couldn't be any worse.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Butcher Clarke

Not quite "Torture Chambers" but I think it could well stick.

[O'Reilly Boy]

I thought Blakey was finding the pace of the game a bit better against Brisbane, so don't want to see him out. I also thought Hewitt showed something a bit different


We are now officially scraping the barrel for defenders.

I'd prefer Rowbottom to Clarke

Reid to play back.

I would like to see Rose and CO'R have a run.

Rampe Melican CO'R
Mills Aliir Reid

Sinclair Kennedy Jones
Florent Lloyd Blakey

Papley McCartin Hayward
Dawson Fox Franklin

I: Parker Rose Rowbottom Thurlow

[bloodspirit]

In: COR, Buddy
Out: Cunningham, Blakey

I am optimistic they won't recall Clarke so fast and will reward COR. They've seen what Clarke has to offer and, however well he played on the weekend, I doubt he has remedied the reason he was dropped so fast. Buddy a straight swap for Blakey. They won't be dropping Reid. We've got to back him in, hopefully he just needs some match fitness to improve.

I suspect they won't drop the underwhelming Jack either. Kizza wasn't our worst player and he adds more than the replacements in terms of leadership. It's well and good to play the kids but (1) they need to earn their games; and (2) they need some guidance once they get into the seniors and, as former club captain, that is something Kizza provides.

Rowbottom is great but will be in and out of the seniors as he builds to the level to play AFL consistently. Ditto McInerney. Haven't seen enough of the NEAFL to know whether McInerney or Stoddart should be in front of the queue for the similar roles they play. I would have thought the extra year of development would hold Stoddart in good stead. I'm agnostic on the idea of bringing in Cameron to play together with Sinclair. Might depend on the opposition. Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me but not convinced it's necessary either.

[Ralph Dawg]

I like the idea of a big tall marking target. I remember we won a flag with LRT essentially bringing the ball to the deck and our smalls doing the rest. Sinclair can provide the deep target, freeing buddy to come up the ground a bit, where his field kicking in particular, will be valuable. I don't think Reid is contesting hard enough and perhaps it might be time for him to go back to NEAFL for a bit or play in defence.

- - - Updated - - -

Stoddart looks better than McInerney at the moment. He's showing good pace and better usage of the ball then McInerney.

[chuckie]

We need to do something about our ruckman. Since Tippett retired we have really struggled in the ruck especially at home.
Where not able to nullify the opposition ruck work meaning the ball is not just getting into our defensive 50 it is in the goal square from nearly every centre bounce.
We like to attack from our half back but we are being force to start from very deep when we get the ball.
So far we have been fortunate that no team has really utilised the amount of times they have had the ball in their forward 50.
This week and the game at home against Collingwood could be very scary, we may be closer to a 100 point loss than a win.
I hope I am wrong but i think we will really struggle to win another game.

[Roadrunner]

Chuckle, our season is gone. We won’t lose by 100 points as we are not that bad, and we play defensive. Our problem is at the other end and
midfield. This is what our coaches have to work on and solve-surely that’s what they get paid for! We fans can see it, surely they can as well? An extra ruckman is essential while we are rebuilding the midfield as we can’t put all the pressure on poor Sinkers, who does his best week in week out against 2 ruckmen, with the exception of Richmond, who have some gun and experienced smalls.
We simply must play Cameron, as we have no one else and give him a run of games. No point using either Reid or Allir as this deprives them of their best positions and so disrupts the team. For goodness sake, bite the bullet and build for the future!

[bloodspirit]

The advantage of using Reid and Aliir as back up rucks is that they offer a lot more the rest of the time than a second ruck. It's not a straightforward decision.

[Roadrunner]

Fair enough Bloodspirit, but who fills their spot in the meantime? Besides, Reid can easily get injured in the ruck and though Allir can be ok, this is a desperation move- bring in Cameron to see if he can do a job.

[lwjoyner]

here here on cameron

[AB Swannie]

I agree that we need to start experimenting a bit more in order to find our next path to success. However, this must also be tempered by remaining somewhat competitive as no one will develop if we start losing by 60+ and have zero ball. In some ways, this experimentation has already happened - I, for one, didn't see Aliir being used as an alternate ruck. However, other things I think could be trialed include:

* Playing Mills & Rowbottom in the guts.
* Playing Cameron & Sinclair together.
* Getting some speed at half back by using COR and Florent together moving Lloyd to a wing.
* Swap Heeney & Parker. That is Parker plays 80% forward 20% mid. Heeney vice versa. I actually see Parker very much like Ziebell now.

[AnnieH]

Still waiting for my call up.

[Ludwig]

Still waiting for my call up.

I'm the stand in coach for the game. We need speed. If you can walk 500 metres in a half hour, you're in the side.