Team List Changes for round 16 v Essendon

[Markwebbos]

The ruck conundrum could have all sorts of ramifications this week if they choose to / have to persist with Aliir and Reid. Perhaps Menzel get a recall?

There's also the possibility that Macca and Cunningham return and Clarke gets brought back to do a tagging job. Although Horse did say Macca's only played 1.5 games in about 3 months implying he might need time in the NEAFL.

My stab in the dark.

OUT: Sinclair, Ronke
IN: Menzel, Cunningham

[Ludwig]

If we don't bring in a ruckman, I think Thurlow will have to come in to take Aliir's place in defence, and this might be the only change.

I would keep our regular structure and bring in Amartey to play in the ruck, as a slightly better option than Knoll. Amartey is pretty handy around the midfield and often just looks like an big midfielder. He knows how to play the ruck and competes pretty well against usually bigger opponents.

[aguy]

I agree that if we don’t bring in a ruckman then Thurlow should play

I’m undedecided about the ruck situation. I’m tempted to say bring knoll in and see how he goes. He was playing very well in the SANFL by all reports and that is a tougher competition than the NEAFL

Other than than I think I would play Menzel over ronke. I’ve actually liked what Menzel has been doing up the ground.

[Snork]

I just wouldn't understand it if we didn't play Knoll, we have no one on the list available who is a specialist ruckman so why would you not play the bloke who is a specialist. My comcern is someone will put a knee into Allir or Sam and break bones and we will be without them for the rest of the year. I actually hope Cameron is fit because I believe he has been unfairly judged on one game where the entire team gassed it and he has performed at a level for a long period in NEAFL and WAFL to deserve an extended run at it.

[Ralph Dawg]

With the bombers struggling with their ruck stocks, it may well be that 2 backmen, Aliir v Hooker (with a chop out given by 2 key forwards, Reid and McKernan ) doing the rucking. Agree that if this is the case, then Thurlow needs to come in given his ability to play a little taller in defence.

I think Ollie has been a bit down, maybe could do with a spell in NEAFL so happy to go with Cunningham if he's raring to go. Macca to come back slowly, give his old man legs a chance to warm into the back end of the season.
In Thurlow Cunningham
Out Sinclair Florent

[barracuda]

I reckon Thurlow will be out with an ankle.

[Hotpotato]

Macca running around in the twos? He has played 318 games.
If he’s back training, he’s back in.

[Captain]

Sinclair for Menzel would be my change.

Aliir to ruck, Menzel to play forward and McCartin to cover for Aliir again down back.

[barry]

I hope we dont go with a makeshift ruck of Allir and Reid again.

That option should only be used if it was a one-off game and we were in a serious hunt for a top 4 spot.

Otherwise we are risking our key defender and key forward for what ? To finish 12th ?

We are in a development year. This is where we "develop" players in their positions. ie. Allir stays in defense.
If our ruck stocks are depleted, so be it. This is a good chance to see how much depth we have. We recruited Grassy Knoll as a ruckman. Play him. It will develop him.
Otherwise, play Cameron there. Develop him.

[Blood Fever]

I hope we dont go with a makeshift ruck of Allir and Reid again.

That option should only be used if it was a one-off game and we were in a serious hunt for a top 4 spot.

Otherwise we are risking our key defender and key forward for what ? To finish 12th ?

We are in a development year. This is where we "develop" players in their positions. ie. Allir stays in defense.
If our ruck stocks are depleted, so be it. This is a good chance to see how much depth we have. We recruited Grassy Knoll as a ruckman. Play him. It will develop him.
Otherwise, play Cameron there. Develop him.

Every time Allir was in the centre bounce against Witts, I was worried about a PCL injury similar to Adam Goodes circa 2004. Must admit, he has a magnificent leap.

[Meg]

We are in a development year. This is where we "develop" players in their positions. ie. Allir stays in defense.
If our ruck stocks are depleted, so be it. This is a good chance to see how much depth we have. We recruited Grassy Knoll as a ruckman. Play him. It will develop him.
Otherwise, play Cameron there. Develop him.

Cameron has a quad injury. Last week it was estimated he was 2-3 weeks away from a return.

[Markwebbos]

Cameron has a quad injury. Last week it was estimated he was 2-3 weeks away from a return.

If that's true then it is quite a serious problem. Either Knoll or continue with Aliir. Neither would be their first choice.
I think the lack of a ruckman at Essendon might tempt them to continue for one more week with Aliir although replacing him with McCartin in defence is less than ideal too.
Is there any chance they'd roll the dice with Amartey?

[jono2707]

Will the ACCC come down on us and the Dons for collusion if we get together before the game and agree not to pick any ruckmen?

[dejavoodoo44]

Will the ACCC come down on us and the Dons for collusion if we get together before the game and agree not to pick any ruckmen?

I think both clubs could make a strong case, that the lack of ruckmen was just a coincidence.

[Captain]

One advantage of bringing in Knoll for this game is the lack of a strong opponent he will be up against. That wouldn't happen too often.