Changes for R18 Vs Cats @ Metricon

[ugg]

I’d say bell will stay in given his 9 contested possessions last week. The swans will likely want to roll a wingman back for a spare defender. That would be Dawson. That means ultimately one less forward. I would say the player to drop out would be wicks. If this happens the swans will be simply trying to minimise the damage rather than win. Could backfire if the forward pressure drops off.

Surprising move given Wicks’s excellent pressure. This stat is in the Footy Live app preview for this match.

Since debuting in Round 10, Sam Wicks ranks second at the club for tackle attempts and effective tackles.

I’d dare say that is a stat that would be dominated by inside mids, so for Wicks to be ranked second while playing as a forward is an impressive feat

[MattW]

Dawson Rowbottom Sinclair
For
Amartey (injured) L.Taylor (injured) Wicks (omitted)

*commits head to wall*

[Faunac8]

Everyone seems to be on the Gould Bandwagon but there must be some reason why he hasn’t been given his debut. It’s been a difficult year to assess players form with limited competitive activity so I assume training track form carries more weight than usual.
Given that I can only assume he hasn’t ticked the required boxes to gain his debut.Hopefully he now knows what is required and has a full offseason to work with and will be knocking down the door for selection during the early rounds of 2021

[AB Swannie]

Everyone seems to be on the Gould Bandwagon but there must be some reason why he hasn’t been given his debut. It’s been a difficult year to assess players form with limited competitive activity so I assume training track form carries more weight than usual.
Given that I can only assume he hasn’t ticked the required boxes to gain his debut.Hopefully he now knows what is required and has a full offseason to work with and will be knocking down the door for selection during the early rounds of 2021

Agree. Objectivity is underrated. Why does Gould deserve a debut more than any other? We have several players who are yet to debut. Is he more worthy because of draft position?

As soon as a list is finalised after the draft, everyone is equal.

[MattW]

Everyone seems to be on the Gould Bandwagon but there must be some reason why he hasn’t been given his debut. It’s been a difficult year to assess players form with limited competitive activity so I assume training track form carries more weight than usual.
Given that I can only assume he hasn’t ticked the required boxes to gain his debut.Hopefully he now knows what is required and has a full offseason to work with and will be knocking down the door for selection during the early rounds of 2021

I agree, I just feel bad for the guy. Probably had high expectations and it's been a tough year on the road.

[Thunder Shaker]

Surprising move given Wicks’s excellent pressure. This stat is in the Footy Live app preview for this match.

Since debuting in Round 10, Sam Wicks ranks second at the club for tackle attempts and effective tackles.

I’d dare say that is a stat that would be dominated by inside mids, so for Wicks to be ranked second while playing as a forward is an impressive feat

I think the player selection may not be so much the players left out (Wicks:7), but getting games into other inexperienced players (Stephens:7, McInerney:9, Bell:9 plus others). Wicks has shown enough to show he's a keeper. Are players like Bell, Thurlow, Fox being tested?

[barracuda]

Surprising move given Wicks’s excellent pressure. This stat is in the Footy Live app preview for this match.

Since debuting in Round 10, Sam Wicks ranks second at the club for tackle attempts and effective tackles.

I’d dare say that is a stat that would be dominated by inside mids, so for Wicks to be ranked second while playing as a forward is an impressive feat

Given the ins for Geelong it looks like it will be an absolute bloodbath. Not a great game for young players anyway!

[Captain]

Wicks is stiff.

[Ludwig]

Surprising move given Wicks’s excellent pressure. This stat is in the Footy Live app preview for this match.

Since debuting in Round 10, Sam Wicks ranks second at the club for tackle attempts and effective tackles.

I’d dare say that is a stat that would be dominated by inside mids, so for Wicks to be ranked second while playing as a forward is an impressive feat

Although he was in contention for that Cat B spot in 2018, there was plenty of competition and not the RWO favourite to get the call. But he had an excellent NEAFL season last year and has been very solid for a 20 yo at AFL level. He's very composed, a solid kick and does some things very well that many top ranked players never get right. You've highlighted his excellent pressure and tackling. He has a rare combination of skills that you don't often see. I'm a fan now and think he has a bright future.

[barracuda]

Although he was in contention for that Cat B spot in 2018, there was plenty of competition and not the RWO favourite to get the call. But he had an excellent NEAFL season last year and has been very solid for a 20 yo at AFL level. He's very composed, a solid kick and does some things very well that many top ranked players never get right. You've highlighted his excellent pressure and tackling. He has a rare combination of skills that you don't often see. I'm a fan now and think he has a bright future.

Yes, including lightning quick clean hands, with a precise kick either side. Showed a ton of composure against Brisbane who will be top, with long penetrating kicks to Reid’s advantage that should have been marked

[Nico]

Wicks has been used as a defensive forward. Maybe he is better suited to the midfield.

[barracuda]

Wicks has been used as a defensive forward. Maybe he is better suited to the midfield.

He got a run in the midfield last year in the neafl against Gws. Got a lazy 40 disposals.

[Thunder Shaker]

Wicks has been used as a defensive forward. Maybe he is better suited to the midfield.

Wicks would make a useful midfielder who is damaging when resting in a forward pocket.

[mcs]

Everyone seems to be on the Gould Bandwagon but there must be some reason why he hasn’t been given his debut. It’s been a difficult year to assess players form with limited competitive activity so I assume training track form carries more weight than usual.
Given that I can only assume he hasn’t ticked the required boxes to gain his debut.Hopefully he now knows what is required and has a full offseason to work with and will be knocking down the door for selection during the early rounds of 2021

Its a funny one, but defensively we've coped pretty well overall this year, and there seemed to be some concerns with his size in terms of being ready to take on AFL sized defenders. He must have got close as Longmire said a couple of times he did, but he will earn his stripes when he is ready.

[RogueSwan]

Given the ins for Geelong it looks like it will be an absolute bloodbath. Not a great game for young players anyway!

I'm happy you were way off the mark with that call barracuda (even though I was feeling the same)