Changes to R20 V Dons

[wolftone57]

I agree that we’ll tag Parish and Hind.

The SCG game against the Bombers was the first time that the Slick Swans lost their mojo and began to be constipated in ball movement.

I believe we’ve taken forward steps since that game (particularly the last month) so hope we can dominate them.

Would love to see RB stay but probably the changes you’ve flagged.

Also didn’t Hooker destroy McCartin last time around. Hoping that won’t happen again.

McCartin had a few bad games early in the season. he has improved immensely. But I think Hooker may get Rampe and McCartin will go to Wright. blakey or fox to take Tippa.

[Nico]

Ludwig, my main concern with Melican is that the Swans style of play may now have bypassed him. He does not have the pace or attack in his game to replace any of the current backs. But he does give the Swans depth of injuries occur. but needs playing time to gain confidence and fitness. I see Campbell also needs Gametime to gain his fitness and confidence to get back into 22.

Melican takes about 3 games to show any form. Too much of a risk at this time of the season so he plays 2's for a bit.

[Markwebbos]

McCartin had a few bad games early in the season. he has improved immensely. But I think Hooker may get Rampe and McCartin will go to Wright. blakey or fox to take Tippa.

Surely Harry gets Tippa? Who gets “the package”?

[AB Swannie]

Surely Harry gets Tippa? Who gets “the package”?

I'd be happy to see Fox on Stringer when he goes forward. Stringer may beat him a few times but Fox will cause some problems going the other way because Stringer won't be able to match his endurance.

[joeykanga]

Melican takes about 3 games to show any form. Too much of a risk at this time of the season so he plays 2's for a bit.

He does tend to need a few runs back from a spell

[Ludwig]

I'd back Rampe and McCartain to take on Cameron and Hawkins. Fox can take on Rohan. Melican might have a few extra cm's and bulk, but is too injury probe and hasn't played enough games. We should stick with the guys who are now starting to gel together into a solid defensive unit.

But we do have a weakness here that needs to be remedied. When we get beaten down back, it's often a tall forward out-muscling out defenders.

Ludwig, my main concern with Melican is that the Swans style of play may now have bypassed him. He does not have the pace or attack in his game to replace any of the current backs. But he does give the Swans depth of injuries occur. but needs playing time to gain confidence and fitness. I see Campbell also needs Gametime to gain his fitness and confidence to get back into 22.

This is just wrong about Melican. Has has good closing speed and is by no means slow. He has good attacking instincts and loves to attack. I don't know if this is the week when Melican has done enough in training and the reserves to be fully fit and ready to play AFL, but when he is, I think he should play. We need a 2nd tall defender. Forwards these days are just too big to handle by little guys.

Melican takes about 3 games to show any form. Too much of a risk at this time of the season so he plays 2's for a bit.

That's why I would like to get Melican back sooner rather than later. I know we are shooting for 4th place, but chances are we will end up where we are now. Playing Melican won't change things. The last thing we would want to do is be forced to bring Melican in for the finals without any recent AFL experience. Let's get him in now.

[Aprilbr]

I am of the view that our backline is too short and other teams know that. Hawthorn exploited that aspect very well against us and most other teams have deliberately brought in tall forwards to try to take advantage of this deficiency with varying results. Even the Dockers last week had big Darcy down there at times and he took grabs against us. Fortunately for us the guy's goal kicking is crap! Opposition teams will continue to try to isolate their tall forwards against our short defenders. Our pressure on the ball carrier has been excellent in recent weeks which has made it harder for this tactic to work.

Melican is probably our only tall back option at this stage (I am assuming that Brand is not considered good enough) but he needs some Reserves game time before playing seniors again. Gould is not tall enough to play on the monsters in my view.

[Blood Relative]

Perhaps 10-14 ;days in a hotel room has reduced fitness and they need to spend a week in the two's. McLean replaces suspended Franklin

[rickmat]

I will agree to disagree about Melican, Ludwig. I don't share the confidence in Melican you have. He tends to delay getting the ball on and doesn't have the height to hold down CHB or FB. Just my thoughts, Ludwig and I would enjoy being proven wrong if Melican gets back to the 22 and contributes positively.

[Aaron]

Quite agree with Ludwig. Earlier in this season, Melican was playing with Rampe injured or slightly not in form and he had to shoulder more responsibilities. As a result, he was sometimes get caught. Now with our backline stable and steady, we should be able to carry him even if he plays less than 80% TOG (Rampe now often plays 100%TOG). However whose place he will be taking? I think Cunningham is required in the team. What about pushing Dawson forward and let Melican be part of our 7 defenders?

[707]

Dawson should only be a starting back in extreme circumstances, has proven far too valuable in recent weeks as a wingman, has great skills and footy smarts

[Matty10]

Changes to R20 V Dons

Most of the discussion on this thread becomes irrelevant (for this week) now that Buddy is free to play.

Mills and Cunningham two definite ins. Not sure who goes out. Ronke an obvious choice at this stage of the season with others available. Bell likely the other exclusion.

[AB Swannie]

It would be mildly amusing if we decided to rest Buddy now.

[Ludwig]

Dawson should only be a starting back in extreme circumstances, has proven far too valuable in recent weeks as a wingman, has great skills and footy smarts

Agree. Swapping Blakey and Dawson has been better for both players. Dawson makes an excellent tall utility, but I like him more as a mid forward where he can get goal kicking opportunities.

[The Great One]

Now that Buddy is free to play, it would be ironic if JL chooses to rest him, but I doubt he will.

I see Cunningham and Mills as certain to return.

Ronke is definitely one of the outs, with a difficult choice for the other. Bell has been really good for the last month and plays an important role.

I'm going to agree with TB that Rowbottom might be the one to go. I suspect he hasn't been 100% fit since the Lions game in Round 1.