Rd 4 vs North Melbourne @ SCG - Pre-Game Thread

[Swanny40519]

If we dont beat Norf by a hundred points this round, I dont think we are a genuine premiership threat.

Based on the current weather - if we kick half of that and win I think we are a premiership contender.

[Faunac8]

Ladhams JMac and Sam Reid in didn’t see Sam as an option to be honest

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Dylan and Joel the outs apart from the obvious Hickey out

[longmile]

I'm sure like many, surprised and disappointed by the Reid selection. Thought amartey looked exciting as a back up ruck, offering more upside out of the middle than McLean or Reid. Amartey needs a few games to build confidence and Reid is probably in the last season or two of his career.

Also I think playing McLean in the wet could be a bit of a mistake

[Markwebbos]

I would have dropped Hayden and kept Joel. Shows you what I know!

[i'm-uninformed2]

My guess is it was something in Amartey’s forward game they didn’t like when he was down there before Hickey went off, as he did ok in the ruck and Horse said so afterwards.

I’d also think Sam is more likely to be relief ruck than McLean.

But above all, JMac is back. Yeah baby.

[The Big Cat]

Weather forecast seems to be improving for Saturday arvo.

[longmile]

If it's clear weather I don't mind McLean with two other talls in the forward 50, but it's the selection of Reid over Amartey (and even McDonald) that seems odd

[Aprilbr]

Its very interesting to see Reid in but good luck to him. Lots of other younger players could have taken that slot. Disappointing that Dylan is omitted given his great pre-season and early season form. Hope he can fight his way back into the side quickly.

[AB Swannie]

All the changes are like for like which tells me that they are sticking with their structure no matter what. I'd prefer to have kept Amartey in but there really isn't a lot of difference in output between him and Reid.

It also seems to me that Horse wants a certain level of experience in the team.

[MattW]

So, what are the theories on Reid's selection?

I thought Amartey was OK last week, so it's a little surprising.

I think it may be ruck related. Ladhams will need more centre square and defensive half ruck relief than Hickey, and perhaps they think Reid's better equipped for that role. I think they see Amartey more as a forward than second ruck, and they're happier to plan for Reid to ruck more than they are Amartey.

[stevoswan]

So, what are the theories on Reid's selection?

I thought Amartey was OK last week, so it's a little surprising.

I think it may be ruck related. Ladhams will need more centre square and defensive half ruck relief than Hickey, and perhaps they think Reid's better equipped for that role. I think they see Amartey more as a forward than second ruck, and they're happier to plan for Reid to ruck more than they are Amartey.

Pretty accurate summary of the Reid selection I believe.

[rb4x]

We will find out how ordinary Ladhams is. Reid is needed to give us some hope in the ruck against Xerri and Goldstein.

[TheBloods]

We dont learn

Reid 's not bad , how soon we forget the ones who have contributed for us

[i'm-uninformed2]

So, what are the theories on Reid's selection?

I thought Amartey was OK last week, so it's a little surprising.

I think it may be ruck related. Ladhams will need more centre square and defensive half ruck relief than Hickey, and perhaps they think Reid's better equipped for that role. I think they see Amartey more as a forward than second ruck, and they're happier to plan for Reid to ruck more than they are Amartey.

I’d say the opposite, we need a second ruck to contribute as a forward, and Amartey hasn’t shown that yet.

[Faunac8]

We dont learn

Reid 's not bad , how soon we forget the ones who have contributed for us

Tend to agree with you TB Sam offers a lot more than some give him credit for.
How many times over the last few years has he ended a quarter deep in defence helping repel the opposition.
He can take a mark and averages a goal a game. Perceived by some as inaccurate but actually is a pretty good kick for goal. Maybe not the luckiest player with injuries over the journey but will always be remembered by me as a great servant for the club over the last 12 years and of course played in a premiership for us.