Round 7 prematch thread - vs Brisbane at the SCG, Sunday 4.40 PM

[Roadrunner]

I would like to see Reid come in and play down back replacing Paddy. Please not Melican.

Amartey for McDonald.

Papley for Bell.

Yes, but would like to fit Gould in. Not sure how!

[Markwebbos]

How far off is Hickey?

Papley / Wicks replaces Bell
Amartey for Logan
Reid / Gould for McCartin

[MattW]

Ok, Lyon and Riewoldt confirmed Paddy failed the concussion test. Garry Lyon suggested Paddy was a bit anxious about passing it and got a few answers wrong. That would have been super frustrating for him and explains his reaction.

We're certainly going to be a bit thin down back next week.

[TheBloods]

In Papley Kennedy
Out McDonald Mccartin , shame

[Faunac8]

Ok, Lyon and Riewoldt confirmed Paddy failed the concussion test. Garry Lyon suggested Paddy was a bit anxious about passing it and got a few answers wrong. That would have been super frustrating for him and explains his reaction.

We're certainly going to be a bit thin down back next week.

I wonder if Paddy should return to wearing a helmet ? He has so much riding on his health that maybe having some protection will help with confidence as well as protect his head

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Gould ahead of Melican is a big call but I'd love to give him a chance and debuting him in our home game gives him a great opportunity. Rampe will have to step up in Paddy's absence.

Step up is definitely the right word. As Deja notes the Lions play very tall up forward. At the moment they play with 2 ruckmen (Hipwood out) plus Daniher all 3 over 6 foot 6 and then McStay at 6 4 - a lot of height.
It will be interesting to see if the great Dane can still cope giving up so much height - or whether the decline many are commenting upon will make it too big a stretch for him.

[Aprilbr]

If Wicks or Papley is ready, I'd bring either in for McDonald. If both are ready, then Bell's time is up. But I like the forward group a lot better when we're a bit smaller. Buddy + McLean is plenty of size, in my opinion. Gives a bit more space for Heeney to operate, and I think Hayward would play better with that look too.

I agree that we looked a little top heavy up forward on the weekend so bringing in a small to medium sized player for McDonald may be better. If he trains well then Papps may be a chance but given he has not played for 2 months he may need a game in the reserves. I think Gould is worth a shot as we know what we will get with the Pelican (nothing special). I would give Florent another game given his undoubted talent but put him on notice to perform. Bell probably deserves to be dropped.

Out: Bell, McDonald, McCartin
In: Stephens, Wicks (Sub), Gould

This means Joey starts based on his performance yesterday.

[Roadrunner]

Step up is definitely the right word. As Deja notes the Lions play very tall up forward. At the moment they play with 2 ruckmen (Hipwood out) plus Daniher all 3 over 6 foot 6 and then McStay at 6 4 - a lot of height.
It will be interesting to see if the great Dane can still cope giving up so much height - or whether the decline many are commenting upon will make it too big a stretch for him.

I think Sammy has to come in to help out. Gould can debut against a smaller forward line- this week may not be appropriate.

In: Sammy, Paps, Kennedy

Out: Paddy, Logan, Bell
Sub: Stephens

[Mountain Man]

Note: The thread heading is wrong, in that the game start time is 4:40

[Roadrunner]

I feel sorry for Bell. He gives his all, as our lads all do, but just hasn’t got it. He makes a few decent contributions but overall his game is frustrating to watch. I don’t expect him to rack up disposals but he and Wicks are our weakest links. Sure, their roles may be based on pressure but I don’t like it and never will. Ollie and Wilbur can drift in and out but they usually are involved in some great moves and have talent- JB and Wicks just don’t seem to show any. They both need extensive time in the twos to develop their game before they are considered again. Much rather introduce our draftees than persevere with these two at the moment.

Maybe a bit harsh and I know Wicks has defenders here but I’m done with these two for a while. RB was pretty ordinary yesterday but he always puts his body on the line- he really needs to improve his kicking though.
The contributions from our bottom 6 can make all the difference as to where we finish and these guys need to improve considerably if we are to challenge.

[liz]

Note: The thread heading is wrong, in that the game start time is 4:40

I've edited the thread title. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Bangalore Swans]

I feel sorry for Bell. He gives his all, as our lads all do, but just hasn’t got it. He makes a few decent contributions but overall his game is frustrating to watch. I don’t expect him to rack up disposals but he and Wicks are our weakest links. Sure, their roles may be based on pressure but I don’t like it and never will. Ollie and Wilbur can drift in and out but they usually are involved in some great moves and have talent- JB and Wicks just don’t seem to show any. They both need extensive time in the twos to develop their game before they are considered again. Much rather introduce our draftees than persevere with these two at the moment.

Maybe a bit harsh and I know Wicks has defenders here but I’m done with these two for a while. RB was pretty ordinary yesterday but he always puts his body on the line- he really needs to improve his kicking though.
The contributions from our bottom 6 can make all the difference as to where we finish and these guys need to improve considerably if we are to challenge.

Agree.

Rowbottoms distribution was poor yesterday and Mitchell got control of him early. He escapes criticism because people on Red and White have been so focused on defending him against TB’s feedback.

His play yesterday vindicated TB’s feedback.

I would prefer Kennedy to play Rowbottoms role for the next two weeks. Kennedy was great yesterday when he came on and deserves to start with RB going to medical sub.

[Ralph Dawg]

From what Horse has said, Paps has recovered from his hammy. I think he comes straight back in. With both him and Ronke buzzing around, along with the dynamism of Heeney and Hayward, I think we can really challenge the Lions back 6. Other then Answerth, their small defenders (Zorko amongst them this year) don't play an overly accountable game. This is where Andrews and Adams are key for the Lions in creating the contest for the likes of Rich, Zorko and Coleman to hurt on the rebound. Nullify their interceptors and we can keep the ball in our F50 for scoring opportunities, more with our mediums and smalls than Buddy and McLean. If Paps is not fit, Wicks in for Bell would be a consideration. No one can doubt Bell's effort but he just looks lost at AFL level.

At the other end, Reid is best equipped to take on the Lions resting ruck, although wouldn't surprise me to see Melican picked for this role. Clearly the match committee rates Melican but personally, I don't see why. TMcCartain to pick up Daniher and Rampe gets McStay. Our medium / small defenders will have their work cut out containing Cameron, McCarthy and Raynor. I think Campbell is our best match for Cameron given his speed and clean hands when the ball is in dispute. If it happens, will be a very entertaining contest.

Obviously the best defence will be to limit the Lions F50 entries by work done up the field. It's a cliche, but this game will be won at the contest and subsequent clearance work, especially at the SCG. I wonder whether Rowbottom will start on Neale or whether Horse will just go straight to Mills or Parker? Given now devastating Neale can be at the contest, I'd just stick Mills on him straight away.
With fantastic matchups across the midfield, this should be an epic contest.

With all that off my chest:
Outs: PMcCartain, McDonald, Bell
Ins: Reid, Papley /Wicks, JPK Sub Gould

[i'm-uninformed2]

Agree.

Rowbottoms distribution was poor yesterday and Mitchell got control of him early. He escapes criticism because people on Red and White have been so focused on defending him against TB’s feedback.

His play yesterday vindicated TB’s feedback.

I would prefer Kennedy to play Rowbottoms role for the next two weeks. Kennedy was great yesterday when he came on and deserves to start with RB going to medical sub.

I think it's about balance.

As the game wore on, his work inside the contest across clearances, contested possessions, tackles and one percenters was excellent.

But like a few others, his work in the first quarter wasn't great, and he and a few others were guilty of bad decision making with kicks forward of centre. That kick - as much as our goal kicking - was killing us. The only three I'd give a pass to yesterday on that count were JMac, Blakey and Gulden.

The JPK thing is an interesting issue in itself. I've been inclined to find out once and for all where he's at. He certainly did well when he was on yesterday and can only do what the opportunity provides, but it's hard to judge in some ways as he was fresh legs against a tiring team in a game where all the play was running our way. That's not to knock him at all; just context for judging what we saw.

[Faunac8]

You know you are fighting a losing battle when a player has these stats:
11 contested possessions ( 3rd equal with Chad for Swans )
7 inside 50’s (3rd )
450 metres gained (4th)
6 tackles (1st equal with Will)
8 clearances ( 1st )
And still it isn’t enough for some who focus on a fifteen minute period where like most of his teammates he didn’t play to an acceptable level.
Sorry BS you don’t drop a player who is working that hard. ????