Rd 16 vs Essendon Bombers @ MCG - Pre-Game Thread

[i'm-uninformed2]

Just joking. Not wanting to be confrontational. Couldn't help myself.

Some interesting things with Caldwell. Pick 11 in the 2018 draft. Left the Giants after 2 years. Now Tanner Bruhn, pick 12 in the 2020 draft is reportedly looking to leave the Giants after 2 years. What is it with the Giants?

Rowbottom went pick 25 in the same draft and is 9 days older than Caldwell. They have exactly the same average AFL Fantasy ranking points average this year. Would make for a good 1 on 1 matchup.

I think Caldwell is a good player. I haven't paid that much attention to him (not being a Swan), but I do recall a fair few blunders on his part. But again, not really a good measure. We will have to see how he goes against us and reassess.

What is it with the Giants? They’re a crap club, playing in front of two people each week, left Forest Gump in place as coach for a decade, clearly have such a bad development program that players get worse the longer they go on, wasted the draft and list concessions of a lifetime, shat their pants in the GF they actually made, and brought shame to the game we all love.

Other than that, they’re fine.

[Roadrunner]

Jmac back in , sorry for some on here

Not a worry at all- some of us just had doubts about his fitness. We all want him back in the team if he’s fit!

[Agent 86]

Shame he's never had 25 possessions in a game. I guess even a ripper can be a dud.

Ouch. That’s harsh. But, it must be said, fair.

[Agent 86]

Happy Stephens and Campbell stay in

Clarke stiff but should be first back up if there is a spot.

Jmac definitely in 22 no question.

Love JMac, but he hasn’t exactly earned walk-up-start status just yet.

I don’t have a problem with the selection, but also think those who reckon some time in the 2s have a reasonable point.

Mind you, I was dropping Ollie a few weeks back, so what would I know.

[MattW]

MC left last weeks backline alone, which is good. I was worried they'd stupidly drop Fox again. Clarke stiff but hopefully JMac is over his pre bye malaise.

Team looks to be taking shape now, no longer any obvious weak links. No more of those players who aren't quite up to it that we kept asking why were they still in the side. Those fringe players are now being left in the VFL, you all know which players I mean.

Healthy list benefit - nice.

Cunningham not an emergency, so I assume he's still getting over covid. I think we'll have to wait for his return before we can be fully assured that Fox is entrenched in the 22.

[Markwebbos]

Not sure Harry is fully fit

[longmile]

Campbell can count himself very lucky. Clarke very unlucky - to me to be dropped after that game is pretty much symbolic of his papers being stamped.

Amartey also unlucky, but you'd imagine he'd be the first in when Reid/McDonald have a dud. Both were serviceable last week so was always a bit of an ask to bring in Amartey

[Markwebbos]

Campbell can count himself very lucky. Clarke very unlucky - to me to be dropped after that game is pretty much symbolic of his papers being stamped.

Amartey also unlucky, but you'd imagine he'd be the first in when Reid/McDonald have a dud. Both were serviceable last week so was always a bit of an ask to bring in Amartey

I agree re: Clarke / Campbell thought the former did the job he was given. And the Bombers have Hind etc.

I have to assume the MC know what they are doing

[Danzar]

And surely any embarrassment (in their own performance) Essendon felt from Parker's actions pales when compared to the pasting they have received all season from the media, not just for that game but for almost every other game they've played this season. If they were going to make a stand - sustained, not just in a one-off game against the Saints - they've had plenty of opportunities to do so by now.

Making it more logical to boycott all press conferences than target Parker lol, the irony

[lwjoyner]

clarke stiff one of our best lastv week

[Roadrunner]

clarke stiff one of our best lastv week

Yes he’s stiff but I wouldn’t say he was one of our best. It must have been a tossup between he and Campbell and looks like the latter came out slightly in front. No doubt the MC are looking at the future but that doesn’t mean Clarke’s papers are stamped- he is a valuable squad player who is useful in covering injuries- but not necessarily best 22.

[RogueSwan]

I'm disappointed they dropped Clarke after playing one of his best games for the Swans. Did he not play the role the coaches asked?

Anyway, the result shouldn't hinge on one change, unless that change is Hickey or Mills.

[SwanSand]

I'm disappointed they dropped Clarke after playing one of his best games for the Swans. Did he not play the role the coaches asked?

Anyway, the result shouldn't hinge on one change, unless that change is Hickey or Mills.

I reckon the game doesn’t demand a tagger and he is out.
Now is the time to check who is the best to do the Wicks role in forward half. They will try and give that role to Campbell and Stephens this week and see what happens. We need players who are two way in that role with good inside 50 kicks when they get the ball.

[chalbilto]

I reckon the game doesn’t demand a tagger and he is out.
Now is the time to check who is the best to do the Wicks role in forward half. They will try and give that role to Campbell and Stephens this week and see what happens. We need players who are two way in that role with good inside 50 kicks when they get the ball.

Both Campbell and Stephens satisfy this criteria. Let’s hope either or both can succeed in this role.

[bloodspirit]

I reckon the game doesn’t demand a tagger and he is out.
Now is the time to check who is the best to do the Wicks role in forward half. They will try and give that role to Campbell and Stephens this week and see what happens. We need players who are two way in that role with good inside 50 kicks when they get the ball.

Yes. I have been wondering the same thing and will watch with interest (just as I did last week until I identified that it was Clarke).