Rd 19 vs Adelaide Crows @ SCG

[Maltopia]

We might lose one of those games without Hickey or Ladhams but we really shouldn’t. It is a risk but we are better going into the next two rounds without a best case ruck situation than the first week of the finals.

If we finish 5-8 yes, but if Hickey can help us get a top four spot, we have a double chance and can afford to lose week 1 of the finals (not our preference).

If we win week 1 (from top four finish), Hickey can rest in week 2.

I think we need to win our remaining games well with percentage gains to overtake Melbourne and/or Brisbane. I think we shouldn’t rest anyone unless they absolutely can’t play due to their injury or is at risk of aggravating their injury further.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Nice to see a bit of love for Robbie Fox. Gotta admit, he’s been better than I thought. Never minded him, he’s honest, but wondered about his ability to mind quality smalls. Let’s hope he keeps getting better again.

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[Ludwig]

Might take issue with your comments on Stephens though - yes, his tackling has improved vastly as has his attack on the ball. But there are still too many moments when he doesn't know how to defend his man. Watching a replay of Q4 v Freo, there is a boundary throw in in Freo's frwd pocket where Rampe points at him and tells him to grab Collier - he nods then leaves him alone, Collier snaffles the tap-in and hits the post with his snap under very little pressure. If he'd scored we may be having a very different conversation. It disappoints me that he still has these moments too often in his third season in the system.

I'm hopeful that in the fullness of time Stephens will straighten out the kinks in his game. Hayward and Florent have taken a lot of flack over their 6 years for numerous mental errors. They still have them, but less often with the passage of time, and I think now most of us feel they're making a solid contribution to the team and wouldn't think of having them dropped.

The defensive assignments at stoppages is something he has trouble with, but he should learn from the experience. He's being played all over the ground, but should settle in to a position, if not before finals, then at least by next year.

[Maltopia]

I'm hopeful that in the fullness of time Stephens will straighten out the kinks in his game. Hayward and Florent have taken a lot of flack over their 6 years for numerous mental errors. They still have them, but less often with the passage of time, and I think now most of us feel they're making a solid contribution to the team and wouldn't think of having them dropped.

The defensive assignments at stoppages is something he has trouble with, but he should learn from the experience. He's being played all over the ground, but should settle in to a position, if not before finals, then at least by next year.

So we have three more years of bagging Stephens for his mistakes to make it fair, given what Hayward and Florent have received (still receive). Actually, another year on top as we have higher expectations as a pick five over a pick 11 and 21.

Seriously though, Stephens has had less than 20 senior games in his career so he is still very inexperienced at the highest level, and I think he has improved out of sight recently and looks like he belongs in the team.

[The Big Cat]

We might lose one of those games without Hickey or Ladhams but we really shouldn’t. It is a risk but we are better going into the next two rounds without a best case ruck situation than the first week of the finals.

Won’t be a problem next year as Naismith is tracking beautifully at present. When fit he’s our best ruckman by a country mile.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Playing on the wing is such a demanding positional area to cover.

Some supporters may feel it is simply running up and down the flank all day long looking for the easy ball.

I loved playing AFL as a kid and in my 20s.... but found the most demanding position was the wing.

See ball get ball and body on body positions were much easier in my humble opinion. Different skill set but because u only need a 1m to get away from your opponents and or close a 1m it was easier to stay in the game.

The distances for a winger are a nightmare to anticipate.

I went back and watched the game online and was looking at how we were opening up our flanks and or minimising the space.

I thought Stephens looked smarter than any other game.

Im not saying he is a definite choise for best 22 in a finals series but it appears we are persisting at this stage until there is a better option. That option might be dropping Stephens for Kennedy rotating thru the centre and one of florent etc going back to the wing.

Stephens was listening to his backline attentively and the area to cover north to south and east to west for a winger actually changes the game for every player on the skinny side. It means that every inside benefits from small space to cover if the winger on the fat side is doing his job at a top level.

When the wingers and backline in defence can close the space effectively it then changes the attack of the opposition like we saw with Dawson having to kick over the top. So much easier to handle as a backman then constant long ball as we can get back in numbers for an exit.

[TheBloods]

Won’t be a problem next year as Naismith is tracking beautifully at present. When fit he’s our best ruckman by a country mile.

Oh boy

[Auntie.Gerald]

Just one other point re wingman

There is definitely a bias we tend to carry re the performance of wingers.

Everyone remembers a clunker out on the wing, vs say 3 non effevtive tackles in a row by an inside mid that led to a goal assist by the opposition.

The ball is bouncing around at 100 miles an hour in the centre vs out on the wing where our recall as spectators is so high due to such an isolated one on one spectacle with more time to assess.

[Roadrunner]

Just one other point re wingman

There is definitely a bias we tend to carry re the performance of wingers.

Everyone remembers a clunker out on the wing, vs say 3 non effevtive tackles in a row by an inside mid that led to a goal assist by the opposition.

The ball is bouncing around at 100 miles an hour in the centre vs out on the wing where our recall as spectators is so high due to such an isolated one on one spectacle with more time to assess.

Thanks Auntie- a difficult position to play well, as you’re easily exposed.

[lwjoyner]

joey for McInnernt to ms for wicks

[Aprilbr]

In Joey Out Wicks

The wildcats is whether or not Hickey is fit to play? If not, then it gets tricky. Pruess is OK in the ruck for GWS so not playing a recognised ruckman against him would be a big risk. Sinclair may get a final chance in the Seniors while we wait for Ladhams to return.

[Markwebbos]

In Joey Out Wicks

The wildcats is whether or not Hickey is fit to play? If not, then it gets tricky. Pruess is OK in the ruck for GWS so not playing a recognised ruckman against him would be a big risk. Sinclair may get a final chance in the Seniors while we wait for Ladhams to return.

Would Sinkers be any better than Reid?

[Aprilbr]

Would Sinkers be any better than Reid?

Reid has been OK as a backup but being the primary ruckman is a big ask. Hopefully, Hickey will come up for the game and this debate becomes irrelevant!

[KTigers]

Won’t be a problem next year as Naismith is tracking beautifully at present. When fit he’s our best ruckman by a country mile.

mmm.... he has played two senior games in the last five seasons, I'm not sure he is really built to play footy.

[stevoswan]

Won’t be a problem next year as Naismith is tracking beautifully at present. When fit he’s our best ruckman by a country mile.

For a game or two.....then 'twang'! Career over.