Qualifying Final vs Melbourne, at MCG on Friday 2 September, 7.50pm AEST

[Swanny40519]

I could be wrong but I am pretty sure McInerney ran with Ed Langdon last time. Given Juzzy’s form, a clear defensive role might be good.

Clarke stays in for me and goes to Salem. We are still undefeated this year with him in the team. We don’t need more offence.

Gee looking at the way the Demons destroyed Lions we will need all the offence we can get. They are very fast and move the ball quickly.

Clarke and Wicks out. Campbell/Cunningham and Ladhams in - Gawn and particularly Jackson were too strong and mobile for the opposition. I am a bit nervous when Gawn goes forward as Tom McC has had a couple of ordinary games recently.

[mcs]

Gee looking at the way the Demons destroyed Lions we will need all the offence we can get. They are very fast and move the ball quickly.

Clarke and Wicks out. Campbell and Ladhams in - Gawn and particularly Jackson were too strong and mobile for the opposition. I am a bit nervous when Gawn goes forward as Tom McC has had a couple of ordinary games recently.

We need to be disciplined and patient in possession. They move the ball quickly but if we limit their ability to move quickly on the turnover, we can get the game on our terms.

It will need great pressure up forward and good ball use (ie don't kick long to Gawn every 5 seconds). Collectively as a team we have the tools to do it. Can we execute it in a final - we will just have to find out.

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[MattW]

My worry with Wicks is this year he hasn't done much in front of goals, and his kicking for goal from set shots in particular hasn't been good enough.

I wouldn't have him in the 22, but if he is there it won't be lack of effort if he doesn't have a positive influence.

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Agreed. He has 4.4 in 10 games, which is a substandard return for a small forward His pressure is excellent, but doesn't add enough in attack.

He's down on last year. Fewer possessions (down from 11 to 9), goals (down from 0.8 to 0.4) and tackles (down from 4 to 2.5) per game. His discipline has worsened (down from -0.3 frees per game to -1.3 frees per game).

Clarke's stats this year are pretty much identical to Wicks's. Clarke brings the shut-down role and Wicks brings that general pressure. Both are flawed options, as are Ronke and Bell. We've tried them all this year and understandably the selection committee hasn't really been convinced by any.

[gloveski]

Gee looking at the way the Demons destroyed Lions we will need all the offence we can get. They are very fast and move the ball quickly.

Clarke and Wicks out. Campbell/Cunningham and Ladhams in - Gawn and particularly Jackson were too strong and mobile for the opposition. I am a bit nervous when Gawn goes forward as Tom McC has had a couple of ordinary games recently.

You only really have Clarke going out as Wicks was Sub .
Can only see Ladhams replacing a tall and he certainly won’t play as Sub .

Can definitely see Cunningham coming in to play on Kozi , that would mean Florent might push up to a wing to play on Langdon and Mills back in the middle .
Clarke might have to make way for that change .

Clarke /Campbell/ Wicks/Ronke as sub .

Can’t see a spot for Ladhams as it might make us to top heavy


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[mcs]

Agreed. He has 4.4 in 10 games, which is a substandard return for a small forward His pressure is excellent, but doesn't add enough in attack.

He's down on last year. Fewer possessions (down from 11 to 9), goals (down from 0.8 to 0.4) and tackles (down from 4 to 2.5) per game. His discipline has worsened (down from -0.3 frees per game to -1.3 frees per game).

Clarke's stats this year are pretty much identical to Wicks's. Clarke brings the shut-down role and Wicks brings that general pressure. Both are flawed options, as are Ronke and Bell. We've tried them all this year and understandably the selection committee hasn't really been convinced by any.

I thought Ronke played okay but wasn't given a lot of an opportunity when he did play. But there are challenges for all.

Whoever we pick, we need them to fulfill their role and do their bit on the big stage. Their role is every bit as important as the superstars at the other end of our 22.

[Ludwig]

Ronke can go out of games and not contribute much if he's not kicking goals. He's had some big possession games for a small forward in the VFL. On the plus side, he does have an uncanny knack for finding goals. I don't think Ronke hurts our side when he's in the seniors. He also allows Heeney and Papley more time up the ground as Ben is serious goal kicking threat.

[bloodspirit]

You only really have Clarke going out as Wicks was Sub .
Can only see Ladhams replacing a tall and he certainly won’t play as Sub .

Can definitely see Cunningham coming in to play on Kozi , that would mean Florent might push up to a wing to play on Langdon and Mills back in the middle .
Clarke might have to make way for that change .

Clarke /Campbell/ Wicks/Ronke as sub .

Can’t see a spot for Ladhams as it might make us to top heavy


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Good post.

I agree with MattW too. I did not like Wicks' game against the Saints. Was ill disciplined and too gung ho with his pressure. Conversely was not composed with the ball in hand and butchered a straightforward shot at goal. I'd prefer Bell or Ronke - but none of them are ideal. Which is why I see merit in gloveski's suggestion of bringing Cunningham back and pushing Florent up to the wing. The issue with that is that we want to maintain and build the chemistry with the defensive set-up and I'm not sure if now is the time to be messing with it.

[barracuda]

Good post.

I agree with MattW too. I did not like Wicks' game against the Saints. Was ill disciplined and too gung ho with his pressure. Conversely was not composed with the ball in hand and butchered a straightforward shot at goal. I'd prefer Bell or Ronke - but none of them are ideal. Which is why I see merit in gloveski's suggestion of bringing Cunningham back and pushing Florent up to the wing. The issue with that is that we want to maintain and build the chemistry with the defensive set-up and I'm not sure if now is the time to be messing with it.

Seriously, ill disciplined and gung ho! Please provide specifics or you have just proved my point.

[Buzz13]

Seriously, ill disciplined and gung ho! Please provide specifics or you have just proved my point.

Was def Ill disciplined - had just won a free kick on the wing and went after the player that gave the free kick away. Was surprised it wasn't reversed...something upset him but he has form in those brain fades.

[0918330512]

Was def Ill disciplined - had just won a free kick on the wing and went after the player that gave the free kick away. Was surprised it wasn't reversed...something upset him but he has form in those brain fades.

It’s only really a brain fade if it’s out of character for how he goes about the bulk of his play. Wicks always seems to be throwing his not so ample mass around, trying to intimidate those who aren’t really intimidated by him. He’s given away his fair share of stupid frees and had decisions reversed. He has history of this.

[barracuda]

Buzz13, are you serious. He just got smashed in the head resulting in Ben Long getting reported. The umpire kept saying "i've reported him". When finals start it is going to be very physical. It always is. I love Wicks spirit and courage. If you watch his last 6 games with the VFL there is no ill discipline just serious and controlled intent. In the game against St Kilda Wicks came on when half the side had gone to sleep. He absolutely cracked in and created enormous pressure, tackles and turnovers. He made some mistakes as did a number of players in the side. So far none of you have watched the last half to concentrate on his contribution. When the physicality of finals come around just watch the likes of Clarke melt away. Winning finals is going to be about who wants it more. That is always the case.

[Roadrunner]

Buzz13, are you serious. He just got smashed in the head resulting in Ben Long getting reported. The umpire kept saying "i've reported him". When finals start it is going to be very physical. It always is. I love Wicks spirit and courage. If you watch his last 6 games with the VFL there is no ill discipline just serious and controlled intent. In the game against St Kilda Wicks came on when half the side had gone to sleep. He absolutely cracked in and created enormous pressure, tackles and turnovers. He made some mistakes as did a number of players in the side. So far none of you have watched the last half to concentrate on his contribution. When the physicality of finals come around just watch the likes of Clarke melt away. Winning finals is going to be about who wants it more. That is always the case.

I’ve not rated Wicks when many here thought he was doing a job for the team with his pressure. Barra, if you think his game against the Saints was ok, your expectations of a player in a top 4 side is pretty low. I’m not saying Clarke was much better but his first 5 games coming back were. For me, neither are good enough and I would rather have Harry or Braeden in the team, with whoever misses out as sub. Maybe the MC will not want to change a winning team, but we need the best players in a final so let’s go with one of those two.

[Buzz13]

Buzz13, are you serious. He just got smashed in the head resulting in Ben Long getting reported. The umpire kept saying "i've reported him". When finals start it is going to be very physical. It always is. I love Wicks spirit and courage. If you watch his last 6 games with the VFL there is no ill discipline just serious and controlled intent. In the game against St Kilda Wicks came on when half the side had gone to sleep. He absolutely cracked in and created enormous pressure, tackles and turnovers. He made some mistakes as did a number of players in the side. So far none of you have watched the last half to concentrate on his contribution. When the physicality of finals come around just watch the likes of Clarke melt away. Winning finals is going to be about who wants it more. That is always the case.

Yeah I agree he had reason to be aggro, but just saying he has a short fuse and in a low scoring finals grind a goal from a silly reversal or similar could be disaster. Apart from his shank on goal I thought he did ok as sub from 1/2 a match.

[stevoswan]

We need to be disciplined and patient in possession. They move the ball quickly but if we limit their ability to move quickly on the turnover, we can get the game on our terms.

Agree.....like we did against Freo.

[bandwagon]

Clarke, Wicks, Ronke & Bell have been tried as small forwards and each have strengths and weaknesses. None have really made the position their own (so far). Cunningham or Campbell may well be better footballers, but haven't played that position at AFL or VFL level recently, so how quickly would they pick it up while playing a final? So the MC may well stick with a winning team, perhaps they pick according to match-ups. My preference would be Cunningham - he is quick, disciplined, has decent disposal and heaps of experience playing a shutdown role. Whoever they pick, i hope they play a blinder.