Rd 4 vs Port Adelaide @ SCG, Saturday April 8 7:30PM - Pre-match Thread

[dimelb]

And also with Harry.

[Blood Fever]

And also with Harry.

Slightly less ridiculous but ridiculous as well

[AB Swannie]

Stephens is the one under the pump. I think he should stay but he got subbed for a reason and it wasn’t due to fitness.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

With regards the Buddy as 23rd man arguement.
One good thing from the Melbourne game is that Amarty has proven himself sufficiently match fit to act as the relieving ruck. Which means that there is no need to play McLean in that role.
So those concerned that it would mean a shortage of mids if one broke down, can relax, because Roberts (for example) could be in the 22 to begin with.

[waswan]

Harry is the reliable player that isnt the future.

Doing enough and I like the call to swap him for Campbell but the only change I would make is Sheldrick for Harry.

Justin Mc needs to be put on notice, not sure if injured or not, id even consider giving his wing to Olie, Blakey or Campbell and let him play deeper in defence.

Stephens didnt do his job but first 2 weeks he played well.

The buddy arguement is silly, if fit he plays. Amartey had enough chances to slot another 3 goals and MacDonald got around the ground and could have had 3 as well. The week before against witches hats doesnt count as "its his time now".

He is still 20, I can only think of the King brothers that replace Buddys 50goals at 20

[Roadrunner]

Dropping Lloyd? Ridiculous.

Maybe so, but I thought he had a shocker and the Dees ‘ smalls wreaked havoc. Sure, their midfield was on top but he tends to go missing for parts of the game and his kicking is often helicopter like. A rest may do him good.

But I know it won’t happen!

[MattW]

With regards the Buddy as 23rd man arguement.
One good thing from the Melbourne game is that Amarty has proven himself sufficiently match fit to act as the relieving ruck. Which means that there is no need to play McLean in that role.
So those concerned that it would mean a shortage of mids if one broke down, can relax, because Roberts (for example) could be in the 22 to begin with.

Yes and Amartey is far more effective than McLean in the relief ruck role.

[Nico]

I think Sheldrick should come in and not as the sub. On all reports he was very good in the 2's. Also for some reason Warner spent a fair bit of time on the HFF. He is a pure midfielder whether he is tagged or not. In the first quarter we went 6/0 on centre clearances, then after that 10/16. It should be Parker up forward and not at centre bounces. Warner and Gulden should always start in the middle. They are both quick and go straight at the footy. Will we ever get our centre clearance work right. We had a player manning up on Oliver and he just sprinted clear of his opponent. I don't understand why someone didn't take the space in front of him. We have to try Sheldrick in the midfield.

[Captain]

With regards the Buddy as 23rd man arguement.
One good thing from the Melbourne game is that Amarty has proven himself sufficiently match fit to act as the relieving ruck. Which means that there is no need to play McLean in that role.
So those concerned that it would mean a shortage of mids if one broke down, can relax, because Roberts (for example) could be in the 22 to begin with.

I agree he is a good option as a second ruck and better than McLean in that role. The issue I have is that it takes away from his threat up forward. Playing his solely as a forward is where I think he will easily play his best football and makes us a better team.

The perfect scenario is Logan and Amarty up forward with Reid playing the Ruck/Forward role.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I agree he is a good option as a second ruck and better than McLean in that role. The issue I have is that it takes away from his threat up forward. Playing his solely as a forward is where I think he will easily play his best football and makes us a better team.

The perfect scenario is Logan and Amarty up forward with Reid playing the Ruck/Forward role.

Agree absolutely, I'd prefer Amarty as the 3rd ruck option - but until the medical department is depopulated of talls, I can see no other option.

[707]

Port have beaten us the last 6 outings! Amazing that, we are due then LOL

[Blood Fever]

Harry is the reliable player that isnt the future.

Doing enough and I like the call to swap him for Campbell but the only change I would make is Sheldrick for Harry.

Justin Mc needs to be put on notice, not sure if injured or not, id even consider giving his wing to Olie, Blakey or Campbell and let him play deeper in defence.

Stephens didnt do his job but first 2 weeks he played well.

The buddy arguement is silly, if fit he plays. Amartey had enough chances to slot another 3 goals and MacDonald got around the ground and could have had 3 as well. The week before against witches hats doesnt count as "its his time now".

He is still 20, I can only think of the King brothers that replace Buddys 50goals at 20

Leave Florent where he is. Blossomed as a half back. One loss is not the end of the world. Players must be given chance to atone.

[Ludwig]

In the round 3 thread I have been posting that Franklin should be tried as our #1 ruckman. The other suggestions is to play him as the sub. In any case, he should come out of the starting forward line, which should be left to an Amartey and McDonald duet.

Here's an article that came out today, primarily about how other clubs are looking to recruit out of contract Amartey, which reinforces this position. The video on Franklin and commentary is also damning.

Everyone loves Buddy, but he's hurting more than helping the team this year. We lost a very good player in Tim Membrey under similar circumstances. Are we going to repeat the same mistake?

AFL news 2023: Trade whispers, latest, player movement, out of contract, Joel Amartey, Ben Hobbs, free agents

[Blood Fever]

In the round 3 thread I have been posting that Franklin should be tried as our #1 ruckman. The other suggestions is to play him as the sub. In any case, he should come out of the starting forward line, which should be left to an Amartey and McDonald duet.

Here's an article that came out today, primarily about how other clubs are looking to recruit out of contract Amartey, which reinforces this position. The video on Franklin and commentary is also damning.

Everyone loves Buddy, but he's hurting more than helping the team this year. We lost a very good player in Tim Membrey under similar circumstances. Are we going to repeat the same mistake?

AFL news 2023: Trade whispers, latest, player movement, out of contract, Joel Amartey, Ben Hobbs, free agents

So David King dramatizes two isolated incidents and suddenly Buddy is impotent. Tabloid rubbish. I was at the game and thought he and May had a good duel and probably broke even. Should be Buddy's last year but he's far from a spent force.

[MattW]

Yeah, this Buddy pile-on is pretty tedious.