Rnd 19 Pre-Match Thread, vs Brisbane at the GABBA 1:10 PM Sunday 21 July 2024

[Auntie.Gerald]

Shattered for J Mac

He has been playing such a great role for us primarily thru the middle with such composure setting up our runners

[Dow]

Timing is bad for JMAC, fingers crossed.

[Maltopia]

We’ve discussed this a bit earlier in the year.

Some very good players or ones or at least decent players who have helped us make the finals, are going to miss out on a medal if we win the premiership.

Currently not in the side (and assuming McInerney recovers and gets his spot back):

- Heeney
- Cunningham
- Wicks
- Reid
- Francis
- Ladhams

For our finals campaign, you have to assume Cunningham comes in along with Heeney, which means two of Roberts, Campbell, Fox or Taylor come out.

Possibly Jordon or Lloyd are at risk of being pushed out too. Amartey could be pushed out by Reid too.

[waswan]

We’ve discussed this a bit earlier in the year.

Some very good players or ones or at least decent players who have helped us make the finals, are going to miss out on a medal if we win the premiership.

Currently not in the side (and assuming McInerney recovers and gets his spot back):

- Heeney
- Cunningham
- Wicks
- Reid
- Francis
- Ladhams

For our finals campaign, you have to assume Cunningham comes in along with Heeney, which means two of Roberts, Campbell, Fox or Taylor come out.

Possibly Jordon or Lloyd are at risk of being pushed out too. Amartey could be pushed out by Reid too.

Jordan and Amartey aren't coming out.
Reid and Ladhams will only come in for an injury.

I'd say Roberts and Fox will be the 2 closest to the edge, id play Fox in front of Harry no problem but sounds like Horse has him in the 22

[SwanSand]

Harry too important.
Amartey will have to be at his best. He is getting shots at goal so most likely won’t go out, but it’s a line ball. He needs to do more.
McLean is doing enough in the ruck. And probably is less variable in his output compared to Amartey.
Roberts vs Campbell - not an easy decision so will be left till the end.
Fox - coaches favourite and has the most versatility so probably not going out.
Wicks - on the outer with Parker’s smarts on display in the last game.

[waswan]

Amartey is Top 10 in league goalkicking in a team that has 6 guys in Top 40, which says he is kicking goals at a clip higher than the others as he isnt the only avenue.

I called for him to get dropped more than most all year based on poor form but we are past the point of no return for him now, he only comes out if he is injured

[Captain]

Heeney and Cunningham for J Mac and Lloyd would be my changes.

[Thunder Shaker]

When Cunningham returns, it will be his 200th game. Would the club have him return for an away game, or wait until next week's home game against the Bulldogs? And who would come out of the team?

[chalbilto]

I don't think it matters to the club where he will play for his 200th game. They will select the best team possible. However, if it was his 300th game then I think that they would play it at home except for finals.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Will be fasincated to see how we replace McInerney's role in his absence (sigh). He's been genuinely elite this year - covers a truckload of ground, at high speed, is probably our best kick inside 50 after Errol and Heeney, versatile and has a huge defensive appetite. Mills might start on a wing, but he doesn't yet have the legs to play that role at length.

I'd personally think about using Jordon in a similar way. He's got the gut running capacity (without the top end speed), has very clean skills, is similarly versatile and has clear two-way instincts. It may depend on whether they want him to tag or not, but the last two weeks he's played high half-forward and rolled into the midfield, and done it well.

[mcs]

Heeney and Cunningham for J Mac and Lloyd would be my changes.

Lloyd's very recent form (last couple of weeks) has been a bit askew, but prior to that he was going exceptionally well for several. I know there is mixed opinions of him and his role in the team, but I think there is zero chance he is going anywhere.

I think it'll be Heeney and Cunningham for J Mac and probably Roberts. I think they'll want an extra left footer in the mix down if Cunningham does come back, given you would expect Mills will play some time off the half back line as well. Whoever misses out if it is Roberts or Campbell will be stiff - Roberts has been down a little recently but has had a great year, and Campbell's form has been I think on the upswing recently as well.

Great dilemmas to have - but there will be some unlucky losers in it all.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Lloyd's very recent form (last couple of weeks) has been a bit askew, but prior to that he was going exceptionally well for several. I know there is mixed opinions of him and his role in the team, but I think there is zero chance he is going anywhere.

I think it'll be Heeney and Cunningham for J Mac and probably Roberts. I think they'll want an extra left footer in the mix down if Cunningham does come back, given you would expect Mills will play some time off the half back line as well. Whoever misses out if it is Roberts or Campbell will be stiff - Roberts has been down a little recently but has had a great year, and Campbell's form has been I think on the upswing recently as well.

Great dilemmas to have - but there will be some unlucky losers in it all.

I went into the season and even the first couple of games a bit down on Lloyd, but agree he's been very good. My one query - and not to the point of putting him out of the team - is he was better playing higher up the ground. When he played purely wing he was at his best. I think these days, his assets - hard running into smart spots and good shorter kicking - work better forward of 50 than in defence with the way we play. I think he's playing a bit more back the last few weeks and it's reduced his output and effectiveness.

And you've summed up the choice between Roberts and Campbell perfectly.

[Ludwig]

With Charlie Cameron out for this game and Lincoln McCarthy already gone for the season, Brisbane don't really have a small forward that requires a lock down defender, although they still have plenty of goal kicking power from the rest of the squad. I think it's possible to leave out Cunningham for this week without hurting our chances.

There is also a chance that Mills will miss or be the sub.

I think there are more options than have been proposed in this thread.

Brisbane also have 4 of their best defenders out for this game with Jack Payne going out. Add that to Coleman, Doedee and Gardiner. They've really done well to cover those losses. They have been vulnerable in defense and we hopefully can take advantage of it.

[KSAS]

Horse has said Mills is no certainty to play this week as he pulled up sore after his first game & is a watch. Played more minutes than planned due to J Mac's injury ( he was to be subbed off before 3/4 time).

[crackedactor 01]

Really surprised we are not favorites to win this Sunday. Sportsbet has both teams at a $1.90. Maybe my bias is showing.