Where’s @theDJR ?
Brown was not a top up!!!
Incorrect. Brown was an early top-up. Hartley was planned to be an early top-up, but I think he failed his physical.
1 Like
LOL. Commentators were all “it’s Jetta’s fault he really needs to get that leading with his head out of his game” line.
Thought we picked up Brown with a 3rd round pick?
Apologies @Alan_Noonan_10
That was just Healy.
King, Montagna are all going with a suspension.
1 Like
Long-standing Blitz in-joke.
Eh. It looked more like he was bracing himself for the contact and Jetta just came in lower with momentum. I very much doubt he’ll get a week for that. Would be a different story if he ran past the ball and got him.
Pop a tag on Neale.
Hes runnin red hot and I think if we can curtail his influence it leaves a little too much for the rest of their brigade.
3 Likes
Melbourne was one of the few games last year we played two ruckmen.
We also need to replace an injured “tall forward” in Laverde.
We have Dylan Shiel available.
We only have a 5 day break.
So…
- Bellchambers will not come up in 5 days. Phillips to come in as #1 ruck.
- Draper to debut - essentially the Laverde replacement. He would play deep forward and provide genuine ruck relief. A good by-product is McKernan can then spend the game as permanent CHF.
- Dylan Smith does not look right and I doubt his knee will allow him to come up in 5 days. so Shiel to replace him.
- If any other midfielder doesn’t come up then Cutler comes in for them.
Team are in a bit of trouble if Langford and Townsend get suspended for their indiscretions
I reckon they’ll give Stewart a chance on Friday night, in place of Laverde.
Out Laverde (injured) Gleeson (omitted) Smith (rested)
In Shiel Stewart Cutler
Shiel and Stewart no brainers. Cutler to play old team. Need to start rotating young kids to avoid injuries. Smith rested for GWS game.
Townsend will be a fine at most.
I missed the Langford bump and I haven’t seen it flagged anywhere as something to watch.
1 Like
They won’t play two ruckmen.
If Bellcho pulls up sore, Phillips comes in. Otherwise Bellcho keeps his spot.
Stewart in for Laverde.
Shiel in for Hibberd.
Don’t think they will make any other changes.
Although maybe Gleeson out for zerk , Ham Out for cutler.
Smith has shown no signs of improvement all year. But they’ll persist.
Redman was awful first half, but showed glimpses in the second.
McKenna, one moment of brilliance aside, cost us 3 goals. He was awful. ■■■■■ last week too. But confident he will come good.
1 Like
In: shiel, Phillips, zerk, stewart
Out: ham, Bellchambers, Gleeson, hibberd
Francis is not a Key position defender, better as a 3rd defender. He takes Gleeson spot In defence and zerk takes Francis spot on the tall forward
1 Like
The problem is, Ridley is that 3rd tall defender who the back 6 manipulate things and block for etc to allow him to be the interceptor at any opportunity.
I’m happy to see how a dynamic of all 4 of Hurley, Zerk, Ridley and Francis goes as Francis wouldn’t have to do heaps to exceed Gleeson’s output but I reckon they play slightly different roles. Our backline has looked better this year since they decided to operate with 3 tall defenders rather than the 4 we had in the first couple of rounds.
1 Like
There won’t be too many changes to the side. What I’d like:
IN: Shiel, Stewart
OUT: Laverde, Gleeson (can’t carry Gleeson, Francis and Redman all in the one backline. One of them should make way).
Saad - Hurley - Ridley
Redman - Francis - McKenna
Ham - McGrath - Langford
Smith - McKernan - Walla
Cahill - Stewart - Townsend
R: Bellchambers - Shiel - Merrett
INT: Zaharakis, Parish, Hibberd, Snelling
If we lay another 76 tackles like we did today, we’ll have a red hot chance of winning this. The Tigers thumped the Lions in the final last year (and every other time they meet) with their suffocating pressure.
1 Like
McStay is a big tribunal decision moment coming. He will cause us grief with his athleticism. One week out and we likely go in with similar back 6. Otherwise BZT is an option
Stewart is the obvious in for Laverde
Cutler for Ham(rest)
Shiel for Hibberd
Thats about it. I am extremely tempted on Draper but might say one more week for now. Belly recovery in 5 days is the real concern for me. Hope Essendon make the hard right call if he is not moving 100% by Thursday. Need mobility
8 Likes
When Stewart played seniors he wast really a pack mark type of forward right?
Maybe I’m remembering wrong.
Nope, Stew was not a pack busting/marking beast, he was a lead up type in the Mitch Brown mould.
1 Like