With Cody doubtful, think we have to see a Clarke debut then and probably gives Vandermeer a reprieve.
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I think we have enough top end talent which will ensure we beat the teams below us, as we're doing, but we aren't getting a consistent performance across the board against the good teams and thus we can't beat them.
I'd be happy to finish 10th-12th and get games into the likes of Busslinger & Clarke, give the likes of Garcia & Sanders more important roles rather than continue down the path we're on. I see it as being almost impossible that see the likes of Macrae & Daniel, to name just 2 (but an important 2) being a part of successful Bulldog teams so we need to bite the bullet.
The use of Daniel was mind-boggling on Saturday night... he probably shouldn't have even played and was thrust into a totally unsuitable role at the expense of other more suited team-mates... I know Daniel has been a very solid contributor for Bevo, but he picked the wrong horse on Saturday night and it hurt us.
Outs:
West, Weightman, Gallagher; Lobb
Ins:
Libba; Jamarra; Sandars; Daniel
Vandemeer should be dropped, but won't (particularly with West out). Bramble should be dropped but gets a reprieve due to Gallagher probably have even less impact. Harmes is doing nothing - but the way he's been used does no favours.
Mabior Chol has been hit with a one-game suspension for striking Errol Gulden yesterday
Since Cody is out for at least six weeks, now is the time to bring Clarke into the team and persist with him. No bringing McNeil in as Weightman's replacement or throwing one of the excess mids there, bring in the natural forward and roll with him.
It will probably just be Libba for Cody. I doubt they give up on Khamis so quickly.
With the news on Cody it'd be great if Clarke did get the call up. From what I've seen he's done quite well.
Thursday night.
Out: Cody
In: McNeil :(
I'll keep my fingers crossed for Clarke but it's wishful thinking.
McNeil was poor imo on Saturday. I?m not sure I could stomach him missing easy goals any more. Clarke was pretty good and looked lively - deserves his chance.
Will be interesting to see if Buss or Keath come in for Buku or if MC give him another go. I?m torn which way to go (showing a bit of faith in Buku after some reasonable form seems fair) but would like Buss to be given a go soon.
McNeill will not be playing this weekend has been well below average. I'm not convinced by Clarke yet but will play this weekend.
First up Vandermeer was great on the weekend, particularly his first half. His pressure was awesome and he more than contributed his share.
Clarke feels like he's been waiting for an opportunity all season, pretty excited to see what he offers as a replacement for Weightman.
Libba in for West. Different roles obviously but we will rejig it and probably just leave Garcia forward even more.
JUH for Lobb.
I really like Baker and would put him in for Daniel as the sub, although Gallagher looks tired so if that is the case Gallagher can be sub and Baker start (or if really tired Scott can be sub). We clearly have nfi how to fix Daniel, so lets come up with something to try at VFL level.
Bramble I think is going ok, we lack movement up field imo which makes his job harder, and I don't think we get better dropping him so we have even less run.
Khamis really showed his weaknesses, and I am still unconvinced he is going to make it (also reluctant to cut him young player slack seeing as this is his 6th year in the system), but he's got just enough credits to hold off the uninspiring chasing pack.
I would like to drop Harmes (for Scott or Sanders) but I think we are already hitting enough changes. I am optimistic that we are still bedding down a new variation of gameplan and that we just need to wait a few more weeks in the hope it clicks, and I don't want to change the lineup too much in fear that would delay the "clicking".
So in:
JUH, Clarke, Liberatore, Baker
Out:
West, Weightman, Daniel, Gallagher to sub.
I would get Sanders straight back in and have him play West's role or be the sub, and give Clarke a debut in lieu of Cody being out. Outside of that, Khamis needs to learn to defend at the lower level for a few weeks, with Keath coming in. Libba for Daniel.
In - JUH, Keath, Sanders, Libba and Clarke
Out - Lobb, Khamis, West, Daniel and Weightman