Always Right Match Committee Thread - 2021 AFL Grand Final vs Melbourne

[EasternWest]

There's no way Roarke Smith goes out. No way. Similarly JJ who has been excellent.

In: Keath, Weightman
Out: Cordy (unlucky), VDM
Sub: Scott or VDM.

[boydogs]

The curve ball. Last time we played them at the MCG, we went in with Keath, Cordy & Schache as defenders for McDonald, Brown and Jackson/Gawn. So we though we needed three KPDs. Then Keath got injured and it was just Schache & Cordy. Then we won. So the question I guess is do we NEED a third KPD?

Yeah I think we do. Brown was clunking them on Friday and Jackson & Gawn were both outstanding

[comrade]

Yeah I think we do. Brown was clunking them on Friday and Jackson & Gawn were both outstanding

Melbourne structure up similarly to Port with Charlie and Marshall taking the key spots, and Ladhams/Lycett resting forward. Melbourne have Brown and McDonald, with Jackson/Gawn.

Melbourne will be a tougher assignment, but if we can again restrict entries we should be ok. Timmy got back quite a bit too when he spent time in ruck.

[josie]

I really like Roarke and in interest of keeping side settled I think he will stay in. On other hand he is likely next in line for possible replacement (after VDM for Cody and one of Cordy or Gardner for Keath). What are Richard’s defensive traits like and can he play in wing ok (vs HBF/Woody’s role)? Do you think he is any chance of replacing Roarke and perhaps Roarke bring sub? (especially if VDM hammy doubtful).

What was Richard’s injury (was it shoulder I read somewhere)?

Got a feeling if MC confident Martin can back up his PF efforts and are out 4 quarters they will want speed as medi sub and Richards has that. Both he and Roarke reasonably tall without being KP size & both can take a good mark.

[Ozza]

Out: Cordy & VDM (both unlucky)
In: Keath & Weightman.

VDM the sub if fit.

Would love to see Wally as medi sub....but think it will be VDM or Scotty.

[angelopetraglia]

From Sam’s piece in the paper today.

“Last week Beveridge personally guaranteed Cody Weightman (concussion) he would be selected for the Grand Final should the Dogs progress and Alex Keath (hamstring) is also on track to return”

[comrade]

I'm just praying that Stef pulls up ok.

[Happy Days]

I'm just praying that Stef pulls up ok.

+1 for this. Even though his game in a vacuum was kinda bad he just makes everyone walk taller. We're gonna need some physicality put into Gawn too, especially now that he's apparently a 208cm Buddy Franklin.

[Sedat]

+1 for this. Even though his game in a vacuum was kinda bad he just makes everyone walk taller. We're gonna need some physicality put into Gawn too, especially now that he's apparently a 208cm Buddy Franklin.

Our clearance and contested ball numbers were outrageous in the first 6 rounds of the season when Stef was playing. He completely smothered Lycett, who was so destructive against us in R22 - no surprise that our mids dominated with him back on the weekend.

His presence also makes English twice as dangerous as both a key forward and a relief ruckman. I wonder if the prelim was the plan all along with Stef, knowing his age and the ability to get an extra week off to freshen up, and we had to hold fort using Young and others while the cavalry arrived.

[Happy Days]

Our clearance and contested ball numbers were outrageous in the first 6 rounds of the season when Stef was playing. He completely smothered Lycett, who was so destructive against us in R22 - no surprise that our mids dominated with him back on the weekend.

His presence also makes English twice as dangerous as both a key forward and a relief ruckman. I wonder if the prelim was the plan all along with Stef, knowing his age and the ability to get an extra week off to freshen up, and we had to hold fort using Young and others while the cavalry arrived.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider this too.

[The Pie Man]

I am a big VDM fan, but you get the feeling they won’t risk him.

In: Cody, Keath

Out: VDM, Cordy

Scott the sub, can play back or forward.

Must admit I’m a bit nervous about Keath with recurring issues.

Martin has to get up. Will be interested to hear how he pulled up

[bornadog]

I am a big VDM fan, but you get the feeling they won’t risk him.

In: Cody, Keath

Out: VDM, Cordy

Scott the sub, can play back or forward.

Must admit I’m a bit nervous about Keath with recurring issues.

Martin has to get up. Will be interested to hear how he pulled up

I heard on the weekend Keath probably could have played on Saturday, so that tells me he is right to go. (fingers crossed)

[bulldogtragic]

I heard on the weekend Keath probably could have played on Saturday, so that tells me he is right to go. (fingers crossed)

Chris Grant told Tom Morris if it was a GF he would’ve played. Just caution and only tightness. Nothing to worry about with two weeks of treatment and rehab.

[Mantis]

I heard on the weekend Keath probably could have played on Saturday, so that tells me he is right to go. (fingers crossed)

If it was GF they would've risked him, but thinking after a 2 week break he'll be cherry ripe... and I guess a good thing is it was the other hammy to the one he injured in Rd.19 so not an recurring issue.

[Ozza]

Just on the Stef Martin discussion....it was pretty telling that Bevo mentioned how the players (midfielders) had been asking when Stef would be right to play. They obviously have a lot of faith and trust in him.

And on Keath....really interesting that 'he would have played if it was a Grand Final' which I read into as we had a lot of confidence about our Prelim prospects! Practically resting blokes