Dreamers pick kids...and then...

[doggies ftw]

With Dolan it’s not really a case of finding his feet right now, it’s just purely fitness. Two games in a row he’s been cooked after half time it’s not really something that can be turned around week to week. It’s not surprising when he started his first preseason literally like late Jan from memory. Just don’t see how we can justify a small whose main role in this side is running (see arguments for McNeil, Vanders etc over the past few years) but who only can manage 60% game time, it’s a killer

i don’t like dropping kids after 1 game either but realistically we made a mistake in picking him when it’s pretty clear he doesn’t have the tank for AFL.

i think he’ll be in the best 22 by end of season but he needs a couple of months of continuous footy in the VFL IMO, there’s no harm in that.

[jeemak]

My issue is we're coming up against a side that is playing game three of the season, and we're playing game two. Last week it was game one versus game one.

Collingwood are way more advanced than us in terms of preparation and conditioning because of the bullshit round zero concept. They were smarting after a spanking away, and are now on top of the world with their mojo back after belting Port on the ground we're about to play them on. We have to put aside idealism with selection and select a side that can compete to its fullest extent. If that includes Dolan on those grounds then fair enough. If his inclusion is about maintaining his experience then I think it's the wrong thing to do.

Excluding him from the side won't break him.

[Hot Dogs]

I'm usually not a fan of picking a kid for one game and then dropping them, but as others have stated, with the short turn around and how tired he looked I think I'd bring in the fresh legs/experience here. It's such a big occasion for us and I think a winnable game, so we need to play our best possible team. Plus with all of our injuries I don't think we have the luxury to play someone on their potential. Although limited players, guys like Jones, Baker and Poulter I think we can expect a bit more out of at this stage of their careers.

[Mofra]

The other issue to consider is of we change tactic next week.
As much as we all take about Daicos, we simply can't let Houston get easy ball to kick out of our defence. We just have to go a defensive forward on him which means 4 avenues to goal in our front half when we push a mid up to receive from the front of the pack.

Did Dolan do enough to be one of those 4? I suspect we would have subbed him off without Cleary's injury last week.

[mjp]

Cleary was injured in the last couple of minutes...the sub was for JOD's jaw I think.

[Bornadog]

The other issue to consider is of we change tactic next week.
As much as we all take about Daicos, we simply can't let Houston get easy ball to kick out of our defence. We just have to go a defensive forward on him which means 4 avenues to goal in our front half when we push a mid up to receive from the front of the pack.

Did Dolan do enough to be one of those 4? I suspect we would have subbed him off without Cleary's injury last week.

I would prefer Harmes play that role

[mjp]

I would prefer Harmes play that role

West is best at that stuff. I 100% trust him in that role and he did it very well last year vs oppo interceptors and ball movers.

[Mofra]

I would prefer Harmes play that role

I would consider Harmes for a Daicos run-with role.
West did a fantastic job on Sicily a few Hawks games ago, and Houston is even less of an aerial threat so you often just have to give it to the guy you trust.