Always Right Match Committee R14 vs St Kilda 2025

[Bornadog]

Libba is now playing HBF - Bevo talked to him about it and looks like that is his new role.

[Sedat]

I get the interest and the discussion, but in reality it doesn't really matter who are the last 2 player picked and dropped. If our top half-dozen or so players collectively perform like they did last week, we will struggle to beat most teams.

The players on the big bucks need to get it done.

[Mantis]

I get the interest and the discussion, but in reality it doesn't really matter who are the last 2 player picked and dropped. If our top half-dozen or so players collectively perform like they did last week, we will struggle to beat most teams.

The players on the big bucks need to get it done.

Of course they do, but if we can limit the number of critical errors our bottom 3 or 4 are making then it will go a long way to helping us win the close games.

If you compare the type of errors these players continually make you just do see that with the best teams in the comp... teams, we are aspiring to compete against.

[Pleather Sole]

Libba is now playing HBF - Bevo talked to him about it and looks like that is his new role.

My reading of what Bevo said at the presser re Libba at halfback is that its now one of his roles. Plan C iirc. Inside mid, goes fwd too and plays halfback as a plan C, another layer to his role. I'd prefer he doesn't play there much, just a few minutes here and there, I thinks its a waste. When JJ is back I hope we'll see less of it. If Sellwood comes in soon and can play well at AFL level will have an effect on how much he's needed there in the HB line.
Bevo's theory that LIbba at HB will extend his playing days, hmmff, he's been playing out of his skin this year why mess with it? Surely more minutes forward would be effective for durability. And, why spoil the complexion of the team, he was missed last week because his presence is so critical in the engine room. Its a misfire for me.

I'd rather see him go out on top giving every last drop in the mid/fwd brigade than be squandered for another year. It feels disrespectful to me. Vice Captain, absolute champion, I hope he's not being strongarmed.

[NAUGHTY100]

Why are people hating on Gardner? I don't understand it, he's far from a superstar but I felt like he did okay and didn't lower his colours more than anyone else AND his selection was warranted because he had 4+ weeks of great VFL footy leading up to this game.

Jack i have been an advocate for rewarding VFL form , and thought Gardner deserved his chance , but certain players who warrant a call up just never take their chances .
Im afraid Gardner now has fallen into that category .
The step up to senior football is just to great a hurdle for him , he gets found out every time , and now is the time to think of the future .
If we want to play that 3rd tall then bring Busslinger in and leave him in the side for 4 or 5 games to see what he can do , nothing ventured nothing gained .

[Sedat]

Of course they do, but if we can limit the number of critical errors our bottom 3 or 4 are making then it will go a long way to helping us win the close games.

If you compare the type of errors these players continually make you just do see that with the best teams in the comp... teams, we are aspiring to compete against.

That's fair and correct. I was far from a fan of the fundamental and costly skill errors last week, but I was also really disappointed by our top-end not being dialled in from the get-go.

[Bornadog]

My reading of what Bevo said at the presser re Libba at halfback is that its now one of his roles. Plan C iirc. Inside mid, goes fwd too and plays halfback as a plan C, another layer to his role. I'd prefer he doesn't play there much, just a few minutes here and there, I thinks its a waste. When JJ is back I hope we'll see less of it. If Sellwood comes in soon and can play well at AFL level will have an effect on how much he's needed there in the HB line.
Bevo's theory that LIbba at HB will extend his playing days, hmmff, he's been playing out of his skin this year why mess with it? Surely more minutes forward would be effective for durability. And, why spoil the complexion of the team, he was missed last week because his presence is so critical in the engine room. Its a misfire for me.

I'd rather see him go out on top giving every last drop in the mid/fwd brigade than be squandered for another year. It feels disrespectful to me. Vice Captain, absolute champion, I hope he's not being strongarmed.

The Dogs will keep exploring Tom Liberatore in defence

"You can’t expect a player like Tom who plays the way he does, to do it for as long as he does all the time... We’re looking to lighten his load a little bit, we’re looking for another layer for Tom." - Luke Beveridge

Not sure it is going to work

[Scott2016]

If libba wins the ball in the middle and we get it in our forward half and lock it in we can play anyone in the backline. Losing it in the middle puts too much pressure on the guys we have down there. Play the game our way and we are competitive. If we play the game on the opposition's terms, we wont win, as we dont have a plan B or the talent to execute under pressure. Putting Libba back just gives the opposition coach the license to dictate the game on their terms. Libba in the middle means they have to worry about his impact and how he brings others into the game.

[Mofra]

My reading of what Bevo said at the presser re Libba at halfback is that its now one of his roles. Plan C iirc. Inside mid, goes fwd too and plays halfback as a plan C, another layer to his role. I'd prefer he doesn't play there much, just a few minutes here and there, I thinks its a waste. When JJ is back I hope we'll see less of it. If Sellwood comes in soon and can play well at AFL level will have an effect on how much he's needed there in the HB line.
Bevo's theory that LIbba at HB will extend his playing days, hmmff, he's been playing out of his skin this year why mess with it? Surely more minutes forward would be effective for durability. And, why spoil the complexion of the team, he was missed last week because his presence is so critical in the engine room. Its a misfire for me.

I'd rather see him go out on top giving every last drop in the mid/fwd brigade than be squandered for another year. It feels disrespectful to me. Vice Captain, absolute champion, I hope he's not being strongarmed.

It may have worked for Matty Boyd.... but he was given a whole pre-season in the role.

Just throwing Libba back there now seems like we're setting him up to fail.

[Pleather Sole]

It may have worked for Matty Boyd.... but he was given a whole pre-season in the role.

Just throwing Libba back there now seems like we're setting him up to fail.

Agreed, and dispiriting for everyone on field and off.

Why do it when he's been in magnificent form? I'd understand if he'd been struggling through many games but this year he's been consistently terrific. Lead from the front without Bont and he seems faster than he was last year.
These are the kind of Bevo calls I can do without. Its not like moving a tall fwd/2nd ruck Lobb to CHB, that paid off in spades. This one seems premature and counterproductive.

He was in AA formline. Unlikely now. I know Libba will do whatever it takes to get team success but this likely won't help and the fella deserves a goddamn blazer.

[Bornadog]

If libba wins the ball in the middle and we get it in our forward half and lock it in we can play anyone in the backline. Losing it in the middle puts too much pressure on the guys we have down there. Play the game our way and we are competitive. If we play the game on the opposition's terms, we wont win, as we dont have a plan B or the talent to execute under pressure. Putting Libba back just gives the opposition coach the license to dictate the game on their terms. Libba in the middle means they have to worry about his impact and how he brings others into the game.

Libba played in the backline last week and we won the centre clearances.

[Pleather Sole]

It may have worked for Matty Boyd.... but he was given a whole pre-season in the role.

Just throwing Libba back there now seems like we're setting him up to fail.

Probably the wrong thread so quickly, I'd like to see Matty Boyd put his hand up for the big chair when Bevo finishes up. He's been awesome for the Pies.

[JanLorMill]

Are you saying that Gardner has never played better than 12 touches, 0 contested marks, 5 intercept possessions and a 6.3 rating? Because that is the only genuine evidence we have that Busslinger is better playe than Gardner at AFL level. You may project him to be a better player, as I do, but right now, there is no evidence to suggest that he is right now.

There just isn't and people need to stop pretending there is.

I'm saying Gardner isn't AFL standard, he is no spring chicken at 28. How many times does this need to be proven? He is only on list because of a long term deal.
Busslinger may be a better player or not but if we don't play him its hard to tell. L Jones is a better player even though he is old now.

[Bornadog]

Looks like
In: Darcy, Hynes
Out: Harmes, Gardner

As predicted

[azabob]

As predicted

No one like a self quoter or gloater!!