Always Right Match Committee R15 vs Richmond 2025

[GVGjr]

Do we need to manage Libba/Treloar? Bevo mentioned last week that Treloar may only be able to play 3 or 4 games and then be rested, but he seemed to improve as the night went on. I noticed when he came off for the rotations, he went straight to the Physos to rub his calves.

Not sure if we can play Hynes and Dolan in the same games - especially against tougher opponents.

What happens to Buku is another question.

I can't see much of a change for Buku at the moment. He's still a handy player for us despite being subbed last night.
Ideally we should try and manage some of the older players. It might be with lighter training sessions or having a game off to freshen up.

I've scored an invite to listen to Egan and Pratt next week so I might see if they can expand on it.

[doggies ftw]

My quick thoughts are Cleary and Dolan out for JJ and Harmes in.
That's a really hard call on Dolan who looked likely to break through and Cleary was okay last night and he might still have some credits in the bank.

Dolan over McNeil for mine, he’s improving every week and will clearly be a much better player in the future. McNeil may have slightly
more impact right now but I think that will change pretty quickly, probably over the next few weeks tbh.

His body isn’t anywhere near ready, but he still cracks in hard and you want the ball in his hands. Hes a net positive when he’s involved in chains etc, cant really say the same about McNeil. Harmes to take McNeils pressure role with Dolan to keep his IMO

I also think it has to be one of Jj or Bramble, if JJ is fit Bramble is back up. Clearys a completely different role IMO, and competing with the likes of Coffield, Buss (or other genuine third tall like Jones, Buku) and soon Sellwood

[Axe Man]

I don’t hate and have defended Cleary on here and his defensive work is pretty okay but he’s terrified to actually get the ball and it’s killing us in a system that relies on everyone to be able to exit D50 competently.

Buss is only a KPD when it suits us at selection so we don’t have to pick him. He’s a much, much better kick, can intercept and I don’t buy that there’s some massive gap between him and Cleary either athletically or in speed.

I agree that Cleary generally defends well and usually he's ok under pressure. It's when he has time and space that I cringe as he seems indecisive and often chooses the wrong option. You can almost see the cogs turning in his head.

Don't think, do!

[Axe Man]

Do we need to manage Libba/Treloar? Bevo mentioned last week that Treloar may only be able to play 3 or 4 games and then be rested, but he seemed to improve as the night went on. I noticed when he came off for the rotations, he went straight to the Physos to rub his calves.

Not sure if we can play Hynes and Dolan in the same games - especially against tougher opponents.

What happens to Buku is another question.

I reckon Treloar needs another game or 2 to get back up to speed. He definitely looked more like his old self in the second half. The North game could be a good game to give him a rest for the important clash against the Crows the following week.

[doggies ftw]

I agree that Cleary generally defends well and usually he's ok under pressure. It's when he has time and space that I cringe as he seems indecisive and often chooses the wrong option. You can almost see the cogs turning in his head.

Don't think, do!

Yeah good call, it’s a strange one he’s genuinely usually solid enough under pressure but you’re right it’s the time and space which for whatever reason really throws him off with his indecisiveness

it’s probably always been his biggest issue at VfL level even, he’s quite skilful by foot but has always tended to go for safe & slow options - would like to see him just play on instinct

[Rusty12]

My quick thoughts are Cleary and Dolan out for JJ and Harmes in.
That's a really hard call on Dolan who looked likely to break through and Cleary was okay last night and he might still have some credits in the bank.

Yeah, someone might be stiff, but there is no way Harmes and JJ are kept out of this team if 100%, when looking at our bottom 3-4 performers.

[Rusty12]

It's going to be interesting to see if we continue a development focus over the next couple of weeks and keep playing the 1st year players or if we try and settle down to our more stronger line-up.
Could we even managed a player or two?

Post Swans, travel and 6 day break, Vs Nth will be the game for that, however Bevo's history says, they will only rest them if they actually need it, not pre-empting anything. If Trelor get's through, 3 straight games, then he is the one.

[Rusty12]

Dolan over McNeil for mine, he’s improving every week and will clearly be a much better player in the future. McNeil may have slightly
more impact right now but I think that will change pretty quickly, probably over the next few weeks tbh.

His body isn’t anywhere near ready, but he still cracks in hard and you want the ball in his hands. Hes a net positive when he’s involved in chains etc, cant really say the same about McNeil. Harmes to take McNeils pressure role with Dolan to keep his IMO

I also think it has to be one of Jj or Bramble, if JJ is fit Bramble is back up. Clearys a completely different role IMO, and competing with the likes of Coffield, Buss (or other genuine third tall like Jones, Buku) and soon Sellwood

Yeah, I don't mind seeing Buss picked in Clearys role, instead of a 1 or 2.
However I think sellwood might fly straight past both and Coffield for that spot.

[Garbs_7]

Harmes absolutely walks back into this team if he is over the concussion. If JJ is fit I have him in over Bramble who was fine, but got a lot of his touches in the last quarter and hasn't been great this year. Coffield and Sellwood could be breathing down Cleary's neck for his spot too with good games tonight.

IN - Harmes, JJ

Out - Hynes, Bramble

[Go_Dogs]

If Harmes is ready he comes in for Hynes.

If JJ is ready he comes in for Dolan and we rebalance other parts of the field.

If either is not ready then I’d keep Dolan in as priority.

[azabob]

Dolan is a must play week in, week out.

Let him play against Richmond and hopefully get reward on the scoreboard.

The upside in Dolan is huge. Get him to 50 games as soon as possible.

[lemmon]

Dolan is a must play week in, week out.

Let him play against Richmond and hopefully get reward on the scoreboard.

The upside in Dolan is huge. Get him to 50 games as soon as possible.

Dolan has also worked his way up to 80% TOG - it seems like they now think he's done the work and can trust him to run out games.

I'm playing Dolan over McNeil every day of the week. McNeil's output might be marginally higher, but I'd back Dolan to go back and slot simple set-shots that McNeil seems not to have the confidence to take.

In:
Harmes, JJ

Out:
Hynes (unlucky), Bramble

I'd start McNeil as sub at this stage.

[Bornadog]

In:
Harmes, JJ

Out:
Hynes (unlucky), Bramble

I'd start McNeil as sub at this stage.

I am leaning this way as well.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Preseason sets up the year and we're set.
Now fitness leading into finals becomes part of the picture.
I'm sure the club will have us ready this campaign.
No unfocussed players, no unselected brothers texting our plans and Bevo should have his own momentum, his time, this campaign.
We can shrug off past history of not beating teams above us now that Darcy is back and we have time to establish our best twenty-two.

[Critter]

Dolan has also worked his way up to 80% TOG - it seems like they now think he's done the work and can trust him to run out games.

I'm playing Dolan over McNeil every day of the week. McNeil's output might be marginally higher, but I'd back Dolan to go back and slot simple set-shots that McNeil seems not to have the confidence to take.

In:
Harmes, JJ

Out:
Hynes (unlucky), Bramble

I'd start McNeil as sub at this stage.

I am super impressed with Dolan’s progress. He is steadily moving toward a breakout game. He plays an inclusive, team based style of football that suits us well.

And to me, when JJ and Harmes are fit, they play.

So, I’m with you:
In Harmes, JJ
Out. Hynes, Bramble