Always Right Match Committee R17 vs North Melbourne 2025

[Scraggers]

Welcome to the Always Right Match Committee Thread. The Match Committee threads has been named after long time WOOF member Always Right who tragically passed away in March 2018.

If you were on the Western Bulldogs match committee, what changes would you make after our Round 16 match against Sydney for our Round 17 match against North Melbourne at Marvel on Thursday.

For those new to these threads, please give a brief explanation for your changes ... this would add a lot of value to the discussion.

[azabob]

A bit of talk of a number of sore bodies.

One would guess Garcia would be next cab off the rank. Wonder if Bevo trusts him enough to come in and play McNiels role?

[Happy Days]

Hynes had an awesome first half but he was DONE by the end of the third and I couldn’t believe he didn’t get subbed out. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a spell.

Otherwise I would go:

In: Garcia, Buss
Out: Coffield, McNeil

It’s not “fair” to Garcia to play him as a mid in the VFL and then bring him into the AFL as a small forward but I don’t know what to tell ya. Sometimes it be like that. He’s too good not to be in the firsts and his skill set should be suited to being a small forward. Plus it gives us an extra midfield lever to pull.

I don’t care how bad the MC wants a tall/small defender in the side, I can’t cop a player who can’t even hit an uncontested switch kick 15m sideways in my footy team. Buss might be a little too big and a little too slow but what he does bring is miles better than whatever versatility we get from Coffield or Cleary. There’s no perfect fit here so we should just pick the best player and stop trying to be too clever about it.

[Mitcha]

Agree with others that if Garcia couldn't play whatever role McNeil is currently in the side for then I give up. Coffield scares the bejesus out of me with his lack of speed and inability to make good decisions in the back half and surely would let us down in a tight final. Happy for one of the light towers at Whitten Oval to replace him.

[The Adelaide Connection]

I'd love Garcia to get a run, but is he quick enough for the Mcneil role?

[Mantis]

A bit of talk of a number of sore bodies.

One would guess Garcia would be next cab off the rank. Wonder if Bevo trusts him enough to come in and play McNiels role?

McNeil had 3 touches and 1 tackle in over 3/4 of play on Friday night... my 9yo could be just as effective.

[Mitcha]

I'd love Garcia to get a run, but is he quick enough for the Mcneil role?

Is McNeil quick anyway? Garcia is more competitive, not afraid to lay a big tackle and will get it more than 3 times a game. Simply a no brainer.

[doggies ftw]

McNeil had 3 touches and 1 tackle in over 3/4 of play on Friday night... my 9yo could be just as effective.

Failed the pressure test again in a big game, he’s fine running around in a 70pt win but how many tough games has he failed in now? Geelong, Hawks & Sydney most recently off the top of my head. Cannot be trusted and time to make way.

Garcia isn’t the perfect small forward we’re looking for but still deserves a chance in that spot to see if he can make it his own, or go back to Dolan but I prefer only one of Dolan & Hynes in the side right now even though they play different roles.

I can see the merit in Hynes having a spell (maybe sub for Buku?) but also in letting him build on his improving form. Probably depends on how he’s pulling up and the data on how he’s running out the game I guess.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I’m thinking that Garcia, Bus and Khamis come in

out will be Libba for a rest, Garcia gets a red hot crack at midfield time

McNiel out. I would play Bulu up forward

the bus comes in for Cofield

[The Underdog]

I’m thinking that Garcia, Bus and Khamis come in

out will be Libba for a rest, Garcia gets a red hot crack at midfield time

McNiel out. I would play Bulu up forward

the bus comes in for Cofield

Rest Libba for his 250th? I’d be surprised

[GVGjr]

You have to wonder if there is a genuine need to make a change or two but injuries and soreness might factor into it.
McNeil was down a bit but he should have some credits in the bank and there doesn't appear to be a logical replacement.
Khamis on and off the bench over the last 3 weeks is screaming for a full game either at the senior level or at Footscray
There has to be some doubts on Coffield's ability to perform but the selectors will most likely stick with him for another week.

Garcia has been in terrific form but it's as a midfielder.
Do we have a spot for him there or will we do a Paddy Lipinski with him and promote a ball hunting midfielder into a defensive small forward role and expect it to work?
We rarely see a week go by where the Busslinger supporters aren't calling for his promotion but North typically only play 2 taller forwards so is there a genuine spot for him?
Poulter has also been in solid form, Baker is typically around the mark and Scott could come into considerations.
I've sort of ruled out Jones as he hasn't played for a couple of weeks. Could we take the opportunity to debut Jaques?

[ArsenalFC]

Few North players facing fitness challenges off the back of a 5 day turn around. We shouldn't get distracted and pick a full strength squad.

I feel after all the bye's, we need to prepare for a run home with some consistant performances.

Few questions i have -

Is Jones in our best 23 heading to finals, ensuring we make it?
Is Garcia to good of a player to leave in the 2's? - If he doesn't get mins, surely he'll be looking elsewhere after the next few weeks.
How do we contain Xerri this week?

[Bornadog]

You have to wonder if there is a genuine need to make a change or two but injuries and soreness might factor into it.
McNeil was down a bit but he should have some credits in the bank and there doesn't appear to be a logical replacement.
Khamis on and off the bench over the last 3 weeks is screaming for a full game either at the senior level or at Footscray
There has to be some doubts on Coffield's ability to perform but the selectors will most likely stick with him for another week.

Garcia has been in terrific form but it's as a midfielder.
Do we have a spot for him there or will we do a Paddy Lipinski with him and promote a ball hunting midfielder into a defensive small forward role and expect it to work?
We rarely see a week go by where the Busslinger supporters aren't calling for his promotion but North typically only play 2 taller forwards so is there a genuine spot for him?
Poulter has also been in solid form, Baker is typically around the mark and Scott could come into considerations.
I've sort of ruled out Jones as he hasn't played for a couple of weeks. Could we take the opportunity to debut Jaques?

Lots of questions to think about. You are right about Garcia, he is a mid and it is hard to fit him in.

I think there won't be too many changes at all.

[Mantis]

You have to wonder if there is a genuine need to make a change or two but injuries and soreness might factor into it.
McNeil was down a bit but he should have some credits in the bank and there doesn't appear to be a logical replacement.
Khamis on and off the bench over the last 3 weeks is screaming for a full game either at the senior level or at Footscray
There has to be some doubts on Coffield's ability to perform but the selectors will most likely stick with him for another week.

Garcia has been in terrific form but it's as a midfielder.
Do we have a spot for him there or will we do a Paddy Lipinski with him and promote a ball hunting midfielder into a defensive small forward role and expect it to work?
We rarely see a week go by where the Busslinger supporters aren't calling for his promotion but North typically only play 2 taller forwards so is there a genuine spot for him?
Poulter has also been in solid form, Baker is typically around the mark and Scott could come into considerations.
I've sort of ruled out Jones as he hasn't played for a couple of weeks. Could we take the opportunity to debut Jaques?

Garcia played the role you discussed when he was in the side last year and did it reasonably with good showings against both Sydney & Collingwood. His ability to pinch hit in the midfield is an added bonus, especially given he has a bit more pace than others in the rotation... understand playing the high HF role isn't his preferred spot, but if we don't play him this week, we may as well never play him.

I can't for the life of me see how McNeil has any credits in the bank, he played well against St. Kilda in a big win, but his performances against both Geelong & Sydney weren't convincing at all and it's time for a change.

Given we play Adelaide the week after who are loaded up for height, we probably need to work out if it's Coffield or Busslinger against them and go that way this week too... I know Coff is favored by the MC, but not sure he has a match-up against Adel.

Agree that Khamis needs a full game and I'd be replacing him.

[GVGjr]

Garcia played the role you discussed when he was in the side last year and did it reasonably with good showings against both Sydney & Collingwood. His ability to pinch hit in the midfield is an added bonus, especially given he has a bit more pace than others in the rotation... understand playing the high HF role isn't his preferred spot, but if we don't play him this week, we may as well never play him.

I had a long chat to Garcia after he was drafted and he originally said he was drafted as a high half forward and that's where he saw his future with us.
A couple of years later he was being groomed as a Liberatore replacement/back-up so I tend to agree that he can play as a forward.

I can't for the life of me see how McNeil has any credits in the bank, he played well against St. Kilda in a big win, but his performances against both Geelong & Sydney weren't convincing at all and it's time for a change.

I've mentioned that I was invited to a breakfast at the club the other week and the coaches mentioned McNeil playing his role.
I might be reading too much into it but it's why I don't think they will be in a hurry to replace him.

Given we play Adelaide the week after who are loaded up for height, we probably need to work out if it's Coffield or Busslinger against them and go that way this week too... I know Coff is favored by the MC, but not sure he has a match-up against Adel.

Agree that Khamis needs a full game and I'd be replacing him.

Yes, we do need to find a 3rd tall defender when we play Adelaide. It will be interesting to see if we wait another week with Coffield.