Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

[jeemak]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

But could he have 2 or 3 important moments that help us get over the line?

I'm just saying what Bevo communicated. He places a premium on being able to cover ground, if a player can't do that he's unlikely to play them.

If anything this is the thing he's been most consistent on in his tenure with us. If he's saying that it's keeping JUH out I reckon it's probably true.

I guess it's the same with Martin as well, if he can't be trusted to get up and down the field he's not going to be picked.

[whythelongface]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Agreed. One true forward. Cody Weightman. No Marra no Schache the MC is taking the piss. Our forward line is filled in with Bailey Smith and Libba. It's a joke.

Schache is on the extended interchange list so can still make the final cut.

[jeemak]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

I’d prefer to play someone that can generate multiple chances and keep a defender occupied over someone who can run out a game yet have minimal impact.

Without being at the games and really concentrating on what's going on you can't really tell how much of an impact it has, but a player who can't keep up with transition can open up too much of the ground and make it too easy. They can generate a few opportunities, sure, but they spend the rest of the time giving away territory.

When we get consistently exposed it's the easy ball we seem to give away between our half forward and half back lines when we don't have it that appears to create the most damage (think the Sydney game was a good example, or bad one.....even the second North game the week before). Sides waltz it through but the poor defencive running and the weaknesses happen closest to our goals and then cascade through the rest of the defence, and that's possibly where someone like JUH not being conditioned well enough lets us down.

Anyway, that's the best I can do to explain why it might be better to not have him in the side. It's peripheral and in my view if we show up we're good enough for it not to be a factor.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Albeit limited options at this time of the year, little if any changes to address our issues in the engine room starting with having no ascendency in the ruck nor the benefits of having a bigger body ruckman around the stoppages. The MC are obviously backing in Libba and Bont to rise above the slump brought about by the work that our opponents are, and will continue to put into them, and hoping to see a lift from Dunkley and B Smith. Quite a lot riding on a form reversal with no fortification from the ruck.

Yep this team means Libba and Bont must rise above whatever tactics used to negate them and that will be Essendon's focus.
We will live or die by how these two go. Unlikely that Dunkley can lift significantly. Treloar can be relied on but really comes down to Bont and Libba. Macrae will do his usual.

[Vred]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

To say I'm flat at team selection is an understatement.

To say that I feel we're about to give Essendon their first finals win in two decades, makes me want to give up AFL forever.

[dog town]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

On JUH I wouldn’t have played him either. I get the temptation to get a natural forward in I just don’t think he plays tall enough yet to justify what you lose defensively. If he was squaring 50/50 balls all night and even taking contested marks then yeah it is worth it but in his last two games he was not a threat in the air and was non existent defensively.

The fumbles under pressure I could handle as he also produces the odd moment of brilliance but right now I think not playing him is the right call.

[comrade]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

On JUH I wouldn’t have played him either. I get the temptation to get a natural forward in I just don’t think he plays tall enough yet to justify what you lose defensively. If he was squaring 50/50 balls all night and even taking contested marks then yeah it is worth it but in his last two games he was not a threat in the air and was non existent defensively.

The fumbles under pressure I could handle as he also produces the odd moment of brilliance but right now I think not playing him is the right call.

Wait, are we talking about Hannan or Marra here because it could apply equally to both.

[GVGjr]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

On JUH I wouldn’t have played him either. I get the temptation to get a natural forward in I just don’t think he plays tall enough yet to justify what you lose defensively. If he was squaring 50/50 balls all night and even taking contested marks then yeah it is worth it but in his last two games he was not a threat in the air and was non existent defensively.

The fumbles under pressure I could handle as he also produces the odd moment of brilliance but right now I think not playing him is the right call.

Agree with all that, he will be in a far better position after another pre-season.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Wait, are we talking about Hannan or Marra here because it could apply equally to both.

I reckon that’s a fair call. I mean, the reasons for not picking guys seem to make sense. But the reasons for picking others is puzzling…

[dog town]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Wait, are we talking about Hannan or Marra here because it could apply equally to both.

I wouldn’t play Hannan either but he is contributing with closing space defensively and halving aerial contests, more than Marra was anyway. The issue with Hannan is hitting the scoreboard or helping others to do that.

I am very excited by JUH for next year he is going to be extremely dangerous just not sure we can carry him right now.

[1eyedog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Schache is on the extended interchange list so can still make the final cut.

Surely he'll play back if selected. Tim is our second tall and has been terribly underwhelming. It's like we're trying to hide him. If he doesn't play forard now he doesn't play. We won't play Schache, English and Naughton forward.

[SonofScray]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Agree with all that, he will be in a far better position after another pre-season.

If you are good enough you are fit enough.

[1eyedog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Wait, are we talking about Hannan or Marra here because it could apply equally to both.

Yeah I agree. I think Hannan was better v Port but I'm really concerned we have zero forward craft down there. It's real makeshift and it makes me nervous. Marra may be young and raw but he can kick, lead up and is smart in tight. If Hannan plays defensively fair enough but I'd be keen to play a real forward up there and shuffle one of the extra smalls we have from the interchange.

Sunday might very well reflect what we witnessed against Port where very few goals are kicked and long periods of the match are played out in a stale mate fashion. Having a true forward possessing true forward craft to take that mark, take one on the lead or fashion something opportunistically may very well make all the difference. I mean, maybe it won't, but what we've been trying isn't working either. Like many have said it's a safe team, but it's still unbalanced and really, c'mon, is anyone else concerned we're playing two midfielders, likely a defensive forward, a backman and a failed ruckman down there?

If Schache comes in maybe he can play forward. I'd feel better about it but I think if he plays he's destined for the backline. Schache and Gardner in would be interesting though.

[Bornadog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Yeah I agree. I think Hannan was better v Port but I'm really concerned we have zero forward craft down there. It's real makeshift and it makes me nervous. Marra may be young and raw but he can kick, lead up and is smart in tight. If Hannan plays defensively fair enough but I'd be keen to play a real forward up there and shuffle one of the extra smalls we have from the interchange.

Sunday might very well reflect what we witnessed against Port where very few goals are kicked and long periods of the match are played out in a stale mate fashion. Having a true forward possessing true forward craft to take that mark, take one on the lead or fashion something opportunistically may very well make all the difference. I mean, maybe it won't, but what we've been trying isn't working either. Like many have said it's a safe team, but it's still unbalanced and really, c'mon, is anyone else concerned we're playing two midfielders, likely a defensive forward, a backman and a failed ruckman down there?

If Schache comes in maybe he can play forward. I'd feel better about it but I think if he plays he's destined for the backline. Schache and Gardner in would be interesting though.

We are the second highest scoring team and only missing Bruce in the forward line.

Naughton is the issue at the moment. We need him to have a big game.

[dog town]

Re: Always Right Match Committee - Finals Week 1

Yeah I agree. I think Hannan was better v Port but I'm really concerned we have zero forward craft down there. It's real makeshift and it makes me nervous. Marra may be young and raw but he can kick, lead up and is smart in tight. If Hannan plays defensively fair enough but I'd be keen to play a real forward up there and shuffle one of the extra smalls we have from the interchange.

Sunday might very well reflect what we witnessed against Port where very few goals are kicked and long periods of the match are played out in a stale mate fashion. Having a true forward possessing true forward craft to take that mark, take one on the lead or fashion something opportunistically may very well make all the difference. I mean, maybe it won't, but what we've been trying isn't working either. Like many have said it's a safe team, but it's still unbalanced and really, c'mon, is anyone else concerned we're playing two midfielders, likely a defensive forward, a backman and a failed ruckman down there?

If Schache comes in maybe he can play forward. I'd feel better about it but I think if he plays he's destined for the backline. Schache and Gardner in would be interesting though.

It’s definitely not an ideal mix. I actually think English is a natural forward but I expect him to play more in the ruck this week with no Allir to keep busy.