Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

[jeemak]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

Last year against WCE we had Lobb as our leading goal kicker with three, he played CHB this year. We did have Smith playing, as well as Scott, Macrae, Keath, O'Donnell and Baker.

So that's just a bit over a quarter of the team, plus some positional changes. But outside of that, basically the same team.

[dog town]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

I am happy with the way the team is playing and not surprised that they are being successful with the new game style.

BUT I don?t see it as being due to older players being replaced by new stars.

On the weekend the team destroyed Melbourne and, correct me if I am wrong, it was the same team that got beaten by west coast at this time last year. Bramble replacing Smith just about covers it.

The success is because we have experienced players in roles that suit them for a welcome change. Not a new generation of talent.

I would much rather have Macrae in the team than Vandermeer, McNeil, Poulter (1 good game recently) Sanders, Gallagher, Garcia?

I don?t trust any of them with the ball as much as Macrae. And none of them have displayed a capacity for hurting the opposition. Vandermeer has risen above passenger standard four times in 20 games. Fast, my god he is fast. Always first on the scene after the opposition gets the ball and usually clears it.

There is potential in the group but they are not yet at Macraes standard. And especially so with finals looking likely. The last time I saw Poulter in a finals game his opponent kicked half of his teams goals. Not enough lockdown ability displayed yet.

If we get into the finals our opponents will be the best in the competition. Less impacted by injuries. We need our best against them.

Macrae was my favourite player for a long time but you have this back to front. The reason we are playing strong football is that we are focused on the right player for the role. We are not trying to plug slow midfielders into positions that require defensive positioning and speed.

Most of the guys you mentioned are playing very specific roles that Macrae couldn?t fill within our current set up. Sanders is one that he is directly competing with and probably Garcia but Garcia has assets we need and can play multiple roles. Going to be touch and go with Jack for the role Garcia is playing I think.

[Happy Days]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

The coaches deserve a ton of credit for making the hard call on Macrae. It wasn’t for a lack of trying that he isn’t in the team either.

[comrade]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

We?ve made some errors in selection over the last few seasons. Sending Macrae (and Daniel) to Footscray isn?t one of them. This year has been much better for integrity and team balance.

[comrade]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

The difference between Macrae and say VDM on a forward flank isn?t what they do with the ball, it?s what happens when we lose it. VDM is a demon when it comes to chasing and closing down outlets for defenders, which helps our guys down the line set up for the high ball. JM just doesn?t have the wheels to influence defensively inside 50 (and on transition through the middle) as much, which I?m assuming is why he?s on the fringe.

I like him as the sub, personally. Can play multiple roles and his hardness/experience could be valuable late in a game.

[Critter]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

The difference between Macrae and say VDM on a forward flank isn?t what they do with the ball, it?s what happens when we lose it. VDM is a demon when it comes to chasing and closing down outlets for defenders, which helps our guys down the line set up for the high ball. JM just doesn?t have the wheels to influence defensively inside 50 (and on transition through the middle) as much, which I?m assuming is why he?s on the fringe.

I like him as the sub, personally. Can play multiple roles and his hardness/experience could be valuable late in a game.

Fair call. VDM does have lots of experience in chasing down defenders after he loses one on one contests. Probably more so than anyone else.

[Jeanette54]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

The coaches deserve a ton of credit for making the hard call on Macrae. It wasn’t for a lack of trying that he isn’t in the team either.

You might judge it a hard call, I believe it's the wrong call.

Bring back Jack !!!!

[whythelongface]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

I am happy with the way the team is playing and not surprised that they are being successful with the new game style.

BUT I don?t see it as being due to older players being replaced by new stars.

On the weekend the team destroyed Melbourne and, correct me if I am wrong, it was the same team that got beaten by west coast at this time last year. Bramble replacing Smith just about covers it.

The success is because we have experienced players in roles that suit them for a welcome change. Not a new generation of talent.

I would much rather have Macrae in the team than Vandermeer, McNeil, Poulter (1 good game recently) Sanders, Gallagher, Garcia?

I don?t trust any of them with the ball as much as Macrae. And none of them have displayed a capacity for hurting the opposition. Vandermeer has risen above passenger standard four times in 20 games. Fast, my god he is fast. Always first on the scene after the opposition gets the ball and usually clears it.

There is potential in the group but they are not yet at Macraes standard. And especially so with finals looking likely. The last time I saw Poulter in a finals game his opponent kicked half of his teams goals. Not enough lockdown ability displayed yet.

If we get into the finals our opponents will be the best in the competition. Less impacted by injuries. We need our best against them.

Every team needs role players. They don?t have to be the best player but they have a job to do. Unfortunately not every player can play across the park, therefore you have to select players for specific positions/ roles. If you are limited in this aspect then unfortunately it is difficult to pick someone if there are others better than what they do. Which is true in Macrae?s situation- I would assume Treloar plays this role with speed and dynamism.

You can?t compare any of the players, you mentioned, with Macrae, with the exception of Sanders. Poulter is playing his role on the wing VDM and McNeill are playing their roles as high pressure forwards helping force turnovers, Garcia brings speed. Both Sanders and Gags aren?t in the firsts so that point is moot (maybe Sanders gets a gig this week). I can?t see Macrae playing any of these roles. No doubt he is still a good player but he ain?t in front of any of the current midfielders- he currently is a good back up and may play an important role moving forward (if there are injuries) but can?t agree that we would be better with Macrae in the team.

[comrade]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

Fair call. VDM does have lots of experience in chasing down defenders after he loses one on one contests. Probably more so than anyone else.

Is there anything to prove that or just based on the eye test?

[mjp]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

There's some weird commentary going on right now.

It does seem clear (to me anyway) that the group of West-Weightman-VDM-McNeil (and more recently Garcia) have had a pretty big impact on our recent form/fortunes.

But the VDM-McNeil duo would have to be the ones who have their game-day performance most scrutinised/criticised.

Here's the reality:
- IF you think we are playing well at the moment due to the willingness of our flankers/smalls in the forward half to seal off the ground/apply pressure, then 'they' (West et al) are critical pieces of the puzzle and need to be retained...basically, we are able to do what we are doing BECAUSE of those players and the roles they are playing.

- IF you think we are playing well at the moment due to "OTHER FACTORS" - the brilliance of Bont and Treloar, the way that Jones/Lobb/Khamis are defending and intercepting - then 'they' are not critical to our success and can be left out of the team due to their low number of 'tangible' stats (kicks/marks/handballs/tackles etc).

Right now the match committee are heavily on board with scenario #1 - they think the flankers are the key and hence continue to retain them based on running patterns and effort levels...Macrae and Daniel cannot play those roles...BUT - if something was to change then I'm sure they would again be considered for selection. Sanders is in the same boat right now as an aside.

[Critter]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

Is there anything to prove that or just based on the eye test?

No data. Just my observation, drawn from attending every match, that he rarely seems to win one on one contests. Just runs. Tackles poorly as well.

Empirical evidence of his value can be determined from player stats on the AFL website. Consistently ranks in the bottom decile.

Be interesting to see how much more value could be had from selecting a fast runner who can kick, mark & tackle.

[Bornadog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

Teams in - NO CHANGE

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

Teams in - NO CHANGE

That is difficult to understand.

Hard to contemplate giving Caleb a full game ahead of the 22 from last week, but impossible to contemplate making him sub again.

[Pleather Sole]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

That is difficult to understand.

Hard to contemplate giving Caleb a full game ahead of the 22 from last week, but impossible to contemplate making him sub again.

Yes but he struggles to get in to the game as sub. I reckon with his wise head and accurate boot he's a good choice rotating off the bench from HB to HF, thats a role he can nail regardless of pace. McNeil often plays his most impactful games as sub. Who knows how it goes

[Happy Days]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 22 VS Adelaide

Yes but he struggles to get in to the game as sub. I reckon with his wise head and accurate boot he's a good choice rotating off the bench from HB to HF, thats a role he can nail regardless of pace. McNeil often plays his most impactful games as sub. Who knows how it goes

I don’t know if I agree with this. For one, he’s come on as sub midway through the 4th quarter in dead games the last two weeks, there isn’t a player in the world that could make a real impact in those circumstances. He was also really good in a game as sub earlier this year (want to say Hawks game) where he got some CBAs and was given something to do.

I think he’s our best sub personally.