Changes Round 5

[Rocket Science]

Re: Changes Round 5

Neither Ward nor Tiller should be on the chopping block after today...they weren't scintillating, but they weren't our undoing either. We should be dealing with those who were.

There's been much banging-on about our newfound 'depth' lately...perhaps this is an optimum point to put that to the test and demonstrate loudly and clearly what's expected of senior players on a team with lofty ambitions, and the consequences of slacking off.

[Mantis]

Re: Changes Round 5

Neither Ward nor Tiller should be on the chopping block after today...they weren't scintillating, but they weren't our undoing either. We should be dealing with those who were.

There's been much banging-on about our newfound 'depth' lately...perhaps this is an optimum point to put that to the test and demonstrate loudly and clearly what's expected of senior players on a team with lofty ambitions, and the consequences of slacking off.

For someone who didn't watch much of the game they were?

[Sedat]

Re: Changes Round 5

At the moment there isn't a lot of love for a Tim Callan recall. I'm guessing that he will be one of the first players Eade looks to add.

I missed today's game and very glad I did by the sounds.

If it's horses for courses, I'd have thought Callan would be a shoe-in to get Betts this week.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Changes Round 5

I would say either Minson or Hudson need to be rested, Skipper has earned a recall and it will be a HUGE test on Wayde. It's pretty much make or break for him when he gets a call up.

Aker will either be rested or suspended, opening up a return for Tim Callan to the backline.

Harbrow didn't do anything special, it could be a close call whether a "small" gets dropped for a "big" like Grant.

I reckon Grant does deserves a crack next round.

Especially with Cooney and Murphy not in any shape to come back, Grant is required as THE target up forward, without the reliance on Hill and Johnson.

Is there any kind of betting on Eagleton being dropped for next game? I'm sure lots of people on this site will lose some money

[AndrewP6]

Re: Changes Round 5

Quite a few who have called for Skipper to return... to me, the number of games he's played recently is a fair indication of the views held by Rocket and Co. Can't help but think we'd need some injury woes for him to get in. He's been round a fair while now, and in recent seasons hasn't done much at all in the Dogs side. Some players are good in the VFL but can't make the jump. I personally wouldn't take Minson or Hudson out for Skipper.

[Rocket Science]

Re: Changes Round 5

The truth is I'd have a hard time reaching double-figures if pressed to name blokes who earned their keep today.

That's over half the side who won't be enjoying their weekly performance review from the coaches, but you clearly can't drop 'em all, and nor should you. Some players have more rope than others, some of those blokes aren't habitual offenders, and some are still learning on the job.

Losses like today's should bring consequences (unless it's Tigerland of course), so for me, it's time your boy Eagleton was shown in no unclear terms, that his place in the team correlates directly with his performance level on game day.

I'd also be closely examining Minson's place in the team. In many respects when he's out there it's like we're playing a man short. In fact, we could probably get a medium-sized tree to play the same role Minson does...it'd be no less mobile and my childhood memories of footy's habitually stuck in branches lead me to suspect it'd probably take more grabs.

They're both easy targets I suppose, (though I sadly suspect neither's spot will be in serious jeapordy for next week), but that's my 2 cents.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Changes Round 5

For someone who didn't watch much of the game they were?

Gian really struggled to get into it. Spent a heap of time on the bench during the 2nd half.

Eagleton's workrate was OK but his disposal was absolutely awful.

Addison, Ward and especially Harbrow struggled.

Hahn was very ordinary imo. I love him but he can probably put in 10 shockers in a row and not get pressure from the fans such is the love for his type.

Minson was poor imo, if there's a valuable pinch hitting forward in him, I don't see it.

[Sedat]

Re: Changes Round 5

Hahn was very ordinary imo. I love him but he can probably put in 10 shockers in a row and not get pressure from the fans such is the love for his type.

Minson was poor imo, if there's a valuable pinch hitting forward in him, I don't see it.

Save for a purple patch late in Round 1, Hahn has been decidedly average all season thus far. We need his type in our structure, but we can't carry a player for too long that simply isn't contributing. To me he looks lost without Murphy riding shotgun alongside him up forward.

By all accounts our ruck division was smashed to pieces this week as well. I thought Minson was OK in rounds 2 and 3 but his primary role in the team is 2nd ruckman so if he's not performing in this role, his place in the team should be looked at down the track as well.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Changes Round 5

The truth is I'd have a hard time reaching double-figures if pressed to name blokes who earned their keep today.

That's over half the side who won't be enjoying their weekly performance review from the coaches, but you clearly can't drop 'em all, and nor should you. Some players have more rope than others, some of those blokes aren't habitual offenders, and some are still learning on the job.

Losses like today's should bring consequences (unless it's Tigerland of course), so for me, it's time your boy Eagleton was shown in no unclear terms, that his place in the team correlates directly with his performance level on game day.

I'd also be closely examining Minson's place in the team. In many respects when he's out there it's like we're playing a man short. In fact, we could probably get a medium-sized tree to play the same role Minson does...it'd be no less mobile and my childhood memories of footy's habitually stuck in branches lead me to suspect it'd probably take more grabs.

They're both easy targets I suppose, (though I sadly suspect neither's spot will be in serious jeapordy for next week), but that's my 2 cents.

Rocket was talking him up in an interview with the Fox Sports crew just before the game, saying his ruckwork in support of Hudson had been good so far this year. He did ok in the ruck today, but gave us very little around the ground or up forward.

But if he was dropped, he'd be dropped for Skip. I'd rather J Grant come in, but Skip would get the nod you feel. I doubt either is an option in reality

Wil's mits still aren't working are they?

[The Pie Man]

Re: Changes Round 5

Save for a purple patch late in Round 1, Hahn has been decidedly average all season thus far. We need his type in our structure, but we can't carry a player for too long that simply isn't contributing. To me he looks lost without Murphy riding shotgun alongside him up forward.

By all accounts our ruck division was smashed to pieces this week as well. I thought Minson was OK in rounds 2 and 3 but his primary role in the team is 2nd ruckman so if he's not performing in this role, his place in the team should be looked at down the track as well.

It was interesting that Eade went with Hahn in the backline in the last quarter, I think it shows he's losing patience.

[Rocket Science]

Re: Changes Round 5

I'm at the stage where I'd happily sacrifice half an hour of serviceable ruck relief for Huddo, for a bloke who might be lousy in the ruck but can provide something, anything, around the ground for the remaining 90 minutes.

Can't say I'm overly enamoured with the prospect of Skipper back in the team though.

All I can say is I hope the club have studied traditional foie gras making methods and are adopting the same forcefeeding techniques with Cordy and Roughead, only involving steaks instead.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Changes Round 5

Save for a purple patch late in Round 1, Hahn has been decidedly average all season thus far. We need his type in our structure, but we can't carry a player for too long that simply isn't contributing. To me he looks lost without Murphy riding shotgun alongside him up forward.

Yeah and the purple patch was mainly during junk time. I have had doubts over how many years we will get out of Hahn for awhile. The crash and bash style he plays is always going to have a toll on his body.

[boydogs]

Re: Changes Round 5

In fact, we could probably get a medium-sized tree to play the same role Minson does...it'd be no less mobile and my childhood memories of footy's habitually stuck in branches lead me to suspect it'd probably take more grabs.

In: Medium-sized tree (actually maybe Skipper), Cooney, Murphy, Welsh
Out: Minson, Eagleton, Harbrow, Akermanis (susp)

If Welsh is not fit then bring in Grant
If Murphy is not fit then keep Harbrow in
If Cooney is not fit then keep Eagleton in
If Akermanis is not suspended then drop Hahn

[Rocket Science]

Re: Changes Round 5

It was interesting that Eade went with Hahn in the backline in the last quarter, I think it shows he's losing patience.

With the backline (who, while not saying a lot, I felt were perhaps our best performed unit today)...or with our forward set-up?

If the latter, it may bode well for a certain debutant at FF next week.

[lemmon]

Re: Changes Round 5

Wouldnt drop Minson or Hudson yet, there physicality, strength and toughness could really intimidate and test young Kreuzer and Jacobs.