What Changes Round 11

[Dry Rot]

Re: What Changes Round 11

I can't see any point whatsoever in dropping Farren for a week. I believe the reasons he was dropped for would have been related to things that a week in the VFL as a 'kick in the pants' would not have solved - he really needs to play some good, consistent footy with Werribee and come back to the team 'in form' in 2 or 3 weeks.

McDougall and Harbrow need to play. I still think that all the talk of McDougall playing at CHF or FF at AFL level is premature. His role should be to sit in a pocket down in the forward line, and provide the secondary leading option that Robbins has been doing. Harbrow is a true crumber - he needs to come in and play that role. Plus, he is a Queensland kid, would be excited to get up there with his family around him etc etc.

The other in should be (must be?) Everitt. First round pick, beautiful kick, good pace...in he comes to play across half-back. Gilbee and Hargrave take turns rotating through the wing/hff with one simple instruction: provide an extra target for players coming off half back, and RUN.

That means I need 3 outs I guess.

- McDougall to replace either Robbins or Hahn. These two guys are both playing as permanent forwards and have done so in the last two (poor) losses. It is no secret where I think Robbo is at, but I know he has supporters.

- Everitt in for Power. Straight swap - one utility runner for another. Sam had one job on the weekend - stop Lappin in the 3rd quarter after Jordy couldn't. He couldn't either - and was outmarked playing from behind when a quick scrambly kick came in. Not good enough, and not something an experienced player should allow to happen. I didn't think he was our worst by the way - just dont think he is helping us move forward at the moment.

- Harbrow in for Addison. He is hard at it Dylan - but is almost devoid of tricks. When he had his kick smothered on the boundary vs Carlton it showed such a lack of awareness/vision/appreciation of the game...anyway. The kid has a crack, but just needs to play more footy at VFL level - and I am thinking months, not weeks - and really get hold of the ball before he comes back. Keep in mind, he has come from a division 2 state straight to senior footy - the change in class is huge. With his workrate he will get there eventually.

Good post, unlike the hysteria elsewhere.

One query - shouldn't both Robbins and Hahn go? Neither are effective defensively these days, and offer little offensively against good sides these days.

[Dry Rot]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Actually Harbrow is from Moroopna, but his family moved up to Cairns, he came back to develop his football.

I agree with your team in general. What about the rucks? With all the talk about Darcy, would you leave him in?

Surely Minson needs to show his stuff for a few weeks? Or is he worth a shot?

Would Darcy deserve a spot if he wasn't "Darcy"?

[mjp]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Actually Harbrow is from Moroopna, but his family moved up to Cairns, he came back to develop his football.

I agree with your team in general. What about the rucks? With all the talk about Darcy, would you leave him in?

Thanks for the info on Harbrow. I know the GM of the Cairns league, and he claims Harbrow as a 'local' - actually game down to watch him play for the Bushies vs Jets last year (and he was woeful as an aside).

With the rucks, I think Minson needs to 'prove it' for more than one week. I am not a huge supporter of Street - and believe that the fact the crowd gets excited when he does something other than win a tap-out with even a modicum of competency is an inditement - but he has performed better at AFL level than Minson so far this year.

Darcy has looked terrible, but surely that was what we expected? He just needs to play, and given we are playing a side we should beat, perhaps this week is a chance for him to actually get a couple of kicks.

Eade has stated that Murphy will play. This worries me - he is coming off a knee and tore his hamstring in his last game that followed a plane-ride. I would wait till next week in a 'better safe than sorry' approach. There is no doubt that sitting around airports/on planes tightens hammies - if it was in Canberra, or even Sydney, I might play him. Brisbane? Nope.

As for leaving out both Hahn and Robbins - I guess that is an option. I have already changed the forward with Doogs and Harbrow coming in, plus Shaggy/Gilbee playing further up - it is just too much change to sack them all. To be honest, I actually think Mitch's best spot might be as a full-forward, but that is a story for another day.

[Bornadog]

Re: What Changes Round 11

There is no doubt that sitting around airports/on planes tightens hammies - if it was in Canberra, or even Sydney, I might play him. Brisbane? Nope.

Trouble is after the Brisbane game we are in Darwin, then there is a break. Would you leave Murphy out that long to make sure he is ok for the run home? Could make sense come to think of it.

I also see in the Age today, that Chris put his hand up to play senior footy this week, but Eade commented that he is to start off in the Bees.

[Mantis]

Re: What Changes Round 11

As for leaving out both Hahn and Robbins - I guess that is an option. I have already changed the forward with Doogs and Harbrow coming in, plus Shaggy/Gilbee playing further up - it is just too much change to sack them all. To be honest, I actually think Mitch's best spot might be as a full-forward, but that is a story for another day.

Is Harbrow available for selection, with Grant returning from his injury does Jarrod go back onto the rookie list? There has been a fair bit of speculation regarding what the club did with Monty.ie. Long term injury list, but I haven't heard a definitive answer on this.

[Bornadog]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Is Harbrow available for selection, with Grant returning from his injury does Jarrod go back onto the rookie list? There has been a fair bit of speculation regarding what the club did with Monty.ie. Long term injury list, but I haven't heard a definitive answer on this.

Yes, In was wondering the same thing. I even sent an email to the club on "ask the coach" but no answer. If the club didn't play the Monty thing right they are really stupid to let the opportunity go.

[Raw Toast]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Good discussion.

I agree that Harbrow needs to come in. I'd have him in for Robbins (and ahead of a few others as well). While Harbrow didn't dominate for the bees this time, he did quite a few nice team things as Sockeye mentioned, and set up a few goals. Not only does Robbins need to get his defensive pressure up, he needs to mark with his hands out in front of him. He can do this and should work up the confidence to be able to hold onto them again.

I'd also drop Power and Addison and bring in Doogs and Murphy. I understand the concern re Murph's hamstring but it sounds like he was v close to playing last week and I think not playing him until after the break might be counter-productive. And while Doogs monstered someone playing only their fourth game or so, he did show good signs and deserves a chance.

I actually thought Power offered us more against the Blues than Addison did. Addison's mistake on the wing was poor as he clearly chose not to give to the first option inside. And as someone said on bf, he could have been pinged for three frees against Murphy at a time which was obviously crucial. Agree that Power's contest against Lappin was poor, but he did prety well on Murphy from what I saw. Really needed to kick that goal on half-time though and still obviously dealing with confidence issues.

I'd also bring in Everitt for Wight. Like Wight's efforts but I want him to work on his disposal and get his confidence back up.

I'd also like to see Minson and Ray play consistently well for the Bees. Great to see Minson taking some big contested marks - I still think he's got potential to make this a strength, so if he can develop it as Werribee that's a good thing.

Think Higgins might also be in the gun - love watching him play but obviously has some work to do in getting more of it and defensive pressure. Also think he might benefit at some stage from playing close to a full game.

[GVGjr]

Re: What Changes Round 11

There seems to be a bit of a consensus that a one week trip to Werribee isn't sufficient to be returned back into the senior team. I see the merit in that idea but I would have thought with the team performing poorly last week (and the week before that) if the players are in form they should be considered. I went to the game and thought Ray's attitude and work rate was excellent and given Power is out of form he seems to be a logical replacement. Minson or McDougall for Darcy also makes some sense.

Thoughts?

[dog town]

Re: What Changes Round 11

I agree with the general consensus that Harbrow should come back in. He was incredibly stiff to find himself back at Werribee in the first place as far as I am concerned. We have lost a bit of the run and flair that has been our meal ticket and Harbrow instinctively breaks lines and takes people on so he is the logical inclusion. Should give us plenty of spark around half forward on big ground like that.

As I said erlier I feel people are being a little harsh on Mitch Hahn. He has played one poor game in his 3 since coming back and that is a very good effort coming off the injury he had. Just needs some miles in the legs.

Sometimes you just get a feel for where a player is at and my gut tells me Minson needs to string 3 or 4 games together of a similar standard to his last Werribee game before he comes back. He was probably given full time ruck duties with us before he was ready and has missed out on a bit of development. Could be a similar situation for Ray who needs to learn how to get himself up week after week but we could also do with his running power so that one is a line ball for mine.

[mjp]

Re: What Changes Round 11

There seems to be a bit of a consensus that a one week trip to Werribee isn't sufficient to be returned back into the senior team. I see the merit in that idea but I would have thought with the team performing poorly last week (and the week before that) if the players are in form they should be considered. I went to the game and thought Ray's attitude and work rate was excellent and given Power is out of form he seems to be a logical replacement. Minson or McDougall for Darcy also makes some sense.

Thoughts?

It depends on the reasons why they were dropped. I would have said that the reasons Ray was dropped were to do more with some long term issues that the coaches had been trying to fix for a few weeks - in the end, they decided that demotion was the only way to move forward. These things are not fixed by one week in the 2's...unless of course, he was simply left out due to 'team balance' or something - and I dont think anyone believes that to be true.

Anyone has the ability to turn their form around for a short-time (think about Mark Waugh making 100's) but sustained improvement only comes from hard work. I cant see how Ray could have ticked all the boxes he needed too in one week.

[Bornadog]

Re: What Changes Round 11

OFFICIAL

In: Harbrow, Murphy, Ray, Williams

Out: McMahon, Power, Robbins, Wight

[mjp]

Re: What Changes Round 11

OFFICIAL

In: Harbrow, Murphy, Ray, Williams

Out: McMahon, Power, Robbins, Wight

Just goes to show what I know - NOTHING!!!

[Bornadog]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Just goes to show what I know - NOTHING!!!

I didn't think they would drop Wight and I expected either Skipper or McDougall to come in instead of Harbrow. Lets hope they fire up. It will be great to see how Williams does.

[Dry Rot]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Williams ahead of McDougall and even Everritt is a tad curious, IMO.

Looks like we have no forward line again this week.

Is McMahon injured?

[southerncross]

Re: What Changes Round 11

Just goes to show what I know - NOTHING!!!

I thought Ray should be included because he really on had one bad week (straight after an average one though). He now needs to perform. Williams is a good inclusion because he can match-up against the Lions ruckman if they roam forward like the did in the pre season competition.
Harbrow I'm not as convinced about but it's not like his form is an issue so he will go OK and Murphy was obviously more advanced that I thought.

Shame for McDougall but I suppose it's now confirms that Eade is very unlikely to play two key forwards (if one of them is Darcy)

Typical balanced Eade approach to problem solving, we have rung the changes without ringing the alarm bells and he has given some players another week to prove themselves.