Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

[Bornadog]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

Out of the team listed, Wood would have to do that job.

If they want to go big up forward in a final I say we let them. Without the run of Cooney through the middle we need to generate things from further back - need to take a couple of chances in selection and get some real run into the side.

Backs: Eagleton - Lake - Wood - Harbrow

- Lake designated loose man. Collingwood are a bit predictable going forward and if they push an extra tall deep forward to match up on us that suits. Stick Eagleton on someone with instructions to break to the opposite side of the ground even in 50-50 situations. Collingwood are defensively oriented - I BET they start locking him down if he gets some early possession.

Half-Backs: Wood - Williams - Murphy - Gilbee

- Murphy designated loose. Collingwood will HAVE to match him up...either Gilbee or Murphy will end up without an opponent or Collingwood end up with an 8 man forward line. Good. Crowd the hell out of it.

Wings: Cross - Ward

- Contested ball winners. Defensive release point must be wide on the MCG. Rotate Moles through these spots.

Ruck: Hudson - Roughead.

- Hudson takes Jolley at ALL times.

Mids: Boyd - Griffen - Picken

- Picken takes Pendlebury. Boyd takes Swan. Key match-ups of the game.

Forwards: Higgins - Hall - Grant - Jones

- Hall plays on Maxwell. Presti will try and take him - awesome - he beats Hall every time anyway so let's use this to our advantage and shut Maxwell down.
- Higgins plays on O'Brien - we kick it to him EVERY time.
- Grant plays on Shaw.
- Jones stays deep and does NOT MOVE.

I am not interested in allowing Collingwood to dictate terms in any way. We have a double chance - if ever there was a chance to try some things out and mix it up, it is right now. I want them to react, I want their coaches making moves that they haven't had to make all year, I want their players out of position and wondering what happens next...break their habits up and roll the dice.

Interesting ideas here. My only worry would be Higgins on O'Brien and whether he could go with him. What about Jones on O'Brien?

[EasternWest]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

Out of the team listed, Wood would have to do that job.

If they want to go big up forward in a final I say we let them. Without the run of Cooney through the middle we need to generate things from further back - need to take a couple of chances in selection and get some real run into the side.

Backs: Eagleton - Lake - Wood - Harbrow

- Lake designated loose man. Collingwood are a bit predictable going forward and if they push an extra tall deep forward to match up on us that suits. Stick Eagleton on someone with instructions to break to the opposite side of the ground even in 50-50 situations. Collingwood are defensively oriented - I BET they start locking him down if he gets some early possession.
Half-Backs: Wood - Williams - Murphy - Gilbee

- Murphy designated loose. Collingwood will HAVE to match him up...either Gilbee or Murphy will end up without an opponent or Collingwood end up with an 8 man forward line. Good. Crowd the hell out of it.

Wings: Cross - Ward

- Contested ball winners. Defensive release point must be wide on the MCG. Rotate Moles through these spots.

Ruck: Hudson - Roughead.

- Hudson takes Jolley at ALL times.

Mids: Boyd - Griffen - Picken

- Picken takes Pendlebury. Boyd takes Swan. Key match-ups of the game.

Forwards: Higgins - Hall - Grant - Jones

- Hall plays on Maxwell. Presti will try and take him - awesome - he beats Hall every time anyway so let's use this to our advantage and shut Maxwell down.
- Higgins plays on O'Brien - we kick it to him EVERY time.
- Grant plays on Shaw.
- Jones stays deep and does NOT MOVE.

I am not interested in allowing Collingwood to dictate terms in any way. We have a double chance - if ever there was a chance to try some things out and mix it up, it is right now. I want them to react, I want their coaches making moves that they haven't had to make all year, I want their players out of position and wondering what happens next...break their habits up and roll the dice.

Great post, love it.

Interesting Eagleton point. Risky ploy, but if it paid off it would be almost a masterstroke.

I agree with BAD that the Higgins/O'Brien thing worries me.

What I want to know is why, after all the times that Maxwell, O'Brien and Shaw have flayed us do we never seem to come in with a plan to lock any of them down (O'Brien and Shaw particularly)?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

I am not interested in allowing Collingwood to dictate terms in any way. We have a double chance - if ever there was a chance to try some things out and mix it up, it is right now. I want them to react, I want their coaches making moves that they haven't had to make all year, I want their players out of position and wondering what happens next...break their habits up and roll the dice.

Any chance of forwarding your post to Rocket?

Great write up mjp.

[azabob]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

Any chance of forwarding your post to Rocket?

Great write up mjp.

Was thinking the same thing. TCD or SS can send it on. Brilliant thinking outside the norm. mjp would you / have you been that bold before?

[Sedat]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

OBrien is more a worry then Maxwell is. Need to stop him

I'd go a step further and hope Maxwell gets it 20+ times because all he does is boot it indiscriminantly down the field for someone else to worry about. Harry O and Shaw are the two we need to close down out of Collingwood's defensive 50.

No mention of Hooper as a possible in this week. I like the idea of a forward structure comprosing Hall and Grant as the targets, Gia and Higgins spending time in there floating forward, and Addision and Hooper providing the requisite defensive pressure. With a midfield comprising Griffen (hopefully), Boyd, Cross, Ward, with support from Gia and Harbrow, and with Hudson hopefully doing another job on Jolly, we can hopefully negate Collingwood's clearance threat and subsequent ability to spread from the congestion.

If Hahn has to play this week (and I fully expect that he will), have him down back where he can at least run at the ball. He wasn't absolutely terrible in the role last night. The idea of Hahn up forward getting torched by his direct opponent is one simply not worth contemplating IMO.

I get the feeling that Dre will be sacrificed next week. He wasn't intense enough at the contest last night, and whilst he improved as the game wore on, his lack of intensity has already been noted as a major issue for the MC (as it is with Hill). If Williams is not fit then Dre stays. Just on Williams, he has been a real quiet achiever this season and has become a very capable key defender who makes less errors than most. Some of his work last night was very deft and composed.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

I'd go a step further and hope Maxwell gets it 20+ times because all he does is boot it indiscriminantly down the field for someone else to worry about. Harry O and Shaw are the two we need to close down out of Collingwood's defensive 50.

No mention of Hooper as a possible in this week. I like the idea of a forward structure comprosing Hall and Grant as the targets, Gia and Higgins spending time in there floating forward, and Addision and Hooper providing the requisite defensive pressure.

I like your thinking.

If you're going to be a limited forward in the modern game, you need to be a limited forward with good defensive pressure. We don't have decent forward depth and I would love us to fill out the numbers with players who can at least offer defensive pressure, especially against Collingwood.

[Jasper]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

Out of the team listed, Wood would have to do that job.

If they want to go big up forward in a final I say we let them. Without the run of Cooney through the middle we need to generate things from further back - need to take a couple of chances in selection and get some real run into the side.

Backs: Eagleton - Lake - Wood - Harbrow

- Lake designated loose man. Collingwood are a bit predictable going forward and if they push an extra tall deep forward to match up on us that suits. Stick Eagleton on someone with instructions to break to the opposite side of the ground even in 50-50 situations. Collingwood are defensively oriented - I BET they start locking him down if he gets some early possession.

Half-Backs: Wood - Williams - Murphy - Gilbee

- Murphy designated loose. Collingwood will HAVE to match him up...either Gilbee or Murphy will end up without an opponent or Collingwood end up with an 8 man forward line. Good. Crowd the hell out of it.

Wings: Cross - Ward

- Contested ball winners. Defensive release point must be wide on the MCG. Rotate Moles through these spots.

Ruck: Hudson - Roughead.

- Hudson takes Jolley at ALL times.

Mids: Boyd - Griffen - Picken

- Picken takes Pendlebury. Boyd takes Swan. Key match-ups of the game.

Forwards: Higgins - Hall - Grant - Jones

- Hall plays on Maxwell. Presti will try and take him - awesome - he beats Hall every time anyway so let's use this to our advantage and shut Maxwell down.
- Higgins plays on O'Brien - we kick it to him EVERY time.
- Grant plays on Shaw.
- Jones stays deep and does NOT MOVE.

I am not interested in allowing Collingwood to dictate terms in any way. We have a double chance - if ever there was a chance to try some things out and mix it up, it is right now. I want them to react, I want their coaches making moves that they haven't had to make all year, I want their players out of position and wondering what happens next...break their habits up and roll the dice.

Don't agree with a lot of this post.
Forwards

The tall forward line specified above will be chopped up on the rebound, its poor at ground level (Grant excepted) What Eade did against Essendon was utilise Eagle, Addison (hard tag), Griffen and Harbrow forward. I actually agree with this, Eagle will require attention as his finishing in space is damaging, Harbrow will worry the Pies and require attention. Jones simply doesn't look ready and should make way for Higgins. Addison to hard tag Harry O. Harbrow or Eagle to play on Shaw. Grant on Maxwell.

Backs

Don't agree with Eagle back, his panicking under pressure will cost goals, can you imagine him with Leon Davis on his tail?? Lake to simply play a stopping role, his injury is hampering him and worse playing on his mind. Forget the Lake of earlier this year, this Lake is good enough to stop his man, but I wouldn't be expecting much else. A six or seven man backline is sufficient otherwise we will have spare Pies upfield and will simply turn it over going forward. Lake to take Dawes, Williams on Cloke. Wood on Davis.

Mids

If Didak plays would expect Picken to go to him, if not then Pendlebury. Would think Boyd will play on Swan or Pendlebury. Wouldn't underestimate Wellingham, he needs to be watched. Thomas will also need to be watched


Rucks

Don't think Huddo has the tank to go with Jolly all game. Minson and Huddo to tag team him and try and go forward to prevent Jolly doing same.

[Jasper]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

If Hahn has to play this week (and I fully expect that he will), have him down back where he can at least run at the ball. He wasn't absolutely terrible in the role last night. The idea of Hahn up forward getting torched by his direct opponent is one simply not worth contemplating IMO.

Agree but if Williams takes Cloke and Lake Dawes, does Mitch play on Brown?? Or do we have a small torch him?? At the game Mitch was often caught in match ups with smalls due to our top heaviness, the panic on his face while trying to get a team mate to cover him was frightening (I was only a couple of rows back).

Out of Jones, Everitt and Hahn probably think Hahn and Everitt were about even, but Everitt's mobility kills Hahn. Hahn's smarts were a lot better than Everitt.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

So who plays on Brown?

For me Williams on Cloke.

Lake to float between Daws and Brown depending whos closest to Goal and I would use Wood on the other just to run off them, they would be blown up by 1/4 time and Wood should have the game of his life.

If they drop Jolly down back I would go with Hargrave as I think the rebound would kill them.

I would use Addison as a lock down role on O'Brian as that worked well this week stopping his drive.

Also liked the idea from MJP of Hall to Maxwell as Hall always has 2 or 3 on him anyway we should use that to our advantage.

[mjp]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

Don't agree with a lot of this post.

That's fair enough and I think what you have suggested is much closer to what WILL happen.

I also think we will lose by 8-12 goals doing things this way. Collingwood are ready for it and have everyone in and playing well. A last gasp loss to a desperate Hawthorn team in a game they dominated is a lot better form than we are bringing in. I just think we need to seriously mix things up this week.

My only real criticism of your ideas would be in the midfield - you list Didak, Pendlebury, Swan and Wellingham as needing to be watched. You cannot tag them all...pick your poison (one or two) and head-to-head the rest.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

You stop Luke Ball getting his hands on the pill, it will go a long way to helping us win the game.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

When we chucked Lake forward against the Magpies last time there defence turned to water.. It made them play 1 on 1 football which there backline doesn't like doing.. It's a shame Morris is out, because i don't think we can afford to try this without him..

[Jasper]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

That's fair enough and I think what you have suggested is much closer to what WILL happen.

I also think we will lose by 8-12 goals doing things this way. Collingwood are ready for it and have everyone in and playing well. A last gasp loss to a desperate Hawthorn team in a game they dominated is a lot better form than we are bringing in. I just think we need to seriously mix things up this week.

My only real criticism of your ideas would be in the midfield - you list Didak, Pendlebury, Swan and Wellingham as needing to be watched. You cannot tag them all...pick your poison (one or two) and head-to-head the rest.

We could really surprise the Pies and pick our seconds team...but question is would it work...I tend to think a loss by +10 goals beckons, but who knows??

To be fair what you have suggested may be appropriate if they look like getting a run on, but personnel wise, I don't think we can carry so many talls, the balance needs to change.

Agree on the mids, if Boyd to Pendles, Picken to Didak, and Swan is free as a bird...just reckon the other two will hurt us more if given time and space.

[becmatty]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

If Hahn has to play this week (and I fully expect that he will), have him down back where he can at least run at the ball. He wasn't absolutely terrible in the role last night. The idea of Hahn up forward getting torched by his direct opponent is one simply not worth contemplating IMO.

Yeah, its a tricky one with Hahn. He wil be selected, so which position/opponent is the dilemma??

Without Morris, he offers potential cover, which he did servicably agains the Bombers. This task will be harder this week in finals conditions AND against the Magpie forward line. His lack of pace may kill us, as Mitch reacting to his opponent's leads are slow and clumbsy.

He will either need to be instructed to back his instincts and anticipate more, rather than react OR move to the half forward line, where he can be the playmaker more and play the bulldozer-like role that he has been so successful with throughout his career. Whether he can sustain this any longer is the big question mark however.

...I am worried.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Qualifying Final - WOOF Selection Table

When we chucked Lake forward against the Magpies last time there defence turned to water.. It made them play 1 on 1 football which there backline doesn't like doing.. It's a shame Morris is out, because i don't think we can afford to try this without him..

Hawthorn showed yesterday, long and quick into the big targets & the Pies defenders struggle.

You give them time to zone off, they will kill you all day.