Rod Spooky Galt wrote:
He was an All Australian defender two ACLs ago, and we've since brought in Saad and McGovern to that structure. He's the least effective of that three. Ive said it in other threads but I can't see how you can play all three in the same back fifty when there's no willingness to see accountability for their man as part of their JD, and are seemingly just there to rack up the kick in stats.
Even pre-ACL he was pretty ordinary as a one on one defender. I admit there's a matchup there with Ainsworth who isn't going to trouble him too much overhead and isn't that quick, in Newman's absence.
Three tackles in the last two weeks of football. Bugger all pressure acts and you've been just as critical as anyone re his effectiveness at the centre bounce. He's not winning the footy, he's not doing enough to stop the opposition getting their hands on it and when he is getting it, he's racking up counterproductive Matt Crouch style possessions.
If we're going to persist with this win the contest/immediately handball to the defensive side of the square set up, I'd like to see them try Saad in the starting four as that handball receiver, as he's likely to be the most productive. Adelaide certainly looked a lot better when they dropped Crouch and added Laird into their starting centre bounce line up and I feel it's worth replicating here.
I think Docherty has a role in the team as a defensive half forward. He's arguably our most reliable set shot on goal. He's competing with Ed for that spot, who did well on Merrett, and therefore deserves to keep his spot. Instead, I'd drop Doc because it's clear there's inconsistent effort with respect to the defensive side of his game.
Agree re Cripps to a wing
Well put argument to drop Doc. So its between Ed and Doc? I'd take Doc as a HF.
Saad sprints hard and for long distances. He needs a breather every now and then. He's not Cousins; no one is.
I think the midfield group needs that Crouch clean out like you suggest.
Hewett is back this week. I like Cerra and Saad in the guts with an inform Kennedy and Walsh.
Cripps with Kennedy, or Kennedy with Hewett at the same time = slow midfield imo.
I not going to pretend to understand how Cripps on a wing works.
I'd prefer Doc over Ed long term, mate. Just don't think you can drop Ed after the decent job he did on Merrett in that role, or consider rewarding Doc for two mediocre weeks.
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