Blue Vain wrote:
I'd consider bringing in a Philp, Lang or Owies and rest Harry if the weather turns to shit.
The Hawks got flogged at the clearances last week. It's critical we have some dominance in that area. Parfitt and Selwood had 8 clearances each.
Dangerfield 5 and Stanley 6.
Parfitt is a very good player and he's super clean off the deck. Doesn't fumble and straight lines the ball.
This week will be a good challenge for Pittonet. Last week I called for him to be aggressive and physical and I thought he did that as the game went on. Rhys Stanley is an enigma and can light it up again or put in a shocker. Hopeful Pittonet can put him on the back foot from the start.
From memory Pittonet had 5 clearances which was our best after Cripps. We need at least that again. If it's wet, I'd play SPS in the midfield. He's not aggressive but in past wet games, he handles the conditions better than anyone.
The other key for us this week is to use our vision when going forward. Last week we burnt the ball too often going forward. Harry Taylor will have a picnic if we blast it inside 50 high all night. It still haunts me seeing Walsh kick it long to Lever last week when Martin was on his own 15m out from goal late in the game. If it's wet, I'd rather see the ball kicked deep along the ground or to space than up in marking contests. That's why I'd play Levi as the tall bailout, wrecking option and quick blokes around him to win the ground ball.
H/F. Martin. McGovern Cuningham
FF. Betts Levi Owies
Get some speed in there and use the ball to our strengths. (*If it's wet and raining only)
Lastly, we need to take our chances and get an even run from the umpires. We can't miss easy shots and expect to win the game
BOM says "Rain Easing" and northerly 20k wind to lighten up in the arvo.
Looks like the cold front with a huge body of cold air has passed, not the body of cold air, and a trough coming through at midnight with a rain band which may just blow south. Has that next rain band already arrived this morning?
Whats it really look like?
I like your thinking BV.
What it says to me i we have options, we have some speed in reserve, and we have a few smalls who have been firing a shot in the reserves and could be good in the seniors: depth we haven't considered.
I love that Honey and Philp are really obvious surprise candidates to play seniors, since preseason, and Owies has been finding the big sticks and his body is mature enough to handle the big boys.
Dropping Harry if its really wet should be considered. He's isn't quite in form yet as well. If that happens we shouldnt sky the ball into Harry Taylors hands and should consdier ow skidding chaos balls if they are not targeting leading players.
I was privy to hearing Longmire talk to his players before one game, when talls, Franklin, Read, Maismith wre all out and there were no big targets forward. When I saw what a chas ball looks like, I can see how it would work with our smalls Betts, Cunners, Martin, perhaps Owies and Philp may take advantage with this given thei bility to play manic footy.