Game Day. Pies v. Roos. Late changes, comments.

[Skids]

[Magpiefan3]

The last time North Melbourne beat us was back in 2019 at Marvel Stadium.

[inxs88]

Never take anything or anyone for granted in this caper. There are many challenges this week:

1. Marvel home game at essentially an away venue against an away team that is essentially playing at home.
2. Only a 6 day break for us vs them having an 8 day break
3. They have a gun midfield
4. Nick Larkey kills us always. Darcy Moore, if selected on him, shall give him hectares leading to 6 goals plus.
5. Pressure is off them. Nothing to lose.
6. Curse of the pending bye, some clubs are mentally on holidays.

[Jezza]

Everything I've heard suggests N Daicos is more likely to play than not, but is it worth resting him if there's any doubt with his fitness ?

[Jezza]

[warburton lad]

I have considered the collective wisdom of what has been written above.
There certainly are perils for the 'Pies if we underestimate North who will have their tails up after breaking through in the west.
And, yes, we are coming off a six day break compared to North who have had an eight day break.
However, one must also consider the level of effort that Collingwood players will bring to the table Sunday.

Krueger, Dean, Sullivan, Macrae, Harrison, Bytel are all playing to stay in the team which should qualify for September action again.

I hope that Krueger, once again, gets through a week at training unscathed and that he can be a force on Sunday. Tall and powerful mobile forwards are gold and his thumping kicks inside 50 are very useful to a side that likes quick forward 50 entries.

Dean and Sullivan have both looked composed; Macrae was better against the Dees and Harrison was excellent- a small forward who is a long and accurate kick is not to be sneezed at.

There will be a few moments of anxiety against a determined North Melbourne, but the boys should be able to get the job done.

Floreat Pica.

[DT]

Frampton appears to be a lock as a forward until Mihocek returns but is Moore best placed to play on Larkey or ideally would it be Frampton?

[nomadjack]

North don't handle physical pressure well at all and play at about 70% of our intensity. it's like they are playing another game altogether. If we remain switched on and tackle and press as we have over the last 6 weeks this should get really ugly.

[LaurieHolden]

The Kangaroos ~ Position: 18 Points: 4 Percentage: 58.62%
Games: 12 Win-Loss-Draw: 1-11-0 Streak: Won 1

High Rankings
● Ranked 2nd in Rebound 50s Per Game
● Ranked 2nd in least Opponent Clangers Per Game
● Ranked 1st in least Opponent Rebound 50s Per Game
● Ranked 4th in Team to Opponent Clangers Per Game Diff.
● Ranked 1st in Team to Opponent Rebound 50s Per Game Diff.

Low Rankings
Too many to list.

Source:
https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/th-kangaroos

Key players we'll need to stop / position / ranking ~ ​
Potential for some great match-ups in the offing. Defensive accountability in our forward line will go a long way to securing a well needed percentage boost ahead of the BYE.
Sheezel and McKercher (still on the injury list) pretty much drive their defensive rebound. I'd imagine WHE or McCreery will get the Sheezel match-up.
Fisher is an interesting one. While I thought he and Schultz might lock horns, Fisher is ranked 10th in the league in Rebound 50s Per Game, so that match-up will need careful consideration. Can Schutlz run with him? Perhaps Bobby will be given a task.
Xeri has been in reasonable form since taking over from Goldstein. I can't imagine any Ruckman in the comp would be going at 100%. Hence, if Cameron needed the extra rest going into the bye, I'd be happy to give him a spell and rotate Frampton and Kreuger through the ruck against Xeri. While I don't expect that to happen, I'd rather risk-test our capabilities without Cameron now than in the finals.
Larkey and Zurhaar are likely be matched up by Moore and Maynard. Keep those two to a collective 5 goals, we can surely keep North to under 60 points.
That should be the goal of the backline, keep North under 10 goals.

Player Rankings ~
●Luke Davies-Uniacke Midfielder 19.02
●Harry Sheezel Med Defender 16.34
●​Jy Simpkin Mid Forward 14.15
●Colby McKercher Med Defender 14.00
●Tom Powell Midfielder 12.72
●George Wardlaw Midfielder 12.54
●Tristan Xerri Ruck 12.52

Source:
https://www.wheeloratings.com/afl_stats.html?year=-1

[derkd]

Some one here need to be very very careful with the huberus ....North pushed us very hard last year with a more talent in our team then we have now.

Pies just need to play four quater against North...first win last week(for north), so they are going to rock up with confidence...that they have not had for a long time.

Also north have a very young, but very talented middle.

hopeful of a win, but i am not calling an 'easy win' i dont think it will be...like the Hawks i worry they might give us some headaches at points.

Part of me says rest Nick Diacos, but i am not sure we can afford to rest him

[LaurieHolden]

Any 'hubris' comes from confidence in our system, and we've earned that.
The only thing I didn't like when doing the forecast is the venue.

[Take_a_Screamer]

For the doubters, we are 6th, we are playing the bottom team.
Who's gong to win? Is there any doubt? C'mon!

Suck up a coloured jelly bean and enjoy the game...

[lazzadesilva]

[piffdog]

Cant be resting Kreuger... Guy has worked so hard to get back in and played well. May not play as well second week up, but cant be "resting" him!

I think they'll pick Nick if he's fit - resting him would display the kind of hubris that we have stopped perpetuating with the change of leadership.

Shouldnt be a danger game. Coaching staff has some kind of buzz going on again where the boys have their heads screwed on right.

Just wonder wether the slow start to the year might have provided tghe collective reminder that because we are reigning premiers, it doesnt mean that season 2024 is offered up on a plate. May look back on that month of footy and see it as a god send. Last year we seemed to tail off a bit once we hit the 14 win mark they spoke about as the goal.

[piffdog]

Not sure he featured in Laurie's ratings, but I can see some potential in Charlie Comben as a Key Back. Still needs a couple years more development but early signs. Not sure he'll trouble our small forwards tho