Pre-Match. Pies v. Suns.

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

See after thursday training session but i got a gut feel that De goey will be held over till we play Essendon.

[Said by Zed]

Isn’t it great to have options and a few selection headaches…got pretty dire there for a while, which I believe not enough has been spoken about or acknowledged how we got through the last several weeks and still made it to top 4 when many were saying our season was done.

Anyway, there’s a few easy decisions with Macrae and Jiath most likely to be omitted for obvious reasons which I won’t go into here but have detailed several times in other threads months ago. Some tough calls also need to be made depending if both Richards and Jordy are good to go. I have a feeling either Noble or McInnes, maybe both will be sat out this week. Possibly even Dean, who hasn’t been bad and is improving weekly, but will probably be squeezed out too.

Macrae - Omitted. A passenger ATM and not up to standard unfortunately.
Jiath - Omitted. Not a bad debut and showed something.
McInnes - Omitted. Appears a tad soft and doesn’t seem to want it enough.
Noble - Omitted. Has been found out and exploited a few times. Tries his guts out to make up for it but makes too many costly errors.
Dean - Omitted. Unlucky but promising.

Must say extremely disappointed with how Macrae and McInnes to some degree have gone thus far considering their preseason when they were both tearing it up and were clear standouts.

So that means…
Pendles - In. No explanation needed.
Checkers - In. See above.
Markov - In. Would’ve played last week if not for personal reasons.
De Goey - In. If he’s right to go then needs to play.
Noble a reprieve if Jordy doesn’t get up and is given another week, however Richards will probs come in next week for Bummers at the G, so Noble more than likely be omitted then.
Thought Ned Long might’ve been a slim chance for a debut in sin city, but might be too soon following a calf strain.

Will be extremely interesting to see how the selection committee rocks it this week and the next.

[What'sinaname]

[RudeBoy]

Assuming JDG is available, which is probably 50/50, my changes would be:

In: JDG, Pendles, Checkers

Out: Macrae, TJ, Dean (unlucky)

I guess Fly also has to decide whether to bring in Markov, no doubt by dropping Noble. I would give Noble one more week to improve his performance.

If the inclusion of Pendles and possibly JDG, squeezes Sullivan out of the midfield, then he could well be the sub.

I wonder if we could see a forward line with 3 key forwards in Krueger, Checkers and McInnes? As they are all very mobile, I think it could be great. Anyway, we'll know soon enough.

[lazzadesilva]

I don’t think Noble will be dropped but he is on notice to improve his performances and consistency if he wants to stay in.
Not too sure about playing 3 key forwards unless one is the sub.

[qldmagpie67]

I love Noble’s effort and endeavour but he has a few faults
If he makes a error early he over tries to make up for it that generally leads to more errors
He often over plays his hand. Instead of taking the obvious option he will look to take a much harder option thus leading to turnovers.
When taken deep he’s a ball watcher and losses his man in traffic too often
I’m guessing these were the reasons he found himself outside the best 22 at the end of last season. He has played some good footy this year but last few games he’s been making the old errors again.
Until we are at full strength (meaning majority of player available) he likely stays in the 23

[Boot]

I think John Noble stays in this team to provide the run and carry out of the half back line and his speed is a crucial defensive asset to cover the opposition speedy smalls. The speed of our backline to run and carry into offence is a key and often at our best it has been Noble who has led the team. I think it was Noble who provided the spark to kick start our season after a very slow start after missing the first 3 games of the year.
Sure he still makes some nasty turnover mistakes which inevitably cost goals when they happen, but I'm optimistic that he has improved this part of his game and the pro's out-weigh the con's for this part of his game. He has also improved his one-on-one contesting ability via a bit more upper body strength but this is still a weakness of his game.
Hence, I still like Noble in the team but I also like Markov either in the 22 or as the sub to provide the option of another fast rebounding defender with greater one-on-one contesting ability but a little less reliable with his disposal than Noble. Markov tends to play within his own limitations which means he is less prone to nasty turnovers, but usually his disposals are simply long down the line with not as much attacking potential compared to Noble's usual attacking attitude.
If we maintain a full list to chose from leading into the finals, I hope the selectors will take the opportunity to rest some of the team members before the finals so that the majority of the team has an opportunity for a week off to recover from the stress of AFL before the end of the season to give us the optimum physical condition leading into September action, but that will depend on how well the team continues to win enough games to hopefully secure with 2nd or 3rd spot on the ladder at the end of the season.

[Magpietothemax]

There seem strong suggestions from insiders on BF that Pendles will be right to play.
JDG is not certain (which means he won't play...too much risk to rush back)
Checkers is certain.
Richards won't play (even if deemed fit. Given a game in VFL instead)

The amazing situation we are in right now is that our fringe players from the VFL have been wonderful, and established their capacity to play at the required level. So we don't feel under pressure to rush back our stars.

For me, it will be:
IN: Pendles, Checkers
OUT: TJ, Dean

TJ was great on debut, but still needs more time in the VFL before playing at the AFL level.

With Checkers in, Frampton goes back. Then we have too many talls in defence (Darcy, Frampton, Dean) so one makes way. Frampers gets the nod in my opinion over Charlie because he has the ability to play in the ruck.

I am looking forward to seeing both Kreugs and Checkers in the forward line- something that has not occurred in a long time.

Our team is just an amazing group. Absolute commitment to the team structure, and -due to clearly elite coaching- total understanding of the game plan, at all levels (AFL and VFL).
With Pendles back directing traffic I have great confidence in our ability to win this game.

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

I find our weakness is our exits out of defense like trying to get out of our own area.
I have noticed that we just rush and hack it forward and that its normally the oppostion on the end of it or just goes into space.
I think we should be more calm in our back half and size up situations better.
And get numbers to the ball when its in disputed ball 50/50 contests.
Our area of the ground in 2024 thats lacking is down back.
ok when we actually get it forward of centre tho.
Matter of hitting targets exiting ouf of the back line.
The we are away.
Also centre clearences.

[piffdog]

[Donny]

Jordy a definite ?

Pendles ?

[DT]

JdG in

Schultz out

IQ in doubt

[Gerry Cooper]

[WhyPhilWhy?]

Schultz = gastro

IQ = "illness"

[piffdog]

IQ "manflu" more specifically. Will train tomorrow (assume captains run up at gold coast so probably travels). I suspect he plays - but maybe wont be at his best.

Pendles, Checkers, Jordy and maybe Joe Richards ins I reckon.