Pre match. Pies v. Suns - All comments

Jezza · 2023 PREMIERS! Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Location: Ponsford End

All good inclusions for this game. Langdon and Williams will be vital for our defensive structures and they'll be able to assist the likes of Keefe and Frost in defence. Our defence looks much better with Langdon and Williams back in the side and in the process they ease the workload for Keefe and Frost who I must say were fantastic last week against Carlton.

As a result of Jesse White going out of the team which was clearly justified by the selection committee, the inclusion of Brodie Grundy is a no brainer as we need someone to assist Witts in the ruck duties and Grundy could possibly provide us an option up forward even though he's kicking for goal is inconsistent and something he needs to work on in his game, however I'm satisfied with his selection overall.

Jamie Elliott's exclusion is a big blow for us as this means Cloke will have more pressure and the burden of kicking of our goals. We really need to find some other goal kicking options in this match. The midfield will need to play a big part in scoring our goals as well on top of Cloke I would think. If only Ben Reid was available for this game!

Breadcrawl · Joined: 13 Oct 2007

Maxwell, Karnezis, Reid and Freeman all named in VFL Smile

jackcass · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Location: Bendigo

jackcass · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Location: Bendigo

Magpietothemax · magpietothemax Joined: 27 Apr 2013

I think the selection decisions were the best possible. Jessie White just hasn't been doing enough up forward for us to maintain that status quo. Grundy can alternate with Witts, and maybe the idea is for Witts to play mostly on the forward line to be the second tall target up forward. His marking has definitely been improving of late. Our decision to maximize our pace (retaining Josh T, Ben Kennedy and with Marley Williams coming in as well ) will complement Witts up forward. If Witts knocks the ball to ground, then our small fast mids hopefully can seize the ball at ground level. No doubt we hope that Ben K can play a similar role to Jamie Elliott. I would also like to see Travis Cloke sometimes playing centre half forward so that he can exert his power throughout our forward 50 and complement our fleet of small fast mids.
We need Goldsack I believe to play up forward. I think this will be possible with the strengthening of our defence with the return of Williams and Langdon. His tackling pressure will be essential for locking the ball in our attacking zone and giving scope for our plethora of small players.
Everything of course depends on our midfield. We need the big three: Pendlebury, Swan and Beames to lead our younger midfielders by example.

Az · Joined: 25 Sep 2013

Az · Joined: 25 Sep 2013

Az · Joined: 25 Sep 2013

think better · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Adelaide

I think we look a bit small down back - I wonder if Marsh might be a surprise late inclusion.

His form in the VFL seems to be good but a bit inconsistent

LaurieHolden · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 7:18 am

This is a massive test to see if Buckley can truly motivate the players & the players in turn get behind their Captain & Coach.
To date we've failed in key tests against Geelong, Adelaide & Hawthorn. (we got Sydney while they were off and who knows what happened against Freo) The rest have been effectively junk games in our fixture.

So I put it to you all, we're going to see exactly where we're at this Saturday. Too many soft wins this year that haven't given us a true indication of whether we're up to it. Leave the injury excuse aside, we've had too many players playing below par without the necessary intensity.
The likes of experienced players in Toovey, Sidebottom, Lumumba, Blair & Dwyer need to step up 20% in intensity in this game. Their seasons at this point are borderline pass marks. All of these players at present are on my trade table as viable currency. Lift & show me otherwise.
We know already what we get week in week out from Beams & Pendles and the 2014 version of Swan & Cloke to a lesser extent.

The Suns at Home is one we need to get that away game record firmly established like we used to have over Sydney and most games on the road. Over the next few years, if we're going to challenge for a flag, we must 'get them' in these games. This is set to be a corker and shouldn't be underestimated as to the importance to re-igniting the '10 & '11 hunger that has deserted us. If we get a touch up this w/e I reckon that for mentioned list will start to get very nervous come trade time.

I would dearly love Maxy & Ball in the starting 22 Saturday. Their kids are better than our kids at this point but we have supposedly have the experience but this counts for little if the passion doesn't come with the games played.

Go Pies.

Member 7167 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 7:38 am

Sidebottom borderline? The Sidebottom I have been watching has had some fantastic games. He certainly was a big contributor against the scum but I must admit he went missing for the three weeks preceding that game.

watt price tully · Joined: 15 May 2007

LaurieHolden · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:08 am

simon tonna · Joined: 24 Oct 2013 Location: carindale

[quote="LaurieHolden"]This is a massive test to see if Buckley can truly motivate the players & the players in turn get behind their Captain & Coach.
To date we've failed in key tests against Geelong, Adelaide & Hawthorn. (we got Sydney while they were off and who knows what happened against Freo) The rest have been effectively junk games in our fixture.

So I put it to you all, we're going to see exactly where we're at this Saturday. Too many soft wins this year that haven't given us a true indication of whether we're up to it. Leave the injury excuse aside, we've had too many players playing below par without the necessary intensity.
The likes of experienced players in Toovey, Sidebottom, Lumumba, Blair & Dwyer need to step up 20% in intensity in this game. Their seasons at this point are borderline pass marks. All of these players at present are on my trade table as viable currency. Lift & show me otherwise.
We know already what we get week in week out from Beams & Pendles and the 2014 version of Swan & Cloke to a lesser extent.

The Suns at Home is one we need to get that away game record firmly established like we used to have over Sydney and most games on the road. Over the next few years, if we're going to challenge for a flag, we must 'get them' in these games. This is set to be a corker and shouldn't be underestimated as to the importance to re-igniting the '10 & '11 hunger that has deserted us. If we get a touch up this w/e I reckon that for mentioned list will start to get very nervous come trade time.

I would dearly love Maxy & Ball in the starting 22 Saturday. Their kids are better than our kids at this point but we have supposedly have the experience but this counts for little if the passion doesn't come with the games played.

Go Pies.

An excellent post and a brave one considering you talk about 1/3 of our last premiership team. Some may think your not a true fan but I digress.
While these are my sentiments exactly on those player I still would like those players mentioned to step up and be counted for in a clutch match just so we can see a more team orientated performance and not left to the usual warriors and the pups.
More contribution from seedsmen on the score board will be needed along with our resting mids.
C'mon fellows shows us why we're better than them.

Woods · Joined: 21 Aug 2013 Location: Melbourne

FYI - weather forecast for Sat. 5 July

Gold Coast area
Max. 23C.
A few showers and the chance of a thunderstorm early in the morning, clearing to a mostly sunny day. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day.