Pre-Game Passion: AFL 2019 Rd 3: Carlton vs Sydney

[jeza]

Me too, Dow is going nicely I reckon. With respect to rucking Jones as relief for Phillips, I like the idea, and we could send McGovern to defense while Jones is rucking, he can play competent defense, and it might even open up some space for Harry to run into?

Dow is looking good - still only 19. Definitely a 10+ year player. I'm still certain that once he fills out with an AFL ready body he's going to be a star.

[laj]

Like it.

Our 3 talls forward line together with inadequate small crumbing forwards severely hamstrings our ability to score. Murphy has shown time and time again that he is dangerous as a small crumbing forward.

I really want to see Fas work as a small forward for us but agree he needs to regain dangerous form in the Magoos.

I recall BB saying we only play 'in form' blokes... talk with forked tongue!

More our ability to get the ball into our f50 is the issue. If our game plan, whatever it is, allowed alot more efficient ball movement into the f50 then the 3 taller forwards would work so much better.

[PaulP]

More our ability to get the ball into our f50 is the issue. If our game plan, whatever it is, allowed alot more efficient ball movement into the f50 then the 3 taller forwards would work so much better.

In patches, I thought our ball movement was quite good against Port. Best I've seen in more than a season or two.

[DJC]

Agree re H, he needs time to build up a frame that can withstand and go against ruckmen. How long did it take Levi to be big enough and fit enough to ruck?

Levi’s first senior game was as first ruck 

It is a hard ask for a young, developing tall to compete against hardened, experienced ruckmen.  I guess the issue is how long the first ruck can maintain his performance on the ball.  Kreuzer seems to be able to spend 90% of the game on the ball, Phillips considerably less.  Harry in the ruck for 10% of the game is probably a reasonable ask and we won’t lose too much momentum. 

[cookie2]

First priority will be to play the full 4Qs. If we do that we are in with a chance.

If Kreuz is available all well and good but if he isn't would Lobbe be a reasonable option to replace Phillips and minimise the amount of time Harry has to spend in the ruck?

I'll be especially interested to see if Fas gets another gig this week. Kennedy definitely needs to come in for this this one to support Cripps. It'll be very tough in the clinches!

[madbluboy]

Dropping Fasolo would be just admitting he is underdone and should never have been selected in the first place.

Unfortunately they have to stick with him for at least 4 games to get his match fitness up.

[LP]

Unfortunately they have to stick with him for at least 4 games to get his match fitness up.

He can regain that match fitness at any level, I thinks it's clear Fasolo and Gibbons are not ready for the AFL level for whatever reasons they have be it fitness, focus or experience.

I'm not surprised by Gibbons struggling, he does need time in the AFL system to get it sorted, I suspect if he can hold his spot he'll come good in a 2nd or 3rd season, maybe even the second half of this season. But the club has to retain him through a period when a lot of external noise will be telling them "I told you so" type messages.

[kruddler]

Dropping Fasolo would be just admitting he is underdone and should never have been selected in the first place.

Unfortunately they have to stick with him for at least 4 games to get his match fitness up.

I had this convo last week, he was poor in week 1 it was a mistake to pick him.
Picking him in week 2 simply because we picked him in week 1, is yet another mistake.

Continuing to pick a bloke that should never have been picked does not make up for your initial mistake.

Admit it, bite the bullet and drop him. No use continuing to pick a sub-par lineup to save face.

FWIW, i don't even think its about fitness, i'm just not sure he is as good as many people think....or hope.

[flyboy77]

I had this convo last week, he was poor in week 1 it was a mistake to pick him.
Picking him in week 2 simply because we picked him in week 1, is yet another mistake.

Continuing to pick a bloke that should never have been picked does not make up for your initial mistake.

Admit it, bite the bullet and drop him. No use continuing to pick a sub-par lineup to save face.

FWIW, i don't even think its about fitness, i'm just not sure he is as good as many people think....or hope.

Again, why make him the scapegoat for the whole team's failings?

Plenty of others MIA thus far....

[LP]

Again, why make him the scapegoat for the whole team's failings?

Plenty of others MIA thus far....

Fasolo, Gibbons and Ed had some clear margin between them and the next worst option.

Ed I don't blame, poorly selected and coached in my opinion, we've taken a borderline A-Grade run with player and turned him into a C-Grade small forward. I can't see a place for him in the team in the current role they have him playing.

Gibbons is just not ready, looks lost and confused, needs time in the system it's that simple.

Fasolo I'm not sure what his problem is, he has all the experience in the world, but jogging behind play like an observer won't fix what is broken. He may well be fit having trained the house down, but he clearly has something going wrong!

A lot of fans lambaste Daisy, but fit or unfit, mentally focussed or not, he always has a crack! That is all we ask, have a genuine crack!