06-01-2024, 11:42 PM
So, do we go in unchanged again or are there changes to be made? Looking at the 2s I see Carroll is named - is he able to play given he subbed on or will he be a late out for the 2s today? He may be one to give way if there is an in to be made, even only to give him a decent run after a lot of time on the sub bench. That's less of an issue if he plays a full game today.
Other than that Fantasia's output has been heavily criticised and consistently low, but the coach has stood up for him and it's not clear who would take the role he is presently playing covering for Cottrell's absence. Binns has the endurance game but would be another light body and Ollie Hollands stood up this week. Other than that Owies continues to underperform but is till averaging comfortably better than a goal a game, behind only the twin towers and well ahead of anyone else (though of course Zac Williams has been hitting the scoreboard a lot more since going forward). Motlop and little Durds get their chance to impress in the 2s today but one hasn't been playing well and the other hasn't been playing at all so it would have to be a big game to force their way in especially as the opposition is not the strongest VFL team going around. Kennedy has a poor game this week but has been much better over the course of the year. There may be pressure on him and/or Hewett if we get close to a full squad fit - Cerra is a walk-up start as is a fit Martin, but at this stage I think MK stays. Marchbank is a coach's favourite but the only one I see him replacing on this week's showing is Cowan and I think whilst the stats were down a bit this week they are not bad over the course of the year but moreover I like his toughness and he just seems to be a player who will reward the club more and more as they get more games into him at the highest level. In any event maybe the club has learnt its lessen about rushing Marchy back and will give him more continuity in the 2s before looking at a seniors return. That's what I would do and if we desperately need more height down back (and Marchy is only a third tall anyway) consider whichever of big Durds or Young might perform better. For my own point of view I'd stick with the defence we have especially as they only have the one real tall forward in 2 metre Peter.
So, pending the 2s today - and reserving the right to totally change my mind after the 2s - it could well be no change but if someone stands up perhaps Carroll and/or Fantasia are at risk or at a stretch Cowan or Kennedy though I'd back them both in. I doubt we would look to revert to 2 rucks and assuming TDK is fit to go I don't see Pitto coming in even if his finger is good which is uncertain anyway.
Other than that Fantasia's output has been heavily criticised and consistently low, but the coach has stood up for him and it's not clear who would take the role he is presently playing covering for Cottrell's absence. Binns has the endurance game but would be another light body and Ollie Hollands stood up this week. Other than that Owies continues to underperform but is till averaging comfortably better than a goal a game, behind only the twin towers and well ahead of anyone else (though of course Zac Williams has been hitting the scoreboard a lot more since going forward). Motlop and little Durds get their chance to impress in the 2s today but one hasn't been playing well and the other hasn't been playing at all so it would have to be a big game to force their way in especially as the opposition is not the strongest VFL team going around. Kennedy has a poor game this week but has been much better over the course of the year. There may be pressure on him and/or Hewett if we get close to a full squad fit - Cerra is a walk-up start as is a fit Martin, but at this stage I think MK stays. Marchbank is a coach's favourite but the only one I see him replacing on this week's showing is Cowan and I think whilst the stats were down a bit this week they are not bad over the course of the year but moreover I like his toughness and he just seems to be a player who will reward the club more and more as they get more games into him at the highest level. In any event maybe the club has learnt its lessen about rushing Marchy back and will give him more continuity in the 2s before looking at a seniors return. That's what I would do and if we desperately need more height down back (and Marchy is only a third tall anyway) consider whichever of big Durds or Young might perform better. For my own point of view I'd stick with the defence we have especially as they only have the one real tall forward in 2 metre Peter.
So, pending the 2s today - and reserving the right to totally change my mind after the 2s - it could well be no change but if someone stands up perhaps Carroll and/or Fantasia are at risk or at a stretch Cowan or Kennedy though I'd back them both in. I doubt we would look to revert to 2 rucks and assuming TDK is fit to go I don't see Pitto coming in even if his finger is good which is uncertain anyway.