Pre-Match. Round 21 - Magpies v. Demons.

watt price tully · Joined: 15 May 2007

So Grundy is definitely not playing this week in the Firsts. According to the coach in his regular Wednesday arvo interview with Andrews Maher and Gaze, Grundy pulled up a bit sore post the VFL game and aggravated a sore ankle (or something like that)

McCrae the coach noted Grundy won’t be available then for the firsts but might be available for the VFL (that was the inference)

mudlark · Joined: 19 Mar 2002 Location: Maroochydore Qld

stui magpie · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:00 pm

pietillidie · Joined: 07 Jan 2005

This is one of those games where there can be no passengers for an entire half, as with last week. (Thinking of our wings/outside mids last week, and to a lesser extent small forwards and half backs).

Checkers back alongside Johnson changes the forward equation markedly. I half suspect Henry might be given the nod over Bianco as well. That's no reflection at all on Bianco, it's just a hunch we might look to stretch their backline and free up Jamie to put more time in up the ground, especially in Adams' absence. It's easier for that to happen with the aerial threat Henry poses, while it makes sense to keep Henry in the firsts mix, with a few games starting this week the best way of doing that.

I'm also expecting more run and carry from the likes of Maynard and Noble from the back half, and I reckon we'll have learned a bit as to how to optimise Nicky D, who was somewhat wasted on Powell-Pepper, as good as it was for his development. We need to ensure Maynard can carry some serious metres this week, with wrangling that part of the puzzle.

Naturally, how we utilise the prodigious talents of the Daicos boys will matter a lot, and we can't have Sidey and WHE going missing for any length of time this week because that gives the opposition far more leeway to target them. Lippa has worked back into form, so I'm less concerned about him in this regard than I might have been a few weeks ago. de Goey is crucial any way you dice this team, but a strong day in clearances for him and Pendles matters even more with Adams out.

Carmichael is obviously a strong chance to get a full guernsey, with Bianco or perhaps even Madge the medical sub to provide backline coverage depending on whether Henry is reconsidered (in fact, you wonder if Madge having been played forward of late might makes him even more likely as a medical sub as the thought might be that he can provide cover at either end; VFL watchers might have a better sense of this).

I reckon Cameron, Lippa and Q showed good signs last week in terms of their own form, while Coxy is stringing together a really solid run and loves the big stage, and de Goey had a massive impact last week, so the direction of form for those five bodes well.

Take_a_Screamer · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:57 pm

mudlark · Joined: 19 Mar 2002 Location: Maroochydore Qld

lazzadesilva · Joined: 04 Feb 2003

Nah that’s crap dude. That’s typical of blaming the victim. Part of playing competitive footy at any level is getting injured. Every season my son played, he got injuries during the season. As a ruckman he did protect himself as was feasible but it was what it was 🙄

Presti35 · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:28 pm

Bloody heck I'm nervous about this match.

Outright second on the ladder up for grabs.

RudeBoy · Joined: 28 Nov 2005

Pies4shaw · pies4shaw Joined: 08 Oct 2007

Because we've only pantsed them once this year, so far? It would certainly be great to win - but a team that's won 10 in a row is going to lose one here or there. It doesn't mean anything in the larger scheme of things, save to the extent it might weaken our chances of finishing 3rd.

watt price tully · Joined: 15 May 2007

I’ll be shocked (and more than pleasantly surprised) if “we” can beat Melbourne this week.

Magpietothemax · magpietothemax Joined: 28 Apr 2013

I am really looking forward to finding out what our selections are for this game.
I think we must replace Adams with a midfielder, given the quality of Melbourne's midfield. P2016 reports that Tyler Brown has taken the quality of his game in the vfl to a new level, and appears to be accumulating more muscle mass each week. McCrae has also been playing in good form in the VFL. Previously I posted that I thought that replacing Tay with McCrae would be a great move, to see what he is capable of. But in the light of the knowledge that Tyler Brown is ripping it up in the VFL, and is already AFL experienced, maybe should be the one to come in to provide physical presence against Oliver, Petracca, et al. Maybe Finn McCrae is building up for 2023, and Tyler Brown is capable right now of a greater impact.

Either way, I think one of the two must come in.
As for Carmichael, I don't think he has been playing as an inside mid, and is therefore not a like for like replacement for Tay. And I think that for this game we definitely need a like for like replacement.
We definitely need to include Checkers.
So, this means someone has to make way. I think Bianco is the one, unfortunately.
I would include Carmichael as the sub for his flexibility and ability to float forward, take a mark and kick accurately.
So my changes are:
Out Adams (inj), Bianco (forced unfortunately)
In Tyler brown/Finn McCrae (selectors to make the call), Checkers
Sub: Carmichael
No room yet for Ollie Henry. Needs to prove in the reserves that he can match his marking brilliance with high intensity pressure. Also, Ash Johnson is playing really well.
Our chances: as always, this team has chances. The belief, and the inner drive to win, imbues our team. Dees might be favourite, but I have by now faith in our team. We may not win, but we will go close. Love this team.
Go Pies!!