Team changes v port

[123cups]

Wow, you guys have got really spooked over the last few weeks!!

This isn't a strong Port team and their (clearly) best scoring forward is out.

They will want this to be tight and low scoring. Kick more than 80-85 and we should beat them. I mean who is going to score for them repeatedly?

If we can get Lynch, Jack and Cumbo in the game and kicking goals then we should win.

I actually think we are lining up fairly well against them. Their best differentiator was Finlayson in the ruck, his stats the last month or so have been excellent, but they are bumping him back forward (remember 2019) and playing Teakle who was in the SANFL at the start of the year, Nank should be able to deal with him.

Their backline is short so if we can isolate Lynch or Jack they will be licking their lips. IMO their best defender in Clurey isn't even playing, he was very good at the G earlier this year.

Yep, we haven't been outplayed by anyone for 3 months or so.

We had a few close losses in mid-2017 as well, but off memory, the last time a team outplayed us was back in Round 6 that year. Nobody dismantled our system in the 2nd half of our premiership seasons. Same here.

In 2022, during a heavy training load period, the scoreboard was evened up by low probability events to put us in the 50/50 position of having to accept a coin toss result...

There's no reason to get spooked by a couple of coin toss games that don't predict the future.

So... assuming a normal game without too many outliers, extreme circumstances, or disproportionate bad luck - we easily win this match because we're currently the best or second best team in the comp.

If we're luckier in September than we were in July then we'll be in for a wild ride this year. All signs remain consistent with the possibility of something special.

 

[Brodders17]

We had a few close losses in mid-2017 as well, but off memory, the last time a team outplayed us was back in Round 6 that year. Nobody dismantled our system in the 2nd half of our premiership seasons. Same here.

I reckon it is safe to say the Saints outplayed us mid year in 2017 when they were in front by about 15 goals at half time. (and ireckon the Cats outplayed a few weeks later- but that was at Kardinia Park so it doesnt really count.)

But you are right, no one has outplayed us for months. Bad kicking and silly mistakes have cost us. History says we dont make those mistakes when it counts.

 

[mrposhman]

I'm impressed by your unwavering confidence in this team!

It wasn't a strong North Melbourne team either but looked what happened there. When the team continues to play half a game of football each week and every result is within 10 points, it's the little things that make the difference. The opposition is almost irrelevant as we manufacture a close result no matter who they are. Being spooked is justified, and I wish I had your confidence.

The North loss was an aberration where everything that could go wrong did. They sacked their coach which led to a bounce in performance, they jumped us a bit because of that, but even having said that, we lost the game to North despite having 33 shots at goal.

The only team beating Richmond right now is Richmond. We beat ourselves when we lost to Sydney, same with the Cats (though Prestia being knocked out early didn't help), same again against the Suns and North.

If we have our heads right in the game, we should have nothing to fear from that Port team. Their entire MO at the moment, is to keep scores down as they know their forward line isn't good enough to trouble any of the better teams. They are ranked 14th for points scored but 5th for points against. Their defence is undersized but performs quite well (due to a bit of a flood from their midfield), you could see that at the G earlier in the year, they would get the ball to the outside but then had very few forward of the ball resulting in them over possessing the ball. Expect the same on Saturday, it won't be a classic.

 

[Tiger Pops]

Balta and Tarrant can easily take care of Dixon and Georgiadis

I agree. For a bloke who's 'hardly moving' 19 disposals, 32 hitouts, 6 clearances and 9 contested possessions is amazing. Imagine if he plays when he isn't hardly moving.

The days of Soldo and Nank for now may be numbered. Dimma said in his press conference that the 2nd ruck needs to play another role (ie Miller - Balta etc). So it might be some time before we see Soldo and Nanak again. Perhaps this is where Ryan come into the equation on 2023. Forward / ruck role.

 

[Scoop]

MRJ must play. Can't have him as the sub.

WIth Marshall and Georgiadis out, they will struggle to kick goals. Taz to Dixon. Balta and Gibcus to go and intercept.

 

[Harry]

MRJ must play.

He is

 

[Platinum member]

MRJ must play. Can't have him as the sub.

WIth Marshall and Georgiadis out, they will struggle to kick goals. Taz to Dixon. Balta and Gibcus to go and intercept.

He’s in the 22… sub comes from one of the 4 emergencies..

 

[mrposhman]

MRJ must play. Can't have him as the sub.

WIth Marshall and Georgiadis out, they will struggle to kick goals. Taz to Dixon. Balta and Gibcus to go and intercept.

1 of Balta / Gibcus will go to Finlayson. Reckon the other plus Vlastuin will intercept and Broad will take their most dangerous small, whether that is Gray or Butters will depend on whether Butters plays forward or mid.

I reckon if we score more than 12 goals then we will win. Can't see Port scoring that much.

 

[Brodders17]

We will be picking the team we want to play for the next 2 months, hence Gibcus is in.- I dont necessarily agree, but if they want 3 talls plus a versatile Broad, Gibcus had to come in.
I dont think Hardwick, or any coach, makes changes based on the opposition, and only rarely based on weather.

I reckon this is our best available 22- the only non forced changes over the next few weeks might be Ryan or Soldo in for Miller, ShEdwards back in for MRjr and Dusty in for ?????.

 

[gold1]

I'm impressed by your unwavering confidence in this team!

It wasn't a strong North Melbourne team either but looked what happened there. When the team continues to play half a game of football each week and every result is within 10 points, it's the little things that make the difference. The opposition is almost irrelevant as we manufacture a close result no matter who they are. Being spooked is justified, and I wish I had your confidence.

Ah the Tiges will play the other half in the finals

 

[tigerdell]

We will be picking the team we want to play for the next 2 months, hence Gibcus is in.- I dont necessarily agree, but if they want 3 talls plus a versatile Broad, Gibcus had to come in.
I dont think Hardwick, or any coach, makes changes based on the opposition, and only rarely based on weather.

I reckon this is our best available 22- the only non forced changes over the next few weeks might be Ryan or Soldo in for Miller, ShEdwards back in for MRjr and Dusty in for ?????.

Dusty to come in as a sub?

 

[tigerdell]

We will be picking the team we want to play for the next 2 months, hence Gibcus is in.- I dont necessarily agree, but if they want 3 talls plus a versatile Broad, Gibcus had to come in.
I dont think Hardwick, or any coach, makes changes based on the opposition, and only rarely based on weather.

I reckon this is our best available 22- the only non forced changes over the next few weeks might be Ryan or Soldo in for Miller, ShEdwards back in for MRjr and Dusty in for ?????.

100% agree B17
Dimma seems to like a back 7 (6 plus Broad on the bench)
A reserve ruck on the bench
That's his favoured team structure. Taller so we don't get dismantled by a bigger side

 

[Harry]

George and Aarts are no where to be seen.

It's taken the MC a while to realise this - better late then never spose.

 

[momentai]

With Miller on the interchange I image he will be support ruck rather than a fulltime defender. A sound idea having a mobile big man chopping out Nanks when required

I reckon it’s a ruse. Think Miller will play in defence to start, and Noah second ruck.
If Tarrant can’t handle fat arse then Noah will go back.

 

[graystar1]

The loss to lowly North and the draw against Freo has curtailed my optimism.
Not sure what the Tigers are going to bring, week in week out.
Add to that, the injuries to Dusty and Grimes does not help.
Two huge losses
Naturally, want to win this game and hope for a loss to the Saints to put us back in the eight.
It is a bit of a lottery each week with the Tiges.

 

[momentai]

MRJ must play. Can't have him as the sub.

WIth Marshall and Georgiadis out, they will struggle to kick goals. Taz to Dixon. Balta and Gibcus to go and intercept.

Georgiadis … havnt been following PA but isn’t this a bit of a surprise?

 

[HR]

It's our second home, Adelayed oval.
We love it there because we get to snuff SA teams chances.
We got this Tigers.
Eat em alive.
Tigers by 28. In a canter.

 

[momentai]

We will be picking the team we want to play for the next 2 months, hence Gibcus is in.- I dont necessarily agree, but if they want 3 talls plus a versatile Broad, Gibcus had to come in.
I dont think Hardwick, or any coach, makes changes based on the opposition, and only rarely based on weather.

I reckon this is our best available 22- the only non forced changes over the next few weeks might be Ryan or Soldo in for Miller, ShEdwards back in for MRjr and Dusty in for ?????.

Match Cttee should be planning at selection time but not so sure it happens in ours.
If it did I would have thought that Stacky’s
Improved form and his proven ability would have given him an edge on a couple.
Still a few weeks before finals. Sonsie and Cumberland doing well and both with an edge in talent. Plenty of upside in Brown too and maybe he would have been worth a shot.

 

[22nd Man]

The North loss was an aberration where everything that could go wrong did. They sacked their coach which led to a bounce in performance, they jumped us a bit because of that, but even having said that, we lost the game to North despite having 33 shots at goal.

The only team beating Richmond right now is Richmond. We beat ourselves when we lost to Sydney, same with the Cats (though Prestia being knocked out early didn't help), same again against the Suns and North.

If we have our heads right in the game, we should have nothing to fear from that Port team. Their entire MO at the moment, is to keep scores down as they know their forward line isn't good enough to trouble any of the better teams. They are ranked 14th for points scored but 5th for points against. Their defence is undersized but performs quite well (due to a bit of a flood from their midfield), you could see that at the G earlier in the year, they would get the ball to the outside but then had very few forward of the ball resulting in them over possessing the ball. Expect the same on Saturday, it won't be a classic.

Why would we not have our heads in the game?

 

[UKTiger]

MRJ must play. Can't have him as the sub.

WIth Marshall and Georgiadis out, they will struggle to kick goals. Taz to Dixon. Balta and Gibcus to go and intercept.

I like what MRJ brings to the team but right now, for me, he is the perfect impact player as the sub and can come on when we need some chaos but I don't think he has the fitness and durability to run out four quarters this season. Next season will be another matter as his body will be maturing and will start to match his outstanding football instincts