Qualifying Final. Magpies v. Demons. All comments.

[Johnno75]

I don’t think McStay will get dropped. In 2022 finals we went with Cameron, Cox, Checkers and Johnson. Cameron was good in QF and PF and the other 3 weren’t really influential in any finals bar Johnson kicking a couple of goals in QF. Be interesting to see how selection goes but the flip side is there is a lot of upside to how they performed this time last year with McStay instead of Johnson.

[stoliboy]

How will Craig McRae prepare his team for battle against Melbourne | AFL 360 | Fox Footy
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7jBTiFqW_ ... Z3dvb2Q%3D

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

The two selections issues are which is a good problem to have are:

Cox or Cameron as main ruck.

My indiction is that we are better off placed Cox at the start of matches to ruck then Cameron kind of blending in to the role. All the while at times providing a good marking option up forward for Cameron.

Cox looks like he has improved his rucking and kind of working harder in the hit out dept and more importantly to advantage as well.

Whos more in front WHE or Marcov.

I like Marcovs speed acrross the field but WHE is a better kick on goal and has this nack of slotting into the right spots and bobbing up to kick a goal or 2. Marcov is more groomed as a half backer whereas WHE more half forward type.

Was hoping Reef would be in some sort of calcualtions as well but has a sprain on his shoulder so looking like prelim for Reef. Handy option up forward. Johnson just needs 1 more good hit out in the VFL elim before AFL.
Other then that i do think its line ball Lipinski and McRae i tending to lean to McRae tho.
The AFL website has a mock line up and i like it be it maybe 2 changes to it.

Frist real look at the lads this arvo at training so kind of from today things start to ramp up.

I will not risk Nick Daicos at all

Keep Nick cherry ripe for the prelim.

[RudeBoy]

My initial thought was that given we are playing both Cox and Cameron, that we'd be better to drop McStay, in favour of McCreery.

However, I've been persuaded by others that McStay will be needed, if only to quell the influence of May or Lever. If that's the view of Fly, then the question is who will have to make way for the return of McCreery? I guess it's going to have to be one of the following unlucky players:

Lipinski
WHE
Markov
Sidey

Making the right call is part of the reason coaches are paid the big bucks. Let's hope Fly makes the right call.

[Gerry Cooper]

Out: Frampton, Lippa, Finn
In: Moore, Murph, Beau
Sub: ???
Don't want to make WHE the sub because he is the silver ghost, hiding in the forest, no one sees his gut running, but then he explodes out of nowhere at the end of a game to save us.
Don't want to make Beau the sub because he, Ginni, Hill, Elliott, can create ground level chaos in our forward line that May and Lever are not equipped to handle
Don't want to make McStay the sub because he and Checkers keep May and Lever occupied, while Cox drifts forward and the ball gets thumped to ground where our small forwards run riot.
Don't want to make Oleg the sub because his energy and dare an inspiration, and his pace is blistering.
Would perhaps like to make Cameron the sub, but am frightened of the implications of Cox alone, with only McStay as back up ruck, against Gawn. I think we have to play both Cox and Cameron.
I think I am actually leaning to what RB suggested: Sidey the sub. He can fit in anywhere, and sub for any player. His experience will be invaluable as time in the game goes on.
Also preserves Sidey for the next final.

That's not a bad idea, considering also he has been fading out late in matches recently.

[Gerry Cooper]

Agree 100%. No need to rush him back unless we're sure he's not just fully recovered but able to contribute to his usual standard.

Playing injured or barely fit players in big games rarely works. Anyone remember the 2011 grand final?

[BazBoy]

[choppa]

Markov hasn’t missed a game since round 4 I believe? No chance he gets dropped I reckon.

[BazBoy]

Gee I didn’t realise that stat about Markov

Hard work & 100 % attitude to the team role pays if that’s the case

Good on him

[Take_a_Screamer]

Predicting your club’s ins and outs for the first week of finals
By SEN, 31-Aug-23

It’s fair to say there are eight senior coaches hitting the pillow at night pondering this very question. Who goes in, who goes out. What changes will they make for the first week of finals? Some teams rested players in Round 24, others are questionable with injuries and as always omissions are possible. Here are the changes we are anticipating for the first week of finals.

COLLINGWOOD (by Lachlan Geleit)

Collingwood will at least make three changes ahead of their Qualifying Final against Melbourne. Captain Darcy Moore comes in after a slight hamstring strain, while his defensive partner Nathan Murphy will also return after receiving knocks to his back and glute in Round 23. Their inclusions will likely mean Billy Frampton comes out for Moore, particularly as Melbourne’s strength isn’t their key tall forwards. It’s a tough decision for who comes out for Murphy, but perhaps it’s Will Hoskin-Elliott whose versatility may cost him. Beau McCreery will also return from suspension, and he could take the spot of Fin Macrae as the substitute.

The Magpies could even bring back superstar Nick Daicos, but by all reports he appears more likely to return in semi-final or Preliminary Final weekend should the Magpies win through. If Daicos is right to go, there will be a seriously unlucky player missing out.

IN: Nathan Murphy, Darcy Moore, Beau McCreery
OUT: Fin Macrae, Billy Frampton, Will Hoskin-Elliott

MELBOURNE (by Zac Sharpe)

With the injury of Melksham, Tom McDonald looks to be the likely replacement after his five-goal haul in the VFL the week before. This move could then see Joel Smith moved back into the backline at the expense of Daniel Turner who just looked a little out of touch against the Swans.

Sub Bailey Laurie did enough after coming onto the ground to stay in the side for what would be his first finals appearance in his very young career.

IN: Tom McDonald
OUT: Daniel Turner, Jake Melksham

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/08/31/ ... of-finals/

[Take_a_Screamer]

Making the right call is part of the reason coaches are paid the big bucks. Let's hope Fly makes the right call.

If the sound "Coo-ee" is heard over the AIA Centre during the week, it's Fly making the right call...

[swoop42]

On Footy Classified last night they played a grab of Peter discussing Nick and how he thinks he's unlikely to get up for Melbourne.

Whether he was simply towing the party line and lowering expectations or that was his honest take as his father and someone who would know is anyone's guess.

[Clifton Hill-Billy]

Dropping WHE for McCreery to play as the sub, is madness as WHE is a perfect sub. McCreery needs to come back for another player.

[dmov73]

Gee I didn’t realise that stat about Markov

Hard work & 100 % attitude to the team role pays if that’s the case

Good on him

Is he our new Toovey?

[Take_a_Screamer]

Here's Kreuger's 4 goals highlights from last week
Also watch a full or mini replay of the VFL match

https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/matches/5836#news-videos