Changes for next week against the Dogs?

[pmac21]

In:. Hopper, Martin, Short, Sonsie,
Out: Mansell, Rioli Jnr, Ralphsmith, Clarke

Personally hate this option
Lose our two pressure forwards
Also hope Clarke gets a block of games (although doubt it will happen)

Probably more what I think will happen rather than what I would like to see.  I agree we should keep the youth but when you look through the side it's hard to see Dimma dropping his regulars.

[the claw]

There is no Broad so why not play a defender in his place and he is already in the team in Mansell. Failing that, roll a similar sized player in McIntosh Back.

Tarrant must be close and it would be tempting but if not, Miller. Start Dusty in the middle thats where he belongs.

Am seriously looking at a wing spot for a more polished player than Kamdyn. I suppose back the kids Ralphsmith or Clarke in and dont just give them the flick after one game.

Sonsie has to play. Anyway something like this

FB Vlastuin - Tarrant/Miller - Grimes
HB Rioli - Balta - Mansell/McIntosh

C Pickett - Martin - HRS/Clarke/ McIntosh
R Nankervis - Taranto - Prestia

HF Sonsie - Riewoldt - Cumberland
FF Bolton - Lynch - Ryan/Miller.

INT Hopper - Cotchin - Baker -???
SUB ???

[FooffooValve]

Wouldn't surprise me at all if there was a tough call made on Riewoldt this week. I actually think Cumbo squeezes Jack out rather than Ryan. The Pies paid Riewoldt little respect, wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

I'd go in: Miller, Martin, Sonsie, Hopper, Short

Out: Riewoldt, Clarke, McIntosh, Mansell, HRS, Rioli the sub.

So:

B: Young, Balta, Vlastuin
HB: Rioli, Grimes, Miller
C: Pickett, Hopper, Baker
HF: Sonsie, Lynch, Cumberland
F: Bolton, Ryan, Martin
Mid: Nank, Taranto, Prestia
IC: Cotchin, Ross, Short, Graham Sub: M Rioli

Cotch/Sonsie high HF, we'll need 3 talls down back for the Doggies, with Baker the defensive wingman.

[one-eyed]

Martin, Hopper in line to return to face Bulldogs

Jon Pierik
The Age
3 April 2023

Richmond expects prime movers Dustin Martin and Jacob Hopper to return against the Western Bulldogs this weekend ahead of a pivotal three-game test for the club that believes it is in premiership contention.

The pair missed Friday night’s 14-point loss to Collingwood. Their drive and creativity were missed, as the Tigers managed only seven goals on a sodden night.

Tigers chief advisor Neil Balme said on Monday that Martin, who was subbed out of the round two clash against Adelaide, and Hopper were in line for a recall.

“We are pretty confident that they will both be right. My gut feel was if it was grand final day last weekend, we probably would have played them both, but because it’s such a long season, and you don’t want to run the risk of losing them for a month, that’s probably what we were thinking more than anything else,” he said.

“But the doctors’ are pretty confident they will both get up for this week.”

Martin’s injury status had been shrouded in some secrecy, but Balme said it was largely hamstring soreness.

“He has got a bit of hammy soreness, and is generally sore as well. So, it was given him a break, give him a week off. He hasn’t got a hamstring strain, just a bit sore,” Balme said.

Martin, 31, was sidelined for seven weeks last season with a hamstring injury, and the Tigers don’t want a repeat of this for the 2017 Brownlow medallist.

Hopper, the former Giant who had made a strong start against Carlton and Adelaide, had a knee issue.

“He had had another knee issue previously. We were just a bit conservative about it, making sure we don’t push him over the edge. He is feeling pretty good as well, so it would be a surprise if they are both not right,” Balme said.

Martin and Hopper worked in the gym on Monday. While they are confident of a return, the hard-running Jayden Short (calf) is likely to miss another week.

“We are hopeful, but we are not as certain of him as the other two. We haven’t given up on it, but probably not [selection recall] would be my gut feel,” Balme said.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/blues-kangaroos-challenge-bans-at-tribunal-martin-hopper-in-line-to-return-as-tigers-face-major-test-20230403-p5cxmy.html

[one-eyed]

Dusty and Hopper will be back this week.

Short to miss again.

[one-eyed]

Team Tips:

The Tigers could get boosted by the returns of Dustin Martin and Jacob Hopper for Saturday’s clash as they look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Collingwood, while Jayden Short might be another week away.

Samson Ryan seems likely to make way, while the likes of Jack Graham, Hugo Ralphsmith, Judson Clarke and Rhyan Mansell will also feel pressure.

Tyler Sonsie impressed in the VFL with 31 touches to also stake his claim for a recall.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2023-team-tips-squads-predictions-ins-and-outs-injuries-dropped-players-supercoach/news-story/10b01b6ff7fa25fe30a2e5b4e7288966

[the claw]

If i was a betting man my money would be on Dusty in Cumberland out while Mansell and Rioli stay put.
Something rotten down there if Sonsie is not picked.

[MintOnLamb]

If i was a betting man my money would be on Dusty in Cumberland out while Mansell and Rioli stay put.
Something rotten down there if Sonsie is not picked.

Cumberland plays poo in the VFL and gets a game ( I think he should be in)
Sonsie stars last week…. Let’s see …. He should be in as well

Get the chicken poo ready….

[one-eyed]

Dustin Martin (hamstring) and Jacob Hopper (knee) will come back into the side after a week off, but Damien Hardwick has a difficult decision to make around Noah Cumberland, who was a significant spark in the second half as sub. Hardwick has previously said Cumberland and Martin are playing the same role in the structure of the side. Judson Clarke may be the unlucky one to make way for Hopper after fellow inclusion Jack Ross racked up 23 touches. Robbie Tarrant played VFL last week in his return from a hip injury, but Tylar Young played fairly well against Collingwood, while Hugo Ralphsmith had come in for the suspended Nathan Broad and could be an out if the Tigers want Tarrant against the tall Dogs.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/896729/in-the-mix-r4-who-s-under-the-pump-pushing-for-selection-

[WilliamPowell]

From Dimma's presser he said both Cumberland and Ryan will play this week

[mightytiges]

Going by Dimma's presser the forward make up this week is going to be interesting to see.

Jack could be 'rested' this week while Sonsie trained with the forwards today.

Dimma also wouldn't say answer whether Cumberland was going to be in the 22. Just said he'll be in the 23 and then the squad of 26.


B:    Grimes     Young     Vlastuin
HB:  D.Rioli      Balta      Baker
C:   McIntosh   Prestia    Pickett
HF:   Bolton      Lynch     Graham
F:    M.Rioli       Ryan      Martin
R:  Nankervis   Hopper    Taranto
Int:  Cotchin   Ross   Sonsie   Riewoldt
Sub: Cumberland

Emg (from): Ralphsmith    Mansell    Clarke   Miller


If Jack is 'rested' then Cumberland may come into the 22 with Clarke or Hugo as sub.