EAGLES COACH DOESN’T BUY INTO DEMONS CHAOS THEORY
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson insists it will be more than just chaos versus control when his team lines up against the freewheeling Melbourne in today’s preliminary final at Optus Stadium.
The Demons are the highest-scoring team in the AFL, and they also rank No.1 for contested possessions.
Overall, Melbourne’s style of play has been labelled “chaotic”, with its fast-paced technique carrying big risks but also producing big rewards.
West Coast is considered to be a more measured side in comparison, but Simpson thinks those descriptions are too simplistic.
“That’s probably words you’ve heard throughout the week,” Simpson said of the chaos-versus-control theory.
“We don’t necessarily control the ball, and they’re not necessarily chaotic. That’s a good throwaway line, but there’s a bit more to it than that.”
The Demons boast a major advantage in the ruck, where All-Australian big man Max Gawn is expected to dominate Scott Lycett and Nathan Vardy.
But the Eagles seem to hold the aces in attack and in defence. Two-time Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy didn’t play when the Demons beat West Coast by 17 points five weeks ago, while Jack Darling lasted just 10 minutes before being concussed.
Simpson believes their presence will give West Coast a vital boost in attack.
“They give you a target to kick to, and they’re pretty hard to stop when they’re at their best,” Simpson said.
Sam Frost and Oscar McDonald are set to be handed the task of minding Darling and Kennedy.
Up the other end, Melbourne will be relying heavily on 19-gamer Sam Weideman and Tom McDonald to stand up in attack.
Demons defender Jake Melksham did an excellent tagging job on intercept king Jeremy McGovern five weeks ago, and Melbourne is expected to use the tactic again.
Simpson said it was a straightforward decision to recall veteran defender Will Schofield in place of Brad Sheppard (hamstring).
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin would have had a harder time in deciding to axe Bayley Fritsch for defender Joel Smith.
The winner of today’s game will qualify for the grand final, but Simpson feels his team has done enough mental work to stay in the moment.
“We’ve done a few things with the mindfulness stuff, how to stay on task,” Simpson said. “That’s been ongoing for a couple of years now. The mental side of the game is always important, but that work has been done.” earning All-Australian selection this year, it’s remarkable that Eagles dynamo Yeo has never really been tagged. Expect that to change. The noise out of Melbourne suggests Harmes will look to shut down Yeo. The danger for Melbourne is it will free up Luke Shuey, arguably the Eagles’ most creative playmaker.
Tom Barrass v Tom McDonald
With Jesse Hogan injured, McDonald is the main man up forward for Melbourne and has booted 53 goals for the season. Barrass is probably the only Eagles defender with the size and strength to go with him and that match-up would allow Jeremy McGovern to play his preferred intercept role. Barrass also reads the play very well but can be prone to the odd brain fade.