Miller’s Guide: Tag teaser for derby rivals

To tag or not to tag?

For the first time in five years, the western derby landscape is not coloured by a discussion on who Ryan Crowley should rightfully tag in West Coast’s line-up.

Crowley will miss his first derby since 2010 thanks to a provisional suspension after returning a positive game day test to a painkiller last year.

His absence should be a massive relief for Luke Shuey, who has traditionally struggled under the heat of a Crowley tag.

Shuey’s record versus the Dockers is his worst against any team other than Sydney.

In seven derbies, the line-breaking midfielder has averaged just 19 disposals and contributed only four goals. Twice he has had 12 disposals or fewer for the match.

Those results show that, even without Crowley, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon would be wise to send his strongest tagging option to Shuey again this Sunday.

Clancee Pearce and Matt de Boer have both been groomed as options during the pre-season.

The former was serviceable against Travis Boak in round one despite the Port Adelaide skipper’s strong final quarter and should be given first crack.

If Tendai Mzungu comes into the line-up, don’t be surprised if the versatile wingman is sent to Chris Masten rather than Andrew Gaff.

Gaff is at his most dangerous when let off the leash and has shown an improved capacity to win contested ball, as evidenced by his 28 disposals against Carlton last Friday night.

But internally Fremantle are known to hold the running power of Masten in higher esteem than Gaff’s drive off the wing and are believed to view the former as the greater threat.

Masten has enjoyed a strong start to the year in averaging 27 disposals across the first two rounds, but still lets himself down with his disposal at times.

For West Coast, it would be sensible to resist the urge to send their tagger to superstar Nat Fyfe.

Matt Rosa excelled against Chris Judd after being sent to the dual Brownlow Medallist after quarter time against Carlton and will be the team’s run-with player given the absence of an injured Scott Selwood and Mark Hutchings.

But Rosa doesn’t have the aerial capacity to go with Fyfe in one-on-one marking contests when the Dockers champion pushes forward and could get exposed.

Rosa would be better off going to Stephen Hill – a player who has traditionally struggled under a direct tag but is lethal when given his own freedom.

Hill may not have been widely judged in Fremantle’s best in last Sunday’s barnstorming 44-point win over Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

But dig a little deeper and his influence becomes clear. Hill had a game-high 10 inside-50s against the Cats and kicks the ball as sweetly as any player in the AFL.

The Dockers are well aware of what a huge weapon Hill is.

In Fyfe’s case, West Coast are better served by using team defence and pressure to guarantee all of the Brownlow fancy’s possessions are won in contests and the ball is kicked under direct pressure.

If there is one weakness in Fyfe’s game, it can be his delivery by foot.

Better to have the ball being pumped inside forward 50 by Fyfe from a contest than being scythed onto the chest of Matthew Pavlich or Michael Walters by Hill’s lethal left boot.

Fantasy Fodder

It would be easy to get seduced by Josh Kennedy ($461,000) after the West Coast spearhead returned 141 points on the back of his 10-goal haul last Friday night. I’d suggest Fantasy coaches should hold off and not take the bait. Kennedy faces a far tougher match-up this weekend in Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin. The goalkicker has not managed more than two goals in his past four derbies and is unlikely to repeat his heroics. Kennedy would be a far better prospect heading into matches against Brisbane (round four) and GWS (round five) straight after the derby. There’s plenty of value elsewhere. Essendon’s Dyson Heppell ($616,000) has enjoyed a blistering start to the season in averaging 120 points and looms as a ready-made premium replacement for an injured Gary Ablett. Collingwood’s Adam Oxley ($177,000) looks superb value as a cheap defensive option after cracking the 100-mark against Adelaide last weekend.

The Heat’s On …

Gold Coast and Brisbane. Most have the Suns locked in for a first finals appearance this season with master coach Rodney Eade now at the helm. Poor losses to Melbourne and St Kilda and a dicky shoulder that is calling Gary Ablett’s future into question have changed all that. Gold Coast have plenty of outside class and run, but must find some inside grunt to turn around what is already looking a disappointing season. And while not as disastrous, their Queensland rivals Brisbane have also started the year in underwhelming fashion. A loss at home to Collingwood in round one was followed by an insipid effort against North Melbourne. Brisbane may have a makeshift forward line, but their midfield has class and depth on paper. A win this weekend against Richmond is looming as a must.

Top Tweet

Nathan Thompson, @ThommoN23

“Freo bloody impressive. Nat fyfe wow what a player!!”

The former Hawthorn and North Melbourne summed up what everyone was thinking after the new Brownlow Medal favourite racked up 36 disposals and kicked three goals against Geelong at Simonds Stadium last Sunday.