Heath into the backline

[NMWBloods]

Must admit I'm a bit confused that Saddo is in the frame. His name would be one of the first the selection committee puts on the team board each week. And I thought Schaubs and Saddo put in good performances against Adelaide - Adelaide's two key forwards only kicked 7 goals between them didn't they? - and the defence kept Adelaide down to what should have been a losing score, didn't they?

BTW, I'm a bit confused by the apparent insistence that Saddington and Schauble can't go head to head with key forwards. Exactly how many times did Saddington get out-muscled by Carey? I can remember one instance, but there obviously must have been dozens that I missed?

I think Saddo should easily make our starting 18, although i'd prefer him not to be our key position backman.

You mention that the Adelaide forwards kicked only 7 goals on Schauble and Saddo. That was mainly due to the good work of Schauble who did a great job, and probably should have been on Carey most of the game IMHO.

In terms of Saddo on Carey, Saddo was well beaten on the day, which is not surprising when you see Carey kicked 4 goals on him. Carey outmuscled him at least 3-4 times, which was a bad mistake by Saddo. What was even more annoying was that two of Carey's goals came from him reacting quicker to the fall of the ball.

Overall, I think our defence did a reasonable job, but I don't think Saddo played particularly well.

I'd note also that Adelaide did kick 97 points, which is pretty much on average for them, so I'd say, they didn't "keep Adelaide down to what should have been a losing score."

[chammond]

You mention that the Adelaide forwards kicked only 7 goals on Schauble and Saddo. That was mainly due to the good work of Schauble who did a great job, and probably should have been on Carey most of the game IMHO.

As usual, NMWB, we'll have to agree to differ. But I do agree that the match-ups weren't right on Sunday. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the main reason we struggled in the first half was that Roos was out-coached by Ayres (again) and took too long to correct the match-ups that weren't working.

Nevertheless, I don't agree Saddo was badly beaten. He was caught out of position a couple of times, certainly, and Carey managed to push him off the ball for one of his goals. But as I said, I can't remember any other example of Carey out-muscling him, and I can only remember Carey out-marking him once inside 50. Considering he played on Carey for more than three quarters, that hardly constitutes a thrashing.

Personally, I think Saddington is learning his trade steadily, and improving with experience. Barring injury, he should be ready to join the top ranks within a couple of seasons.

As regards the scoreline, I've always been under the impression that 14 goals is a poor score in anything but the worst conditions. I'd doubt that more than 20% of matches are won on a dry day with scores under 14 goals.

[NMWBloods]

No biggy - I think Saddo was well beaten by Carey (4 goals is a good return) and he played below average. As I said, I recall at least three occasions of him outmuscling Saddo, with one resulting in a goal.

Saddo seems to lost a little since his injury, but I have no problems with him and expect him to improve again. I think he is a useful player to have in the team.

As for scores, Adelaide managed 97 points - that would have won many games this year. Look at rd 18 - of 16 teams, 2 > 120 pts, 1 @ 104, 1 @ 101, 12 (incl 4 winners) less than 100. Besides three blowouts, Adelaide has won a number of games this year with scores not too far away from their weekend score.