Our backline

[Newbie]

Our backline is a mess. Full Back is our huge hole. Schauble seems incapable of playing FB. Playing him there, creates a chain reaction for all others. Saddo is probably best as third defensive tall, playing loose man and taking grabs as third man in contests. With Saddo is our third tall, we will probably need one extra midsize defender, with one small defender (Fixter) and one flanker. We have abundance of midsize defenders but no FB specialist in the wing (except injury-prone James).

Schauble is probaly close to his use-by-date. Once LRT takes over CHB, schauble is gone.

We basically need a complete rebuild of our backline.

[Jimmy C]

FB is a real big ask for Schauble imo. Much better at CHB (but what are we gonna do?). I always felt that Saddo was better on the HB flank imo. We really miss Fixter atm and I hope Snapper has a better season when he returns. Was Nicks played in the forward line against the Poo'n'Wees last night? He was much better suited to the backline.

[Mike_B]

Just goes to show how much Andrew Dunkley meant to us over the year - you could always rely on him to get the job done.

As for Nicks, it seemed like early on he was being played a bit further up the ground (either that or he actively pushed back further looking for the ball). Was barely sighted after half time though.

[robbieando]

How our defence should line up this week

B: Craig Bolton Lewis Roberts-Thomson Brad Seymour
HB: Ben Fixter Andrew Schauble Jason Saddington

[Dpw]

How about playing Stevens at fullback hes meant to be good overhead and during regular season games he seems to look lost up foward, hes tall enough and not too slow and I recall Roos saying you don't draft fullbacks you create them I would like to see him there for a month I don't think he could do any worse than Schauble.

[Charlie]

Robbie, putting LRT on NEITZ in his first game of AFL is pure craziness!!!!

[chammond]

There is much uncertainty about the Swans this season (so what else is new?).

If LRT and Stevens play in defensive key positons against the Demons, then at least we could be certain about one thing . . .

Roos will have lost his mind!

[NMWBloods]

Rookies have played on key forwards before in other sides...

[chammond]

All players start as rookies.

But I'm struggling to think of an occasion when a first gamer has played as a key defender.

It would still be madness.

[NMWBloods]

Brennan for the Lions on Tarrant.

Ferguson for Melbourne at full back.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by Charlie
Robbie, putting LRT on NEITZ in his first game of AFL is pure craziness!!!!

So using that logic, we won't see LRT till Round 8 at the earliest, or maybe even Round 12, after all we wouldn't want to put him on Rocca or Tarrant, Lynch, Kingsley, Sav Rocca, Richo or Lloyd.

Sometime or another you just have to bite the bullet. I guess I could live with Round 8, but if its not until Round 12, well that's just as crazy!

[chammond]

Brennan for the Lions on Tarrant. Ferguson for Melbourne at full back.

Stretching it a bit there, NMWB.

I didn't see much of the Lions v Magpie match. Did Matthews really start Brennan on Tarrant? Or did he move him onto Tarrant when the game was all but won? And didn't Tarrant kick several goals on him?

From memory, Matthews actually introduced Brennan in the pre-season games, which is how it should be done.

I've never heard of Ferguson, so I'll have to be guided by you on that one. Can I expect to see him start on Hall on Friday?

So using that logic, we won't see LRT till Round 8 at the earliest, or maybe even Round 12, after all we wouldn't want to put him on Rocca or Tarrant, Lynch, Kingsley, Sav Rocca, Richo or Lloyd.

I would be staggered if LRT gets a start on any of those players. But that's certainly not the only option. If he's going okay in the reserves, then he ought to be promoted soon . . . . just not to start in a key position.

[liz]

Originally posted by Mike_B
So using that logic, we won't see LRT till Round 8 at the earliest, or maybe even Round 12, after all we wouldn't want to put him on Rocca or Tarrant, Lynch, Kingsley, Sav Rocca, Richo or Lloyd.

Sometime or another you just have to bite the bullet. I guess I could live with Round 8, but if its not until Round 12, well that's just as crazy!

I think Cliff's point is more that you don't start them in their first game as KPP. There will always be the exception that proves the rule, of course, but they are few and far between. Brennan did well on Tarrant but he's not really a true FF. I haven't seen the Dees' Ferguson play, but isn't he a bit older (and hence physically stronger) than your average rookie? One big thing against throwing LRT into the fray against Neitz is his probable disadvantage in reading the play given he grew up primarily on a diet of rugby union. I think the ability to read what's happening up the ground and how the ball is travelling in is a major part of being a good FB. It's partly why Dunks was so good for so long against taller opponents.

[Dpw]

lizz, I don't think it is the exception rather than the rule there has been plenty of players who have had big jobs first up another is Polak vs the Ox and he toweled him up completely in his first senior game the Ox had more exp,hieght and wieght.

Its more of a case that you give them ago when you have too lets face it Schauble v Neitz could we really lose giving a kid first crack.

I do agree with charlie lets not make wholesale changes just yet a stern warning to all that this is a final notice and let than respond if then they still aren't performing well thats a different kettle of fish.

[robbieando]

Hang did I say we should play LRT on Neitz?? No I just named LRT there because thats where I see him playing for us in the future. I would go with Schauble on Friday and if we are way behind late or god forbid in front by alot then give LRT the chance to expirence playing against a top Full Forward. You have to play them at some stage against these guys.