Willo to play

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by SimonH
There are about 10 case studies I've seen that prove, 'Never, never play players who are struggling to come up to scratch on fitness in finals. They will be caught out.' The most recent case study being Paul Williams, Sydney v Geelong, 9 September 2005.

Willo is not an 'off the bench' type of player, and anyways a less talented player who could go at full tilt without a question-mark in the back of his mind, would be more use.

Peter Riccardi?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by originalswan
I'm with NMW and Simon on this matter. Never ever ever ever go into a finals game with an "underdone" player - It is not worth the risk. Get an able bodied player in. Look at Moore, Malceski or McVeigh. Get more running players in - especially if it is wet - especially at night.

So drop those who are almost certainly carrying injuries: Willo, Crouch, NOG, Leo and Jude?

[originalswan]

I haven't seen the injuries to Crouchy and Leo affecting their games - So you wouldn't drop them. What influence (since you mention it) has Will and Jude had?

[originalswan]

Sorry Willo!

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by originalswan
I haven't seen the injuries to Crouchy and Leo affecting their games - So you wouldn't drop them. What influence (since you mention it) has Will and Jude had?

Syd v Geelong
J Bolton: 7 kicks, 5 handballs, 2 marks, 10 tackles (the next highest was Kirk on 8)

[Whitefox]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Yep, and you'd struggle to think of too many (any?) that disprove that proposition!

Darren Millane's the only one i can think of.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
So drop those who are almost certainly carrying injuries: Willo, Crouch, NOG, Leo and Jude?

Ah, the reversion to hyperbole...

Syd v Geelong
J Bolton: 7 kicks, 5 handballs, 2 marks, 10 tackles (the next highest was Kirk on 8)

12 possessions is not really a midfielder at his best. 6 effective tackles is pretty decent, but you need a lot more than just that. He's only managed 20 possessions twice in the past 11 games.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Whitefox
Darren Millane's the only one i can think of.

Yeah, and he was a bit freakish with his ability to play through pain and injury.

[punter257]

if he aint fit then bring in malceski, mcveigh or moore. i reckon they'd pick mcveigh as he is a little more experienced

but i'd love to see willo out there

[gossipcom]

Regarding Willo - imo, he actually reinjured his thigh in the warmup last week - because he was with the trainers before the match even started so it was definitely troubling him there.

I hope he plays - but if he's not at least 75% fit he'll struggle to make the distance again.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by originalswan
What influence (since you mention it) has Will and Jude had?

Watch the last qtr again, Jude was in there a lot, got the ball into the F50 at least 3 times I remember. He was really putting in as was Monty, Ablett and Kirk.

Willo was doing a lot of running around, had a few vital touches.

[dimelb]

Agree with NMW, Simon et al. Use one of the more experienced youngsters instead. If we make it through it'll be a bonus we might look forward to. But I couldn't stand it if we pick Willo and he spends the same sort of time on the bench he did last week.

[barry]

If Willo is good enough to play, play him IMO.
He may not be getting much of the ball at the moment, but he does very few clangers, and can absorb finals pressure.
Doubts on whether Bevan, McVeigh, Malceski or Moore would be any better in a pressure cooker.

[mocaholic]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Yep, and you'd struggle to think of too many (any?) that disprove that proposition!

Nigel Lappin, 2003 GF.

[floppinab]

With Willo, gotta consider his age and recent history in coming up from injuries (the collarbone (?) took a long time this year), when comparing him to a Crouch and Ablet, et. all.
Given where he has been at the last few weeks it'd be a big risk to play him. Only trouble is Roos seems reluctant to give anyone who comes in a lot of game time , which in turn puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the midfield. It's time to take some risks in giving game time to new guys having to come in, playing Willo isn't a risk we should take.