How did Smith go?

[liz]

My comment was not on Smith (whom I noted elsewhere should be given a longer go at it), but DST's observation that there were limited options to bring into the firsts. So no need for the .

While the senior list has had a reasonably good run with injuries, they've hit our back-up players quite hard. Schmidt missed a lot of the pre-season, Grundy lost a month, Laidlaw's had no luck at all, Fossie's had knee and now hamstring injuries, Thornton is obviously out for the season, Barlow's had hamstring issues in the last few weeks, even Davo has had injuries niggles that have curtailed his fight to win his spot back. Those are the players who should be putting pressure on those in the senior team, or giving Roos at least options to rotate the young'uns in.

Even someone like Vez might have been a chance to play this year - given the excellent form he has shown when on the ground- had he not had groin problems to add to a lack of pre-season due to his shoulder surgery.

[DST]

Schmidt's a solid lad and he's always going to be a solid lad. He looks as light and fit to me at the moment as he has at any time. No doubt he's taken a bit of time to get some endurance back after his long lay-off but he was clearly the best mid in my eyes last weekend in the twos. I guess they brought Smith in to provide a bit more run - since he was a replacement for Malceski - but I think Schmidt deserved, as still deserves, his senior chance.

Not sure where you plucked Brabazon from. He wasn't even named an emergency and Schmidt was clearly the more effective player last week in the magoos.

I know Schmidt is a solid lad and unfortunately I don't get to see the reserves but based on his appearance in the Port game he still had a long way to go fitness wise to overcome his lack of preseason.

If he is looking fitter then by all means it's time he was played.

My observation on Brabazon was based entirely on the fact that no other running player in the two's look to have strung enough games together to be ready for senior football.

As you see more reserves than I do Liz, who else in the twos could be tagged as physically ready to play as a runner at present.

DST

[SimonH]

From a TV perspective, Smith was fine in those limited things he did. Can run, catch and kick a bit. Would have to leave it to those who have seen him play more than half an hour of footy to conclude whether he'll 'make it'.

Like liz said, if Schmidt, Thornton, Fosdike, Laidlaw and DOK were fit/had full pre-seasons and an uninterrupted run at it, not only would Smith not be a chance in the world to play but Bird would have barely debuted and Jack would, at best, be in and out of the squad.

Not that we have anywhere near the worst injury list in the league. Not even with BBBH (head) and Kennelly (it's out, no it's back in: OUCH!) on it.