Changes for Rnd. 9 v Hawthorn.. (Return of the Eski!)

[JudesaGun]

If anyone listened to Stewie Dew on SportsDay last night, I think it's pretty clear that White won't be coming in this week. he basically said that they had hoped that when White was sent back to the reserves he would dominate and make clear that he was unhappy to be dropped and he wanted to get straight back into the senior side... he didn't dominate so he'll probably spend a few more weeks in the reserves finding form.

[stellation]

Stellation, we may have to agree to disagree.

For a player that has been on the list for as long as Jessie (2006 National Draft), 6 goals from 5 games for a key forward
just doesn't cut it. An average of 6 disposals and 1.4 marks per game is not good enough.

Sam Reid has been on the list for a little over a year. His average disposals of 10.3 per game and 4 marks is a hell of a lot better then Jesse's.

I wasn't trying to compare the two overall, purely responding to the suggestion that Sam kicks goals and Jesse doesn't.

Leigh Brown seems to be the accepted model to follow for the backup ruckman/forward based on his performance last year, for the season he kicked around 20 goals and averaged about 6 hitouts per game (and grabbed about 10 touches a game)- I think it's reasonable to say that bar getting the touches, which is a problem, White was basically on that pace. It's a tough gig.

[Untamed Snark]

Who would you leave out?

Buddy Franklin

[ernie koala]

I've long held the view White should be tried as a key position defender. He's big, he can crash a pack, he's quick for his size, and a pretty good kick.
The two areas he struggles with..
1) Taking contested marks, as a defender in contested situations you are required to spoil not mark.
2) He goes missing for long stretches during games, as a defender he doesn't have to chase possessions, just defend when the ball comes his opponents way.
I think he's physically well suited as a defender. Apparently he played well when put down back last weekend, I hope they persist because he looks a shot duck, as a permanent key forward.

[Jewels]

On MMM news at 6am this morning, they reported that NickMal would be IN the side this Sunday, not just available but IN.
Now normally I would disregard such reporting, but I had a chat with Nick at the ladies lunch last Friday and he told me that he would be playing 60 minutes in the ressies on Saturday and if he came through unscathed, all being well he would be back in seniors for the Hawks game.
I thought he was joking after the time Lewie and Tiger spent in the ressies, but what Liz says makes sense as he would be coming from a much better fitness base, so maybe there's a chance we'll see him this weekend after all.
Sub perhaps?????

[ShockOfHair]

Sounds plausible. Coaches have gone out of their way NOT to rule Nick out.

So, Nick in, Nipper out.

Nick, Parker or Jetta as sub.

Keep LRT in to follow Roughead around.

[Hartijon]

Wow that's an amazing come back. We have missed Melcho with his drilling passes. Too much high ball deliverey without him!

[liz]

Remember that when Eski came back after his first LARS, he was straight back into the senior team, by-passing the reserves altogether.

The sub rule might have changed things slightly, but it is evident from the way Longmire's face lights up when he talks about Eski's 70 minutes at the weekend just how highly he is rated.

[Peace]

I'm somewhat excited.....

[jono2707]

Remember that when Eski came back after his first LARS, he was straight back into the senior team, by-passing the reserves altogether.

The sub rule might have changed things slightly, but it is evident from the way Longmire's face lights up when he talks about Eski's 70 minutes at the weekend just how highly he is rated.

I also remember he took quite a while to find form and confidence after his first LARS, so I hope that doesnt happen again. However I wouldn't have high expectations of him just yet - I will be happy enough to see him run out on the field on Sunday if he's named in the team....

[Primmy]

I have never seen Mal look so confident. If they decide to name him, it wouldn't worry me a bit.

[Untamed Snark]

I also remember he took quite a while to find form and confidence after his first LARS, so I hope that doesnt happen again. However I wouldn't have high expectations of him just yet - I will be happy enough to see him run out on the field on Sunday if he's named in the team....

Only a guess but this time around he knows what to expect recovery wise so will have a much better idea of if he is ready to return

[ernie koala]

I'm somewhat excited.....

I'm not..When he's up and going he's a fabulous player with exceptional delivery, but I'm apprehensive about his immediate return in such a high stakes game. He was ordinary at best when he came back last time, he avoided physical contests and hardly laid a tackle, and turned the ball over a lot by his standards. It took him a long time to get his confidence and start playing up to his usual standard.
Maybe this being his 2nd one he'll respond differently, but I would of thought 2 or 3 more games in the 2's to really test him out, and get his fitness and confidence in the knee to 100%, would be more appropriate.

[Triple B]

I'm a bit apprehensive because I'm not sure we desperately need him at the minute, the backline has been our true shining light so far this year.

I suspect having no ressies this week has stymied the club somewhat, they probably really want to get some gametime in him and bring him up to speed but if it is this week, they have no option but to play him in the seniors.

I'm a bit que sera sera about it. If he plays, well and good because I love the guy, but if not, I'm sure the club knows whats best.

[Jewels]

I'm a bit apprehensive because I'm not sure we desperately need him at the minute, the backline has been our true shining light so far this year.

I suspect having no ressies this week has stymied the club somewhat, they probably really want to get some gametime in him and bring him up to speed but if it is this week, they have no option but to play him in the seniors.
I'm a bit que sera sera about it. If he plays, well and good because I love the guy, but if not, I'm sure the club knows whats best.

That was why I thought that they might try him as the sub, gives him a run in seniors whilst also seeing how he handles the pressure this time around.