Changes for Rnd 3 v Port Power

[Dosser]

Still am and believe the non match fit guys should be the ones to go and bring a couple of match fit boys in. Young blood or TDL for a go. ROK, not fit, Shaw, not fit (was puffing like an old man half way through the third). Get over this thing that if you are a long term senior player you are a walk up. That is @@@@ and only @@@@ footy clubs have that attitude. We need to have an attitude that we are willing to play the guys in the 2's because they are good enough not that we won't play them and a ROK or a Shaw get a walk up. Nobody should get a walk up ever. That is the attitude that wins premierships. Luke Hodge came back from injury last year via Box Hill. Didak also did time to get his prep right in the 2's (one match) under Mick. That is the attitude we need. That is why I am putting forward that we need to look at playing and blooding the young ones so we know if a senior player is injured a young bloke can slot straight in and no walk ups.

I say bring Nipper and TDL in for Shaw and ROK so they can get match fit. Seaby stays and maybe Tommy or White for LRT while injured. If Mummy doesn't play both White and Walsh.

The problem that we have here is that there is a big difference in coming back through the NEAFL as opposed to the VFL. We dont have the luxury of bringing guys back through something that approaches VFL intensity (Gold Coast and GWS ressies aside) so the coaching staff are between a ROK and a hard place. Maybe they see the NEAFL as the equivalent of doing more laps and ball-work? Either way, to get our guys 'match fit' I think they view the only option is to put them straight in and try to nurse them through it.

[Doctor]

If Mummy's right to go I'd bring him back in and leave Seaby in too. I suspect White will get the run though, Horse has nailed his colours to the wind on this.

[4 the Bloods]

Still am and believe the non match fit guys should be the ones to go and bring a couple of match fit boys in. Young blood or TDL for a go. ROK, not fit, Shaw, not fit (was puffing like an old man half way through the third). Get over this thing that if you are a long term senior player you are a walk up. That is @@@@ and only @@@@ footy clubs have that attitude. We need to have an attitude that we are willing to play the guys in the 2's because they are good enough not that we won't play them and a ROK or a Shaw get a walk up. Nobody should get a walk up ever. That is the attitude that wins premierships. Luke Hodge came back from injury last year via Box Hill. Didak also did time to get his prep right in the 2's (one match) under Mick. That is the attitude we need. That is why I am putting forward that we need to look at playing and blooding the young ones so we know if a senior player is injured a young bloke can slot straight in and no walk ups.

I say bring Nipper and TDL in for Shaw and ROK so they can get match fit. Seaby stays and maybe Tommy or White for LRT while injured. If Mummy doesn't play both White and Walsh.

You said in the freo preview that close enough is not good enough. Surely that has to apply to talent/skill just as much as it does for fitness. I can't see why its any better for a club culture to gift guys an AFL start when they don't deserve it or aren't quite ready. Young players shouldn't be promoted unless they are demanding it with their form (particularly given the lower standard that our reserves play). I can't see a single reserves player that is absolutely demanding to be picked at this stage. From that perspective I can't fault Longmire for choosing to bring ROK and Shaw in direct rather than promoting a junior that is going ok in the weaker NEAFL - their fitness will pick up a lot quicker than a reserves player's skills.

I also can't see how TDL or Nipper can be a swap for Shaw - very different roles/skillsets which again highlights that you can't just play youth for youth's sake.

[Hartijon]

The problem that we have here is that there is a big difference in coming back through the NEAFL as opposed to the VFL. We dont have the luxury of bringing guys back through something that approaches VFL intensity (Gold Coast and GWS ressies aside) so the coaching staff are between a ROK and a hard place. Maybe they see the NEAFL as the equivalent of doing more laps and ball-work? Either way, to get our guys 'match fit' I think they view the only option is to put them straight in and try to nurse them through it.

In principal I agree its a mistake to play unfit or out of form players.It demoralises the team having them not contributing and demoralises the guys busting their gut in the 2's and deserving a run. In practise Dosser makes a very good point. We don't have the VFL! Some players have a reputation for being able to slot straight backin and that also influences selection..

[barry]

Dont need to mess with a winning formula. so replace like for like.

Out: LRT
In: White.

I dont think Mummy will come up, so Seabs gets another go.
Rok, Hanners and Ryhs are better for the run.

[blinddog]

Dont need to mess with a winning formula. so replace like for like.

Out: LRT
In: White.

Shaw and ROK will be fitter for this weeks match. My only question with ROK is he still carrying an injury? Any news on the shoulder of Reid?

[Beerman]

As much as I would like to see Mummy fit, it might be interesting to see Seaby go up against Port. Will he be motivated to pay them back for not picking him up last year? I've spoken to him a couple of times and he doesn't seem like that kind of guy, but you never know.

[Triple B]

I dont think Mummy will come up.....

What is that based on Barry??

My understanding is he woke up with a stiff back. If he is still stiff after a week, they should find out what he ate on Friday night and market it strongly....

Seriously though, has there been any suggestion this is an 'injury' per se?

[ugg]

He went for a run in the morning and felt tightness. That's what Horse said in the after-match press conference

[Matt79]

He went for a run in the morning and felt tightness. That's what Horse said in the after-match press conference

Well that explains why I never get a game! Every time I go for a run I feel tightness too!

[Dosser]

Why are our players going for a run on the morning of a match?!? Has sport science changed so much that you must now exert your energy pre-game so that you have more during the game? Methinks something sinister is afoot...

[GongSwan]

Why are our players going for a run on the morning of a match?!? Has sport science changed so much that you must now exert your energy pre-game so that you have more during the game? Methinks something sinister is afoot...

Here'sa thought for you. Horse, in his game planning, sees no way we win the ruck taps and devises a fiendishly clever plan to shark Freo's, so what does it matter who we play there? It's a long season for Mummy, who has to shoulder 80% of the ruck work and all the other stuff he does, so give him the week off, we still have a good ruckman in Seabs, who Roos pointed out probably runs and spreads better than Mummy, running Sandi around a bit etc. Whatever happened, it seemed to work ok and we got the choccies. As for playing people back from injury, I've said it before, and I'VE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE SAY THAT TO THE TOP 22, A RUN IN THE RESSIES IS NO BETTER THAN TRAINING DRILLS REALLY, LET THEM GET MATCH FIT , NEXT WEEK WE WILL SEE THE BENEFIT, sorry, bloody caps lock

[Dosser]

Here'sa thought for you. Horse, in his game planning, sees no way we win the ruck taps and devises a fiendishly clever plan to shark Freo's, so what does it matter who we play there? It's a long season for Mummy, who has to shoulder 80% of the ruck work and all the other stuff he does, so give him the week off, we still have a good ruckman in Seabs, who Roos pointed out probably runs and spreads better than Mummy, running Sandi around a bit etc. Whatever happened, it seemed to work ok and we got the choccies. As for playing people back from injury, I've said it before, and I'VE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE SAY THAT TO THE TOP 22, A RUN IN THE RESSIES IS NO BETTER THAN TRAINING DRILLS REALLY, LET THEM GET MATCH FIT , NEXT WEEK WE WILL SEE THE BENEFIT, sorry, bloody caps lock

Hmmmm. Fiendishly clever, indeed. It has merit however I dont believe that after one game and then a week off, Horse would be resting Mummy already. I will watch this space...



By the way, I was hoping for a spectacular comment to make on my 500th - one that will go down in RWO folklore. What a waste that was...

[aardvark]

By the way, I was hoping for a spectacular comment to make on my 500th - one that will go down in RWO folklore. What a waste that was...

You could always ask the Mods to delete it and try again. I quite enjoy a spectacular comment!

[Dosser]

You could always ask the Mods to delete it and try again. I quite enjoy a spectacular comment!

Who am I kidding? I've never made a spectacular comment in my life!