Reid

[Melbourne_Blood]

Drop him!!!! You are seriously kidding right? What, replace him with Walsh you reckon !? Gotta be taking the piss, surely.

[Big Al]

The kid was on fire against Freo before he got that knock to his shoulder. I don't think he's been 100% fit since but he's still contributing and talk of dropping him is just mad in my view.

[Matimbo]

He definitely wasn't 100% fit against the Roos IMO plus they double-teamed him in defence. He is certainly in our best 22 (and well into the top half) so can't see any logic in dropping him, unless he is injured.

[Legs Akimbo]

Sometimes he grimaces after hitting a pack so I wouldn't be surprised if his shoulder is still tender.

But to the point of the thread, he's not kicking goals consistently, but opposition defenders are not taking easy marks in our forward line when the ball bombs in. Our leading goal kickers are all smalls - Jetta 11, McGlynn 6, Bird 4, Bolton 4.

Works for me, but I agree it will be even better with another (functioning) big body in there, preferably Walsh or Spangher to lead wide and draw a man.

[jono2707]

He's a young guy, and a great player. If he needs a rest at some stage this year, I hope he gets one. He doesn't seem 100% right at the moment but hopefully he can play through that and, as others have said, take the main focus of the opposition's defense.

BTW, although I wouldn't be dropping people willy nilly like others sometimes suggest, if Walsh gets a chance I hope he gets to string a few games together. I can't see him learning any more in the NEAFL and he did look impressive in the International Rules, and I think he'd fit in well with Reid up forward. But I'm not suggesting we drop anyone from our recent great performances, so he'll just have to bide his time.

[liz]

if Walsh gets a chance I hope he gets to string a few games together. I can't see him learning any more in the NEAFL.

While I hope too that Walsh gets a chance in the not too distant future, I don't agree about his capacity to learn in the NEAFL. His performances have been steadily improving at that level, and it is evident that he is learning from week to week.

[mcs]

Noone could seriously want to drop him. I agree if he needs a rest he should get it as the season goes, but he is important to the team even if he isn't having a good day.

He is 20 years old, he is going to be inconsistent. But every game he plays is another AFL game and more experience, and he gives us at least some structure to our forward line.

[R-1]

Walsh spend two years playing in the VFL, so I think the main thing he has to learn in the NEAFL would be team-specific things, our structures and gameplans and the like.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Yeah, his only two years of playing Aussie rules. I'm not sure he's quite a post graduate student of our game. He'd be learning more than our game plan in the Magoos.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Perhaps it's the injury from the Freo game, perhaps it's because our opposition are fixating on him, I recall that his form dipped last year and the solution was to get a third tall up forward (Spanky). I think Horse may have included 'Dre for that very purpose.

[Primmy]

Gee the kid is still a kid (in my eyes) and the footy world has "discovered" him, commentators, journalists and us mob. How much pressure would each and every one of you be under to perform at an elite level at the age of 20 under those circumstances!! A few deep breaths are in order here.

I am fairly sure Sam is playing with a niggle; that other teams have woken up to his ability and has a game plan specifically targetting him this year. Its a very steep learning curve. And he still plays with his head up. Suggest we trust him.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

All the more reason to get the lad some support

[Bloody Hell]

Gee the kid is still a kid (in my eyes) and the footy world has "discovered" him, commentators, journalists and us mob. How much pressure would each and every one of you be under to perform at an elite level at the age of 20 under those circumstances!! A few deep breaths are in order here.

I am fairly sure Sam is playing with a niggle; that other teams have woken up to his ability and has a game plan specifically targetting him this year. Its a very steep learning curve. And he still plays with his head up. Suggest we trust him.

It's also playing at the SCG.

He should have a good game at the expance of York Park.

[Melbourne_Blood]

His best game this year was at the SCG wasn't it. And his rising star nominated game from last year too I believe. I don't think.he minds playing there. He's the Main target for opposition defences and yes he may be carrying a niggle. But if we continue winning I don't care if he doesn't play a blinder because the rest of our forward line is obviously benefitting from the attention Sam is receiving. Plus he's a 20 year old learning the tougher position on the ground...