Changes for Rnd 14 V The Giants

[SimonH]

Whoever the best/most promising 4 players are in the 2nds (I'll leave it to 2nds-watchers, but Gordon's certainly been around the mark for long enough) should have a go, and McVeigh and whoever else has put a lot of miles in their legs and could use another rest in readiness for the end of the year (e.g. ROK), can have the week off.

That's not disrespect to GWS, that's still playing a strong side while giving some younger players a bit of development.

Doesn't matter much what people here think; no reason to believe that LRT will be dropped now, when there have been at least 6 occasions in his career when I've thought, 'there's no way that he can get away with it at the selection table after the game he played last week', and he's back been in the first 18, no question, every time.

[grarmy]

Doesn't matter much what people here think; no reason to believe that LRT will be dropped now, when there have been at least 6 occasions in his career when I've thought, 'there's no way that he can get away with it at the selection table after the game he played last week', and he's back been in the first 18, no question, every time.

We now have more depth, more options. The issue should be who best to include in the team to play against t'other side and the coach's strategy to achieve a win. There was an intelligent assessment on this thread of LRT's performance vis impact on Scarlett. However, if a selected player is uncomfortable in his nominated role or, in the case of LRT, not right for a forward role, then another option should be pursued. It is simply unacceptable to accept the status quo (because a player offers some versatility in the case of an emergency e.g. ruck role, back position) instead of selecting a player who offers more as a forward. Should LRT be a sub?

[stellation]

Doesn't matter much what people here think; no reason to believe that LRT will be dropped now, when there have been at least 6 occasions in his career when I've thought, 'there's no way that he can get away with it at the selection table after the game he played last week', and he's back been in the first 18, no question, every time.

I tend to agree, based on selection so far I do think that he's been stamped as "best 22" coming into the season by Horse and they're sticking to it.

[GoSouth33]

.

Bolton so game 300 is not at simmonds stadium or have i miscounted

I think I previously worked out that his 300th would be at "Kardinia", and incidently, I think it's spelt Simonds (one "m").

[Doctor]

I've given up trying to predict what the selection panel will do. I'd imagine though that there will be no changes unless there are injuries or Macca has to sit out. Who plays on Cameron? Ted?

[Nich]

LRT will not make way for Spangher/White/Everitt/Walsh/anybody else we can think of. He is one of the leaders at the Club and we are winning. 2nd on the ladder. Unless he is injured he wont be going anywhere before next weekends game. Wrongly or rightly, just accept it

[Go Swannies]

Goodes looked surprised by the intensity of the game. Welcome back! There's no good giving him a run in the 2s - he's not going to get match hardened there. Hopefully he's now come up to AFL speed and will be ready to go this weekend - and bad luck GWS.

Did anyone notice that Horse had pre-warned Goodes he might be subbed? That's knowing your players. But it also meant that he had selected Everitt knowing he might be playing a large chunk of the game. This weekend I'd expect Everitt to be named (it'd be tough for him not to be - and hopefully his fragile confidence is now sky high) and someone else as sub. I wonder who?

[longmile]

Goodes looked surprised by the intensity of the game. Welcome back! There's no good giving him a run in the 2s - he's not going to get match hardened there. Hopefully he's now come up to AFL speed and will be ready to go this weekend - and bad luck GWS.

Did anyone notice that Horse had pre-warned Goodes he might be subbed? That's knowing your players. But it also meant that he had selected Everitt knowing he might be playing a large chunk of the game. This weekend I'd expect Everitt to be named (it'd be tough for him not to be - and hopefully his fragile confidence is now sky high) and someone else as sub. I wonder who?

If McVeigh is sitting out I could easily see Nipper getting a run as a sub. He deserves some senior game time

[wolftone57]

We should blood a few of the young guys now while we have the chance. The ones who are ready of course. I would also like to see a new look forward line of Spang, TDL, Morton, Nipper, Reid & the resting rover or follower. Please elevate Shane Biggs to the Senior list as I think the kid is a gem! He is going to be a star for us! I can't wait to see the likes of Biggs, Brown, Parker, Mitchell, Harry in the same team. Man that is going to be some team when you add Sammy, Jettstar, Kizza, Joey, Spang, TDL, Morton, Nipper etc. We are really blessed with great talent.

[jono2707]

If McVeigh is out this week (and for a very good reason), if we go for a like-for-like replacement, we'll be getting a backman in, based on McVeigh's recent roles. Does this mean Malceski is back? Otherwise maybe Campbell Heath if he's done enough? And if he's on the main list too.... Otherwise if we take a last-out first-in approach, that would mean TDL comes back.

I'm not one for "give so and so a go" - players need to really deserve their place in the team. The other option could be Morton if he has done enough in the coaches eyes, however I don't see GWS as much of a test, so it wouldn't really give us too much of an indication of where he's at anyway...

[Ludwig]

We should blood a few of the young guys now while we have the chance. The ones who are ready of course. I would also like to see a new look forward line of Spang, TDL, Morton, Nipper, Reid & the resting rover or follower. Please elevate Shane Biggs to the Senior list as I think the kid is a gem! He is going to be a star for us! I can't wait to see the likes of Biggs, Brown, Parker, Mitchell, Harry in the same team. Man that is going to be some team when you add Sammy, Jettstar, Kizza, Joey, Spang, TDL, Morton, Nipper etc. We are really blessed with great talent.

I think this 'depth' really needs to be tested, and next week is the best opportunity we have to do so. You have to be impressed by the consistency of WCE with the number of major injuries they've had, probably 6 or 7 first stringers. And Collingwood as well. I don't know where they get all these little guys from, Blair, Fasolo, and now Jamie Elliot, but they seem to just pluck them out from nowhere, and they play like 100 gamers out of the box.

We need to give our better ressie players a go at senior level if we are to match the depth of the other top 4 competition. We know TDL and Spangher can play at senior level. I would give Nipper, Biggs and Cunningham a go this week. Outs: LRT, Macca (let him enjoy his baby) and one of Shaw or Mattner (not based on performance). Look what happened when we played Parker and Johnson last year. They both showed they can play at senior level very early on.

[CJK]

No change unless forced

[Go Swannies]

No change unless forced

yup.

I've admired the tough footy GWS have played - it'd be easy for them to get an upset win (and wouldn't they love that?) if we take this as a training run.

[wolftone57]

I think this 'depth' really needs to be tested, and next week is the best opportunity we have to do so. You have to be impressed by the consistency of WCE with the number of major injuries they've had, probably 6 or 7 first stringers. And Collingwood as well. I don't know where they get all these little guys from, Blair, Fasolo, and now Jamie Elliot, but they seem to just pluck them out from nowhere, and they play like 100 gamers out of the box.

We need to give our better ressie players a go at senior level if we are to match the depth of the other top 4 competition. We know TDL and Spangher can play at senior level. I would give Nipper, Biggs and Cunningham a go this week. Outs: LRT, Macca (let him enjoy his baby) and one of Shaw or Mattner (not based on performance). Look what happened when we played Parker and Johnson last year. They both showed they can play at senior level very early on.

Agree but I would not be resting a defender with no replacement. Biggs can play defence but it is not his best place and he also needs to be elevated. I don't know how many BOG's he has to get in the resies to get elevated. If he was ready I would love to see Alex Brown play a game. Man. he is so cool under pressure. Very composed, that is something he and Shane have in common. But he has only played two games.

[jono2707]

Agree but I would not be resting a defender with no replacement. Biggs can play defence but it is not his best place and he also needs to be elevated. I don't know how many BOG's he has to get in the resies to get elevated. If he was ready I would love to see Alex Brown play a game. Man. he is so cool under pressure. Very composed, that is something he and Shane have in common. But he has only played two games.

I wouldn't get too excited about the young talent in the 2's at this stage of the season - we are seriously pushing for a top 4 position and we should not be messing around too much with the team. Injuries and suspension of course change everything, but at the moment we are travelling very well with regards to who is available (touch wood). Chances to blood youngsters for the sake of it will be few and far between in the run to the finals this year....