Sydney v Adelaide

[Ludwig]

If some miracle should happen and Jesse can play consistently at a high level (like what he did on Saturday), it would be such an enormous plus for the team. He can play in the ruck and forward, Reid can be a swingman, and we would have a few more options regarding Mummy's future. If Jesse can continue on with this sort of form he should not be dropped, regardless of who's coming back. I don't think there's room for both Mummy and White in the team next year. i wouldn't want to get rid of the wrong guy.

[ShockOfHair]

The more likely scenario is Tippett will play against Port and then make way for Reid for a couple of games as he gets match fitness in the reserves.

[Bloodthirsty]

guna be tuff who to drop for tippet,imo reid is guna find it hard to get back in

I gotta say that I agree with this. On current form it is a no-brainer. I can't recall the last time that I saw Reid dominate. Was it last year against Brisbane when they put a third-tier Irish defender on him? I just want to be sure that this 'earn your place' ethos we hear so much about actually applies to everyone.

[liz]

I gotta say that I agree with this. On current form it is a no-brainer. I can't recall the last time that I saw Reid dominate. Was it last year against Brisbane when they put a third-tier Irish defender on him? I just want to be sure that this 'earn your place' ethos we hear so much about actually applies to everyone.

Reid does a huge amount of work off the ball. He works hard up the ground, gets to lots of contests, and his ground level work is pretty good for a guy of his height. I think we need to see White perform at Saturday's level for more than one game before we declare Reid to be outside our best 22.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Can't agree about Reid. He's a 22 CHF, he doesn't need to dominate. He had a poor start to to the year but was finding good touch leading up to his injury. Even when he's not playing well, he performs a crucial role and never drops his head or stops working hard. I would have him over White any day ofthe week, his last performance not withstanding.

[Bloodthirsty]

Can't agree about Reid. He's a 22 CHF, he doesn't need to dominate. He had a poor start to to the year but was finding good touch leading up to his injury. Even when he's not playing well, he performs a crucial role and never drops his head or stops working hard. I would have him over White any day ofthe week, his last performance not withstanding.

I'm just saying that a lot of people are cool when he does very little, yet when White does little he is crucified, because we clearly see a long-term plan for Reid - which contradicts the 'picking the best team' approach. I am not for one minute saying one is better than the other. I hope Reid becomes a power forward, and I understand that this is something that needs to be invested in. But I'm just saying that our approach is often predetermined, not always week-to-week. I say this because a common response to everything that some people have is 'obviously Longmire picks the best available team every week', however I'm saying he may also pick based on a perceived future/directional basis. We all know Reid can play, but let's be realistic, he's not currently a player showing the dominance potential of a Walker or Franklin at the same age.

Play 'em both if you can. Both good.

[Ludwig]

It's pick 4 from the following list:

Tippett
Pyke
Mummy
Reid
White
Morton

White has to stay until Tippett is ready to do some rucking or Mummy comes back. So if Reid comes in, maybe Morton has to go. Everitt is also a possibility as Rampe can take the 3rd tall. Rampe has really come on in the last couple of weeks. Has a great kick, and can kick on his right side too. Depends on the opposition forwards.

I think we put off the problem until the Carlton game by not playing Reid next week, or playing him in the reserves. But think he will definitely come in for the Carlton game if fit.

We should really glide through the next 4 games, although we have to take Carlton seriously. It does give us a bit of time to test out a few combinations.

[Bloodthirsty]

I think Morton is non-negotiable. A natural, medium-sized forward. We don't have anyone like him. Since Morton, with his hardcore, "I mean business" haircut, I feel that there is actually danger in our forward line, aside from McGlynn. I haven't felt imminent danger with Reid. I know he is young, and I know he'll be good. But at this stage we should be trying to go back-to-back, managing any inclusions purely with a view to playing them to win finals.

Yeah, it's a hard one. Pick on form in a premiership window.

It's very difficult to form an opinion with so many quality players. But you can form an opinion on what approach we should have: form or ideal. You would pick idealistically to win another premiership - but when you are a good chance of winning one in the year that you are in, why look any further than current form?

[Melbourne_Blood]

Whites worst games and Reid's are poles apart. White drops his head, gets lazy, looks frightened to contest the football. Reid may drop marks and miss shots , but he never shirks a contest, never stops running, never stops presenting. White played out of his ass last week, we'd all love to see it on a consistent basis but we'd be slightly foolish to expect it.

[Ludwig]

It's hard enough picking a team now, what do we do when Shaw, LRT and Mummy return? And if that's not hard enough, Rohan looks possible for a mid August return. And then there's next year with AJ. And all the talk about getting Lamb in the side seems to have stopped. And no one has mentioned Tony for quite a while.

[Bloodthirsty]

Whites worst games and Reid's are poles apart. White drops his head, gets lazy, looks frightened to contest the football. Reid may drop marks and miss shots , but he never shirks a contest, never stops running, never stops presenting. White played out of his ass last week, we'd all love to see it on a consistent basis but we'd be slightly foolish to expect it.

If you can refer me to a match this year that Reid has contributed to better this year than White did against the Crows, I will re-watch it and re-assess my opinion.

This is not a Reid v White thing. I have no long-term view on that. I just want to see players picked on current form in a premiership window.

[graemed]

I'm just saying that a lot of people are cool when he does very little, yet when White does little he is crucified,

The differences between Jesse White and Sam Reid could not have been illustrated better than by the former's performance last Saturday. When Reid "does little" it is those little things that redeem him, he may not be marking but he makes himself a target, contests for the ball and brings it to ground; he presents up field and spends time in the back line when required; he leads to create space behind and tackles and chases; he seeks out players in better position for a handball or pass;, in other words he stays in the game. On the weekend, White, was doing all the things that make a difference, and he did them well. Too often doing little meant exactly that, I hope that now "doing little" things will be a trade mark of his game as well as the more obvious things he can do well.

[Ludwig]

Reid is a young player that has shown that he's got a lot of talent and is developing slowly and making a good contribution along the way. He is probably still a few years off his best.

White has been around for a number of years. He's always looked to have the potential to be a star, but never has been able to produce with any consistency. He has another chance now and has looked good in ONE game. Let's hope it's TWO games. Hope springs eternal. I would love to be favourably surprised.

[DLBIA14]

If you can refer me to a match this year that Reid has contributed to better this year than White did against the Crows, I will re-watch it and re-assess my opinion.

This is not a Reid v White thing. I have no long-term view on that. I just want to see players picked on current form in a premiership window.

White played well last week, but give me a break - we were 100 points better than Adelaide. One game against what turned out to be an easy beat team is hardly 'form'.

You have no long term view about Reid vs. White? Really? Seems pretty obvious on this end.

I'm not trying to pot Jesse and nor do I think Reid is above a stint in the reserves if he doesn't improve, but Reid has the potential and work-rate to be a far better player now and into the future.

[DamY]

It's hard enough picking a team now, what do we do when Shaw, LRT and Mummy return? And if that's not hard enough, Rohan looks possible for a mid August return. And then there's next year with AJ. And all the talk about getting Lamb in the side seems to have stopped. And no one has mentioned Tony for quite a while.

I think Jed is too good to let go, our playing style needs a deep midfield and I think he can be part if that.
Tony is a frustrating player to watch, possibly because he is playing out of his favoured position. I really want him to work out, but for now it appears Rampe and Everitt have superseded him.