Changes for Rnd 21 V St Kilda.

[aguy]

I agree with those calling for minimal changes only.

In smith
Out laidler

More intersting is the question of who to make sub. I would actually make jetta the sub this week. Give Lloyd a full game again with his excellent disposal. Jetta has looked a little propppy after the last few games so he gets a little rest as sub. And we can see if he can bring some speed back when he comes on later in the game.

[707]

Being sub SHOULD give you 3/4 game rest so a good way to freshen up key players without them missing.

[aguy]

Being sub SHOULD give you 3/4 game rest so a good way to freshen up key players without them missing.

Agreed. It SHOULD give them a small rest. So who is your choice for sub this week ?

[Flying South]

Out: Laidler, Goodes and Jetta
In: Smith, Membrey and Mitchell

Mitchell would be sub with Lloyd getting a full game and Kizza having an early mark. I believe Goodes and Jetta have struggled with injuries last few rounds. Though their performances don't suggest this. They have been proppy towards end of games. A week off over the next couple of weeks would help manage their niggles. Jones and Biggs could also come under consideration over next few weeks. I just don't want to see a repeat of last year were we limped into the finals.

[Jewels]

I don't get all the calling for a week off for some players, they are only two weeks back from having a week off!

[ShockOfHair]

Agree entirely Liz. Just add "we need to continue to improve". "It's a relentless competition". etc etc.

Perhaps more predictable is the young bloke who does the after match interviews in the rooms "How important was it to kick the first four goals?" "How important was it to stop Gary Ablett from having an impact?" "How important was it to get a team performance" "How important was it to feel you were over your injuries?" How important was it to score more goals than the opposition?" "How important was it to our finals chances to keep winning" "How important was it to my question to ask how important was it ....."

The 'how pleasing' question is just as dense. 'How pleased are you at winning your fourth grand final in a row?'

I do like Horse's deadbat to all the questions. He even managed to make his rejection of Eddie's job offer sound boring. It was probably a hilariously incendiary conversation, but Horse made it sound like as interesting as a wet weekend at the beach shack.

[Aaron]

There will be rain this Saturday and we may consider replacing a tall with a small. Love to see Jake playing a full game again after wearing the green vest for two consecutive games

[Ampersand]

The question remains who you would put in the green vest? I don't think Goodes offers much off the bench. He needs time on-field to find a chance to impact the game and sometimes goes missing for a quarter as a result. Given the forecast, maybe Zac Jones in the green and in for Goodes?

[Flying South]

I don't get all the calling for a week off for some players, they are only two weeks back from having a week off!

According to Horse

"No, we make sure we play our best available squad and if we need to freshen them up, they'll miss a training session, as they've done during the course of the year.
"If we feel as though they're a bit sore, that's what we'll do.
"But come game day, we try to play the best available team that we've got.
"We do that every week and I'm sure between now and the end of the year it'll be the same."

I agree with Horse somewhat. I'm not saying give players a week off if they're "a bit sore". I'm not a doctor, but IMO Goodes and Jetta are little more than "a bit sore". As they have been limping noticeably at the end of games. Whilst they can probably push through, why risk them breaking down. Why not 'manage' them so that they can have a significant impact in the last 4 or 5 games of the season. The most important and highest pressure games of the year. Do we not have faith in some of our reserves players? As i said I am not a doctor and maybe a week off will make no difference.

[jono2707]

The club will do what's right for each player. It's also worth remembering that every team is in pretty much the same boat at this time of year...

[MightyBloods]

I have to admit I'm a bit skeptical of Reid's form and role in the team.

More importantly to Sam, the Coach has /is a BIG fan. Reid is not going anywhere...ressies or trade.A very understated important role player in our team. You don't realise what you have until you don't have.

[MightyBloods]

Agreed. It SHOULD give them a small rest. So who is your choice for sub this week ?

A big mistake to assume that a sub will play one or a bit more quarters. You need to pick a sub who you are confident can play 4 quarters in case there is an early injury. If you are thinking of resting then you rest properly ...out of the 22.

[MightyBloods]

I don't get all the calling for a week off for some players, they are only two weeks back from having a week off!

In some cases sore bodies don't mend after just one week off. I wont be surprised to see at least one player out with an injury (rest) similar to Franklin and Smith last few weeks. And I'm very happy how our midfield's work load has been managed this year ...thank you Benny, Birdy, Richie, Parkes and Lloydy for stepping up. I know Hanners has been missing through injury for a number of weeks but a blessing in disguise. Music to my hears when I heard Horse say after the Port game that Hanners told him that he felt great and was running on top of the ground in the last quarter. Not the case this time last year for a lot of our midfield.

[DK_]

I couldn't help wondering when I saw the fluff piece on ROK whether Horse would allow him a send off at the SCG this weekend. Any chance?

[Conor_Dillon]

I couldn't help wondering when I saw the fluff piece on ROK whether Horse would allow him a send off at the SCG this weekend. Any chance?

I couldn't imagine ROK being the sort of guy that would want a game gifted to him just for the sake of it, he is far too professional. I'd say that if he was offered a farewell game he would politely decline.