Changes Round 22 v Bulldogs

[Bexl]

My opinion FWIW (less than half a packet of stale biscuits):

- We are at the top of the ladder
- Win the next 2 games and the first semi and we automatically get a week off for the whole team
-

.

Just being a bit fussy but if we win the first semi that means we must have lost our qualifying final. I would prefer it if we win all our finals.

[ugg]

Nankervis Mitchell and Membrey named for the ressies

[aguy]

Nankervis Mitchell and Membrey named for the ressies

Thanks ugg

[wolftone57]

Nankervis Mitchell and Membrey named for the ressies

Welcome back

[ShockOfHair]

Minson is out for the Dogs, so they are starting Tom Campbell in the ruck with perhaps a backup from Ayce Cordy playing his first game this year. It's the perfect time for the Nankanator to make his debut.

I don't think WB have any allusions about winning this game.

You mean like:

This week we'll size up against one of the powerhouses of the competition, the Sydney Swans. People on the street would laugh at me if I told them this, but on the day of the game I don't just feel like we could win, I expect we will win.

Bob Murphy: Adrift on a sea of swells and troughs

[Ludwig]

Bob Murphy: A great player with a great attitude.

But the coach makes it sound like a good learning experience for the kids.

[troyjones2525]

Of the players named I'd really love it to be Biggs, Mitchell, Shaw and Towers who make the final cut but I suspect that it'll be Laidler holding his place (he did play his best game last week admittedly) ahead of Mitchell.

I know I've written a few posts this week regarding trading Mitchell but really would love him in this week as the way I see it, with no Bird or Kennedy it just makes sense as they are two similar players that are missing and we've brought back two defenders. That is why I think Laidler should be out this week. Like I said, he would be stiff as he did nothing wrong last week but in the order of team balance and the likelihood that he will not be in our finals team without any further injuries to our backline he should be the one to go out this week.

[ugg]

It would be strange to bring back two defenders and not drop any of the current ones. The only way I could see the balance of the side working is making one of Smith or Shaw the sub and pushing Rohan forward again

[Doctor]

It would be strange to bring back two defenders and not drop any of the current ones. The only way I could see the balance of the side working is making one of Smith or Shaw the sub and pushing Rohan forward again

It does seem an odd mix. Could Smith be let off the leash this week and given a run in the mids a la Launceston 2012?

[Ampersand]

Or, alternatively, we could play all our first choice players who are fit enough to play with a view to them getting a game in at the very same venue that we will almost certainly be playing at the following week.

I am willing to wager a bit on which approach Longmire and co will take.

I agree with you. My comment was directed at those who are already talking about resting swathes of players against the Dogs. I say we should lock down the Top 2 with our best squad before even discussing that idea.

[Conor_Dillon]

Ugg in your vast experience is it common for a player to be named in the resrerves on a Thursday night but then end up making the final cut for the seniors?

Surely Tommy has to get a gig...even if he is only 90% match fit a hit-out in the seniors would surely be better for him than another games in the 2s.

[Dosser]

Mitchell will play. If Kennedy's hammy takes more than a week off (and let's face it, history shows that a longer period is usually the case) then Mitchell will need as much game time as he can get leading into the finals.

[ugg]

Ugg in your vast experience is it common for a player to be named in the resrerves on a Thursday night but then end up making the final cut for the seniors?

Surely Tommy has to get a gig...even if he is only 90% match fit a hit-out in the seniors would surely be better for him than another games in the 2s.

Wouldn't say it's common but they have changed the teams from the initial one submitted on the Thursday. It might be just a case of submitting a team list by some NEAFL deadline (and the simplest way to do it would be to submit the same or similar reserves team list as the previous NEAFL round. And guess what, it's the same 14 listed players as last week) and then amending it after the Friday training session.

The balance doesn't seem right, so I would say Biggs out for Tom Mitchell would be the other change.

[aguy]

Wouldn't say it's common but they have changed the teams from the initial one submitted on the Thursday. It might be just a case of submitting a team list by some NEAFL deadline (and the simplest way to do it would be to submit the same or similar reserves team list as the previous NEAFL round. And guess what, it's the same 14 listed players as last week) and then amending it after the Friday training session.

The balance doesn't seem right, so I would say Biggs out for Tom Mitchell would be the other change.

It's a shame for Biggs cause he played really well but I guess he's behind laidler from the selection committee

[Gary]

On his performance last week ... and despite Laidler doing reasonably well most of the time ... give me Biggs any day.