Changes Round 22 v Bulldogs

[Melbourne_Blood]

I think playing around with Rohan's position just as he is starting to string some good games together would be a terrible move. Half back suits him to a tee, leave him there and let him shine.

[ernie koala]

Laidler/ Biggs for sub?

Yep, that would be my guess, one of these 2, probably Biggs....Though, personally, I hope he gets a full game.

[bloodbloods]

Sub will be an interesting decision. Im think it has to be a defender with two midfielders out and 2 senior defenders in. Biggs played pretty well first game up this season and yeah, you would say its out of him and Laidler. Laidler is up and down for me (good the last couple though) and I dont have any stats to back this up but at selection, when its a real 50 50 like this I think they have been selecting younger players over the older, maybe less consistent? Ill put money on Laidler for sub even though it would be a strange choice because Laidlers not really the type to come in cold and have an impact.

[liz]

I'd play Shaw as sub. He's been off for a few weeks, so makes sense to ease him into things. He's also experienced enough and with enough flexibility to play in defence or through the midfield (or even up forward) if we need to use him there. I'd test out Biggs in a run-with role on the wing, a bit like he did last week. I am not convinced about moving Rohan out of the defensive half unless we need to shake things up. He's learning a new role and needs a little stability the way he plays and what he is expected to bring to the team. As a running half back, he's expected to move up through the midfield and even forward, at times, so it's not like he has to stay glued within in the back 50m arc, even if that's his starting position. McVeigh is the one with the most experience and flexibility to move around, according to where he's most needed.

[Dosser]

I agree. Mitchell to come in and Biggs to replace Towers in his role as a tagging forward.

Ta da! And yes Liz, I agree Shaw as sub because Laidler gives nothing in that position but Shaw is versatile.

[ScottH]

Great to see Mitchell get a game.

If he tears it up in the 1's it will be tough fitting him in the team once Benny, Birdy, and JPK are back.

[Nico]

Surely not Scott. It might be Jake or Harry that goes out, or Laidler. You can't ignore Tom if he tears it up. Every chance an injury will happen.

[Captain]

Great to see Mitchell get a game.

If he tears it up in the 1's it will be tough fitting him in the team once Benny, Birdy, and JPK are back.

Interesting point. With no injuries, who would go out for these 3?

Biggs and Laidler are the 2 obvious ones. But who would be the 3rd? Lloyd? Mitchell? Cunningham? I would reluctantly say Mitchell, just hasn't played enough senior footy this year and would prefer the speed of Cunningham and Lloyd.

[Ampersand]

I think they've left Mitchell too late to be included in the finals. I think they are giving him a run or two in case another midfielder goes down in September.

[aguy]

Interesting point. With no injuries, who would go out for these 3?

Biggs and Laidler are the 2 obvious ones. But who would be the 3rd? Lloyd? Mitchell? Cunningham? I would reluctantly say Mitchell, just hasn't played enough senior footy this year and would prefer the speed of Cunningham and Lloyd.

Lloyd shouldn't be left out IMO he has been terrific. His disposal is so good and much cleaner than a number of our players. Completely different to Mitchell and I don't think it's been a coincidence our midfield has look much better balanced since Lloyd came in

[Ampersand]

Wow, people are really understating Mitchell's talent. Sure, the balance of the team may have been off at the start of the season but I don't think the difference between winning and losing came down to swapping out Mitchell for Lloyd. LRT and ROK were also in the squad, remember? In our first 4 games Mitchell was twice in our leading four disposal-getters in pretty poor team efforts.

[aguy]

Wow, people are really understating Mitchell's talent. Sure, the balance of the team may have been off at the start of the season but I don't think the difference between winning and losing came down to swapping out Mitchell for Lloyd. LRT and ROK were also in the squad, remember? In our first 4 games Mitchell was twice in our leading four disposal-getters in pretty poor team efforts.

Maybe I was misunderstood. I'm not suggesting the turn around in form was because of the Mitchell out Lloyd in alone. I agree Mitchell is a terrific player but I think the midfield balance has definitely been better since Lloyd has been in the team and Lloyd shouldn't be dropped just so Mitchell can come back. I think Mitchell probably needs to compete with bird for a spot in the senior team.

[Matt80]

Maybe I was misunderstood. I'm not suggesting the turn around in form was because of the Mitchell out Lloyd in alone. I agree Mitchell is a terrific player but I think the midfield balance has definitely been better since Lloyd has been in the team and Lloyd shouldn't be dropped just so Mitchell can come back. I think Mitchell probably needs to compete with bird for a spot in the senior team.

Mitchell needs to be in the inside three group to play finals. The inside three incumbents are Kennedy, Bird and Parker.

He won't edge out Kennedy or Parker if they are fit because they are vastly superior players. Bird is the only player Mitchell can dislodge. It will depend on Birds recovery from injury. To put his case Mitchell needs at least 10 tackles, 20 hard ball gets, over 30 possessions and two goals. This may decision making harder for Longmire.

There is no way the team will go into a final with Kennedy, Bird, Parker and Mitchell. That makes the team too slow. Only three will be selected.

[aguy]

Mitchell needs to be in the inside three group to play finals. The inside three incumbents are Kennedy, Bird and Parker.

He won't edge out Kennedy or Parker if they are fit because they are vastly superior players. Bird is the only player Mitchell can dislodge. It will depend on Birds recovery from injury. To put his case Mitchell needs at least 10 tackles, 20 hard ball gets, over 30 possessions and two goals. This may decision making harder for Longmire.

There is no way the team will go into a final with Kennedy, Bird, Parker and Mitchell. That makes the team too slow. Only three will be selected.

Wow you agree with me Matt

[dimelb]

Given Matt's assumptions about incumbents, which I'm inclined to share, Tom would make a good sub with impact in the engine room. I think that at present the other three are more versatile - tagging, playing forward and kicking goals - but the engine room is a good place to have impact.