Changes for Rnd 3 V GWS

[ernie koala]

McGlynn has a history of hamstring injuries, so I'd give him another week in the ressies to get up to speed before bringing him in.

I think Mitchell is the one that should be given a crack this week, probably as the sub in place of Goodes. He was the first named in the best player list in the reserves and we know he can play.

We have to face the reality that Goodes is unlikely to improve enough to be truly in our best 22. If we want to honour Goodes, we should name a pavilion after him, but we if we want to challenge for a premiership, then we have to develop our younger players. I don't want to find ourselves in a situation where Mitchell or Jones want to be traded for lack of opportunity when we are 'gifting' games to a player on reputation rather than contribution. We need to separate our respect for Adam, and I have the very highest respect for him, from playing performance. And if there is doubt about who to select, especially early in the season, I would go with youth.

Spot on Ludwig.
Sentiment, when it comes to selection, has no place during a season.
It's unfair to all the other aspirants on the list, and compromises the teams path to on field excellence.
As it stands, we've already lost Membrey, I'd hate to see us loose another young prospect due to lack of opportunity.

[Matt80]

I know Mick Malthouse is the most experienced coach going around, but John Longmire can teach him a thing or two about how to get through a news conference and not say anything. To his credit, and perhaps a bit of dismay on the part of fans, it is very hard to learn anything from a Horse interview.



All I know is that he wants to play his best 22, perhaps, most of the time.

In other news, Tomlinson will be out for GSW for most of the year with a toe injury. Rory Lobb and perhaps Jeb Lamb may get a git on the weekend.

A further week down the road in Perth could see Ballantyne supsended. He's been changed and could take 2 weeks with an early plea. Would be a big out for them.

He does not give much away, but like a Premier Leauge Soccer Coach you can successfully predict his system and his methodology.

[barry]

Towers is doing the role Reid used to do as the mobile forward target. Doing ok in my mind.
But importantly free-ing up Reid to go into defense which is where he belongs.... You cant be accused of dropping marks if you only use your fist.


Goodes looked ok, and his future is only as specialist sub.

[The Big Cat]

A further week down the road in Perth could see Ballantyne supsended. He's been changed and could take 2 weeks with an early plea. Would be a big out for them.

Zac Clark looked to have a real knee problem on Sunday.

I learnt more about the Swans game from Hinkley's presser than I did from Horse's

[Doctor]

No change. McGlynn not ready yet and no one played at a level where you could leave them out. Goodes played a poor game against Essendon but had plenty of company and did as much as could be expected with little game time on Saturday night. Calls to leave him out are based on insufficient evidence in my book. Making changes after a performance like that, unless forced by injury, someone absolutely banging the door down or a superstar coming back from light injury is counterproductive IMO.

Speaking of my last point, it was amazing how well Macca played after no pre-season. He was outstanding.

[ernie koala]

Goodes played a poor game against Essendon but had plenty of company and did as much as could be expected with little game time on Saturday night. Calls to leave him out are based on insufficient evidence in my book.

The evidence includes watching his steady decline last year...Haven't seen anything to suggest this will change...

Unfortunately age, and 300+ AFL games, have caught up with him....IMO

[Melbourne_Blood]

Goodes last few games of last season were pretty good if my memory serves. I'd be prepared to offer a few more chances, especially if Mcglynn isn't quite ready. Heeney or Towers to sub, if they want to make a change, but I liked both their games on the weekend. Towers starting find the pace of senior footy, Heeney looks like he's played 50 games already

[rojo]

We have Benny, Harry and Mitchell banging on the door but I cannot see Harry or Mitchell getting a look in this week. For team balance the situation is unchanged - we just do not need another inside mid, and imo Harry is competing with Towers, Lloyd and Jets for a spot. Rohan and Heeney add the valuable grunt and competitiveness. Benny? Maybe he could do with an extra week in the 2's, so I would go with no change this week and Goodesy as sub.

[Hotpotato]

It's 8.20pm , 50 mins into AFL 360, and Sydney's remarkable performance hasn't been mentioned...
Wierd..

[Beerman]

Based on what I've seen of John Longmire, my guess is that Adam knows exactly where he stands. I wouldn't be surprised if it was made clear at the end of last year that he might slip out of our best 22.

The thing we sometimes forget, is that some players aren't that fussed about the arrangement. They don't see starting as a sub, or playing ressies as a shameful slur on their ability - they see it as a chance to spend one more year doing what they love and even the chance of 5 minutes on the ground or to work with the kids in the reserves is rewarding. I don't know how Adam feels. ROK certainly didn't feel that way, but everyone's different.

I'm with ludwig though - even if Adam is dropped and never plays another senior game, he will always be respected as one of the greatest players the club has ever seen. Respect and selection are two different things.

- - - Updated - - -

PS. I'm a big Towers fan, so no change for me.

[Mug Punter]

Based on what I've seen of John Longmire, my guess is that Adam knows exactly where he stands. I wouldn't be surprised if it was made clear at the end of last year that he might slip out of our best 22.

The thing we sometimes forget, is that some players aren't that fussed about the arrangement. They don't see starting as a sub, or playing ressies as a shameful slur on their ability - they see it as a chance to spend one more year doing what they love and even the chance of 5 minutes on the ground or to work with the kids in the reserves is rewarding. I don't know how Adam feels. ROK certainly didn't feel that way, but everyone's different.

I'm with ludwig though - even if Adam is dropped and never plays another senior game, he will always be respected as one of the greatest players the club has ever seen. Respect and selection are two different things.

- - - Updated - - -

PS. I'm a big Towers fan, so no change for me.

If it is wet I'd bring Mitchell in to provide so grunt instead of Goodes, if not then no change for me.

McGlynn is clearly in our best 22 but I'd give him another run in the twos.

Talk about resting Heeney at this stage is quite simply insane!!!!

Genuine depth, as you would expect at this stage of the season, with B. Jack, Mitchell, Zak Jones, Cunningham and Naismith offering great options.

Re Goodes it really does appear that he has gone a season too far but at some stage he needs a decent run out to settle things once and for all. I thought he was cooked last year too and I think there is no way we can win a flag with him in the 22. This is no offence, father time stands still for no man and I will forever remember him as one of my favourite players. Even if he goes out with a whimper this year in the twos I am glad that his last game in red and white will not be that game last September

[Melbourne_Blood]

It's 8.20pm , 50 mins into AFL 360, and Sydney's remarkable performance hasn't been mentioned...
Wierd..

This is a good result. We love it under the radar, we produce from under the radar. Keep it this way, please .

[ernie koala]

No mention 'On the Couch' either...Perfect, let's hope they keep it up.

[Big Al]

Goodes, along with many many others was poor against the Bombers in conditions that didn't suit him and I thought he was pretty good last week albeit when the heat was out if the game.

If they decide that he can't contribute anymore to the standard required I just hope that he gets a farewell game at the SCG in front of a full house. He deserves no less for what he's done for this club.

[undy]

I've finally got to watch the replay and as Big Al says, Goodes looked fine in his limited time, not sure why so many are writing him off. Was interesting that Buddy was getting the usual boos that Adam gets, but when he came on the port fans managed to boo both.