Changes Rd 21 v Freo

[goswannies]

They were different days back then with the three grades, I think Dipper also played a huge number of reserves games for the Hawks too. On the other hand the odd kid got thrown to the wolves, think Tim Watson played senior footy before his 16th birthday.

Claude Clough is the youngest ever debutant (for the Saints) 15 years 209 games. His career didn't have the longevity of Tim's, spanning 23 games over 2 seasons.

We once had a kid, Noel Rohleder, who was a relative veteran compared to Tim Watson who had to wait until the final round of the 1950 season to make his senior debut for the Swans at the grand old age of 16 years 251 days.

It was the last game of VFL footy he would ever play

[iigrover]

...The fact Dawson re signed tells me that they think he is not ready. A big pre season maybe gets him to the physical condition he needs.

This.

[O'Reilly Boy]

Loving the 'no changes', notwithstanding going without Joey. I'd rather have him back fully fit anyway. I have enjoyed watching Naismith all season, but am finding myself thinking that the Tippett/Sinclair combination will be the preferred set up going into September. Sinclair's break-out game deep in the forward 50 must give opposing coaches nightmares, especially as KT gets some match fitness and form back and can take more of the ruckwork on. Sinclair seems to be quite handy at ground level, and is putting in some great body work. A big marking FF takes the pressure of Buddy and allows for Reid to roll back to tighten up the closing minutes of quarters. I reckon Tippett is about to come good. Also glad to see Towers get some continuity. He was down last week, but still worked hard and put himself in good places. KJ has been very important these past few weeks, and I'm hoping that McVeigh sticks around for at least another season.
Sadly won't get to the game tomorrow. First miss in a long time. Cheer cheer.

[Monty]

Had not seen Longmire's Thursday press conference till this morning. The interesting thing for me was that he did not endorse Macca for next year. Looks like they think his time might be up even though he has played very well the last few weeks.
This could be Dawson's spot for next year.

[Mountain Man]

If Macca doesn't go for another year, then Newman has an awesome boot for coming from defense.

[wolftone57]

Loving the 'no changes', notwithstanding going without Joey. I'd rather have him back fully fit anyway. I have enjoyed watching Naismith all season, but am finding myself thinking that the Tippett/Sinclair combination will be the preferred set up going into September. Sinclair's break-out game deep in the forward 50 must give opposing coaches nightmares, especially as KT gets some match fitness and form back and can take more of the ruckwork on. Sinclair seems to be quite handy at ground level, and is putting in some great body work. A big marking FF takes the pressure of Buddy and allows for Reid to roll back to tighten up the closing minutes of quarters. I reckon Tippett is about to come good. Also glad to see Towers get some continuity. He was down last week, but still worked hard and put himself in good places. KJ has been very important these past few weeks, and I'm hoping that McVeigh sticks around for at least another season.
Sadly won't get to the game tomorrow. First miss in a long time. Cheer cheer.

Tippett and Sinclair do not get enough taps. They average about 18 each. Whereas Naismith averages over 30. Naismith also give us first use as his tap work is incredibly good, very accurate. Whereas the other two tend to be less than average in the HO to advantage stakes. I think if Naismith is fit he gets a guernsey.

- - - Updated - - -

If Macca doesn't go for another year, then Newman has an awesome boot for coming from defense.

I also think they will upgrade Murray too.

[S.S. Bleeder]

The Dawsaon scenario is actually quite simple.
Longmire is saving him as a secret weapon for the grand final.
It will be his first game, first goal, and first flag.

ALA Mitch Morton you think? :-)

[S.S. Bleeder]

Had not seen Longmire's Thursday press conference till this morning. The interesting thing for me was that he did not endorse Macca for next year. Looks like they think his time might be up even though he has played very well the last few weeks.
This could be Dawson's spot for next year.

I've been told that Macca actually wants to play on but the club only wants to discuss it at the end of the season. This makes a lot of sense. He has the ability to play another year but gets a lot of soft tissue injuries and another year is only going to see that worsen. I personally think that he will retire.

[MattW]

Loving the 'no changes', notwithstanding going without Joey. I'd rather have him back fully fit anyway. I have enjoyed watching Naismith all season, but am finding myself thinking that the Tippett/Sinclair combination will be the preferred set up going into September. Sinclair's break-out game deep in the forward 50 must give opposing coaches nightmares, especially as KT gets some match fitness and form back and can take more of the ruckwork on. Sinclair seems to be quite handy at ground level, and is putting in some great body work. A big marking FF takes the pressure of Buddy and allows for Reid to roll back to tighten up the closing minutes of quarters. I reckon Tippett is about to come good. Also glad to see Towers get some continuity. He was down last week, but still worked hard and put himself in good places. KJ has been very important these past few weeks, and I'm hoping that McVeigh sticks around for at least another season.
Sadly won't get to the game tomorrow. First miss in a long time. Cheer cheer.

Yeah, I agree re Sinclair/Tippett over Naismith for the reasons you put. Naismith has been looking a bit vulnerable around the ground. Tippett needs to keep building form, though.

This will actually be the first game I can attend since the GWS game early in the year. It's been hard to get up from Canberra this year. Can't wait; Fremantle have been going ok.

[111431]

Loving the 'no changes', notwithstanding going without Joey. I'd rather have him back fully fit anyway. I have enjoyed watching Naismith all season, but am finding myself thinking that the Tippett/Sinclair combination will be the preferred set up going into September. Sinclair's break-out game deep in the forward 50 must give opposing coaches nightmares, especially as KT gets some match fitness and form back and can take more of the ruckwork on. Sinclair seems to be quite handy at ground level, and is putting in some great body work. A big marking FF takes the pressure of Buddy and allows for Reid to roll back to tighten up the closing minutes of quarters. I reckon Tippett is about to come good. Also glad to see Towers get some continuity. He was down last week, but still worked hard and put himself in good places. KJ has been very important these past few weeks, and I'm hoping that McVeigh sticks around for at least another season.
Sadly won't get to the game tomorrow. First miss in a long time. Cheer cheer.

excellent analysis - fully agree. naismith doesn't give us anything up fwd

[Mark26]

In terms of the ruck tall combos being floated around, I honestly do not mind who plays out of Tippo, Naismith and Sinclair. I would have said that Sinclair was the weakest of the three, but his game has improved since coming back into the side. Obviously, we need to weigh up who is in form and opposition matchups too. The big reason for dropping any would be injuries as I don't think we have an ideal prefered first and second string ruckman order.

[barry]

ALA Mitch Morton you think? :-)

Or selecting Reid in the 2016 grand final.. brave calls that won us flags.

Oops!

[chammond]

Loving the 'no changes', notwithstanding going without Joey. I'd rather have him back fully fit anyway. I have enjoyed watching Naismith all season, but am finding myself thinking that the Tippett/Sinclair combination will be the preferred set up going into September.

There's no doubt that Naismith would be the high-risk option for the finals. He's still a novice - very much the "project" player still learning his craft - and susceptible to injury under the rigours of playing as first ruck.

Sinclair now has three full seasons of senior rucking under his belt, and Tippett has been rucking on-and-off for a decade. Naismith is the future, but for this year, and probably next, I suspect he'll be the back-up to the two senior rucks. It would certainly help Naismith's case if he was more dominant around the ground - he gets beaten in the marking contests too often, and he's only kicked 3 goals in 3 years.

Nevertheless, I think we're very fortunate to have Tippett/Sinclair in the ruck for the present, and Naismith/Cameron building for the future.

[Mountain Man]

Fremantle have a very big lump of a lad as their only ruck - Sandilands size. He is only 18 years and 6 games; was rested last week, so it will be interesting how our 2 rucks expose him (or not!)

[Blood Fever]

There's no doubt that Naismith would be the high-risk option for the finals. He's still a novice - very much the "project" player still learning his craft - and susceptible to injury under the rigours of playing as first ruck.

Sinclair now has three full seasons of senior rucking under his belt, and Tippett has been rucking on-and-off for a decade. Naismith is the future, but for this year, and probably next, I suspect he'll be the back-up to the two senior rucks. It would certainly help Naismith's case if he was more dominant around the ground - he gets beaten in the marking contests too often, and he's only kicked 3 goals in 3 years.

Nevertheless, I think we're very fortunate to have Tippett/Sinclair in the ruck for the present, and Naismith/Cameron building for the future.

Naismith gets his hand on the ball first a lot of the time. He is very agile and applies more chase and pressure. Will be very surprised if he in not playing in our first final. Has been front and centre during our run from 0-6.