Changes for round 15 v Gold Coast

[Captain]

The evidence says otherwise. How many times has he chosen to “get his body right first” in the NEAFL?

It's never been an issue before where he has had back to back injuries at the age he is.

[AnsweredPrayers]

Unfortunately, I think it's going to take more than a few NEAFL games to get his body right. I feel physically he's living on the edge. I accept the risk of picking him is he falls over mid game and we are a person short. But, realistically we won't make the finals without taking risks and it's probably good for the young guys to learn from his experience.

[Ludwig]

I think Macca is in our best 22, but not by a big enough margin to warrant inclusion in the side at the expense of a developing player. For example, I would prefer to keep Rose in the side at the expense of Macca, even if Macca would probably make a bigger contribution. The margin is not that great. Macca is going to retire, while Rose is developing into a decent player and could be around for the next premiership run.

[Blood Fever]

I think Macca is in our best 22, but not by a big enough margin to warrant inclusion in the side at the expense of a developing player. For example, I would prefer to keep Rose in the side at the expense of Macca, even if Macca would probably make a bigger contribution. The margin is not that great. Macca is going to retire, while Rose is developing into a decent player and could be around for the next premiership run.

+1
Hate saying it, but given we need to keep developing the likes of COR and Rose, and because his injuries have become chronic, the only game in the ones that he should get is a farewell one.

[ugg]

Ronke, Rowbottom, McCartin for Franklin, Clarke, Menzel!

Emg: Menzel Fox Thurlow Clarke

[Melbourne_Blood]

Ronke, Rowbottom, McCartin for Franklin, Clarke, Menzel!

Emg: Menzel Fox Thurlow Clarke

Hmm interesting ! I like Rowbottom in, although Clarke has been okay at his shutdown role and probably stiff to be dropped . Menzel a little stiff too , how well has Ronke been going in the 2’s? Stats suggest he’s going just ok without banging down the door


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[longmile]

Hmm interesting ! I like Rowbottom in, although Clarke has been okay at his shutdown role and probably stiff to be dropped . Menzel a little stiff too , how well has Ronke been going in the 2’s? Stats suggest he’s going just ok without banging down the door


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Agreed about Clarke and Menzel. Rowbottom has been deserving a game, not sure about Ronke tho

[waswan]

Clarke has to be disciplinary

[Mountain Man]

Team getting younger by the game

[liz]

Gold Coast are a young, quick team. The coaches have gone some way towards matching them in that respect. They probably don't have a dominant midfield (inside or out) that requires stopping as a priority, which may explain the Clarke omission.

Ronke hasn't been banging down the door in the reserves, but he has shown he can still snatch a goal or two, sometimes out of nothing. That's as much as Menzel has delivered in his senior outings. He has more pace than Menzel so may be better suited to playing a defensive forward role on one of the Suns' rebounding defenders. Their speed out of their backline remains one of their relative strengths.

[dejavoodoo44]

Since I was only expecting McCartin to come in, I'm a bit surprised by the other two. Even though Rowbottom has been very good in the NEAFL, I thought that Clarke has been doing well and deserved to keep his place. And with Ronke, although he has been getting back to form, my opinion is that he's been busy, rather than demanding a recall.

[Ludwig]

There's no one to tag at GC, so a good game to drop Clarke and give Rowbottom a go. Rowbottom was great last week in the ressies, including all 3 of his goals. He's a gun.

I also happy to see Ronke back in the side. I think the offensive side of his game has been okay. His problem is that he hasn't done well in his 1 on 1 contests around the ground and lets the man he's marking get past him too often. If he can keep the defensive pressure high and stick those tackles, then he'll be a good player. He should get there.

Being 5 and 8 gives the coaches a bit more freedom with selection with an eye to the future.


PS: Ben Davis will make his AFL debut for Adelaide this week.

[Ralph Dawg]

As a regular NEAFL watcher, my opinion is that Wicks is playing much better than Ronke as the hard tackling pressure small who can hurt you with a couple of sneaky 6 pointers. The stats don't lie. Wicks smashing Ronke in all facets especially tackles, where he is often in double digits. Is it because Wicks can't play seniors as he is only rookie listed?

[Blood Relative]

We are going ok when our emergencies are; clarke, thurlow, menzel and fox

[MattW]

Clarke has to be disciplinary

Lack of a tag. Hard nosed decision to go with Rowbottom in his stead, but the right one. I hope James has a cracker.