Changes for round 15 v Gold Coast

[Blood Fever]

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

Good to see an 18 and 19 year old come in. Ronke in for his pace and defensive pressure. Hope he doesn't turn it over by foot.

[stellation]

I'd rather Menzel stayed in.

[MattW]

I'd rather Menzel stayed in.

I agree the Ronke/Menzel swap is surprising, particularly given the forward line is super young with Buddy out. Perhaps as Liz (I think) said, it's to play a more defensive forward role.

[rb4x]

Menzel is faster than Ronke and is also older.

[Markwebbos]

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.

I reckon you are pretty spot on. Re: Clarke, in the week of his potential 50th, Horse described his as a depth player. I'll be interested to see what role Ronke plays, surely a defensive one. The MC seem to have developed a pleasant ruthless streak this year. No sign of Kizza again this week.

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Menzel is faster than Ronke and is also older.

I don't think he has the same defensive capability though.

[troyjones2525]

Watching the Ess v GWS game it appears the Clarke's younger brother has similar poor foot skills as his brother... and if Josh Kelly keeps playing as well as he is thus far, he might find himself out of the Bombers team next week like his bro is with us this week!

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[Mark26]

Good to see an 18 and 19 year old come in. Ronke in for his pace and defensive pressure. Hope he doesn't turn it over by foot.

I think this is a healthy move and is a clear message from the selection panel. Spots are open. Who wants one?

[SeanM]

I am not reading too much into the selections.

It seems the ideal game to rotate Rowbottom into the team. He is in good form and more likely to get midfield time in a home game against Gold Coast. I feel Clarke would be more useful as a tagger in the following matches.

I am happy that Ronke gets a chance. I feel it is important to keep experienced reserves involved with the occasional game rather than freezing them out for the whole season. Also I think we want forward pressure against Gold Coast to pin them in their own half and try to break their confidence early. Rather than letting them build up enthusiasm and momentum.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Huh? That's a new one to me AG.

How do you look over your shoulder if you're sprinting forward?

Glad u asked caj23

I was told as young fella if u ever want to make it in footy and or soccer

1. Kick both feet

2. Handball both hands (footy)

3. Always always always always be a 360 player ie before going for the ball check over ur shoulder before u take off and when approaching the ball or passer of the ball ........so u know exactly ur 360 options !

All 3 skills above give u time with the ball , give u more options and better decision making

Some players like Luke Parker simply fake one way as soon as they get the ball then take off the other way like most soccer players do which gives the time and space of which Clarke does not

[stevoswan]

Clarke has to be disciplinary

Good point....and the lack of a tag.

[waswan]

Just weird considering his North mate was wrapped up in the nightclub incident last week
I recko. Heeney came clean and i suspect Clarke only come clean after Heeney

[neilfws]

Only change I'm really interested in is: out - the complacent attitude that lost this game last year!

As I recall, Franklin was sledging May over his choice of defender - said defender then kept him goalless.

Rowbottom has gone alright this season, and I hope Ronke can make the most of his chance.

[Captain]

Clarke went home prior to the fight. He is out of the team because he is an average footballer who butchers the ball. No place for someone who can just tag and do nothing else, the game has moved past that. You only need to look at Hewett or de Boer to see that.

Great to see Rowbottom in. So much more upside than Clarke.

Shame that Menzel has lost his spot, has so much skill and adds more of an X Factor.

[Markwebbos]

Just weird considering his North mate was wrapped up in the nightclub incident last week
I recko. Heeney came clean and i suspect Clarke only come clean after Heeney

Clarke wasn’t there according to the official story

[Ralph Dawg]

I reckon you are pretty spot on. Re: Clarke, in the week of his potential 50th, Horse described his as a depth player. I'll be interested to see what role Ronke plays, surely a defensive one. The MC seem to have developed a pleasant ruthless streak this year. No sign of Kizza again this week.

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I don't think he has the same defensive capability though.

Wicks 7.5 tackles / match
Ronke 3.5 tackles / match