Team Selection v Giants

[Sanctorum]

From my observations of the Giants in 2016, it is imperative that the Saints select 2 specialist ruck men to combat the ruck dominance of the Giants. To leave Hickey alone to carry the burden against both Mumford and Rory Lobb is not going to work, as honest a toiler Hickey may be. And it would be foolhardy to throw Josh Bruce into the ruck contests because compared to the 2 giant Giants he is a minnow - besides he is far too valuable at full forward...

So bring in Billie Longer I say, keep Tommy Lee at full back (he didn't do a bad job against the Hawks and will get better the more he plays), and maybe leave out the concussed Jason Geary: there are any number of options among the midfielders to drop back along the half back line if required.

[bigcarl]

I think Hickey is a bit more than an honest toiler. Quite a bit more in fact. But he may need some help against these two monsters so you make a fair point

[Jacks Back]

Sunday game so 25 man squad to be named tomorrow.

IN: Gresham, Dunstan, Webster, Longer.
OUT: Templeton

[bigred]

No change.

No magoos last week.

[Saint wagga]

IN: Webster and Dunstan (both very much in our best 22 when fit and consistently choosen)
Out: Geary (conc), Templeton or Sinclair

Think Bruce has done a reasonable job as back up ruck to Hickey and with Paddy looking better in the forward arc and Roo, there's enough tall timber rotating thru our forward line to accomodate this.

[prwilkinson]

Sunday game so 25 man squad to be named tomorrow.

IN: Gresham, Dunstan, Webster, Longer.
OUT: Templeton

I think you've nailed it. But... who comes in for Templeton... I'll guess Dunstan. Need more grunt around the footyyyy.

[terry smith rules]

I hope Geary makes it as he can take Ward, which will be a great battle

Need height so in

Dunstan, Webster, Longer

out Templeton, Sinclair, Acres or Minchinton

[samoht]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

[terry smith rules]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

So how do we deal with

GWS
Mumford 197
Lobb 206 - back up ruck
Cameron 196
Patton 198


Saints
Fisher 191
Hickey 201
Bruce 197 - back up ruck

[bigcarl]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

So how do we deal with

GWS
Mumford 197
Lobb 206 - back up ruck
Cameron 196
Patton 198


Saints
Fisher 191
Hickey 201
Bruce 197 - back up ruck

Asking a lot of Hickey, good player though he is. Also, why rob the forward line of the key forward in Bruce? However Richo may decide to go for more run, which has been effective to a point this season. We'll see.

[samoht]

Playing 2 ruckmen isn't going to stop Cameron or Patton - but it will cost us in run and possessions around the ground - this we know for sure, from past experience.
Hickey did well (unassisted) last time at Docklands vs Mumford - he was great around the ground and kicked goals.

Lobb is a goal kicker - which is a worry, of course - and makes the case for GWS using 2 ruckmen. We don't have this luxury.

[longtimesaint]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

So how do we deal with

GWS
Mumford 197
Lobb 206 - back up ruck
Cameron 196
Patton 198


Saints
Fisher 191
Hickey 201
Bruce 197 - back up ruck

Keep the roof open and hope it rains!

[longtimesaint]

I hope Geary makes it as he can take Ward, which will be a great battle

Need height so in

Dunstan, Webster, Longer

out Templeton, Sinclair, Acres or Minchinton

I don't think they will drop Sinclair as he is very creative and a cool head.
Webster and Dunstan are in our best team so it will be Templeton and either Acres or Minchington to make way.

[terry smith rules]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

So how do we deal with

GWS
Mumford 197
Lobb 206 - back up ruck
Cameron 196
Patton 198


Saints
Fisher 191
Hickey 201
Bruce 197 - back up ruck

Keep the roof open and hope it rains!

giddy up

[spert]

If we have the ball and they haven't then we have a chance- need to bring our super attacking game again on Sunday, no passengers.

[longtimesaint]

If we have the ball and they haven't then we have a chance- need to bring our super attacking game again on Sunday, no passengers.

If they have that many tall players we must have more runners.
Get the ball to ground and get our running game going.

[Legendary]

Stick with our structure.

Make them worry about our run and overlap.

[saintsRrising]

Stick with our structure.

Make them worry about our run and overlap.

Eaxctly.

We cannot match them for height and so lets stick to our own gameplanand not theirs.

They can only kick it to their talls if they ahve the ball.

[Jacks Back]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

So how do we deal with

GWS
Mumford 197
Lobb 206 - back up ruck
Cameron 196
Patton 198


Saints
Fisher 191
Hickey 201
Bruce 197 - back up ruck

Asking a lot of Hickey, good player though he is. Also, why rob the forward line of the key forward in Bruce? However Richo may decide to go for more run, which has been effective to a point this season. We'll see.

Don't forget about Lee at 194cm

[saintbob]

OUTS: Lonie and Templeton

INS: Webster and Dunstan

Make them adapt to our game style, we would lose to much run and carry if Longer comes in.

Lee and Gilbert may have to pinch hit in the ruck to give Hickey a bit of a spell.

[avid]

I think I agree with saintbob.
I love Lonie, but I think he may need a rest -- just a freshener-up.
He's not showing quite the same zest as he has in the past.

[bigcarl]

I'd stick to playing one ruckman only - unless our second ruckman can start getting their fair of possessions around the ground - and there's been no evidence of that.
A second ruckman who will collect a measly 3-5 possessions around the ground - for the sake of a few hitouts - no thanks!
(I remember Hickey kicking 3 goals in a lone-hand effort on Mumford - that's what you call a ruckman!).

So how do we deal with

GWS
Mumford 197
Lobb 206 - back up ruck
Cameron 196
Patton 198


Saints
Fisher 191
Hickey 201
Bruce 197 - back up ruck

Asking a lot of Hickey, good player though he is. Also, why rob the forward line of the key forward in Bruce? However Richo may decide to go for more run, which has been effective to a point this season. We'll see.

Don't forget about Lee at 194cm

Maybe he gets Lobbe. Hope he's got his platform shoes on.