Jack Steven - Punctured Lung

[Sainternist]

Apparently it happened in the dying minutes at Subiaco. Pretty serious injury, considering if both one's lungs are punctured, they are as good as dead.

What a little trooper. Hope he recovers soon enough.

Seems like we're getting whacked with injuries, after last year we finally got some luck. Bloody hell!

[bigcarl]

Crisis creates opportunity.

[mullet]

so that is 2 punctured lungs this weekend... the adelaide player also. get ready for the new rule changes

[magnifisaint]

Punctured lung must mean broken ribs?

Has to be a 4 week injury. Can Stevens come in? Must have eaten a rotten prawn.

[Bluthy]

Wow the injury fairies after leaving us pretty much alone last year are now whacking us hard. Gunna miss the little fellas play opening runs huge. Get Freeman in! For me I'd play Billing as a dedicated onballer. We need his creativity around the ball. Could open a spot for White on the wing.

[bigcarl]

This is rotten luck coming on top of the injury to Rooey. Our third best player is next up no doubt.

But as I said elsewhere, crisis creates opportunity. It's a chance for one one else to press their claim around the clearances.

So step up Acres, Stevens, Steele, Gresham, Billings, and anyone else who thinks they can make a difference.

[SydneySainter]

This would now make Ross our best midfielder which is a bit of a worry, but I agree with the sentiment that it may not be all bad.

A midfield without Steven's roving and pace will be very workmanlike, but if Ross, Dunstan, Steele, Acres and Billings really are part of the future, they may have no better opportunity to prove it - especially Billings!

I do think it will further vindicate the need to pay some serious coin for elite midfield talent.

[BigMart]

We are in a bit of strife

He's our best player by plenty, Roo is the second best by even more... our run will be limited

The one player that we can ill afford to lose

Beams, Rockliff, Zorko

[saynta]

This would now make Ross our best midfielder which is a bit of a worry, but I agree with the sentiment that it may not be all bad.

A midfield without Steven's roving and pace will be very workmanlike, but if Ross, Dunstan, Steele, Acres and Billings really are part of the future, they may have no better opportunity to prove it - especially Billings!

I do think it will further vindicate the need to pay some serious coin for elite midfield talent.

Of course Ross is part of the future, maybe even the next captain.

He has already proven himself and was our best player yet again last night.

[The_President]

I wouldn't mind seeing Sinclair get a chance to rotate through the middle.

Hard, quick and usually very clean.

Has only really played the forward pocket role so far in the seniors, but plays midfield a bit with Sandy.

Would rather see him come in than Freeman.. bringing in Freeman to coverinjuries seems like a risk. No doubt they have a strict plan with him... hope injuries don't change that.

[SydneySainter]

We are in a bit of strife

He's our best player by plenty, Roo is the second best by even more... our run will be limited

The one player that we can ill afford to lose

Beams, Rockliff, Zorko

If it were off to the Gabba, I'd be worried. At least we play them on our own dung heap.

[BigMart]

Which is a fast track... how will our speed be?

[SydneySainter]

This would now make Ross our best midfielder which is a bit of a worry, but I agree with the sentiment that it may not be all bad.

A midfield without Steven's roving and pace will be very workmanlike, but if Ross, Dunstan, Steele, Acres and Billings really are part of the future, they may have no better opportunity to prove it - especially Billings!

I do think it will further vindicate the need to pay some serious coin for elite midfield talent.

Of course Ross is part of the future, maybe even the next captain.

He has already proven himself and was our best player yet again last night.

I agree that Ross has proven himself and he's certainly a handy midfielder. But despite his 29 touches last night, he just doesn't damage the opposition enough. Hence why I'm curious to see how he fares without Steven. Can he go up another level?

[saintsRrising]

Bugga.... Lions, Pies Cats..and even the Hawks which are our next 3/4 games are amongst our most winnable games this season and now it looks like our two best players in Steven and roo will be missing for most if not all of those games.

[Bluthy]

This would now make Ross our best midfielder which is a bit of a worry, but I agree with the sentiment that it may not be all bad.

A midfield without Steven's roving and pace will be very workmanlike, but if Ross, Dunstan, Steele, Acres and Billings really are part of the future, they may have no better opportunity to prove it - especially Billings!

I do think it will further vindicate the need to pay some serious coin for elite midfield talent.

Of course Ross is part of the future, maybe even the next captain.

He has already proven himself and was our best player yet again last night.

I agree that Ross has proven himself and he's certainly a handy midfielder. But despite his 29 touches last night, he just doesn't damage the opposition enough. Hence why I'm curious to see how he fares without Steven. Can he go up another level?

It becomes a brilliant test next week for our much vaunted "depth". Off the back of the toughest road trip in the business, could be a bit flat, spent a lot of petrol tickets and senior players out. This is will exactly show us where we are at. These next-gen 50+ game players - Ross, Newnes, Weller need to stand up. WE are either all up or all down. That's not good enough. The best teams have players who make things happen when its going against you. Ross should be kicking goals. Newnes should be hitting guys and making big plays under pressure. Weller needs to get more of it (although good little goal scorer). Dunstan needs to be the man inside. WEbster needs to be consistent and actually kick properly. Carlisle needs to take some marks and read the player better. Savage needs to rebound consistently and lower his eyes.

IF we lose next week, it could be the impetus to get more of the talented kids in. Next week feels huge now that Brissie are showing a bit and we are 0-2.

[Con Gorozidis]

Love Jack.
Opens the door for Koby Stevens and Minch.
Id also bring in DMac for Savage and B White for Webster.

Out: Steven (injured champ), Webster, Savage, Weller (omitted)
In: Minch, Stevens, McKenzie, White

Not sure what is wrong with Newnes?

[magnifisaint]

Which is a fast track... how will our speed be?

WAsn't a problem at Subiaco was it??

[magnifisaint]

Love Jack.
Opens the door for Koby Stevens and Minch.
Id also bring in DMac for Savage and B White for Webster.

Out: Steven (injured champ), Webster, Savage, Weller (omitted)
In: Minch, Stevens, McKenzie, White

Not sure what is wrong with Newnes?

Webster, Savage, Weller were all OK. Saints should have converted 4 of those goals. If so you wouldn't be calling for there heads.
Another midfielder needs to come in for Steven.

[longtimesaint]

Will Jack be able to fly home?

[saynta]

Love Jack.
Opens the door for Koby Stevens and Minch.
Id also bring in DMac for Savage and B White for Webster.

Out: Steven (injured champ), Webster, Savage, Weller (omitted)
In: Minch, Stevens, McKenzie, White

Not sure what is wrong with Newnes?

No.

Stevens has lost 7 Ks. If he is back next week, will play for Sandy.

Good chance Roo and Armo will be back next game,

White is on the outer.

[WellardSaint]

Will Jack be able to fly home?

Not able to fly with some types of medical condition.
(Milne broken cheekbone drove from Perth with a trainer)
Saints statement says he's staying in Perth with club doc Dr Tim Barbour until he gets medical clearance to fly back.
Ruled out for this week

[bigcarl]

So who do we throw into the starting clearance mids to take Jack's place?

I say Acres, ready or not.

It's a punt, but so is anyone else.

[Joe Bloggs]

[quote="Con Gorozidis"]Love Jack.
Opens the door for Koby Stevens and Minch.
Id also bring in DMac for Savage and B White for Webster.


Out: Steven (injured champ), Webster, Savage, Weller (omitted)
In: Minch, Stevens, McKenzie, White

Webster , Savage, Weller will not be dropped...All played ok. Imo

[Junior]

Thought I read that Minchington broke his thumb last week.

Not ideal Sandy not playing this weekend, hope those not playing seniors had a decent training run.

[spert]

What's the prawn situation with Stevens?