Changes v Cats

[Jacks Back]

Out: Phillips (not up to it), Long (5 possessions in the back line where the ball lived for most of the match)
In: Geary, Savage

[The_Dud]

I’d use Monday nights to give the blokes who are a bit buggered a rest, so we’re primed for the Essendon game. But that’s just me.

Long will be better next week, stick with him.

[CURLY]

Long stays he smashed Sexton. Kent and Phillips out for Geary and Ross

[skeptic]

I thought Long was better then he’s being given credit for. Did a lot that won’t get registered as stats and his pressure was first rate.

Ross and Geary to come back...
Phillips pbly makes way but I certainly didn’t think he disgraced himself... don’t know who else makes way

[nostalgicsaint]

Ross in for Phillips (who did his job and provided run)
Geary in for Jones (Clark to spend more time on the ball)
Abbott in for Ryder (Two rucks is working well)

Could replace Jones with any other mid, just think he might need a rest. Whichever one is pulling up most tired. Could also keep phillips in if hill or someone needs a rest.

[fugazi]

Clark needs a break IMO

[desertsaint]

a lot of them looked like they needed a break. we're a bit unlucky with our week off, whenever the heck it's coming.
would've been ideal this round or the next.

[fugazi]

Watched the replay - Phillips was actually better than I thought.
Couple of clangers and slipped at the wrong moment in the 3rd Quarter, but did alot of good stuff and saved a certain goal when he spoiled Ben King in the air.

[StPeter]

Clark needs a break IMO

We would have lost tonight without Clark's last quarter efforts.

[fugazi]

Clark needs a break IMO

We would have lost tonight without Clark's last quarter efforts.

He was very good in the last, but not that great for 3 quarters.
The short breaks will have players reacting differently, I reckon the selectors just have to be realistic about rotations and be prepared to drop a game in order to rest a couple for the run home.

Clark looked off the pace for 3/4 s.....Ross or Savage can come in for him.

[HardSaint]

we missed Matty Parker's pressure acts

[spert]

Long stays he smashed Sexton. Kent and Phillips out for Geary and Ross

I though Long was ordinary last night- his direct opponents ran off him too easy and luckily the rest of the backline stood up. Phillips was OK I thought and provided run when needed due to Jones being held and Gresh not doing a lot. I would probably rest Max- he's a young guy and it wont hurt to give his body a rest.

[ace]

Out: Phillips (not up to it), Long (5 possessions in the back line where the ball lived for most of the match)
In: Geary, Savage

Phillips was untidy, worse than his hair.
Lonie and Parker would like to tear both Phillips and their own hair out being passed over for Phillips.
Long was poor, Savage would have done better.
Long tries do too much, trying for the spectacular, instead of the safe play.
Ignored his opponents too much.

Emergencies were Phillips, Abbott, Byrnes and Parker.
Maybe only Phillips travelled to Gold Coast so when Geary was a late withdrawal Phillips got the game.

[Toy Saint]

We should rest some players, quite a few looked knackered last night. Membrey and Ryder are two who could easily be managed. Geelongs' rucks are crap, so a good chance for Abbot. We have plenty of flexibility to replace Membrey especially with Josh Battle. Also thought the boy Max King struggled to run out the game last night. He cops a lot of attention, and may need a break.

We do have good depth, Ross & Geary should be good to go, and both Lonie and Savage are unlucky to be out of the side.

[Sanctorum]

It'll be interesting to see what the selectors will do because I still reckon they will pick the best 22 rather than worry about who should be managed.

Remember that every "hub" team is in the same boat and with light training runs players should be able to back up after the 4 day break - subject of course to how they pulled up after the game last night.

Expect that Ben Long will stay in despite a quiet game, maybe if Geary is fit he'll come in for Ed Phillips, thought Kent did alright so not sure if there will be any other changes.

Maybe they'll rest Paddy and bring in Ryan Abbott against his old team.

[Otiman]

I'd like to see 6 changes, depending on fitness and conditioning. I expect cats to do the same.

[Ghost Like]

Players who have a history of soft tissue injuries will be their biggest dilemma as I can't imagine a player wanting to sit out.

I imagine a couple of rehab days, enjoy the sun & the salt water, a light run on Sunday. Any injuries, niggles to be rested otherwise best available to to get us win #8.

Geelong can be flakey, whilst impressive at times they can get ahead of themselves and are gettable 2nd week into their new Hub.

IN: Geary / Abbott / Savage
OUT: Phillips / Ryder (managed) / Sinclair

[tony74]

Their midfield will be primed. Need to load up, Dangerfield and Selwood were basically rested against North.

[saynta]

Their midfield will be primed. Need to load up, Dangerfield and Selwood were basically rested against North.

Maybe but half their midfield are saints rejects.

[Saintmatt]

Long stays he smashed Sexton. Kent and Phillips out for Geary and Ross

Correct re: Long. Far from being the intercept, attacking run n gun HBF of earlier this year - Ben's role last night was to actually mark a man and a mighty job he did on Sexton. That was an important night in the growth of Ben - he had to play an unnatural game and be wholly accountable for a role. So - now he knows he can do it. Should give him and the coaches more confidence in his abilities as a bona fide defender (should that skill set be required).

IMHO.

Geary for Phillips. Don't see a job for Ross in last night's team (he would've been beaten on the inside and slaughtered on the outside) but, if he has to play then Geelong - who's a somewhat slower team - might be the one ... especially if he can do a role locking-down hard on a Duncan, Selwood or Danger (whomever is deemed to be the most dangerous).

[ace]

Long stays he smashed Sexton. Kent and Phillips out for Geary and Ross

AFL Stats Pro
Long rating points = -0.9
AFL Fantasy Points = 9
How can you get a negative ratings points ?

5 disposals
2 Kicks
3 handballs
1 contested possessions
4 uncontested possessions
3 marks

If he smashed Sexton that's 4 weeks
Sexton rating points = 7.6
AFL fantasy points = 53
11 disposals
11 Kicks
0 handballs
4 contested possessions
6 uncontested possessions
2 marks

[CURLY]

Long stays he smashed Sexton. Kent and Phillips out for Geary and Ross

AFL Stats Pro
Long rating points = -0.9
AFL Fantasy Points = 9
How can you get a negative ratings points ?

5 disposals
2 Kicks
3 handballs
1 contested possessions
4 uncontested possessions
3 marks

If he smashed Sexton that's 4 weeks
Sexton rating points = 7.6
AFL fantasy points = 53
11 disposals
11 Kicks
0 handballs
4 contested possessions
6 uncontested possessions
2 marks

Got pinned a few times but Sexton was invisible and he proved a handful in the past.

[ace]

Ross and Geary come IN
Phillips and Long go OUT

B: Paton - Howard - Wilkie
HB: Clark - Carlisle - Coffield
C: Hill - Steele - Billings
HF: Hind - Marshall - Butler
F: Membrey - King - Kent
R: Ryder - Jones - Gresham
INT: Battle - Sinclair - Ross - Geary
EMG : Abbott - Long - Lonie - Parker

[Saintmatt]

Long stays he smashed Sexton. Kent and Phillips out for Geary and Ross

AFL Stats Pro
Long rating points = -0.9
AFL Fantasy Points = 9
How can you get a negative ratings points ?

5 disposals
2 Kicks
3 handballs
1 contested possessions
4 uncontested possessions
3 marks

If he smashed Sexton that's 4 weeks
Sexton rating points = 7.6
AFL fantasy points = 53
11 disposals
11 Kicks
0 handballs
4 contested possessions
6 uncontested possessions
2 marks

I like the 4 weeks gag. Spot on.

Sexton is the 2nd highest goal kicker in GCS history and is a regular 2 goal a game handful for most teams. If you gave me Sexton = 0 goals at the start of the game then, I would've taken that in a heartbeat. Well done Ben.

[saynta]

tony74 says we need to load up on midfielders.