Two strategies for the next two weeks - which one ?

[Enrico_Misso]

Playing in a pre-season final seems to generate an enormous amount of hype.
And, lets face it, if we make it to the final we will all get sucked in.


But this year in the real comp, if Geelong slips a notch, then there is a real window of opportunity, and we are looking as the team "most likely".
So our focus needs to be firmly on the H&A matches.
The risk is that a pre-season grand final may then become a huge distraction from beating Sydney in Round 1.


So
1) should we throw even more kids into the Essendon game, and change the team around to give them "stretch" experience in key positions, with the most likely result that we will quietly lose, thus allowing us to bring back our big guns back in a low key practise match to firmly focus on beating Sydney in R1 ?

Or
2) do we abandon the youth blooding pre season policy.
And bring back our big guns and basically play our best 22 in correct positions.
This will ensure we beat Essendon.
And then, assuming no injuries, back up the same strategy in the final against (Adelaide?).
Then hope that the hype and enthusiasm rolls over to the H&A season ?

Which strategy ?

[plugger66]

Playing in a pre-season final seems to generate an enormous amount of hype.
And, lets face it, if we make it to the final we will all get sucked in.


But this year in the real comp, if Geelong slips a notch, then there is a real window of opportunity, and we are looking as the team "most likely".
So our focus needs to be firmly on the H&A matches.
The risk is that a pre-season grand final may then become a huge distraction from beating Sydney in Round 1.


So
1) should we throw even more kids into the Essendon game, and change the team around to give them "stretch" experience in key positions, with the most likely result that we will quietly lose, thus allowing us to bring back our big guns back in a low key practise match to firmly focus on beating Sydney in R1 ?

Or
2) do we abandon the youth blooding pre season policy.
And bring back our big guns and basically play our best 22 in correct positions.
This will ensure we beat Essendon.
And then, assuming no injuries, back up the same strategy in the final against (Adelaide?).
Then hope that the hype and enthusiasm rolls over to the H&A season ?

Which strategy ?

I think they will do what they have done the first 2 weeks and rotate players and if we do win that one they will then play their best squad.

[bigcarl]

I think they will do what they have done the first 2 weeks and rotate players and if we do win that one they will then play their best squad.

agree. we've basically made the point we wanted to make in the nab cup. we've let geelong know we are coming for them.

so, don't risk anyone with even the slightest niggle and if we do make it to the final it is worth winning and we should play our best available

[joffaboy]

Bombers will be too strong I think. they need a preseason win to boost their new coach and take the pressure off the club.

We should just rotate our players and if we win, well fine, if not well do we hve bigger fish to fry than a NAB Cup?

[Oh When the Saints]

Pretty much the second strategy .... don't play anyone who isn't 100%, but still follow the planned rotations for easing our big names back into it.

If Riewoldt, Hayes and Schneider are right to go this week, and it was planned that they would have a hitout, then I don't see any reason not to play them ...


As RL said after the match yesterday, we are exposing our young players and so far they have stood up.

Let's keep exposing them against the Bombers ...... they might stand up again and give us another win.


But our planning and focus must be Round 1 - the first game which actually counts for something.

[Raven]

In the interest of rotation and giving the kids a run to see how they go, what about McEvoy? I'm particularly interested to see what he can do at this level. We've seen Steven and Connors, what about Ben?

[Eastern]

Matthew Drain on SEN said that both Kosi & Max would be "rested" next week but there are as many as 7 or 8 to come back in. These include Lenny, Rooey & possibly Bally.

Trying to think of the others; Harvey, King, M Gardiner, X & R Clarke. Would that be all?

BJ, and possibly Goose won't play until the bye prior to Rd 1 when they suit up for Casey !!

[Solar]

I hope we continue to allow the likes of armo, x, eddy etc. time in the middle to continue their development.

Just keep the rotations going, go out to win but it's about development and working players into form for round 1 and onwards

[Armoooo]

Jeez, 4 weeks ago Casey were in for a long year, now they seem to have quite a few good players to work with