So do we pick for H&A...or to build a finals team??

saintsRrising · Sat 01 Mar 2008 12:00am

After watching Raph stuff up in the third quarter (kicking to a stationary Saints player...spoil by the Dons fora resultant goal....and an obvious spoil straight over the boundary line) and Blake instead of rolling over the line keeping the ball in so that the Dons could pick up and run in to kick an easy goal....

And on the other hand having seen games where it is evident that Armo and Geary are younguns ready to bloom....

It struck me that we can start the year by selecting teams which are arguably best on the day or pick teams to start the year with the aim of having our best 22 possible.

Raph I am afraid just does not excite me....too often he plays "dumb" football to the disavantage of the team...he may getter better, but for now I would rather see Geary given the game time in the seniors.

Similarly as part of our midfield rotation i would like to see Armo given the challenge of player in the seniors...putting some games into him with the goal of him being an even better player by finals time.

Blake and Raph....I just cannot see giving us an edge.......

L Fisher seems to have stagnated...

With the likes of King , M Gardiner, Schneider...and the steady C Gardiner as a surprise I think it is now time to be bold and play the team that we imagine will be our finals team....

What are your thouhts????

Armoooo · Post: # 525314Post **Armoooo** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 12:11am

King and Gardiner look like the should be able to enjoy some good form, Schneider looks capable of playing consistent footy rotating through the forward line and midfield and Charlie Gardiner very well could be the pick up of trade week.

ATM Raph and Blake are severely sturggling, I would think just on terms of who would play better that Armo and Geary would have to be ahead of them, however there are somethings you have to have insight to know whether they are doing their job good, especially with Blake...

Oh When the Saints · Sat 01 Mar 2008 12:14am

Raph is so frustrating ... was good last week but (from the sounds of it) terrible last week.

He needs a decent run at it this year in the seniors IMO because we need to see whether he can cut the mustard.

There will be plenty of pressure for his spot, so he will be on notice I would imagine.

If he can't play consistent football, then I'd rather give someone else a go. Potential and the occasional great game can only get you so far ...

plugger66 · Post: # 525318Post **plugger66** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 12:15am

Armoooo wrote:King and Gardiner look like the should be able to enjoy some good form, Schneider looks capable of playing consistent footy rotating through the forward line and midfield and Charlie Gardiner very well could be the pick up of trade week.

ATM Raph and Blake are severely sturggling, I would think just on terms of who would play better that Armo and Geary would have to be ahead of them, however there are somethings you have to have insight to know whether they are doing their job good, especially with Blake...

Please explain the Blake comment. In the best the first 2 weeks. Sounds like another person who has an opinion without watching games.

carn_sainter · Sat 01 Mar 2008 6:53am

Raph Clarke is a great footballer

He has so many fantastic tools...i'm convinced the only thing he is lacking is a consistent string of several games and the fitness that goes with that...

He is: Tall, Quick, Agile, Creative, Good with the game in front of him (not so with what's behind), lovely hands, nice kick, great spoil (seriously first rate), great reader of the ball in flight (seriously top rate), a brilliant team player, unselfish and willing to just play his role and not try and do too much...

He is an awesome prospect and i look forward to a great season from him...He's naturally cool under pressure...to this point in his career he hasn't played enough to recognise that he is too cool, as in doesn't have that much time...once he adjusts, his naturally cool head will hold him and us in great stead...

quidnunc · Post: # 525431Post **quidnunc** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 7:13am

I don't think Raph's most ardent supporter would have been too impressed with last night's effort but the potential is huge and we need to get game time into him while he's not injured.

Sure he may make mistakes, but better they occur during the NAB cup and H & A. Let's hope he learns from them and hopefully eliminates the majority of them by finals time.

Given an extended run I think he may have his detractors retracting!

saintly · Post: # 525651Post **saintly** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 4:05pm

If raph isn't careful he won'rt be playing for the saints next year. he has a one year contract. and i can see Lyon trading him if he doesn't improve.

TwoTowers · Post: # 525655Post **TwoTowers** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 4:12pm

Blake struggling? Give us a break!! His one arguable mistake last night gets picked out. But was it a mistake? From what I saw he would have been pinged had he rolled over the line.

He will be one of the first named every week, mark my words.

TwoTowers · Post: # 525656Post **TwoTowers** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 4:22pm

On the original post - I do think Geary and Armo have shown plenty and would love to see them get a run but I expect Ross will utilise the depth, and the competition that creates, to pick the best team each week on merit. I don't think there will be anything other than merit and team balance involved in the selections each week. The players who don't make the first team will be keenly observed in the seconds. This is the only way imo.

saintsRrising · Sat 01 Mar 2008 4:29pm

TwoTowers wrote:On the original post - I do think Geary and Armo have shown plenty and would love to see them get a run but I expect Ross will utilise the depth, and the competition that creates, to pick the best team each week on merit. I don't think there will be anything other than merit and team balance involved in the selections each week. The players who don't make the first team will be keenly observed in the seconds. This is the only way imo.

Yes that is what I was getting at....

Do we just go with merit each and every week...

Or do we takea punt on Atmo and or/Geary that with expeience that they by finals time will be better players on merit.

It is a bit of a Catch 22....with games at the highest level it may fast track their development...but without games under thir belt others may still be better than them.

Sam23 · Post: # 525662Post **Sam23** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 4:37pm

lol @ the Blake mistake.

Considering he was the one who got across and forced the contest toforce it to he ground, was then set up by a poor handball infront of him and had no choice but to keep it in, or he would've been pinged.

He's in our best 22...dont worry about that.

hAyES · Post: # 525676Post **hAyES** » Sat 01 Mar 2008 5:13pm

carn_sainter wrote:Raph Clarke is a great footballer

He has so many fantastic tools...i'm convinced the only thing he is lacking is a consistent string of several games and the fitness that goes with that...

He is: Tall, Quick, Agile, Creative, Good with the game in front of him (not so with what's behind), lovely hands, nice kick, great spoil (seriously first rate), great reader of the ball in flight (seriously top rate), a brilliant team player, unselfish and willing to just play his role and not try and do too much...

He is an awesome prospect and i look forward to a great season from him...He's naturally cool under pressure...to this point in his career he hasn't played enough to recognise that he is too cool, as in doesn't have that much time...once he adjusts, his naturally cool head will hold him and us in great stead...

Quick? You have to be kidding.

And to answer the question, I'm not fussed about the NAB cup at all. Use it to maybe get a couple of players some match fitness, but not go all out. Don't want injuries happening in this pointless competition.