OK back to business... let's talk NAB Cup

[InkerSaint]

36 days to go until our NAB Cup R1 game!

We expect to see the same old thing in the NAB Cup: the kids who are any chance to play will get a go early, and by the end of the comp all of the starting 22 will have got a game into them.

Who do you expect to see out of the players that have not played senior footy yet? And who should line up in our starting 22?

Fresh blood:

Tom Simpkin
Alistair Smith
Paul Cahill
Tommy Walsh
Will Johnson
Nick Winmar
Daniel Archer
Jamie Cripps

The top 3 have now been in the system for 2 years, the next 4 for a year, and we are told Cripps is ready to go.

My starting 22:

FB: Blake, Jason / Dawson, Zac / Baker, Steven
HB: Goddard, Brendon / Fisher, Sam / Gwilt, James
C: Dal Santo, Nick / Hayes, Lenny / Montagna, Leigh
HF: Gilbert, Sam / Riewoldt, Nick / Gamble, Ryan
FF: Schneider, Adam / Koschitzke, Justin / Milne, Stephen
R: Gardiner, Michael S. / Jones, Clinton / Gram, Jason
I: Ray, Farren / Peake, Brett / Armitage, David / McEvoy, Ben
E: Dempster, Sean / Clarke, Raphael / Stanley, Rhys

Your turn.

[SainterK]

36 days! (that's a good shocked btw)

[borderbarry]

For the NAB cup there is 6 or 8 reserves? I would expect Simpkin, Walsh, and Cripps at least to get a NAB cup game. And I dont expect Gamble to be an automatic inclusion like everyone is suggesting. Dont forget, he struggled to get a regular game at Geelong.

[plugger66]

Cant see many or any players over the age of 28 playing in the first Nab games. Practice matches for the young.

[SainterK]

For the NAB cup there is 6 or 8 reserves? I would expect Simpkin, Walsh, and Cripps at least to get a NAB cup game. And I dont expect Gamble to be an automatic inclusion like everyone is suggesting. Dont forget, he struggled to get a regular game at Geelong.

That was indicated in a recent article borderbarry...

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/s ... 19l5b.html

Recruit Ryan Gamble has impressed with his work ethic and talent but it remains to be seen how the former Cat will fit into a restructured forward line also tipped to include Sam Gilbert.

''How much he plays and where he plays will be determined by what he shows on the training track,'' Hutchison said.

[borderbarry]

Is'nt the NAB cup format this year that we play Brisbane and Essendon on the same day, in reduced games? That being the case, I would imagine everyone that is fit enough would get a game.

[saintbrat]

Is'nt the NAB cup format this year that we play Brisbane and Essendon on the same day, in reduced games? That being the case, I would imagine everyone that is fit enough would get a game.

some clubs who were playing the split games- `1st and 3rd are believed to have asked if they can play two differant groups of players
I guess most assume that any team playing 1 game after the other would just treat it like a full game- 4 X 20 min quarters. so those on 1,2 or 2,3

the Saints are 2,3 games I believe -
But would be interesting if they also give permission for teams playing one after the other to change teams.

[saintbrat]

If Archer and Walsh get a game then would not also
Andreoli,
Curren,
Eddy
Ferguson,
be likely to get games- an early introduction in a short form for some-- this maybe more likely if the teams are allowed to change.

[goodie]

I'd like to see Smith and Cripps given a good crack, give us a nice injection of speed into the middle. Geary and Armitage should grab at the opportunity. And of course I want to see big Rhys out there.

Also would be nice to get good look at Simpkin, Heyne, Winmar, Lynch and Cahill. The latter two especially if we plan on Kosi spending more time in the ruck.

[InkerSaint]

If Archer and Walsh get a game then would not also
Andreoli,
Curren,
Eddy
Ferguson,
be likely to get games- an early introduction in a short form for some-- this maybe more likely if the teams are allowed to change.

I don't remember seeing any first-year players in last year's NAB Cup. I'd say the first-year rookies' chances are slim to none.

[Eastern]

I think we should also look at who might be ruled OUT of the nab cup, or at least the 1st Round

I doubt either Kosi or Gardi will play in the early rounds of the nab cup. Clinton Jones and Raph Clarke could also be doubtful !!

[saintbrat]

If Archer and Walsh get a game then would not also
Andreoli,
Curren,
Eddy
Ferguson,
be likely to get games- an early introduction in a short form for some-- this maybe more likely if the teams are allowed to change.

I don't remember seeing any first-year players in last year's NAB Cup. I'd say the first-year rookies' chances are slim to none.

Walsh played didn't he? Gaertner and Mcgrath certainly did although they were second year rookies.

[Eastern]

I think Walsh ONLY played in the Intra-Club game. I think I remember that he didn't get many touches and really fluffed one pass !!

[Eastern]

The Intra-Club game is normally on the Friday Night of the week before the 1st nab cup game. Has anyone heard where/when it will be this year? My guess is that it will be at Moorabbin on Friday 11 Feb !!

[InkerSaint]

Walsh played didn't he? Gaertner and Mcgrath certainly did although they were second year rookies.

Walsh would have been an exception as he is effectively a mature-age rookie.

From memory Rossy talked about fielding him in a crash-and-bash role and jokingly suggested he'd be used to take out Luke Ball in our R1 match against Collingwood. But it never eventuated, and I don't believe he got a game. I tracked the Supercoach scores for the NAB Cup and don't recall seeing an entry for him.

[borderbarry]

Irish Tom has only played the intraclub game for us so far. I would be extremely surprised if he doesnt play NAB cup this year though.

[3rd generation saint]

Let's not forget Polo and Gamble, it would be nice to see if these guys may be handy to absolute bargain pick ups.

[plugger66]

Let's not forget Polo and Gamble, it would be nice to see if these guys may be handy to absolute bargain pick ups.

To be honest I hope both struggle to get a game.

[starsign]

I'm just keen to see the Tommy Gun get a go and I recon he just might become a real goodun!!

[#1GILL]

I would like to see Stanley given a full game at a genuine CHF role, even if he isn't quite ready to do this in the big time yet.

It would be good to gain a better prospective of what he is capable of.

I also look forward to seeing Gilbert perform very well in the forward line.

[Eastern]

I think we'll find that most, if not all players who aren't on modified training programs will be a chance for the 1st Rd of the nab cup, seeing that we are involved in the 1st & 3rd games that night !!

[Quixote]

I'm just keen to see the Tommy Gun get a go and I recon he just might become a real goodun!!

Couldn't agree more! Reckon we might have an ace up our sleeve with Irish.

Also - Stanley and Al Smith. Smith especially just seems like he's got all the smarts - skill, pace and a rock solid set of feet. Kid does not go to ground.

[saintbrat]

I think we'll find that most, if not all players who aren't on modified training programs will be a chance for the 1st Rd of the nab cup, seeing that we are involved in the 1st & 3rd games that night !!

no we're not
2 and 3 rd games
8.20 start and 9.25
BUT if you want a good seat need to get in before those bomber fans -

[PJ]

To be honest I hope both struggle to get a game.

I don't care who's playing as long as they're our best 22 - if it's polo or shmollo it's all the same.

[SainterK]

To be honest I hope both struggle to get a game.

I don't care who's playing as long as they're our best 22 - if it's polo or shmollo it's all the same.

schmollo