Who goes out?

[kos]

With the imminent return of some key players over the next few weeks I find it interesting, who misses?

[St Ick]

Interesting thought, of the defenders Gilbert, Newnes or Gwilt would be on shaky ground. Gwilt would be only dropped to find more touch. Maybe Clarke. Simpkin simply cannot go his form is so impressive. I really need to stop calling out good Head though...

Someone will be unlucky, Milera for Stanley now Schnieds is back, just to refresh Terry in his first season. Big Mac, gee dunno, Blakey would be dead unlucky.

My thoughts, Gilbert, Milera and Newnes... even though Im a huge wrap for all three.

[defacto]

milera has been the one down on form. i think its a confidence thing. i'd persist, have to coach him through it or he will never learn.

newnes i thought played his best game yesterday against the suns, likewise gwilts best game since coming back from injury. we cannot and i do mean CANNOT drop gwilt back to the VFL he needs to build his fitness base and adapt to the speed of the game after being out for so long.

gilbert is the one for me, problem is were down on talls.

we have to drop someone though to make way for mcevoy and fish. geary would be ready as well. the other problem is were playing adelaide in adelaide. this is one reason to keep milera in the team, he will want to peform on the big stage in front of his home town.

so if fish is fit:
OUT: Siposs (move gilbert fwd)
IN: Fish

if mcevoy is fit:
OUT: Simpkin (move blake to Simpkins position)
IN: McEvoy

if geary is ready:
OUT: Newnes
IN: Geary

SUB: Saad, Scheinder to start

[gringo]

Siposs is looking like he belongs more with game time so hard to ditch him, Newnes also. Same with Simpkin, hard to fault him so far and seems to have always been there. Newnes and Gwilt would be the two that are struggling most, well more just the most replaceable than actually struggling. Geary is slightly harder and Raph was looking sharper than Jimmy.

Milne could have a couple of weeks rest like Geelong did with their list last year and just keep a couple rotating out every couple of weeks. I can't actually remember a time when we needed to seriously consider leaving quality out of our team.

[Old Mate]

It's going to be hard to fit everyone in, although we are unlikely to have a fit 'best 22' based off this season anyway. Most teams cop an injury in the majority of games. Even we did last night with Saad getting concussed. I would be surprised if he plays next week.

If all fit, I see it hard to fit in all the smalls ie Milne, Saad, Schneider and Milera. I reckon one has to go. I know it's a touchy subject given what Milne has done over his career and even in parts this season however I think he makes way cos he's just too one-dimensional compared to the others and in my opinion he's looking more and more selfish this season. I realise he's always been 'hungry' but it's really standing out to me this year.

The other issue if all fit is fitting in Stanley and McEvoy. I dare say one has to miss out. Either that or Blake or Kosi misses. Blake is having a ripper month so he stays. Kosi is enigmatic (like Milne) however adds a lot of value to Roo's role in the forward line. Dunno tho. Tough call.

In our backline I'd say Geary for Newnes and Fisher for Clarke.

Sippos needs to stay IMO. The last two weeks he's been very good. Milera is a ball carrier. Stays as well.

[To the top]

On my reading, the side we put on the park v. Gold Coast was 3 players off the best side we can put onto the park - both from a 2012 season perspective and from a future season perspective.

Those missing were Fisher, McEvoy and Stanley.

Those who will make way to alow the return of these 3 automatic selections are Milne, Schnieder and Blake.

Milera lacks some composure on occasions but he does cover great territory as we saw again yesterday when he was again periodically in the defensive zone doing his work - hence he is preferred to the more static Milne and Schnieder who just do not give that required flexibility.

Saad can make his own opportunities from next to nothing - and has the pace to lead hard and straight, not relying on body contact and the ball going to the back of the contest.

Milne just continues to confirm my view that he is at least a season past AFL football because he relies totally on being hand fed whilst running wide of the contest, has absolutely no defensive intent and is only effective close to goal - altho his lack of pace now sees that effectiveness diminished - even against Gold Coast.

If Schnieder is to be considered ahead of Milera and Saad, well he has never grasped the opportunity to perform in the mid-field in over 180 games so why play him in 2012?

Others have grasped the opportunity.

Blake is the unfortunate one, and is the reserve ruckman if a ruckman goes down or the reserve defender if (exclusively) Fisher goes down.

With our rucks and Fisher back, there is no spot for Blake no matter his honesty and his endeavour.

And that is a good thing!

[PJ]

With Fisher soon to return, Geary soon available and Raph back in it makes spots in the back half difficult

McEvoy to return so Blake goes back.

Simpkin, Gwilt, Geary, Blake, Fisher, Raph, Gram, Dempster, Goddard, Ray, Gilbert can all play back. All are in good form - yes including Gilbert, played well the last 2 games.

Big ask for selectors

[older saint]

Fisher - Gilbert ( and Blake goes back) . Improved last night but turnovers past few weeks kill.
McEvoy - (Saad- Concussion =1 week)
Stanley - Hammy via Reserves then in for poor performers not just drop the younges kid. Schnieder will need to work his way in to form .Milne needs to work harder on defensive efforts which have been zero last 2 weeks. Sipposs - like to look of him but will need an impact game to hold his spot before Stanley back.

[saintsRrising]

We have a very short backline...so Gilbert will not be dropped. He was good last game too.

Stanley is evidently not back this week. Will be an in when he is fit. He is quick and tall, and is our second ruck.

Ben is a definite along with Fisher.

If fit all 3 will be in based on talent and structure.

Newnes is a likely out. That leaves 1 for this weekend. 2 when Stanley is back.

Geary is in the mix as is Ray too.

Gram has improved, and Raph did nothing wrong and a lot right in his first game back. Geary may displace one of them if Watters is happy to trade a hard nut off against flair.

Siposs impressed but the quality of players coming in may push him out. Against GC his field kicking was a treat, but his kicking on goal strangely sloppy.

Milera started the season well, and is still ok, but Saad looks to have gone past him. Both good. Stanley may push out Milera though for structural reasons.
Blake will be safe for this week, but may not be once Stanley returns.

Simpkin has been good, but with Raph having played well in his game back it may well get down to whether Watters wants a stopper vs run - Raph.

Schneider you would imagine will stay in the 22.

Possible Ins: Fisher, Ben, Geary, Ray (Stanley the game after)
Possible Outs : Newnes, Siposs, Simpkin, Raph, Gram, Blake

Being a selector for our next two matches will be very very difficult

[BigMart]

We will have injuries

[SainterK]

I'm a fan of Geary and want him back in, but Newnes would be stiff to be dropped after that game.

Scott indicated Fisher, Geary and Ben all a chance....but then went on to say enough to make me think that Ben may be after the bye?

[plugger66]

On my reading, the side we put on the park v. Gold Coast was 3 players off the best side we can put onto the park - both from a 2012 season perspective and from a future season perspective.

Those missing were Fisher, McEvoy and Stanley.

Those who will make way to alow the return of these 3 automatic selections are Milne, Schnieder and Blake.

Milera lacks some composure on occasions but he does cover great territory as we saw again yesterday when he was again periodically in the defensive zone doing his work - hence he is preferred to the more static Milne and Schnieder who just do not give that required flexibility.

Saad can make his own opportunities from next to nothing - and has the pace to lead hard and straight, not relying on body contact and the ball going to the back of the contest.

Milne just continues to confirm my view that he is at least a season past AFL football because he relies totally on being hand fed whilst running wide of the contest, has absolutely no defensive intent and is only effective close to goal - altho his lack of pace now sees that effectiveness diminished - even against Gold Coast.

If Schnieder is to be considered ahead of Milera and Saad, well he has never grasped the opportunity to perform in the mid-field in over 180 games so why play him in 2012?

Others have grasped the opportunity.

Blake is the unfortunate one, and is the reserve ruckman if a ruckman goes down or the reserve defender if (exclusively) Fisher goes down.

Still cant help yourself regarding Milne. Will eventually be right but in the mean time he has been AA, kicked 500 goals, one of the best small forwards for years and more important great around the club and great for the side. Anyway we will just dismiss that Milne goes out so next week Fisher and Geary will probably play and Ben will not so obviously out is Newnes for Gear but the hard one is for Chips. Is it Raph or Simpkin or even Siposs but doubt that. I think what the club will do though is completely dismiss the game last night because at the moment GC are rabble. it was great for the players confidence but little else.

With our rucks and Fisher back, there is no spot for Blake no matter his honesty and his endeavour.

And that is a good thing!

[Ralphy]

OUT Newnes , Blake.

IN
Fisher , Mcevoy

[SaintWal]

Fish and mc return then raph and Schneider for mine to make way. Simpkin cannot go out. He shows great poise and his contested marking is getting better by the game. Starting to remind me of Harry Taylor. Ben coming back will release Blakey to the back line to take the main forward in most cases releasing Tom to a second or third tall.

[Moods]

milera has been the one down on form. i think its a confidence thing. i'd persist, have to coach him through it or he will never learn.

newnes i thought played his best game yesterday against the suns, likewise gwilts best game since coming back from injury. we cannot and i do mean CANNOT drop gwilt back to the VFL he needs to build his fitness base and adapt to the speed of the game after being out for so long.gilbert is the one for me, problem is were down on talls.

we have to drop someone though to make way for mcevoy and fish. geary would be ready as well. the other problem is were playing adelaide in adelaide. this is one reason to keep milera in the team, he will want to peform on the big stage in front of his home town.

so if fish is fit:
OUT: Siposs (move gilbert fwd)
IN: Fish

if mcevoy is fit:
OUT: Simpkin (move blake to Simpkins position)
IN: McEvoy

if geary is ready:
OUT: Newnes
IN: Geary

SUB: Saad, Scheinder to start

Don't agree. You go on form. Gwilt is struggling the most for mine. He goes out. No WAY would I start Saad as a sub. He's been terrific the last few weeks, and it's a step backwards for mine. I'm a big wrap for the SChneiderman, but he didn't set the world on fore when he came on. He stays sub for mine. Gwilt and Milera ar the two looking most vulnerable from where I sit. Newnes is next. Remeber Ray will hopefully come back in as well. He has been great since his spell in the reserves.

[SainterK]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl ... %7C+AFL%29

ST Kilda is likely to be bolstered by the return of defender Sam Fisher and No.1 ruckman Ben McEvoy for Friday night's clash against the Crows in Adelaide.

After Saturday night's 95-point drubbing of Gold Coast, Saints coach Scott Watters said the reinforcements would mean a challenging week at selection.

"It's going to be an interesting week at the selection table this week," Watters said on Sunday.

"Ben will be available, Sam Fisher will be available, Jarryn Geary will be available and our side played pretty well last night.

"There's probably 26 or 27 that we have got to fit into 22, which is going to be a great decision for us guys to make."

The Saints have been without McEvoy since he hurt his knee before Round 6.

Fisher has missed the past month with a hamstring injury and Geary suffered a fractured eye socket against Sydney in Round 9.

Watters was optimistic small forward Ahmed Saad would be cleared to face the Crows, but said no risks would be taken.

Saad was taken off on a stretcher with concussion after a head clash with Gold Coast's Josh Caddy in the third quarter.

"I'd be optimistic that he'll be OK (to play)," Watters said on 3AW. "But ultimately, we're not going to know until we go through some tests later in the week.

"He was really bright-eyed very quickly after the incident. He was up and about, no headaches.

"He was fine on the plane. All of those early signs are very positive.

"But we certainly wouldn't be taking any risks with him if there's any side effects."

[twirlyhair]

Horses for courses...therefore against Adelaide in Adelaide, Milne must not play.

[Enrico_Misso]

Yes get rid of Blake - gives us nothing

[desertsaint]

newnes - chips
milera - stanley

[Con Gorozidis]

based purely on form then tezza had a bad game yesterday.
but i think we should maybe adopt the "squad" approach and rest the guys who are the sorest/tiredest - based on medical conditional reports etc... get some healthy rotations going and keep the team fresh on a weekly basis for the last 12 weeks.
so if we go down that path then impossible to select without daily health/medico/fitness reports from inside the club.

[Old Mate]

It will be interesting to see how Clarke and Schneider pull up....Might be too high a risk having those two sore bodies and Mac and Fisher underdone all in the same lineup.

[Teflon]

Horses for courses...therefore against Adelaide in Adelaide, Milne must not play.

Totally agree.

I would not take Milne interstate - hasnt been any good ever interstate and that aint gonna change now.

Milne - out General soreness.

Saad must play, Schneider full game.

Ins:

Fisher
McEvoy
Schneider (off sub)

Outs:

Newnes
Milne
Milera (sub)

Geary stays out - Raphs height/run out of defence handy
Schneider gets full game - if noimpact Milera comes on
Fish/McEvoy pick themself

I was tempted to leave Blake out but Crows Up fwd have some height and Tippet has clunked them against us before but when Stanley is available.....I fear Blakes days (good form or not he aint the future) are numbered.

[SainterK]

Out Siposs
In Fisher

Gilbert to move forward and play on the wing

I think if the whole birth certificates is irrelevant call is legit, Newnes retains his spot until he does something to undo it

[felix]

Wouldn't like to see Terry dropped , he mighten be great every game like say rioli for example but his potential to kick match winning goals is there all the time.

[BringBackMadDog]

Yes get rid of Blake - gives us nothing

Please tell me you're sking the piss