Changes for Friday

[Goose is king]

No change

I was shocked Dunstan didn’t play, but Koby Stevens’ game, including his shutting down of Zorko proved I know less than the coaching staff who spend over 50 hours a week with the team. Longer was horrible and I like Hickey’s ball use more but I saw enough from Billy last year to keep him in so long as he is better for the run and not feeling worse.

What would you suggest if you were on the selection panel?

[ROLS-LEE]

Correct me if i am wrong but i thought Steele didnt have a great game.

[Saintmatt]

Marshall for Longer. That's all from me.

[saynta]

No change, unless someone withdraws due to an injury

[stonecold]

No change if all fit, VFL praccy match no solid form line.

[Saintmatt]

Actually - stuff it. I might as well be brutally honest. I think Newnes is the most overrated player on our list and if I have to watch him turn it over one more time by foot - I'll completely lose my sh!t.

I don't care if he wins another 3klm time trial - I'd rather he learnt how to hit a target by foot.

Therefore - Coffield or White in for Newnes.

Cue firestorm no doubt ...

[DJ Higgins]

No change, unless someone withdraws due to an injury

Agree. Longer sucked but everyone can be rusty first game up plus bad for confidence if he gets dropped.

[bigcarl]

We were smashed in clearances as Richo pointed out repeatedly at his presser.

Longer probably will survive, but I'd expect Dunstan in. Not sure for who. Armo? Steele?

[cwrcyn]

I am sort of on the same page regarding Newnes. He's a fine competitor and as brave as they come, but his disposal has gone from being above average to atrocious in the past two seasons. He tries to blast the ball off his foot. He needs to go back and watch some videos of Robert Harvey passing the ball. Delicately lobbing into the drop zone for his team mate to run onto it. You don't have to drill the damn thing. Just watching Hunter Clark on the weekend , i saw the Harvey style of passing, and it's the right approach. I'm stunned no-one has tapped Newnes on the shoulder about this....or maybe they have. Either way, i think he's risking his position in the team if this trend in his kicking efficiency continues.

[cwrcyn]

I am sort of on the same page regarding Newnes. He's a fine competitor and as brave as they come, but his disposal has gone from being above average to atrocious in the past two seasons. He tries to blast the ball off his foot. He needs to go back and watch some videos of Robert Harvey passing the ball. Delicately lobbing into the drop zone for his team mate to run onto it. You don't have to drill the damn thing. Just watching Hunter Clark on the weekend , i saw the Harvey style of passing, and it's the right approach. I'm stunned no-one has tapped Newnes on the shoulder about this....or maybe they have. Either way, i think he's risking his position in the team if this trend in his kicking efficiency continues.

[Vazelos]

Well said I have identified Newnes for some scrutiny as I think he has gone under the radar in terms of his output.
He needs to do a bit better for mine he is in his prime.

[desertsaint]

our inside mids got smashed - bar steven obviously. against them last year we won clearances and contested possessions despite losing hitouts. missed dunstans inside game this week - he led clearances, centre clearances, and stoppages in last year's game, and one behind ross in contested possessions, despite being down on form at the time.
steele was poor and sinclair also had a game to forget.
but we won. so unlikely to see a change unless they decide there is no tagging target so drop stevens. would be unfair on him as he did his job. but not sure why we needed to tag zorko anyway - we still got done over in the centre. back our own game.
get dominated like that against a decent side and we lose.
if the coach is going to play based on performance it'll be steele out for dunstan.
long, clarke, and mccartin we need to give time. and longer? god knows.

[fugazi]

Fair call on Newnes. Seems to escape scrutiny.

[parkeysainter]

All I could see is maybe Marshall for Longer. That is alot to ask of The Prospect though. And possibly Dunstan for Steele.
A very very slim chance of seeing Coffield for Sinclair.
Maybe 0 changes for the North Melb game then as it seems everyone is fit that played in Rd 1.

[Toy Saint]

It would be good to get Coffield, Dunstan and Marshall into the team but how?

Longer was pretty crap on the weekend, smashed in the ruck and useless around the ground. But I fear Hickey has just lost all form and Marshall just doesn't have the tank to be the first ruck.

Paddy had a shocker ,Marshall wouldn't do any worse, but I want to believe in Paddy and would love to see him kick a bag.

Thought Sinclair underperformed, but Dunstan is a different type of player. We need more clean outside pace, we don't need another solid mid. Not sure I'd drop Sinclair for Coffield either, Coffield may be better suited as a half back at this stage.

Ben Long was a surprise selection but I thought he added some much needed pace and defensive pressure in the forward line. Hunter Clark also did some good things, it would be a shame to drop him, but if we choose to play him back then I guess he could easily interchange with Coffield.

Then there's Mav Weller and Sam Gilbert......humm......it's good to have depth...

[saintsRrising]

. Not sure I'd drop Sinclair ...

Well I am sure that I would not drop him.

He was excellent last season and is rare in our team as he is an excellent decision maker and user of the ball.

One quieter game is not a reason to drop him.

[skeptic]

It would be nice to find a way to bring Marshall into the team and keep Longer too.

Whilst critical of Longer this week, he’s still our first choice of ruck but I think he needs help and Marshall needs game time.

Is there a role down back for him?

[Toy Saint]

It would be nice to find a way to bring Marshall into the team and keep Longer too.

Whilst critical of Longer this week, he’s still our first choice of ruck but I think he needs help and Marshall needs game time.

Is there a role down back for him?

We need Nathan Brown to play against the power forwards, and North have Ben Brown so this is not the week to stuff around. But when our opponent doesn't have a power forward perhaps we could leave Brown out, move Bruce back and slot Marshall into the role of forward/2nd ruck.

[mightysainters]

No one to tag... OUT: Koby IN: dunstan

[freely]

No one to tag... OUT: Koby IN: dunstan

I'm inclined to agree with this - suspect it's the reason koby was in for dunstan in the first place.

[DJ Higgins]

No one to tag... OUT: Koby IN: dunstan

I see your point but Koby shouldn't be dropped after his performance. It was great and it would send the wrong message, playing your best game and you are still not guaranteed of a spot.
If anyone it would be armo or Steele but Id say stick with the team and make changes next week

[Goose is king]

Koby would be handy to have in either Higgins or Ziebel begin to take control.

[Linton Lodger]

No change, if any Dunstan in for Steele, however that would depend on Dunstan's form in the Sandy game.

[stonecold]

No change, if any Dunstan in for Steele, however that would depend on Dunstan's form in the Sandy game.

No change if all fit!!!!!

[Animal Enclosure]

Actually - stuff it. I might as well be brutally honest. I think Newnes is the most overrated player on our list and if I have to watch him turn it over one more time by foot - I'll completely lose my sh!t.

I don't care if he wins another 3klm time trial - I'd rather he learnt how to hit a target by foot.

Therefore - Coffield or White in for Newnes.

Cue firestorm no doubt ...

Spot on.

I didn't expect it to the case but Newnes will be one of the GOPs who fall by the wayside as more talented kids come through.