Changes for bombers

[The Recruit]

Long or Lonie before Kent. Kent was brilliant on Sunday and snuffed out Harbrow.

No he wasnt

[avid]

The only ones I thought played poor games were Pierce and Sinclair.
I'd bring Marshall and Clark in for them. (Gulp. Sinkers is just about my favourite Saint.)
Brown must come in, so out goes Wilkie or Joyce.
I was very pleasantly impressed by both of them, so, a toss-up.

[Joffa Burns]

Long or Lonie before Kent. Kent was brilliant on Sunday and snuffed out Harbrow.

I’m guessing you haven’t watched the match.

The coach didn’t share your view on Kent, his comments.
“He did a serviceable job, we expect a lot of Kenty and he would think he could perform better and so would we”
He then mentioned Kent’s goal.

Was much more effusive in his praise of Parker & Wilke than “Superman”.

[axcellence]

Based on the coach’s comments... Brown is likely to be in possibly for Joyce

[Beno88]

In : Brown, Clark, Marshall

Out : Joyce, Dunstan, Kent

[prwilkinson]

In: Marshall, Clark, Brown

Out: Sinclair, Dunstan, Joyce

[DJ Higgins]

Kent will be dropped for reasons mentioned above as will Joyce simply because brown is better.

I assume hunter in for Kent. Different positions I know but billings and gresh can play mid and forward roles if need be.
Sinclair and Dunstan on notice as neither had great games and now there is competition for spots

[samoht]

In Clark
Out Kent

Also ...
In Marshall (handy around the ground), Acres (if ready and fully recovered)
Out Pierce, Dunstan or Sinclair?

Joyce deserves to keep his spot (I reckon).

[degruch]

In Clark
Out Kent

In Bruce
Out Wayne

In Peter
Out Parker

Oh, it's a gift that keeps giving...

[degruch]

Long or Lonie before Kent. Kent was brilliant on Sunday and snuffed out Harbrow.

No he wasnt

IMO not 'brilliant', but very good. I'd like to see Long before Kent, as many of Ben's decisions were as dumb as Kent's were slick. The difference in experience showed.

[Joffa Burns]

Out Joyce - In Brown
Only because it's Richo, no real match up from Brown at Essendon ATM

Joyce, Battle & Wilke play somewhat tall and all deserve to hold their place so I'd make Brown wait another week. Would love to see Joyce on Stringer, good match athletically.

Out Long or Kent - In Marshall
Extra tall - Long was undisciplined, Kent average

Out Sinclair - in Clark
Better midfield option

Really slow one paced midfield with Dunstan, Ross & Steele in there.
Steele & Ross are locks but Dunstan does the blocking and heavy lifting in close.
Would prefer some run to replace Dunstan.

[saynta]

From Danny at afl.com.

"Get them in: Defender Nathan Brown has served his suspension. Big man Rowan Marshall is in form, Hunter Clark looked good for Sandringham and Robbie Young booted four goals. Blake Acres has played two straight games after a back injury. The Saints were conservative coming out of the backline against Gold Coast, a problem Nick Hind could help fix.

Under the pump: Backman Darragh Joyce stood up late but conceding six free kicks is too many. Ruckman Lewis Pierce was soundly beaten, while Shane Savage was quiet by his standards.

Medical room: Billy Longer could return from a hamstring injury but will likely have to make his way through the VFL.

Verdict: Brown for Joyce. - Dinny Navaratnam

[To the top]

Essendon usually "get us" in the Ruck, with outside pace and space and with the precision that gives those opportunities.

Given we went "small" v GC, what do we do v. Essendon?

Where I would start is at those whose disposal skills were found out v GC (especially out of defence)

So run the tapes to identify the serial offenders who did not dispose to advantage and who contributed to the ball coming straight back to where we did not want it (in the GC goal scoring zone).

Those who put their hands up at Sandringham have been mentioned - plus Brown.

Our forward structure will remain deficient until we can structure up - and that means Mc Cartin available and Bruce not rucking.

Membrey is not a KPP, at his best with Mc Cartin and Bruce, and was accordingly quiet v GC

The Rucks?

Good question. The lack of mobility and flexibility means we just cannot select 2 Ruck men of Pierce, Longer and Marshall in the 22

At the least Marshall can cover the ground and his marking improved late last season.

But where do we get the support from?

The next tallest player is Carlisle, who relief rucked against Melbourne last year, but he is out.

Given Webster's disposal reputation, do we need Savage for kick ins after behinds?

I thought all of Wilkie (especially late), Joyce (recovery and disposal) and the very promising Battle had their moments

[SAINT-LEE]

Pierce was smashed - I like him and we should've played him already in years past - thus getting games into him, but if we are trying to win games he's got to get replaced by Marshall.
Joyce had a crack and improved but giving away the free kicks killed us, Brown replaces him.

[nw7]

I know Kent didnt have a great day. But his kick to Gresh for a goal and his goal in the last quarter were very special, we dont have many players in the team that could make things like that happen. He camt be dropped this week he will only get better. And Marshall just has to come in.

[SaintPav]

Brown, Clark and Marshall need to come in for Joyce, Longie and Long.

[Spinner]

I love watching Long and he's a gun - but he should probably be out, disciplined.

Watch the replay of that reversal - it will make you sick how wrong a decision it was by the umpire.

Long doesn't deserve to be disciplined for anything.

[WellardSaint]

I know Kent didnt have a great day. But his kick to Gresh for a goal and his goal in the last quarter were very special, we dont have many players in the team that could make things like that happen. He camt be dropped this week he will only get better. And Marshall just has to come in.

The fear I have is that the club keeps plodders in the seniors, guys who just play a role, and probably try hard,
but don't have an ability to do what Kent does.
We need guys like him, who can do something special when it's needed.
Dont want him to be sent to Zebs, he worked hard last year at the Demons but was injured.
He wants to contribute to our team, let him stay.

[Cairnsman]

Brown is in that's a no brainer.
So Joyce is out.

Kent or Dunstan will be out.

So Hindy in.

If these selections don't happen I promise to carry on like a pelican for eva.

[Aussie Jonestown]

Brown is in that's a no brainer.
So Joyce is out.

Kent or Dunstan will be out.

So Hindy in.

If these selections don't happen I promise to carry on like a pelican for eva.

Marshall and Clark

In what universe are they not in the best 22 ?

Abysmal team selection and team balance signed off on by Richardson almost cost a win against the worst team in the competition.

[Cairnsman]

Clark is too slow and Marshal is too tall.

[Kilda]

Would like to see Marshall included. He’s got several strings to his bow: athletic, good tank, he’s the best mark around the ground since McEvoy and can be an offensive weapon.

Agree with others that Nathan Brown will most likely replace Joyce. Brown looked terrific in the intraclub game and he has blown away several of the Saints’ hierarchy with his incredible pre-season application.

Hunter’s poise and disposal efficiency warrants serious consideration.

[Aussie Jonestown]

Clark is too slow and Marshal is too tall.

[saynta]

Would like to see Marshall included. He’s got several strings to his bow: athletic, good tank, he’s the best mark around the ground since McEvoy and can be an offensive weapon.

Agree with others that Nathan Brown will most likely replace Joyce. Brown looked terrific in the intraclub game and he has blown away several of the Saints’ hierarchy with his incredible pre-season application.

Hunter’s poise and disposal efficiency warrants serious consideration.

Brown will play fullback and Joyce centre half back with Battle to the flank. Or maybe vice versa.

[Cairnsman]

Clark is too slow and Marshal is too tall.

My bad I got that around the wrong universe, Clark prefers lawn bowls and Marshall has an eating disorder.