Gresham back stress fractures - Season over?

[Saintmatt]

From Mitch Cleary:

"One that may have slipped under the radar... Jade Gresham in doubt for the rest of 2020 with scans revealing signs of a stress fracture in his lower back."

Fvck!!

[MC Gusto]

Nooooo!

Just read this too

[bigcarl]

That is a real body blow. He gets bagged on here a lot (which I’ve never really understood). He, Steele and Ryder/Marshall have been prominent in our rise. He’s very good at winning clearances.

We need to find some midfielders quick smart if we intend to contend.

If it were me, I’d have tried Hunter Clark in there already (not sure why the reluctance as we have adequate replacements who can play half back - Savage, Robertson, Webster when fit). Perhaps he doesn’t have the tank is the only reason I can think of.

Billings may have to spend much more time in there.

With Ross and Jones presumably back in this week, we are okay for in-and-unders for the moment. What we will lack if Gresham is out is above all, guys who can create.

[Ghost Like]

That's a real shame because Gresham would have become extremely valuable and damaging in 2021 by finishing 2020 after an extended run of games in the midfield.

I wish him a speedy & full recovery, even though "speedy" is not a term linked to stress fractures of the back.

[Ghost Like]

That is a real body blow. He gets bagged on here a lot (which I’ve never really understood). He, Steele and Ryder/Marshall have been prominent in our rise. He’s very good at winning clearances.

Now we need to find some midfielders.

If it were me, I’d have tried Hunter Clark in there already. Billings may have to spend most of his time in there.

It may just be the sliding doors moment for Sinclair. If he does not grab the opportunity then Bytel & Byrnes may benefit by sharing that midfield time.

[The_Dud]

I think Gresh's disposal is well below what it should be, but he has been playing well the last few games.

This could open the door for a Bytel in the middle, who showed (in one game) he can get it done.

[perfectionist]

Oh dear.

[bigcarl]

That is a real body blow. He gets bagged on here a lot (which I’ve never really understood). He, Steele and Ryder/Marshall have been prominent in our rise. He’s very good at winning clearances.

Now we need to find some midfielders.

If it were me, I’d have tried Hunter Clark in there already. Billings may have to spend most of his time in there.

It may just be the sliding doors moment for Sinclair. If he does not grab the opportunity then Bytel & Byrnes may benefit by sharing that midfield time.

I think the club needs to think outside the square on this.

No knock on either of those kids. I’m confident both can become players given time.

But we need guys who can do the job now. That’s why I think Clark/Billings and, yes, Sinclair also. Although he lacks some of the physicality you’d like for that role.

We need players in there who can create. Now.

[fugazi]

Has been great with his clearances.
What a shame.

Ross needs to capture some form, and Bytel /Phillips get a chance to impress

[Goose is king]

Damn it. Surely his season is over. As much as we love to dream we aren’t winning the flag this year.

[Superboot]

Damn it. Surely his season is over. As much as we love to dream we aren’t winning the flag this year.

Quite a compliment to Gresh.

Tend to agree, though

[Devilhead]

That's a big blow but it will present an opportunity for some one else - maybe Bytel gets a good run at it now

Gresh' s output has been diminished the last few weeks so maybe he has had this soreness for a bit

[bigcarl]

Damn it. Surely his season is over. As much as we love to dream we aren’t winning the flag this year.

Quite a compliment to Gresh.

Tend to agree, though

Yes, it’s a major blow. Short of Steele falling over - or Ratten - it’s about the worst.

[shanegrambeau]

That's a big blow but it will present an opportunity for some one else - maybe Bytel gets a good run at it now

Gresh' s output has been diminished the last few weeks so maybe he has had this soreness for a bit

THat's what I thought too. Like Billings sometimes, you see plenty good, but you just imagine it could be more.

So, Ross, Lonie, Bytel, Jones, have to step up. (Bytel has done nothing wrong) And another chance for Byrnes?

Kent, unfortunately, will probably continue now. Love you Kent, just please do more effectively.

Oh Boy....I hope it aint that 'here we go moment'

[The_President]

If we see Hunter as a future midfielder, probably never been a better time than to give him some extended minutes in there.

Bring in a Savage/Roberton to help out down back and let Hunter go on ball a little more.

[stkfc1]

Maybe we can use Long in the middle a bit more? Not great, but from adversity comes opportunity and maybe we need to think out of the box more. Great opportunity for Bytel to cement his spot. Ross and Jones back helps but we need more mids to rotate and we need some bigger bodies. Maybe we could look at someone like Webster in the middle? Try something different. I don't think Clark has the tank yet. Next year for him but he should get more minutes for now. Byrne's may get an other look witch would be good.

[Trev from the Bush]

The injury is probably wear and rear bought about by kicking around the body too much.

[Gershwin]

There aren't all that many centre bounces in a game these days but they are super important. We have Marshall/Ryder, Steele, Jones and Ross as the favourites now that Gresham is out. Ryder is our best tap Ruckman and he targeted Gresham. I would like to see Bytel given the role as Ryder's target. He seems to have the strength and pace to get the ball out. With Marshall it doesn't seem to matter so much. I would like to see Hind given a go in the centre also.

[saynta]

Maybe we can use Long in the middle a bit more? Not great, but from adversity comes opportunity and maybe we need to think out of the box more. Great opportunity for Bytel to cement his spot. Ross and Jones back helps but we need more mids to rotate and we need some bigger bodies. Maybe we could look at someone like Webster in the middle? Try something different. I don't think Clark has the tank yet. Next year for him but he should get more minutes for now. Byrne's may get an other look witch would be good.

Webster has a hammy injury

[saints66]

It’s a shame hope he recovers well
Paddy’s tap to Gresham has been a big part of our successful clearances.
Good opportunity to try new midfielders and rotating players through, lucky we have options .

[WellardSaint]

It’s a shame hope he recovers well
Paddy’s tap to Gresham has been a big part of our successful clearances.
Good opportunity to try new midfielders and rotating players through, lucky we have options .

I'd argue 'Paddy to Jones' is up there with Paddy to Jade' in importance.
Just my $0.02

[minneapolis]

That is a real body blow. He gets bagged on here a lot (which I’ve never really understood). He, Steele and Ryder/Marshall have been prominent in our rise. He’s very good at winning clearances.

Now we need to find some midfielders.

If it were me, I’d have tried Hunter Clark in there already. Billings may have to spend most of his time in there.

It may just be the sliding doors moment for Sinclair. If he does not grab the opportunity then Bytel & Byrnes may benefit by sharing that midfield time.

I'd have to agree Ghosty.

For me, Sinclair is soft. This is his chance to establish his value as a mid. I just don't think he will.

He is one of those guys who just does 'enough'.

Last year it was Carlisle (but this year he has improved).

Last year I was not impressed with Kent but this year he has improved his intensity.

I reckon Sincs coasts and let other win the games.

[Yorkeys]

Well most unfortunate news for the lad, who was going ok. Hope he can recover and am confident the Club will get him the best of treatment. A door of opportunity opens for a couple so I hope there is a silver lining in that.

[saynta]

https://www.saints.com.au/news/793934/g ... ded-period

Out for a minimum of 6 weeks.

[johnearljames]

s***. Massive loss. One of the good midfielders we have.

Greah, Hanners and Dunstan now out long term which stretches the midfield.

Jones and Steele are our best onballers. Bytel needs to step us. Ross needs to get back his form too. Sinclair and Clark will need to do some time in the middle as will Byrnes. Even Jono Marsh in spurts.

We have options at least.

We need to get a FA mid and draft the best mid available in the draft for next year with our first pick.