Changes for the Second Semi Final against Richmond Tigers

[Sanctorum]

Why on earth would we play Abbott?

"Ryan Abbott had 27 hit-outs in the 2018 elimination final against Melbourne".

As a specialist ruckman he is a far better prospect than either Battle, Marsh, Howard or King to rotate with Marshall, and as I pointed out earlier, Richmond will exploit any weakness in the ruck, the way St Kilda did against the Dogs last week.

I rate Abbott well ahead of Marsh if you're selecting "horses for courses". Kicked a nice goal in his brief spell against Hawthorn...

[Vortex]

Why on earth would we play Abbott?

"Ryan Abbott had 27 hit-outs in the 2018 elimination final against Melbourne".

As a specialist ruckman he is a far better prospect than either Battle, Marsh, Howard or King to rotate with Marshall, and as I pointed out earlier, Richmond will exploit any weakness in the ruck, the way St Kilda did against the Dogs last week.

I rate Abbott well ahead of Marsh if you're selecting "horses for courses". Kicked a nice goal in his brief spell against Hawthorn...

I'd play Abbott if you're looking to throw the match and that has nothing to do with what his skill level is and everything to do with being restricted to players who have match conditioning.

Put it this way if Ratts picks say savage over Hind or Phillip then I'd say that's how bad those two are seen in Ratts eyes and possibly are out the door as soon as our season is over.

Look at what happened to Geelong last week when the coach picked two very under done players.

[Ghost Like]

Why on earth would we play Abbott?

"Ryan Abbott had 27 hit-outs in the 2018 elimination final against Melbourne".

As a specialist ruckman he is a far better prospect than either Battle, Marsh, Howard or King to rotate with Marshall, and as I pointed out earlier, Richmond will exploit any weakness in the ruck, the way St Kilda did against the Dogs last week.

I rate Abbott well ahead of Marsh if you're selecting "horses for courses". Kicked a nice goal in his brief spell against Hawthorn...

I'd play Abbott if you're looking to throw the match and that has nothing to do with what his skill level is and everything to do with being restricted to players who have match conditioning.

Put it this way if Ratts picks say savage over Hind or Phillip then I'd say that's how bad those two are seen in Ratts eyes and possibly are out the door as soon as our season is over.

Look at what happened to Geelong last week when the coach picked two very under done players.

They kicked inaccurately???

[cwrcyn]

Abbott, if he plays, will get monstered by Nankervis, who is twice as strong. Abbott has no leap either, so he would would be completely ineffectual. I'd rather have Marsh helping out in the ruck. At least he's got the aggression and the leg speed to spread from the contest and offer support.

[Sanctorum]

Abbott was recruited for the very reason to be a backup ruckman to Ryder and Marshall.

The only reason he couldn't get many games with Geelong is that they had 3 others rated higher, and it's well known that the Cats were going to re-draft him when St Kilda beat them to it.

I acknowledge that Abbott is an unknown quantity to supporters but if he does get selected tonight I have no doubt he'll rise to the occasion.

Limiting selections to those who are "match conditioned" is nonsense, every player at Noosa that is fit and well will be ready to play, they're all professionals.

How many games had Marlon Pickett played for Richmond before last year's GF??

Think of a number between -1 and 1.....

Anyway, time will tell!

[Ghost Like]

Abbott was recruited for the very reason to be a backup ruckman to Ryder and Marshall.

The only reason he couldn't get many games with Geelong is that they had 3 others rated higher, and it's well known that the Cats were going to re-draft him when St Kilda beat them to it.

I acknowledge that Abbott is an unknown quantity to supporters but if he does get selected tonight I have no doubt he'll rise to the occasion.

Limiting selections to those who are "match conditioned" is nonsense, every player at Noosa that is fit and well will be ready to play, they're all professionals.

How many games had Sydney Stack played for Richmond before last year's GF??

Think of a number between -1 and 1.....

Anyway, time will tell!

I like your confidence and fervour Sanco, I agree he was recruited as back up but after watching him (I know, only one game), he's a backup in case we lost both.

I also think it was Marlion not Sydney but your premise is correct, albeit matches throughout the season have given a less of a gauge.

[saynta]

Abbott was recruited for the very reason to be a backup ruckman to Ryder and Marshall.

The only reason he couldn't get many games with Geelong is that they had 3 others rated higher, and it's well known that the Cats were going to re-draft him when St Kilda beat them to it.

I acknowledge that Abbott is an unknown quantity to supporters but if he does get selected tonight I have no doubt he'll rise to the occasion.

Limiting selections to those who are "match conditioned" is nonsense, every player at Noosa that is fit and well will be ready to play, they're all professionals.

How many games had Sydney Stack played for Richmond before last year's GF??

Think of a number between -1 and 1.....

Anyway, time will tell!

I like your confidence and fervour Sanco, I agree he was recruited as back up but after watching him (I know, only one game), he's a backup in case we lost both.

I also think it was Marlion not Sydney but your premise is correct, albeit matches throughout the season have given a less of a gauge.

Pickett.

[Ghost Like]

I pick it as Marlion, not Sydney

[Vortex]

Abbott was recruited for the very reason to be a backup ruckman to Ryder and Marshall.

The only reason he couldn't get many games with Geelong is that they had 3 others rated higher, and it's well known that the Cats were going to re-draft him when St Kilda beat them to it.

I acknowledge that Abbott is an unknown quantity to supporters but if he does get selected tonight I have no doubt he'll rise to the occasion.

Limiting selections to those who are "match conditioned" is nonsense, every player at Noosa that is fit and well will be ready to play, they're all professionals.

How many games had Sydney Stack played for Richmond before last year's GF??

Think of a number between -1 and 1.....

Anyway, time will tell!

Yes and if it was a full strength year then your theory and bullish support for Abbott would be normally accepted wisdom. But alas it is the Astersisk Cup and unfortunately B and C grade players don't have a 2nd tier comp to show their wares and provide exposed form to coaches for selection.

[silverhalo]

In: Battle, Hind, Savage, Marsh
Out: Carlisle, Ryder, Long, Kent

[shanegrambeau]

In: Battle, Hind, Savage, Marsh
Out: Carlisle, Ryder, Long, Kent

+1

[saintsRrising]

Confirmed. Battle Marsh and Savage In.

[silverhalo]

In: Battle, Hind, Savage, Marsh
Out: Carlisle, Ryder, Long, Kent

I was pretty close......still think we may have missed a trick by not bringing in Hind given that we stretched this mob last time with our pace

[bigcarl]

Confirmed. Battle Marsh and Savage In.

I wonder if that means Battle will have to play backline on either Riewoldt or Lynch? Or will Coffield get one of them? We could do with Josh up forward

[True Blue Sainter]

Confirmed. Battle Marsh and Savage In.

I wonder if that means Battle will have to play backline on either Riewoldt or Lynch? Or will Coffield get one of them? We could do with Josh up forward

As I said yesterday, much more likely that Marsh will play back on Riewoldt.

This will allow Coff to play his usual role, and Wilkie to take Martin when he ventures forward

[bigcarl]

Confirmed. Battle Marsh and Savage In.

I wonder if that means Battle will have to play backline on either Riewoldt or Lynch? Or will Coffield get one of them? We could do with Josh up forward

As I said yesterday, much more likely that Marsh will play back on Riewoldt.

This will allow Coff to play his usual role, and Wilkie to take Martin when he ventures forward

Is Marsh up to it? I've not seen him play in defence this season. Not saying he can't, of course.

[Sanctorum]

Now that Richmond have omitted Chol I'm no longer as concerned about Richmond having too many talls as Josh Battle should also be able to play in defence if required to assist Howard and Wilkie.

Have to wonder if St Kilda had inside information about Chol's omission before picking the team, I'm sure it happens!

Saints not without a chance, should be a cracker of a game....

[saintsRrising]

Confirmed. Battle Marsh and Savage In.

I wonder if that means Battle will have to play backline on either Riewoldt or Lynch? Or will Coffield get one of them? We could do with Josh up forward

Coffield needs to be kept free to intercept and to attack. It was a big mistake in the WCE game to make him accountable for a tall. His opponent was quiet, but it took Coffield out of game.

Battle would seem the logical opponent for Riewodlt as Howard will be on Lynch and Wilkie should be Dusty.

If Dusty goes on ball, Ross takes him and then Battle might also move into say a follower role, or push forward. .

[saintsRrising]

Now that Richmond have omitted Chol I'm no longer as concerned about Richmond having too many talls as Josh Battle should also be able to play in defence if required to assist Howard and Wilkie.

With the selected team we are taller than the Tigers. I would have preferred they kept Chol as he is not that good and it would have made them more cumbersome.

All of our talls are mobile, and in the main quite quick.

Howard is quicker than Lynch.
Marshall quicker than Nakervis.
King is quick and agile.
Battle is not quick, but Riewoldt is not fast. Battle is an elite runner though.
Marsh will be much faster than any of his opponents.

Our smalls are also quicker on the whole than the Tiger' smalls.

[saintsRrising]

As I said yesterday, much more likely that Marsh will play back on Riewoldt.

The problem with that is that he has not according to the training reports been training as a back, but as a forward.

Marsh trains with the forwards group every session. This week was no different.

He was one of the first out on the ground with goal shooting whist the others were getting themselves ready and coming out. He played as key forward - forward pocket - in the scratch match. If you are after someone for aggression and to bring the ball to the ground for our smalls, he is doing that at training. Its just whether he can bring it to the game.

This will allow Coff to play his usual role, and Wilkie to take Martin when he ventures forward

Battle on Riewoldt allows the exact same thing.

Marsh's pace is more of a weapon if he plays forward, and the forward role is what they have been preparing and training him for.

[bigcarl]

Confirmed. Battle Marsh and Savage In.

I wonder if that means Battle will have to play backline on either Riewoldt or Lynch? Or will Coffield get one of them? We could do with Josh up forward

Coffield needs to be kept free to intercept and to attack. It was a big mistake in the WCE game to make him accountable for a tall. His opponent was quiet, but it took Coffield out of game.

Battle would seem the logical opponent for Riewodlt as Howard will be on Lynch and Wilkie should be Dusty.

If Dusty goes on ball, Ross takes him and then Battle might also move into say a follower role, or push forward. .

I’d prefer Battle forward. I think he’s more dangerous as a forward than Marsh. I think his physicality and ability to score would take a fair bit of heat off Max King. That is one of the reasons I wanted Roberton in. To release Battle forward.

[Saintmatt]

As I said yesterday, much more likely that Marsh will play back on Riewoldt.

The problem with that is that he has not according to the training reports been training as a back, but as a forward.

Marsh trains with the forwards group every session. This week was no different.

He was one of the first out on the ground with goal shooting whist the others were getting themselves ready and coming out. He played as key forward - forward pocket - in the scratch match. If you are after someone for aggression and to bring the ball to the ground for our smalls, he is doing that at training. Its just whether he can bring it to the game.

This will allow Coff to play his usual role, and Wilkie to take Martin when he ventures forward

Battle on Riewoldt allows the exact same thing.

Marsh's pace is more of a weapon if he plays forward, and the forward role is what they have been preparing and training him for.

100% correct. Ppl seem to forget that Battle became a gun defensive intercept mark last year when Jack and Robbo were out - he's going to be fine playing defensively tonight (providing our mids can create enough pressure up the ground). Josh's tank will actually make Jack R accountable when we get it and move up the ground.

Remember too that Marsh played very well as a forward against them earlier this year too - and snagged a goal.

[desertsaint]

would've preferred robo over marsh, but that's the team. now get it done saints!

[Saintmatt]

would've preferred robo over marsh, but that's the team. now get it done saints!

Pound for pound on footy ability and attributes - I agree. But Robbo hasn't played since March and very little prior to that. Marsh offers a bit of flexibility (likely to play forward and a bit of relief ruck) and has real speed if we can get it out the back. Robbo - as much as I love him - is pretty much an intercept defensive mark. I really hope Robbo can get right going forward - he's shown that he's too good of a player not to be playing - the lack of Sandy reserves this year really cruelled him in not being able to make a case for inclusion.

[Vortex]

would've preferred robo over marsh, but that's the team. now get it done saints!

Pound for pound on footy ability and attributes - I agree. But Robbo hasn't played since March and very little prior to that. Marsh offers a bit of flexibility (likely to play forward and a bit of relief ruck) and has real speed if we can get it out the back. Robbo - as much as I love him - is pretty much an intercept defensive mark. I really hope Robbo can get right going forward - he's shown that he's too good of a player not to be playing - the lack of Sandy reserves this year really cruelled him in not being able to make a case for inclusion.

Exactly. 110% correct roota.