McKernan, Wood and Long omitted for WCE Game

[cwrcyn]

Feel sorry for Dunstan. I've been critical of him over his poor disposal, but he's very unlucky not to get a recall under the current circumstances

[SemperFidelis]

Would love to understand better what Benny Long is not doing that the coaches want him to do. It’s pretty rare that he doesn’t have a crack, unlike some last week.

[SemperFidelis]

Feel sorry for Dunstan. I've been critical of him over his poor disposal, but he's very unlucky not to get a recall under the current circumstances

I agree. Deserves a shot. Good to see Jimmy back in though.

[Joffa Burns]

Ben Long is paying for his aggression.
Can’t have guys being prepared to bump and lay tackles.

We need more of the bruise free style of Hill, Sinclair & Butler.

Long obviously needs to work on something, but at least he shows endeavor and has a crack.

I’m not a fan but reading reports Kent has been going ok in the twos, must be unlucky given Butlers form.

[B.M]

Playing Dunstan forward in the VFL

Why?

He’s clearly an onballer - play people where their strengths lie!!!

This fascination with finding new roles for players is ridiculous!
Players have attributes, play them where those attributes are best suited

I’d rather have 18 specialists in their positions than a team full of utilities. That’s obviously extreme, but fed up with coaches outsmarting themselves... see Battle!

Dunstan
Slow, not good overhead, poor kick
What part of that screams forward
Good clearance player, good tackler in close, hard at the pill
I’m no expert... but sounds very much like an inside mid!

[freely]

4 outs

3 ins

Who will be the sub?

My guess
Dunstan

I wish I believed it.

[Joffa Burns]

God I hope ‘slips through his fingers’ has played his last game for us.

[Jacks Back]

Big BIG statement there ratts!

[ace]

4 outs

3 ins

Who will be the sub?

My guess
Dunstan

Dunstan not listed as an emergency.

[Yorkeys]

Cycle: recruit mature used by dates from other clubs, play them, lose games, realise they can't cut it. Assure young players on list their time will come, but not now that we must use mature bodies to stop bleeding. Slowly bleed losses notwithstanding being risk averse (meanwhile teams that take calculated risks do quite well), assure younger players that their opportunities will come, they just need experience (cue quizzical look). Recycle chaps the selectors know in their heart of hearts have their best days behind them; go to denial mode. Attend seminar about injecting youth and enthusiasm, take notes to read later, perhaps off season. Tell young players......

[mad saint guy]

I'm content with the changes. I'd prefer to have Long in rather than McKenzie but that's not going to make a big difference. We have absolutely nothing left in reserve - Dunstan and Kent would not get a game in any finals side this year. Dunstan has no tank, is slow, has poor disposal and can't play anywhere but inside mid. Kent is small, can't find the footy and is the most fumbly player on the list.

This is pretty much the best side we'll be able to field this season, with the exception of Ryder for McKenzie.

[Vortex]

When I look at the selected team on paper I think, "damn that's a good side", but then I think about Round 3.

[Devilhead]

So when Carlisle goes rucking we have Howard to cover Kennedy Darling & Allen

There is also Barrass & McGovern to cover King

And an underdone Marshall v a rampant NicNat

If we get within 12 goals it will be a miracle

[Toy Saint]

I'm content with the changes. I'd prefer to have Long in rather than McKenzie but that's not going to make a big difference. We have absolutely nothing left in reserve - Dunstan and Kent would not get a game in any finals side this year. Dunstan has no tank, is slow, has poor disposal and can't play anywhere but inside mid. Kent is small, can't find the footy and is the most fumbly player on the list.

This is pretty much the best side we'll be able to field this season, with the exception of Ryder for McKenzie.

Umpires + me both considered Luke Dunstan our best player in his most recent game. Contested possession is so important, especially with the gutless wimps in this team, and that's what Dunstan brings.

[1965 Saint]

When I saw Steele on tv earlier this week nothing he said convinced me that anything good was going to happen this weekend ( no steel apparent pardon the pun!). Selection confirms my view that we are stuffed. I think the game will be over half way through the first quarter. I seriously have no idea what happens next then!

[SaintPav]

When I saw Steele on tv earlier this week nothing he said convinced me that anything good was going to happen this weekend ( no steel apparent pardon the pun!). Selection confirms my view that we are stuffed. I think the game will be over half way through the first quarter. I seriously have no idea what happens next then!

I think that's being a bit negative. The game will probably be over half way through the 2nd.

[bigcarl]

Playing Dunstan forward in the VFL

Why?

He’s clearly an onballer - play people where their strengths lie!!!

This fascination with finding new roles for players is ridiculous!

Perhaps Ratts considers we have a surplus of inside mids and is trying to see if he can fit him in elsewhere. Like the looks of Bytel, but I’d have had Dunstan ahead of him as an inside mid for now. Deceptively strong player and good in close.

[bullmarket]

Dunstan should have replaced Lonie
Not his natural field position, but he is all heart and tough as old boots - things that Lonie is not

Dunny always goes hard and straight ahead. Disposal skills aren't great, but would provide much needed life to the fwd line.

Instead selectors have opted for the downhill skier, who last week picked up a few easy junk time possessions to pad out his stats.

Sainters virtually going in a man down

As a last resort I will bet on Weagles in the hope that jinxes them

In the meantime I have stocked up on Valium and have arranged an early morning appointment with my psychologist for Monday, so I can somehow survive another Lonie non effort

In more than 5 decades of following the saints. Lonie is the only player in RW & B that i have never backed and I clearly dislike.
Peanut heart, show pony

Clearly not highly regarded outside Saints "4 walls" given lack of interest when his contract comes up for renewal

Dunny, by contrast has always given his guts and leads by example
Heart and soul player

[Devilhead]

Chaos grubber kicks into the forwardline may give us a chance against McLovin & Barrass

Watch us bomb it high and long

[spert]

If we get another drubbing, I expect the spotlight will be on Ratts more than anyone else.

[B.M]

Lonie is a better forward than Dunstan by the length of the Flemington straight. He is also very tough for a guy of his size, and very courageous.

Dunstan of course is a midfielder. Probably as good a midfielder as Lonie is a forward

C Grade

[Vortex]

When I saw Steele on tv earlier this week nothing he said convinced me that anything good was going to happen this weekend ( no steel apparent pardon the pun!). Selection confirms my view that we are stuffed. I think the game will be over half way through the first quarter. I seriously have no idea what happens next then!

I think that's being a bit negative. The game will probably be over half way through the 2nd.

I think that's being a bit negative. I have us still within 4 to 5 goals at half time thus allowing my delusional support for the club to think we are still a chance to come back in the second half only for the WCE to kick the first 3 goals in the first 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter thus making me drink myself to happiness and momentarily forgetting my 53 years of support for the club.

Rinse repeat.

[SaintPav]

When I saw Steele on tv earlier this week nothing he said convinced me that anything good was going to happen this weekend ( no steel apparent pardon the pun!). Selection confirms my view that we are stuffed. I think the game will be over half way through the first quarter. I seriously have no idea what happens next then!

I think that's being a bit negative. The game will probably be over half way through the 2nd.

I think that's being a bit negative. I have us still within 4 to 5 goals at half time thus allowing my delusional support for the club to think we are still a chance to come back in the second half only for the WCE to kick the first 3 goals in the first 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter thus making me drink myself to happiness and momentarily forgetting my 53 years of support for the club.

Rinse repeat.

Fair enough but your scenario is only plausible if we “come to play’.

[saynta]

https://www.saints.com.au/news/900431/d ... n-marshall

Marshall, Bytel and Webster in

I am very pleased to see Bytel back in.

Should never have been dropped IMHFO.

[The Fireman]

We look extra soft without Long in the side