changes for geelong game

[bigcarl]

dempster's injury is a blow as it breaks up a back six that has conceded only about 10 goals in two weeks.

geelong might struggle to kick a winning score if we can keep it as solid as it has been.

i'd be looking at l. fisher possibly as a replacement as he can play a similar type of role.

out: dempster (inj), eddy.
in: l. fisher, x. clarke.

obviously ball would be a certain in if fit, but there's a big doubt on that.

thoughts? ideas?

[fonz_#15]

i liked Eddy's game tonight.
i think X should come in but Eddy would be stiff.

[n1ck]

Not sure Leigh can play the same role Sean does. His disposal is nowhere near as good, nor does he have the legspeed.

Im really struggling to think of another option though, apart from maybe bringing in X Clarke to use his run from half back, but hes not a defensive stopper.

[bobmurray]

I reckon Ross will only make one change..

Dempster ..out

?????????...in

[Otiman]

Fish won't play another game for the Saints, especially not against the super fast Geelong forwards.

Our reshuffle with Raph to Dempster's role worked okay, and i'd stick with that. Depending on matchups, we could bring in Allen to stretch their defense. We know they struggle with tall guys who can take a good contested mark (Hale).

[bigcarl]

i liked Eddy's game tonight.
i think X should come in but Eddy would be stiff.

i like eddy, too. he's a promising player but hasn't produced a heap on the scoreboard yet.

i'm not really sure. just throwing up ideas and starting a thread on the make up of next sunday's team.

[n1ck]

So.

Out: Dempster
In: Ball


Could be the only change.

[bigcarl]

So.

Out: Dempster
In: Ball


Could be the only change.

who says ball is fit?

[n1ck]

He spoke at a club function last week before the Adelaide game.

Said he was unlikely to pull up for Essendon but sounded very confident he'd be right for Finals Wk1.

[Otiman]

Geez, I dunno guys. Eddy goes alright through the midfield. His pace and endurance could be a real asset against Geelong. Is one of the harder blokes at the footy too.

A smokey for a Rising Star nomination this week, too.

Dempster for Ball if 95%+ fit.

otherwise

Dempster for X (with Raph moving back into Dempster's role).

If X and Ball are both fully fit, I dunno who you would drop. X was only named 6th best on the weekend, so perhaps he stays at Casey.

Flashbacks of the '06 final make me hesitant to play X.

[bigcarl]

Geez, I dunno guys. Eddy goes alright through the midfield. His pace and endurance could be a real asset against Geelong. Is one of the harder blokes at the footy too.

A smokey for a Rising Star nomination this week, too.

was he that good? i'll keep an eye on him when i watch the replay tomorrow. didn't notice him much, to be honest.

would like to find a spot for x and ball if they are fit, though. imo both are in our best 22.

[bigcarl]

He spoke at a club function last week before the Adelaide game.

Said he was unlikely to pull up for Essendon but sounded very confident he'd be right for Finals Wk1.

that's promising. won't believe it until i see him run out there though.

[Otiman]

There seems to be a clear selection criteria. Individuals assets are ranked over the following basic criteria (probably more, but these seem to be the big three)

#0 - Fitness (A given that a player needs to be uninjured to be selected)
#1 - Team Structure (Fills a role, does a job).
#2 - Effort and intensity over 4 quarters plus training.
#3 - Skill

Guys who get a game in spite of #3 is

J. Blake, #1 and #2
C. Gardiner, #1
S. Gilbert, #1
R. Eddy, #2
C. Jones, #2


Then you have guys with #3 but miss out because of #1 and #2

D. Armitage, #1 and #2
A. Fiora, #1 and #2

Rank any possible ins on this criteria and you should come close to the final team.

[bigcarl]

Our reshuffle with Raph to Dempster's role worked okay, and i'd stick with that.

i actually really rate raph as a player ... especially as a creative playmaker.

using him in a shutdown role worries me a bit. it's not really his go and you tend to lose him as a playmaker.

[Otiman]

Our reshuffle with Raph to Dempster's role worked okay, and i'd stick with that.

i actually really rate raph as a player ... especially as a creative playmaker.

using him in a shutdown role worries me a bit. it's not really his go and you tend to lose him as a playmaker.

I would say Dempster has a creative role, as a running the lines half back plus his penetrating kick.

Offensively, i'd say Raph is quite similar to Dempster. As you said, defensively is the issue. Not sure what else we can do there, but try and get a better drive off half back.

[bigcarl]

Offensively, i'd say Raph is quite similar to Dempster.

offensively i'd say raph has it over dempster.

but many players (not dempster, but including raph at times) are a worry on the last line of defence.

[borderbarry]

Not for the last two weeks. (Rafe)

[Quixote]

If Balley's fit surely he plays.

Same goes for X.

So - Raph to move down back and cover Dempster, play on SJ and make him accountable - run off him!

Ball into the middle - X comes in for Birss. Can't drop Eddy for mine - he's one of the best chase and tacklers in the team, runs his guts out to get into space and link-up offensively and is hopefully just learning to bob up for goals.

So -

OUT: Dempster (inj), Birss
IN Ball, X Clarke

[ThePunter]

I think Ball comes in for Dempster. I can't see X Clarke getting in now. Would have preferred to see him play last night in the ones. The fewer changes the better.

[BAM! (shhhh)]

Geez, I dunno guys. Eddy goes alright through the midfield. His pace and endurance could be a real asset against Geelong. Is one of the harder blokes at the footy too.

A smokey for a Rising Star nomination this week, too.

was he that good? i'll keep an eye on him when i watch the replay tomorrow. didn't notice him much, to be honest.

would like to find a spot for x and ball if they are fit, though. imo both are in our best 22.

I didn't notice a whole lot of him either (though his failed attempt in the 4th quarter at kicking a goal off the outside gave a good chuckle - right idea, in a couple of years he'll probably be able to do that... but in the moment, he just didn't realise how much time he had.), and generally I get some wry pleasure out of watching people get worked up about these nominations...

but, Eddy has some numbers this week, so it wouldn't be a huge shock if he got it:

19 possessions (8 contested), 8 kicks, 11 handballs, 1 goal 1, 4 marks, 5 tackles.

Given the type of game it happened in, it doesn't set the world on fire, but his name probably gets a mention for the final nomination.

[Otiman]

Eddy's first half was his better half. Think he had 13 touches and 4 tackles to half time. Players are often judged (in votes and praise) for their second halves.

[n1ck]

Birss sould NOT be dropped this week.

[karnaby]

For mine: X in for Dempster (poor bugger) & let Luke Ball have another week's recovery. As well McQualter (has he actually recovered yet?) might be some threat to Birss.

Then the next match Ball back in for....??

[suss]

For mine: X in for Dempster (poor bugger) & let Luke Ball have another week's recovery. As well McQualter (has he actually recovered yet?) might be some threat to Birss.

Yep. Good call. X is playing at least. Can't say the same for Bally.

Allen or Ferguson are options but really X is a class above and it's the perfect game to take a risk (note 'a' and not several).

He might also be just the player to shut down the mercurial Steve Johnston...and to make him accountable at the same time. Alternatively, he could take a resting Gablett or the other crumber who's name I forget.

[Legendary]

Xavier Clarke is an excellent small defender.

Far better in defence than his brother.

He has the speed, aggression and skill to play Dempster's role.


Eddy would be very stiff, but Luke Ball offers far more to the side, and Eddy will get his chance next year.


OUT: Dempster, Eddy
IN: X. Clarke, Ball