Why not Max in for Eddy?

[SainterK]

Gwilt for mine

Would love to see that happen. Real fairytale about it, but unlikely.

Has Jimmy stepped up enough to keep HArley accountable?

Dempater would do it better IMO.

But we'll wait and see.

Max has not played for nearly a month, so I doubt he'll come in.

Can Dempster damage on the scoreboard though?

Yeah, I reckon he can.

Going to training BTW? with the little one?

I suppose I am just remembering the game he played forward (against the doggies?) he had opportunities for sure, but didn't convert....and we need to make the most of our opportunites against an attacking side like Geelong. In saying that, my full support will be behind the 22 selected of course.

I don't think I can this week....you?

[Thinline]

Dempster for mine.

Eddy's a real trier, but Dempster's big tank, negating ability, experience, and bigger frame will suit the opposition better.

It's the mids we need to stop.

No Gwilt. We're right for forward options and I like two pesky smalls against Mackie, Milburn, Scarlett and Harley who are all tallish.

Am confident our existing back six can cover Hawkins, Mooney, et al.

Are you Kidding thinline , Forward options are ok , Well they may be ok if the two rats can get hold of it which they have hardly done in the last few weeks , you cant expect Nick to kick half the teams score in a GF

Not at all. Gwilt hasn't played for how long and you reckon he might be good to just turn up and kick a bag?

Dempster is more versatile and if negates someone AND he pinches a couple of goals - he does seem to get a few shots on when he plays - we'll be miles ahead strategically.

I'm only pontificating - Ross is yet to let me down. I'll go with whatever he suggests.

[meher baba]

RL loves Dempster though, so I wouldnt be suprised if he went in for Eddy, although I'd be questioning his goal kicking abilities.

Dempster kicked 2 goals in his only performance forward this year, didn't he? Would most likely be used to negate a player like Chapman or Johnson...Eddy can't do that.

I think Dempster missed about 3 other attempts in the game where he kicked two. I don't think Dempster is a forward any more than he is a ball winner.

As you say, he's a negating player. He could probably do the job on Steve Johnson, but it would be an extremely negative move to dedicate one of our 22 players solely to negating the efforts of a guy who is only about 60% fit, if that. I'd like to see someone play on Johnson who can take advantage of his lack of fitness by running off him: Gilbert, Fisher or Raph come to mind.

Nothwithstanding Sean's oft-praised big arms, I don't think he's strong enough to negate Chapman (not really a criticism, because I think Chapman is pound for pound the strongest player in the AFL).

[gosainters66]

could raph go forward and max go back

[claystreet]

You can throw Jack Steven in the mix even though i doubt it, but he was named an emergency last week.

[spert]

It's not so much about a forward kicking bags of goals, we at least need a half forward who can at least kick a couple and we are not getting it from Eddy or Dempster, so Gwilt to me seems the logical choice as a half forward who could go down back if needed. Armo could do the forward job, but not much good in the backline.

[Gurgman]

Dempster for mine.

Eddy's a real trier, but Dempster's big tank, negating ability, experience, and bigger frame will suit the opposition better.

It's the mids we need to stop.

No Gwilt. We're right for forward options and I like two pesky smalls against Mackie, Milburn, Scarlett and Harley who are all tallish.

Am confident our existing back six can cover Hawkins, Mooney, et al.

Are you Kidding thinline , Forward options are ok , Well they may be ok if the two rats can get hold of it which they have hardly done in the last few weeks , you cant expect Nick to kick half the teams score in a GF

Not at all. Gwilt hasn't played for how long and you reckon he might be good to just turn up and kick a bag?

Dempster is more versatile and if negates someone AND he pinches a couple of goals - he does seem to get a few shots on when he plays - we'll be miles ahead strategically.

I'm only pontificating - Ross is yet to let me down. I'll go with whatever he suggests.

Maybe you should read what i said , i said we needed another bigger forward , i said either Gwitl or Dempster in repsonse to you saying our forward line is fine as it is ,

[Milton66]

Gwilt for mine

Would love to see that happen. Real fairytale about it, but unlikely.

Has Jimmy stepped up enough to keep HArley accountable?

Dempater would do it better IMO.

But we'll wait and see.

Max has not played for nearly a month, so I doubt he'll come in.

Can Dempster damage on the scoreboard though?

Yeah, I reckon he can.

Going to training BTW? with the little one?

I suppose I am just remembering the game he played forward (against the doggies?) he had opportunities for sure, but didn't convert....and we need to make the most of our opportunites against an attacking side like Geelong. In saying that, my full support will be behind the 22 selected of course.

I don't think I can this week....you?

we live just up the road, so I might take the young'un down. He told me just wants to watch and not say hello to anyone. LAst time I called a few players over to say hello.

Mind you it will depend on romm available. Sounds like a bun-fight coming up.

[SainterK]

Gwilt for mine

Would love to see that happen. Real fairytale about it, but unlikely.

Has Jimmy stepped up enough to keep HArley accountable?

Dempater would do it better IMO.

But we'll wait and see.

Max has not played for nearly a month, so I doubt he'll come in.

Can Dempster damage on the scoreboard though?

Yeah, I reckon he can.

Going to training BTW? with the little one?

I suppose I am just remembering the game he played forward (against the doggies?) he had opportunities for sure, but didn't convert....and we need to make the most of our opportunites against an attacking side like Geelong. In saying that, my full support will be behind the 22 selected of course.

I don't think I can this week....you?

we live just up the road, so I might take the young'un down. He told me just wants to watch and not say hello to anyone. LAst time I called a few players over to say hello.

Mind you it will depend on romm available. Sounds like a bun-fight coming up.

Is he a little shy? I hope my little fella will want to say hello when he is older, he can be my cover

[InkerSaint]

I reckon the biggest job this Saturday is not about worrying who kicks the goals, and it's not about negating Chapman or Johnson - it's about winning the contested ball. And my vote would go to Armitage, who has shown he has no hesitation to put his head over the ball. He also tackles like a maniac.

There's another statistic we were behind in on the weekend besides inside-50s and contested ball. Tackles. How the hell we won with figures like that is a marvel.

The Lyon cage will only hold up so much. Get first hands on the ball, and goalkicking will take care of itself.

[degruch]

I reckon the biggest job this Saturday is not about worrying who kicks the goals, and it's not about negating Chapman or Johnson - it's about winning the contested ball. And my vote would go to Armitage, who has shown he has no hesitation to put his head over the ball. He also tackles like a maniac.

There's another statistic we were behind in on the weekend besides inside-50s and contested ball. Tackles. How the hell we won with figures like that is a marvel.

Eddy puts his head over the ball and can tackle like a maniac too, so it's not an iron-clad guarantee of good performance. I'd be worried about Armo's match practice...we'll see a lot more of him next year (if he stays on).

Tackles, contested ball AND pressure helped get us that game. How many inside 50's and rebounds from the Dogs resulted in mistakes because Saints players were bearing down...not everything has a stat, that's why you can only use them as an indication. We applied more pressure, and made more from our opportunities than the Dogs.

[InkerSaint]

Sure, there aren't statistics for everything. But the statistics we do have tell us this:

Armitage = 26 tackles, 3 goals from last 3 games (R19-R21)

Eddy = 12 tackles, 0 goals from last 3 games (R22-PF)

I'm not trying to take away your point about 1 percenters degruch, but I have to confess I have no idea why Eddy keeps his spot. And as for match practice, AFAIK Armitage is still training with the group and therefore should be ready to go, he was an emergency on the weekend after all.

[degruch]

Sure, there aren't statistics for everything. But the statistics we do have tell us this:

Armitage = 26 tackles, 3 goals from last 3 games (R19-R21)

Eddy = 12 tackles, 0 goals from last 3 games (R22-PF)

I'm not trying to take away your point about 1 percenters degruch, but I have to confess I have no idea why Eddy keeps his spot. And as for match practice, AFAIK Armitage is still training with the group and therefore should be ready to go, he was an emergency on the weekend after all.

I understand...I'm not down on Eddy as a player, but I can't see why they have persisted with him for the finals series, especially not at this late stage. Definately looks to be the target for a change, no matter who it is.

[bergholt]

Armitage = 26 tackles, 3 goals from last 3 games (R19-R21)
Eddy = 12 tackles, 0 goals from last 3 games (R22-PF)

To be fair, I think it's between those two and Dempster. Last three games:

Armitage: 47 disp, 9 marks, 26 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 3.1, 1 assist
Dempster: 37 disp, 17 marks, 9 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1.1
Eddy: 25 disp, 7 marks, 14 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 0.1, 1 assist

Not sure what that tells us. From those stats Armo looks like a decent midfielder, gets the ball, has plenty of tackles, kicks goals. Dempster looks like a taller player, more marks, still enough possessions, not many tackles. Eddy looks like a trier, a few tackles but not much possession or marking.

From those stats it's obviously Armo. But Dempster can play taller. And Eddy seems to have no reason to get a game ahead of either of those, except maybe he's a better tackler inside 50 than Dempster?

Like you guys say, weird.

[Teflon]

Armitage = 26 tackles, 3 goals from last 3 games (R19-R21)
Eddy = 12 tackles, 0 goals from last 3 games (R22-PF)

To be fair, I think it's between those two and Dempster. Last three games:

Armitage: 47 disp, 9 marks, 26 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 3.1, 1 assist
Dempster: 37 disp, 17 marks, 9 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1.1
Eddy: 25 disp, 7 marks, 14 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 0.1, 1 assist

Not sure what that tells us. From those stats Armo looks like a decent midfielder, gets the ball, has plenty of tackles, kicks goals. Dempster looks like a taller player, more marks, still enough possessions, not many tackles. Eddy looks like a trier, a few tackles but not much possession or marking.

From those stats it's obviously Armo. But Dempster can play taller. And Eddy seems to have no reason to get a game ahead of either of those, except maybe he's a better tackler inside 50 than Dempster?

Like you guys say, weird.

Interesting when you look at those numbers it has to be Dempster for mine.

Why?

Cause I think of the very good overhead players the Cats have in that medium/small range and Im talking about their ability to also throw a Bartel/Ablett fwd who are better overhead than many mid sized players (Bartel especially).

Dempster can play on that and if need be also swing fwd as another option.

I must say Ive always liked the idea of seeing if Raph Clarke could offer us some x factor up fwd....probably not gonna change a week out from a GF though.........BUT in saying that I heard S Wakelin (take it for what it is...) suggest on radio that its the Saints who, like Dogs last week, need to find something a little different this week. i dont think he was suggesting all out change (who would after a 20/2 season)....but just something maybe the Cats hadnt banked on....

Must say though...Armitages hardness could scare the cr@pout of some lumbering Cat defenders who arent overly quick........thatd be nice...a few turn overs and they panick down there....

[Gurgman]

Armitage = 26 tackles, 3 goals from last 3 games (R19-R21)
Eddy = 12 tackles, 0 goals from last 3 games (R22-PF)

To be fair, I think it's between those two and Dempster. Last three games:

Armitage: 47 disp, 9 marks, 26 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 3.1, 1 assist
Dempster: 37 disp, 17 marks, 9 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1.1
Eddy: 25 disp, 7 marks, 14 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 0.1, 1 assist

Not sure what that tells us. From those stats Armo looks like a decent midfielder, gets the ball, has plenty of tackles, kicks goals. Dempster looks like a taller player, more marks, still enough possessions, not many tackles. Eddy looks like a trier, a few tackles but not much possession or marking.

From those stats it's obviously Armo. But Dempster can play taller. And Eddy seems to have no reason to get a game ahead of either of those, except maybe he's a better tackler inside 50 than Dempster?

Like you guys say, weird.

Interesting when you look at those numbers it has to be Dempster for mine.

Why?

Cause I think of the very good overhead players the Cats have in that medium/small range and Im talking about their ability to also throw a Bartel/Ablett fwd who are better overhead than many mid sized players (Bartel especially).

Dempster can play on that and if need be also swing fwd as another option.

I must say Ive always liked the idea of seeing if Raph Clarke could offer us some x factor up fwd....probably not gonna change a week out from a GF though.........BUT in saying that I heard S Wakelin (take it for what it is...) suggest on radio that its the Saints who, like Dogs last week, need to find something a little different this week. i dont think he was suggesting all out change (who would after a 20/2 season)....but just something maybe the Cats hadnt banked on....

Must say though...Armitages hardness could scare the cr@pout of some lumbering Cat defenders who arent overly quick........thatd be nice...a few turn overs and they panick down there....

I like Armo but i doubt he is going to scare the cats defenders and if you think he is quick , You cant be serious

[Teflon]

Armitage = 26 tackles, 3 goals from last 3 games (R19-R21)
Eddy = 12 tackles, 0 goals from last 3 games (R22-PF)

To be fair, I think it's between those two and Dempster. Last three games:

Armitage: 47 disp, 9 marks, 26 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 3.1, 1 assist
Dempster: 37 disp, 17 marks, 9 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1.1
Eddy: 25 disp, 7 marks, 14 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 0.1, 1 assist

Not sure what that tells us. From those stats Armo looks like a decent midfielder, gets the ball, has plenty of tackles, kicks goals. Dempster looks like a taller player, more marks, still enough possessions, not many tackles. Eddy looks like a trier, a few tackles but not much possession or marking.

From those stats it's obviously Armo. But Dempster can play taller. And Eddy seems to have no reason to get a game ahead of either of those, except maybe he's a better tackler inside 50 than Dempster?

Like you guys say, weird.

Interesting when you look at those numbers it has to be Dempster for mine.

Why?

Cause I think of the very good overhead players the Cats have in that medium/small range and Im talking about their ability to also throw a Bartel/Ablett fwd who are better overhead than many mid sized players (Bartel especially).

Dempster can play on that and if need be also swing fwd as another option.

I must say Ive always liked the idea of seeing if Raph Clarke could offer us some x factor up fwd....probably not gonna change a week out from a GF though.........BUT in saying that I heard S Wakelin (take it for what it is...) suggest on radio that its the Saints who, like Dogs last week, need to find something a little different this week. i dont think he was suggesting all out change (who would after a 20/2 season)....but just something maybe the Cats hadnt banked on....

Must say though...Armitages hardness could scare the cr@pout of some lumbering Cat defenders who arent overly quick........thatd be nice...a few turn overs and they panick down there....

I like Armo but i doubt he is going to scare the cats defenders and if you think he is quick , You cant be serious

Didnt say he was quick...but I did note Cats defenders arent also...