Stanley

[georgie girl]

Have to give these young guys a chance to get a feel for the game - he presented well and gave us a target. He will get better with experience. Think Zac would have to go out before Rhys - his judgement seems way off - maybe some time in the reserves will help his confidence.

[mad saint guy]

Liked having the balance with another tall option permanently forward. If Stanley wasn't there, McEvoy was. He presented, took a few marks, had a hand in a couple of goals and could've snared a couple himself. Solid debut in challenging conditions. I'd love to see how he goes in the next couple of weeks against ordinary opposition and in better weather.

Once he gets a feel for the pace of the game, rids himself of the early nerves and feels comfortable with the team structures he should be quite handy. I loved that our midfield was confident enough in our forwards to kick it long and quickly in the second half. And if it didn't pay off we had a full defence to counter the oppositon rebound.

[Statsman]

If Stanley earns his stripes and Kosi eventually returns to form, is there enough room in our forward line long term for Roo, Kosi and Stanley? We've had Roo, Kosi and the G-Train in the past. Could this new triple tower forward line work?

None of them fits the mould of a mid-sized 3rd marking forward, but both Roo and Stanley are mobile enough to be good at ground level and apply forward pressure without the football.

If not, is Stanley playing to move past Kosi in the pecking order?

[battye]

If Stanley earns his stripes and Kosi eventually returns to form, is there enough room in our forward line long term for Roo, Kosi and Stanley? We've had Roo, Kosi and the G-Train in the past. Could this new triple tower forward line work?

None of them fits the mould of a mid-sized 3rd marking forward, but both Roo and Stanley are mobile enough to be good at ground level and apply forward pressure without the football.

If not, is Stanley playing to move past Kosi in the pecking order?

I think there is room for all three, certainly. But it's a bit early to talk about that yet, let Stanley score a goal first

[plugger66]

If Stanley earns his stripes and Kosi eventually returns to form, is there enough room in our forward line long term for Roo, Kosi and Stanley? We've had Roo, Kosi and the G-Train in the past. Could this new triple tower forward line work?

None of them fits the mould of a mid-sized 3rd marking forward, but both Roo and Stanley are mobile enough to be good at ground level and apply forward pressure without the football.

If not, is Stanley playing to move past Kosi in the pecking order?

A long way to go but they arent going to play 3 talls in the forward line.

[dcstkfc]

If Stanley earns his stripes and Kosi eventually returns to form, is there enough room in our forward line long term for Roo, Kosi and Stanley? We've had Roo, Kosi and the G-Train in the past. Could this new triple tower forward line work?

None of them fits the mould of a mid-sized 3rd marking forward, but both Roo and Stanley are mobile enough to be good at ground level and apply forward pressure without the football.

If not, is Stanley playing to move past Kosi in the pecking order?

A long way to go but they arent going to play 3 talls in the forward line.

Rhys Stanley is a long way off overtaking Kosi.

[Statsman]

I think there is room for all three, certainly. But it's a bit early to talk about that yet, let Stanley score a goal first

I admit I was putting the cart a mile before the horse, but just throwing it out there. It would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons if Stanley does cement his place in the side (having scored a goal first of course).

[saintsRrising]

I think Stanley did ok in his first game.

That last bit of play of his with the mark and quick hanball to Dal was all class.

You would like more...but early days yet.


One of the best things about playing Stanley was that our backline was "intact" again.

After that the next best thing is it gave us multiple tall targets including the ruckmen. When there are 2 talls forwar it makes it easier for a ruckman to drift forward.

I hope they keep him in next game.

[vacuous space]

I thought he was okay today without tearing the match apart. Certainly showed enough to hold his spot. I agree with SRR that the backline looked a lot better.

It's going to be tough for Rhys next week though. Bock and Rutten give star forwards headaches.

[thequarry]

One of the best things about playing Stanley was that our backline was "intact" again.

After that the next best thing is it gave us multiple tall targets including the ruckmen. When there are 2 talls forwar it makes it easier for a ruckman to drift forward.

I hope they keep him in next game.

Yep. And he was more than willing to push forward and provide an option further up the ground, allowing talls (who are more adept at playing forward, and also none of whom we've needed to dismantle the backline in throwing up there) to remain forward.

I really do hope he stays in the side.

[Con Gorozidis]

the kid did ok. doesnt know how to time his leads. was just flat footed a lot. but thats not an easy skill to learn. takes time to know when and where to lead. will be fine. just give him a go.

[saintspremiers]

Stanley looks like he is being used in a similar role to Rooey - that is, as a wingman who can pump the ball inside 50, but also going forward a bit as a goal kicker. (but obviously only a fraction of Roo's output at the moment!).

Was great that it enabled Fisher to go down back.

Also interesting that Kosi wasn't used in the ruck at all, and neither was Stanley....both of which are ruck options if need be.

[backit]

Lyon also felt that debutant Rhys Stanley did enough to impress with nine possessions, three entries inside 50 and three marks.

"We knew when we drafted him that he was capable of that, but it's been a while coming," Lyon said.

"He took a couple of nice marks and was a big presence.

"For Rhys Stanley to come to Subiaco in his first game as a 202cm super-athlete was really exciting for the St Kilda supporters. He's one to watch."

A quote from Ross Lyon on the AFL website about Stanley.

[suss]

Stanley looks like he is being used in a similar role to Rooey - that is, as a wingman who can pump the ball inside 50, but also going forward a bit as a goal kicker. (but obviously only a fraction of Roo's output at the moment!).

Was great that it enabled Fisher to go down back.

Also interesting that Kosi wasn't used in the ruck at all, and neither was Stanley....both of which are ruck options if need be.

Amen. I feel so much better with Fisher in the backline.

[Enrico_Misso]

For a first game he was pretty good.
Got his hands to a lot of ball.
Will go better at Jihad with the roof closed.

Ross should teel Rhys - "You're IN for the next two games"
Then re-assess him after that.

[Winmar]

Great to see him in the side, doing his bit. It's worth persevering with him just to provide another option up forward and enable the defenders to all stay in defence for once.

[matrix]

will be a gun......

[supersaints]

The most important thing it did by playing him it gave us back some sort of structure in the forward line, without depleteing the backline. I don't think Ross would have plyed him had Grammy not gone down for four weeks.Stanley will certainly will be a player in the future. I reckon we keep in in the forward line, who knows he may blossom a lot quicker than we think. I Ithink he will end up a gun...........

[bigcarl]

who knows he may blossom a lot quicker than we think. I think he will end up a gun.

agree and i hope he comes on quickly. it seems a good decision that we are developing him as a key forward as well as possibly a ruckman down the track.

[nobhead]

Do you think he did enough?
I thought he presented well especially early on. I would like to see him next week.

for what its worth i have been saying since roo went down that rhys should play chf . two tall marking forwards takes preassure off kosi, straightens us up, is mobile and athletic, good second efforts,helps us keep our structure .ithought his 1st game was good and he will only improve the more he plays.we were less predictable today going forward and rhs ony creates more crumbs for the likes of milne ,mini and shcneids.imo i reckon thats why those blokes have been struggling to find the ball .

[saintbob]

Should stay in the side until Roo gets back, he's as raw as Jack Watts and only needs time at this level to pick up the pace.

Will be a good player for us going forward.

[SB10]

Certainly did enough to keep his spot next week. BUT, wait til you see him in the ruck, that's his go. And Cox is not the sort of opponent you want to give the kid on debut.

Apart from Natanui (and maybe Kruezer), there's not many other ruckman out there with his agility, skill level and speed at 200+cm.

And with Big Mac taking some nice grabs up forward to assist Kosi, I'd be playing him as a ruckman this week. Crows don't have any ruckman of note, and none that can really hurt Stanley with aggression and size.

Don't forget Stanley's better games at Sandy have been in the ruck, not as a key forward.

Great debut from the kid............has all the ingredients to make it big.........just needs game time and experience at this level.........and some patience from supporters, including me!

[bigred]

will be a gun......

yeah I agree.

[Solar]

Certainly did enough to keep his spot next week. BUT, wait til you see him in the ruck, that's his go. And Cox is not the sort of opponent you want to give the kid on debut.

Apart from Natanui (and maybe Kruezer), there's not many other ruckman out there with his agility, skill level and speed at 200+cm.

And with Big Mac taking some nice grabs up forward to assist Kosi, I'd be playing him as a ruckman this week. Crows don't have any ruckman of note, and none that can really hurt Stanley with aggression and size.

Don't forget Stanley's better games at Sandy have been in the ruck, not as a key forward.

Great debut from the kid............has all the ingredients to make it big.........just needs game time and experience at this level.........and some patience from supporters, including me!

agree about his ruck work, uses his leap really well to keep his body away from the larger rucks and once the ball hits the ground he is a extra midfielder in the mould of ryder/nic nat.

But he played his role, thats all we wanted. Allowed us to settle the backline and run the ball better from half back. Keep both him and heyne in for the next two weeks at least. We are slowly developing a forward line in time for rooey to slot back in.

[Con Gorozidis]

Stanley looks like he is being used in a similar role to Rooey - that is, as a wingman who can pump the ball inside 50, but also going forward a bit as a goal kicker. (but obviously only a fraction of Roo's output at the moment!).

Was great that it enabled Fisher to go down back.

Also interesting that Kosi wasn't used in the ruck at all, and neither was Stanley....both of which are ruck options if need be.

agree. really dont know what the other posters have been smoking saying he should only be used as a FF or a ruck. bizarre. hes under sized and under strengthed for both and would get monstored in the wrestle. just let the kid have a run at it FFS.