changes for next week

[older saint]

Out: McCartin

In: Pierce

Fisher and Dempster are both maybes. Wouldn't think you would bring both in , however if they bring 1 in then i would think perhaps we will see one of the younger guys out - Minchington, Lonie, and Gilbert moved back up to the midfield(wing)

[To the top]

In matches we have been outclassed on the outside - including particularly from defence where the comparison to some other sides and the impact their small/medium defenders have leaves us a very, very long way behind.

We are deploying Montagna to cover this weakness.

But it is time we actually addressed the issue - and moved on the likes of Savage, Geary, Webster in search of the type of player we require - and compare to what other sides have.

[borderbarry]

We were down on speed yesterday. We should try and fit Daniel McKenzie in.

[Linton Lodger]

Its a bit early - we don't know about the fitness of McCartin, Billings, Webster, Dempster and Fisher.

[BigMart]

I'd personally be savage at selection... To send a clear message about binging effort unconditionally!!!

Fisher and Dempster are fit
Billings should resume in the VFL
McCartin 2 weeks to a month
Webster 2 weeks

In my mind
Murdoch, Eli, Pierce all deserve promotion. Fisher and Dempster return
Dunstan (Amitage), Lee, Delaney, Lonie, McCartin - Out

[saintsRrising]

I'd personally be savage at selection... To send a clear message about binging effort unconditionally!!!

Fisher and Dempster are fit
Billings should resume in the VFL
McCartin 2 weeks to a month
Webster 2 weeks

In my mind
Murdoch, Eli, Pierce all deserve promotion. Fisher and Dempster return
Dunstan (Amitage), Lee, Delaney, Lonie, McCartin - Out

While I agree with your first line the biggest culprits for mine was our midfield who were abysmal with the ball use and general lack of pressure.

Our backs were under the pump as the Suns mid had easy entry to set up precision passes to their forwards, whereas our forwards often led wall only to have Armo, Ross and others send the ball to the advantage of the oppostion defenders. Once again we spoon fed any opposition loose men in defense.


We need workrate, hardness and toughness in and players who do not vary so widely in their ball use.

Clearly Dempster and Fisher are better than Lee and Delaney (who I though struggled ok against precision passes) but we really need to have Richo spell out that several players are being dropped due to TEAMs inability to put in at the required level interstate.

However with half the team as a non-perform I am not sure who most deserves to be dropped. Coaches will know who in the team least met the brief, and irrespective who they are they should go. It should not matte this week if the replacement is not potentially a better player as the decisions this week need to be based on who was player the Saints way, and who was not. It needs to be about what is best for the team longterm, and not just about he best team to beat the Dons. The team has gone missing too often this year, for it not to be a huge issue.

[saynta]

I'd personally be savage at selection... To send a clear message about binging effort unconditionally!!!

Fisher and Dempster are fit
Billings should resume in the VFL
McCartin 2 weeks to a month
Webster 2 weeks

In my mind
Murdoch, Eli, Pierce all deserve promotion. Fisher and Dempster return
Dunstan (Amitage), Lee, Delaney, Lonie, McCartin - Out

Sums it up pretty much.

Maybe against the drug cheats you could give one of the rookies a go.

Nick O'Kearney or Nick Coughlan, I would be happy for either.

[coopergrech]

BRING IN ELI AND SHENTS ENOUGH SAID

[Con Gorozidis]

Love Eli. One of my favourites.

[Devilhead]

Zaharakis and Jamar suspended for one week each - so will miss against us

[bigred]

Eli.

He's due.

[saynta]

Eli.

He's due.

Overdue I woud say.

[Impatient Sainter]

Out:
McCartin
Lee
Dunstan

In:
Pierce
Dempster
Templeton

[elizabethr]

Eli fails each and every time he is elevated.
What is the point ?

[longtimesaint]

Eli fails each and every time he is elevated.
What is the point ?

He has done enough in the VFL to be given another chance.

[bigballs]

I'd personally be savage at selection... To send a clear message about binging effort unconditionally!!!

Fisher and Dempster are fit
Billings should resume in the VFL
McCartin 2 weeks to a month
Webster 2 weeks

In my mind
Murdoch, Eli, Pierce all deserve promotion. Fisher and Dempster return
Dunstan (Amitage), Lee, Delaney, Lonie, McCartin - Out

Sums it up pretty much.

Maybe against the drug cheats you could give one of the rookies a go.

Nick O'Kearney or Nick Coughlan, I would be happy for either.

Can we still elevate rookies this time of year?

[saintspremiers]

Eli fails each and every time he is elevated.
What is the point ?

He has done enough in the VFL to be given another chance.

Exactly. 80% of players failed last week also just for your info.....

[Bluthy]

I think this is the perfect opportunity to use a rotation policy to rest guys and test out some some fringers. It would freshen the team up for the rest of the year and test out guys we need to learn a bit more about

OUT: McCartin, Hickey, Gresham, Rooey, Joey, Armo, Lonie
IN: Pierce, Holmes, Eli, White, Mckenzie, Shenton, Sinclair

Would we risk looking foolish with a loss to the Essendon rabble? Yes, but it lets some guys take more responsibility and put the pressure on them to carry more load. You might find out about some guys without Joey, Rooey and Armo holding their hands.

[terry smith rules]

I think this is the perfect opportunity to use a rotation policy to rest guys and test out some some fringers. It would freshen the team up for the rest of the year and test out guys we need to learn a bit more about

OUT: McCartin, Hickey, Gresham, Rooey, Joey, Armo, Lonie
IN: Pierce, Holmes, Eli, White, Mckenzie, Shenton, Sinclair

Would we risk looking foolish with a loss to the Essendon rabble? Yes, but it lets some guys take more responsibility and put the pressure on them to carry more load. You might find out about some guys without Joey, Rooey and Armo holding their hands.

Only 2 games since the bye and you want to freshen them up???

[stonecold]

I think this is the perfect opportunity to use a rotation policy to rest guys and test out some some fringers. It would freshen the team up for the rest of the year and test out guys we need to learn a bit more about

OUT: McCartin, Hickey, Gresham, Rooey, Joey, Armo, Lonie
IN: Pierce, Holmes, Eli, White, Mckenzie, Shenton, Sinclair

Would we risk looking foolish with a loss to the Essendon rabble? Yes, but it lets some guys take more responsibility and put the pressure on them to carry more load. You might find out about some guys without Joey, Rooey and Armo holding their hands.

Only 2 games since the bye and you want to freshen them up???

Yeah, I thought myself, those blokes are on the big bucks and should play !!!!!

[St Chris]

No rests after last week's garbage - they all rested!!!

Eli needs reward for his VFL form, bringing him in for McCartin and moving Roo back inside 50 is plausible if Richo's keen to let the guys atone for GC. And Lee goes out for Dempster if he's fit.

If we're making mass changes, then Pierce & Sinclair come in, with White and NOK really close to a gig. You can raffle who comes out, we either go for making statements (ie. Montagna) or the usuals make way (Lonie, Acres etc.)

[Scollop]

Richo was seething after the Gold Coast loss. I hope he's still angry and I hope he does make a statement.

[stonecold]

Richo was seething after the Gold Coast loss. I hope he's still angry and I hope he does make a statement.

Eli has to be given another opportunity, and more than one at that, Murdoch as well, statements need to be made!!!!!

[Bluthy]

I think this is the perfect opportunity to use a rotation policy to rest guys and test out some some fringers. It would freshen the team up for the rest of the year and test out guys we need to learn a bit more about

OUT: McCartin, Hickey, Gresham, Rooey, Joey, Armo, Lonie
IN: Pierce, Holmes, Eli, White, Mckenzie, Shenton, Sinclair

Would we risk looking foolish with a loss to the Essendon rabble? Yes, but it lets some guys take more responsibility and put the pressure on them to carry more load. You might find out about some guys without Joey, Rooey and Armo holding their hands.

Only 2 games since the bye and you want to freshen them up???

They are reporting that Rooey is back to having to do the draining of huge amounts of fluid from his knee each week after knocking it a few weeks back. His kicking on the weekend might have reflected that. Armo just doesn't look close to 100% - I think he has a chronic back condition he's usually fighting, and it seems to be on top of him at the moment. Another week off for both would be well timed with only Dons to play. You don't base everything on when the bye was. You look at the current conditions of players (particularly after the brutal geelong game) and who your oppo is.

[saynta]

I think this is the perfect opportunity to use a rotation policy to rest guys and test out some some fringers. It would freshen the team up for the rest of the year and test out guys we need to learn a bit more about

OUT: McCartin, Hickey, Gresham, Rooey, Joey, Armo, Lonie
IN: Pierce, Holmes, Eli, White, Mckenzie, Shenton, Sinclair

Would we risk looking foolish with a loss to the Essendon rabble? Yes, but it lets some guys take more responsibility and put the pressure on them to carry more load. You might find out about some guys without Joey, Rooey and Armo holding their hands.

Only 2 games since the bye and you want to freshen them up???

They are reporting that Rooey is back to having to do the draining of huge amounts of fluid from his knee each week after knocking it a few weeks back. His kicking on the weekend might have reflected that. Armo just doesn't look close to 100% - I think he has a chronic back condition he's usually fighting, and it seems to be on top of him at the moment. Another week off for both would be well timed with only Dons to play. You don't base everything on when the bye was. You look at the current conditions of players (particularly after the brutal geelong game) and who your oppo is.

I noticed strapping...tape..on the inside of Armo's thigh. mostly under his shorts and very near his groin. He is playing like he is injured.