Our Tactical Sub candidates for 2023

[GVGjr]

So a slight change in the sub rule for the 2023 season which allows the club to bring in their sub when it suits them and the don't need to necessarily have an injured player.

The question is how creative are we likely to be in our use of the tactical sub and which players might be the best candidates.

To me Mitch Hannan could be one of the better candidates for us given his versatility
Could Oscar Bakers pace really be effective in the 2nd half of games?
Could Treloar be eased into the home and away season after a difficult preseason by being an impact player off the bench?
Would Riley Garcia versatility appeal? And what about Khamis who despite impressing as a forward can cover a lot pf positions?

Who do you see as the best candidates and why?

[Go_Dogs]

I think it could be any number of players, Buku is a personal preference, I suspect players like Hannan, Scott will be others who are very much in the team first, versatile mould that may get selected for the role too.

[Jasper]

Khamis, Scott and McComb are a few that stand out. Hannan fits the brief but you know Bev is going to play him in the best 22.

[MaXiBoNt]

Josh Bruce wouldn't be the worst option given his new found versatility. Would obviously leave us extremely tall if a mid was get injured.

However he would be extremely handy if we were to lose a key forward, back or god forbid Timmy.

Could also be a decent tactical sub late in a game if Jamarra or Darcy are gassed.

[GVGjr]

Josh Bruce wouldn't be the worst option given his new found versatility. Would obviously leave us extremely tall if a mid was get injured.

However he would be extremely handy if we were to lose a key forward, back or god forbid Timmy.

Could also be a decent tactical sub late in a game if Jamarra or Darcy are gassed.

There is an element of risk about it especially if a mid was subbed out early but he does provide a number of options and could even provide a chop out in the ruck.

[lemmon]

Left field but I'd be having a think about whether Sam Darcy would be a good option.

Doesn't seem like he's ready for four quarters of footy yet, but he changed the game in five minutes when thrown forward against the Hawks. I think it'd be a nightmare for opposition coaches to have a 206cm gazelle brought on it at 3/4 time when you don't really have a match-up for him. Also offers good defensive cover if necessary.

[Jasper]

Josh Bruce wouldn't be the worst option given his new found versatility. Would obviously leave us extremely tall if a mid was get injured.

However he would be extremely handy if we were to lose a key forward, back or god forbid Timmy.

Could also be a decent tactical sub late in a game if Jamarra or Darcy are gassed.

Good points identified there Maxi. How often do the taller players get used as a sub? I seem to recall Brisbane getting caught out with it last year.

[Jasper]

Left field but I'd be having a think about whether Sam Darcy would be a good option.

Doesn't seem like he's ready for four quarters of footy yet, but he changed the game in five minutes when thrown forward against the Hawks. I think it'd be a nightmare for opposition coaches to have a 206cm gazelle brought on it at 3/4 time when you don't really have a match-up for him. Also offers good defensive cover if necessary.

Im thinking out loud here but if we went into a game with 3 + 3 in terms of tall forwards and defenders and lost a midfielder how could we use Darce?

[lemmon]

Im thinking out loud here but if we went into a game with 3 + 3 in terms of tall forwards and defenders and lost a midfielder how could we use Darce?

It's a risk and would mean a change of structure, but it might mean someone like Weightman plays on-ball which we seem to be experimenting with, and Darcy slots in forward. Definitely a roll of the dice!

[bornadog]

We used McComb alot last year as a sub, but i would like someone like Scott if he isn't in the best 22.

I am a fan of Scott and impressed with what I have seen of him.

[1eyedog]

We used McComb alot last year as a sub, but i would like someone like Scott if he isn't in the best 22.

I am a fan of Scott and impressed with what I have seen of him.

I like Scott. He always does what he's told and does it pretty neatly.

[bornadog]

I like Scott. He always does what he's told and does it pretty neatly.

He was going well till he got knocked out with a dirty act from I can't remember. He was about to kick the ball and the player hit him in the head. He didn't recover for the rest of the season

[Axe Man]

No to the likes of Darcy and Bruce, losing a runner early would be a disaster. I think clubs will mostly look to use the sub to tactically increase run when not forced into a sub by injury. I suspect it will be a rotation of fringe mid/forward types such as Scott, McNeil, McComb, Roarke, Garcia, West, Hannan.

[Happy Days]

I like Scott. He always does what he's told and does it pretty neatly.

Handsome bastard too. We need a few of those to keep up with the Pies.

[Smads57]

I am thinking the tactical sub should take into account the opposition for the week and where they may likely have an advantage over us.

In Round 1 we have Melbourne with a midfield that can quickly create challenges for us. In that case I would opt for a defensive midfield type player who could possibly stymie their play. In this case Mclean, or maybe West, Scott or Garcia (the latter 3 with defined roles around playing 'defence' when introduced into the play).

Of course it is likely McLean will be best 22 for Round 1, but would the 23rd player option allow some lateral thinking and see the introduction of holding back a 'burst' player for a break glass situation later in the game?