Team Round 1

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 1

Sorry mc I don't agree. Play minson and sub him if he is not required for hill/jerky, the other goes out of the 22.
This side just looks stretched for height to me.

[Before I Die]

Re: Team Round 1

Saints are playing McEvoy and Blake...

Blake is 189cm tall and has played on the HBF since Thomas got sacked as Aints coach. Minson's pre-season form hasn't been bad, so his non-selection probably means the MC see an opportunity to grab an advantage over Essendon by selecting a more mobile team.

[GVGjr]

Re: Team Round 1

Who would you have Barlow replacing?

Probably DJ.
Not that you have said it but can I ask why you think Williams (assuming it's him) might be the right guy to provide relief for Hudson?

To me even if Lake was playing it's not a great decision to use Williams in the ruck but without him it's an even bigger risk.

[Mantis]

Re: Team Round 1

Saints are playing McEvoy and Blake...

Blake has spent the last 5 or 6 years playing in defence.

[GVGjr]

Re: Team Round 1

Blake has spent the last 5 or 6 years playing in defence.

He's done spells in the ruck before though.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 1

Blake has spent the last 5 or 6 years playing in defence.

Yeah jus saw him in the ruck so jumped all over it haha

[mjp]

Re: Team Round 1

Why not include Barlow?

We always make a late change...does our 22 ever go in as selected? I am also surprised that Barlow isn't playing but suspect that either Hill or DJ will miss and Minson will play.

[Maddog37]

Re: Team Round 1

If they upgraded Barlow you would think they would play him.

[Mantis]

Re: Team Round 1

Not that you have said it but can I ask why you think Williams (assuming it's him) might be the right guy to provide relief for Hudson?

To me even if Lake was playing it's not a great decision to use Williams in the ruck but without him it's an even bigger risk.

Having watched parts of the first 2 games of this round it's been pretty obvious that the ability to run out a game is vital which is why we have decided to go with just the one ruckman. Lenny Hayes mention post last nights game that the players were more fatigued during the last qtr than any other regular season game he can remembering playing in.

I would be hoping that Huddo could play about 70% game time and spend all this time in the ruck. For the other 30% I would be hoping that the likes of Williams, Markovic & Jones could do the job and allow another running player to help out in the running department.

As far taking Williams away from defence without Lake it's probably not an ideal situation, but Essendon haven't gone extremely tall and with Hille & Ryder needing to spend time on the pine we might be able to give Williams a run in the rucks through these periods as Hurley will be the sole tall up forward.

[GVGjr]

Re: Team Round 1

As far taking Williams away from defence without Lake it's probably not an ideal situation, but Essendon haven't gone extremely tall and with Hille & Ryder needing to spend time on the pine we might be able to give Williams a run in the rucks through these periods as Hurley will be the sole tall up forward.

I think it's a flawed logic to move a player that has traditionally struggled with injuries into the ruck especially in an already injury depleted back line.

This was always going to be an issue for us however given the success of some clubs using genuine part timers to support a one ruckman line up especially given we focused on acquiring running players during the trade period and letting the likes of Everitt go in the process.

We really need a versatile tall capable of moving between a few positions and taking few turns in the ruck. Perhaps it's Markovic once Lake returns but I think it will be more likely Williams.
If this is the plan the match committee has then I don't think it's a good one. We might get by for a few weeks but I can't see it being a good option throughout the season.

[Mantis]

Re: Team Round 1

If this is the plan the match committee has then I don't think it's a good one. We might get by for a few weeks but I can't see it being a good option throughout the season.

I would think that the decision to play just one ruck would be made on the opposition we are playing and could also be determined by the performances of Jones.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Team Round 1

I would think that the decision to play just one ruck would be made on the opposition we are playing and could also be determined by the performances of Jones.

Agree with the mention of Jones, having him in the side is probably one of the reasons we can't go in with 2 rucks. Will be interesting to see how Jones goes and how much time he can spend on the field.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 1

I think the fatigue is more to do with it being the first game and not having 3 on the bench

[Jasper]

Re: Team Round 1

why is vez not play, is he in injured?

justifying playing Stack on the back flank because he is quick and skillful is wrong because these are 2 skills that he can not combine. The guy almost slows to a walk to kick the footy.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Team Round 1

why is vez not play, is he in injured?

justifying playing Stack on the back flank because he is quick and skillful is wrong because these are 2 skills that he can not combine. The guy almost slows to a walk to kick the footy.

Not sure why we even kept Stack