Changes v Demons

[SunnyErnest]

It's really hard to know what the selectors will do for the game against Melbourne, but as always they will obviously continue to play their best 22.

Hunter Clark should be a definite recall.

Ed Phillips to me deserves to come back as he has great pace and disposal skills and can play anywhere plus he knows where the goals are.

On last game's form it would seem that Kent (6 disposals) and Hind (7) are the 2 "smalls" who could miss out.

By that prognosis I expect:

Out: Kent, Hind
In: Clark, Phillips

It would really surprise me if they decide to fiddle around with their successful tall defenders, so no chance Callum Wilkie will be dropped.

Jack Bytel has in my view earned his right to remain in the team, he may not have racked up many disposals but he looks to possess composure under pressure and is headed to a break-out game which could be in Alice Springs!

I'm not sure you can say the above that I have bolded. If it were the case then Geary would be out of the team.

[saintsRrising]

Butler has been brilliant this year but he had a poor game against Brisbane. King looked drained and tired. These 2 and a few others could be mentally exhausted and perhaps it’s time to put a bit of fear into the playing list. I reckon if Butler is dropped or managed it will be a wake up call for the rest of the group.

Maybe Hind gets a rest and maybe Paton or Wilkie gets a rest.

One of the main problems we have out on the ground is the lack of talking and direction. Maybe that’s because we have introduced so many players into the group, but I thought our entries i50 were the main reason we couldn’t score. The leaders were poor in the last quarter. Carlisle and Steele were serviceable but Ross and Geary went missing in that last quarter.

I thought Kent and Billings were very good in that last quarter and they worked hard and wanted to make things happen instead of being spectators or just waiting for a handball receive. I wouldn’t be dropping either. Long also showed good energy and he was in there creating mistakes by the opposition with his tackling and pressure. Long stays for mine.

Josh - a bit tough on Butler I think . He wasn’t in the votes, but was more than serviceable. Kicked 2. Gave Kent his goal on a plate. Centred the ball in the 3rd that led to a stoppage and then a goal. Made a long run in the last and very nearly hit up King on a lead ( probably should have had a shot himself ) and laid 5 tackles . Best small forward on the ground, IMHO.

Probably a measure of how high a bar he has set for himself .

Agree with you re Long. Can be a touch hit-and-miss, but I think we are better with him in the team.

Plus remember that Long has only played 40 games. Give him another season of experience and the hit-and-miss will get less and less on the miss side.

[Secret Kiel]

Has buttler been off his tucker since the finger in the bum bruhaha?

[freely]

I'm not sure the club has the same low opinion of the skipper as saintsational does.

[freely]

Has buttler been off his tucker since the finger in the bum bruhaha?

there was no 'finger in the bum' SK. Now you're putting me off my tucker!

[shanegrambeau]

Melbourne fans are in the dumps and many expect us to win..
Reason....1) speed, outside run, lack of midfield discipline at the Dees.
But among their optimists, it is pointed out,

“ They really aren't that different to how they played under Richardson, they just have much better players for the gameplan.”
.and the Dees fans seems to say. Play tempo footy mixed with aggressive trench warfare
...and also.have Game plan A and Plan B ready at the touch of a button.

So I ask on the off chance. Do you notice a different kind of game plan compared to Richo?

[skeptic]

Hmmm

It feels to me like there is an issue of expectations here.

Can’t reasonably expect players to do miracles every week

[Secret Kiel]

Has buttler been off his tucker since the finger in the bum bruhaha?

there was no 'finger in the bum' SK. Now you're putting me off my tucker!

I didn't study the action too hard so I'll take your word for it. Sorry about lunch.

[Secret Kiel]

Melbourne fans are in the dumps and many expect us to win..
Reason....1) speed, outside run, lack of midfield discipline at the Dees.
But among their optimists, it is pointed out,

“ They really aren't that different to how they played under Richardson, they just have much better players for the gameplan.”
.and the Dees fans seems to say. Play tempo footy mixed with aggressive trench warfare
...and also.have Game plan A and Plan B ready at the touch of a button.

So I ask on the off chance. Do you notice a different kind of game plan compared to Richo?

Hardly any, the improvement is mainly due to upskilling. A tweak made by Ratts has been to create more "potential to score" opportunities closer to goal.

[Secret Kiel]

Hmmm

It feels to me like there is an issue of expectations here.

Can’t reasonably expect players to do miracles every week

After Butler's four goal game I contacted the club to let them know I would have Butler's babies, are you telling me that game was Butler's Haley's Commet?

[bigred]

I think Hind should stay in.

Melbourne lack two way running and because of this they are extremely vulnerable in transition.

Hinds pace might just be worth a couple of goals.

Hunter is a no brainer. Kent might be the one to go out.

Roberton has been emergency three weeks straight. Geary might be needing a rest...Maybe.

[shanegrambeau]

I think Hind should stay in.

Melbourne lack two way running and because of this they are extremely vulnerable in transition.

Hinds pace might just be worth a couple of goals.

Hunter is a no brainer. Kent might be the one to go out.

Roberton has been emergency three weeks straight. Geary might be needing a rest...Maybe.

Makes sense.
I hope motivation is going strong!

[Ghost Like]

Melbourne fans are in the dumps and many expect us to win..
Reason....1) speed, outside run, lack of midfield discipline at the Dees.
But among their optimists, it is pointed out,

“ They really aren't that different to how they played under Richardson, they just have much better players for the gameplan.”
.and the Dees fans seems to say. Play tempo footy mixed with aggressive trench warfare
...and also.have Game plan A and Plan B ready at the touch of a button.

So I ask on the off chance. Do you notice a different kind of game plan compared to Richo?

A marked difference. Rarely do we stop and hold the ball. Players look forward and to the 45 before they look back. They are honouring runners now, honouring instinct with first option.

They are playing a lot less selfish brand of football. No longer are they playing to the mirror image of a besieged, one gear coach. They are being encouraged to use their gears. A key point is the ball in dispute, rather than create a stoppage they will knock it forward if they cannot get the release handball out back.

They are now prepared to get the ball into the forward line quickly, putting both pressure on the opposition's defence as well as giving the forwards a greater chance of competing one out.

The two way running of mids and small forwards has also been a feature.

[freely]

Roberton was developing into a great leader back there. Seems like he's been a long time out though to be able to pick up where he left off. Would be nice. At the moment, our real leaders on the ground are Membrey, Geary, Ross and - at a pinch - Billings. I see the argument for Steele - but I don't know how vocal he is out there. Mind you, likewise Billings and Billings has been expected to step up for longer.

[Saintmatt]

I think Hind should stay in.

Melbourne lack two way running and because of this they are extremely vulnerable in transition.

Hinds pace might just be worth a couple of goals.

Hunter is a no brainer. Kent might be the one to go out.

Roberton has been emergency three weeks straight. Geary might be needing a rest...Maybe.

For all the palaver elsewhere - BR's post distills things down very very accurate IMHO.

Melbourne's true weakness is speed on turnover - especially off half back. JJ ripped them a new one last week as a case in point. This week - the more speed all over the ground we have; the better. I would be retaining both Hind and Kent. For all the commentary on what's perceived as a low output from Kent - it's all the pressure acts and up-field running that he's measured on (i.e. not purely goals). Kent makes his defender accountable when he gets on his bike (and he does have decent wheels when he gets going).

If Hunter coming in means a like-for-like position wise going out then, it really should be Geary. But- they may choose to retain Geary to play (in the capacity of a defensive forward) on either Hibberd or more likely Salem.

[Secret Kiel]

I think Hind should stay in.

Melbourne lack two way running and because of this they are extremely vulnerable in transition.

Hinds pace might just be worth a couple of goals.

Hunter is a no brainer. Kent might be the one to go out.

Roberton has been emergency three weeks straight. Geary might be needing a rest...Maybe.

For all the palaver elsewhere - BR's post distills things down very very accurate IMHO.

Melbourne's true weakness is speed on turnover - especially off half back. JJ ripped them a new one last week as a case in point. This week - the more speed all over the ground we have; the better. I would be retaining both Hind and Kent. For all the commentary on what's perceived as a low output from Kent - it's all the pressure acts and up-field running that he's measured on (i.e. not purely goals). Kent makes his defender accountable when he gets on his bike (and he does have decent wheels when he gets going).


If Hunter coming in means a like-for-like position wise going out then, it really should be Geary. But- they may choose to retain Geary to play (in the capacity of a defensive forward) on either Hibberd or more likely Salem.

I felt Kent had a better game than Billings who I'm clearly cranky with this week. But on Kent he showed on more than one occasion he can work up to the wings and burn off his defender back towards F50. I think he did that at least twice in Q4 so his speed and indurance should see him continue to be selected. I think Hind has to continue to be selected for the same reason although he needs to have a chat to Billings and discusss how they get a few credits back this week.

As sad as it is, Roberton is backup this year. If he's any chance of getting another game this season he has to be selected in the next few weeks to allow him to get match conditioning before finals and even then you'd think that is all he'd be brought in for, match conditioning as a backup player for finals.

[samoht]

Geary had a bit of zip about him last game. His leadership will be important in the "8 point" games.

Clark will be back fresh and Savage needs a run .... so 2 need to make way?

Which 2?

[bigcarl]

Geary had a bit of zip about him last game. His leadership will be important in the "8 point" games.

Clark will be back fresh and Savage needs a run .... so 2 need to make way?

Which 2?

Bytel, Kent

[WellardSaint]

When is the team selected?

[saintsRrising]

When is the team selected?

6.20 Pm tonight is when it is announced.

It is most likely already selected as fitness tests etc will all have been done, but we just do not know the outcome yet.

It would seem no debutants though (ie Abbot in for King) as they normally get announced earlier than the time.

[saintsRrising]

Evidently King will be playing.

Max King will play against Melbourne but the Saints won't hesitate to rest their gun youngster if required

Improving midfielder Hunter Clark is one of those Saints to have been rested and he will return to the side to take on Melbourne in Alice Springs on Saturday night.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/491652/-how ... on-on-king

[saintsRrising]

Demons Board has a report of Fritch being dropped for being late to training.

Also Gawn and Nathan Jones back in. So the Bro-off is on

[saintsRrising]

Tom Morris also reporting Tom McDonald and James Harmes will be dropped.

If so that is 3 outs. Fritch, McDonald and Harmes.

Gawn and Jones the known ins.

Rumoured to be keeping both rucks, if so that will slow them down. Pruess is not that mobile.

[saintsRrising]

IN

Ed Phillips,
Hunter Clark

OUT

Carlisle and Bytel both out. Both omitted.

[saintsRrising]

DEES;

IN
Josh Wagner,
Max Gawn,
Mitch Brown,
Nathan Jones,
Oscar McDonald,
Trent Rivers

OUT

Bayley Fritsch (Omitted),
Braydon Preuss (Omitted),
James Harmes (Omitted),
Jay Lockhart (Omitted),
Tom McDonald (Omitted),
Tom Sparrow (Injured)