The new Sub Rule.

[HSVKing]

With the new sub rule in place this season, wondering who people think will be most utilised this season to wear the vest?

IMO, Jason Blake will be the perfect candidate. He's the kind of player who is able to play in many different positions, on many different kinds of players, and can really fill a role wherever he is needed.

The more flexible your sub is, the more a game plan can be changed if it isn't working.

I've given the options of players who also play a few different roles, as well as some shut down players who could be brought on to stop someone who might be having a large impact on a match.

[#1GILL]

Blake for me, maybe Raph

[matrix]

what a stoopid rule

dunno, and can see it getting ballsed up along the line

maybe gards, blake, mini....gawd knows

[SainterK]

I've heard two different theories on SS, one that the player should be versatile, the other that it would be handy having another mid to come on and provide some run given someone versatile like Blake is in the best 22 anyway.

Curious to see how the club approaches it.

Given Gardiner and Kosi are recovering from injury, Blake will most likely play second ruck the first few rounds anyway.

I'm going to go with Stanley, for the first portion of the year anyway.

[Saintersss]

Blake is needed in the best 22, so I can't seem him really used as the sub. I'm pretty sure our 22nd best player will be used as the sub. And I'm pretty certain that a ruckman won't be used as a sub.

[Go Sainters Go]

Blake is too important to have as a sub as the sub may sit on the bench all day if we have a good run with no injuries. Blake as an interchange player could be useful.
I would pick Tommy Walshe as the sub - a good intro for him into senior football.

[stkildathunda]

Dempster for mine, can play anywhere you need him to.

Only other one for me would be Kosi. He is more of an impact player these days, only seems to have 1 or maybe 2 good quarters a game and goes missing for the rest, so to have him coming off the bench could really suit him.

[SainterK]

Dempster for mine, can play anywhere you need him to.

Only other one for me would be Kosi. He is more of an impact player these days, only seems to have 1 or maybe 2 good quarters a game and goes missing for the rest, so to have him coming off the bench could really suit him.

You know, I've always wondered the opposite stkildathunda, and would Kosi benefit from staying on longer periods?

Always thought he was a confidence player and benching him after he kicks a goal would work against him somewhat. I'd like to see how he goes with less rotations, as a second ruck combined forward.

[goodie]

Using Blake as a sub would waste his endurance, which is now worth more than ever. I'd say Raph

[Dr Spaceman]

Some interesting comments here.

But the question for me is do we really need to have a "designated" sub?

Given that all opposition teams are different, and given that whoever plays as the sub will undoubtedly lose fitness, might it be that a variety of players are used in that position throughout the year.

[HSVKing]

Some interesting comments here.

But the question for me is do we really need to have a "designated" sub?

Given that all opposition teams are different, and given that whoever plays as the sub will undoubtedly lose fitness, might it be that a variety of players are used in that position throughout the year.

That's where I was posing the question of 'most' used and wondering who would be most versatile for the position.

[matrix]

agreed

fisher feels tight in the hamstrings come the start of the third
off...sub

lenny rolls an ankle, could play thru but
off...sub

mini has had no touches till half time
off...sub

eastern refuses to buy a jug
off...sub

[HSVKing]

eastern refuses to buy a jug
off...sub

I'm definitely not subbing in for him!

[Dr Spaceman]

Some interesting comments here.

But the question for me is do we really need to have a "designated" sub?

Given that all opposition teams are different, and given that whoever plays as the sub will undoubtedly lose fitness, might it be that a variety of players are used in that position throughout the year.

That's where I was posing the question of 'most' used and wondering who would be most versatile for the position.

No probs HSV, I see where you're coming from

Nonetheless many fans seem intent on placing the label on one particular player. Maybe we'll have a different sub each week!

[HSVKing]

Nonetheless many fans seem intent on placing the label on one particular player. Maybe we'll have a different sub each week!

I would think this would be the case, but for some reason I just get the feeling someone in one team will become a specialist somehow.

Whether that is at St Kilda, Richmond or anyone who knows?

This 'pinch-hitting' position could really lift someones profile.

[matrix]

eastern refuses to buy a jug
off...sub

I'm definitely not subbing in for him!

cheapskate
not sitting at our table come finals

[HSVKing]

eastern refuses to buy a jug
off...sub

I'm definitely not subbing in for him!

cheapskate
not sitting at our table come finals

Do you know how much it would cost to fill his boots every week!


Actually... going by his track record... It wouldn't cost a cent!

[matrix]

hahahaha

too true.

[Solar]

stanley IMO

could go into the ruck, play tall down back or down forward or even on the wing at a pinch.

[saintly]

Blake is too important to have as a sub as the sub may sit on the bench all day if we have a good run with no injuries. Blake as an interchange player could be useful.
I would pick Tommy Walshe as the sub - a good intro for him into senior football.

just because there are no injuries to the 18 on the field you can still do a substitute.

[Dr Spaceman]

Blake is too important to have as a sub as the sub may sit on the bench all day if we have a good run with no injuries. Blake as an interchange player could be useful.
I would pick Tommy Walshe as the sub - a good intro for him into senior football.

just beucase there ar eno injuries to the 18 on the filed you can still do a substitute.

That may be true, however coaches aren't going to use a sub that way unless it's well into the match as it will affect their rotations. And if an injury comes along later you'll be in real trouble as 2 players won't be able to come back on.

So the reality is that in the absence of an injury the sub, whoever he is, will spend very little time on the ground.

[Junction Oval]

Play the best 21 and then choose a sub.

A "permanent" sub will lose match fitness quickly due to limited ground time.

It will evolve during the year, but clearly the sub needs to be a versatile player, as you can't plan for injuries.

[Go Sainters Go]

Blake is too important to have as a sub as the sub may sit on the bench all day if we have a good run with no injuries. Blake as an interchange player could be useful.
I would pick Tommy Walshe as the sub - a good intro for him into senior football.

just because there are no injuries to the 18 on the field you can still do a substitute.

That wouldn't be very wise now Saintly, would it. Have a serious injury and the sub is the replacement, that's what it's designed for. Use the sub for an "out of form" player into a game would upset the future rotations.

[Goose is king]

I think it will turn in to a ruckmans rule.
Each team will need three players who can play some decent time in the ruck.
Run one ruckman into the ground in the first half with a bit of help from the third ruckman then in the second half change your first ruckman for your second.
I don't think a flexible player should be wasted on the bench for half a match.

[Armoooo]

Play the best 21 and then choose a sub.

A "permanent" sub will lose match fitness quickly due to limited ground time.

It will evolve during the year, but clearly the sub needs to be a versatile player, as you can't plan for injuries.

Closest to the mark IMO...

You don't have a 'best 22' anymore, now you have a 'best 21'.

Once you have selected your starting 21 players you look at who is left and you weigh up which one of them is the best player, in the best form, can cover the most positions if an injury came up etc.

I can guarantee you one of our best 21 players will not be a sub simply because he's versatile.

Take this example into account, we have 21 fit players with Blake at CHB and Geary as the sub. McEvoy get's hurt in the first quarter so we need Blake and Kosi to help out in the ruck. Geary wouldn't come into replace McEvoy, he would replace a tall running defender (Fisher, Gilbert etc.) who would then replace Blake who would then go into the ruck.

If we want a really versatile sub we may as well start Goddard as the 22nd man, he could cover just about anybody...