Changes v Demons

[bigcarl]

if Clark is coming back into the backline then who makes way for him?

Drop Bytel and bring Clark back into the middle.

Bytel looks a promising type and his time will come, but this isn’t a development season ... not while finals remain a reality.

We’re lacking flair and creativity in the guts without Gresham and I think Clark could bring it.

Plus we have capable and experienced half back options in Savage/Roberton.

[George27]

Clark in of course . To the backline, where he has excelled .

He frees up Sinclair to move forward .

Keep Bytel. Biggish body , worth persevering with him. Without Gresham , Dunstan and Hannebery, we need him in there .

I would drop Kent . He is a long long way behind Butler in playing the small forward role, and lacks the damaging pace of Hind. I do note that he is up against the old team however. Last year - was it at the G ( back in the good old days when we could go to the games ) ? - he played a cracker of a game against the Dees. So maybe Ratts sticks with him and Hind misses out ..

[kosifantutti]

Still haven't learnt to spell the saints players names I see.

The rolly eyes was for your f****** ridiculous comment on Billing. He very nearly won the game for the saints.

You are spot on re Wilke. Unfortunately. Cant afford to drop sitters like that in the back line and blind kicks to a pack of opposition players are game killers.

But.

No E ffs.!!!! Geez, I bet his mum would be pissed off if she ever visited this site. At least with a bit of effort you can spell the players names right

[fugazi]

Wilkie cannot be dropped.
Couple of clangerd yes but is so reliable and probable one of our best kicks.

[Yorkeys]

Clark in.Probably for Hind. All selections subject to injury report and rest roster.

[To the top]

Clark has to come in if fit

Anyone else looking for a rest - don’t know

Kent kicked 4 from memory v Melbourne last year so that may be in mind

A couple of things needing attention were obvious v Brisbane but they are down to Hannebery and Gresham being able to return and contribute

And that Brisbane took defensive marks including by effective blocking which they do really well (at both ends)

When the ball did spill of the contest I thought our “smalls” just were not there

Perhaps because, Butler apart, they are “defensive forwards” not front and centre because the ball was front and centre

King and Marshall should ensure that

Then there is Membrey

Hopefully by addressing the “small forward” conundrum we will get more midfield rotation options

[StPeter]

In Clark

Out Bytel ( He looks promising but this really is an 8 point game so we need our best and most experienced team)

[SunnyErnest]

I would drop (manage), Geary for Clark and Hind for Parker. Clark is an automatic in and I feel Parker will absolutely smash it this week because he would be spewing he missed the indigenous round. I feel Parker is the X factor we are going to need more n the finals. Apologies to Geary but get him to 200 and then he is out unless we are hit by injuries.

[Sanctorum]

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!

[Secret Kiel]

Still haven't learnt to spell the saints players names I see.

The rolly eyes was for your f****** ridiculous comment on Billing. He very nearly won the game for the saints.

You are spot on re Wilke. Unfortunately. Cant afford to drop sitters like that in the back line and blind kicks to a pack of opposition players are game killers.

But.

No E ffs.!!!! Geez, I bet his mum would be pissed off if she ever visited this site. At least with a bit of effort you can spell the players names right

Oh nooooo. Not the rolly eyes.

[skeptic]

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!

The only other change I would consider is Sinclair... thought he was very disappointing and did not like his endeavour though acknowledge others feel different.

Wouldn’t mind seeing Savage come in for him... Say what you will about Shane, and he’s not my favourite by any means... but his attack would be welcomed

[Secret Kiel]

Bytel looks a promising type and his time will come, but this isn’t a development season ... not while finals remain a reality.

Totally agree, the list has now progressed past the 1st phase of the rebuild circa 2014 to 2018, we are now in the middle phase which is about developing a winning culture and whilst it is a gap year, aka the Astersik cup, we should be using the games this season to prepare a sustainable top 4 side for when we return to full strength comp.

Jack has wet the appetite but it's time to replace him with an AFL standard player, how we do that with where our midflied stocks are at and COVID restrictions is anyones guess.

[shanegrambeau]

Clark in of course . To the backline, where he has excelled .

He frees up Sinclair to move forward .

Keep Bytel. Biggish body , worth persevering with him. Without Gresham , Dunstan and Hannebery, we need him in there .

I would drop Kent . He is a long long way behind Butler in playing the small forward role, and lacks the damaging pace of Hind. I do note that he is up against the old team however. Last year - was it at the G ( back in the good old days when we could go to the games ) ? - he played a cracker of a game against the Dees. So maybe Ratts sticks with him and Hind misses out ..

Spot on George Young. Agree...

I know the ultimate measure is team performance, not individual performance stats. Makes me ask, and I’m out of my depth here, (who cares, mate lol) how the results of moving specialist positions into the midfield has worked so far?

Gresham as a forward sneak = potent
As a midfielder = ?

Billings as a forward flanker = spotty but very good
Closer to midfield = good?

Now how about Clark?

[freely]

Bytel looks a promising type and his time will come, but this isn’t a development season ... not while finals remain a reality.

Totally agree, the list has now progressed past the 1st phase of the rebuild circa 2014 to 2018, we are now in the middle phase which is about developing a winning culture and whilst it is a gap year, aka the Astersik cup, we should be using the games this season to prepare a sustainable top 4 side for when we return to full strength comp.

Jack has wet the appetite but it's time to replace him with an AFL standard player, how we do that with where our midflied stocks are at and COVID restrictions is anyones guess.

I s'pose you know nobody calls it a gap year or the asterisk cup except you, SK. And, by the way, you wet your pants, not your appetite! I think you mean whet.

That said, I agree we should field our best while we're in with a shot at finals. But in the absence of harder bodies and unless he's sore, I think Bytel stays in. If Clark's ready, I'd bring him back in for Long and maybe Phillips for Kent. Inject a bit of energy.

[spert]

I thought Kent did a bit more physically than Hind last week- and unless we have another half forward who can do better than those two, then Kent would stay in- he can play up the ground OK and maybe Billings could stay forward.

[Secret Kiel]

Bytel looks a promising type and his time will come, but this isn’t a development season ... not while finals remain a reality.

Totally agree, the list has now progressed past the 1st phase of the rebuild circa 2014 to 2018, we are now in the middle phase which is about developing a winning culture and whilst it is a gap year, aka the Astersik cup, we should be using the games this season to prepare a sustainable top 4 side for when we return to full strength comp.

Jack has wet the appetite but it's time to replace him with an AFL standard player, how we do that with where our midflied stocks are at and COVID restrictions is anyones guess.

I s'pose you know nobody calls it a gap year or the asterisk cup except you, SK. And, by the way, you wet your pants, not your appetite! I think you mean whet.

That said, I agree we should field our best while we're in with a shot at finals. But in the absence of harder bodies and unless he's sore, I think Bytel stays in. If Clark's ready, I'd bring him back in for Long and maybe Phillips for Kent. Inject a bit of energy.

Clearly free thinking stands out in these group think internet enclaves, but I digress.

It's interesting you want Long out, what's the reason?

Gee he'd be keen to play at Alice Springs, did he get injured?

[Ghost Like]

Clark in of course . To the backline, where he has excelled .

He frees up Sinclair to move forward .

Keep Bytel. Biggish body , worth persevering with him. Without Gresham , Dunstan and Hannebery, we need him in there .

I would drop Kent . He is a long long way behind Butler in playing the small forward role, and lacks the damaging pace of Hind. I do note that he is up against the old team however. Last year - was it at the G ( back in the good old days when we could go to the games ) ? - he played a cracker of a game against the Dees. So maybe Ratts sticks with him and Hind misses out ..

All makes sense G27 except the freeing up Sinclair to play forward? He's not hit the scoreboard at all. Kent & Hind both play forward every day of the week ahead of Sinclair - if Sinclair is not impacting games by guarding grass, he's literally no value. Clark, Coffield, Billings, Hill, Bytel, Jones, Long, Savage all have him covered for positions that might suit him.

[George27]

Clark in of course . To the backline, where he has excelled .

He frees up Sinclair to move forward .

Keep Bytel. Biggish body , worth persevering with him. Without Gresham , Dunstan and Hannebery, we need him in there .

I would drop Kent . He is a long long way behind Butler in playing the small forward role, and lacks the damaging pace of Hind. I do note that he is up against the old team however. Last year - was it at the G ( back in the good old days when we could go to the games ) ? - he played a cracker of a game against the Dees. So maybe Ratts sticks with him and Hind misses out ..

All makes sense G27 except the freeing up Sinclair to play forward? He's not hit the scoreboard at all. Kent & Hind both play forward every day of the week ahead of Sinclair - if Sinclair is not impacting games by guarding grass, he's literally no value. Clark, Coffield, Billings, Hill, Bytel, Jones, Long, Savage all have him covered for positions that might suit him.

Fair enough, GL. Just to clarify my poor drafting , I meant Sinclair to move further upfield . I wasn’t happy to see him getting kicks in the back pocket ( and that stuff up with Paton ) . Clark’s return means he can move forward of that position , ie up to the midfield. I like him across the wings . That in turn pushes Billings closer to goals ( wing/HF, not HF/FP) and renders Kent ( or Hind) redundant. That was my meaning , but poorly explained !

[Ghost Like]

Clark in of course . To the backline, where he has excelled .

He frees up Sinclair to move forward .

Keep Bytel. Biggish body , worth persevering with him. Without Gresham , Dunstan and Hannebery, we need him in there .

I would drop Kent . He is a long long way behind Butler in playing the small forward role, and lacks the damaging pace of Hind. I do note that he is up against the old team however. Last year - was it at the G ( back in the good old days when we could go to the games ) ? - he played a cracker of a game against the Dees. So maybe Ratts sticks with him and Hind misses out ..

All makes sense G27 except the freeing up Sinclair to play forward? He's not hit the scoreboard at all. Kent & Hind both play forward every day of the week ahead of Sinclair - if Sinclair is not impacting games by guarding grass, he's literally no value. Clark, Coffield, Billings, Hill, Bytel, Jones, Long, Savage all have him covered for positions that might suit him.

Fair enough, GL. Just to clarify my poor drafting , I meant Sinclair to move further upfield . I wasn’t happy to see him getting kicks in the back pocket ( and that stuff up with Paton ) . Clark’s return means he can move forward of that position , ie up to the midfield. I like him across the wings . That in turn pushes Billings closer to goals ( wing/HF, not HF/FP) and renders Kent ( or Hind) redundant. That was my meaning , but poorly explained !

All good G27, that makes sense. Sinclair, Kent, Hind, Parker, Phillips are our conundrums. All capable of doing something very special on their day but the reality is they miss more often than they hit. I'm not sure we can have 3 in the same side, even two is sometimes a challenge but that comes with the loss of Gresham & Hannebery.

Fingers crossed three of that five recognise the opportunity in front of them and find that consistency as all are dangerous when on song & focused.

[Josh Battle]

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.

[saynta]

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.

The last quarter was played mainly in the Saints forward half of the ground. Of course the backs weren't as prominent.

[Zed]

Time to give Clark a run in the guts and give him the responsibility of stepping up as a key mid. Straight swap for Bytel - I love the kid , his time will come and he will work his butt off to get back in the team.

Phillips for Sinclair. Similar role players, similar output- but Phillips had more impact than Sincs on the scoreboard.

[George27]

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.

[samuraisaint]

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 like Phillips. I think that the more he plays, the better he'll get.

[WellardSaint]

Ratts won't drop his captain.

Ratts could 'have the conversation' with Geary and ask him to do the team thing and declare himself unavailable..
Team comes before individual.