So you're a selector...what do you do?

[Fred Phillis]

Hypothetical I know, but if McLeod, Burton, Ricciuto are available, who gets dropped??
All dropped would be dead set unlucky but IMHO:
Massie - Torney has taken his starting spot. drop for Burton
Douglas - time on his side. drop for Ricciuto
Van Berlo - I know he doesn't put a foot wrong and is Craigy's pet, but has limited impact on a game despite his defensive value. drop for McLeod.

Must keep Porps in...and who would have thought Kenny can't get in becoz of Stevens?? Not me in my wildest dreams!

[Vader]

Massie & Douglas are the two obvious "outs".

The third is a nightmare, though I would severely doubt that Roo will be back for the big one so it's probably a moot point.

VB has played every game this season when available, so I can't see him being dropped.

Dare I say it, maybe Scott Welsh? There is no way on earth that Roo is going to be fit enough to play in the midfield - leading out of FF is his only option.

[Fred Phillis]

VB has played every game this season when available, so I can't see him being dropped.

i don't think they'd drop VB either - but i would in my hypothetical...in my mind it came down to porps or VB and porps is in better form and a more attacking option. but what a dilemma!!
i reckon welsh will stay because he's the one forward capable of kicking five or six in a GF; others like perrie/bock, i rate as three goal maximums

[Stiffy_18]

As I said previously, at most I would drop 2 and thats really pushing it IMHO. You always make an allowance for your captain but my decision would come down on who is most ready out of those stars.

[Stiffy_18]

i don't think they'd drop VB either - but i would in my hypothetical...in my mind it came down to porps or VB and porps is in better form and a more attacking option. but what a dilemma!!
i reckon welsh will stay because he's the one forward capable of kicking five or six in a GF; others like perrie/bock, i rate as three goal maximums
How many goals did you think Shane Ellen would kick in the GF? ;)

[crows98]

McLeod - Massie – Torney –

Kris Massie would get the nod over Jason Torney if we are playing the WCE as they have an exceptional midfield where his defensive skills and tagging ability would be utilized.

If we play the Western Bulldogs in the preliminary final, it would be Kris Massie who will miss out as Jason Torney would be needed as a second or third option for the dangerous Brad Johnson. Kris Massie would drop out of the side as the Western Bulldogs don’t have as dangerous midfield as the WCE do.

However if Andrew McLeod fails to recover in time for the preliminary final, both Kris Massie and Jason Torney should keep there place as they are integral player in the defensive back 6.

Ricciuto - Burton - Perrie - Douglas

Coming off the debilitating parvovirus, there is no way Mark Ricciuto can play in the midfield, his fitness before the virus was questionable and now this set back has virtually made it impossible to risk this option.

The only option that the match committee can consider in my option would be to use him as a mobile centre half forward (see the Essendon game) or on the full forward with Scott Welsh. For that to option to work both Ian Perrie and Nathan Bock would have to move out to the half forward line and then NC has to take into consideration the rebound of the ball once it hits the ground. Having both Perrie and Bock on the half forward line is an option but if Perrie plays then Brett Burton will miss out.

It’s either Burton or Perrie on the half forward line with the rotating Jason Porplyzia, Brent Reilly, Scott Thompson and Tyson Edwards. I would not consider dropping Jason Porplyzia as he has a huge amount of versatility to his game and in finals football a player needs to show there ability to be versatile.

Stevens - McGregor

Scott Stevens should retain his place at centre half back as the back 6 with Bassett and Rutten are settled and this would squeeze Ken McGregor out again.

My team for next week.

FF: Ricciuto Welsh Bode

HF: Burton Bock Reilly

C: Mattner Thompson Doughty

HB: Torney Steven Mcleod

FB: Bassett Rutten Johncock

Ruck: Clarke Goodwin Edwards

Interchange: Shirley, Van Berlo, Biglands, Porplyzia


In: Burton, McLeod, Ricciuto

Out: Massie/Torney*, Douglas, Perrie

*Massie or Torney would be determined by the opponent

I have selected players on team balance and position needs.

[dyertribe]

Define "available".

Available to only be able to play 5-10 minutes a quarter, tops?
Available to break down by half time?
Available to hide in a forward pocket while our midfield 'rotation' runs itself into the ground?

Some really really tough decisions will have to be made and I hope Craig has the cajones for it.

[Mad Dog]

Tough call.....:(

I would need to be convinced medically that they were all sound. I'd flog them (in terms of agility) on the track - and try to find a way to ensure that if they did come in they wouldn't detract from the side in terms of form or momentum.

After that....:confused:

if all were cherry ripe.... you would think that Massie and Douglas would miss for Macca and Roo.

Bird is a tough one given the structure of our fwd line ATM. Bird has been doing his best work this year in the absence initially of Bock and Welsh.....and then Perrie. All are back and more interestingly, Bock is working up forward because of Trent's absense and the fact that Stevo is performing down back.

Team balance becomes important - we need to maintain the amount of runners we have - especially if Bird, Macca, and Roo need to be rotated off the bench. Maybe Stevo might be in the gun - with Bock going back, and Bird going fwd.?....in reality it's probably Porps who would miss out when all is said and done.....:(

But I would hate to bring 3 long term injured players back for a GF........dangerous stuff -- that's been the mentality at The Saints for sometime - and we all know what happened there.....:eek:

[Wood_Duck]

The most important thing the selectors must remember is, the golden rule.
"You dont take injured players into finals".

[- PC -]

I would think Burton is the more certain of the 3 so he comes in Prelim day for ...somebody

Then you would assess what injuries you have from that if the team wins through to the GF. Then after running McLeod and Roo for 2 weeks ( starting tomorrow with Roo in the WAFC Ressies) you can then assess their fitness even further

[Vic Crow]

Bringing in three players over those two weeks would be suicide IMO.
Only two to come in, maximum. Whether that's two for the Prelim and one for the Prelim and one for the GF if we make it doesn't matter. But I don't think we should be bringing three players in over a max. of two weeks.

[Stiffy_18]

I would think Burton is the more certain of the 3 so he comes in Prelim day for ...somebody

Then you would assess what injuries you have from that if the team wins through to the GF. Then after running McLeod and Roo for 2 weeks ( starting tomorrow with Roo in the WAFC Ressies) you can then assess their fitness even further
Roo hasn't even started any sort of physical training. He is so far away from playing its not even an issue. Especially for this weekend.

[Carl Spackler]

These problems have a funny way of solving themselves.

Chances are that even if we win the preliminary final we will pick up an injury or two along the way, or a suspension, or someone will break down at training, or someone falls ill... or all of the aforementioned.

At the moment we are treating Burton, McLeod and Roo almost as a bonus if they come up for the Preliminary or Grand Final. Fast forward a week and I wonder if we will desperately need them to come up.

Not ha-ha funny.

[Mad Dog]

These problems have a funny way of solving themselves.

Chances are that even if we win the preliminary final we will pick up an injury or two along the way, or a suspension, or someone will break down at training, or someone falls ill... or all of the aforementioned.

At the moment we are treating Burton, McLeod and Roo almost as a bonus if they come up for the Preliminary or Grand Final. Fast forward a week and I wonder if we will desperately need them to come up.

Not ha-ha funny.
Agreed - I'm trying to resist having an opinion on this until we see where we are this time next week. There are just so many variables and so much work to do by these 3 to be able to predict with any certainty.

[AndrewJo]

I would think Burton is the more certain of the 3 so he comes in Prelim day for ...somebody

Then you would assess what injuries you have from that if the team wins through to the GF. Then after running McLeod and Roo for 2 weeks ( starting tomorrow with Roo in the WAFC Ressies) you can then assess their fitness even further
Roo playing tomorrow when he hasn't trained this week? Best way to stuff him forever.Medicos will assess him and make their informed judgements. Players must be fit or left out.

[AndrewJo]

Agreed - I'm trying to resist having an opinion on this until we see where we are this time next week. There are just so many variables and so much work to do by these 3 to be able to predict with any certainty.
Spot on Mad Dog. Remember a few weeks ago we were debating how many we were going to leave out for the finals and suddenly injuries etc changed things dramatically. One thing that will benefit us in the future was the form of Richard Douglas. His experience in the games he has had will be of immense value in his development next year.

[earlsta]

In: Burton, McLeod, Ricciuto

That line scares me for next week...3 players returning from injury, for a PRELIM.

I'd just go with Mcleod, he's good to go no matter what and he also returns strongly, his a fit bloke.
I'd have birdman and roo play sanfl ;/

[Redline]

You can't pick all three, would be too dangerous. I think Roo is out for the Prelim, he would need a week of full training first and I doubt he will be able to do everything next week so he might be a chance for the GF, leave it until then.

I would play McLoud and Birdman if both get through a full week of training at the expense of Douglas and perhaps Massie although I think he is important to the team. Welsh is just as likely to break down with an injury solving these problems.

[macca23]

I would definitely play the Birdman.

He has not been immobile, and he won't be far off the pace aerobically if at all. Potential match-winner.

Mcleod is 50-50. If he is able to train flat out all week next week, once again I would pick him. Another potential match-winner.

I wouldn't even consider the Roo. He wasn't in good form before he became ill, and he will have lost fitness and muscle.

Hart - all over red rover. Not to be considered.

[jenny61_99]

I would definitely play the Birdman.

He has not been immobile, and he won't be far off the pace aerobically if at all. Potential match-winner.

Mcleod is 50-50. If he is able to train flat out all week next week, once again I would pick him. Another potential match-winner.

I wouldn't even consider the Roo. He wasn't in good form before he became ill, and he will have lost fitness and muscle.

Hart - all over red rover. Not to be considered.

:thumbsu: Good call on Burton and McLeod. Also agree with Roo, which is sad for the big fella, but what's best for the team has to come first. ANd what of Kenny Mac???

[Drummond]

Anyone listening to FiveAA?

This caller went to training and said that Burton looked free, and trained very, very well. :thumbsu: :thumbsu:

[Dogga_Style]

This caller went to training and said that Burton looked free, and trained very, very well. :thumbsu: :thumbsu:

Can back those comments up. Burton looked really good.:thumbsu:

[The Crows Truth]

Hypothetical I know, but if McLeod, Burton, Ricciuto are available, who gets dropped??
All dropped would be dead set unlucky but IMHO:
Massie - Torney has taken his starting spot. drop for Burton
Douglas - time on his side. drop for Ricciuto
Van Berlo - I know he doesn't put a foot wrong and is Craigy's pet, but has limited impact on a game despite his defensive value. drop for McLeod.

Must keep Porps in...and who would have thought Kenny can't get in becoz of Stevens?? Not me in my wildest dreams!


No brainer

IN

Mc Leod
Burton

OUT

Massie
Douglas


Bookmark it.

if we make the GF - if Roo comes up then it gets harder

[J.Gallagher #1]

Hmm id say that Mcleod and Burton should definently come in if they train all week next week, i think Douglas and Massie or Torney should go out, i also think that as good as Stevens has been Mcgregor at CHB is one of if not the best CHB's in the league and now that he has played a game for the eagles last week i would bring him in for the unlucky Scott Stevens, Roo and Hart should both not come under consideration at all for the rest of the year.

[Mad Dog]

Hmm id say that Mcleod and Burton should definently come in if they train all week next week, i think Douglas and Massie or Torney should go out, i also think that as good as Stevens has been Mcgregor at CHB is one of if not the best CHB's in the league and now that he has played a game for the eagles last week i would bring him in for the unlucky Scott Stevens, Roo and Hart should both not come under consideration at all for the rest of the year.
Backline play and the pace of the game has passed Kenny by - unfortunately he is a deep marking forward target or he is nothing....:(

He cannot create the way NC's gameplan demands - ie Stiffy, Macca, Stevo, Bock, Torney, Truck.

Ken sticks out like a sore thumb amoungst this lot.......hopefully he can assume Trent's role next year and morph himself into something less indispensible than he is now.

[Drummond]

Hmm id say that Mcleod and Burton should definently come in if they train all week next week, i think Douglas and Massie or Torney should go out, i also think that as good as Stevens has been Mcgregor at CHB is one of if not the best CHB's in the league and now that he has played a game for the eagles last week i would bring him in for the unlucky Scott Stevens, Roo and Hart should both not come under consideration at all for the rest of the year.
Honestly, what in the world is wrong with you? :eek:

Firstly you suggest we possibly drop Torney, whose last 2 games have been outstanding and not to mention that he played about his best game for the AFC last week. Then you say that we drop Stevens, who completely destroyed Matthew Pavlich last week. If McGregor was as good as you claim, he would have been brought straight back into the side, but Stevens has made that impossible. Stevens cannot, and will not, under any circumstances be dropped.

[skippy14]

Honestly, what in the world is wrong with you? :eek:

Firstly you suggest we possibly drop Torney, whose last 2 games have been outstanding and not to mention that he played about his best game for the AFC last week. Then you say that we drop Stevens, who completely destroyed Matthew Pavlich last week. If McGregor was as good as you claim, he would have been brought straight back into the side, but Stevens has made that impossible. Stevens cannot, and will not, under any circumstances be dropped.

Well said Drummond. I agree completely.