Strategy A 'vested' interest in finding a dominant Sub

[Black2Blue]

Lets be honest. We haven't had a great deal of success with the sub role since Flash disappeared into the sunset. Last year, we had Patch 6 times, Basti 5 times (including the finals), Jacobs 4 times, BMac 2 times, Levi 1 time, Fishy 1 time, LMac 1 time, NDS & JZ (wtf) 1 time each, and Anthony 3 times. From memory Levi's game as sub was his breakthrough game. Jacobs had a big influence against Port amongst others. Patch's better games were as a Sub. Basti seemed to struggle in the role.

How do we approach it in 2015? Do we have a specialist sub? Do we use it as a stepping stone for the youngsters - Wood, Dumont? Do we rotate players like last year?

I expect Basti or Wood will get the vest for round 1.

Thoughts?

 

[Heaps of fun]

You want a dom/sub in a vest? Not sure if this is the right site, mate.

 

[Bigeasy]

Harvey.

 

[Only Forwards]

You want a dom/sub in a vest? Not sure if this is the right site, mate.

Zondor should be on the selection comittee.

 

[KangaRooster]

If Harper keeps putting the work in at Werribee I think a round 6 or 7 sub role would be a good way to introduce him back into the 22.

He'd be a lethal sub.

 

[Only Forwards]

Harvey.

Not yet.

Needs to make 400 in full dress.

 

[5 GB USB]

I think Gibbo would be a good sub.

 

[Tas]

I thought they were getting rid of the sub since they put in interchange caps in.

 

[IschenkoUBeauty]

St.Kilda pioneered the sub rule back in 2004.

 

[Saintly31]

Hate the sub rule. Seriously.

But to answer question, rotate it. Who knows who'll get it though, our selection can be very hard to guess but it seems to usually just go the closest fringe mid size player.

I don't think it's healthy for a player to spend too much time playing bits of games, prefer one or two max then it's full game at AFL or VFL level.

 

[Black2Blue]

Harvey.

This time will only come when he loses his zip. Don't know what the future of the sub rule will be, but perhaps 2016 may be the first time we see Boomer in the vest. To have him playing a couple of seasons in the Giansiracusa role, when we are in premiership-hunting mode, would be huge.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

Harper, Garner or Daw.

 

[Mixed Results]

If Harper keeps putting the work in at Werribee I think a round 6 or 7 sub role would be a good way to introduce him back into the 22.

He'd be a lethal sub.

I'm pretty sure that he still has the record for most goals kicked in a game as the sub.

 

[Black2Blue]

Hate the sub rule. Seriously.

But to answer question, rotate it. Who knows who'll get it though, our selection can be very hard to guess but it seems to usually just go the closest fringe mid size player.

I don't think it's healthy for a player to spend too much time playing bits of games, prefer one or two max then it's full game at AFL or VFL level.

Likewise. You can see how so many players see getting the vest as a demotion. You could imagine they would be wanting to get on the field in a hurry, but at the same time it would mean they would be hanging out for an injury if this is the case. A bit soul-destroying for a player to do a full week's preparation for 30 minutes of game time. Like you suggest, to be doing that continuously is not healthy for a player's development.

 

[GarnerSmash]

You want a mid-half forward who can get involved in the midfield and get on their bike and stretch teams bringing the ball forward. Patch is a good-un in this role, Harper would be excellent but I think it will be out of Turner and Basti early in the year.

 

[nicko74]

Harper needs to find more of the ball to be a good sub. Has all the weapons tho....

 

[RobZombie]

I hate the idea of a specialist sub, unless you've got a rare case like Gia last year at the doggies. I do like the idea of using contested mid-utility guys as sub rather than running outside players; worked well when we used it last year.

Use it for whatever you need in a given week; manage fitness, introduce kids, rest veterans, send a message re form, or just whoever is unlucky that week.

 

[Black2Blue]

You want a mid-half forward who can get involved in the midfield and get on their bike and stretch teams bringing the ball forward. Patch is a good-un in this role, Harper would be excellent but I think it will be out of Turner and Basti early in the year.

As much as I'm loathed to say it, Turner would do well as a Sub, but loathe the idea because I want to see him on the field all the time. Would be so frustrating to see him sitting in the vest on the pine and, no doubt, from half-time he would be constantly harassing or shirt fronting the coaches to let him loose.

On last years showing, Patch is probably the most suited to playing the role of sub. Can play multiple roles in midfield and forward, is more effective when the heat is out of the game, and gets plenty of the footy from the word go. The quandary being that there are players who shape as being in better form or more talented who would have to make way. For round 1, I would pick any of Wood, Basti, or Jacobs ahead of Patch as 22nd man, but I could see Adams potentially being more effective than all of them as Sub. It just reminds of Saintly's points about the problems with the Sub rule.

 

[andana]

Its the perfect job for an aging older midfielder. Boomer.

 

[Black2Blue]

Its the perfect job for an aging older midfielder. Boomer.

Question is whether the Sub rule will still be around in 2020.

 

[Daniltchenko You Beauty]

Really hope this is the last year of the sub. Cut the rotations to 80 and have four on the bench.

With our depth does anyone think LMac might be pushed into the vest on a semi-regular basis?

 

[boneofshin]

Really hope this is the last year of the sub. Cut the rotations to 80 and have four on the bench.

With our depth does anyone think LMac might be pushed into the vest on a semi-regular basis?

Didn't work at all when he played as the sub last year. The sub doesn't necessarily have to be the 22nd best player in the team.

 

[DR Tipple]

You want a dom/sub in a vest? Not sure if this is the right site, mate.

 

[kangaspurs]

Don't understand the calls for Boomer to be sub at all. He's still one of our dominant players across 4 quarters, why would you want to limit that.

 

[Donkey Chop]

Didn't work at all when he played as the sub last year. The sub doesn't necessarily have to be the 22nd best player in the team.

When he was sub last year they braught him on as a defender. I was spewing because I thought it would be a good way to get a look at his inside game. Going by his juniors and repeat effort at the contest it would have been great for him. But hey I'm pretty confident the coaches have a better idea then me.