Review Changes for WCE: Round 14.

[supernova_]

But didn't we arguably do that with Smith last year and he has never really been the same since?

So maybe he's been found out? Maybe he isn't the superstar we thought he might become? Hickey might overtake him?

My point with Hickey specifically is we have a bunch of talls. Did anyone seriously think he was going to be in our 22 at the start of the year with what we thought Smith, Gorringe, Dixon ahead of him? So back him in, give him the confidence run him until he looks cooked. Not wrap in cotton wool whose under 19. I think some players we need to throw in the deep end a bit, sink or swim type stuff.

 

[Sunny_]

I don't think Smith was run into the ground really. He's just a classic case of the blues. I really expect him to make a fist of it in the back half of the year, and even next year.

My only worry with Hickey is that he's playing a position that he wasn't expected to play so soon in his career. He's shown that he's certainly up to the level, but he's not as built as I would like our main ruck to be week in, week out. At least Smith and Dixon are a bit older and more grown into their bodies. Hickey is still very lean.

There would be no harm at all giving him the extra week off and have him avoid the road trip, especially with Dixon coming back in. Young players need to be managed. Bring him back against the Cats. But if the Coaches think he can handle it and is still up for the game, then by all means, keep him in.

I wouldn't mind seeing him start forward with his contested marking skills. Put Smith more in the ruck and see how that goes.

 

[Thermo]

So maybe he's been found out? Maybe he isn't the superstar we thought he might become? Hickey might overtake him?

My point with Hickey specifically is we have a bunch of talls. Did anyone seriously think he was going to be in our 22 at the start of the year with what we thought Smith, Gorringe, Dixon ahead of him? So back him in, give him the confidence run him until he looks cooked. Not wrap in cotton wool whose under 19. I think some players we need to throw in the deep end a bit, sink or swim type stuff.

Was just playing devil's advocate, honestly think your spot on and we should keep him in.

 

[Thermo]

I don't think Smith was run into the ground really. He's just a classic case of the blues. I really expect him to make a fist of it in the back half of the year, and even next year.

Hope your right, he obviously is very skillful. I looked back on his '11 highlights earlier today and damn I almost forgot the kid can play. I'm terrible at judging workrate, can someone comment on if Smith is trying as hard this year?

 

[Sunny_]

Rischitelli out, according to Hamo. Coaches opting to rest him with the hamstring tendonitis that he's got. Makes sense I guess, don't want to put him on the long ground.

Tape and Rory also out leaves 3 confirmed outs. All fairly big blows. It's unbelievable how many injuries we've got to our starting lineup!

Hutchins and May appear to be two to come back in, according to Hamo's article.

 

[Sunny_]

Michael Rischitelli out of Suns side for Eagles' clash.

MICHAEL Rischitelli will be a shock omission from the Suns side to take on the Eagles on Saturday with coach Guy McKenna deciding he can no longer ask his ultimate team man to play under the duress of injury.

Rischitelli has been battling hamstring tendinitis all season and it is understood the Suns have decided to rest him because of the the long trip to Perth and the size of Pattersons Stadium.

He has battled manfully, playing selfless defensive roles for his coach but has had to endure external criticism because his own possession count has been well down.

The Suns are likely to make three changes to the side that lost to the Kangaroos before the bye with Rischitelli almost certain to join injured pair Rory Thompson and Seb Tape on the sidelines.

Big-bodied defenders Steven May and Jack Hutchins will come under strong consideration because size is needed against the West Coast forwards.

McKenna will create a headache for himself selecting a midfield to compete with the Eagles' class on-ball division if he goes ahead with plans to rest Rischitelli.

With Dion Prestia and David Swallow still injured he is running out of options to join skipper Gary Ablett, Karmichael Hunt and gun draftees Josh Caddy and Harley Bennell.

The Suns will pick their side tomorrow, a day ahead of usual because they travel Thursday, with veteran Campbell Brown considered a chance to make his return.

They are likely to stick with two genuine ruckmen in Zac Smith and Tom Hickey who face their biggest test as a combination against West Coast champions Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

Smith has been in solid form since returning to the side after a two-week stint in the reserves and said he and Hickey were excited about the challenge ahead.

"It's going to be a fun day. I've been over there once and played those two before and I think we did all right," he said.

"We had a pretty good game on the weekend and we'll take it to them and learn from them. We'll definitely compete.

"If you go into every game and you're hard at it, you come away with a chance, regardless of the ability of the team."

No mention of Harbrow or Dixon.

 

[FavoriteSun]

Michael Rischitelli out of Suns side for Eagles' clash.



No mention of Harbrow or Dixon.

Both hurt, both probably not ready.

 

[Sunny_]

Both hurt, both probably not ready.

Dixon played a couple of weeks ago in the NEAFL and was one of their best. He should be ready, unless they want to get more 2s games into him.

Harbrow you could be right on.

 

[exile]

then again, hamilton isn't exactly a suns insider. all that is needed to write that article is the fact bluey stated they might rest rischitelli.

whiting or smart might have a better idea.

 

[SandyToes]

Explains a lot re Riska
Vs North he had a 40m shot on the run that I was right behind which he obviously pulled and it went a shanky 25m into the pocket
He's obviously been playing with it for a while

 

[SandyToes]

Would have thought resting Rory T and promoting Maysie would be wise
Sitting in any airline seat to and fro WA isn't going to help the big bloke
Riska out..they may just bring Browny back for him
Harbs for Seb
Hutchy might get a look in at last
I would like to see Dicko in,obviously forward but also because he's quite mobile and could provide a fallback ruck option particularly on Natanui..JB might get a run too
Smalls is our biggest issue, but Matera and Bennell might show off for their families!

Wouldn't mind this backline..experience and youth
Warnock should be a reasonable matchup for the Q-tip


Brown Warnock Hutchins
Harbrow May Hine

Should Dicko just come in over Sam Day..or do we just dig in and keep hoping Sammy will start seeing where he needs to be and realising he's got the talent to do it?

Forward line

Matera Day Horsley
Brennan Dixon Stanley

Centres/Followers
McKenzie Hunt Bennell
Hickey Ablett Caddy

Iles Russell Z Smith (Shaw)

outs Tape Thompson Patrick Sexton
ins Brown Harbrow Shaw Dixon

Not a bad roadtrip team actually
Quite a few solid physical players - for us anyway

Can't see us within 80 points..but anything under 40 is a win IMo

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Thats too bad about Rischi - he played a tough, hard at it game against North. Most of us on this board guessed he has been battling some kind of injury this year so have been prepared to cut him some slack unlike the peanut gallery in the Media.

 

[Sunny_]

Rischitelli actually didn't have a terrible game against North. Well, they were probably down compared to his regular numbers, but they were way way up on what they had been the weeks prior. 20+ touches, a few goal saving tackles and setup the last goal for the Suns. I had hoped he was starting to get clear of the injury that was hampering him, but it seems that's not the case.

 

[supernova_]

I've been concerned with McKenzie and would like to see him behind the ball and be accountable. I think he is a soft footballer from what I've seen this year mentally and physically.

 

[Iva Bigun]

McKenzie has to be injured, he is lacking penetration on his kicking which was a feature of his game last year. Whether its the 2nd year blues or the boys are down on confidence a couple of wins would do wonders for everybody involed in the club.

 

[Sunny_]

Forced changes through injury:

Out: Rory Thompson, Seb Tape, Luke Russell, Michael Rischitelli.

 

[Thermo]

Forced changes through injury:

Out: Rory Thompson, Seb Tape, Luke Russell, Michael Rischitelli.

That's quite a list, we're having a terrible run with injuries this year.

 

[Iason]

That's quite a list, we're having a terrible run with injuries this year.

Absolutely. Makes for depressing reading.

 

[Fat Pizza]

outs Tape Thompson Patrick Sexton
ins Brown Harbrow Shaw Dixon

I think it would be wrong to drop Patrick after just one game back in the seniors. He hasn't played at this level for ages & actually looked quite dangerous. He didn't convert all his opportunities, but at least he got the ball close enough to goal to have a shot. Give him another chance.

 

[Sunny_]

I wouldn't be dropping Patrick, especially given the ground and his ability to use that pace.

He didn't have a great game against North, and at times looked a bit out of his element. But he was far from worst on ground, picking up 18 touches, 4 marks, 3 tackles and kicking 1.2. Certainly not drop-worthy.

His big challenge this week is to back it up. Often he goes invisible the game after a good one, so hopefully that will not be the case here.

 

[bballscout]

Agreed sunny, need to give Patrick an extended run in the seniors to see if he is worth remaining post 2012. Plus he had a great Mae v north last match.

 

[Sunny_]

Via Twitter.

Miserable and cold here @MetriconStadium but the boys goldcoastfc are working hard before heading West

Ken Hinkley. "effort is what we are focused on" Sam Day "Feeling fresh and ready to crack in."

 

[SandyToes]

I think it would be wrong to drop Patrick after just one game back in the seniors. He hasn't played at this level for ages & actually looked quite dangerous. He didn't convert all his opportunities, but at least he got the ball close enough to goal to have a shot. Give him another chance.

If Luke Russell is injured I don't have a problem with giving Patrick another run..but he really needs to grab the opportunity with BOTH hands..pun, sidecomment etc..intended

 

[bballscout]

Ironic in Hines 3rd Afl match, it will be his 2nd game v Wce @ subiaco. I think we could do ok over there with strong WA links and decent matchups. The boys will be pumped in what will be a sell out crowd.

Eagles are a good team but in my opinion not a top 2 side as many people say, more so 3-5 range.

 

[kreglze]

I still follow WC as they were my team before the Suns came along. Over there they are a 6 goal better side.

No Kennedy, Nicoski or LeCras is hurting them, but Darling is in hot form, so need to clamp down on him. Lynch is so-so, but their surprise this year has been Josh Hill he has kicked around 20 goals this season, we need to make him accountable, run a Harbrow or Shaw off the HB through him to make him think twice about running forward, he is a bit of a downhill skier.

Their midfield is working so well at the moment, Multi pronged with Kerr, Shuey, Priddis, Scooter, Rosa, Gaff. They kick goals they run and spread we need to be accountable and make them accountable for a man, if they have it all their own way, we are in for a murder. As well as the ruckman make position try and make sure Naitinui and Cox need to run as hard to defend as they do to find space and attack

Their defence is where I worry the most Glass is easily the best FB in the game at the moment, and has a good deputy in Mckenzie who will cover the more athletic big men like Day, Glass will just peel off and stand infront of Day if he needs to. Make Glass accountable with perhaps a Dixon or Hickey drifting forward. Use the speed of Patrick and Matera to put the small WC defenders like Hurn under pressure to defend, and the midfield will need to be kicking multiple goals.

That is my 2 cents, for me WC by 50 is a good situation, if we can get it around a 30 point margin, we have done REALLY well. This could be our first triple figure point loss for the year if the boys aren't switched on. WC will be hurting after 2 losses in a row.