Drop Stiffy?

[MaccasNeighbour]

Graham Johncock had an absolultely shocking game yesterday, I don't think he had one quality possession the whole game. He dropped easy marks, kicked straight to the opposition a couple of times and basically looked like a fish out of water.

His confidence is obviously low and he's lost confidence is his own (high level) of ability.

He seemed to get moved around the ground a bit yesterday and he had no impact whether playing back or forward. I don't know what the answer is, whether he should drop back to the SANFL for a couple of weeks.

 

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

He has been out of form for a few weeks now......not sure that dropping him back to the Port Magpies is going to achieve much though.

k
x

 

[macca23]

Absolutely no way should a quality youngster like Stiffy be dropped.

I agree that his dosposal was poor yesterday, but at least he got the ball and went in hard, which didn't apply to all our players, did it? He was in our top bracket of players, not the bottom.

Besides, he's been asked to play 3 different positions in 3 weeks.

Settle him down in one spot and we'll see the old Stiffy.

 

[Bockchoy67]

Originally posted by macca23
Settle him down in one spot and we'll see the old Stiffy.

You mean the younger Stiffy.

I agree though, Stiffy has been far from our worst player this year, and I can think of many who did worse than Stiffy yesterday.

Stiffy's got this unique ability to get us on a roll, by hitting the packs hard and using his explosive pace.

I see no reason to drop him now, he's already come such a long way. He'll find some good form soon, especially once he settles down into a position which suits him best. My bet...defence.

 

[AngelEyes]

If Stiffy get's dropped, the AFC selection panel have hit an all time low. He hasn't played 3 bad ones in a row, his last one wasn't too good, but the 2 previous weren't too bad.


However changes need to be made this week. Players with the last names of Bode, Watts and Reilly should make an impression on the selector's table this week, otherwise season 2004 is gone.

 

[Bockchoy67]

Originally posted by AngelEyes
However changes need to be made this week. Players with the last names of Bode, Watts and Reilly should make an impression on the selector's table this week, otherwise season 2004 is gone.

I would have to say that season 2004 is already gone. If we can't defeat Carlton, a team that lost by 108 points the week before, then we don't deserve to make the finals. Especially considering we played at home.

And if we were to finish 10th or 11th, we would get nothing out of the year, nor would be get any priority draft picks.

Playing the kids is the best option right now, unless we hit some amazing form. And seeing as we can't seem to win a home game anymore, it doesn't look like we'll be in the winners list anytime soon.

So bring in Watts, bring in Reilly and give these kids a go. But hey, I'm not the coach...

 

[spindoctor]

Bring in Rutten before Watts. We need to find out if he can command a regular position, he has been on the list longer than Watts, has consistently been in Westies' best and deserves a spot.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Dropping Johncock achieves absolutely nothing. Play him on the wing and let him settle there. He will come good. He wasn't our worst player yesterday.

Dropping him would be insane.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by spindoctor
Bring in Rutten before Watts. We need to find out if he can command a regular position, he has been on the list longer than Watts, has consistently been in Westies' best and deserves a spot.

As much as I would love to see Watts get a game I think Rutten deserves the game before Watts.

Give Rutten a go and I think he should get a game this week.

 

[spindoctor]

CALLING MR RUCCI!

NEW HEADLINE: 'Case for Rutten grows'

That might get the attention of the selection panel.

 

[Jerome]

I like him back on the half back line, the problem yesterday was that he was lead to the ball far too often. Very unStiffy like.

As for changes to the team - Reilly, Rutten and Watts would be the front runners as their SANFL form has been quite good.

Perrie, Ladhams, Biglands and Watts are playing today (no radio coverage unfortunatley). I'll be keen to hear how they perform.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Westies have a bye this week so I doubt that Rutten and Jericho would come into consideration.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by spindoctor
Bring in Rutten before Watts. We need to find out if he can command a regular position, he has been on the list longer than Watts, has consistently been in Westies' best and deserves a spot.

I agree, but we now need to try out both Rutten & Watts by the end of the year (but not both at the same time). Give them both 2-3 games (in a row) with Stevo & Carey as the 3rd tall.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Dropping Johncock achieves absolutely nothing. Play him on the wing and let him settle there. He will come good. He wasn't our worst player yesterday.

Dropping him would be insane.

Stiffy was pretty ordinary yesterday IMO, as probably obly played 1 decent game (last week) in the past month. Was probably our 2nd best player in the 1st month, but has really gone off the boil lately. Having said that, I wouldn't drop him just yet.

 

[ant]

Dropping Stiffy would be madness. Sadly, you probably couldn't put it past the coaching panel.

While Rutten may or may not deserve a game before Watts, as said previously, Fergus has been emergency for a number of weeks now, you'd suggest he'd be closer to getting a gig than Big Ben. No doubt though that Rutten will get some games before the end of the year, particularly as the season is over now (from a finals POV)

 

[Tyson20]

id drop a handful of players before Stiffy...Burton should not have been brought str8 back in as he didnt deserve it...but i guess reputations do mean something in the AFL...too much if u ask me! McLeods still living off 97/98...he has annoyed me this year with all the crap that comes out of his mouth at press conferences...his skills havent been all that...he doesnt turn it on enough IMO...can look lazy but i dont think he is i think thats just how he is!

hmmm who will they drop? guess is as good as mine...

 

[MaccasNeighbour]

I agree that dropping Stiffy would be harsh, I guess I was just trying to raise the point that his confidence needs to be lifted somehow. Playing for the Magpies may not be the answer but was just one suggestion.

As far as Saturday goes, I'm not sure which game some of you were watching but if you think he was among our best players then you must be in love with the guy or something.