No Change

[Jezza U Beauty]

Let's boil it down to the very basics people - we won last week by the biggest margin we've achieved since 2001, and made no changes for the following week. Hardly surprising.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Sydney got rid of him (ifyouwantto look at it from their end) because he had a knee condition they couldnt fix. It was only when he came to a competent club that that issue was sorted out. The idea that Saddington cant play is plain stupid.

Can't play at the level required of a finals aspirant. When was the last time you saw Saddo jump?

Again, rubbish. Even if another week for Bower is ideal, it still stands that he fit enough to play at senior level and that currently, the coaching staff believe Saddington will give us more than Bower. Simple as that.

"Simple" sums up that proposition. So you're saying a fit Bower plays second fiddle to Saddington? I don't think there's another person on this board that agrees with you. I don't think the MC does either.

And Bannister will hopefully be gone at the end of the year. Hack.

Perhaps, but not before Saddington. And Bannister was far from being a hack in 2008. If not for that awful hammy he might be leading the B&F.

Saddington did his job and kept Westhoff to one goal. Cant ask more than that.

Saddington was only able to do his job against Westhoff because the whole team was doing their job and severely cut off Port's inside 50s. No, there's not much more you can ask, but you can't judge it as a good performance either.

All your own opinion.

What are you - Saddo's cousin? The one that was carried out by the cops in the Collingwood game last year when Rocca showcased Saddo's problems in the goal square?

If he isn't up to the required standard, and will be gone at the end of the year the coaching staff wouldn't have included him in the team, they would have gone with Austin. You totally contradict yourself there.

How? I said Austin was on the margin. I agree, there's not much between them at this stage.

Hey, this is a good problem. If Saddington is the 2nd worst player on our list then we're doing OK.

 

[Bluebear]

Saddo is there for Petrie, and u blokes who keep bagging Russel should back up ur statements and not just bag him because other dic#heads do. Have we got a better run frim hind tackler or someone with hands as quick as his?????

Couldn't agree more......his hands......and general play are so quick........you barely notice him get the ball.

Just teasing. I like Russ.

However, Russ should note that after this year most, if not all of the spuds on our list will be gone.

He is fortunate that he is out of contract this year, but unlikely to go, so will probably get a two year deal. His is a much better player this year than last........but that doesn't say much, and he needs to improve by as much again next year.......which I think he can.........strikes me as a confidence player......who has no confidence.

 

[Jezza U Beauty]

Couldn't agree more......his hands......and general play are so quick........you barely notice him get the ball.

Just teasing. I like Russ.

However, Russ should note that after this year most, if not all of the spuds on our list will be gone.

He is fortunate that he is out of contract this year, but unlikely to go, so will probably get a two year deal. His is a much better player this year than last........but that doesn't say much, and he needs to improve by as much again next year.......which I think he can.........strikes me as a confidence player......who has no confidence.

A fair, reasonable and accurate post regarding JR. Makes a nice change.

And the bolded bit sums him up perfectly. IMO this is the reason why his kicking for goal's no good still.

If he can get his head right, he has the physical attributes to be a very good AFL player. He's definitely worth persisting with at this point.

 

[Smell The Glove]

Can't play at the level required of a finals aspirant. When was the last time you saw Saddo jump?

"Simple" sums up that proposition. So you're saying a fit Bower plays second fiddle to Saddington? I don't think there's another person on this board that agrees with you. I don't think the MC does either.

Perhaps, but not before Saddington. And Bannister was far from being a hack in 2008. If not for that awful hammy he might be leading the B&F.

Saddington was only able to do his job against Westhoff because the whole team was doing their job and severely cut off Port's inside 50s. No, there's not much more you can ask, but you can't judge it as a good performance either.

What are you - Saddo's cousin? The one that was carried out by the cops in the Collingwood game last year when Rocca showcased Saddo's problems in the goal square?

How? I said Austin was on the margin. I agree, there's not much between them at this stage.

Hey, this is a good problem. If Saddington is the 2nd worst player on our list then we're doing OK.

I cant be bothered separating all the different comments out, soI'll just number them.

1. Last week, against Port Adelaide
2. No, I'm saying that Bower is obviously fit enough and ready to play. It indicates that the coaching staff feel that Bower must have some sort of form to displace Saddington, not the automatic inclusion over Saddington you seem to think he is.
3. Rubbish. Bannister is useless and will be gone either at the end of this year, or the end of next. Totally overrated on this board.
4. And you cant judge it as a bad performance either, which is exactly what you and everyone else is doing, and which I have a problem with.
5. If Saddington is rubbish and will be delisted at season's end and there isnt much between him and Austin, the logical decision would be to play Austin. But there isn't, therefore your assessment of either Austin or Saddington must be dead wrong.

 

[Bluebear]

Love how everyone still digs into Saddington, despite the fact our selection committee (who knows more about the players than any of us) have deemed him in our best 22. Give it a rest.

And we get critisised for bagging Jordan Russell, who does SFA every week.

So Saddo, who has been given a farewell........and played 1 game this year........shouldn't be criticsed........because the MC have shown faith in him.........yet at every available chance, you choose to pot Russ........who has played every game this year.......obviously with the MC's blessing............

Making sense whipp?

 

[Smell The Glove]

So Saddo, who has been given a farewell........and played 1 game this year........shouldn't be criticsed........because the MC have shown faith in him.........yet at every available chance, you choose to pot Russ........who has played every game this year.......obviously with the MC's blessing............

Making sense whipp?

Age difference. Thats the reason the MC continues to play JR IMO- JR's selection cannot be justified on form alone.

The same cannot be said for Saddington at his age ie. there must be some distinctly justifable reason for including him in the team.

Given that JR has been given far more chances than Saddo, its only logical that he should cop far more critisism when he continually falls short of the standard required of him.

Oh, but I'm sorry, I forgot JR had played his entire career at Carlton, whereas Saddington hasnt. Feel free to apply the double standardthen.

 

[Bluebear]

Age difference. Thats the reason the MC continues to play JR IMO- JR's selection cannot be justified on form alone.

I disagree.
Russell is playing as a defensive half forward, and generally gets the opposition play HB maker every week.

While he doesn't flog them, he competes, and limits the run of guys like Kennelly (how many runs did he have out of our defence vs Swans ).

When assessing Russ, who are you comparing him to?

Who is the "in-form" HFF in the Ants who Russ should make way for?

When I look at Russ, I compare him to his own output last year.....and he is doing very well.

He has become a target across half forward, when we clearly don't have one, and has helped set up loads of goals with his defensive pressure across HF......not to mention his play on after taking a grab to mids running past.

He is averaging 13 possies and 5 marks a game, along with 4 tackles.

His goal kicking has been woeful, but 2 goals 12, could become 10 goals 4 without too much work.

I think if he can straighten up his goal kicking, and kicking in general he could be very useful to us as a HFF. Strong hands, good defensive game...........

While not dominant by any stretch.........certainly not "nothing" to justify his selection, and he is getting better each year.

Again.......who is going to do his job better ATM?

 

[Smell The Glove]

Again.......who is going to do his job better ATM?

That's not relevant when critisising him. What, because there is no-one better, that justifies his poor performances?

 

[mac25]

Sydney never got rid of Saddington becuase he couldnt play, he asked for the move back to Victoria because he was having no luck with injury.

And Bower is listed as an emergency. He is obviously ready to play otherwise he wouldnt have been listed.

I just have a problem with everybody shitcanning a player who played pretty reasonably last week, in his first game back after a long absence, presumably either because he isnt Carlton enough or young enough. Both are stupid reasons. Every other player would be given a grace period (Jordan Russell has been given several years' worth of a grace period), why isnt Saddington?

l think you are sadly missing the point with Saddington, Blues fans are not having a go at Saddington, merely making the point that it seems a backward decision to bring him when he has not played in 12 months and is unlikely to be there next year at his stage of his career, last week was irrelevant as Port played without any spirit etc last week and our defence had little or no pressure.

There is no way Saddington should be in the side ahead of Bower, we will see how Saddington goes when there is real pressure on our defence, at his stage of his career, l cannot see how he has improved from last year when he was average against a quality forward set up.

 

[Smell The Glove]

l think you are sadly missing the point with Saddington, Blues fans are not having a go at Saddington, merely making the point that it seems a backward decision to bring him when he has not played in 12 months and is unlikely to be there next year at his stage of his career, last week was irrelevant as Port played without any spirit etc last week and our defence had little or no pressure.

There is no way Saddington should be in the side ahead of Bower, we will see how Saddington goes when there is real pressure on our defence, at his stage of his career, l cannot see how he has improved from last year when he was average against a quality forward set up.

No, I'm not. I must add, I would not be surprised, nor would I object, if Saddington is delisted. But being delisted and at least being given a fair assessment on current performances are two different things.

 

[Bluebear]

That's not relevant when critisising him. What, because there is no-one better, that justifies his poor performances?

When respondinmg to the bit I highlighted..........and reproduced here again......

Age difference. Thats the reason the MC continues to play JR IMO- JR's selection cannot be justified on form alone.

not only is it relevant but it goes to the heart of the matter.

Its all well and good to say:

Russ isn;t good enough he should be dropped

Cloke will never be a good ruckman, I can't beleive he gets a game

Carrazzo's disposal is crap I can't beleive he is playing senior football

.......and any of the other midless rants we get weekly after a game......


........but at the core of this issue is:

Who do you replace them with?

Await the answer.

 

[BlueBelle]

Eddie Betts not playing for the Ants today..... hrrrrm.

 

[Smell The Glove]

When respondinmg to the bit I highlighted..........and reproduced here again......


not only is it relevant but it goes to the heart of the matter.

Its all well and good to say:

Russ isn;t good enough he should be dropped

Cloke will never be a good ruckman, I can't beleive he gets a game

Carrazzo's disposal is crap I can't beleive he is playing senior football

.......and any of the other midless rants we get weekly after a game......


........but at the core of this issue is:

Who do you replace them with?

Await the answer.

Any one of our young midfielders. If Jordan Russell does not either a) develop or b) perform at the standard required of a senior team member (he has never had one game over 20 possessions in almost 50 games of footy- must be some kind of record), there can be no justification in leaving him in a side with a youth policy.

 

[EmmzLovesMurpho]

Eddie Betts not playing for the Ants today..... hrrrrm.

will he play for us then??

 

[Blue Dimension]

Eddie Betts not playing for the Ants today..... hrrrrm.

I think it's more the fact that he's injured still, not that he'll play for us tomorrow. Would be nice to see him back though.

 

[Jeremias]

will he play for us then??

Doubt it.

Pretty sure he's injured.

 

[BlueBelle]

He might just need one more weeks rest I think...

 

[BlueWorld]

Could be a late change tomorrow.

 

[Silvagnis]

A part of me is hoping Kreuzer is a late change and we put him in cotton wool for next year.

He's played more games than any first year ruck in recent times and deserves a rest.

 

[Murph_The_Smurf]

saddington played today , am i mistaken ?

 

[Jeremias]

A part of me is hoping Kreuzer is a late change and we put him in cotton wool for next year.

He's played more games than any first year ruck in recent times and deserves a rest.

He doesn't look to be labouring and we seem to be playing him intelligently so that he won't get to worn down.

I'd be extremely surprised if he was a late change especially considering Ratten's coments this week that it is unlikely Kreuz will have a rest before the season comes to a close.

Besides, we look a hell of a lot better as a side when we have the 3 ruckmen in the team because it allows 1 of them to always be up forward to present an option.

Kreuzer has the ability to pop up out of nowhere to contribute a few goals here and there which will prove to be invaluable especially in close games.

 

[Jeremias]

saddington played today , am i mistaken ?

You are mistaken.

Saddington didn't play.

 

[troybond]

A part of me is hoping Kreuzer is a late change and we put him in cotton wool for next year.

He's played more games than any first year ruck in recent times and deserves a rest.

Yeah let's drop the kid who's had a hand in all of our great victories for the year on the eve of our most important game for 6 Years!!

A part of me wishes you would stop posting crap and put YOURSELF in cotton wool

 

[Murph_The_Smurf]

You are mistaken.

Saddington didn't play.

Thanks for that