Our biggest worry

[Zainta]

If we make the big one with all players fit and firing, who plays? Hearts could be broken, and dreams shattered, so who would miss?

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

I think there will be tears no matter what, tears from me if we win the flag, tears from me if we don't and tears from players who miss selection. I think it's a horses for courses policy in some spots, but certainly Goddard, Riewoldt, Gilbert, Hayes, Fisher, Dal Santo, Montagna and Baker are all players who should be in our 22. Apart from Eddy and one less ruckman I have no idea who else could/should make way. Jack Steven probably will, but he did enough to maintain a place. Gwilt may get suspended but I'm hoping not. Tough old times....but we've never had it like this before!

 

[Plugger35]

Yeah no doubt there will be some unlucky and disappointed players miss out if we happen to make the GF. We still need to make the GF first though and it's not a bad worry to have anyway as it shows we are really developing some good depth.

Who exactly will be the unlucky ones to miss out is hard to say. I think we all know roughly which players are in our best 22 but a lot can happen between now and then in terms of form or injuries.

Lyon has shown, by dropping Dal Santo, Milne & Ball in recent times, that he doesn't just pick players on name and reputation, so every player needs to keep performing to make sure they stay in the side.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

1). Roo
2). Lenny
3). Joey
4). BJ
5). Gardy
6). Dal
7). Milney
8). Fish
9). Schnides
10). Jones
11). Gilbo
12). Kingy
13). Ray
14). Max
15). Blakey
16). Raph
17). Zac
18). Kosi

Bakes, Gwilt, Mini, Eddy, Gears, Macca, Armo, Bally, Jack, Goose

10 players into 4 spots doesn't go!

interesting times ahead.

 

[Bourky23]

mate, if our biggest worry for 2009 is who we have to drop then i'll be a very happy man.

a lot of worse things can (and probably will) happen by seasons end.

 

[StFly]

mate, if our biggest worry for 2009 is who we have to drop then i'll be a very happy man.

a lot of worse things can (and probably will) happen by seasons end.

^ this.

And also like L2M4G also stated, there will be tears either way, either of joy or sorrow, but hopefully of joy.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Sure some kids wont get a premiership medallion, or their names in the record book. But they were a part of it. They'll enjoy it just as much as we will and it will only make them push even harder to try and cement a spot in our best 22, cos at this rate we should be up their in contention for a flag for a few years to come.

 

[Del80659]

i was going to make a thread for this but eh... i'm no doctor, nor idiot, but i'm sure playing with local aesthetic as i think the commentary said for the hawks game.. i'm sure it's not good for you? not getting rid of your injury but numbing the pain of it in order to play? how do sainters fans think their boys will hold up in the coming month with this 'putting off' of injuries? would worry me if it was my team

 

[Half Back Pocket]

i was going to make a thread for this but eh... i'm no doctor, nor idiot, but i'm sure playing with local aesthetic as i think the commentary said for the hawks game.. i'm sure it's not good for you? not getting rid of your injury but numbing the pain of it in order to play? how do sainters fans think their boys will hold up in the coming month with this 'putting off' of injuries? would worry me if it was my team

wtf?

 

[bubblegoose]

i was going to make a thread for this but eh... i'm no doctor, nor idiot, but i'm sure playing with local aesthetic as i think the commentary said for the hawks game.. i'm sure it's not good for you? not getting rid of your injury but numbing the pain of it in order to play? how do sainters fans think their boys will hold up in the coming month with this 'putting off' of injuries? would worry me if it was my team

That's why there was 8 players out on Saturday mate.

 

[panthers]

i was going to make a thread for this but eh... i'm no doctor, nor idiot, but i'm sure playing with local aesthetic as i think the commentary said for the hawks game.. i'm sure it's not good for you? not getting rid of your injury but numbing the pain of it in order to play? how do sainters fans think their boys will hold up in the coming month with this 'putting off' of injuries? would worry me if it was my team

You sure about that?
You dont think any of your players have "jabs"? After watching that insipid effort yesterday against the dockers i would say they were all under aneasthetic(spelling?)

 

[Squizz]

i was going to make a thread for this but eh... i'm no doctor, nor idiot, but i'm sure playing with local aesthetic as i think the commentary said for the hawks game.. i'm sure it's not good for you? not getting rid of your injury but numbing the pain of it in order to play? how do sainters fans think their boys will hold up in the coming month with this 'putting off' of injuries? would worry me if it was my team

Don't want to read this a third time, so I'm going to punt and assume that I get it.

Plenty of AFL players get jabbed up to be able to run through less serious injuries - it's just that Ross has said if we need to jab them they won't play at the moment. Obviously it is too close to finals to risk them.

The problem for us was that the game against the Swans was a tough one which Ross would not concede. He has stated that there were guys out there late in the game who played whilst restricted.

This hurt our selection options for the next week but improves the players' chances of getting rid of their ailments for future matches and the finals.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Probably the hardest spot for me here is 2 players: Maxy, and Zac.

Maxy can't be left out, because he has given his soul for this club.
But Zac just CAN'T miss out, because he had to endure that last year - two years of missing winning GFs when we all know how rare and precious they are could easily derail the kid. If somebody told him, "Don't worry mate, you can have one next year..." He could well turn around and say, "Tell that to Mark Blake."(not that Blake deserves one, but you get my point).

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Max deserves it for his 10+ years of service.

Zac deserves it on this years form.

This is the Saints of 09...I'd go with Zac.

But I couldn't leave Max out.

So glad I don't have to make the decision, should we get there.

 

[TassieSaint]

1). Roo
2). Lenny
3). Joey
4). BJ
5). Gardy
6). Dal
7). Milney
8). Fish
9). Schnides
10). Jones
11). Gilbo
12). Kingy
13). Ray
14). Max
15). Blakey
16). Raph
17). Zac
18). Kosi

Bakes, Gwilt, Mini, Eddy, Gears, Macca, Armo, Bally, Jack, Goose

10 players into 4 spots doesn't go!

interesting times ahead.

that would be my 22 as well mate, seems pretty much right although I can't help thinking someones missing.

btw I see no reason Max and Dawson can't both play. Both can play on full forwards or centre half forwards, all our other defenders can play small or loose, Dawson can play forward and they've played well together multiple times this year.

 

[Cuz2Plugger]

Team balance and matching up against the opposition makes this whole thread moot. Very very moot.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

that would be my 22 as well mate, seems pretty much right although I can't help thinking someones missing.

Your spidey-senses are good.

He forgot Gram.

Does that force Armo out?

 

[TassieSaint]

Your spidey-senses are good.

He forgot Gram.

Does that force Armo out?

knew it

I guess it does unless Armo can outperform Ball/McQualter/Raph in the coming weeks which could happen.

 

[AFaiL]

If we make the big one with all players fit and firing, who plays? Hearts could be broken, and dreams shattered, so who would miss?

Mate, the biggest worry is Essendon this week. Then North Melbourne, then Melbourne. etc etc.

One week at a time.

 

[theburst]

Not wanting to put a mock on, but you guys seem to put any team on the field and do the job brilliantly

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Max > Dawson. If there is a choice to be made Max wins.
Having said that, our structure dosn't seem to suffer with both in the team.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Your spidey-senses are good.

He forgot Gram.

Does that force Armo out?

Thanks armo...i was rushing

Probably also missing Seany D....

Having said that, i would still have my initial 18, with Gram and Dempster added on to the now 12-man bench.

 

[Persevering Saint]

And where are we gonna fit Aaron Fiora!?!?!?

... oh yeah...

 

[SAINTsincebirth]

Hard call on ball but armo is a similar player to ball just more skillfull. Armo issue will be consistantcy. Dempster has to be there as he even shut down hodge last week, and has been there so knows what's involved.