Replacing Riewoldt?

[Plugger35]

Well it's just been confirmed that Riewoldt will be out of action for an extended length of time. Not good news but the question that now has to be asked is how do we best replace him? Obviously a player of his quality is difficult to replace but we have a few options up our sleeve.

My favourite Rhys Stanley seems a logical like for like replacement. Plays a similar style to Riewoldt and has been training alongside him all summer so is obviously being groomed for a similar role. I've been pushing for him to be included in our team for the last couple of weeks anyway as I think he is a star in the making and now would be as good an opportunity as ever to give the kid the keys to CHF for a while and see what he can do.

Other options would be swinging Goddard up forward like we did last night or another one of our tall defenders, ie. Fisher, Gilbert, Dawson or Blake. Although I think they are all much better suited to defence and I don't think we should meddle with it too much.

McEvoy, Pattison and Lynch could all be tried up forward too. McEvoy probably the best option of those three, Pattison doesn't really appeal as a key forward and from what I've seen of Lynch I'm not sure he is ready for a key forward role just yet.

Obviously Kosi returning in a couple of weeks will help as well and he could possibly be pushed up the ground to play more of a CHF role too.

Thoughts?

 

[Gus]

CM86 is on a red card, so I'll do his work and endorse Rhys Stanley.

 

[TheLastEmperor]

kosi and dawson up forward.

 

[StFly]

Stanley does not have the body for it, call me crazy, but Cahill or Lynch.

Chips back shores up the defense and if it was just concussion he'll be right to then swing a regular HBF to the HFF, someone like Goddard, Dal or Gram. Kosi back provides the focal target up forward and he will know that when he returns he needs to step up big time to fill the void, what we then lack is another suitable marker which Cahill & Lynch fit.

Stick them in the square with Kosi roaming and tell the blokes to lead like crazy and if someone else has it either shepherd or stick the tackle and they'll be solid.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

I feel that Stanley will need to have a very good game tomorrow. He is spectacular, but tends to be lost for long spells during a game. No problem, he will get there, but I am not sure whether he should be thrown in as the first or even sole tall forward.

Next week (against Fremantle) will be interesting, especially if Stanley does get his chance. Koschitzke had some of his best games (remember 2005) when Riewoldt was out and I expect him to step up big time without Riewoldt (who, while noone will complain about this) is probably not the easiest of partners in a forward line as he moves around so much and tends to go for everything.

I would (again, depending on the game tomorrow - maybe I'll even venture down to Frankston) prefer Clarke back in with a flexible tall(ish) forward approach next week using Gardiner (and / or McEvoy or Pattison if either comes in), Goddard, Fisher, Dawson and Gwilt and let Koschitzke take over thereafter.

It's time to show the football world that we are more than the Riewoldt FC.

 

[dan0z]

yeah the game tommorow might come into play, if stanley, patto, or lynch can have a blinder it might help their chances.

Or Ross could suprise us again with someone unexpected..

 

[Plugger35]

CM86 is on a red card, so I'll do his work and endorse Rhys Stanley.

Cheers mate, obviously my Rhys Stanley > NicNat thread has convinced you to jump on the Stanley bandwagon.

kosi and dawson up forward.

Well obviously Kosi will be one option up forward. Not sure about Dawson up forward although he has been struggling a bit at fullback lately so maybe it's worth a try. Think he played forward a bit in the last quarter last night and has played there before, not a bad shot at goal either.

I reckon out of our defenders Sam Fisher might be best suited to playing CHF, he is a good mark and clever player that reads the play well and also a pretty good kick for goal. I still think he is much better suited to defence but we covered him OK when he was out injured with Gilbert filling his role.

I also mentioned Gilbert and Blake as options but to be honest I don't think we should move them up forward. Gilbert is starring in the backline at the moment and is a great defensive player with his marking and tackling so to move him would be crazy. I don't think he is a good forward anyway, looks a bit lost the few times he has been played there. Blake is also much better suited to defence than up forward.

 

[Plugger35]

yeah the game tommorow might come into play, if stanley, patto, or lynch can have a blinder it might help their chances.

Or Ross could suprise us again with someone unexpected..

Hell, I forgot all about Lynch and also McEvoy and Pattison for that matter. Might have to edit the OP to include them.

 

[CHBench]

Just before everyone spruiks Stanley..

I went and watched Stanley and the young'uns at Port Melbourne the other day. As I stated in our Sandy thread, Port Melbourne are a stand-along team, and thus is playing their best side. Sure, they're VFL, but they were men, good solid, adult, players. they were not a bunch of AFL-team rookies being dumped onto a VFL side for them to blood. With that in mind, it was interesting to watch Stanley play a full game against big bodies that tackedl like men. He was diligent and often exciting and talented, but Sandy still went down rather badly, and Stanley was a factor in that. Great young player, full of potential, but boys against men.

He's not ready. I'd love him to be, I really, really would - I've voiced my frustration with Kosi and my lack of hope for him in the long term future. I think Kasak is going to allow us to have 2 Roos in the forward line. BUT, if we try to rush him, we will find he becomes more like a Kosi than a Roo - full of talent but physically destroyed by having been thrown amongst wolves before he was ready.

I could see Cahill maybe coming in, because he's already built quite well. But really, just let the boys grow up a little.

And really, except for the few flashes of brilliance he showed during the NAB Cup, Stanley didn't do much else. Don't get me wrong, bucket loads of potential, but he's still a bit away.


Wouldn't mind seeing Paul Cahill get a go. Seemed to lead up pretty well during his 10 minute gig. Unfortunate timed injury for Lynch, you'd think he would've been one of the top choices.

McEvoy probably gets the gig, rotating with Gardiner.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Well, at least it makes us a little unpredictable.

Chips, BJ, Gardi, McEvoy all rotating through the forward line. Can all hold their own and kick a goal.

Next two weeks without Kosi may be a tough gig. But when he comes back it should help. And hopefully he can stand up as he usually does when Roo is out.

 

[Plugger35]

Just before everyone spruiks Stanley..



And really, except for the few flashes of brilliance he showed during the NAB Cup, Stanley didn't do much else. Don't get me wrong, bucket loads of potential, but he's still a bit away.


Wouldn't mind seeing Paul Cahill get a go. Seemed to lead up pretty well during his 10 minute gig. Unfortunate timed injury for Lynch, you'd think he would've been one of the top choices.

McEvoy probably gets the gig, rotating with Gardiner.

Way to go raining on my Stanley parade CHB.

Nah just joking. Living in WA I don't have the opportunity to see Stanley in the VFL to see how he is going. Maybe I'm getting a bit carried away with his NAB Cup form but from what I saw he looked the goods and didn't look overawed or out of place at AFL level. Some guys can struggle in the lower grades but can just step up a gear when they play at the top level and I think Stanley might be one of those players.

Didn't really consider Cahill as an option as I haven't seen much of him but I'm more than happy for him to be thrown in the mix as well.

I think the positive for us is there are plenty of options to replace Riewoldt which says a lot about our depth at the moment. Obviously losing a player of Riewoldt's class is going to be a big loss but I think we can cover him OK and still win most games. We showed that last night and on the few occasions Riewoldt has been rested/injured in recent times.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Next two weeks without Kosi may be a tough gig. But when he comes back it should help. And hopefully he can stand up as he usually does when Roo is out.

It's one more week, isn't it ? If I remember correctly, he accepted three weeks (i.e. North, C'wood, Freo ) ?

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

It's one more week, isn't it ? If I remember correctly, he accepted three weeks (i.e. North, C'wood, Freo ) ?

Ah yep, my bad. Thought he got reported against North for some reason.

 

[Banger724]

Well, at least it makes us a little unpredictable.

Chips, BJ, Gardi, McEvoy all rotating through the forward line. Can all hold their own and kick a goal.

Next two weeks without Kosi may be a tough gig. But when he comes back it should help. And hopefully he can stand up as he usually does when Roo is out.

I thought Kosi only had one more week out?

 

[Hammers_Saints]

That Gaertner bloke was being talked up as well.

I can see Luke Miles coming in to be honest and maybe Gilbert/Goddard up forward

 

[StFly]

That Gaertner bloke was being talked up as well.

I can see Luke Miles coming in to be honest and maybe Gilbert/Goddard up forward

Miles has stress fractures, he's a no go zone for a fair while unfortunately.

 

[Sainters4theflag]

Goddard.
He played in the forward line about round 3 (I think) last year and kicked 5 in the first quarter (give or take).

 

[the emergency]

This week, Big Ben to come in, Gardi FF, Goddard CHF, Fisher and Gilbert can be the playmakers in Goddard's absence in the backline.

I've said this before, but I'm really optimistic about Kosi being played into form in Riewoldt's absence...
He will be the enforcer of the forward line and if he can kick a plunder of goals, he will be brimming with confidence when Roo comes back.

Big loss, yes, but not the end of our season. CARN THE SAINTS!!!

 

[saintmont]

I think he will replace roo with some-one around the same height to keep the team structure.

 

[Defacto]

Next week gardiner FF. Goddard CHF. McEvoy ruck.

Week after Kozi FF. Goddard CHF. King to be rested.

We need to think long term in terms of structure and think who we will in roos position come finals (in case his recovery takes longer)

 

[Plugger35]

I think he will replace roo with some-one around the same height to keep the team structure.

So Rhys Stanley it is, glad that's settled.

 

[paul of tuval]

Jimmy Gwilt has played forward in the past and is in the best form of his career. His marking is a problem but I think he would go well in tandem with Kosi.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Just before everyone spruiks Stanley..



And really, except for the few flashes of brilliance he showed during the NAB Cup, Stanley didn't do much else. Don't get me wrong, bucket loads of potential, but he's still a bit away.


Wouldn't mind seeing Paul Cahill get a go. Seemed to lead up pretty well during his 10 minute gig. Unfortunate timed injury for Lynch, you'd think he would've been one of the top choices.

McEvoy probably gets the gig, rotating with Gardiner.

Thanks for bringing that over, Benchy - saves me some time...

 

[dan0z]

Although i agree stanley is not 100% ready, i dont think we have many better options for round 4.
I also think the faster pace of AFL would suit Stanley better than the slower, lower skilled VFL games..
A lot of good AFL players struggle in the VFL
The ball coming in fast and long might be just what he needs.
Just a thought..

 

[stkildathunda]

When Kosi returns in 2 weeks we could throw Kosi to CHF and get him to play the Roo role. Then bring McEvoy back in and rotate the 3 ruckmen through FF again like against the Roos.
Or Raph back in to help out our defence and rotate Sammy Fisher & Goddard through the backline & forward line.