Resting players

[DanA]

We've had a fortunate draw with an 8 day break following our rd 2 trip to Fremantle. A 10 day break following our Rd 4 trip to sydney and a bye in round 6 giving us a 12 day break. We were also able to sub Ottens at 1/2 time against North. I think this is a good start.

Being 8-0 I think puts us in a position to start planing for finals. I'd play a full team again against Carlton but after that I'd look at giving Ottens a week off training and rest against Gold Coast. If we are 9-0 we probably only need a 7-8 record for the rest of the season so I'd look at resting one or two other too in the GC game.

We have what I think are capable players on the sidelines in Guthrie, Christenson, Byrnes and Motlop perhaps even Vardy & Simpson. I think we should use them. Give them an opportunity between rounds 10-18. I suspect 1 or 2 will surprise as all look capable of breaking into the side if given the opportunity. This I think would be a good chance to see where they are at and give them valuable games to develop their future. The red games below are the games I hope we heavily rotating the squad in (provided we keep winning).

Rd 9 Carlton
Rd 10 Goldcoast - QLD
RD 11 Bulldogs
RD 12 Hawthorn
RD 13 St Kilda
RD 14 Adelaide
RD 15 Essendon
RD 16 Westcoast - WA
RD 17 Brisbane - QLD
RD 18 Richmond
RD 19 Melbourne
RD 20 Goldcoast
RD 21 Adelaide - SA
RD 22 Bye
RD 23 Sydney
RD 24 Collingwood

 

[Claude Balls]

Partridge isn´t going to like this!

 

[DanA]

Partridge isn´t going to like this!

Yeah has come up every year since 07 and it's starts earlier and earlier but I think it's worth discussing in particular this year having a longer season and some god aweful teams.

I am a firm believer that we should be rotating our squad as much as possible.

 

[Claude Balls]

Yeah has come up every year since 07 and it's starts earlier and earlier but I think it's worth discussing in particular this year having a longer season and some god aweful teams.

I am a firm believer that we should be rotating our squad as much as possible.

I think it depends a bit on the player. I´m no fitness expert, but given Ottens history and work load I would be happy to see him sit every 4th or 5th round out. Players like Scarlett and Chapman however, I think are better off simply playing every week if their form and fitness is otherwise 100%. They can be rested if they´re actually sore, but if not it´s probably just playing with fire. Same goes for Corey.

 

[thejester]

Ottens said on 774 post-game that they subbed him at halftime against the Roos because he'd pulled up sore from the previous week. I agree with that strategy - if older players are sore, don't play them. It's not about pre-planned 'resting', it's just a footballing reality: 90% of the time an injured/sore player is not going to be as effective as a fully fit player no matter how big the disparity in raw talent is. If players pull up sore don't risk them but until then you play them.

We've basically been following that strategy all year, can't think of a game we've played where there hasn't been a late change of some sort. I'm happy for that to continue and I'm happy for youngsters to continue to be blooded - particularly in big games. Love the fact that at 3/4 quarter time against the Hawks out of all the big names we've got - the AAs, the Brownlow, the Norm Smiths, the Carjis - he put the heat on Duncan and Menzel, who between them would have less than 20 games, and they responded. So in that sense I'd rather we played a 'full' team against GC and then brought in the likes of Cowan, Motlop and Vardy for games against the Dons or WCE.

 

[topic97]

And really, with the reduced bench, player management is going to be a lot more important that last year.

But not only for the preservation of the senior players, it also gives a few young guys the chance to have a crack in the seniors so that should something happen where one of our starters is injured we have someone that isnt totally green that can come in.

 

[Sinner]

We've had a fortunate draw with an 8 day break following our rd 2 trip to Fremantle. A 10 day break following our Rd 4 trip to sydney and a bye in round 6 giving us a 12 day break. We were also able to sub Ottens at 1/2 time against North. I think this is a good start.

Being 8-0 I think puts us in a position to start planing for finals. I'd play a full team again against Carlton but after that I'd look at giving Ottens a week off training and rest against Gold Coast. If we are 9-0 we probably only need a 7-8 record for the rest of the season so I'd look at resting one or two other too in the GC game.

We have what I think are capable players on the sidelines in Guthrie, Christenson, Byrnes and Motlop perhaps even Vardy & Simpson. I think we should use them. Give them an opportunity between rounds 10-18. I suspect 1 or 2 will surprise as all look capable of breaking into the side if given the opportunity. This I think would be a good chance to see where they are at and give them valuable games to develop their future. The red games below are the games I hope we heavily rotating the squad in (provided we keep winning).

Rd 9 Carlton
Rd 10 Goldcoast - QLD
RD 11 Bulldogs
RD 12 Hawthorn
RD 13 St Kilda
RD 14 Adelaide
RD 15 Essendon
RD 16 Westcoast - WA
RD 17 Brisbane - QLD
RD 18 Richmond
RD 19 Melbourne
RD 20 Goldcoast
RD 21 Adelaide - SA
RD 22 Bye
RD 23 Sydney
RD 24 Collingwood

I disagree - I think we need to go into round 22 with our strongest lineup

 

[DanA]

Ottens said on 774 post-game that they subbed him at halftime against the Roos because he'd pulled up sore from the previous week. I agree with that strategy - if older players are sore, don't play them. It's not about pre-planned 'resting', it's just a footballing reality: 90% of the time an injured/sore player is not going to be as effective as a fully fit player no matter how big the disparity in raw talent is. If players pull up sore don't risk them but until then you play them.

We've basically been following that strategy all year, can't think of a game we've played where there hasn't been a late change of some sort. I'm happy for that to continue and I'm happy for youngsters to continue to be blooded - particularly in big games. Love the fact that at 3/4 quarter time against the Hawks out of all the big names we've got - the AAs, the Brownlow, the Norm Smiths, the Carjis - he put the heat on Duncan and Menzel, who between them would have less than 20 games, and they responded. So in that sense I'd rather we played a 'full' team against GC and then brought in the likes of Cowan, Motlop and Vardy for games against the Dons or WCE.

Players like Scarlett probably don't need the rest but rather than wait for injury I'd hope we are proactive with those having a history of soft tissue injuries, those coming off a limited preseason and players who haven't yet got the preasons in their legs yet to run out a full season. Take away the need for four points and I think we'd have no shortage of players that would benefit from a rest more than playing.

It's fantastic that Scott can put the pressure on Menzel and Duncan and get that sort of result. It's a testiment to our player development as well as them as individuals. I just worry that with tired players at the tail end of the season won't have it left in them. I suspect we'll need to manage them very carefully as the season progresses.

 

[year of the cat]

Without wanting to fire Partridge up, I reckon it is important that player management be a priority over a 22 week season. That is not to say that we should be resting everyone as a matter of course but that the players who have a history of soft tissue injury be managed in the back end of the season.

Ottens and Chapman are two of our most vital players and also two of our most vulnerable to injury. We cannot win a flag without these two fit and firing in September. They need to be managed - whether that is through missing a game or two or being "subbed" during a game I don't know. The fitness and conditioning staff should have a good handle on this. You can also add J Corey and now Lingy to this group as well I suppose.

The younger players in Menzel and Duncan probably should also be given particular consideration. Menzel is a bigger build and looks more able to handle a longer season. If their form starts to tail off then a week off to freshen is probably a good idea.

Otherwise we need to be aiming for a top 2 finish. We have started the year beautifully and have a easier second half draw than the first. We really have no excuses. Hawthorn have lost vital players in season ending injuries; Collingwood are not getting quite the same charmed run as last year in this respect and have lost in the off season a lot of depth. Saints are gone. Bulldogs don't appear good enough. We have a great opportunity to win a flag this year if we get things right.

 

[DanA]

Without wanting to fire Partridge up, I reckon it is important that player management be a priority over a 22 week season. That is not to say that we should be resting everyone as a matter of course but that the players who have a history of soft tissue injury be managed in the back end of the season.

Ottens and Chapman are two of our most vital players and also two of our most vulnerable to injury. We cannot win a flag without these two fit and firing in September. They need to be managed - whether that is through missing a game or two or being "subbed" during a game I don't know. The fitness and conditioning staff should have a good handle on this. You can also add J Corey and now Lingy to this group as well I suppose.

The younger players in Menzel and Duncan probably should also be given particular consideration. Menzel is a bigger build and looks more able to handle a longer season. If their form starts to tail off then a week off to freshen is probably a good idea.

Otherwise we need to be aiming for a top 2 finish. We have started the year beautifully and have a easier second half draw than the first. We really have no excuses. Hawthorn have lost vital players in season ending injuries; Collingwood are not getting quite the same charmed run as last year in this respect and have lost in the off season a lot of depth. Saints are gone. Bulldogs don't appear good enough. We have a great opportunity to win a flag this year if we get things right.

I agree that a top 2 finish is the priority and like you was think Ottens Chappy and the 1st year players (in the seniors) too, I'd probably add S.J, Stokes and Milburn as other players who might need to be managed.

You wouldn't want to over do it but you've got to say we are more than a good chance of beating Gold Coast and Brisbane even with half a side in and avoiding interstate travel has benefits of it's own.

Westcoast is a tougher game though and we might want to play our strongest side if the points are still vital too us, but if we are 14-1 going into our trip to WA surely it wouldn't hurt risk the loss and rest those that need it.

 

[vinum coupe]

I don't like the idea of resting players this year.

2 byes and some average opponents.
If a player is genuinely sore then sure.

However, I would rest Menzel and Duncan at some stage.(maybe in 4 weeks or so)
And probably Otto.

 

[spudmaster]

Any chance of highlighting round12 in red? I'm willing to look the other way and take the 4 points any way we can get 'em

Joking aside, the resting idea may have merit given the Cats have an incredibly long 'second stint', stretching from round7 to round 22. Just not against Carlton this week, need to put those blue Jacks back in their boxes, too many of them have been wound up and popped out.

 

[bulletproof]

Give Ottens, Corey etc maybe one match off later in the season, combined with the two byes and hopefully a week off in September that gives them all enough rest.

Fascinating to see how Scott plays it, because he seems to err more on the aggresive approach than Thompson.

As Horse Trainer Darren Weir said to me one day 'they're racehorses, race them.'

 

[Partridge]

I don't like the idea of resting players this year.

2 byes and some average opponents.
If a player is genuinely sore then sure.

However, I would rest Menzel and Duncan at some stage.(maybe in 4 weeks or so)
And probably Otto.

Common sense approach. If they are actually sore, then absolutely rest them. And with the older guys, that could be a real possibility. But when players are in top form and not sore, they should play.

 

[you pick one]

We've had a fortunate draw with an 8 day break following our rd 2 trip to Fremantle. A 10 day break following our Rd 4 trip to sydney and a bye in round 6 giving us a 12 day break. We were also able to sub Ottens at 1/2 time against North. I think this is a good start.

Being 8-0 I think puts us in a position to start planing for finals. I'd play a full team again against Carlton but after that I'd look at giving Ottens a week off training and rest against Gold Coast. If we are 9-0 we probably only need a 7-8 record for the rest of the season so I'd look at resting one or two other too in the GC game.

Did you give us 4 points for the bye

 

[topic97]

We've had a fortunate draw with an 8 day break following our rd 2 trip to Fremantle. A 10 day break following our Rd 4 trip to sydney and a bye in round 6 giving us a 12 day break. We were also able to sub Ottens at 1/2 time against North. I think this is a good start.

Being 8-0 I think puts us in a position to start planing for finals. I'd play a full team again against Carlton but after that I'd look at giving Ottens a week off training and rest against Gold Coast. If we are 9-0 we probably only need a 7-8 record for the rest of the season so I'd look at resting one or two other too in the GC game.

Did you give us 4 points for the bye

Well, we get 4 points for the bye in round 10....... err, I mean the Gold Coast match.....

 

[Tuggacat]

I thought Ottens looked totally stuffed at the end of the Collingwood match; compared to others who were smiling and chatting away he seemed to be sucking it in. Not sure if this means anything but maybe a two week break would be good at this stage

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think there may be a case for resting players here and there due to the extra game they all have to play compared to last year with the 21 + 1.

That said, I generally don't like resting guys unless they have a legit niggle, however Ottens is the exception to that rule because he is so hard for us to replace with what we have. Scott has basically already said he will be rested at times, and that's good risk management.

The other issue for me that crops up is we need to proof the side for the best shot at a flag by ensuring fringe players get games throughout the year so that should they have to come in for finals, they don't do it cold without having played all year. This is a real issue because the gap between VFL and AFL is big (and getting bigger IMO) in terms of speed, skill, physicality structure etc, that your Guthrie's, Cowan's, Motlop's, as well as the older ones like West or Simpson will find it much harder to perform for us on the big stage if they've been cold all year. And given the age of the list, it does seem to me there is a realistic possibility that one or two or three won't last the year body wise, or someone's form drops off to the extent that they have to be replaced later in the year. For that reason I do think we really need to try and rotate a squad of 30 or 32 throughout the year, so that the next in line are ready should they be needed to go. For example Bundy, if he has to play a final (although he might solidify himself in the 21 + 1 before the finals anyway) will be much better equipped to do the job for us by the experience he's already had this year, than if he hadn't played a senior game.

How we do that is probably somewhat more complicated, but I do think it's something we should be thinking about.

 

[Linx]

I think its absolutely vital that we rest and managed our players throughout the season. We have the most 29 year olds in the competition and no matter how fit they appear, the end can come very quick for them. Guys like Otto, Chapman and Scarlett who are vital to our premiership chances and are irreplaceable should be rested (given we are winning) and managed so they are cherry ripe come finals time.

 

[Sunny_]

I'd totally be okay with you guys resting the majority of your gun players against us! That seems like a pretty good idea. Don't want any of the stars getting sore or injured after our game!

I'm all for giving young guys a good run around ... so yeah. That's good. Ahem. Please do that.

 

[topic97]

I'd totally be okay with you guys resting the majority of your gun players against us! That seems like a pretty good idea. Don't want any of the stars getting sore or injured after our game!

I'm all for giving young guys a good run around ... so yeah. That's good. Ahem. Please do that.

Lol, I dont think bumping into your team full of training cones has made any team sore yet, soft maybe, but not sore

 

[rizzo]

I think the gold coast game looks like the one where we will give some of our guys a break...

Wouldn't mind seeing Brown, Gillies, Motlop and Vardy all play.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think the gold coast game looks like the one where we will give some of our guys a break...

Wouldn't mind seeing Brown, Gillies, Motlop and Vardy all play.

Gillies needs to lift and improve on some things if he wants a game.

I agree on the rest though, and I reckon we'll rest 3 or 4 for the GC game.