Resting players.

[free at last]

Well after this weeks blockbuster we come up against two sides (GC17 & port power) that are going to finish bottom four, well GC17 will for sure.

I hope Ross & co. take this opportunity to rest a couple of our key players who also happen to be our oldest ,sandi and maca etc etc.
I would even maybe think of resting Barlow for the GC17 clash.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[yakka man]

I hate seeing players rested but obviously understand the reason and need for it. Sandilands should be the main one rested and possibly Mcpharlin. However I don't see much need to rest anyone else. If Barlow keeps pulling up well after games then resting him could do more harm then good. They will want to build strength and continuity in his leg.

 

[tacopavlich]

Freo always goes slack against bottom teams which results in playing poorly and either just getting over the line or losing. Get a full squad and stick Sandi stationary in the forwardline and sub out macca if we realy want to later in the game.

 

[electricfeel]

We never actually belt the teams we're expected to smash, so I'd like to see a full strength team and for us to actually smash the shit out of the poorer sides for once!

 

[jedi mind tricks]

I want players to be rested also. Anyone who has a niggle or some of the older players. Lyon needs to manage his players throughout the season and I wouldn't risk dropping too many as these games are no certainty.

I agree with resting Barlow for a number of games aswell and think Griff should be given a go as Freo may need to call on him if Sandi injures himself. Sandi may already need a rest.

 

[Seppo]

I think we can afford to rest players more if Ablett doesn't pull up. Can't see them getting up with a midfield of Rishcetelli, Caddy, Harmichael etc...

Hopefully no changes from injury through the Carlton game, would be a good game to rest a 30yo player and reward some WAFL form.

 

[13then7]

I have not organised a trip to the Gold Coast to see us fall over the line. Last time I travelled to watch the Dockers play we were 55 (from memory) points up at half time against Melbourne at the MCG .........

It has taken me this long to get over it. For gods sake smash 'em

 

[Nickos66]

Would like to see Sandi rested, maybe Barlow Subbed in or out against GC depending on general soreness, and whoever else could use some R&R. Having said that I wouldn't want to compromise on the possibility of coming away with anything less than a 10 goal hiding to them & Port.

 

[SH Tracer Bullet]

Players who have niggles or genuine injuries should be the only players omitted from these games.

The fixture has teams playing Gws, Gc, Melb and Port twice where they can severely increase percentages from those games, to win just or god forbid lose to these teams this year is a sin!

 

[Demons09]

Resting players is the same as flirting with form imo, recipe for disaster maybe if it was a home game against GC even then it wouldn't be more than one player.

 

[eastfreo75]

You send the wrong message if you rest too many players.

Play Sandilands against Gold Coast, and maybe give Clarke more ruck time and Sandilands as a key forward. Then, if we are 10 goals at 3/4 time, then sub him off.

 

[The Anchorite]

Does no one remember last year? Would you prefer a few extra percentage against GC or a fit and firing team come finals? Of course Sandi should be rested.

 

[Latro]

I think people are really underrating Port. If we rest players against them we will lose.

 

[SH Tracer Bullet]

Change the terminology from rest to player manage of list manage and bam all good, do what you like.
But really if you don't have a niggle or genuine injury, you play.

 

[free at last]

I think people are really underrating Port. If we rest players against them we will lose.

I'm pretty bullish that griffo could cover , and SNOS could cover maca.

 

[yakamoto]

Can't believe that anyone needs to be rested yet. The season has hardly started. Percentage is likely to determine some of the final 8 positions so at this time of the year we should be sending out the strongest possible team, week in week out.

 

[more_of_bito]

No. Continue to develop structures and strategy against all opposition. Rest should only occur when we are entrenched in top four and last 6 rounds leading into finals, otherwise best 22.
If Sandi, Pav and Mcpharlin would only be a consideration if not 100%.
Geelong rested because large proportion of their squad is over 27 last year, this is not a problem for us.

 

[estibador]

I think people are really underrating Port. If we rest players against them we will lose.

Yep, Port knocked off the Bulldogs and pushed Sydney and Collingwood deep into the 4th quarter.

Underestimate them at your peril, they're nothing like the easybeat side of last year. I'm tipping them against the Crows this weekend too.

 

[free at last]

Yep, Port knocked off the Bulldogs and pushed Sydney and Collingwood deep into the 4th quarter.

Underestimate them at your peril, they're nothing like the easybeat side of last year. I'm tipping them against the Crows this weekend too.

Can't agree with you on port, there 1- 3, and to make it even harder they've just lost one of their best players in gray.
Ross is setting us up so if a player goes out a replacement comes in and performs the role with the same result.

 

[The Anchorite]

we should be sending out the strongest possible team, week in week out.

But we also have to make sure that strongest possible team remains available later in the year. It's not about not underestimating Port, or even GC without Ablett, these are 4 point games that will be treated with enormous seriousness but also appropriate context. It's about not underestimating who we play in Round 23 and beyond - doubt it will be either of those teams - and the difficulties of getting players there healthy. Sure it's a risk, but it's about the calculation.

We risked not playing Fyfe this week, and we came up with the goods, and get to keep a healthier Fyfe in our hand. Last year we used all our cards first opportunity and kept looking for a nonexistent trump card up our sleeve. We seem to have gone from Harvey playing depth we didn't have, to now having depth, and not being willing to use it? Everyone's calling for Silvagni and others to be included - but we can't handle anybody resting?

 

[raffrox]

Yep, because we have just turned into Essedon circa season 2000.

Its a tight season, our percentage sucks and we need to keep the pedal to the metal, not ease up.

 

[Schauermann]

Can't believe that anyone needs to be rested yet. The season has hardly started. Percentage is likely to determine some of the final 8 positions so at this time of the year we should be sending out the strongest possible team, week in week out.

Agree.

 

[Sman-21]

If they have a slight injury and undecided on whether to play them or not.
Rest them.

Otherwise go out there,smash them and get the confidence that smashing a team can bring.

Not only will players be full of confidence for next game, we get a healthy percentage boost.

Come the end of year Percentage will be very important.
With some teams getting GWS or GC twice, we need that percentage.

 

[FreoRicci]

Well after those two games, it's the derby.. Having a week off might shunt their game plan, fitness so the more we work on it the more confident we get against top teams. Underestimate GCFC and PAFC and that can bite us on the arse.

EDIT: Plus we have a larger break after the game this friday so that certainly helps..

 

[Chops_a_must]

I think people are really underrating Port. If we rest players against them we will lose.

Yep, Port knocked off the Bulldogs and pushed Sydney and Collingwood deep into the 4th quarter.

Underestimate them at your peril, they're nothing like the easybeat side of last year. I'm tipping them against the Crows this weekend too.

Agreed with the above.

Port have improved out of sight. And they're a 50/50 chance to win this weekend IMO.