Round 1 lineup

[macca69]

This is how I think you guys will lineup.

Gram Hudgeton Ferguson
S. Fisher Maguire Powell
Harvey Hayes Dal Santo
Montagna Riewoltd Gwilt
Milne Gehrig Watts

Ackland Baker Ball

McQualter, Blake, Thompson, Schwarze

Players that I have heard are injured
Peckett
X Clarke
R Clarke
Goddard
Hamill
Voss
Kosi

thoughts?

 

[Axcellence]

Err.. not quite there to be honest.

I'd wait another 2-3 days, the team's would be out anyway by tuesday or wednesday at the latest?

I'd hazard a guess as

S Fisher, Hudgton, Voss
Gram, Maguire, McQualter
Montagna, Dal Santo, Hayes
Goddard, Riewoldt, Hamill
Gehrig, Milne, Harvey
Ball Ackland Baker
Int: Thompson, Peckett, Blake, Powell/Gwilt

 

[macca69]

Err.. not quite there to be honest.

I'd wait another 2-3 days, the team's would be out anyway by tuesday or wednesday at the latest?

I'd hazard a guess as

S Fisher, Hudgton, Voss
Gram, Maguire, McQualter
Montagna, Dal Santo, Hayes
Goddard, Riewoldt, Hamill
Gehrig, Milne, Harvey
Ball Ackland Baker
Int: Thompson, Peckett, Blake, Powell/Gwilt

Milne at FF?
Also thought that Voss, Goddard and Hamill were injured?

 

[Kildonan]

I haven't any special inside info or anything but the way I see it

Hamill will play
Voss is >75 % chance to play
Goddard <25 % chance to play

Allan Murray may get a spot on the bench

Not sure if Ferguson or Gwilt will get a run first up.

Gram will definitely line up on a half back flank.

 

[Axcellence]

Fiora then? for gwilt. I refuse to believe that they'll pick Powell up for the trip to the west.

 

[macca69]

I refuse to believe that they'll pick Powell up for the trip to the west.

why?

 

[blues4flag]

Goddard <25 % chance to play

Well, he played in the VFL didn't he? Wouldn't that mean he should be fit to play (considering he got through it alright, of course.)?

 

[Kildonan]

Exactly for that reason actually - he played Saturday and our Rd 1 match is Thursday - if there is a question over his fitness, it would seem unlikely that they would play him in Subiaco after only 5 days recovery.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

(I originally posted this on the Eagles board)

It seems as though both sides will have a few players missing. Raph and Xavier Clarke are both certain to miss, as is Koschitzke, Goddard played for the Scorpions yesterday, so probably won't play..while Voss appeared to have re-injured his ankle at training.

In a worst-case scenario our team will probably look like this:

B: McQualter, Hudghton, S.Fisher
HB: Gram, Maguire, Peckett
C: Dal Santo, Hayes, Montagna
HF: Hamill, Riewoldt, Harvey
F: Milne, Gehrig, Brooks

Foll: Ackland, Ball, Baker
Int: Thompson, Rix, Gwilt, Schwarze

Emg: Powell, Blake, Fiora

Out of best 22: Koschitzke, Voss, X.Clarke, Goddard, R.Clarke

Originally Posted by macca69
I heard that Peckett and Hamill weren't going to play. Also its interesting to note that u have both Rix and Brooks in your 22, I can only see one of Rix/Brooks/Blake playing and I think they will pick Blake. Looks like it should be a cracking game.

Both Peckett and Hamill are training at 100%, and are in our best 22, so I don't see why they wouldn't play.

As for Rix and Brooks...I'm probably a long way off with that prediction, but Brooks has been in good form in the praccy games (mainly as a forward), and could take Kosi's role while he's out.

Rix is probably our best option if you guys play Cox/Seaby forward. Rix kept Sav Rocca goalless last year, and is one of the biggest/strongest guys at the club so should be handy. Is also probably the best tap ruckman on our list..the main thing that could hold him back is his disposal.

Blake..well, he just wouldn't be very valuable against the giant WC ruckmen. At 189cm and 87kg, he can only be used effectively against Jeff White/Adam Goodes types. He's pretty much useless against anyone over 198cm. Sure. Blake's athletisism usually gets him a spot in the team, but he's just giving too much height and weight away against Cox and Seaby.

 

[JeffDunne]

Powell will play.

No way Rix, Ackland and Brooks will all play in the same team.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Powell will play.

No way Rix, Ackland and Brooks will all play in the same team.

Powell's shocking disposal and horrible pace would be too costly at Subi.

I think Acker, Brooks and Rix could all play, but all play in different roles.

Ackland should ruck for most of the game, maybe going forward a little bit, while Brooks could play half the game in a forward pocket in Kosi's old role, one quarter in the ruck and one quarter on the bench.

Rix could easily play the entire game though. We'll need his height and strength of they play both Lynch and Cox/Seaby forward, while Rix could also ruck for a bit if Ackers is struggling against his giant opponents.

So I'd say:

Ackland- 3 qtrs in ruck, 1qtr on the bench
Brooks- 1 half in forward pocket, 1 qtr in ruck, 1 qtr on bench
Rix- full game in defence

Another upside to this would be that we'd find out of both Rix and Brooks have any future. If Brooks can't make an impact, and Rix is beaten easily (ala Nick Stone), then we know we have to start looking around again. On the other hand, if Brooks can kick two or three goals and get 10 or so hitouts, we may have a player on our hands. Likewise if Rix can keep Cox/Seaby quiet, then we finally have the gorilla backman we long for.

 

[Kildonan]

I like Powelly, hes a tough hard in-and-under type who excels when given a tagging role. I rate him as an essential player. He gets the hard ball out to our skilled on-ballers and makes them look good.

He had a bad back last season that made him look slower than he is, and I admit that he is not the quickest by foot, but his mind is sharp and clear. He doesn't panic. His handballs to free players starts our running movements and he follows up with blocks and shepperds, putting his body on the line.

Players like Ball and Dal Santo cop enough rough stuff, let Powell get in there get the ball out to them and protect them.

 

[JeffDunne]

Powell's shocking disposal and horrible pace would be too costly at Subi.

I agree with everything StKildonan said and IMO Powell's still clearly in our best 22.

Another upside to this would be that we'd find out of both Rix and Brooks have any future. If Brooks can't make an impact, and Rix is beaten easily (ala Nick Stone), then we know we have to start looking around again.

Surely we're going to give Rix more than one game (and in Perth) to prove himself?

 

[macca69]

so if Hamill and Peckett play then the lineup looks like

S. Fisher Hudgeton Peckett
Gram Maguire Powell
Montagna Hayes Dal Santo
Harvey Riewoltd Hamill
Milne Gehrig Watts

Ackland Baker Ball

McQualter, Blake, Thompson, Gwilt

 

[Kildonan]

That looks about right.

I have a "feeling" that Murray might play in place of Gwilt but that would be just a guess.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

I doubt Watts will play.

He was a liabiliy in all but one of our pre season games, and surely would have to do more before he is considered for senior selection.

 

[Kildonan]

I thought exactly the same thing MSG, I even said so in my review (that Watts was not yet up to AFL standard). The thing is, however, is that some reports I have read suggest that Watts will debut and it has been hypothesized he may be replaced when Koschitzke returns (unless he has earned his spot). It sure wont hurt us to have a wealth of KPP stocks, but I wonder whether we can carry him if he doesn't improve rapidly.

Similarly with Murray, I heard good reports of him in the intraclub match, but he hasn't been outstanding since. I believe he will play forward and be involved in the midfield rotation. This is because of a similar report to the Watts one.

With both of these players in our team against WCE, I am a little concerned, but I accept that we can't afford to stop developing our players.

 

[St DAC]

I thought exactly the same thing MSG, I even said so in my review (that Watts was not yet up to AFL standard). The thing is, however, is that some reports I have read suggest that Watts will debut and it has been hypothesized he may be replaced when Koschitzke returns (unless he has earned his spot). It sure wont hurt us to have a wealth of KPP stocks, but I wonder whether we can carry him if he doesn't improve rapidly.

Similarly with Murray, I heard good reports of him in the intraclub match, but he hasn't been outstanding since. I believe he will play forward and be involved in the midfield rotation. This is because of a similar report to the Watts one.

With both of these players in our team against WCE, I am a little concerned, but I accept that we can't afford to stop developing our players.

When should a player be considered "developed"? Or at least as "developed" as he can get. Murray has had 3 years with us, and one or two with Port, and I'm yet to see a decent game from him apart from his debut game against Hawthorn. Other than that he's been big on huff & puff, and short on possessions and goals. Not in our top 30 IMHO.

Watts aint ready yet, but he's more of a kid than Murray, so may develop yet.

 

[Kildonan]

I suppose development continues throughout careers, but in this instance I believe that the change of roles constitutes development.

Nevertheless, I am merely reporting what I have heard rather than suggesting this is how I would do it. Personally I would have our best available players in for the West Coast match. The reports may be in error, in fact we should know the situation soon (Wednesday, I presume).

 

[gosaints]

I think we will line up something like this.

B: Voss/Ferguson Max McQualter
HB: Gram Maguire Fisher
C: Montagna Hayes Dal Santo
HF: Roo Watts Harvey
F: Milne Gehrig Hamill

Rucks: Ackland Ball Baker

Int: Blake Thommo Peckett Powell

If Voss is fit, Ferguson won't play. I think Watts will get his chance first up, with Roo playing up the ground as a link player. Subiaco is a big oval and having Roo around the middle of the ground to link between defence and attack. 3 stay at home tall forwards with Watts, Hamill and Gehrig.
I think Blake will play as the back up ruckman. This will either be make or break. GT likes to give players challenges, he will instruct Blake to run his arse off around the big ground, giving an option and getting possesions. Counter the Eagles ruck height with agility and run.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Going by training reports on SS, I think this is how we'll line up:

B: Voss, Hudghton, Watts
HB: Gram, Maguire, S.Fisher
C: Dal Santo, Hayes, Peckett
HF: Goddard, Riewoldt, Harvey
F: Milne, Gehrig, Hamill

Foll: Ackland, Ball, Baker
Int: Thompson, Powell, Murray, Blake

I'd much prefer if we left out Murray, Powell and perhaps Watts for Montagna, one of McQualter/Gwilt and one of Brooks/Rix/Schwarze.

 

[Benno_900]

Going by training reports on SS, I think this is how we'll line up:

B: Voss, Hudghton, Watts
HB: Gram, Maguire, S.Fisher
C: Dal Santo, Hayes, Peckett
HF: Goddard, Riewoldt, Harvey
F: Milne, Gehrig, Hamill

Foll: Ackland, Ball, Baker
Int: Thompson, Powell, Murray, Blake

Can Watts play there?

Will he play there as a negating role?

 

[sainter]

Can Watts play there?

Will he play there as a negating role?

There's been some talk during the off-season of Fergus having a run in defence. Personally I don't think he's got the speed to play as a key defender. He joined the club in a blaze of publicity, not only leaving Adelaide against their wishes but also in his decision to go to the club where his Dad is the CEO. He's definitely a long-term prospect.

In the defence that MSG has listed he'd be playing as a fourth tall. I wouldn't think the Eagles would go in with that many talls unless they think it's an area where they can exploit us. Hopefully a lot of opposition clubs do think like that. Penny rarely played last season and Aussie wasn't anywhere near his 2004 form and our defence was the third best in the competition. We lack a bit of depth but I reckon our current defence is quite underrated.

 

[nicho_magic]

Going by training reports on SS, I think this is how we'll line up:

B: Voss, Hudghton, Watts
HB: Gram, Maguire, S.Fisher
C: Dal Santo, Hayes, Peckett
HF: Goddard, Riewoldt, Harvey
F: Milne, Gehrig, Hamill

Foll: Ackland, Ball, Baker
Int: Thompson, Powell, Murray, Blake

I'd much prefer if we left out Murray, Powell and perhaps Watts for Montagna, one of McQualter/Gwilt and one of Brooks/Rix/Schwarze.

you are kidding yourself mate. first you leave watts out of your best 30, then you put him in the back pocket. do you have any idea. he's hardly going to rotate off the ball, or match up on there little forward pocket, like a sampi, i dunno bout you but watts isn't that quick.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Firstly, I don't think Watts is anywhere near our best 22, but he was with the group of 23 that left training early, obviously in preparation for Thursday, so it seems as though he;s playing.

Also, Watts used to play in defence first as a junior, then a bit in the SANFL before moving forward.

I put him in a back pocket because WC are probably going to try to expose our lack of genuine height in defence by playing one of Seaby/Cox there, so Watts' pace wouldn't be too costly, and he'd be one of the few able to compete with them in the air.

BTW, earlier in the year there were articles on saints.com saying that Watts will probably play in defence early in the season, so I'm not just coming out of nowhere.

So I'd imagine these would some pretty accurate match-ups in defence (assuming Voss and Sampi play):
B: Gram (Sampi), Hudghton (Lynch), Watts (Seaby)
HB: S.Fisher (Staker), Maguire (Hansen), Voss (Cousins)