What the hell does Tommy Walsh have to do?

[saintsrfreak]

I'm a massive supporter of Ross, he may be the best coach we've had since Yabby, but it is so frustrating seeing Tommy Walsh make the bests again and again yet still hasn't given him a single game!

Instead he plays the conservative option with Jason Blake who's been in a steady decline this year and adds nothing to the team. He won't just take a chance and play Tommy against an injury ravaged Freo. And yes Imadbro.

 

[hayes]

Yeah I didn't like the Blake inclusion either. Forget Blake Ross, he's done. Doesn't surprise me that he went the conservative though it's what he usually does, but we better give the Irish boy some hope soon or he'll be gone.

 

[thomas_m18]

All he has to do is wait. His time will come.

 

[stkildathunda]

Its not very hard to be named in a teams best when they average 6 goals a game over past 4 matches.... From what ive seen he isnt AFL ready yet and is still learning the game...

 

[The Punter]

We're not solely playing for next year any more. Can't afford to drop this one. I have a feeling if Dawson had been out for the Collingwood game, Walsh would be in the side to play on Cloke.

Most of the other kids are injured (Ledger, Cripps, Crocker).

I'd like to see Walsh play, but it is important we finish top six, and Blake gives us proven coverage in the ruck, as well as playing back.

 

[saintsrfreak]

All he has to do is wait. His time will come.

That's what people have been saying all year. Now Jimmy's out, Zac's out and Ross still won't give him a game.

 

[Plugger35]

I'd like to see Walsh get a go too but with this being such an important game it's probably not the time to experiment with inexperienced players.

We're missing quite a bit of experience in our backline with Gwilt and Dawson out and Blake is experienced and can play a shut down role well which frees up Fisher, Gilbert and Clarke.

Ideally we should have given Walsh a go against Port, Adelaide or Gold Coast which were easier games.

 

[StFly]

Steady decline my left nut (the right was stolen by drunk squirrels) Blake is still a overly competent and flexible replacement for a rigidly drilled backline & a relief ruck.

 

[saintsrfreak]

Steady decline my left nut (the right was stolen by drunk squirrels) Blake is still a overly competent and flexible replacement for a rigidly drilled backline & a relief ruck.

If Blake isn't a worse player than he was last year why has he been playing for Sandy?
And if it's easy to get in the bests for Sandy why hasn't Blake been? I think you should be rewarded on form not reputation but hey, that's just me.

 

[stkildathunda]

If Blake isn't a worse player than he was last year why has he been playing for Sandy?
And if it's easy to get in the bests for Sandy why hasn't Blake been? I think you should be rewarded on form not reputation but hey, that's just me.

As we have mentioned numerous times in the Sandy thread. The "bests" that come out are 90% of the time way way off the mark. Sometimes we wonder if they are actually at the matches...

If we are picking players on form then Tom Lynch would be playing every week as he has been clearly Sandys best for 18months. Also Simpkin would be ahead of Tommy Walsh by country mile.

Nicholas Winmar continuously gets named to play or emergency but have you ever seen him named amongst the best that you are basing Tommys form on??

The fact is Fremantle dont have a big forward that we need a key defender to play on. Blake will follow Kepler Bradley around all day, whether thats in the ruck or up forward.. Who would Walsh play on? We dont need him up forward and theres no room in our backline for him......

 

[Plugger35]

If Blake isn't a worse player than he was last year why has he been playing for Sandy?
And if it's easy to get in the bests for Sandy why hasn't Blake been? I think you should be rewarded on form not reputation but hey, that's just me.

I think he was dropped because we needed to bring in some youth to the team and he was expendable at the time, it's not like he was playing all that much worse than previous years.

Circumstances have changed though with Gwilt and Dawson out and we need another experienced defender like Blake. Not all that bothered about his VFL form as that doesn't always translate to AFL form. Blake knows what to do at AFL level and is familiar with the other players and the game plan, he should be able to slot straight in without too much fuss.

 

[thomas_m18]

That's what people have been saying all year. Now Jimmy's out, Zac's out and Ross still won't give him a game.

You could also argue that now Jimmy's out, Zac's out, we need more experience in our backline to cover those loses, something Blake offers.

 

[saintsrfreak]

You could also argue that now Jimmy's out, Zac's out, we need more experience in our backline to cover those loses, something Blake offers.

And you could argue that if Ross commits on that stance Tommy won't get a game unless the whole backline is out.
I don't think this will be a close game (No disrespect to Freo) and I don't think Tommy's inclusion would influence the result, so why not give him a few games? I really don't want him leaving.

 

[StFly]

If Blake isn't a worse player than he was last year why has he been playing for Sandy?
And if it's easy to get in the bests for Sandy why hasn't Blake been? I think you should be rewarded on form not reputation but hey, that's just me.

Gram's a worse player since 2009 why is he in the side?
Riewoldt is a worse player, why is he still in the side?
Armitage has tailed off this season since being moved forward, why is he still in the side?

You see what I'm doing to your argument?

You're more than happy to carry these players who are, by your grade scale, in steady decline based on past efforts and yet when it comes to an individual who may not have a matchup, who may have become depth with the emergence of a Gwilt, who may have, like Baker, been ousted to give the kids a taste and been more than happy to "make way" you're unhappy he's in and questioning why when we also have another backman suspended.

As has been stated already, Blake is an experienced head at the level needed, a competent replacement for Dawson down back, a competent back up for pinch rucking and a competent run with player (he may be used to blanket Pav and free up Fisher to roam around) and Walsh is young and... well young, but in a 6 point game, we need to have a noobie in the backline on a KP player.

No slight to Walsh, but he needs to be eased into the caper to get the speed otherwise he will be lost and treading water, Blake does not, that is the key issue here, pacing.

 

[stkildathunda]

4 Years, 3 Grand Finals, 1 Prelim Final

Pretty sure Ross knows what he's doing. In Ross We Trust

 

[CrashTestDummy]

We're not solely playing for next year any more. Can't afford to drop this one. I have a feeling if Dawson had been out for the Collingwood game, Walsh would be in the side to play on Cloke.

Most of the other kids are injured (Ledger, Cripps, Crocker).

I'd like to see Walsh play, but it is important we finish top six, and Blake gives us proven coverage in the ruck, as well as playing back.

I know I have said earlier this week that Walsh should get a run now. I still think he needs to get a run in a H/A match before September. But I have to agree with Punter. I want to see Walsh get a game but we need Blake's height and experience with Zac out. K Bradley is a big in for Freo. There is no way we should neglect height in this game. It's going to be tough but we will overcome tomorrow. GO SAINTS!

 

[saintsrfreak]

Gram's a worse player since 2009 why is he in the side?
Riewoldt is a worse player, why is he still in the side?
Armitage has tailed off this season since being moved forward, why is he still in the side?

You see what I'm doing to your argument?

You're more than happy to carry these players who are, by your grade scale, in steady decline based on past efforts and yet when it comes to an individual who may not have a matchup, who may have become depth with the emergence of a Gwilt, who may have, like Baker, been ousted to give the kids a taste and been more than happy to "make way" you're unhappy he's in and questioning why when we also have another backman suspended.

As has been stated already, Blake is an experienced head at the level needed, a competent replacement for Dawson down back, a competent back up for pinch rucking and a competent run with player (he may be used to blanket Pav and free up Fisher to roam around) and Walsh is young and... well young, but in a 6 point game, we need to have a noobie in the backline on a KP player.

No slight to Walsh, but he needs to be eased into the caper to get the speed otherwise he will be lost and treading water, Blake does not, that is the key issue here, pacing.

That is a fair enough argument but here are my points for including Walsh

1. He would be a much better match up for Bradley.
2. The sooner we get games into him the better, we have to have him ready for next year when Blake has retired (probably)
3. We have to reward Sandy form and I feel if he's consistently playing well he deserves a call up.
4. I think he might just get fed up and leave the club.
5. He can be used effectively up forward as well, which Blake can not.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

That is a fair enough argument but here are my points for including Walsh

1. He would be a much better match up for Bradley.
2. The sooner we get games into him the better, we have to have him ready for next year when Blake has retired (probably)
3. We have to reward Sandy form and I feel if he's consistently playing well he deserves a call up.
4. I think he might just get fed up and leave the club.
5. He can be used effectively up forward as well, which Blake can not.

Just to respond to the points you've raised saintsrfreak.

1. Disagree. Bradley is too streetwise.

2. Agree but we can't play short & inexperienced if you look at their selected 22.

3. Agree. Let's throw him in boots n' all against the wobbles next week after we win this week. Let's hope he has the effect of unsettling Eddie McGuire with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter when the game is tied and being served up to his MOB! Just like when we played them earlier this year on their home ground. After which Eddie stormed down to his rooms at half-time to "inspire" his mob on the basis of a contrived falsehood.

4. AGREE. Collingwood have played a soccer player this season, Gold Coast a skateboarder, rugby league/union player etc.. and Adelaide a couple of basketballers for the last couple of years. We have a champion Gaelic Footballer, why don't we play him?

finally
5. DISAGREE. We have Milney, Roo & Kosi. Ben McEvoy is a good kick too. Hope the big fella is feeling good.

 

[saintsrfreak]

Just to respond to the points you've points saintsrfreak.

1. Disagree. Bradley is too streetwise.

2. Agree but we can't play short & inexperienced if you look at there selected 22.

3. I agree let's throw him in boots n' all against the wobbles next week after we win this week. Let's hope he has the effect of unsettling Eddie McGuire with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter when the game is tied and being served up to his MOB! Just like wehn we played them earlier this year on their home ground.

4. AGREE. Collingwood have played a soccer player this season, Gold Coast a skateboarder, rugby league/union player etc.. and Adelaide a couple of basketballers for the last couple of years. We have a champion Gaelic Footballer, why don't we play him?

finally
5. DISAGREE. We have Milney, Roo & Kosi. Ben McEvoy is a good kick too.

As in short height-wise? Tommy's 196cm

 

[CrashTestDummy]

As in short height-wise? Tommy's 196cm

you missed the conjunction mate.

short & inexperienced. This would exclude both Walsh and Bakes.

Technically you are right though. Maybe I should have said and/or.
But to be honest I'd never say that to Bakes in person though him being a Colac fella and all.

Bakes will be on Sidebottom or Blair next week anyway. Just my opinion.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Just on AT's comment about Ross doing so well so far...

Yep, that must mean he's beyond any criticism, and we must not critique or question anything he has done or does do.

Gee, this whole discussion forum thing got a whole lot easier.

Sorry, AT, but c'mon, continuous improvement is a mantra for any organisation.

 

[CHBench]

I don't think a positional toss up between Jason Blake or Tommy Walsh should prove to be a match defining one, especially against a severely depleted Fremantle side in Melbourne. We should be better than that if we want to make anything of 2011, really.

Now watch Jason Blake pull 3 brownlow votes tommorow night

 

[stkildathunda]

Just on AT's comment about Ross doing so well so far...

Yep, that must mean he's beyond any criticism, and we must not critique or question anything he has done or does do.

Gee, this whole discussion forum thing got a whole lot easier.

Sorry, AT, but c'mon, continuous improvement is a mantra for any organisation.

Of course it is but this bloke hasnt even played 30 games of AFL, yet he is the "savior" of the footy club according to so many people. I bet you everyone calling for him to play will be first to bag Ross and co if he fails miserably because of the public preasure..

So you clearly mustn't like the way he has brought Jack Steven, Ben McEvoy & to a extent David Armitage then?? Clearly mustn't know how to deal with younger players.

 

[StFly]

Of course it is but this bloke hasnt even played 30 games of AFL, yet he is the "savior" of the footy club according to so many people. I bet you everyone calling for him to play will be first to bag Ross and co if he fails miserably because of the public preasure..

So you clearly mustn't like the way he has brought Jack Steven, Ben McEvoy & to a extent David Armitage then?? Clearly mustn't know how to deal with younger players.

Slightly different kettle of fish though given that Walsh is in effect an import from the other side of the world whilst those you listed are homegrown talents. The risk with someone like a McEvoy is that he'll then go to country Vic, the risk with Walsh is that he'll go back to Ireland, so you understand why people are concerned with time.

A problem is as you say though, the sheer weight that would be opinion if Walsh got burned would be probably unlike anything he'd be used to or really know how to deal with properly, unfortunately with this year there really are no "dead rubbers" to ease him in to whole deal, but there's also that if you give him a taste you might then screw a Dawson, Gwilt, Gilbert or Fisher in the process, as the back six is a unit, a cohesive unit. Then what do you do with someone like Simpkin? hasn't put a foot wrong really and Walsh then leapfrogs him in the pecking order simply because he's Irish?

It's a tricky situation to manage I'd think.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Just on AT's comment about Ross doing so well so far...

Yep, that must mean he's beyond any criticism, and we must not critique or question anything he has done or does do.

Gee, this whole discussion forum thing got a whole lot easier.

Sorry, AT, but c'mon, continuous improvement is a mantra for any organisation.

Hey PS

If you check your history in the VFL, only two sides have ever lost a Grand Final replay
other than St.Kilda.

The first being Essendon in 1948.

The second being North Melbourne in 1977.

Interesting though both teams subsequently made the Grand Final in their respective following seasons.

The Dons made it in 1949 and won.

The Roos made it in 1978 and lost.

However, the key fact is that both made it into the next Grand Final.

Could you stop talking about improvement and let Ross deal with the cashed-up megabucks monsters he will have to face in the first weekend of this October?

O ye of little faith

GO SAINTS!

P.S. Don't forget PSaint that neither of these clubs had to endure a loss the year prior, a draw in the year following and a replay loss either.

GO SAINTS!