Agree LP. Better to play a young developing player than Fantasia. He has had enough chances and shown zip.
Far be it from me to stick up for Fantasia, but its games like this one which is the reason we picked him up. A senior body, with AFL experience, with the smarts to turn a game quickly against quality opposition. If he ever wants to justify his position, its tonight under the above (finals like) conditions.
If we were outside of the top 8, then 100% you play the kid.....but thats not where we are as a team right now.
Hewett will take Cerra's spot. Marchbank for Cowan. Fantasia for Martin.
Carroll or Williams for Cottrell. One will be sub.
You have Owies in the side. You've got Durdin and Fantasia on the bench....one of them has to be sub. I'd start Williams and Carroll and see which one of them needs a rest (or Pitto) when we sub on one of the smalls.
Yep, the turnaround came when we went smaller and with more run. Martin, Cuningham and Fogarty (and even Fisher) become staples of the side and we couldn't lose.
Take a few of them out of the side and all of a sudden we can't win.
Put them all on long term injury lists and replace them with mid season draft picks. At least we will know they are going to be 35-40 players on the list and give VFL abit of depth.
Doesn't work like that. Actually needs to be approved by the AFL, who would not.
Not sure I want to see Williams play down back with no suitable opposition....
I wasn't saying that he needs to play down back, just that he might need to play. Running out of soldiers.
Who comes in for Cottrell?
The outs last week were Fantasia, Young, Cuningham and Williams. Cunners is injured. Young is a different type. So pick 1 out of Fantasia and Williams......or someone else from the 2's. Binns?
Not that long ago Boyd was the whipping boy, now I feel assured when I see him with the ball and even near the ball. Not saying Cowan will do the same but I hope he does. Our mate Marchbank might have other feelings about Boyd though.
Marchbank and Boyd play different roles.
Marchbank plays a similar role to McGovern and Kemp
BigH has consistently been our only effective forward in the last month or so, Charlie is in a rut, and the anti-ruck-duo brigade want BigH out of F50 and rucking when he doesn't really need to do so, even contemplating it momentarily is pure insanity!
Playing devils advocate here... Charles is leading the Coleman. He has kicked a goal in every one of his last 56? Games which is a record a that goes back decades to find a peer I believe. I'm not sure how out of form he is.
However that out of form also coincides with playing 2 rucks. Harry being in the 50 full time during the period you mentioned.
Soeaking of Harry, he only found form when he was able go break the shackles and play up the ground in the ruck.
For transparency, in not saying we should only play 1 ruck this week due to the above. I'm just saying your reasoning is incorrect.