The weekends loss has really changed my expectations for the remainder of the home and away season. I was hoping that we could rest and rotate a few players into the team over the concluding stages of the H&A. I thought some of our reserves players should be rewarded for their season and to see if they have got what it takes to play in the top level. Players like Membrey, Robinson, Nankervis, Naismith, Hewett, etc. However, as a result of that loss, I think any plans may have changed somewhat. I see the objectives over the remaining 5 weeks of H&A being;
1. Determining who is our best 22. In my opinion Mitchell, Hannebery and Shaw will need to be slotted back in and build some fitness and form. By the end of the H&A, my best 22 would be
B: Smith, Richards, Rampe
HB: Malceski, Grundy, Shaw
C: Hannebery, Jack, McVeigh
Fol: Pyke, Kennedy, Mitchell
HF: Parker, Franklin, McGlynn
F: Goodes, Tippett, Cunningham
I/C: Reid, Jetta, Bird, Laidler
Emergencies: Rohan, Lloyd, B Jack, Derickx, Membrey, Nankervis
Rohan misses out due to the experience of Shaw and Lloyd misses out as Mitchell gives us some of that inside grunt that I feel we are currently missing. Though they are next in line. Cunningham holds his spot in the 22 because of his goal kicking and pace.
2. It is obvious that Tippett needs to be managed for the rest of the year to ensure he is on the ground during the finals series. I?m no medical expert or neither am I privy to how he is pulling up, but I was considering the following schedule;
R19 Essendon SCG ? play
R20 Port Adelaide AO ? play (after 2 consecutive weeks I would like to rest him but this is an important game)
R21 Saint Kilda SCG ? rest
R22 Western Bulldogs ES ? play
R23 Richmond ANZ ? rest (no way should he play on this dodgy ground)
Hopefully he comes back rested and fit for a full tilt at the finals series. Qualifying Final, week off, Preliminary Final and Grand Final. When he is resting, I would like to give Membrey and Nankervis a game. That extra forward is crucial to our set up and allows Franklin to roam the half forward and wing. Also allows Goodes to play out of the goal square where his defensive deficiencies (age and injuries) are somewhat less exposed.
What are others hoping to see over next 5 weeks?
Bookmarks