Changes for Rnd 3 v Port Power

[Triple B]

If you're named in the starting 18 doesn't that rule you out as sub?

Or have I just made up that rule?

It's not a rule, but I believe in all matches last year for Sydney, that was the case.

I have a suspicion though that Hanners was named in the starting 18 last week. Anybody confirm? (My record is downstairs but I'm too lazy to run down and get it.....shutup Al)...

I'm pretty sure Hanners was named on the bench.

Just emptied my game day backpack ready for Blacktown today and looked at last weeks record.

Hanners WAS named in the starting 18 last week and obviously Everitt was this week, so it's fair to assume, unlike last year, the sub will come from any of the 22 named, not just the bench players.....

[longmile]

Everitt is the sub. There is a god.

[Hartijon]

Spot on Longmile. Unfortunately TDL doesn't fall in the same category as White-where you're given countless opportunities despite consistently poor performances.

Agree and have been playing this tune along with many others for a very long time. Eddie Betts last night just illustrates what damage a true forward can do.Guarantee if he played for us he would be in the reserves playing 1/2 back flank to get his physical prescence and match fitness up.Good forwards are a rare breed.As Wolftone has said again and again the top 4 sides are full of specialist forwards.Do you see Podsiadly playing in the backlines to develop "flexibility"? Then you have White a three times tried dud given chance after chance and Everitt???? I would have TDL,.Lamb, Pyke even Morton in before him.I would believe what other have said about TDL's non selection if there was not so much inconsistency in selection criteria.Seems to me the kid has been given a very rough ride by the club that cannot see his potential to win matches for us.I worry about his motivation but he may get a chance soon but only if we perform badly which I don't want!

[Big Al]

I'm just watching the Foxtel Cup
- Burnie V Werribee - geez it would be good for our youngsters to be playing in a comp like the VFL - Werribee have a number of Nth Melbourne listed players running around and it would be so much better for our younger guys like TDL to develop in a comp playing against those guys. I really hope the NEAFL develops to being somewhere near VFL, WAFL or SANFL so our guys not in the firsts can really get some decent match practice and useful experience playing against good quality opposition.

Even though we got smashed last week I was pleased that the ressies got a really physical and competitive game.

Would love a fully fledged Reserve grade comp but know it'll never happen so we've just got to hope for the NEAFL to get better.

[jono2707]

I'm just watching the Foxtel Cup
- Burnie V Werribee - geez it would be good for our youngsters to be playing in a comp like the VFL - Werribee have a number of Nth Melbourne listed players running around and it would be so much better for our younger guys like TDL to develop in a comp playing against those guys. I really hope the NEAFL develops to being somewhere near VFL, WAFL or SANFL so our guys not in the firsts can really get some decent match practice and useful experience playing against good quality opposition.

[Cpt. Kirk]

Everybody is talking about white being in the team he is not the worry for me, i hate the andrej's keeps being selected i have seen him play one good game and the rest have all been below average. White and Everitt are very similar they don't have that hunger that the rest of the team have.

[Bindo]

I've seen a heck of a lot of TDL since he's been at the club and completely understand the coaches handling of him. TDL is a smart footballer with a beautiful kick but he lacked any physical presence and didn't have the engine to run out games. To his credit he's worked bloody hard on this part of the game and in my view I think by years end he'll be a mainstay of of our forward line. Having said that I'd also like to see Chops and Nipper develop this year and get game time. Who'd be a coach.

Exactly what Stewie Maxwell said to us when asked about TDL, at the L@SS night at the SCG in March this year.

Us girls get all the inside info!

[robamiee]

why oh why is my new whipping boy in the side (everitt)..maybe so i can whil him some more...now seriously i do question the match committee on this one. He was very poor against the GWS, so either he was best on ground in the ressies or something amiss...
harry surely would have been a better choice at least he goes hard at the ball..

i am now worried about this port gfame...Power are playing hard contested ball, and #1 in clearances at the moment...and JW...gee he really needs to step up in this game...

Morton prob need smore game time to catch up and i know they are playing Walsh in the backs, but that will be more of an education for him into the forward line....

but all in all we need ot be hard at the contest today....

[4 the Bloods]

Morton will never prove himself in the back half so we might as well just kick him out now. The sub rule is over rated as a tool for flexability. The idea because you take one full time player off the bench you suddenly need to start playing Buddy at full back is crap. We had 20 players for a lot of years, before your time obviously, and had specialist players. The Hawks, Pies, Cats, Eagles still do have specialists and they just seem to be where on the ladder in the last few years?

We do have a specialist forward in Sam reid. The question is which of those sides you mentioned have two specialist forwards? Dawes was in the ruck last week for the pies, Roughead has rucked for the hawks and guys like Stevie Johnson at the cats are now playing chunks of time in the midfield. Even guys like Buddy and Reiwoldt find themselves further and further up the field - think of those two amazing goals Buddy kicked last year streaming down the left wing, he started well down the field. Its not just the press, its the style of game at the moment which often sees only one or two players in an offensive half when the ball is up the other end - that makes it harder to carry two full time forwards particularly if they lack the skills or the tank to play up the field.

On playing players out of position in the reserves surely we need to be cognisant of the standard we are playing there. This isnt the VFL, if you want to improve the tank of a small forward and round out the skill set with tackling etc leaving him and saying run harder wont do much given the competition so why not throw them in the middle? If you want to put the spotlight on disposal throw a player in the back half for a while. A few weeks out of the eventual position may fast track development and I dont have a problem with that.

[grarmy]

This time tomorrow everyone will be debating if White deserves another chance after 5 possessions, kicking 0-2, 0 tackles and 2 changers. Has the heart the size of a pea-always has and always will.

Very well said. Our forward structure is shot. Eddie Betts does well for a short, fast forward. Bring back TDL. It is time to shake it up.

[Big Al]

I've seen a heck of a lot of TDL since he's been at the club and completely understand the coaches handling of him. TDL is a smart footballer with a beautiful kick but he lacked any physical presence and didn't have the engine to run out games. To his credit he's worked bloody hard on this part of the game and in my view I think by years end he'll be a mainstay of of our forward line. Having said that I'd also like to see Chops and Nipper develop this year and get game time. Who'd be a coach.

[grarmy]

West coast game last year??

Mediocre effort. Well covered by intelligent members of this blog.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Edit; untimely injuries may have played a part I concede, but still....

[Melbourne_Blood]

It's kinda staggering he was not considered a starting 22 player in 2011 after what he served up for us in 2010. He had to fight back for a spot I
Was pretty sure he cemented in late 2010?? What did he average about 2.5 goals a game or near enough ? It's a but confusing. Especially considering our forward line is a massive weakness for us.

[boroboy]

Spot on Longmile. Unfortunately TDL doesn't fall in the same category as White-where you're given countless opportunities despite consistently poor performances.