26 into 22

[RogueSwan]

Reid definitely has to come back in. Offers great flexibility and can make a big difference if required down back. His pressure acts around the ball don't often get noticed, his weight and size allow a Mummy type impact.

... Shaw looked a long way off his best and should also make way. The back half have got used to being without him and seem to lose their cohesion a bit with him back in...

That could have been more due to McVeigh playing more in the midfield than he has recently, to help cover Joey and Craig being out. Give Shaw another week.
Kennedy, McGlynn and Bird should all be back in if fit.
Joey - just because
McGlynn - inspiring, he has become the heart of the team this year.
Bird - Experience, great hands (the best since Magic was playing) and, I think it was Kizza who said it, he has the best sidestep in the team.
Who comes out?
Don't know, too hard basket. Maybe probably Towers, Mitchell (i think he will still be in this week, Bird=test?), Rohan or Laidler. Rohan can provide a team lifting tackle/smother etc, Laidler solid, safety of the boundary type defender...... Aggggggghhhhhhhh, it is just too hard to pick only 22.

[Far Reach]

Mitchell's ability to clear the ball from under packs stand outs - stating the obvious I know but amazed what he does with handballs when horizontal. Kicking not always accurate but one of those players with a knack to kick to good outcomes. Real x factor but fitness and game time is the issue right now re best 22.

[Nico]

Remember folks, Bird has a "knee" so may not come up for the finals. If he doesn't play this week then he will be rather underdone for week 1. Same goes for Kennedy and McGlynn. Great that the next group has stepped up but finals goes up a number of notches.

[Flying South]

Watched Lloyd and he i as a better option than Mitchell!

I don't think it would come down to Mitchell or Lloyd. If all fit, IMO it would be a straight choice between Mitchell and Bird. Don't think you could have both.

[tasmania60]

Watched Lloyd and he i as a better option than Mitchell!

[Simo]

People seem forget that bird often has a job to do as well, one of our best taggers, to me shaw has lost his zip and Biggs looks very calm under pressure. Tough decisions coming up but finals take their toll physically so everyone needs to be ready, Richmond will be throwing the kitchen sink at us this week, so there may be changes that happen due to soreness next week rather than this week.

[Chilcott]

I wouldn't be surprised if Mitchell keeps his spot ahead of Bird. Similar players, but IMO Mitchell is better under the packs and cleaner with his hands. Nothing against Bird.

[mcs]

I agree, I think Mitchell would be a better bet than Bird, and Bird was not setting the world alight before his injury. That's a dilemma for selectors. Mcglynn, kennedy and Reid in -- out will be towers, Laidler and a toss of coin between Shaw and Biggs. Worse game I have seen shaw play since he came to Sydney.

Bird has done well in the big matches this season, and generally has been very consistent over the past couple of years. I'd be surprised if they went for Tommy over Bird at this stage.

[crackedactor]

Lloyd will be in over Mitchell, on the strength of comparative disposal efficiency and speed. Mitchell will stay in until Bird comes back.

I agree, I think Mitchell would be a better bet than Bird, and Bird was not setting the world alight before his injury. That's a dilemma for selectors. Mcglynn, kennedy and Reid in -- out will be towers, Laidler and a toss of coin between Shaw and Biggs. Worse game I have seen shaw play since he came to Sydney.

[Meg]

Haven't been on RWO for a while, but where are all the posters calling for Grundy to be dropped?

They are still mourning LRT's retirement.

[Flying South]

FWIW my best 22 for the finals;

B Smith Richards Rampe
HB Malceski Grundy Shaw
C Hannebery Jack Jetta
Fol Pyke Kennedy Parker
HF McVeigh Franklin McGlynn
F Goodes Tippett Cunningham
I/C Reid, Rohan, Mitchell, Lloyd
Emergencies: Bird, Laidler, Biggs, Membrey, Towers, Naismith

Reid gets the nod over Laidler due to his versatility at both ends of the ground and offers ruck relief. Shaw gets the nod over Biggs due to his experience. Though if he can?t put it together in next couple of games, Biggs could easily come into the team. Bird and Mitchell are a toss of the coin and I just can?t pick between the two. Mitchell gets another week to impress and stake his claim. It would be unlucky for Bird to miss out, but you don?t want to be getting injuries at this time of the year and giving other players a sniff. Lloyd and Cunningham are now best 22 and probably rotate the sub role. Whilst Towers is a reasonable player, I have Membrey ahead of him in the pecking order. If Pyke was to go down due to injury, then I would have Naismith as the stand by ruckman.

[MattW]

Lloyd will be in over Mitchell, on the strength of comparative disposal efficiency and speed. Mitchell will stay in until Bird comes back.

[Captain]

Haven't been on RWO for a while, but where are all the posters calling for Grundy to be dropped? Seems like they have moved their focus on to Reid?

[Nico]

Last year we went into the finals with a plethora of injuries. This year, even if we have a few injuries we have players to cover them.

[ernie koala]

....