I agree with this, particularly on Rohan, Marsh and Jones. I'm a little more cautious about this week - they've matched up well against us under Beveridge.
[Edit: Although I reckon Rohan does crash the packs - he's one of the best contested marks in the team, just a little less often of late.]
I would probably select the replacements for Reid and Melican based on the opposition. So this week go smaller and more mobile.
I would pick Fox for Melican. He has been playing more as a half back. But he has been involved in the side recently, is quick and can leap. Alternatively we can bring in Jones or Newman into defence. Or Marsh seems our squad depth medium defender. It seems like Aliir is not match ready but could be a worthwhile risk because once Melican returns I am not sure when he gets another chance.
Against the bulldogs I would rather bring in Jones/Newman as another midfielder instead of Cameron. Jones would be good around the contest and Newman with his kicking.
If Rohan does not travel. I would be happy to take a gamble on a unproven player. Ronke could provide quick forward pressure and seems to find the ball. Amartey and Stoddart are unlikely but could be a possible half forward.
Reid is a huge loss.....I don't believe we can win the premiership without him. We are a sensibly structured team with him in, we are a confused rabble without him.......
I know Buddy got us through in rd1 and everyone points to the model from Richmond last year. But Reid�s loss worries me a lot for our season. Other defences worry about him. He gives us flexibility on how we use Buddy. He�s quick and good defensively. And can drop back to defence if needed. And with our ruck stocks thin and McCartin so young, we don�t have an easy option as an alternative up forward. I think it�s going to be a suck it and see approach on whether we play Buddy solo, or take a punt with Cameron. But it will challenge our ability to press for top four.
Our current injury list is quite reasonable as things go. No disrespect to Naismith, but Reid is the only major injury on our list now. Melican is an important player, but he should be available in a few weeks. Dawson and AJ look set to resume in the reserves. We still haven't used any first year players or debutantes this year, while lots of other clubs have.
Our depth is good and whatever selection we make this week we know that a quality player will come into the side, whether it's Jones, Fox, Newman, Marsh or Aliir, and there are still a few others who can do a decent job.
What is going on with Newman? A couple of observers said he was BOG in last weeks ressies vs GWS and his stats support that view but the official view from the club gives us this - Best Players:H. Marsh, D. Robinson, D. Smith, J. Maibaum, B. Ronke
So on that basis I'm not happy with out Reid, Melican, in Marsh, Robbo
I quite like the idea of playing Darcy Cameron with him and Sinkers providing the second marking target up forward
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