03-24-2018, 12:50 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-24-2018, 06:05 AM by crashlander.)
I've never been a fan of playing half fit players. As a result, I would not be selecting either Kreuzer or Kennedy.
That means at least 2 'ins'.
Lobbe is probably one more week away. He didn't play against Richmond (2nds), although he was there. He'll be right to play by round #3, but he is very doubtful for the Suns.
Phillips started quite well against Richmond (2nds), but he ran out of gas in the 3rd quarter. Soldo took over in the ruck and made the most of his opportunities. I would prefer to have Phillips play at least 2 more games in the VF before considering him for senior selection.
De Koning did OK, especially as the game wore on. His general level of athleticism and his spring at the centre bounces were obvious and appreciated. Around the ground Soldo out-bodied him: he has a 4 year head start of de Koning. De Koning also so some very nice marks late in the game and has a quite decent left foot. I that he was quite similar to Harry McKay: at one point he gathered the ball and went for a gallop, but got run down because he didn't have the game awareness yet.
These are our ruck options. I can't see any of them being cherry ripe for next week, even with a 9 day break. Certainly, Lobbe and Phillips will be in the picture, but I would give them time. Otherwise we may well ruin them.
Of the not quite ruckmen, we do have a few options:
Harry McKay is the 1st who comes to mind. He is not a ruckman at this time, but has the tools to do the job in short spells. He might get done in the centre square, which would put us at a severe disadvantage, but not as much as when Gorringe was there last year.
A reasonable option is playing Harry forward and rucking Casboult.
Something of a forgotten player is Sam Rowe. He is set for his return to playing next weekend. He can do the ruck job and can play key forward or key defence. I don't think he is ready yet, but he remains an option and a long way from the worst one.
Even Patrick Kerr can play ruck, as he has a good spring. Not my first choice but it depends on who is fit enough to play.
That means at least 2 'ins'.
Lobbe is probably one more week away. He didn't play against Richmond (2nds), although he was there. He'll be right to play by round #3, but he is very doubtful for the Suns.
Phillips started quite well against Richmond (2nds), but he ran out of gas in the 3rd quarter. Soldo took over in the ruck and made the most of his opportunities. I would prefer to have Phillips play at least 2 more games in the VF before considering him for senior selection.
De Koning did OK, especially as the game wore on. His general level of athleticism and his spring at the centre bounces were obvious and appreciated. Around the ground Soldo out-bodied him: he has a 4 year head start of de Koning. De Koning also so some very nice marks late in the game and has a quite decent left foot. I that he was quite similar to Harry McKay: at one point he gathered the ball and went for a gallop, but got run down because he didn't have the game awareness yet.
These are our ruck options. I can't see any of them being cherry ripe for next week, even with a 9 day break. Certainly, Lobbe and Phillips will be in the picture, but I would give them time. Otherwise we may well ruin them.
Of the not quite ruckmen, we do have a few options:
Harry McKay is the 1st who comes to mind. He is not a ruckman at this time, but has the tools to do the job in short spells. He might get done in the centre square, which would put us at a severe disadvantage, but not as much as when Gorringe was there last year.
A reasonable option is playing Harry forward and rucking Casboult.
Something of a forgotten player is Sam Rowe. He is set for his return to playing next weekend. He can do the ruck job and can play key forward or key defence. I don't think he is ready yet, but he remains an option and a long way from the worst one.
Even Patrick Kerr can play ruck, as he has a good spring. Not my first choice but it depends on who is fit enough to play.
Live Long and Prosper!