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30 Plus, it will be hard. Losing a home game to SD , one that we would have expected to win before the season started, is a real blow. Assuming McInnes comes back on 10 July, we have the following 9 games in the meantime: EP (H), EF (A), PT (H), SF (H), WP (A), S (H), EF (H), SF (A) and WP (H). We have quite a favourable draw, with 6 home games. We have to win at least 4 of those home games, but it will be very hard to beat SF, S and WP. If we could win 4 home games and snatch an away win, that would be a real bonus. Surely we have to break the WP hoodoo, whether home or away some time? It will be interesting to see what difference Busher makes to our forward line next week. He comes in with some real expectation that he will at least straighten us up and allow us to move the ball forward more quickly. If the forward line still misfires even then, it will be time to start the "Planning for 2022" thread. 

Can't question the effort put in by both the Ressies and League teams but we’ve got zero points to show!

In a pretty willing and physical encounter the Ressies were about 6 inches away from having a shot on goal to win the match. Whilst no one really stood out as demanding promotion Hitchcock looked dangerous and took some strong marks must be close to a league game. John would have to be an upgrade on Henderson and kicked a super goal from 50. Hunter will only improve and could be a player going forward. Eyres didn’t have a great game and on that form would be hard to replace DBW. Oscar Bird looks a long way off playing League, seemed to spend a deal of time on the bench, looked okay when he got the ball but that was infrequently. Remember seeing Connor Sing play a league game a few years back and he looked promising, seems to have gone backwards.

The league team is lacking genuine pace and looked pedestrian compared to Claremont. Davis had a first quarter he’d rather forget with 4 coach killers to his credit - if he can tidy this aspect of his game he could be a regular in the seniors.

Masten looks to be restricted but still gathered 23 possessions. Langlands took a heavy tackle in the third quarter and looked to be gone for the game but played it out, hopefully he’s good for round 4. We need Colledge to get more involved, 11 possessions isn’t good enough. McPartland has plenty of work to do and got found out a few times by players who worked harder, not sure he is up to being in the midfield yet.

Hopefully Busher is ready to go, he’s sorely needed along with a few others not currently available.

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The league team is lacking genuine pace and looked pedestrian compared to Claremont.

We need Colledge to get more involved, 11 possessions isn’t good enough. McPartland has plenty of work to do and got found out a few times by players who worked harder, not sure he is up to being in the midfield yet.

Hopefully Busher is ready to go, he’s sorely needed along with a few others not currently available.

Good summary WB. The lack of pace has been the most notable element of our performances so far this season. WART burnt us off on the turnovers, Swans absolutely monstered us with their run and now Claremont similarly, who aren't super quick I'd reckon compared to say a WP, made us look slow as well. The rule change is not to our advantage, that's for sure. 

Can't see Busher just leaping straight into the league team this week. That would be a huge risk for a guy at his age who's played no match time at all this season.

Yep, the reserves don't hold a lot to offer. We need more speed, we need more aggression around the ball and we need a forward or two who can present at the ball carrier. I thought the addition of Stubbs and Carey gave us a bit of that on Saturday up forward. McPartland looks all at sea to me in the forward line, sorry but that's not his go as a defensive forward. Guys like Gray and John definitely deserve a league berth but we don't need more mids and defenders. We need forwards capable of kicking straight from 25m out. Those three easy misses just before half time killed the contest for us. 

Missing goals from straight in front 25m out is some thing we are good at.
In fact it is one thing that we do better than any other team.
It has been happening for years and is just unacceptable at league level.
So frustrating.

Could John be used in some other role of a running nature?
Is he wasted down back?
He seems to me to have some pace and has a penetrating kick.
Biggest need that I can see is a capable inside midfielder that can win some clearances.
We are getting smashed.

Maybe try McPartland in the middle with Hitchcock coming in? But I don't think we should pick Hitchcock on the back of just one good performance, he has to back it up. Langlands seems to lack intensity to me. But we were all spruiking our midfield strength pre-season. Even with Smith injured, we still have Masten, Byrne, Langlands, Clarke, Grey, Colledge. What has gone wrong? Lack of pace?

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Maybe try McPartland in the middle with Hitchcock coming in? But I don't think we should pick Hitchcock on the back of just one good performance, he has to back it up. Langlands seems to lack intensity to me. But we were all spruiking our midfield strength pre-season. Even with Smith injured, we still have Masten, Byrne, Langlands, Clarke, Grey, Colledge. What has gone wrong? Lack of pace?

Agree Ted Langlands has been disappointing so far, losing Smith was a blow because he has pace so does young Jye Clark and obviously Burner. Nyika John is quick and has dynamite in both feet when it comes to kicking. I have absolutely no idea what the selectors and football manager sees in Peletier and Reid. Waste of time on the list. If I see see either of those two picked again I'm tapping out.

Brody Gray is knocking the door down for a crack as his Nikka, those two in for Hendo and Peletier for a start. Agree re McPartland, he is an in and under ball winner I think he has to be used more in the midfield and maybe Davis goes up on a wing and Nikka down back or Nikka up on a wing where I think he will be exciting. Anyone know why Coniglio was a late out?

Busher is a good get. A KPP recruit. But he’s a CHB. Not a FF. 
Agree that Gray should be an in. 

PD I agree re Busher but sadly because our lack of quality KP in the club Busher will find himself playing everywhere the poor bugger will probably end up pinch hitting in the ruck as well.

Where would Brodie Gray play? He is a 186cm midfielder. We have enough mids. I guess he or Clark could come in for Peletier, or for Hendo if Coniglio is not fit. PD, Busher is simply going to have to be a forward. I agree it's likely he will wind up relieving in the ruck for short spells, but we could only play him down back if we were looking at trying Hill or Nicholas forward.