TOPIC:

Huge game this week against the reigning premiers coming off a bad loss to Peel who blew us off the park in the first qtr and from there it was pretty much game over although we had great momentum in the last qtr and got with 11 points.

Watching the Fraser/Masto/Yeo show it was encouraging to hear Fraser say Sinkers is touch and go for this week, I thought I heard or read someone said 6 weeks so that is good news. Yeo should come straight back in and I don't think too many would disagree Hendo and Browne need to make way. 

Looking at Souths stats last week Brock Higgins was backed up by Hamish Free (202cm) so we have to go in with two ruckmen. Eyresy's form wasn't great but he does have a good record against Higgins.

Plus both Strom's played last week who are both 198. I wonder if Souths are a bit top heavy and we can exploit them there? No wonder Ninja is bagging so many, he is in the land of the giants at SF, a small forwards paradise. He didn't have that luxury at Perth, like NEVER!!

We won't be going in top heavy against Perth. That was against EP. Horses for courses. There will be changes.

DD, it is a bye this week so we have an extra week for Sinclair to be fit to play. I cannot see any other injured players ready to play for another 4 or 5 weeks at best.
As things stand the next 3 games are critical to our season. Souths at home and I would go with Eyres vs Higgins. You might find that even STT would give that a tick.
Then comes West Perth at  Joondy and finally Subiaco at home.
We need to win at least two of these games to stay in reach of the final 5. A tall ask in my view.
After that we face EF again at home (winnable) then Souths away, WP at home and Subiaco away. 
It will be a brave person to predict that we can make the finals this season bearing in mind our last 3 games are Swans away, Claremont at home and Peel away.
 

Yes I agree Eyres must play as we can’t go in with just 1 ruckman against SF. Eyres usually does well against the big gorillas like Higgins. He was very good against Strnadica the week before but certainly struggles against good mobile players like Delahunty and obviously opposed to Schofield on Saturday.
Hopefully we get Sinclair back but I’m not too optimistic about that. McPartland must come straight back and I would put him into the midfield rotations, that is his normal role in colts and ressies. The fitness of Masten is a big concern. We almost were playing 1 short against Peel. He had no influence on the game whatsoever and probably shouldn’t have played. Regan Clarke’s game was promising I thought.
The big question is Busher’s situation. He limped off after the match and that would really be a huge blow if he’s out for any period of time.

wrote:

DD, it is a bye this week so we have an extra week for Sinclair to be fit to play. 
 

Yep forgot about that, easy for a perth supporter to forget when our players rarely participate even in state squads. If Sinclair gets up I would slot Fisher into the midfield, McPartland into the midfield to help bolster the midfield against Souths powerful mids along with Jye Clark. I would love to see Brodie Gray win a berth also.

State Game this week, hope Perth wont run out on the field as no one else will be there.

We need the week start on you guys Bazz.

We have an extra  week to sort things out. The bye is very timely.
Last week we had 5 of our best 10 players out injured and Masten was on one leg.
The replacements we brought in were not up to it so for our next game we have to select very carefully.
Hopefully Sinclair and Masten will be ok but we need to have Busher fit to play. I hear that with the extra week he maybe ok.
That leads us to changes to the 22 that will have to be made bearing in mind that Gibba was reported. I have not heard whether or not he was suspended. I suspect that he was.
IMO, Corey Yeo must be a chance and Jye Clark and Brodie Gray must come in. If fit, Busher may have to go down back. Time to give some players the opportunity to show what they have. Nyika John could slot in down back for instance. Jack Steel and Christian Martin have been kicking goals in the ressies as has Harry Quartemaine in the Colts.  
We are nowhere near on target for finals so it is now overdue that we make some bold decisions that need to be made if we are to salvage anything from the rest of the season. Steel is a big bodied player who can play in a key position and pinch hit on the ball. Martin has bulked up a bit and has been asking the selectors for a game.

 

Busher takes 12 marks, has 6 shots on goal and nearly drags us over the line and you want him to play back?? And people are pushing for Eyres to be included on the back of a game where he had one ineffective disposal? Haven't heard about Gibba, but he would have some chance of a reprimand for a rough conduct charge, especially given that it wasn't a knock to the head, the Peel guy played on, and (as far as I know) Gibba doesn't have a bad record. Maybe it's worth giving Masten, Yep and Sinclair an extra week off - let's face it, our chance of beating SF are remote anyway. I think ET may be due back in the ressies next game. I'll watch his progress with interest - God knows there is a place for a speedy, skilful small forward if he can show some form.

I only suggested Busher down back if Gibba does not play. We do need him up forward without doubt.
Brodie Gray could be the small forward. Has been scintillating in the ressies and kicks goals. 
McPartland must play in the centre he is not a crumbing forward but rather a clearance player. Remember his role against Souths in the last game that got us into the finals last season.
I do not know ET's fitness atm. I did hear that he may not yet be at a required fitness level. Hope I am wrong and we can get him into the league side sooner rather than later or not at all.