TOPIC:

from a few whispers heard across the Tasman looks like Tommy Howlett is out for the season due to work committments, big blow for EF defence, especially with Dodd retiring. Surely Rob Young will need to go back to FB to help provide some height and experience to younger defensive talls in Jupp, Read and Dorotich in 2015?.....

Obviously a big loss for EF, but like seen at SD last year, a golden opportunity for a youngster or three down at EF to fast track their playing development......I guess with Stephen, BOB, Macnamara and Bayliss up back EF defence won't lack experience or quality, just height I guess and especially versing those sides with some decent talls up front.

Time for young rucks in Solomon, Singh and Fletcher to step up and allow Young to play up back.....Fletcher to me with his basketball background could be fast tracked like what Lobb was at SD hopefully!

Bayliss i believe is not playing either. Possbly due to ongoing injury?
I would like to see lester smith run off half back flank ala Brett peake when he first returned.He has the pace.
Then give Ellis a good crack at it up forward alongside Perham.

Bayliss is playing at Gingin

can't blame the fella considering his ill luck of late with injuries......EF really need Lester-Smith to replicate his 2013 form with 40 odd goals, couldn't agree more re: Ellis plus1, time to give the kid a go and the other youngsters like Cripps, Jones and Howson, if/when he returns post surgery......EF do have a lot of potential running half backs in Macca, BOB and Lester-Smith.....pity Brennan is out injured for the season.

Can understand why Young would go back re the height issue but not sure if he has the legs to do the job anymore. I agree that Fletcher needs serious consideration about being given a senior opportunity, he dominated hitouts in some ressie games last season. With the abundance off mids at the club I think that Anthony could play off half back as well, this would allow the development of Schleicher and possibly regan in the midfield. Think there is a lot of options off the forward flanks with the mids rotating through there during the game. Bristow is also an option to go back, attacks the contest hard. Agree that up forward Brandon Ellis needs to be given the opportunity to develop at senior level.

understand your comment about Youngs ageing legs, but don't you think the demands of playing as a ruckman are more taxing on your legs than playing fullback? Understand the quick lead etc might find Young out, but leave that job to younger guys like Read, Dorotich and Jupp...but for Young to play as a leading ruck requires him to have a decent level of athleticism....anyway what ever will be will be......it's a golden opportunity for Read, Jupp and Dorotich to up the ante with Howlett and Dodd not playing and Young playing his last year of WAFL.

Charters was very good against Perth at CHB and you may find him start there.