I think that while logic says the super-sub should be capable of playing effectively forward, mid or back... the truth is that if you can do that, you're so valuable a commodity you're going to be playing in the starting 21.

So yeah, in most instances I'd say it's going to be another runner.

Would also need to take into account what the opposing team intend to do with theirs.

A team like Brisbane or Nth Melbourne who would probably have a resting ruckman due to their large depth in that area, could easily outpoint us by running ours into the ground.

Playing Freo, I'd reckon most sides would take a second ruck in to try and tire out Sandilands also.

Once Kreuzer comes back, and if our structure is willing, we'd be able to play him as a forward, rather than need a ruck as a supersub which should bring about the use of an extra runner as the sub.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Does anyone know if you have to "name" the sub on the Thursday or Friday prior to the game or is it on the day out of the 4 bench players? This could be important as weather and/or matchups could play a part in the final decision.

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

I seriously doubt anyone will use a ruckman as the sub. What happens if a rover does his knee in the first 5 minutes?
Teams are much more likely to start with 2, and sub one off.
But I think many teams will try to go with 1 ruckman and 1 pinch-hitter a la Jolly and Leigh Brown for the Pies last year.

It is in the ruck area where will will have a big advantage as Kreuzer, 206 and to a lesser extent Hammer, can all play well in the forwardline.

Sub can be named 1 hour prior to kick off - or when ever they hand the final team sheets in

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Yes I highly doubt the sub will be a ruckman.

The #1 ruckman will play as much as possibly and then a pinch hitter will come in. Hence for someone like Hamemr - he's going to have to show he can do some damage in the forward line if he wants a regular gig.

I think the sub will be a runner, or maybe a 'run with' runner. Hard tags will probably be minimised by this rule, but take the way teams were approaching Judd last year, eg; sitting on him in stoppages and matching his run when Carlton have the ball, and then trying to separate when the opposition has the ball and do some damage the other way. Perhaps a run with player runs himself into the ground against the #1 opposition midfielder and then substitutes off. So maybe we run Joseph silly for a half and then Ellard for a half.

Cheers SB!!

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

Could well be, as hard as it is to imagine.

The sub, in my view, needs to be a tall who can play midfield. Basically needs to be very versatile.

Also, arguably needs to NOT be among out top 21 players, otherwise they’d be in the top 21, and not a Sub.

Walker is ideal but he has a fwd spot nailed it would appear, so that rules him out.

White maybe could do it, but maybe not yet. Can he run in the midfield? I don’t think he can just yet though maybe in 2012 he could.

Kruezer would do OK, but ideally he is the 2nd ruck behind 206 and so is in our top 21. To say Kreuzer is not among the first half dozen picked is sacriligeous (sp).

But Thornton can play back and fwd (bagged 5 gls on the weekend so maybe that tells us something??), and if I am not mistaken he has a good tank so could play midfield if needed – I recall early last year or the year before, he was in our top 3 or 4 ranked players early in the year, regularly getting over 100 pts a game playing as a virtual loose, running defender.

So maybe Thornton gets a lifeline???

The other thing about the Sub, is if a team has exceptional versatility already, then that could mean the Sub can be a pure midfielder, hence allowing the team more midfield rotations. The Sub would only have to be a versatile, good running tall IF there was a worry about the versatility of the top 21 players. But if you had 21 players who could be switched all over the shop on a needs basis, then arguably your Sub doesn’t have to be Mr Versatility.

Let’s look at our top 21.

Jamo and Bower are unable to go fwd, let alone into the midfield, so there’s a few strikes there already.
Hendo can go back, so there’s a tick.
Krezuer when he gets back can play just about anywhere.
Warnock can go fwd, so tick there.
Walker, Yazz, Hoops, Gibbs can all play fwd or back or midfield.

But most of the rest aren’t terribly versatile.

Do we have enough versatile players with a bit of height in our top 21, that would allow us to not have a tall, running mid as a Sub?

Blimey, maybe Thornton is the Sub?? Can replace a Hendo up fwd, or a Jamo down back. And has a good enough tank to rotate through midfield, arguably.

The sub will be a midfielder, or at very least a runner.

Waite Laidler Duigan Russell Austin McCarthy McInnes Twomey Setanta....geez it goes on and on...plenty of options plenty of versatility and plenty fighting for a spot in the 22.

Good post Sugarcane You're an ideas man

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

If Warnock and Hampson proved to be a great ruck combo whilst Kreuzer is missing and the Kreuzer enters the fold and all 3 are retained, then I can see a running midfielder (like Stamos suggests) as the obvious selection because Waite Hendo Jamo and Bower give us plenty of talls with some versatility and at least one could be subbed if needed.

We don't have to use the Sub either...and if we did that then that would be a wasted rotation for the hardworking defensively minded new age Carlton mids.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

What should be of note here is that the AFL will change the rules to prevent any club from turning the rules into an unfair advantage.

e.g. Play on from rushed points - Hawthorn, now Collingwood, over use of rotations.

Best thing would be

2 on bench, waved flags after points, rushed points allowed, kicks for touch are ok, if going forward.

Best Football was from 1986 to 1998.

Sorry if this doesnt belong here so Mods move it if you feel is necessary.

After sitting through 5 games week to date, i am getting more and more excited about our chances this year.

The thing that has stood out is the attrition rate, and the tiredness of all the players. Considering we have been one of the fittest sides over the last 2-3 years and have consistently finished stronger in most games, this could work to our advantage.

Although it was only Richmond the other night, our midfield did not look overly spent. This could be because we run fairly deep, and have many options in the middle. Watching the Saints and Cats, even the Hawks, they were running on the spot for the last qtr and a bit..Does anybody not believe that we could over run these sides?..Bar Collingwood, everyone else is very beatable.

Mark my words, we are a BIG show this year!! This rule will benefit us...

the most enjoyment i got over the ast few years was our amazing 4th quarter come-from-behind wins

i sure hope you are right

and i sure hope we are already in front by the 4th but you coukld be right

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Better to die standing than to live on your knees...
CAR17ON