sinbagger wrote:
Paddycripps wrote:
Blue Vain wrote:
I think it's a concern for Stocker that he didn't come in for Boyd.
Obviously there's something about his game or attitude that hasn't won him a spot.
I like Stocker. He has some nice traits and could be a LT player for us. But I can't recall seeing many great games by him yet and think he is still very much a young player finding his way and has a lot of improvement in him. Personally I think he's been grossly over hyped by fans given his output.
He played a very strong game in the vfl last week, strong pack marking, excellent positioning and always taking the game on with his passing out of defence.
Having said that I can understand why the match Commitee would prioritise having Cerra back instead of him. The game is won in the midfield.
It's not really a case of prioritising.
The MC have played a system based back 7 for a couple of years now. One goes out and another defender comes in. Stocker should be next in line however according to another poster they appear to be favouring a rotating wingman to take the role.
It's not a good sign for a 4th year, 22 year old defender if he can't get a game with our decimated defence.
Farmerblue posted that Newnes will assume the 7th defender role. That's a significant error IMHO.
He has sooked it up previously when played in defence and his defensive craft is poor. He has filled the role on a couple of occasions when we've lost a defender mid-game but not very well IMHO.
Cerra should have come in for Honey or Motlop and Stocker should have come in for Boyd IMHO. Our structure through all lines has been good this year to date. Why would they tinker with it now?
The only other possible answer would be for JSOS to play as the 7th defender (take the resting ruck *Marshall and perhaps follow him into the ruck). That would be a bit radical but could they try it? Kemp was too easily moved off the ball by the big guys last week. At least SOS can stand his ground.
I think Fisher's good form with more midfield time last week has given them some different options but perhaps some selection headaches as well.