The Substitute

[jnrmac 20,090]

Saw a really good example today of it working in our favour with Petterd and working against the Swans with Seaby.

There weren't any injuries to speak of so maybe it was not ideal from seeing if the sub rule works overall but Petterd had a major impact when he came on while Seaby was slow and had no impact in a game played at breakneck speed.

I am sure the club will scrutinise all the games on the weekend to see how everyone worked around it but Petterd was busting to get the pill when he came on and with Beemer changed the course of the game.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,054]

Yeah. He was a very good choice for the role. He's a good forward, but can play mid or even down back if we have injuries. I think the Swans messed up badly in the way they played it. Surely you need someone versatile to be your sub rather than a specialist?

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Ricky Petterd could well be our Sub next week, as a fresh mobile player in the forward line he was great.

The sub player is a prized chess piece no doubt.

[rhaz 342]

Disagree. Petterd is simply too good to not be playing full games.

[Dee-licious 1,951]

Agree with Raz. Maybe someone like Bennell coming on who can then just run out the game. I thought Seaby wasnt bad - there were times he was beating a dominant Jamar due to Jamr just being tired.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Disagree. Petterd is simply too good to not be playing full games.

fair enough, but who has the talent to impact a game with fresh legs as a sub.

The sub is so important, if the team has no injuries.

[Supermercado 2,797]

Good choice on our behalf, terrible rule in general.

If you're good enough to make a "Best 22" you're good enough not to be sitting on the pine for four quarters.

Was better than Maric in one quarter so I'd rather he starts next week.

[Nasher 33,616]

Saw a really good example today of it working in our favour with Petterd and working against the Swans with Seaby.

There weren't any injuries to speak of so maybe it was not ideal from seeing if the sub rule works overall but Petterd had a major impact when he came on while Seaby was slow and had no impact in a game played at breakneck speed.

Agree with this assessment. Today was a great example of how to use it and how not to use it. I can't see what Sydney gained by having their third choice ruckman come on when the game had been an absolute slog up until then. It was a net negative for them - we on the other hand got to replace a struggling forward with a fit and firing Petterd. It almost won us the game.

This just re-affirms what I've been saying all along, it must be a midfield/flanker type as the sub, but just as critically that player must be 100% fit. It's wasteful to use it as your ruck plan B (as Sydney did), and it's too risky having a player who is not match fit as some have suggested.

WYL's point about Petterd being an 'impact' player is an interesting one. I'm not sure if he was the sub for that reason, or if that was just a lucky accident. I don't think you can plan to have an impact player as the sub every week - firstly because there's so few of them and you need to make sure they're fully match fit all the time, and secondly because surely you'd want your impact players on the ground all the time. I go back to my previous point - I think the two most important points is that they're the right type of player (midfielders or flankers) and that they're 100% match fit.

Really happy with how the MFC used the sub today. If I had one very minor quibble - and I do mean very minor - it would be that Petterd should've been on the ground from the opening minute. I expect he will be next week anyway.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Good choice on our behalf, terrible rule in general.

If you're good enough to make a "Best 22" you're good enough not to be sitting on the pine for four quarters.

Was better than Maric in one quarter so I'd rather he starts next week.

Is Maric sharp enough to be the sub? (straight swap) the weather forecast will also effect the sub selectoin

[Eth 4]

Agree with Raz. Maybe someone like Bennell coming on who can then just run out the game. I thought Seaby wasnt bad - there were times he was beating a dominant Jamar due to Jamr just being tired.

Disagree, Bennell showed today that he has the ability to run out games and just how valuable he can be in those close situations.

He and Petterd are too good to sit out 75% of the match. Make Maric the sub, because then at least he has the ability to run through the midfield if a midfielder goes down, and a defender goes down we can always have Davey/Bail/Green pushing back. And of course, he's a natural forward if one of them is subbed off.

[agent_orange 0]

Is Maric sharp enough to be the sub? (straight swap) the weather forecast will also effect the sub selectoin

Not keen on Petterd as the sub. He is the dangerous option in the forwardline that we need. Will take a good defender and free up Jurrah and Green.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Not keen on Petterd as the sub. He is the dangerous option in the forwardline that we need. Will take a good defender and free up Jurrah and Green.

Yeah you could be right, do you think we would have won if Petterd was in the starting 21??

The only reason i ask was that Petterd sparked the team from the first bounce of the last Q. Do we have any other players who can do that??

A Talented "Fresh" player will murder a fatigued player, almost every time.

I love Ricky, but i can also seeing him win us games quite a few times if he is fresh in the last quarter and we are attacking.

Coaches round table discussions this week will be fascinating.

[Nasher 33,616]

Not keen on Petterd as the sub. He is the dangerous option in the forwardline that we need. Will take a good defender and free up Jurrah and Green.

I think it's more likely that Jurrah and Green will take the better defenders and free up Petterd.

[45HG 1,539]

Petterd, for mine, is best 21.

Playing him as a sub negates his ability to have a really meaningful impact on a match. The fact he came on as a sub and dominated says more about the player he is than the decision to play him as the sub (IMO).

[jnrmac 20,090]

He was certainly hungry when he came on.

But I reckon he plays like that all the time so he makes my best 22.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Petterd was a good sub. But that's because he's a good player.

In essence, if your sub is good enough to be in your 21, he's going to have an influence.

[Seinfeld 40]

There is no way any club will play the same Sub two weeks in a row...fitness levels would just fall away...

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

There is no way any club will play the same Sub two weeks in a row...fitness levels would just fall away...

So who do you suggest for next week?

A Sub who will help us Beat Hawthorn, and they are beatable. We must go in with that attitude.

[Nasher 33,616]

So who do you suggest for next week?

A Sub who will help us Beat Hawthorn, and they are beatable. We must go in with that attitude.

Has to be a player who played a full game this week, either at Casey or from MFC. Someone like Bail perhaps. I think playing the same player as the sub two (or more) weeks in a row is playing with fire.

I'd say if our 'first' 21 aren't collectively good enough to beat Hawthorn then the sub is going to make stuff all difference.

[DeeSpencer 25,714]

I'd like to see Watts come on as a sub. It might be good to have him sit and watch for a while and then come on in the second half knowing he could be the difference. Also could give him the confidence to beat an opponent. He seems to play better second halves than firsts anyway so to have him in fresh could be handy.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Is Maric sharp enough to be the sub? (straight swap) the weather forecast will also effect the sub selectoin

Limited for height as a sub. IMO it must be an allrounder. Back, forward or midfield ability.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Has to be a player who played a full game this week, either at Casey or from MFC. Someone like Bail perhaps. I think playing the same player as the sub two (or more) weeks in a row is playing with fire.

I'd say if our 'first' 21 aren't collectively good enough to beat Hawthorn then the sub is going to make stuff all difference.

Bail was the other player i was thinking-The Sub must be a utility player, to be thrown into either end of the ground, quickly.

Didn't notice Bail so much today. He had 8 kicks & 6 HB's..

Certainly a candidate for next sunday.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Petterd will give you everything at every contest. He's just coming into his own as a footballer and knows what he can do when not injured.

I don't want to see that wasted for 3 quarters a week.

I agree though that his type is a good one for the stupid sub. Make it Dunn, Petterd is just better and should be on as much as possible.

[Swampfox 190]

I have looked at this new substitute player role and i think the major part of selection is what team we are playing

Next week for example we have double trouble in Franklin and Roughead

One thing i am convinced about is a small forward would not be a smart selection

Ideally it is a player like Stefan Martin as he has the attributes to play in several positions

While Pettard made an immediate impact and probably lead to sharing the points against the Swans i think he is not a good choice

There will be the occasion when you make a substitute and a key position player gets injured

You are far better off having a substitute capable of covering that loss and why a small forward for example would be a wasted opportunity

[Kento80 83]

For me I'd prefer Petterd to play from the outset, just too valuable. Stef Martin is quite versatile for mine as sub. Fringe 22, but can play back forward or ruck if required. Can't escape the thought that had Ricky played, the outcome could have been quite different as he possesses such poise under pressure great hands and a deadeye kick for goal.