We are really going to struggle against the Saints midfield next week. Also their tall forwards will be a headache.

I can see Bruce having a day out.

We lost the clearances 42-23 today, so we've already shown ourselves (I'm talking player mindset) that we can win without dominating at stoppages (which is something we've been quite good at this year).

Riewoldt must surely be in doubt for next week too, so without him Bruce comes down a peg in dangerousness.

Tagging seems to be one thing we have under control. Viney underrated with the scalps he's taken this year. Gone the days of McKenzie.

Thank god someone's said it.

Thanks. We also have Vince and Cross not only shutting players down but damaging sides going the other way, something Grimes has never done.

Are u reffering to Mc Donald? Toumpas? or Both

Grimes

I agree that inclusions if Grimes, Toumpas and Newton or Michie will help. Kids are tired and the saints midfield is gonna be hard to combat.

Richo intimated in his post-match that McCartin might be sticking around in the ones now to keep learning off Riewoldt. He definitely wasn't ready upon debut and still looked a pre-season away from having much impact in their match against the Tigers. It will inform where McDonald plays next week though, if the Saints go in with Riewoldt/Bruce/McCartin as their forward line.

I would have thought four guys would be considered this week and a max of two would be included.

Riley - 23rd player - So what did he do wrong this week to lose ground on selection? Showed last time as a sub v St Kilda that he could add spark as a small forward and may get that role again, although given he is one of about 8 players in the "will we keep category", it would be nice if he actually started.

Grimes - 24th player this week and backed up with game-high 30 disposals in VFL. Given Roosy has gone off him this year, he has shown strong leadership to not get disgruntled and keep performing in VFL. Has been hurt by Crossy going back to half back as a sweeper - which means his role is taken and he may again miss out.

Jamar - 25th player this week and backed up with three goals and double-figure possessions (something we were all critical of in past). He also just shaded Spencil as most effective big man in VFL game, which probably gives him the nod if we decide that we need two rucks this week. But hard to see us going two rucks unless Hickey plays as well as Longer. Even harder to see Gawn being left out so the Russian will most likely join Grimes as emergency again. The Pies do have two rucks, so all is not lost for Russian's swansong.

Hunt - I've only watched the video's of him playing at VFL and have seen him train, but there's no doubt his speed gives him an advantage in this modern game of breaking hard once you get a clearance. The first question is whether rushing him in now is worthwhile - should we wait until he genuinely dominates a game at VFL level first, rather than just showing glimpses. The second question is whether his presence in the line-up would mean Newnes goes to him and for once is potentially harassed running out of defence as he did against us last time.

There are only two potential outs this week - JKH and ANB - both small forwards - hence Riley (yes for JKH) and Hunt (maybe for ANB).

The Saints, as we found out last time, are a quick side, but from memory we didn't have Vanders. Apart from Kent and Frost, we will be at our quickest if we make the above changes.

recovery week at the club no changes.

Where does our latest injury list sit? I had a quick look at the MFC site, and the latest update there is that it looks as though Dawes will miss the QB Collingwood clash, but Tyson is a possibility!

We got very little again from our bottom 5, most noticeably JKH, ANB & Stretch. Brayshaw was quiet too, and Lumumba is clearly weighed down by his exorbitant pay packet because he was atrocious yet again.

I would play Grimes and Toumpas, and Fitzpatrick will be required if McDonald plays forward again. Any of those listed above could come out with little impact.

I agree that inclusions if Grimes, Toumpas and Newton or Michie will help. Kids are tired and the saints midfield is gonna be hard to combat.

dunno why newton's name keeps coming up so ften

has been pretty ordinary at the magoos

Where does our latest injury list sit? I had a quick look at the MFC site, and the latest update there is that it looks as though Dawes will miss the QB Collingwood clash, but Tyson is a possibility!

This was last weeks report; Kent was looking into the development league on the weekend although I don't know if he did play. Which means he could be right to go for this weekend. Salem could also be back.

Sam Frost (toe) – 4-6 weeks

Dean Kent (hamstring) – test

Cameron Pedersen (wrist) – season

Christian Petracca (knee) – season

Christian Salem (hamstring) – 1 week

Jack Trengove (foot) – season

If Reiwoldt is picked to play, I would have thought McDonald goes back to defence to play on him. Given the three tall forwards seemed to work yesterday, I would have thought Jamar would be a chance to play forward to keep the tall forward line going. If that happens, we become slower, so the question would be how to speed up the side, so I can't see Newton or Michie coming in. But Toumpas could. However, given zero changes after a loss, I think it will be minimum changes after a win, so perhaps just Jamar for one of the young guys who the coaches think needs a rest.

This was last weeks report; Kent was looking into the development league on the weekend although I don't know if he did play. Which means he could be right to go for this weekend. Salem could also be back.

Sam Frost (toe) – 4-6 weeks

Dean Kent (hamstring) – test

Cameron Pedersen (wrist) – season

Christian Petracca (knee) – season

Christian Salem (hamstring) – 1 week

Jack Trengove (foot) – season

Apparently Kent only played briefly and pulled up sore, haven't read any confirmation of that though. I didn't get the impression it was a disaster.

Salem would be a half in the dev league at best if ready this week.

Roos may have flagged a change when mentioning in his presser that Stretch looked tired.

Wouldn't be surprised if Grimes came in and he was rested.

Roos may have flagged a change when mentioning in his presser that Stretch looked tired.

Wouldn't be surprised if Grimes came in and he was rested.

can see grimes coming in. maybe jkh out, stretch or anb the sub?

Watching the 1st half replay again (not bothering with the 2nd) it's clear JKH made a few mistakes but he was also running in to space a lot that helped the rest of the forward line function. He should probably go back to Casey to clean up his game but I still think he's got a lot to offer with the way he creates space for others.

I'm not sure if we can get away with Garland and Lumumba as tall defenders against the saints.

If we do then McDonald stays forward. If we don't think we can and McDonald goes back then we might need to throw Garland forward I think.

Does Grimes come in for Stretch?

Does someone of Riley/Hunt/Michie/Newton/Toumpas come in for either JKH or ANB

I'd be just as happy to go with the young guys if the coaches back them in.

Riewoldt was limping around the rooms after the game, looks very unlikely.

Watching the 1st half replay again (not bothering with the 2nd) it's clear JKH made a few mistakes but he was also running in to space a lot that helped the rest of the forward line function. He should probably go back to Casey to clean up his game but I still think he's got a lot to offer with the way he creates space for others.

I'm not sure if we can get away with Garland and Lumumba as tall defenders against the saints.

If we do then McDonald stays forward. If we don't think we can and McDonald goes back then we might need to throw Garland forward I think.

Does Grimes come in for Stretch?

Does someone of Riley/Hunt/Michie/Newton/Toumpas come in for either JKH or ANB

I'd be just as happy to go with the young guys if the coaches back them in.

Pretty spot on I rekon....

I've got a feeling some of the younger boys might get a rest... But buggered if I know who

Grimes Riley Newton & Too the likely additions

Richo intimated in his post-match that McCartin might be sticking around in the ones now to keep learning off Riewoldt. He definitely wasn't ready upon debut and still looked a pre-season away from having much impact in their match against the Tigers. It will inform where McDonald plays next week though, if the Saints go in with Riewoldt/Bruce/McCartin as their forward line.

I wouldn't expect Reiwoldt to play. His leg isn't great right now. That would leave us with Dunn on Bruce and Garland on McCartin. Those matchups are fine. We can always juggle things if they get a run on.

JKH - still a work in progress - back to Casey

Stretch - needs a rest - back to Casey

In Toump and Grimes.

As others have mentioned our young guys are due for a rest: Brayshaw, Stretch, ANB, Harmes, JKH (only 2nd year). I can see Roos rotating 2 at a time at Casey and 2 of those that are in the seniors sharing the sub vest.

We have only 7 games left so that 'kids rotation' approach gives the coaches a good chance to look at some other players to decide eos contract positions (and/or bring Kent and Salem back).

I wholeheartedly disagree with everyone who reckons Harmes needs a rest. He's played 2 senior games, and is still gaining momentum. Nothing in the way he played yesterday said "tired" to me.

I have no doubt he'll end up back at Casey before the season is up, in the meantime let him capitalise on the form he has built up over the season.

I thought ANB and SOS were ok but they have surprised me already this year with their input.

I think we under rate Riley.

He deserves a full game.

Would prefer to drop SOS over a consistent goal kicker in ANB.

I wholeheartedly disagree with everyone who reckons Harmes needs a rest. He's played 2 senior games, and is still gaining momentum. Nothing in the way he played yesterday said "tired" to me.

I have no doubt he'll end up back at Casey before the season is up, in the meantime let him capitalise on the form he has built up over the season.

I thought Harmes looked like one of our more energetic and bubbly players and he improved a lot on his first game.

Let him run with it.

Exciting that we have a number of raw, young mids that are competing to hold a place. Not all are certainties week to week, each suffering the highs and lows that first/second year players go through. Add Petracca, Kent, Salem, Trenners (hopefully), Prestia and SSelwood into the mix and things are looking promising for 2016.