Changes for next week's final against the Blues?

[dwaino]

Reckon Newman will play out of his skin for this.

[Judge Roughneck]

Why is everyone so down on Petterd? He has played well in every game I've seen him in this season. Sure he has been injured on 2 occasions and his kicking for goal leaves a bit to be desired, but, he can play many roles and has the ability to do the mercurial at times. I reckon he has the potential to be game changer in what is ordinarily (finals) a tightly held contest.

There thing is where does he fit in the puzzle?


#1 - FB:   Grimes
#2 - CHB:   Rance
#3 - 3B:   Chaplin

#4 - FF:   Riewoldt
#5 - CHF:   Vickery
#6 - 3F:   Aaron Edwards

#7 - Ruck:   Maric

#8 - C:   Cotchin
#9 - RR:   Deledio
#10 -  R:   Martin

#11 - W:   Jackson
#12 - W:   Grigg

#13 - BP:   Morris
#14 -  HBF:  Vlastuin
#15 -  HBF:   Houli

#16 - FP:   Shane Edwards
#17 - HFF:   Ellis
#18 - HFF:   Conca

---

#19 - I:   Newman
#20 - I:   White
#21 - I:   King

---

#22 - +1:   Foley

* positions largely interchangeable;
Ie. Deledio back line, Vlastuin forward. Conca on the ball. Only a few postitions would be permanent ie. Morris lock down small defender and Riewoldt key forward. etc.

 By and large the above format paints a rough picture of ranking/ordering the list, specifically the best 22.There is only (about) 14, plus one, spots in the senior sides available for small/mids and in reality a lot less when you take into consideration 'first names of the team sheet'. I dont think in the future Pettard will be in direct competition for a spot in the side with a Cotchin / Deledio / Martin.

With the like of Arnot, Knights etc. pushing for a spot next season / long term I hope Pettard doesn't get regular games. Although the coach seems to like him, I see a superior player missing out to fit him into the side. Even to squeeze pettard in a sub means you lose the dash of a Foley or white would provide in that role. That said I don't mind Pettard and am happy with him being on the senior list next season. I was surprised Melbourne would let him go and think he is a good back up type. I have doubts if he is in the best senior side. For this week, unless White is injured Pettard is (IMO) not deserving of a spot, ahead of Vlastuin, Ellis, Foley etc.

That is without taking Tuck into consideration. The only really glaring weakness in that side is Grigg (IMO) but like Pettard he seems to by liked by the selection committee.

[Smokey]

If Petterd is only ever a fringe player then I'm happy with that because he has ability and that's important to us if we want to have success (especially continued) as a finals team.  It's called depth and all good sides have it and need it.

[sdc01]

Petterd = Crap

End of story!!

[one-eyed]

Brendon Lade said we'll see how Newy gets through training today (he trained Tuesday as well) and then decide whether he plays. Lade expects Newy to play.

[lamington]

As long as Tuck starts on the field I'll be happy.

[WilliamPowell]

As long as Tuck starts on the field I'll be happy.

I actually reckon Tucky is much better when he starts.

Would rather see him start and then be subbed out rather than starting as the sub and coming on late.

[one-eyed]

Seems Titch, Jack and Newy will be back (touchwood) after all getting through training today.

Whitey sounds like he will miss. So two others to come out of last week's side? A tall and a small if we keep the same structure?

[Eat_em_Alive]

As long as Tuck starts on the field I'll be happy.

I actually reckon Tucky is much better when he starts.

Would rather see him start and then be subbed out rather than starting as the sub and coming on late.

  especially if this kind of weather holds up

[Ruanaidh]

Looks like Dimma and the selectors have a higher opinion of Petterd than a few blokes on this forum. Every time he has been fit to play this year he has been selected. I reckon on this score they are right. As I said earlier he plays a variety of roles and could be damaging in a tight final.

[Judge Roughneck]

Higher than Foley or tuck it seems

I think pettard is avdantaged having white and knights not fit