Chol out plus other changes next week

[Diocletian]

Just a reminder that last time we played the Saints, Ryder didn't play, Nankervis was the lone ruck & Marshall killed us...

[Assange Tiger 😎]

We did look a bucket load better with Balta as the main big down back.

Horses for courses. Astbury out, Brave Brandos mate back in

Speaking of Brando, do you think we are missing anything about his game this year?

Certainly gave us more on the wing than what we are getting from the blokes occupying them now. Was hoping some younger blokes would come on a bit and replace him

[one-eyed]

Although the Saints will be without injured ruckman Paddy Ryder and key defender Jake Carlisle, Hardwick said the Tigers would prefer to give their ruckman Toby Nankervis some more support in the warm conditions.

Lynch is expected to replace Mabior Chol against the Saints although Hardwick said they were weighing up whether to retain Chol or go with a different combination for Nankervis to lead.

Richmond used two ruckmen in last year's grand final but a knee injury to Ivan Soldo and the absence of Callum Coleman-Jones due to a protocol breach meant they were forced to look at other alternatives this season.

He said he had not ruled out using an undersized ruck although they would contemplate what structure the Saints might use before making that decision.

"We'll have a look at something different for this weekend's game," Hardwick said.

Nathan Broad, Oleg Markov and Josh Caddy will be available for selection after playing in a practice match on the Gold Coast on Saturday

Source: The Age

[Willy]

With Dave back in the team now, why not push Balta up to the second ruck spot and bring Broady in to sure up the defence?

[mightytiges]

With Dave back in the team now, why not push Balta up to the second ruck spot and bring Broady in to sure up the defence?

May be something we'll have to consider for overall team balance Willy but we don't know how Balta would do as a 2nd ruck further up the ground given he's trained, settled in and played well as a key defender all season. His efforts in the past as a 2nd ruck have been inconsistent. Cameo moments for a quarter or so mixed with hardly touching the ball  .

[Willy]

With Dave back in the team now, why not push Balta up to the second ruck spot and bring Broady in to sure up the defence?

May be something we'll have to consider for overall team balance Willy but we don't know how Balta would do as a 2nd ruck further up the ground given he's trained, settled in and played well as a key defender all season. His efforts in the past as a 2nd ruck have been inconsistent. Cameo moments for a quarter or so mixed with hardly touching the ball  .

Hmm. Not ideal as you said, but might be our best shot.

Team selection will be very interesting.

[one-eyed]

Tigers think big to stretch Saints to breaking point

Tom Lynch's return gives coach Damien Hardwick a chance to load up on talls for semi-final with St Kilda

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
7 October 2020

RICHMOND will consider loading up on talls in this week's must-win semi-final clash with St Kilda as the Saints face a shortage of big men.

The Tigers will be boosted by the inclusion of star forward Tom Lynch, and while Mabior Chol loomed as the possible omission, coach Damien Hardwick said the club was considering its options.

Hardwick noted the Tigers are keen to have ruck support for Toby Nankervis, who has shouldered the duties around the ground since Ivan Soldo's knee injury.

"Our preference is for 'Nank' to have a second ruck to go with, whether that's 'Mabs' or some other combination," the two-time premiership coach said on Wednesday.

"I think last week with the humidity in the game and 'Nank' being required to play 80 per cent [game time] and some forward, it was probably a little bit too much for him, especially when they had two genuine rucks as well.   

"Hindsight's a wonderful thing. Would we have picked the same side last week as this week? We probably wouldn't. We've done a little bit of work on that, so we'll look at something different for this weekend's game."

The Saints have lost ruckman Paddy Ryder to a hamstring injury, while key back Jake Carlisle has left the club's hub to be with his pregnant partner ahead of the birth of their child.

There are also doubts on whether versatile tall Josh Battle will be ready to play on Friday night at Metricon Stadium as he manages a foot injury.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/515105/tigers-think-big-to-stretch-saints-to-breaking-point

[Diocletian]

Hoping Chol keeps his spot just for the meltdowns...

[Willy]

Aarts out I’m hearing.

[Francois Jackson]

Aarts out I’m hearing.

Hope so. He was rubbish. He had his chance

[pmac21]

I agree, it's either him or George in the same team.  Not both. 

[one-eyed]

Willy's info on the money.

Mark Stevens on 7news just said Aarts looks like being the unlucky one to make way.

[Chuck17]

Poor bugger, would have picked a few others before him to go

[The Machine]

Although the Saints will be without injured ruckman Paddy Ryder and key defender Jake Carlisle, Hardwick said the Tigers would prefer to give their ruckman Toby Nankervis some more support in the warm conditions.

Lynch is expected to replace Mabior Chol against the Saints although Hardwick said they were weighing up whether to retain Chol or go with a different combination for Nankervis to lead.

Richmond used two ruckmen in last year's grand final but a knee injury to Ivan Soldo and the absence of Callum Coleman-Jones due to a protocol breach meant they were forced to look at other alternatives this season.

He said he had not ruled out using an undersized ruck although they would contemplate what structure the Saints might use before making that decision.

"We'll have a look at something different for this weekend's game," Hardwick said.

Nathan Broad, Oleg Markov and Josh Caddy will be available for selection after playing in a practice match on the Gold Coast on Saturday

Source: The Age

Could Pickett be the man to use? He was used in this role during the practice games. Wouldn't be surprised 

[one-eyed]

RICHMOND has dropped Jake Aarts from its team to face St Kilda on Friday night.

Foxfooty.com.au understands Damien Hardwick and his selection panel have made the call and notified the mature-age recruit of their decision.

The Tigers could bring back Josh Caddy or Tom Lynch for Aarts. The latter would represent a shift in thinking and allow Toby Nankervis and Mabior Chol to shoulder the ruck responsibilities.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-finals-teams-2020-for-semi-finals-joel-selwood-finger-injury-tom-lynch-scans-geelong-vs-collingwood-richmond-vs-st-kilda/news-story/d238c69f54b2f428f6472dd081281aee