Prediction Best 22 Round 1 2023

[plugger66]

It will probably depend on whether Ross wants two ruckman in the side. He seemed to like that structure first time around.
No idea what happens with Cordy. I thought he was depth but you wouldn’t offer a three year deal for someone to play in the VFL.
I think Battle has the attributes to be a decent forward but he’s looked so much better in the backline so far.

To me moving battle forward is the same as playing Marshall forward. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Battle has had 2 good years with us and 3 very ordinary years. Both good years were as a back. I think if king and hayes are fit we play one ruck but probably has to be 2 early in the season.

 

[hayes]

Also had Cameron/Cox/Kreuger playing fwd for most of the year.

Kreuger played 5 games last year and Cameron is their ruckmen. Cox was their only tall forward most of the year. Big reason why they went a long way IMO.

 

[Kilroy]

Here's hoping Keeler can have a stellar Jan/Feb on the track and push for an early debut for a few rounds

That’s the dream, isn’t it?

Reality is we should lower our expectations on him in the short-to-medium term. Don’t wanna expose him to the bigger bodies before he’s ready.

He IS exciting though.

 

[saintmike65]

To me moving battle forward is the same as playing Marshall forward. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Battle has had 2 good years with us and 3 very ordinary years. Both good years were as a back. I think if king and hayes are fit we play one ruck but probably has to be 2 early in the season.

The guy that signed Cordy is no longer at the club!!
I would be leaving Battle in defence.

 

[AirWinmar]

The guy that signed Cordy is no longer at the club!!
I would be leaving Battle in defence.

I'd be having a look at Battle forward. Definitely been best as a back for us, but I don't think he's ever got a proper run at it forward and that's what he was drafted as. I think he did kick 4 once tho. Sharman will get his chance to prove himself as a full forward - looked pretty good his first 4 games. We can test Battle out as a chf. Cordy can come in and play full back with Howard as Chb or just play Wilkie full back with Howard chb, hopefully Coff comes back in ripping form and we can have 2 tall rangy quick hbf in him and Nas.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Because that is exactly how he plays and his build means that’s exactly how he has to play.

Last year yes, the year before no. He's quick on the lead & can leap, he can cover C.H.F or F.F for the time being for sure, until Hayes & King get back.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I'd be having a look at Battle forward. Definitely been best as a back for us, but I don't think he's ever got a proper run at it forward and that's what he was drafted as. I think he did kick 4 once tho. Sharman will get his chance to prove himself as a full forward - looked pretty good his first 4 games. We can test Battle out as a chf. Cordy can come in and play full back with Howard as Chb or just play Wilkie full back with Howard chb, hopefully Coff comes back in ripping form and we can have 2 tall rangy quick hbf in him and Nas.

Just don't like the idea of shifting Battle from his best position C.H.B, yet again???

 

[Username Unknown]

I hope Jack Hayes is available round one. I watched his round one highlights on YouTube. He is a smart footballer, good in the air and when the ball is on the deck, made the right decisions when disposing the ball and just moved around the ground/into space really well. Plus the way he takes the game on is really impressive. One of those guys who loves to be physical and has a attacking mindset. Also being able to play him in the ruck when needed is a big advantage.

With king out of the team and teams having footage of him playing. It would add to the challenge but he seems like a person who would meet that challenge head on. Whether or not his acl will impact his output is another thing.

 

[sammm]

If RTB was to go down this path I would assume Campbell would do more like 50% ruck time rather then only play 5min a qtr.

I hope you are right though. Fingers crossed they have some players working on playing the back up ruck role whilst we await Hayes' return

won't there be 5 players on the interchange. ? if so, won't there be an extra ruck?

 

[DougalHoward]

won't there be 5 players on the interchange. ? if so, won't there be an extra ruck?

nah it's 4 + 1 sub

 

[ScrappyDo]

I hope Jack Hayes is available round one. I watched his round one highlights on YouTube. He is a smart footballer, good in the air and when the ball is on the deck, made the right decisions when disposing the ball and just moved around the ground/into space really well. Plus the way he takes the game on is really impressive. One of those guys who loves to be physical and has a attacking mindset. Also being able to play him in the ruck when needed is a big advantage.

With king out of the team and teams having footage of him playing. It would add to the challenge but he seems like a person who would meet that challenge head on. Whether or not his acl will impact his output is another thing.

I really hope he doesn't end up with repetitive knee issues. A guy that size it could be an issue.
He is the perfect guy for what we need.

 

[Joffaboy]

Highly unlikely Jack Hayes is available R1.

 

[Username Unknown]

I really hope he doesn't end up with repetitive knee issues. A guy that size it could be an issue.
He is the perfect guy for what we need.

He is looking a lot leaner from the pre season photos.

 

[g_TRAIN]

Highly unlikely Jack Hayes is available R1.

I can't verify this myself but someone else said he was already involved in some contact training.

If that's the case surely he's in the frame for round 1?

 

[AirWinmar]

Just don't like the idea of shifting Battle from his best position C.H.B, yet again???

That's fair enough, but if Hayes isn't available we don't really have a 2nd kpf with King out. Our options if we want a 2nd kpf would be Heath, Campbell / Marshall or switch up Battle. Or we could just play Sharman as a sole kpf, but I don't think that would be a great move.

 

[puppy_dog7]

Highly unlikely Jack Hayes is available R1.

The average return to sport for ACL injuries is about 11 months.
Jack did his in April last year so by March he should be ready to go.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

That's fair enough, but if Hayes isn't available we don't really have a 2nd kpf with King out. Our options if we want a 2nd kpf would be Heath, Campbell / Marshall or switch up Battle. Or we could just play Sharman as a sole kpf, but I don't think that would be a great move.

Membrey and Sharman with Wood on the wing is not the end of the world, have another more mobile forward who can still be a marking target, Owens or Phillipou.

 

[ScrappyDo]

Membrey and Sharman with Wood on the wing is not the end of the world, have another more mobile forward who can still be a marking target, Owens or Phillipou.

But, but, but that makes my brain hurt. Surely there's an answer that suits my lack of imagination? Something that's already been done before is always the only way to go..

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Last time RL was a StKilda coach, he had a season where Riewoldt missed more than 10 games, and Kosi wasn't available for all of those either.

 

[Remboy]

I can't verify this myself but someone else said he was already involved in some contact training.

If that's the case surely he's in the frame for round 1?

The last session I attended he participated in some of the drills where they were running the ball from end to end but didn’t do any contact work.

 

[pebblesofsand]

Membrey and Sharman with Wood on the wing is not the end of the world, have another more mobile forward who can still be a marking target, Owens or Phillipou.

Either go with a Campbell in the ruck and Marshall forward or play Marshall as the sole ruck. If you do the latter then you need another tall forward to go with Membrey and Sharman while King and Hayes are on the sidelines.

I'd prefer someone who is about 195/96 cm 90+ kg's, athletic to play the third tall role - that then leaves Higgins, Butler and Owens as the pressure goal kicking forwards.

 

[saintmike65]

Last time RL was a StKilda coach, he had a season where Riewoldt missed more than 10 games, and Kosi wasn't available for all of those either.

2010 Reiwoldt missed 16 games…from memory he tore his hamstring against Collingwood about round 3.

 

[BrutThough]

I'd prefer someone who is about 195/96 cm 90+ kg's, athletic to play the third tall role - that then leaves Higgins, Butler and Owens as the pressure goal kicking forwards.

Thats where I keep coming back to Battle, particularly if Hayes isn't ready rd1. He isn't 195cm but he has the body and strength that Membrey and Sharman don't have if matched up on a big key back. He also has the athleticism to relieve Marshall in the ruck for a few minutes a quarter.

 

[hayes]

Why do we need three tall forwards? Is it 2001?

 

[pebblesofsand]

Thats where I keep coming back to Battle, particularly if Hayes isn't ready rd1. He isn't 195cm but he has the body and strength that Membrey and Sharman don't have if matched up on a big key back. He also has the athleticism to relieve Marshall in the ruck for a few minutes a quarter.

Yeah the injuries will make it interesting.

If they move Sharman AND Battle forward then they are looking at two "new" players into defence. Coffield and Cordy are the most likely candidates.

In my wildest dreams, Allison has put on 5/6 kg's and becomes a $2 shop version of Nick Reiwoldt and fills the 3rd tall role till King gets back.

Re-watched a game against the Giants where Membrey did all the forward ruck work - wasn't a disaster.