Resting Players - GWS, GC and Melbourne

[KAMSTAR HFC]

I would like to see Spanger, Grimley, Cheeney and Langford get some games while resting our more senior players like Hodge, Burgoyne, Lake and Mitchell. But no more than two changes per week

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

I think it is wise to manage players. Geelong did it to perfection from around the mid point of 2011 and hit the finals super fresh. I think 1 or 2 each of the next 2 weeks and then again in maybe rd 14, 17 and 20. None of this resting 5 guys but some of our engine room and pressure players will need some rest if we do not want to replay last years finals debacle where we ran out of steam in the last 2 weeks.

Guys like Rough, Burgoyne, Hodge, Lake, Gibbo, Goo, Bailey, Mitch and some of the younger guys like Hill and even Smith or Poppy would all benefit from a managed workload running into September.

It also gives us the chance to give the likes of Spangher, Simpkin (full game time), Anderson, Cheney, Grimley and any of the other young guys a go.

Absolutely spot on Selkan. My thoughts exactly.

It's about being in the best position for finals. Not only resting players but getting 5 or so games into our depth players.

Part if the problem we had last year was not only some players down after a long year, but also we had to bring in players like Savage and Ellis when Goo and Whitex went down. They just hadn't had the games put into them to contribute when required.

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[Bumpswithagrin]

I would only expect to see one or two changes to the team each week over the next three weeks, bearing in mind we have a bye coming up in four weeks. By all means rest anyone who has a niggle or who really needs a break but other than that I'd prefer to see the team stay much the same. I agree that resting players would be more useful later in the season. We definitely want to capitalise on these easier games and not just fall over the line or, heaven forbid, drop a match.

 

[Lord Mud of Glenferrie]

I have not read all of the thread so what I say has probably been said.

I would rest Hill and Gibson for beginners. Hill because we do not want to burn him out before the finals and Gibson because he needs body repair. As to others I really do not know. I am not totally supportive of resting veterans because they are match hardened and continuity could be of more benefit than a spell. Of course if any are carrying performance threatening injuries then a spell will be of benefit.

However the next few weeks should be used as a chance to blood untried players and to have a look at how players like Spangher will fit into the structures.

 

[Hodginator]

I'm not a big fan of resting players just because we think we have thing we have an easy few games coming up. I don't expect a big number of outs, maybe just 1 or 2 each week over the next few weeks. I would suggest managing Hodge though through the rest of the season. Has been in great form and we need that at years end. Unless he is 110% fit, then forget I said anything. Just don't want any of those niggles he's had showing their ugly head.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I don't like flirting with form. We have three matches we are expected to win and win well, then we have a bye. That is when we rest players. We need to beat these teams, and beat them well. Others will do this, and if we miss out on a top 2 spot because of %, it would be disappointing.

I wasn't happy with us resting players against Gold Coast in 2011, and they never knocked us off.

 

[Agent Smith]

That's exactly what I was talking about in the OP.

I think we should rest 2-3 players in a game but not 6 like Essendope.

Let's face it. Hawthorn have worked extremely hard to get into a position where players can be rested. We need to do this to have players as fresh as possible for finals. Geelong did it in 2011 to great effect. We were unable to do it last year as we played catch up all year just to make top 4.

Clarko will not explicitly say it, but he has to take a long term view of the season.

I may not have worded it well, but I'm in full agreement. Expect a couple of 'niggles' to creep in for a player or two over the coming weeks. My concern is if the players all relax and think 'Well, thank God we got through that rough start to the season intact,' just like all us supporters. Clarko needs to make sure they are all switched on and we can start building percentage that'll make Essendon's look second rate. If everyone is running at only 90% across the board next week, it COULD spell trouble.

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

I may not have worded it well, but I'm in full agreement. Expect a couple of 'niggles' to creep in for a player or two over the coming weeks. My concern is if the players all relax and think 'Well, thank God we got through that rough start to the season intact,' just like all us supporters. Clarko needs to make sure they are all switched on and we can start building percentage that'll make Essendon's look second rate. If everyone is running at only 90% across the board next week, it COULD spell trouble.

Yeah true AS, but maybe the best way to keep a killer edge is to give some players on the outer a chance to show their wares in the AFL.

 

[Agent Smith]

Yeah true AS, but maybe the best way to keep a killer edge is to give some players on the outer a chance to show their wares in the AFL.

Absolutely. When we've injected new talent (lol @ Essendon) it usually spurs the team on with their unbridled enthusiasm. I think back to the debuts of Anderson, Breust, Smith as classic examples. I'd love to see Langers get a shot. With his fearless approach at the footy, he could really be something if he takes his chance.

 

[Pessimistic]

Rest them in the subs vest.

Thats 6 players rested over 3 weeks

 

[2DMB]

I'm positive that the fitness staff would have taken this "break" into account, we may be looking at increasing the training load through this period to try and have us ripe for September. I definitely think last September's poor showing in the second half of the finals will have been front of mind.

For me it's rest anyone with niggles and trust the fitness plan devised pres season

 

[parsons nose]

A couple of popular but flawed notions have been advanced by the pro resting camp here. Firstly that somehow a rest in May prior to a scheduled bye will stand us in good stead come the pointy end of the season - that's drawing a long bow particularly given the GF was lost as a result of bad kicking not poor conditioning. The second and equally flawed claim is that it gives the opportunity for debutants to strut their wares- playing the three bottom sides, two of which a playing so poorly they could be almost be deemed VFL standard is not going to give anyone any great insight into their capabilities to perform at senior level.

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

A couple of popular but flawed notions have been advanced by the pro resting camp here. Firstly that somehow a rest in May prior to a scheduled bye will stand us in good stead come the pointy end of the season - that's drawing a long bow particularly given the GF was lost as a result of bad kicking not poor conditioning. The second and equally flawed claim is that it gives the opportunity for debutants to strut their wares- playing the three bottom sides, two of which a playing so poorly they could be almost be deemed VFL standard is not going to give anyone any great insight into their capabilities to perform at senior level.

First rest of a few more over the year. Opportunities in round 17 (dogs) and round 20 (saints) are probably the games closest to the end of the year that may allow us to rest a player or 2 if need be.

Facts are, we won't win the premiership by requiring 10 players to play 25 games.

Also I would much prefer to see how fringe players go in the team than just playing for Box Hill, even against weaker opposition.

Flawed notion. Guess you better email Clarko, just wait til you see the outs this week, do you think a professionally run club will see it as a flawed notion?

 

[parsons nose]

First rest of a few more over the year. Opportunities in round 17 (dogs) and round 20 (saints) are probably the games closest to the end of the year that may allow us to rest a player or 2 if need be.

Facts are, we won't win the premiership by requiring 10 players to play 25 games.

Also I would much prefer to see how fringe players go in the team than just playing for Box Hill, even against weaker opposition.

Flawed notion. Guess you better email Clarko, just wait til you see the outs this week, do you think a professionally run club will see it as a flawed notion?

So you're privy to what happens at the selection table then? I guess all will be revealed on Thursday night when the teams come out.

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

So you're privy to what happens at the selection table then? I guess all will be revealed on Thursday night when the teams come out.

Never implied I was.

Just suggesting that players will be rested in the coming weeks. We will see who is proven correct.

 

[Mappa]

Resting, or managing players, is the way we have to do things now.

Still, I have to wonder what Allan Jeans would do. No one should receive a senior spot because others need a rest. It cheapens the jumper and cheapens the club.

 

[Hoogmeister]

I can't see top 2 being too important this year as it was last year, can't see an interstate team in top 4. We could definitely rest players in the coming weeks.

 

[mattyflux]

First of all I'm not sure if you are joking or not (I rarely can with you) so I apologise if I don't get the joke.

If you are serious, I understand the sentiment but believe this view is fairly short-sighted. The season is a marathon not a sprint and percentage matters little if the team is tired at the end of the season. As long as there aren't wholesale changes, some of the older or injured guys can get some rest and some of the fringe players can get an opportunity.

See I have a problem with this. I think it is far too early in the season to gain anything out of resting players. After our bye we have 11 or 12 more games to play in a row leading into the finals. Why rest someone now, when they are going to get a rest anyway in 2 weeks time?? I can only see the possibility of a player actually losing form if they are rested unneccessarily due to the fact they are not playing enough footy. You see it happen with some teams when they get a week off during the finals.
The time to be resting players if we are afforded the luxury is from rounds 16-18 in order to freshen them up. It will acheive nothing resting players this week unless they are carrying an injury. By all means give an injured bloke a week off but don't rest a guy just for the sake of it or gift a kid a game who hasn't earned it.
In fact I am a little ashamed of some of the supporters on here labelling the next month "4 byes" (not you personally). Its that kind of disrespect that costs teams wins....Ive played a lot of footy and seen it happen a million times.

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

I would not rest anyone. Three danger games coming up.

But seeing the general consensus is we will experiment I would run Max into the ground. He needs game time. Give a week off to anyone over 27. I know it is age-ist but the older body can always use more rest time.

I support blooding new players. I think all three games will have low attendances and may prove to be lack lustre affairs. Exhibit a being the crowd at the G today. Shame for any Debs that their first game will be so low key. Regardless play the Ls. Lowden, Langers and Litherland just to see how they match up athletically.

 

[Brant]

A couple of popular but flawed notions have been advanced by the pro resting camp here. Firstly that somehow a rest in May prior to a scheduled bye will stand us in good stead come the pointy end of the season - that's drawing a long bow particularly given the GF was lost as a result of bad kicking not poor conditioning. The second and equally flawed claim is that it gives the opportunity for debutants to strut their wares- playing the three bottom sides, two of which a playing so poorly they could be almost be deemed VFL standard is not going to give anyone any great insight into their capabilities to perform at senior level.

A rest at any time is good come September if it means you've played 20 tough games to date instead of 23. Not all players need the break & they certainly don't all need the break at the same time - thats why it's called 'management'. I think you're drawing a long bow to suggest that fresher players aren't preferred over tired/sore players, all other things being equal. Go back to 2012 & see how ineffective Roughy & Popeye were in our last 3 games.

 

[Procrastinator35]

See I have a problem with this. I think it is far too early in the season to gain anything out of resting players. After our bye we have 11 or 12 more games to play in a row leading into the finals. Why rest someone now, when they are going to get a rest anyway in 2 weeks time?? I can only see the possibility of a player actually losing form if they are rested unneccessarily due to the fact they are not playing enough footy. You see it happen with some teams when they get a week off during the finals.
The time to be resting players if we are afforded the luxury is from rounds 16-18 in order to freshen them up. It will acheive nothing resting players this week unless they are carrying an injury. By all means give an injured bloke a week off but don't rest a guy just for the sake of it or gift a kid a game who hasn't earned it.
In fact I am a little ashamed of some of the supporters on here labelling the next month "4 byes" (not you personally). Its that kind of disrespect that costs teams wins....Ive played a lot of footy and seen it happen a million times.

You cant be serious Matty???... Mate we've just played 7 tough, hard grinding games in a row against 7 of the best from last year & you don't want to rest anyone??? Don't you realize what a monumental achievement achieving 6/1 from THAT draw is??? Do you really think it hasn't come at a cost?

There is at least a dozen sore boys in this team at the moment, and if you think for one minute that we're gonna play em all against the likes of GWS, Melb & to a lesser extent G/Coast, then you've got rocks in ya head mate!

Fact is that Cheney's form at Box Hill has been rock solid & he deserves a go. We'd be losing very little there. Savage can come in for Hill & do a more than serviceable job. Spangher also deserves a chance and offers the chance to rest a key position player with his versatility.

Anderson will be fresh & back from injury along with Guerra, though I'd be erring on the side of caution with Goo, way too important in the long run.

Good chance also to blood young Lowden in the Ruck...If one or both of Hale & Max go down, then the experience he gains here could be crucial for the long haul. Langfords form at Box Hill also warrants a chance at this level. Wanganeen & Frank are also more than capable of 'covering' for a game or 2 given their form!

A squad of 30-35 players is necessary to put you in a position to win the premiership...I'ts all about list management from here on in....Your kind of thinking is only relevant come finals time!!!

 

[Thaihawk]

Unbeknown to us on BF there are probably one or two players who are carrying niggling injuries that can't be shaken off. Lake, Bailey and Gibbo to mention a few. I would be inclined to rest players who need a little extra time to get back to top fitness, and replace them with the best candidate from the list.

Need to have our best on the field for the game against the blues on the Friday after the break.

Resting fit players this early could be a mistake.

After the break managing players will be important to ensure we field our fittest 22 in the finals.

A
What difference would a fit Hodge have made last year?

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

What difference would a fit Hodge have made last year?

A premiership.

Without a doubt.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Definitely feel we should rest guys. It's a long year and we need petrol tickets left for September, unlike last year.

 

[mattyflux]

You cant be serious Matty???... Mate we've just played 7 tough, hard grinding games in a row against 7 of the best from last year & you don't want to rest anyone??? Don't you realize what a monumental achievement achieving 6/1 from THAT draw is??? Do you really think it hasn't come at a cost?

There is at least a dozen sore boys in this team at the moment, and if you think for one minute that we're gonna play em all against the likes of GWS, Melb & to a lesser extent G/Coast, then you've got rocks in ya head mate!

Fact is that Cheney's form at Box Hill has been rock solid & he deserves a go. We'd be losing very little there. Savage can come in for Hill & do a more than serviceable job. Spangher also deserves a chance and offers the chance to rest a key position player with his versatility.

Anderson will be fresh & back from injury along with Guerra, though I'd be erring on the side of caution with Goo, way too important in the long run.

Good chance also to blood young Lowden in the Ruck...If one or both of Hale & Max go down, then the experience he gains here could be crucial for the long haul. Langfords form at Box Hill also warrants a chance at this level. Wanganeen & Frank are also more than capable of 'covering' for a game or 2 given their form!

A squad of 30-35 players is necessary to put you in a position to win the premiership...I'ts all about list management from here on in....Your kind of thinking is only relevant come finals time!!!

What is to gain in resting players now when we have a bye in 3 weeks? If they are sore or have niggles sure, give them a rest, but not just for the sake of resting people. Me personally, I would get the wins on the board first, if we have secured a top 4 spot then you can start giving some guys a week off to freshen up a 4-6 weeks out from the finals. Injuries will happen anyway and Cheney and co will get their shot regardless, if they deserve it.

Its not so much that I think the guys wont need a rest, I just don't see the point of doing it now!