Why was Xavier Ellis not in the team?

[Moosewa]

Sorry if thiss is covered elsewhere, i could not find it.
Why was ellis out? was is purely he was no. 23? Team balance? I thought he had been good most of the year, and had peaked recently...

 

[Goldhawk]

Re: Why was Ellis out

He had a minor niggle and just gave him a rest.

 

[Death Cab]

Re: Why was Ellis out

I love Ellis and admire the way he puts his body on the line. But he still needs a couple more preseasons in the gym to get that body size. Regardless of niggles, endeavour, courage, skill or anything else, he does not have the ideal body for finals football and this will be a factor at the selection table this month.

With a bit more size he is going to be an absolute beauty - I have no doubt.

In all honesty, I don't think there is a player from the 2005 draft that stands out against Ellis as a better long term prospect - Murphy, Pendles and Ryder included.

 

[Rimbaz]

Re: Why was Ellis out

I can confirm X is an MCC member. I was in the bullring in the 3rd qtr and X came down the escalator, no one had spotted him till i screamed out love ya Xavier. Unsure why he was there though?

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Re: Why was Ellis out

Yeah must say that I prefer X in the team. He's pretty versatile and uses it so well.

I know Stokes has all that forward pressure stuff, but would rather see X in the team.

 

[tinnman]

losing Gilham meant that Browny might of had to go back to play tall and Stokes has a lot more pace to put forward pressure on the bulldogs run out of defence,Ellis was unlucky though.

 

[dutchy12]

Ellis had a corky in his calf. Could have played, but if he recieved a hit early on he would have been out for the whole game. The coaching staff decided not to take the risk.

 

[Chrissie90]

I dont think a guy gets dropped for a final when he has a niggle. Browny didnt. I think he was dropped but I dont think he should have been - and I think he should play ahead of Stokes - and maybe even Crawf, who seems past it to me and just going thru the motions.

 

[Anthemy]

Hope to see him back for the prelim.

 

[bards]

All you doubters forget it. He is injured, and thats why he didnt play. A couple of slight injuries in two spots on the one leg. Heard that he could have played, but only if there was some more serious injuries causing withdrawals.

He is definately ahead of stokes. Its him and youngy fighting for the same position. Lado's injury could be interesting as he would obviously take his place.

As far as his body not being right for finals football, rubbish. He may not be the biggest body, but he can definately play his role in finals. With a midfield of Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, backs of Guerra, Dew, Hodge and forwards of Brown, Ossie, Roughy I think there is plenty of hard bodies to be in and dishing the ball out to someone who uses it as well as X. Plus X doesnt shirk it when he has to either.

 

[Hodgepodge]

I'd have him ahead of one C.Young at the very least

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

Ellis had a corky in his calf. Could have played, but if he recieved a hit early on he would have been out for the whole game. The coaching staff decided not to take the risk.

Thanks Dutchy. How are you and Robbo these days?

 

[shotta]

Re: Why was Ellis out

I love Ellis and admire the way he puts his body on the line. But he still needs a couple more preseasons in the gym to get that body size. Regardless of niggles, endeavour, courage, skill or anything else, he does not have the ideal body for finals football and this will be a factor at the selection table this month.

With a bit more size he is going to be an absolute beauty - I have no doubt.

In all honesty, I don't think there is a player from the 2005 draft that stands out against Ellis as a better long term prospect - Murphy, Pendles and Ryder included.

This is dribble, if he was fit he would be in not a doubt in the world.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Re: Why was Ellis out

One of Ellis's strengths is his poise under pressure. Surely that's what finals are about. If he was fit, he would have played. Expect to see him back next game.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Re: Why was Ellis out

He was dropped to make way for Crawford.

Mark Evans, our football manager, said as much on Friday.