The other aspect of selection will be Jiath’s role & whether he will need to have significant time management. If there is a management issue, then the sub selection may again be an issue.
If Watson is the sub & Jiath subbed out, CMac/Mackenzie probably go on to the wing in rotation with D’Ambrosio. (Weddle did this against Port.)
The management of Gunston and Breust is a real challenge. Neither really works as the sub and given their inability to apply pressure and make a second effort, we can't afford to play both in the same forward line. Dear was good last week, took 5 marks, two of which were contested and could have kicked multiple goals. I'd argue that it's better for both the now, and for the future, to give Calsher another game, and more senior footy in general. With the suspension to Hipwood, not sure that Phillips is needed this week - they'll either play Darcy Fort or Brandon Ryan, both of whom can be handled by Scrimshaw / Weddle. The other point, which I think Mick is alluding to, if CJ has to be on highly managed minutes, he may play as the sub - preferably not as his minutes become unknown then. Given that Breust has to play this week, he and Scrimshaw come into the 22 and Phillips and Serong go out. Gunston will likely be the sub but would prefer someone like Bailey McDonald, who can give some real speed and run, or Josh Ward, to play that role.
If Sicily does play is there an argument to start using him as a swingman like Hardwick? This means Phillips becomes the no 2 defender which he seemed to handle well last week and he adds some height that Sicily doesn’t have. It gives us more flexibility forward and back.
It's not a bad idea, it's just that we have an abundance of small and mid-sized forwards, which in a week or two will include Chad Wingard. Selection in that part of the ground is going to be very challenging. There's absolutely no need to rush Sicily, and as stupid as it sounds, there's not really an obvious match up for him this week - it's one of Rayner, Lohman, Cameron or Ah Chee, who all seem a bit quick for Sic? Perhaps he could play CHB and free up Scrim and Weddle?
The other aspect of selection will be Jiath’s role & whether he will need to have significant time management. If there is a management issue, then the sub selection may again be an issue.
If Watson is the sub & Jiath subbed out, CMac/Mackenzie probably go on to the wing in rotation with D’Ambrosio. (Weddle did this against Port.)
The management of Gunston and Breust is a real challenge. Neither really works as the sub and given their inability to apply pressure and make a second effort, we can't afford to play both in the same forward line. Dear was good last week, took 5 marks, two of which were contested and could have kicked multiple goals. I'd argue that it's better for both the now, and for the future, to give Calsher another game, and more senior footy in general. With the suspension to Hipwood, not sure that Phillips is needed this week - they'll either play Darcy Fort or Brandon Ryan, both of whom can be handled by Scrimshaw / Weddle. The other point, which I think Mick is alluding to, if CJ has to be on highly managed minutes, he may play as the sub - preferably not as his minutes become unknown then. Given that Breust has to play this week, he and Scrimshaw come into the 22 and Phillips and Serong go out. Gunston will likely be the sub but would prefer someone like Bailey McDonald, who can give some real speed and run, or Josh Ward, to play that role.
If Sicily does play is there an argument to start using him as a swingman like Hardwick? This means Phillips becomes the no 2 defender which he seemed to handle well last week and he adds some height that Sicily doesn’t have. It gives us more flexibility forward and back.
It's not a bad idea, it's just that we have an abundance of small and mid-sized forwards, which in a week or two will include Chad Wingard. Selection in that part of the ground is going to be very challenging. There's absolutely no need to rush Sicily, and as stupid as it sounds, there's not really an obvious match up for him this week - it's one of Rayner, Lohman, Cameron or Ah Chee, who all seem a bit quick for Sic? Perhaps he could play CHB and free up Scrim and Weddle?