Ok, we are almost 48 hours away from naming our first team of the year.
From what we can tell, Gibcus, Tarrant and Short are confirmed non-starters. Prestia, Ross, Graham and Pickett seem to be available.
So what will the team look like?
My guess:
B: Vlastuin Miller Grimes
HB: Baker Balta D Rioli
C: McIntosh Hopper Clarke
HF: Bolton Lynch Martin
F: M Rioli Ryan Riewoldt
R: Nankervis Taranto Prestia
I/C: Cotchin Broad Cumberland Ross
Sub: Pickett
I'm going with Miller to play back instead of Young. I think Young is a risk too great on such a big occasion particularly given his practice matches and tendency to give away free kicks.
I've got Ryan playing and he and Miller can provide ruck support depending on matchups forward and back. I've got Broad on the bench to support the defence, particulaly if Miller goes into the ruck.
I've got Cotchin starting on the bench but can rotate through midfield and forward for relief. I've gone with Ross over Graham as I suspect he will have a lot more match fitness, despite his knee. No doubt playing Ross is a risk. Sonsie is also an option but could perhaps be underdone. Hugo another option but I'm not sure he's done enough through the practice games.
I'm choosing Marlion as sub. He's missed a lot of training from all reports and perhaps couldn't run out a game but reckon he would be very impactful coming on in the 2nd half and can play inside/outside/forward/back as needed.
From what we can tell, Gibcus, Tarrant and Short are confirmed non-starters. Prestia, Ross, Graham and Pickett seem to be available.
So what will the team look like?
My guess:
B: Vlastuin Miller Grimes
HB: Baker Balta D Rioli
C: McIntosh Hopper Clarke
HF: Bolton Lynch Martin
F: M Rioli Ryan Riewoldt
R: Nankervis Taranto Prestia
I/C: Cotchin Broad Cumberland Ross
Sub: Pickett
I'm going with Miller to play back instead of Young. I think Young is a risk too great on such a big occasion particularly given his practice matches and tendency to give away free kicks.
I've got Ryan playing and he and Miller can provide ruck support depending on matchups forward and back. I've got Broad on the bench to support the defence, particulaly if Miller goes into the ruck.
I've got Cotchin starting on the bench but can rotate through midfield and forward for relief. I've gone with Ross over Graham as I suspect he will have a lot more match fitness, despite his knee. No doubt playing Ross is a risk. Sonsie is also an option but could perhaps be underdone. Hugo another option but I'm not sure he's done enough through the practice games.
I'm choosing Marlion as sub. He's missed a lot of training from all reports and perhaps couldn't run out a game but reckon he would be very impactful coming on in the 2nd half and can play inside/outside/forward/back as needed.
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