Time for a shake up John?

[laura]

Its a good idea to blood some new players.
Fardy & Hilgendorf and possibly Fardy(not sure how he is fairing) should have a go before the end of the season too.
I don't mind that some of the more experienced players are on the bench....if things aren't going too well you know that you always have them to step up to the plate (not going on friday's performance, I've moved on and am talking about after their rejuvinating break).It wouldn't be a bad idea to give something like this a try, but I would have Pocock in the team.

[.X.]

For those people slow on the pick up - I would suggest that our learned colleague No.8 is suggesting that now is a good time to "blood" some young players prior to the 2009 season.

Now can everyone calm down just a little please.

Whilst there is still a mathematical chance of making the finals - lets be realistic about that and say we aren't going to make it. Our last matches of the 2008 season are the perfect opportunity to test some of our up and coming squad members.

[force addict]

i dont think we'll make the play offs this year. unfortunately but a great effort for the force at the away games!! always the hardest (hard to believe since we DONT have a PROPER home ground)

[tragic]

I agree with Chis. There was just no mongrel in the team last Friday, and I had to blink to believe that Brown had missed that tackle.
It will be interesting to see how this new line-up goes, and how long it will take before the bench players start to get called in.

[tragic]

I'd thank you for your post, X, but you don't have a Thank button!

[Punkpapa]

Guessing a lot of the people on this forum are closely tied to the Force coaches/players and administration. You would imagine that this feedback is getting back in some shape or form?
Supporter sentiment is a big thing. The coach and his support staff obviously are paid to make these decisions. Let's hope they realise there is a lot of frustration and confusion amongs the fans, and not just pay lip service to the media's inquiries.

[OMS]

No. 8, I can see your a thinker, I like that you have included Wykes,Holmes and Tamani in the starting line up. I actually think the SA leg of the round took more out of them then they realise and they should have started more of the bench players.
Im no expert but I reckon Gits is a far better player at No. 12, he has that extra time to think and closer to the outside men.

[NTT]

if we put no8s team out against the chiefs we'll lose by 50 .... the best thing to do would be keep the same squad and replace the injured guys and give o'connor another crack. if last fridays team doesnt have enough motivation to turn things around then theres a problem. they showed real guts against the bulls and tahs after the stormers loss and they will against the chiefs. while we are still a ( slim ) chance of making the finals, we still have to go for it, wont achieve much giving in with 4 rounds to go ( 3 for the force ) anything can still happen

[Jehna]

I like it Jargs Wouldn't mind seeing O'Connor on the bench as well....

As for the forwards I see no reason to take off Brownie...The rest of the shake up i'd say why not?

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Luke Holmes
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Nathan Sharpe (c)
5. Sam Wykes
6. Scott Fava
7. Matt Hodgeson
8. Richard Brown

9. James Stannard
10. Matt Giteau (vc)
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Lachlan McKay
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Drew Mitchell

[force addict]

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Luke Holmes
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Nathan Sharpe (c)
5. Sam Wykes
6. Scott Fava
7. Matt Hodgson/David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. James Stannard
10. James O'Connor
11. Dane Haylett-Petty
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins
15. Drew Mitchell

[BLR]

Shouldn't we wait until the Force tour up to the UK before throwing in the young guys...sure put one or two on near the end of the game but we'll get a drubbing otherwise....it's all well and good blooding new players but we have to keep our respect...fight to the death and all that....

And while we are blooding new players, why play ones who have signed for a new club? It goes against our need to build for the future...

[gotheforce]

i actually think Fava has been great. he's good with the ball and has been hitting it up a lot better than brown. Dont get me wrong, Brown still does a good job, but Fava seems to be crashing it harder. But i'd really like to see Hodgson and Pocock as 6 and 7. Might pay to have 2 specialist open side flankers in the team. More turnovers i reckon. Hodgson hasnt been doing too bad, just unlucky pocock is the better specialist openside, so less game time. If i had to choose a team for the chiefs, it would be:

1.Gareth Hardy(not the best scrumager, but mobile at general play)
2.Luke Holmes (has been good at lineouts)
3.AJ Whalley(though not the best scrumager, still need a heavier prop)
4.Nathan Sharpe(obviously....)
5.Sam Wykes(has been prominent when subbed on)
6.Matt Hodgson(when he does get game time, he's got such a good work ethic)
7.Dave Pocock(great player, still one of the force's best)
8.Scott Fava(Good crashballer. Just what the doctor ordered)
9.Chris O'Young(still better thanStannard anyday)
10.Matt Giteau (goes without saying)
11.Drew Mitchell (still consistently dangerous with the ball)
12.James O'Connor("did anyone order a tim Horan?!")
13. Ryan Cross( Jason Little to O'Connor's Tim Horan)
14. Scott Staniforth(deserves to be on the team, but maybe moved to make way for Rabbit)
15.Cameron Shepherd(One of the best fullbacks in australia, so goes without saying)

16.Tai McIsaac(our only other hooker to choose from)
17. Keiran Longbottom(would love to see him have a go)
18.David Pusey (beats Hockings thanks to his versatility)
19. Richard Brown (Impact player coming on at 60th min=Try!)
20.James Stannard (no one else to choose from, so chucky's still here)
21.Lachlan Mackay(Utility back, in case anyone goes down.)
22.Nick Cummins (Bring some pace to our wings to counter Masage if spanners cant handle it.)

[no.8]

For those people slow on the pick up - I would suggest that our learned colleague No.8 is suggesting that now is a good time to "blood" some young players prior to the 2009 season.

Now can everyone calm down just a little please.

Whilst there is still a mathematical chance of making the finals - lets be realistic about that and say we aren't going to make it. Our last matches of the 2008 season are the perfect opportunity to test some of our up and coming squad members.

Nearly X man.

I think some guys are getting a little to comfortable and they think they are automatic choice. A good dropping never hurt anyone and let's face it if the player can't play at this level what the hell is he doing in the squad!

We quite clearly haven't got enough depth to play a complete new 15, but we have got guys who can step up. Why shouldn't they if they are playing well.

I my opinion Scott Staniforth has been the most valuable player this season and as should any player doing his job be rewarded with a start.

Some guys like Richard Brown and Ryan Cross are knackered and need a rest - the bye maybe sufficient for them I hope.

Although I am questioning some of the players intention of the players who we're out there against the Reds and answering that by suggesting a dropping (unfortunately some can't be dropped further than the bench due to positional depth).

[goony]

fardy has been really dominant for us in the local comp and i noticed tinky down there watching him closely so i think he might get a call up soon hopefully, esp with horua's injury!! i think he deserves a chance

[Thequeerone]

On top of general exhaustion - I'm suspicious that the contracting season and the forthcoming arrival of the new CEO might be upsetting the lads too.

I'm hoping that the Force uses this opportunity to recruit players particularly the forwards with more of the mongrel on the pitch - Fava and Brown have been implacable on the pitch all season.

There are some players who just didn't preform on the pitch last week -some we think due to exhaustion some just didn't show up - they need to be dropped for a week or two - this is standard practice in club rugby - as the prospect of finals is remote why not take the opportunity to hone the skills of the newer players (only the ones who are definitely with us next year).

More importantly try some new plays - especially ones that don't rely on Sharpie or Gitts - (I'm sick of watching them being targeted week in week out) and hopefully we get to see some rugby and dream about next year (not sure how many fans would have really sat through the entire 2nd half at Subi) - who knows we might even thrash some of these teams - because they won't know what the game plan is - for a change.

As for the people on this Forum being closely affiliated to Emirates Western Force - yes some of us are known by some of the staff but not many we just love our rugby on here and are still overjoyed to have a team like the in WA - however we want the team to have the best chance on the pitch and we want the fans to enjoy the good and bad of the game in a rectangular stadium - especially the newer fans who have never heard a scrum pack down - or tried to work out the lineout calls - or seeing someone like Gitts calling to a youngster like O'Conor to shift his posterior up or down the pitch.