no9
Ted Fahey (11)
I have now spoken to some who were there yesterday and from all appearances ISA were totally outclassed by a slick CHS team. No excuses were given but it was pointed out that this was the third game for CHS and the first for ISA and mostof the ISA team played yesterday and the team were disrupted by injuries. However, CHS were clearly the better team.
The back three for CHS were very good and the side was well led by their captain at half. The 7 broome was the best player on the ground when he came on.
As for ISA things need to improve and hopefully with a few changes the performance on Friday will be much better. I was told that Dombkins led the team well and tried all he could to get his team going forward. He couldn't play his normal game in attack as CHS had most of the ball and when they did get some possession ISA turned it over or kicked it too often back to CHS. Aside from his leadership his defence was good and he too often was the only forward trying to compete with the CHS forwards at the breakdown. He also jumped well in the lineout. Menzies also did well after getting a call up to the 1's but the cattle around him left him a bit stranded. Natoli must be the half on Friday with possibly Purcell at five-eigth to try and get the centrefield defence stronger and get some attack going.
Al in all a very imressive effort by CHS, who given the team GPS has picked, could complete a clean sweep on Friday. ISA will improve and here's hoping will get up over CAS
As an appointed couch selector may I make some recomendations to the ISA selectors for fridays game. Move the 3 to 8 where he plays for Oakhill. This will provide more go forward and bulk to the backrow. Replace him with the Oakhill 1 playing in the II's as he is big and skillfull with the ball. If Domkins is unfit then bring in the Oakhill 7 from II's and look to play an uptempo game and move CAS around the park with two opensides (particularly if Talakai and Ingram-Melsom play as they can't be at peak condition yet). Agree with promoting Natoli and playing Purcell at 10. I would then ask the Oakhill 12 to make himself available for the match as he is in outstanding form and bring the 13 with him if sundays 13 is out injured. I couldn't persevere with Menzies as CHS went through the middle far too many times on the weekend (Broomes second try was farcical defence). The other option would be to promote the two St Andrews centres although one was out injured and the other played 4 in the II's on sunday.