So usually from what I have seen in my three years in SC, is that the top teams that have secured a spot in the top 4 tend to rest their star players before finals. This works out great for the top teams, but really hurts us in SC. The matches which their stars are rested are usually interstate games against opposition out of contention for finals. The rounds which they may be rested would be mostly from rounds 21-23. The reason I don't think players will be rested in round 24 is that the top sides would want momentum in their players before leading straight into finals. So by looking over the fixture in the final rounds, I will predict the games where stars may possibly be rested. I must stress that this is all speculation and my own opinion. ROUND 21 BYE: North Melbourne Melbourne vs West Coast (ETIHAD) -possibility of WCE resting Cox, Priddis, etc. -will pose a huge problem if Cox does get a rest as people relying on Petrie will have him out with the BYE Adelaide vs Geelong (AAMI) -I personally think Geelong won't rest anyone, but if they do there is a possibility that they might in this game. Chapman most likely IMO Fremantle vs Carlton (Patterson) -Again, I doubt Carlton will rest anyone as they will not have yet secured their spot, but if they do this seems a likely time ROUND 23 BYE: Carlton Fremantle vs Collingwood (Paterson Stadium) -possibility of resting stars, especially Pendlebury, before crunch game in Round 24 verse the Cats -will pose problems as most people will have Judd/Murphy and Scotland/Gibbs Brisbane vs West Coast (GABBA) -if WCE don't rest someone in round 21, they could in this game ROUND 24 GC vs HAWKS (GC Stadium) -I did say I didn't think sides would rest players right before finals. However, with Hawthorn's injury troubles this year, especially those to stars Rioli and Hodge, there is a possibility of them getting a rest if they have just a slight niggle, in order to be close to 100% in time for the finals. NOTE: Hodge got a rest in Round 22 last year As I stated before this is all speculative evidence. If you can predict when there might be another game during SC finals where a player may be rested, please post! And also feel free to debate and speculate who might get rested and in which round! Opinions please !
Honestly can't see Geelong resting anyone against Adelaide considering they have the bye the following week. Think there is a chance Collingwood could give a couple of players a break this week against Port considering how bad we are travelling atm. As for West Coast, if they decide to rest Cox against North, it will hurt quite a few coaches who have Petrie/Goldstein - hopefully this doesn't happen!!!