in: betts, grigg, 206

out: johnson, browne, wiggins,

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

In defence of Browne and Johnno, there is a massive leap from running around at Cramer St to playing against an AFL team like the Crows at the Dome. Both of those guys struggled yesterday, particularly Johnno IMO, but I had some sympathy for them - as I did for Joey the previous week...

For the same reason, it would be a big (no pun intended) risk to play 206 for his 1st AFL game of the season in a Final. Even bringing in Sauce next week would be risky, given how long it's been since his last AFL game. Sounds like Austin is gone for the year too.

So who have we got in reserve that could realistically come in and make a difference next week in a Final? Only Betts IMO. Who else is there...?

Garlett - I don't think we can play Garlett and Yarran in the same side at the moment. I know they aren't exactly the same type of player, but until one or both of them develop their game to the point where they can go into the midfield in meaningful bursts, I think it's a choice between the two. Based on yesterday, I would go with Yarran over Garlett.

AB - No. Hasn't played an AFL game in 12 months. Love his in-and-under ability, but we have enough one-paced players with so-so skills.

Cloke - Maybe, if the MC think we need a restructure (ie. play an extra tall), but if they drop Carlos for him I will vomit.

Grigg - Seems out of favour. Has been getting leather poisoning in the VFL but turns it over lots and is obviously not playing to instructions. Could possibly come in for Browne or Johnno, but it's unrealistic that he would make a huge difference.

Joey - Has been stiff not to get more opportunities this year, especially earlier in the season when he was gunning it in the VFL. Could possibly come in for Browne or Johnno, but it's unrealistic that he would make a huge difference.

Fish, Harts, Edwards - No. Just no.

So, aside from Betts, the only way we can be a 12 goal + better side this week is for the improvement to come from within the side. I see no sense in making wholesale changes. The entire side needs to lift...and play like a TEAM...

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

In: Betts, Warnock, Austin

Out: Wiggins, Browne, Johnson

FB: Armfield Thornton Joseph
HB: Walker Bower Russell
CC: Scotland Gibbs Simpson
HF: Stevens O'hAilpin Carrazzo
FF: Kreuzer Fevola Betts
RR: Hampson Judd Murphy

INT: Austin Warnock Houlihan Yarran

EMG - Jacobs Garlett Wiggins/Grigg

3 tall forwards, 3 tall backs; if it rains, Warnock has a 'calf spasm' in the warm-up and a guy like Wiggins, Garlett or Grigg comes in. If it's Garlett, Eddie plays permanently in midfield.

Three tall defenders are an absolute MUST. Adelaide shredded us through height up forward and our woeful midfield pressure. Imagine what Brown & Bradshaw will do if we have no backup for Thornton and Bower. If Austin cannot come up, we have to sacrifice Santy, but not bring in another tall up forward; none of them have the work-rate required.

If I was Ratts, I would do my best to fly the entire team up for the game; I'd want a siege mentality; I'd want an enormous effort; I'd want blood spilt for the jumper; I'D WANT @#$%&! VICTORY.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

in:betts, grigg/bentick
Out: johnson, browne

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i don't wanna spend my life explaining myself. Either you get it, or you don't- Frank Zappa

I never get these things right, but this is my team for next week.

FF: Eddie Betts – Brendan Fevola – Jeff Garlett
HF: Heath Scotland – Matthew Kreuzer - Andrew Walker
C: Nick Stevens - Bryce Gibbs - Kade Simpson
HB: Jordan Russell – Setanta O’hAilpin – Paul Bower
FB: Ryan Houlihan - Bret Thornton - Simon Wiggins
RU: Robert Warnock – Marc Murphy - Chris Judd
IC: Shaun Hampson - Aaron Joseph - Dennis Armfield – Andrew Carrazzo
EM: Chris Yarran - Sam Jacobs - Steven Browne

IN: E. Betts - J. Garlett - R. Warnock
OUT: C. Johnson - S. Browne - C. Yarran

Why would you drop Yarran for Garlett?

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

I don't want to drop Yarran but I want Garlett in the squad. I feel that Garlett is a little more polished with his finishing. I understand that game against Melbourne where he kicked the four goals is pretty much going to be a once-off but if it comes to two scoring opportunities I back Garlett in over Yarran. I also feel Garlett plays better off of Fevola at this stage than does Yarran, but we haven't really had much of a look-in on either player (an easy win for Garlett and a heavy loss for Yarran).

I really want to find a place for Chris. I thought he was solid yesterday and I can clearly see why we drafted him at six even with how heavy that loss was yesterday. I'm a fan and enamored by what he can (and I believe will) provide in the future.

Perhaps you keep Yarran in and place him on the HFF with Walker taking Army's spot as run off the backline.

Good result with the Dogs getting to 3rd spot I think.
If we can beat Brisbane we will play the loser of Geelong/Bulldogs.
Not a bad outcome really

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Makes no sense actually. Why not play both. We need the extra pace and fwd line pressure as well as goal kicking options.

I'd bring in Warnock Bentick Garlett and Betts this week. Warnock will give us first use of the ball, Bentick may give us what Hadley was giving us (we have nothing to lose by trying this), and Garlett and Betts give us added spark and pressure around the goals.

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Why do you think Garlett is more polished ... cos he kicked 4 against the Demons (16th) .. not 1 and could have had 3 against a well oiled machine (Crows?)

You cant be serious.... once the real stuff comes along... like this week... Garlett will get moved out of the way and he wont find as much room...

Yarrans game was much more impressive this week than Garletts was last week because you have to factor in the opposition and what the opposition did to us... or we did to them...

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

I agree that Yarran was more impressive than Garlett. However, I believe Garlett's finishing (kicking) skills is better than Yarran. I believe he is more accurate of foot. Yarran does impress me. You're right about him (Garlett) being slight of build, though.

I would definitely be playing Yarran and encouraging him to be more adventurous.... and just keep working hard....

....Yarran is special and he is the kind of player who will turn games in our favour...

..... its just a matter of extracting those games from him....

big stage... big game.... i wouldnt be dropping him after a loss to the crows... thats sheer knee jerk..

Johnson on the other hand offers very little... he has shown he cant handle pressure and intensity.. and with the screw about to be turned in the finals.. id be letting him go this week....

Probably along with Browne...

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Vlad has advised that we play on Sat night at the Gabba

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

The question is... Would Yarran have played against Adelaide had it not been for Garlett's indiscretion. Yes, Yarran took advantage of it but I don't view it as a knee jerk reaction. Perhaps the intention was to play the best available and after this week JG goes back into the side over Yarran? As I said, I dont want to drop Yarran.

i cant see Gaarlett having better polish on his kicking than Yarran either...

Yarran has A grade finishing skills... Garlett doesnt have the penetration in his kicking and he likes bananaring for goal...

I think the only facet Garlett is ahead is the tank...

Id be playing Yarran if i had to choose between the two any day of the week..... but it would be intersting to play both...and Betts...

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Thats not the question at all....the question is ..... who is likely to make have the bigger impact in a big game ....

Dont get me wrong i love Garlett.... and like what he has done so far.... but i know Yarran has more to offer....in big finals games...

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You know Synners - not everybody has to agree with you...

It's all a matter of personal opinion.

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Cheap Bike Insurance
Selling Baseball Cards

Thats your opinion.....

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Agree.

Finals are often won by taking risks & doing the unexpected on game day and at the selection table.

Why not play all 3??

I agree. Yarran is much more polished than Garlett, has better skills and is more of an x-factor. I also think Warnock must come in this week, even if it is a risk. It could pay off massively, allowing Kreuzer to go up forward and expose Brisbane's small defence along with Fevola.

So I'd go:
In: Betts, Grigg, Warnock
Out: Browne, Johnson, O'Hailpin