Didn't think I would ever say this but thought Brock was a bit stiff not get even be included in the emegencies this week. If there was ever a game he was going to play its this one, he deserves a game after his performances in the Ants the past few weeks.

I can't see how he can get into the team now barring an injury to Curnow.

Expecting Army to replace Yazz as he may struggle to back up.

Hammer on his last chance, hoping Irish has another good game in the 2nds to out pressure on him to hold his spot.

Would love to see us beating the Swans but just not sure we can do it, hope I am wrong.

Betts may be the sub....will be a tough ask this week but we know what to expect from this mob....must get off to a good start to be a chance....if we do, we will go on and win by 24 pts....

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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

scg a magic sight. empty, lights on, pouring rain and the boys training away in front of tge o'reily stand

It has pissed rain for the best part of 4 days now - it will be wet and slippery boggy and an all round slog fest
should have played Brocky
Hammer will be next to useless in those conditions

Armfield for Yarren
Touhy the sub

Hammer out - if they have any sense in selections

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

I think it's interesting that Setanta has been named as emergency ahead of T-Bird, Watson, Lucas & Brock. It makes me wonder if there's an injury cloud over Warnock or Hammer (or Waite?). I seem to recall there was talk about Warnock carrying something?

Even if that's the case, I think we'd be just as well playing T-Bird as a 2nd ruckman because Setanta is hopeless in the ruck. So is T-Bird, but at least he's been in decent form as a forward and has over 100+ games under his belt as a tall defender.

Given Setanta's still underdone, and his VFL game last week was underwhelming, I am very surprised to see his name in the 25 man squad.

Anyway, if Yarran doesn't come up it'll be interesting to see if they go with Zach or Army. I'd lean towards Army at this stage.

And if Brock can't get a game this week (given the small ground, the wet track and his solid VFL form), you start to wonder when he'll get another chance in light of Robbo, Curnow & Ellard's improvement....

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

..maybe late change of army in for yaz, possibly betts the sub..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

All emergencies flew up to Sydney with the team.....could be interesting.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Another way to look at it is that the conditions will result in a ton of stoppages. If the game is to be won or lost at the stoppages, we need to control the ruck. Warnock can't do it all on his own, and Hammer's ruck work has been OK (it's his forward play that's the worry). In fact, Hammer's 2nd efforts and his ability to stay in the contest after the tap has been a positive in his game, IMO. Unless there's an injury there, I'd still play them both...

When he goes forward, Hammer just has to be almost fanatical in his desperation and competitiveness when the ball is in his area. Even if he's not clucking marks, he can still impact the contest in a big way and create chances for Betts, Garlett et al. I'd love to see him throw that 200+cm, 100+kgs frame around more in attack - I'm sure if he (legitmately) sent a Sydney defender to the hospital it would make them think twice about geting in his way...

Obviously I don't want to see him get reported, but I would like to see him be a bit more 'unsociable'....

I honestly wonder if Hammer realises what a giant of a man he really is...

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

I wonder if they don't get used they will on the plane back to Melbourne Friday night to play for the Ants on Saturday?

As opposed to his usefullness in other games this year...

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

The Swans may try and exploit our lack of height in defence with Goodes 194cm Reid 195 cm and with the option to throw Everitt 195cm or White 197cm up forward however given a wet deck they may make a late change and bring in Parker for White with Goodes doing some back up ruck to Mumford.
Up forward they will have Moore 177cm and McGlyn in the pocket so I think Joseph has to play as both are too quick for Duigan or White

Only change Tuohy in for Yarran - no point in promoting him to the senior list and then not using him.
Hampson is lucky that the Swans have 3 potential rucks in Mumford Goodes and White so we need a second ruckman and Carlos isn't up to that role.

I think we will win.
Laidler to take Goodes. Jamison to take Reid.
Watch us win the clearances and go bang, bang and bang!!!!!

Still not confident

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Why would you be?

Our record against these blokes is deplorable for a reason. They don't beat themselves, and we struggle against that sort of team.

Such a shame Kreuzer is injured, this is the one game above all others to date that we need him. If it's raining/slippery we'll be effectively one down in the forward line when Hammer is there. But Sydney are so good at stoppages that we can't afford to go in with Warnock and noone else. They'll dominate clearances when he tires, so we need the additonal ruck. We'll be 17 vs 18 for most of the evening. Won't be easy, but if we get over the line in this one, it could really set up the season. 9 days to get the bodies right and run St Kilda off their feet, and then away we go.

+1, just arrived up here, will be amazed if Hammer goes around. I'd say Irish Zac would revel in the mud, must be a big chance to play. Is Carlos ready to play in a swamp??

We're trading him to Port?

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I AM DISENFRANCHISED

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"I had to eat"

This could be one of the great games of the season! everyone has tipped us to lose, not sure if the boys can get up but gee I'm pumped for it!

Hopefully a great game and a good win for the blues!

Good point

Win the clearance and pump it long but NOT to the opposition floater.
Get the ball to ground and play ugly wet weather footy.
This will test Garlett out. His skills and pace will come back to the pack in the wet methinks.

This game is winnable and if we are to climb the ladder we have to beat some of the teams who beat us last year.
Enter Sydney at home (theirs not ours).

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)