ATM i'd prefer Carlos to Knockers.

Knockers needs to exibit more aggression.

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I see you watching me watching you.

I think people are only saying henderson out if Waite comes in. What would be henda's important role in the structure if Waite comes in?

BANG!

For the record I've disagreed with the MC a few times this year and so far they've been right every time.
I'm wrapped with the job they're doing.

As for Waite though, I'm assuming that he's going to miss >= three matches . Given that and given that the team keeps
winning why would you drop someone who's doing the job for someone who hasn't played for a month? I'm not suggesting he never plays again, just that he should have to show serious form in the magoos. It gives a far better message to the team than dropping someone for a "name" player.

Out of curiousity how many weeks would he have to miss before you'd make him earn his spot?

Nah, I don't think so. That's you saying that and a couple of others I think. There's those who prefer Waite forward moreso than down back.

I'm reading Waite at CHB for TBird....or Hendo at CHB for TBird.
I'm reading TBird is ahead of Bower.

I agree TBird has earned his spot, but I just don't think the MC will withold its preference for Hendo's class.
Just a hunch.

It would be a great fairytale story to see TBird in this years premiership team after all he has endured.
If I had to make the hard call, I'd pick Hendo ahead of TBird and Bower.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Waite isn't a traditional tall, he is big yes, but very mobile and provides run if played at CHB as an example.

Once again i agree. One bloke in hendo will be a good chf and has showed this already in his SHORT career to date. The other bloke has been a gun and wouldv been and alll aus backmen in waiter. To me its a no brainer and should at least be trialed.

Warnock comes in for Hampson. Setanta is the only other option and he is not fit.

If Ellard is out and Waite is ready this swap will work against West Coast given their extra height. Either Waite or Henderson (who played down back a bit against the Swans) will be able to switch back to add extra cover as required. For mine, Waite is an automatic selection when fit. Laidler however, has not earned automatic selection yet and has been out long enough to need a run with the Ants. We don't want to make the same mistake made with Curnow.

If Duigan misses then I think Armfield's form warrants selection ahead of Bower. I'd be incredibly surprised if Touhy was dropped - we are in winning form and he has been doing his part. His development will be helped along by playing for the Blues next week more than it would with the Ants and he has done nothing to warrant losing his spot anyway...

HK

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I agree that Waite is an automatic selection when fit but we have also seen players benefitting from having a run in the two's before coming back into the side. It would be more to get fitness back up rather than form though.

Why would Duigan miss?

I could see Waite going back for the rest of the season if we really had too, but I think the MC will prefer him forward.

I cant see Hendo going back, too much of an unknown back there and we need to have that back structure set before the finals.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Perception is reality. But yes I can see the virtue of a stable structure down back, which I think we have.
There's also a lot to be said in the virtues of building flexibility in the team, so we are not precictable, and when things aren't going as planned we can throw around the team.

After we smash the WCE, we will have a buffer of 2 games ahead of 5th spot with Richmond next in line. I'm sure if continue the 2011 form we will see the MC mixing it up a bit. Ratts said that he wanted to build in flexibility after the weekend.

Back to your point on Hendo as an unknown in the backline. He played as a CHB at the age of 19 for the Lions in the year they beat us in the final (2009). Jonathon Brown was their CHF.

Hendo has also played CHB and even FB last year whilst at Carlton, and this year in the last 2 weeks (he's been in the team) he's played for short stints in the backline. I thought his marking back there was very good. Damn tall prospect for CHB...which is a good thing.

I think it is well known that this kid has talent, and is a good size with plenty of speed...and he was born in the game, so he's not learning the nuances as some internationals would.

Just discussing, and its only my opinion, so we're all right given we are not privy to the inner sanctum of the MC.


Please...just don't jeer or boo our players this weekend. Pass the word around at the game.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I agree with the above.

Waite plays a bit similar to Walker. More a mobile, athletic target. The addition of Henderson and Kruezer has given us the other option of going tall to a target when under pressure. It also creates more of a direct spillage bringing our smalls into the game.

I have said it before Waite could easily play wing and go to CHB or CHF if needed. Given the nature of the sub that gives us great flexibility during a game. An opposition coach that has to match up with Judd, Murphy, Robbo, Simpson, Ellard, Carrots and Curnow now has to find a different match up for Waite. That adds a different dimension to our side and would stretch any opposition. Also, his ability to drop back and help against a Cloke or Dawes would make our developing defence even better.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I see Henda remaining in the team if he:-

- Shows he is a better option than Waite or Walker as a tall forward.
- Plays forward/second ruck. ( would take a shift in MC thinking and some ruck improvement from Henda)
- Somehow grabs CHB and makes it his own.
- MC decide to change Walkers role considerably

I see us beating Geelong Collingwood and Hawthorn by setting up in a way that allows us to put so much pressure on them that they cant play their usual game and allows our game to thrive. A quick zippy forward line will continue to do the damage and our mobile medium sized defense will get the job done with pressure giving them the protection they need.

You can't drop a guy who has one of the coolest theme songs ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdbjH7Zf_6k

Enjoying all this premiership talk but I hope the boys are more focused on the West Coast game than we are.

Le Cras, JK, Nic Nat, and maybe Darling may give us a few worries.
Hurn hasn't played well against us recently (Subiaco specialist?) but has the potential to catch us napping on the rebound.
Priddis is a plodder, but an underrated one, and if Kerr plays they're more than capable of snatching a run of stoppages and banging a few goals on in a row (ala Sydney in the first quarter) with Cox in the ruck.

If Ellard misses then it's up to Curnow and the rest of the onballers to lift their grunt-work

A win on Sunday would give us breathing space, but it will need to be earned.

Yes we must play to our strengths and force the opposition into the reactive position, so it's a week by week selection assessment of personnel and we shouldn't really pigeon hole anyone into a certain role.

I like your assessment, and see where you stand.

I assume you would probably add "Injury" to a key tall as another reason for Hendo in the team.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I have always been a fan of this scenario Psych.
Thanks for bringing this up again. I love it. It's a luxury.
I have no doubt its a possibility if all our players are healthy and available for selection...and in form.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Of course.

I wish i had written that assessment days ago.

Nice posting Bondi. Keep up the good work.

I think we need to acknowledge a couple of things to get a proper picture of this upcoming game (and even beyond),

- Ratts has said at least twice publicly that Warnock will be selected for this weeks game. No point juggling between him and Setanta because 206 is coming in!
- It is clear that the ideal forward set-up for our team would include both Hendo and Waite in both KP posts in attack. Not sending one of these two back to defence for any reason, or the notion that they are fighting for the same spot, they are the preferred forward KP combination

So now that is out the way, carry on...

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C'mon Blueboys!