Would love to see Bower back, apparently he is just sore and should be right to go. Setanta might have to stay in due to Waite's second holiday.

Hopefully the Hawks bruise the Dogs up for us!

Would be happy to see White and Lucas back.
If Bower is fit that will be a huge bonus.

Question for the footy heads here.
Regarding Setant..can anyone figure out why he has lost form?
1:Mental/ ie Confidence..
2:Opponents..just too good for him
3:Physical..something is up that we don't know about
He was one of our strengths in the forward line..now itlooks a bit wobbly for him..but surely we can win big games like v dogs if we get him back flying?

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Have to agree Psych. The Jamo bit. Last night imo he wasn't worth a spot at FB.
Glad you mentioned he's been out of form for a while now. I pointed that out before the game and won a bet on his clangers/goals against.
His timing, his intention, his decisions...its all gone to shite. But who takes his spot?
I too hope Bower comes back for Hall and Austin and White play a ripper in the Ants.
I do not like the idea of carrying both Jamo and TBird. Austin is not a FB; perhaps White should be.

I don't know who Setanta makes way for. I don't think it'll be Austin. Not much on offer really imo.
Setanta works hard and creates opportunity, but I would like to see him earn a few more possessions and take a mark or two, plus a couple of goals.

But if you want Lucas in, like I do, he would have to replace Grigg. Who else?
Interesting to see if Grigg is given another game. I think he will. But at the expense of Lucas
Grigg didn't show much at all last night. I've watched the game twice. I'll have a look again to see a sign or two that he's AFL ready.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Yeah, it seems as though he's dropped off a bit. He tries hard and he runs hard. He may be carrying a niggle or two.
We haven't got the depth to rest him imo. Perhaps Waite's return may push him out. I doubt it though.

I don't think he creates opportunity for himself like Henderson does.
Maybe Ratten is happy with what he's doing: creating crumbs for the 3 Helpers.
He seemed to create a bit of space behind him with his leading moreso than creating oportunity.
I really don't think he has footy smarts, but definetely fills the spot for an agile fast tall.
Maybe Ratts is keeping the strategy simple for him.
I also don't think that he will be in a drought for too long.
As long as he gets a couple each game, I'm happy to have him there till someone else can take his spot next year.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I feel Jamo is still our first choice full-back. Austin is young, coming of a distrupted pre-season and only now just finding form and touch. Various reports indicate that he plays better up the ground rather than deep, where Jamo's closing speed is a vital asset. I agree that he is a bit out of touch, but he currently our best choice last-line defender and is still vitally important to our overall structure, we're a better team with him on the last line. Barry Hall does not take a lot of big bustling pack marks, he times his leads to perfection and uses his excessive strength very subtley to nudge his opponent out of position.

Once the backline gels, finds the right mix of talls and smalls and Bowser gets on the park, watch out.

Austin will be a gem and most likely our first choice CHB, in time.

11 July is Brett Ratten (and my) birthday, so stick it right up the doggies I say.

For that to happen, we need to get out of this slow start problem we have had.

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I will miss you Kouta - thanks for the memories. ps. Kouta > * for ∞

Ok Jammo...
No more podcast gigs for you...
obviously affecting your form.
Too much energy into the wit,not enough on the grip.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

With Bower White and Austin all playing now surely a firm/long term decision has to be made re our tall defenders.
Bower Jamison and White are my preferred tall defenders.

Every week you guys list Thornton in your outs for what reason I really don't know but clearly it's not going to happen.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

I've listened to Ratts and Riley talking in terms of moving the ball forward from defence about taking risks for reward with more run and carry and taking the opposition on.
From what I see Thornton doesn't do those things.
He gets beaten one on one.
Ratts himself has described his body language as 'unacceptable'.

Am I missing something....?

yeah I have a feeling that if Bower was available to play, Thornton wouldn't be in the side. Will be interested to see if he plays next week. Jarrad Grant could be a possible match up for Thornton but you have to wonder would it be a good match up for Simon White?

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Koperek.

Not confident at all. Can't see how we will win this.

I have thought it for a while but Jamo has some real limitations. Slow on the lead and gets out positioned a lot. Has struggled a lot more since players can now not knock a players arms. Thornton is just an average player who looks good in space but his kicking penetration is woeful and slows us down when trying to create run out of defence. On several occassions last night he had the chance to put his head over the ball or assist a teammate and didn't. I think with Bower is easily our best key defender and should take on Hall next week. He is strong enough and will run off him. Walker is best at CHB and is getting better and is an attacking weapon although he made some howlers last night and am happy to wear it as he is taking the game on. That leaves White, Jamo, Austin and Thornton left for the other spot. For me White will be the best option. I was impressed with him last week, he shows composure, has size and is once again an attacking player that can go forward. Hopefully Austin will then step up as a key forward as I have high hopes for him.

With Setanta, love his attitude but makes way to many errors week in week out. Runs to the wrong spots, gets in teammates way and cannot be relied upon to produce consistent performaces. When Waite comes back I think he will be in trouble especially with Henderson's continued improvement. I would also have no worries dropping him for Warnock and rotating Hammer and Warnock through the square. It would hopefully (if we would kick longer more often) bring our smalls into play more regularly and strecth the opposition defence.

Grigg like Hammer needed last night and needs to stay in. They have stepped up for their first games for the year and it is a huge jump from the bullants in terms of speed, pressure and with playing to a game plan. I have high hopes for both.

I don't know why Lucas was dropped but if he does okay tomorrow he should come back in. He has class and poise and running out of defence he has the disposal we lack. Who goes out? Don't know as it is hard but we seem to have a number of players that are playing okay but not great! Maybe AJ for a break, Garlett or Yarran to get some full game time at Bullants level.

Hopefully after 14 weeks we should be closer to our best side which I would like to see a bit like this:

B: Armfield Bower White
HB: Russell Walker Lucas
C: Simpson Judd Scotland
HF: Houlihan Henderson Garlett
F: Betts Hampson Waite
Foll: Jacobs Gibbs Murphy
Int from: Carrazzo, Robinson, Grigg, Yarran, Warnock, Austin, Joseph

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

For me the Irishman's problem is still related to his lack of footballing smarts which are understandable but no less of a problem because they can be explained.

A couple of things stand out:
1. His leads are often made to the wrong places and at the wrong times - the most common error he makes is in leading sideways or simply asking for the ball over the top - I'd like to see him use his pace to lead at the player with the ball - he very rarely takes marks this way. When he does call for the ball deep - he needs to use his body to protect the drop of the ball.
2. Positioning - this is partly the cause of his leading troubles - he often starts the wrong side of his opponent and gets blocked from the best leading space.
3. Disposal/decision-making/confidence - I tend to think that his disposal is actually OK, but he lacks the confidence to execute in front of goal and the decision-making ability to pick the right option at times.

All in all, I love the effort and commitment but I can't see these problems resolving themselves before the end of the year - patience is still the name of the game. I think he's the best/only of his type that we have for now - neither Waite nor Henderson is suited to being played out of the goal-square. He's better suited to the MCG where there is enough space for the problems identified above to be less of an issue - i.e. his stamina/work ethic can overcome his deficiencies. Still, Matty Lappin has to be in his ear each week on these areas of his game.

Where did you hear this SB? I have searched everywhere after reading this and your post is the only mention of it anywhere?

Why do we seem to be getting criticised more than Brisbane after last night?

Injuries? Bower, Kruezer, Waite, Mclean + Judd/Gibbs with ankle problems and others who will be better for the run.

I agree with some of the criticism but isn't the mark of a good side one that can win be such a margin with so much upside, rather than everybody playing at their peak?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/w ... 5886932390

One minute, we cant beat ordinary sides, now we are flat track bullies!

"an upset seemed on the cards for much of the first half".

"Then the predictable happened. The young Lions ran out of puff".

Which one was it?

As for 'young' Lions?! Average games experience, and age was slightly in their favour!

As for the Bulldogs, yes we need to play better, but go back and look who their last two wins have been against before writing this one off.....

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"They're [REDACTED]'

posted on CSC in the post-match thread.

Yes the lovely and beautiful Michelle is never to far off the mark with the inside info

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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

and he (Judd) seemed to grab at his right shoulder a couple of times in the last quarter.
Don't like to see that!
And he clearly looked out of sorts when he came off at the end with the blood rule but it didn't seem to be the eye tat was the problem. either he was absolutely stuffed or he was sore...

who do we bring in if he's out? superman, batman, spiderman or aquaman??

Depends if it's raining....
obviously

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”