Bondi,

When Josh, Paul and Murph were recruited I met them at a ODI cricket game at the Dome. Paul Bower mentioned that he had played mostly as a CHF as a junior but thought he was recruited by Carlton due to doing a good job as a CHB on Josh in U18 grand final. So pretty much confirms what you are saying.

And I have been waiting for the day when we might have a strong enough backline to play Paul Bowewr as the third tall in defence. He has been doing a great job as one of the front line defenders when fit but he has the run and speed to play HBF if we were ever lucky enough to have someone else capable of playing CHB.

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“Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile a way and you have their shoes."

Good changes considering that injury forced our hand. I think Kreuzer will start, and provide a secondary option to Henderson in the forward line, taking a limited amount of ruck work on.

I just wish I could guarantee Houlihan's fitness, then I'd swap him for Carrazzo. I know Andy's been ok and has made a lot of effort to handball more and open up opportunities through his work through midfield, but Houla will reward a lot more leads than we've been seeing thus far.

The only problem is Armfield. For all the boxes Dennis ticks, he just doesn't present a whole lot come match day. Can run all day, can harass, can defend, can attack, can dispose but only had 13 touches through the middle across 4 quarters. Not that Tuohy was particularly amazing in a very nervous debut, or Curnow on return; or Ellard.

In: Bower, Kreuzer, Houlihan, Henderson
Out: O'hAilpin, Carrazzo, Armfield, Waite

Sub: Ellard

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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.

But Jimmae,
aren't people saying that Houla won't play as he is named in the Foxtel Cup?

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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.”

I rated Ellard's game as good to very good...

Bower as a 3rd defender will be a very damaging player. Hope they retain Thouy, he looks an exciting type and is a very good kick

If Touhy gets dropped, last week will have been the biggest waste of time in recent history. He MUST get a chance to show his stuff for at least one week.
Sitting on the bench proves nothing. I could have done that and I'm over 60.
This is a good week for him. They need to keep a medium defender because they have gone pretty tall. Put him on the bench and give him enough game time to get a feel for it and get a few touches.

I feel for Setanta. This is the Wiggo story all over again. Fringe player plays well enough to hold his spot, gets injured and then can't break into the team again until someone gets injured. Spends most of his career playing in the twos, struggles to 100 games and bows out unfulfilled.

Hendo has a great chance here. No Waite and Kreuzer coming off a serious injury means he should get first pick of the F50 passes. Walker gets to share most of the rest with Kreuzer and the crumbers kick a bag off the packs until Kreuzer gets his touch back. Great article on Cloke yesterday, which made me smile when I read a post here saying that with Kreuzer back the crumbers should kick more goals. With Kreuzer back, they'll kick fewer because he holds more marks than Hampson, Warnock and Setanta combined. Ergo, less crumbs.

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

"Carlos, you're dropped"


THUMP

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#DonTheStash

You have nearly got him out, Jim ...

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I just want my old club back ... (edit) maybe I have!

wouldn't it be a broken foot?

Nice one CK95. Ah Setanta, the ray of light in our darkest days. An indication that the club was getting in tune with the way modern footy should be run. Can play, but we have depth now.

Big Armfield fan, but he is out of that side.

Can't believe Touhy's bounce didn't make it into Ratten's plays of the day. He might be good this Touhy, but he is going to have to be fantastic to break in and secure a spot. Possibly his only position would be where the world's angriest missionary is playing, and he aint going nowhere. I get the feeling that Duigan has a bit of the black knight about him, it is but a mere flesh wound.

Congrats to the recruiting staff. The depth that has 'suddenly' dawned on us is astounding. Where do we play Laidler in that defence now? And Laidler is very good.

Get Kreuzer out there. There is a theory, something along the lines of, players that come back from knee reco's play a good first game and then go off the boil ie Waite. The club has looked after Kreuzer properly. He is fit and raring to go. Give him the first bounce, get Juddy and Murph to stand 5 meters goal side of the circle and get Kreuzer to thump it in thier direction. Make a statement.

Ahh depth.

Go Blues.

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Yazz - The only way is up

Bower in doubt. Apparently hurt one or both legs getting into bed last night.

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"I had to eat"

Hendo kicking a bag would top it off!

30 touches last week, you'll have to do better than that Jim.

Geez............ there are some pretty harsh comments directed towards Setanta.

He played poorly, sure, and it's cost him his spot. But i reckon Setanta has shown more heart and spilt more blood for the Navy Blue than a lot of other players! He gives his all for the love of the sport, of the club and of his team mates (except Cloke).

That more than anything is why I love him.

I have no doubt he will be back.


Ellard deserves his position. Thought he had a good game last week. But yeah i'd love to see Houlihan back at some stage.

Final changes for me:

Ins: Kreuzer / Henderson
Out: Setanta / Waite.

Best of luck to you Kreuzer.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

Perhaps he got more tapouts in the ruck than you think

No one can doubt Setanta's effort but we are a top 4 side now.

His occasional brain fades cannot be tollerated anymore. If we are going to be a serious challenger for the big prize the Irishman will be on the sidelines if we have a fit list to choose from.

Having said that he's handy when there's an injury and can seriously compete when we need him.

Good luck Kreuz

Well done Gibbsy

Thanks Murph

Go Blues

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

Eventually : (Manuel from Faulty Towers) ... by GF day.

Laidler better than Bower ... will eventually replace him.

Henderson will end up at CHB ... Thornton (unfortunately will lose his place)

Kruez and Waite in the forward line.




anyway ... back to the game

We will with this one by 81 points.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

GMTA! Took the words out of my mouth!

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

Personally, and SuperCoach be damned, I'd make 3 changes:

In: Henderson, Special K, Houlihan
Out: Waite, Setanta, Curnow (I rate him, but he needs to regain fitness based on what we saw)

I love being a faux coach.

x2 (kills me to say it too about but to be the best you have to keep a hard edged, objective stance....even with the irish who are lovable)