For mine I would throw Gibbs on Dangerfield and Carrots for Thompson.

Gibbs on Dangerfield is not perfect because of the pace element, but the body size is good and Gibbs would hurt him going the other way. I don't like any other matchup for Dangerfield. Carrots is even slower and would get monstered, Armfield has the pace but would also get monstered. Gibbs can go with Dangerfield anywhere on the ground, or potentially Zach could take him when he rests forward.

If Carrots is effective on Thompson and Gibbs gets a breakeven with Dangerfield, you would back in Judd, Murph etc to carry the day vs the rest of the Crows midfield.

Brock might also be an option for Thompson.

Jamo is light years ahead now vs NAB cup when Walker got a hold of him. Jenkins is serviceable but Hendo should not be too troubled by him.

Great thing we're playing at the G vs Etihad, for mine it makes the difference. Blues by 23.

Gotta remember when we played them in NAB cup Jamo & Hendo were still a bit rusty.
However, as we saw last week, both are in form and covered Darling & Kennedy. Walker hasn't really torn a game apart this year, and Jenkins is a poor man's Tippett. Pretty confident Jamo (who kept Cloke goalless amongst others) can take Walker - I rate Cloke way above Walker. And Hendo can do the job on Jenkins.

Also, when we played in NAB cup they played a full strength squad, whereas we rested Gibba and Juddy still wasn't playing. Scotland only played a half. The NAB match was an experiment for us (played all 3 rucks), whereas the NAB was Adelaide's final tune up for round 1.

Need to be a bit more careful with the tall types. Sinclair could have snatched a few goals last week with some free kicks. Should have in fact!

I hope so Psy

For me,
Armfield to danger
Curnow to sloane
Carrots to Thompson
Jamison to walker
Hendo to Jenkins
Blues by 40

Carlton rank sixteenth for goals from marks

Statistical support for what we already know about our tall forwards.

Is that because we don't take any marks or the fact that we can't kick floweringly straight after we have taken a mark?

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

BOTH

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

As pointed out in earlier posts by others, they absolutely smashed us in last years game. In all facets.

I know they haven't exactly been flying but for mine, they are still a very dangerous opponent.

Dangerfield, Sloane, Walker and to a lesser extent Thompson the dangers IMHO.

Hoping our midfield can win the battle and we convert our chances.

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We are on our way back...

They're a bit like Hawthorn, they monster us in the middle and believe they're going to win. We need to start knocking those type of teams off.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

Comparing this game to a game at the dome is pointless

Yes, and there is only one way to do it and that's physically smash them for four quarters.

This is a match we should win ... Will be a major stuff up if we don't.

Come on Bluebaggers!

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

It looks like we're going into this game warm favourites, which is a bit interesting given that they smashed us last year, they were top 4 last year & we finished 10th, and this year we're 1-3 and they are 2-2...

Having said that, I give us a good chance at the 'G (I would be much less confident at Etihad).

How will we cope with being favourites? We haven't been good at handling that situation in recent years where we've had a good win and had to back it up in a game against a decent opponent the next week. Last year's Rd 4 against Essendon* comes to mind. And I seem to recall Hawthorn bringing us crashing back to earth a few times when we thought we'd "turned the corner".

This will be another test of our mental strength and an opportunity for MM to learn more about our playing group....

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

Betts hasn't been playing. I suspect he makes a significant impact on marks inside 50. (which is a sad situation in itself...)

I've been thinking along these lines all week. Don't get me wrong, think we are a big chance if we play our good footy 'for longer'. Dont get how we are such warm favourites though.

Very interested in how we back up a very good performance.

Go Blues.

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We are on our way back...

Noticed Mick absolutely pumped up taylor walker's tyres at today's presser

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#DonTheStash

Noticed the same thing

Finally a coach who can not only present to the supporters in a meaningful way. But who also knows how to use and work the media for the club's advantage.

You wouldn't happen to have a link to it?

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Cripps is the man