Let me put this out there unequivocally:

Simpson played 82% of the game for 40 possessions. One number is way up on his usual, the other way down. Scotland was also just as effective statistically while being down on his usual TOG numbers.

How did this happen? Lucas being in the team supports their roles and provides another tireless runner in midfield. He managed 21 possessions from 77% game time (which are excellent numbers).

People excluding Lucas from the team and keeping Russell in his current form are boggling my mind. We have Duigan and Laidler to do what Russell does in defence, and we have Scotland, Carrazzo, Lucas & Simpson to exceed his output in midfield. It's just not his year, and we can run through the reasons (*coughMEDICALFITNESS&PHYSIOSTAFFcough*) ad nauseam another time.

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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.

Do we need a bit more grunt around the ball?

I was a bit surprised that we went in with just Judd and the slightly off-the-boil Robinson as our 'inside' presence on the weekend (I know we lost Carrazzo late who could perhaps have helped in this regard).

Ellard had been out of form for a while but played well in the VFL yesterday and would give us that extra body around the ball - do we bring him back in?

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

Interesting stats to present in favour of keeping Lucas in, instead of Russell. Personally, I wouldn't credit his inclusion as the sole reason for Simmo having a night out - the Saints put zero time into him. I do agree Lucas adds even more pace and offensive ability to the team than Russell, which increases the personnel rotations we can have through those roles, but I don't think that's what we need, we have plenty of run. In addition, while Lucas was good in the first half vs the Saints, I thought he dropped away significantly in the second - I certainly wouldn't categorise him as a tireless runner just yet.

Russell's game to me was just as strong as Lucas' in terms of the statistics you want for a player in his role - 18 possies, 94% efficiency, 4 R50s, 3 tackles, 2 1%ers - I don't get those on here panning his form for the night. I think we want someone other than Yazz who has Russell's ability to play aggressively and use the ball well from deep in defence - Duigan struggles with his ball use, Laidler doesn't have the pace and Joey doesn't have the confidence.

And my general concern is that the biggest risk is that we fail like we did on Saturday night around the clearances and in getting belted in the tackle count - and when it comes to choosing between #2 and #9 on that basis, I'm preferring Russell. To me, it's an area of Lucas' game that just isn't there yet.

Accept that there's arguments for both but think Russell edges Lucas out at this point. Will be very interesting to see which way they go.

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

Have a look at Business End clip all Blues vs Bombers talk, Roos, Mike S, Robbo and Sam Edmund.

Cheers

great points jimmy, hard to argue

I reckon the MC will spend just as much time on the Ellard or AJ decision, as with the Lucas or JR decision.

so are we assuming Tuohy stays in? or maybe it's a question of taking 2 of the 3 in. (touhy, lucas, JR)

if u look at it that way then you'd almost have to take in JR, just bcoz of lack of games and/or finals experience from Lucas and Irish Jnr

Spot on. I really hope we're speaking to the umpiring department sometime during the week.

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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

Fair point on picking 2 out of 3 of Tuohy, Lucas and JR - in a perfect world, I'd favour Lucas and JR but I think Tuohy's big advantage over those two is that he's had a lot more game time than the other two and I think that will be decisive.

Only saw the first half of the Bullants and wasn't sold on Ellard - also don't think he's a straight swap for AJ given that AJ generally gets a lockdown role in defence. Ellard lacks the pace to be able to do that and, for mine, just doesn't get enough of the ball in the midfield to justify his spot.

The only argument is that we didnt win the game so we dont really know how effective having an extra wingman in the team really is.
All we know is Simpson got a few more kicks Scotland got the same output from less time on the ground.
I think Lucas is a fine player but we need to concentrate on being a good team and make sure we have the balance of running outside players and inside grunt in our midfield. A balance that gets us wins.

WA FOLK !

the game is on delay whilst channel 7 show an old movie

@#$%&! !

in fact 3 of the finals are on delay in WA with the only live one being eagles v collingwood

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

Saw that Grro, i don't believe it but there it is on the website. However I have heard that Ch7 have decided to broadcast the game live into Melb, so I'm hoping that sanity will prevail.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Unbelievable

At least TrueBlueBrad will be happy us WA folk are getting screwed

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We are on our way back...

Just rang 6PR and Carl Langdon has absolutely assured me that THE GAME WILL BE LIVE FROM 12.30 In WA!!!!!!!!!!!

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I hope Essendon* folds.

What about the Sydney people

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cheers cimm i hope he is right

but id rather hear it from someone other than the curtain man

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

AJ seems to be an MC favourite so I will be surprised if he's dropped. However, does he have a good matchup this week? Off the top of my head he doesn't (last few weeks he's had Rioli and Mline, Essendon* doesn't have anyone of their type who is remotely as dangerous). I would prefer Ellard in, as he gives a bit more grunt around the clearances and might help Judd out a bit.

Good point.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Channel 7's website now updated to 12.30 Sunday.

Yip yip yaheeeeeeee

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I hope Essendon* folds.

_________________
"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

I agree but I think that problem stemmed from the changes more so than the ins. We needed Carrazzo in amongst it, and perhaps could have used Armfield in defence rather than Joseph. Those two would provide a good deal of tenacity at the clearances. Lucas helped our run and spread, and he helped our delivery into the 50.

Ultimately I'd like Curnow back in if he's in form, and from what I've been told of the VFL game, that's not on the cards?

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.