From watching the Bullants, the only player I thought who may force his way in is Army. McLean was ok and I struggle to see us play Curnow, Ellard and McLean in the same team.
If Yarran can't play, Army should come in.

Hampson might be dropped except there is no-one ready to replace him. Setanta needs a few more weeks, although he would provide more of a contest so might be considered - could help Betts regain some goalkicking form.

Was happy with Betts' defensive contribution.

Those calling for Gibbs to be dropped - he is down on form but not in dropping territory. He is still MUCH better than anyone who might replace him and he never looks like he's busting a gut, even when he is playing well.

For mine, no change, unless Yarran is injured in which case bring in Army.

At the SCG, Judd, Murphy & co... should kick a goal or 2 more as they burst out of the centre and are 20m closer to goal than usual...
This will also alleviate some of our forward line problems for this week - we can kick over Hampson

In last years final, Josh Kennedy and K Jack cut us up in the stoppages. We have added Curnow since then but McLean could be valuable as well. Sydney could turn it into a ballup contest. Betts and Garlett were ordinary in stopping the run out of our forward line last night. Armfield should come in for betts. Eddie wont compete with a congested Sydney backline.
We have to stop them running the ball out. Garlett had a rare poor day and Johncock was crucial

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T E A M

Plus they'll be fresh after having a bye and not having to fight for a one goal win on a cricket pitch.

Carlton have a six day break.

Smith will probably beat Betts again, whilst Garlett may struggle to find space at the SCG.

I won't be happy with a loss, but I'll be happy with the process and the big picture if we fight hard like we've done in the last three games. This side is starting to resemble their coach who was a warrior on the field. Ratten would value the likes of Curnow, Jamison, Carrazzo, Duigan, Joseph, Armfield, Ellard and White who have had to fight to get their chance.

We have a number of clear weaknesses - anyone who can take a mark up forward apart from Waite, and lack of height in defence, but there is not much in the Ants that will improve us. We need two guys who can ruck, and Hammo and Warnock are the two. Hammo has been ordinary but we have no alternative. He is not a forward so don't play him there. I like Army and Lucas, hopefully Yarran will come up, but if not Army should get a game. The future looks grim for McLean with Curnow and Ellard in front of him.

I think the reality is that our list is just middling. There are a few to bring back if they find form, but Big K is the only potential star on the sidelines and he needs to be taken very gently.

Gee Rhino - good analysis! You clearly know our players and have matched them up well. The thinking man's commentator, clear, concise and emotionless, like it.

A very refreshing take on what promises to be a very stern test for the Navy Blues. Well done and do keep the weekly previews up.

We have taken the collingwood approach of using the boundary = need to be careful playing that way at the SCG - it is a long way home - We have been very good at the centre bounce clearances in recent weeks - We do that at the SCG and we will have the ball 10-15 metres out in front of our goal with a good chance of locking it in

I'm hoping the boys will be smarting after the finals loss last year and completely panst them

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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

EFA

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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

White, Goodes and Okeefe need proper sized players to mind them plus a plan B on the bench.
Lets not let the likes of nobody's like Trent Dennis Lane kick a bag of goals without doing some proper research on their players
unlike in previous games...do our homewrok om McGlynn, Kennedy etc.
A positive is no Bradshaw......

Mumford will probably need both Warnock and Hampson to combat him as he is a unit.....

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Those who are calling for Eddie and Gibbs to be dropped are kidding themselves.
Eddie showed some improvement on the weekend, particularly with his 2nd efforts and forward 50 preasuring.. He'll stay in. And Gibbs, while not setting the world on fire at preasent, isnt exactly playing bad enough to warrant being dropped. He just neads arocket put up him by Ratts...

Its our defence that is a bit concerning.. Do Sydney have big forwards that can trouble us appart from that Jesse White guy ?

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

Maybe if our mids and fwds put some scoreboard pressure on the swans, the defence wouldn't be as concerning.
Gibbs has needed a rocket up his arse since the beginning of 2010. Could be the best thing for all concerned if Ratts showed some guts and dropped Gibbs for one week. It puts all on notice.

Short term pain for long term gain. Look at Didak and Shaw since Coll dropped them for their off field indescretions. Yes I know they are two separate issues but it makes all who run out onto the field play as if their careers are on the line. Look at the way Ellard plays. He's had to fight for every opportunity. Gibbs has been handed his career on a platter.

Forget stats - just play hard, tough and committed football for yourself, tour team mates and supporters. The rest looks after itself

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

seeing the ant's game on the weekend live, then watching a replay this morning, i find it hard to believe that, lucas is not being considered.
yet again on of our bests.
can play a number of roles,
but why don't we play him with a run with role?
this would 'again' free up gibbs.
if he continues to play vfl, don't be surprised if he heads home, and i for one could not blame him.
has skill, balance, pace and plays he's role very well, as shown on the weekend AGAIN.
if he is given as MANY CHANCES as others, he would no doubt be playing quality footy.
don't want people saying, needs more time developing, because thats bullsh#@!!!!!
what 25 mins as a sub???? even collins got time.
feel free to ask for a trade kane because iam over this shi@!!!
joke

Started the season in awful form, it's starting to come together for him, no problem giving a 2nd year player a month in the 2s. He should get a game soon.

What's the go with Waite? The herald sun says he has a nervous wait ahead and there is a pic of his knee in brodie smith's head.

Out:
Waite(susp?)
Yarran(inj?)

In:
Henderson
Armfield

What about sub? Still gives him a wake up call without dropping him. Gives us fresh legs to play on Goodes or in an attacking role.
Army for Yarran if injured.

you really are a dedicated supporter

I reckon the picture looked worst than the incident if I remember it correctly, that incident happened half way through the 3rd quarter and it was a clumsy free. I dont think Waite has anything to worry about (I hope - fingers crossed as you never know with the MRP).

No doubt they will try and expose our lack of height in the back half and press up like the Crows did in the last 3 quarters.

Someone tell me why Watson is pigeonholed as a defender? Why can't he play forward?

Expect a game full of stopages and flooding of our forwrd half and just like the Crows they will hurt us on the rebound.

We work our butt off to find space in our forward line and work so hard to keep it in only to find the opposition murder us on the rebound

@Rhino

Like the analysis and thoughts. A couple of changes for me.

AJ can't play HB as his disposal is poor and he loses the ball coming in when in a marking position. Prefer him as a defensive fwd or mid.

Like Russell as HF and part od mid. I said it Pre season he know should step up into that role where his size and work rate will be more useful.

Need Thornton or Hendo in as a key fwd. Waite and Walker are jumpers not pack markers and being that it will be congested we need a solid pure marking fwd.

McLean can't be a sub. Subs generally add a spark. McLean is a plodder. If he ever is going to play this is it.

Watson in will help defense and his kicking will be good at SCG.

Rhino a great read and well thought out. A rare treat here these days!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015