Looks like being:

FB: Joseph Jamison Thornton
HB: Scotland Bower Russell
CC: Houlihan Gibbs Simpson
HF: Carrazzo O'hAilpin Yarran
FF: Walker Waite Betts

RR: Warnock McLean Murphy

INT: Grigg Henderson Kreuzer Robinson

With Browne in for Scotland if he's not available.

Slow, tall bench. Would rather Hadley for Robinson, and perhaps chance it with Garlett in for Henderson, pushing Eddie more into midfield, rotating with Yarran. Armfield and Lucas would have been handy if they were fit and firing.

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

We've got no hope in round 1. Especially if we turn up to the wrong game!

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsar ... fault.aspx

_________________
Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

i hope hadley gets a game, im a big fan of hads, and to be honest i prefer him over mclean!

_________________
"I can't wait to win a premiership with this club" - Fev

B: Joseph Jamison Thornton
HB: Scotland Henderson Bower Russell
C: Simpson (c) Murphy Carrazzo
HF: Waite Walker
F: Betts Setanta Yarran
Rucks: Kreuzer McLean Gibbs

Warnock Robinson Houlihan Grigg

There's usually an extra number playing back these days. I'd like Henderson playing back as he develops confidence then eventually playing him more often up forward as he does as the season goes.

Not having been to the practice games I wouldn't want to nominate a team but I've heard Yarran has played really well across half back while Scotland has been kicking goal up forward. Why not switch the two?

_________________
"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

Because Yarran was dropping back to and floating about half-back, where as Scotland was pushing forward from a more defensive role. I doubt Yarran could man an opponent effectively for 3 or 4 quarters.

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

Thats the same team that i would have too.
Davies may be a surprise selection in place of Houlihan/Grigg.

Thanks jimmae.

_________________
"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

I'm expecting Armfield to get enough run in his legs this weekend to be considered for round 1...so I'm including him.

Judd out suspended.
Fisher, Johnson out injured.
Austin underdone and wont be considered.

This is the team I'm expecting the MC to pick:

B: Armfield Jamison Thornton
HB: Russell Bower Scotland

C: Walker Gibbs Simpson
FOLL: Kreuzer McLean Murphy

HF: Houlihan Henderson Yarran
F: Waite Setanta Betts

IC: Warnock, Carrazzo, Robinson and Joseph

EM: Hampson Hadley Garlett.

I'd prefer Hadley to McLaren, and for now prefer one or the other to allow for more pace.
Everyone knows I'm a Hammer fan and he should be picked, but I think 3 talls back and 3 talls forward is plenty of talls for now. Hendo is one player the MC are committed to giving plenty of development time ahead of Hammer, and Waite's ahead of all the talls.
I think Yarran, Betts and Garlett in the forwardline would work, but there's blokes like Houla who would be selected ahead of that combo for his skills, strength and experience.
I'm expecting Betts to go into the midfield during the game.

I'm expecting a 12 goal win (that implies 12 goals to nil based on current defensive game plan )

Start the season on top of the ladder again.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I think with a absence of Judd we need more experience in the midfield

I would be inclined to leave Yarren out - play Murphy as the other small forward and have Hadley included in the midfield rotations

Dont think Murph is up to s full on ball run but I still wouldn't leave him out

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

I don't think Army will get a run Bondi. That's simply based on the fact that they like to take a fit team into round one, and they will already be worried they don't have enough miles in the legs of Waite and Murphy. Taking in Army as well might be a bridge too far for the MC.

I should point out I am an Armfield fan by the way - and think he is really vital to this squad. I just think he may be given up until round 3 to get himself fit and firing.

Armfield will be in according to Ratts in his post Adelaide presser..

I get the feeling Ratts prefers to play the 'oldies' in Houlihan Wiggins and Fisher if he wasn't injured.

Don't think Hadley will get in which is a shame if he's fit coz I rate him.

I had a chat with some Richmond scouts/recruiting guys on Saturday at the VFL, and they were quite upbeat about the Tigers' chances in Round 1. They were not impressed by our pre-season form and described our forward line as "not functioning at the moment". They believe that if their midfield breaks even (and they are optimistic it will, given Judd's absence and Murphy being underdone) they will put our defence under enough pressure to kick a winning score.

That's fair enough (in theory!), and I guess add the psychological factors (ie. "revenge" from last year + 1st game with new coach + the 'occasion' of Richo's farewell etc), then there's a bit to suggest that Richmond will be tougher for us to beat in Rd 1 than some people think...

Don't get me wrong, I think the Tigers will finish bottom 4 - but sometimes teams like that are dangerous early in the season (while their young players are still 'fresh' and the team hasn't realised how bad it actually is). Especially when a club is desperate to sell the "it's a new dawn" message to its members. They will be pumped up. I reckon the Tigers will be looking at Rd 1 as one of the handful of games they realistically think they're a chance to win in 2010.

FWIW - I like to think our players will meet the challenge in Rd 1, but I'm not exactly bursting with confidence. The pre-season games I've seen haven't been all doom & gloom...but they certainly haven't inspired me with a great deal of excitement about our short-term prospects.

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

One other interesting comment one of the Richmond guys made on Saturday related to Warnock. I get the impression they don't rate him. There was a suggestion he "pulls out".

Now that may just be the opinion of one person, and not necessarily the view of Hardwick or the Richmond Football Club, but it's interesting none the less...

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

I think you're right Molly, but maybe we should see how Army goes in the Ants praccy on the weekend, there could still be hope.

Otherwise, like Bondi's team, only change Grigg in for Army if he doesn't come up.

WOW.

Did the Richmond scout bother thinking what the Carlton scouts thought of Richmond's pre-season form?

I think the Carlton scouts would've come back with one line. More turnovers than a pancake convention.

It's great how ubiquitus we have all become in naming Armfield in our 22.

He is deadset 'express' and his disposal has always been good, but has improved out of sight last year when he knew he had time to steady and did.

I think he will be selected. He played 4 quarters and set himself for line breaking runs more as that game progressed.
I now we need his pace.

Good point about carrying too many recouperating players, but what if Armfield is in better nick than the other 2 (Waite & Murphy)?

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

We would certainly know.

As well as that, most people are selecting Browne and you can't have both of them...



I think we learnt our lesson from a couple of years ago in regards to taking too many unfit players into Round 1 with Judd, Scotland, Stevens and Hadley all below full fitness.

_________________
"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

..goin' by the little pre-season i've seen, and everyone's reports on here..

FB: Joseph Jamison Thornton
HB: Scotland Bower Russell
CC: Walker McLean Simpson
HF: Houlihan Henderson Murphy*
FF: Betts O'Hailpin Waite*

RR: Warnock Gibbs Carrazzo

Int: Kruezer Armfield* Hadley Robinson
Emg: Hampson Yarran Grigg

*'s fitness ??'s, so will see what the 'reports' say next week after training..

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..