Not convinced on 3 ruckman. Try it against good opposition to get a better gauge on its success.

Agreed...

Those stating that we should rest nearly half our team and most of our gun players need to have a look at the GWS vs Dogs game today.
We take in a young, inexpereienced team, and we may possibly end up with egg on our faces..

Rest only Judd, Murphy, Kreuz and Scotland, and replace them with Yarran, Ellard, Warnock and Bower

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

And if he goes forward and kicks a few, it will "only" have been against GWS, who couldn't beat us if they started now - what exactly would it prove?

There's no need to do it - Henderson is starting to look very impressive down back, good sides are built on settled defensive units and the team is kicking enough goals and generating enough opportunities to win games as things are.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

It would not PROVE anything , but it might show Hendo MIGHT be able to pinch hit at CHF if needed.

If you remember the last time he played there it was not pretty.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

There should be minimal tinkering to the team and setup as possible.

Yes, trial a few placements and a few new set moves, but only when we have a sizable lead. If we don't take the Giants properly and respect them as an opponent, we'll go down in history as their first ever victim in the AFL.

We should be able to win at a canter, so that's what should happen. Put them away early and coast and rest up a few players and get some match practice into the players who are struggling for touch.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Blues mad to not rest a few stars:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-ne ... 6341591656

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There is no footy god

Agree with the first point, but I just think you need to see them showing something to justify it, and ATM none of them are from all reports. I also agree with your comment about Kerr, he does seem the type that could step up in better company, and I don't mind the idea of giving him a shot if he fires up a bit in the 2s. As for the time to trial 3 ruckmen, the problem with doing it against better opposition is that it is more likely to cost you a match if it doesn't work. i say try it here and if it doesn't work shelve it or refine it and try again, but it isn't likely to cost 4 points. If it does work then try it against a better team, at least you have some basis for optimism that it can work.

Off the topic of the quotes, the idea of giving Hendo a crack forward this week has merit but on balance Id rather keep the defensive unit as together as we can to give it more time to gell together. But, there is amassive difference between Hendo being tried forward and Jamo or Bower being tried forward. Hendo was a forward through juniors, came to AFL as a forward, was moved to defence early at Brisbane partly for development and partly because Bradshaw and Brown had the KF posts locked up and was then returned to his more usual role. When he was shifted down back again out of necessity he has blossomed. He may well be the answer as a key defender long term, but he may ultimately be the answer up forward if/when someone like Watson or McCarthy or both develop. Those two are both more defenders by background than Hendo. Or maybe those guys won't cut it but a couple of Mitchell/Rowe/Casboult do and Hendo stays down back. Or perhaps Watson or McCarthy will make at as forwards, or the resting ruckman approach work without another really big guy down forward, or maybe we'll pick up a gun forward next draft, or ...* The permutations are many. Still no harm to seeing how he cuts it up forward, we are crying out for a KF, other than that it takes him away from defence where we both need him and want to settle the unit. If we could clone him who amongst us would not be in favour giving the clone a shot at a KF spot? Certainly not me.

* please note I have not suggested the possibility of Blake Bray making the grade. Stranger things have been reported to have occurred, but not by credible observers.

Rest a couple at best - but go in complacent and risk losing

Geelong managed their list really well last year with players being rotated on a 'rest roster' last year, its something that needs to be done

cricket started this a few years ago with their rotation policy - fine balance

yeah need to be careful not to break the momentum of those finding a rhythm in their team roles - like for like rotation

Ratten and the MC have learnt from last year.
You need to rest your experienced players when you can.
In turn you can try blood some young hopefuls/fringe or some coming off injuries.
Juddy needs a rest as does Jammo.
Waite could do with a rest but I would keep him until the Melbourne game.
Maybe it's a good time to bring Warnock in an see if the three talls could play together, even if it's just against GWS.
It could be a good time to maybe shut up one side of the argument, but then again don't see that happening.
Let Smurf take the main tag and rest him during the Melbourne game also.
Chuck Gibbs in there too and rotate him through the middle with Walker.
Who comes in I'm not sure as I don't keep too much of a close eye on the Ants but I'm sure we have some some depth.
The one I'm most interested in would be the forward line set up as it would be a good time to actually gamble with it on our terms and not let injuries or suspensions dictate terms.

Would've been the perfect intro game for Casboult or Mitchell, unfortunately they are injured ... again.

Not a big fan of giving games to players who are not putting their hand up to say pick me
Bring in Warnock Ellard and Maclean
Rest Judd Lucas and one other maybe Scotland

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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

Rest Judd, Wait and Scotland. This will benefit the team later in the season.

I would bring in Warnock, McLean and Ellard. This will also show us if the structure and game plan can take 3 talls.

GWS are getting better so only 3 changes would show that we do not take them lightly.

Agree.
The venue should be a consideration too. First game there this year (and ordinary record there) so wouldn`t be going too radical with selections despite agreeing with resting/rotation idea.

Having said all that not all that much more point giving McLean a game as we know what's he can and can't do.

We are much better off giving Rohan Kerr an opportunity - he has been on our list for 3 years, either his papers are already stamped or we have to give him a go, because as it stands we don't really know what Kerr can add to our best 22, and I for one would really like to know.

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

Winston Churchill

Problem is, I can't see who he could replace in the next few years - just not a spot for him unfortunately.

I just want to get to the stage where a spot in the side has to be earnt not handed on a platter
None of this give x a go to see how he performs I want players at the lower level firing on all cylinders ready to take that next step

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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

As I touched on earlier, I'd like to see players rested for more than just the sake of resting a player and being arrogant.

Answer questions we have over our list, and our capabilities.

* - I like the idea of testing the 3 ruckmen. Can Kreuzer play full time CHF? GWS still have some decent talls...At this stage in the year, I'd say this experiment has more merit and upside to it than either Henderson or Watson playing forward...

* - I question our midfield without Judd, and Murph's capability of being able to do the little things that Juddy does as the number one mid. I want to see him give our lesser mids the chop out that you'd see Juddy do, or set up the centre bounce, directing the crew. Put the onus on him to do what the greats do. Plenty of players to rotate through there also. They tried Lucas and Armfield through there early in the year without too much luck. Take two? Betts and Garlett full time in the middle? Play Collins forward...

* - Still reckon we're playing with one tall too many down back. Jamo needs game time, so he stays. Rest Waite, play Thornton forward.

Don't see the point in giving out navy blue guernseys for the sake of navy blue guernseys. Make 'em earn it. Make it mean something again, like a baggy green. Before the days of Cain Ackland and Mick Martyn taking a dump on it.

And if we're being honest, is there anyone deserving of a debut on form, play a position where they're not well behind in the pecking order, and would genuinely be in our finals plans? Buckley or Dale worth looking at if they weren't injured/lacking match fitness, given we've got SFA small up forward should the incumbents get injured. The rest just smacks of pulling names off the footy record to sound educated.

Funny how its the same people who bemoaned the lack of a "plan b" against Essendon*, who are advocating mindless selection techniques for this game...

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Why not? It's a perfect game against for him against smaller bodies. It's as hole we're looking to fill, try it. Nothing to lose. Send him forward and give him the freedom to run around. Those that come in next week have a pretty fair idea they be forced back the next week anyway. Confidence won't get lower anyway.

Do agree that confidence rather than ability is the issue. Often daunting for some initially coming from the under 18's to play against big, powerful men, especially young KP players. Listening to a former player saying exactly the same thing on SEN. today. Daunted and soft initially, tough nuts 3 years later. Wouldn't be the first to come good much later after looking out of it early in a career.

Yarran won't be an in this week. He stopped in at a local Kalgoorlie game yesterday wearing his moon-boot. He said he is out for one more week and looking at being back for the Saints game.

On a side note - was good seeing a couple of Swan Districts boys in the Navy Blue. (Yazz and Garlett).

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I would like to thank Collingwood for helping me keep faith in my old man. He always told me that 'People are thick'.