Okay, so herein lies our problem. We can’t beat the top teams without bringing something to the table that they struggle to counter. The only thing we have in that regard is raw pace. BUT if we go all out for raw pace we sacrifice two things:
1. Genuine key position players; and
2. Strong bodies around the ball.
We have been playing at least one, and in my opinion, two KPP short all year. Another tall forward target is desperately needed, and down back we have relied all year on guys like Laidler and Duigan playing on taller opposition. They can do it to some extent, but sometimes it just bites you on the bum and yet we keep going in undersized at both ends week after week. I know we have had injury problems, I know guys like Watson aren’t ready yet, I know guys like Austin haven’t shown themselves to be up to it, but you’ve just got to have enough height, even if players are limited.
The second, and in my view more pressing problem is that we can be physically intimidated and the more we go for that raw pace the more the bigger framed payers get overlooked for the slighter greyhounds. It is significant in my view that over the last couple of weeks Walker has been pushed onto the ball, despite being our leading goal-kicker, and given us a much needed physically bigger body through midfield. Someone like Brock McLean gives us grunt but is liable to be exposed for pace, whereas guys like Curnow and Ellard, whilst inside, aren’t the bigger bodied type.
Fortunately, we have some bigger players who do not come with a pace disincentive. Waite/Davies, O’hAilpin/Thornton and Hampson/Warnock for example are three changes that are all a significant pace upgrade and 2 of 3 are significant size upgrades whilst the third whilst a size downgrade does not amount to a downgrade in aerial presence except possibly in pure hit-out stats, and since Warnock doesn’t really send the tap-outs to advantage that often, that doesn’t worry me.
On ball, we have lots of pace which will be a great advantage on all finals venues – yes, even Etihad which though smaller is a fast deck – but we need to balance that with physical presence. Some of that is a matter of guys having to HTFU – yes Bryce I’m looking at you – otherwise we my need to think about who we go with as personnel. Armfield (of whom I am a fan) and Joseph (who I had on the scrap-heap most of the year, but is doing some great negating, working on his offence and clearly a coaches and/or match committee favourite) both have real pace and won’t take a backwards step, Davey Ellard whist a goer may be in trouble given he lacks a bit in both size and pace. Zac Tuohy is another with exceptional pace, a good big body and as an added bonus real disposal skill. Davies (another I had on the scrap-heap most of the year) has shown a something as a defender (but is a bit in-between size and Duigan and Laidler seem to have that role covered even if Russell doesn’t make it back) - he might be worth a try as a bigger-bodied on-baller depending on who else is available.
So, my view? We need to add size AND pace. First, blue skies situation, if all our players are fit and firing a 22 like
Yarran Jamison Laidler
Duigan Henderson Russell
Simpson Judd Waite
Garlett O’hAilpin Robinson
Kreuzer Walker Betts
Hampson Gibbs Murphy
Armfield Carrazzo Scotland
Sub Davies / Joseph / Thornton / Tuohy
would give us plenty of speed, size and generally speaking good disposal skills. Waite could go either back or forward to add another genuine KP size as needed or be a big body in midfield. That is only 4 changes to the team (a lot if we are talking about one week, not so much over a few and in terms of how far off our best team it is not much at all) but addresses our structural problems without losing our speed advantage. If you want to press the speed advantage to the max then get Joseph and Tuohy in there, one as the sub and the other for whichever player you think most readily dropped (other than Armfield who’s quicker than both of them).
A more realistic scenario we may not have Waite back (insert Thornton or maybe Davies), or if we do he may be underdone and only ready for FF for the moment (so push Walker upfield), Russell may not have enough form to force his way in (okay, swap him for whichever of the sub options you prefer) and Hampson may not get fitness/match fitness/form back (so persevere with Warnock or run with one ruckman and O’hAilpin as relief, but I’d rather not).
It is a team to take to the finals and realistically hope to do some damage, IMO.

I am sure I did this before but it does change.

We need size up forward and around the ground.

B: Yarran Jamison Laidler
HB: Gibbs Henderson Duigan
C: Simpson Curnow/McLean Waite
HF: Garlett Thornton Walker
F: Betts Kruezer Setanta
Foll: Hampson/Warnock Judd Murphy
Int: Scotland Carrazzo Robinson (Russell) Maybe: AJ/Ellard/Armfield/Davies/Touhy

Bigger bodies and Tall targets are vital in finals. We need to take pressure off the smalls. In big games when you don't have space and time you need so you are more likely to kick to a contest especially inside 50.

Having Warnock/Hampson (personally i think the aggression of Hampson is more important) with Setanta and Kruezer all rotating through the ruck and Setanta and Kruezer rotating as the big target out of the square. At the MCG you need a lead up CHF and Thornton at the moment is our best bet.

Waite through the midfield is a must. Can drop back and assist in defence, is a marking contest through the midfield especially when under pressure. Can also fill any spot we need and allows for a mobile player as sub.

Curnow/Ellard or McLean in the centre is also important. We need that grunt player around the stoppages as we lack real body size at the contests. They all have weaknesses but we need them.

Finals is a different game and we play the MCG better. But we need that size especially up forward and a bit more mongrel is needed.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Both of these forward lines will be embarrasing come finals this year.
If you want to win a final, it has to be;
Gibbs Waite Gartlett
Walker Henderson Betts
The only reason I have not included one more tall (Kruezer) is that we seem to like just the 2, so fair enough but give us a bloody chance to score with 2 geniune KP forwards atleast.

Think we have enough talls once Waite returns which can be played at both ends....this flexibility will be a big plus....Hammer is the one we are missing most at the moment....Should come in for Warnock immediately. Our second ruck can be one of Carlos or Kruze both are mobile and can crash packs. Kruze smarter though. Hammer has so much more to offer than Warnock at the moment....he is also quick when the ball hits the ground and has a bit more mongrel about him....

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

We are all assuming that Waite will be fit and playing. He has been struggling to get on the park for the last 2-3 years. Although, do agree that he is vital to our chances.

Russell Jamison Laidler
Duigan Henderson Yarran
Simpson Robinson Gibbs
Garlett Ohalipin Walker
Betts Hampson Thornton
Kreuzer Judd Murphy
Scotland Curnow Carrazzo
Sub Armfield

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You heard it here first!

Odds on Setanta to be in the finals team starting to improve ??

Not on the back of his game for the Bullants this week. But I'd still pick him.

Henderson should stay down back. Kruezer up forward and Hammer in the ruck. I'd even consider O'Hailpin.