It will be very interesting to see how we go this week!
First game at etihad for the season, not 100% sure, but I don't think we were too bad there last year.
If Waite is played it would be lovely to see him settle in a position for a game or two, I know Ratts prefers him as a swingman, but gee at the Essendon* game he was bounced from end to end so much it must have been difficult for him to settle into a rythm. Hopefully it is forward, Bower, Russell, Armfield have been wonderful rebounding from defence so his drive back there is not needed as much + whether his form is good or bad, if allowed to stay forward he does give us a viable target.
Would like to see White given more of a run, Dawes (who, lets face it, is a lemon) gave him a bath last week, but this is a player who has come straight from the WAFL and has played 5 games of VFL/AFL combined - and has held himself really well - decent kick, attacks from the back, marks strongly, just needs more experience defending 1 on 1. St. Kilda dont have too many talls floating around atm Kosi/Goddard will most likely be taken by the Bower/Jamo combo, so I say give him another run
Would like to see Waite in for Mclean, Hendo may need a run around in the two's to get the buckets working again - you can see it's almost there - much like Kennedy before he was traded, it just needs to click! Would also like to see the 3 small fellas out again this week, Gartlett didnt have a blinder last week, but overall his form and that of his goalsneak counterparts should warrant another go. FWD line on Setants, Waite, Yarran, Gartlett, Betts, Houlihan looks pretty good to me.
From watching this year it seems all our games are won and lost in the midfield and their ability win the ball and lock down defensively, in the pies/bombers games we were overrun, so if we can get some consistency and a spread effort by the midfield group we shoud give them a decent run for their money!
GO BLUE BOYS!