I'd also add (and I know I'll get rolleyes for this) that his kicking isn't up to it right now.

*hides*

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

I'm not sure what the attitude is for Blue Sombrero , but anyway

As our major weakness seems to be initiating attacks from our defence, Judd's experience and generalship would surely provide our defensive attacks with much needed stability and leadership.
We have Ellard in the 2s who can come in and assist Curnow and Robbo with the inside mid role and Army can come in to a run with role which would free up Gibbs to play an attacking outside role.
Juddy can still provide inside 50 passes running off half back.
I think it's time now that we should be looking at assisting Juddy's longevity in the game and at the same time increasing responsibilty to our other mids instead of just relying on 'the champ' to carry us time and time again. Our mids have had multiple preseasons now and should be raising the bar on their performances.

If we play to tonights level of committment and intensity, we will beat Essendon* without a problem.
That was our downfall last year, playing the midrange teams and not putting the same work that we did into the top teams.
It's a big test. Without knowing Sunday's result, the Bombers are confident, playing for their coach and fit.
The main obstacle will be the umps and their mid sized forwards. I think we are better prepared for them this time around though.

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T E A M

Out: Watson, Duigan, Carrazzo
In: Bower, Armfield, Lucas

If Henderson shows he has his touch back, then he has to come back in for Thornton, Collins or Walker. Simpson should consider himself very lucky. His efforts last night were well beyond the 'slow start' excuse he rightly has with all the post-season games he plays. He was just lazy with his kicking.

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

I'll be interested to see if Armfield plays a full game for the Ants. I heard he has some sort of leg injury.

_________________
T E A M

I'll take Davies over Duigan at this point - better decision maker and ball handler.

Massive game this week.
With Essendon*, Adelaide, Sydney, Saints and Geelong to come we could easily be 2-6 after round 9 and season over.

Duigan doesn't do it for me at the moment...has heaps of courage and puts his body on the line which I like about him most. But looks very clumsy probably adjusting. Think he will tear the VFL apart.

Hammer.... hmmmm....so much to offer with such little delivery.. big blokes need time but he is approaching 50 games fast and needs to take a game apart as Kreuz has in his first year.

Carrazzo - over it. Admire his onfield leadership but his poor disposal undoes his leadership qualities.

Eddie, Walker and Simmo on last chances.

Thornton has been servicable and wouldn't drop him. He just doesn't want to die and you have to admire that in him approaching 200 games fast, better forward option than Walker.

Rusell had a dirty night and is a little down at the moment.

Walker - have to give him another chance after a poor performance - like Betts.

Will be intersted on how Ellard, Davies, Brock, Ozzie, Bower and Hendo... even Casbaoult perform today.

Another good performance by Dare and you will have to consider a promotion.

ANother good performance by Saad and you will be wondering why there isn't a mid-season trade period.

I will see you both and raise you ∞

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

Winston Churchill

Had dry needles and myotherapy for his back last week.

A stiff back would hurt your kicking and effectiveness

You should have analysed this like you usually do.

I did, but I felt if he was receiving that sort of treatment, he shouldn't be playing. I said as much through the week. He was named, and wasn't withdrawn. If he shouldn't have played then that's stupid by him and the club.

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

100% once you cross that line.

_________________
THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

Assuming good form and no injuries for the Bullants today my changes would be:

Out
Duigan, Carazzo, Collins, Thornton

In
Bower, Lucas, Henderson, McLean/Ellard

1 more chance for Eddie and Tex

_________________
'The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule it'
H.L. Mencken

This is our big test. We simply have to back up and win against the Bombers. In the past, these are the games we've dropped. If we can rebound with an impressive performance (and the win of course), to me that's a sign of real improvement.

As such, I'm reserving my judgement on last night until after next week's game.

_________________
We are on our way back...

if i were in charge i would look to get the back six looking like this

Russ Jamo Watson
Yaz Bower Gibbs

Bring in Ellard to replace Gibbs in the midfield. I hope Gibbs would take the move back on the chin and become one of the elite half backs.
We wont miss much of what he has provided so far in the midfield.

Carrazzo to the sub. Henda if fit in for Thornton .

Outs:- Duigan Laidler Thornton (maybe)
In :- Ellard Bower Henda (maybe)

I wouldn't dump Laidler just yet as that's just the one bad game out of three, and against a quality opponent. Generally kicks well and doesn't concede frees (0 clangers last night). I think it's a pretty desperate move if we need Watson as the third tall, because he really isn't.

It forces one of Jamison or Bower to line-up on a medium player, and exposes Watson to the bigger opponents.

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

Laidler stays AFAIC. Has enough tools to currently be in our best 22 and will only improve with senior gametime/experience.

I dont mind the idea of jamo or bower playing on a smaller player. I would like to keep Watson in for his kicking. He can also get benched more so we dont burn him out.
I choose Gibbs as a defender ahead of Laidler as he is better with the loose ball in defense, reads the play better and can also defend in the air. Gibbs in my opinion is replaceable in the midfield on current form. Not that it is bad form just that in my opinion we will win more games with Gibbs off halfback where we can best use his decision making and kicking.

Laidler will plenty more opportunities and i think he will develop into a good player.

Move Judd where...
Ahh is that a joke?

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

don't stop there, tell me why you think it's a joke ?