Since when have Setanta and Thornton been so popular on here? No chance Henderson will get dropped.

Collins and Betts the two that have to go. I wouldn't have Hampson in our best 25 but not sure who replaces him.

Would like to see us try a pinch hitter this week....crows are so undermanned it's worth trying.... Not Thornton and certainly not Carlos who has no idea how to play AFL...maybe Waite is an option at least he is mobile once the ball hits the ground and he and Warnock can swap resting in the goal square....

_________________
"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

I wouldn't be averse to giving Levi a shot if he goes well in the ants. He works hard and competes in the ruck and can actually hold marks.

Out for 6-8 weeks.

I reckon if the MC decide Henderson or White are capable of pinchhitting in the ruck, then Hampson goes out for a returning Bower, White to play forward. Otherwise, Bower comes in for White. Can't see o'hAilpin of all people being rushed back after one game in the magoos being at the top of Ratten's priorities. Especially when we've been so patient with Hendo/Bower to come back in.

On the other hand, it seems a strange logic to bring White back in for one game then drop him when he did very little wrong. I think he has something to offer up forward. Another thing to consider is whether Watson is an immediate recall, or works his way back through the twos. We've often struggled with the height of Tippett, so I think Watson may have to be looked at in a horses for courses scenario again.

With Adelaide's depleted defence, I think Hampson may be due a reprieve here also. Tough one to work out.

Betts probably gawn. Armfield straight swap there you'd think.

Collins probably isn't playing for us again this year barring a swine flu epidemic...who replaces him, is tougher. I expect Walker to not play two games as the sub for us, so his role up forward is rectified, which leaves us with a plethora of options for the sub - Lucas, Ellard, McLean, etc.

Three changes I expect:

In: Bower, Armfield, Watson/Lucas/Ellard/McLean
Out: Hampson/White, Collins, Betts

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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Why are people calling for White or Laidler to be dropped? I thought our defence functioned well today.
White did a good job on Hurley and as much as Laidler doesn't have any standout features, he commits his body to the contest 100%. We need more blokes with an unconditional attack on the ball , not less.

_________________
Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

So thoughts on using AJ in the forward line as a replacement for Betts?

Would offer defensively more than Betts and possibly create 2-3 goals for the team as a result? He could also play that defensive forward role on Johncock.

Collins - poor bugger must be on shaky ground
Betts - just drop him to wake him up
Hampson will probably survive but shouldnt

Bring in Bower and as a sub because the defence was the best part of our side
Bring in Ellard for Collins
Play Brocky and move Gibbs forward instead of Betts


Lets hope Craig flogs them again and another 2 players go down at training like last week

next 3 games are defining games - we should win them all

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

I'm pretty sure i heard Ratts praising the defenders..so wouldn't expect him to change much there...
also, I remember that Hendo was dreadful for a long time before he came good last year.
The question is, does he get better in the ants..or trial by fire..persisting in the 22?

The only one I hope for sure will be Conno for Ellard.

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Very much looking forward to returning to the footy next weekend to see us play the Crows. Make no mistake, this is an 8 point game. Both teams looking to bounce back from disappointing performances, and we desperately need a win to keep our season in the positive. The Crows had a stinker last night, but one thing should be made clear - they're no push-overs, and they've had the wood on us for quite a while.

What looks to have troubled the Crows last night was the 'x factor' and unpredictibility of Port with Rodan and Motlop.

_________________
Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

they have a lot of injuries, but they also have a lot of spirit.

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

I think Laidler is one of our shining lights for the future and I think his disposal by foot is better than most. Comfortably in my best 22.
White really stood up yesterday and did his job.

Shame about Levi.

A bit left field, but I think he snagged one or two V Freo on the Goldie in 2009 and looked OK. With Kerr still a few weeks away, could be a goer. Maybe he was a goalkicker as a junior, I'll leave that for the likes of BV or Cazz to comment on.

Carrots won't be dropped after y'day, Jim, wishful thinking. Not in our best, but he was alot better than the week before. I noticed he was ranked highly in the HUN for his game y'day, FWIW (2nd highest ).

No panic changes needed.
Henderson should go to the Ants to get his touch. He wasn't ready IMO and it wasn't really sensible or fair to select him.
Setanta hasn't played any footy this year and isn't an option. Thornton isn't the furure but he does take marks up front and we need 4 points every week to make top 4-6. Put him in until Henderson/Kreuzer is ready.
Betts is a problem when he's off but is a match winner. He'll be OK.
Walker has to be in the 18 or dropped altogether. He is no use as a sub if his form is down. I thought Ratts might have used him as a shock trooper running riot with fresh legs when he came on..
Collins looks lost but Armfield isn't his replacement. Collins is supposedly a medium forward goalkicker. Armfield does his best work from HB or the wing ATM. For mine, Walker should take his place. Armfield is being touted as a replacement for Carazzo but Carazzo won't be dropped. The so-called experts on TV think he is doing a good job. Maybe he is.
Duigan played well enough to hold his place. It's a matter of whom do you drop for Bower? Or do we leave Bower in the Ants another week?
The MC won't make wholesale changes and don't need to. The team on the park yesterday didn't play that well and still didn't lose. A few tweaks and we'll win well next week.

Out: Maybe Collins
In: Thornton or Armfield but not a direct positional swap for Collins.

_________________
Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Just hoping Bower has a blinder as he's a better cog in our defence in my book. Personally I'd keep Laidler in and try and work White into the forward line or as a sub if possible.

That said I think White still made a few too many silly errors at the contest and with the football on the day despite dealing with Hurley manfully and making a few spoils.

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

The stats lie in this instance as he puts himself in stupid situations, and is too slow to make a decision.

Turning away from a clear option only to make a release option a 50/50 contest doesn't register as ineffective or a clanger, but it's bloody stupid and it usually forces a turnover given how long the ball takes to travel to his team mate with the majority of his kicks.

This week was good in most things other than taking possession of the ball, and where or who he ran off from to receive. The journalists are just looking at the stat sheet. Armfield can do everything he does and use the ball better. That his kicking has improved is a bonus.

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

Maric was killed by Brogan last night. What are the chances Sam might get a run this week?

_________________
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

Is 206 a chance to miss this week? (see the Ratts thread where he talked about the late use of the sub).

_________________
when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

Feelgood Hit of the Winter - GHRP-2, GHRP-6, CJC-1295, AOD-9604, Humanofort and Hexarelin

Is Levi ready to go yet?... I've always thought him to be a bit of a powder puff, but he couldn't be softer than Lachie on yesterday's effort.

IN: Armfield, Watson, Ellard, Casboult
OUT: Collins, Betts, Hampson, Henderson

_________________
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

pending ants form I'd have the following changes

out - betts, collins
in - watson, armfield

armfield as the sub. White to play forward & walker to start on the ground