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B Russell Jamison Laidler
Jamison towelled up Tippett in round four last year, I expect him to get the job again. Who Russell takes is a tough one. He's played on Knights in the practice match and the corresponding fixture last year and lowered his colours in both, I felt. Knights has a fairly good record against us in general, and I think Duigan's job on a similiar sized player in Monfries this week should see him get first crack. Laidler I think will take Taylor Walker, for reasons I'll explain below. Russell I guess plays third man up against a fairly tall Adelaide forward line and be responsible for Dangerfield when he moves forward.
HB Yarran Bower Duigan
Never realised McKernan Jnr was 198cm tall. As much as I think Bower is a better match for Taylor Walker, I guess height requirements are that he goes to McKernan, who played quite well against us in the practice match earlier this year. If anyone watched the Showdown, it was interesting to watch the Power play through Pittard off half back, and have him expose Jaensch for accountability. If we can get Yarran in the same sort of role, it would be a fantastic match up for us, but I expect Henderson to play a defensive tag on him, despite getting towelled up by Chaplin the week before.
C Walker Curnow Gibbs
Albeit in a different role last time around, Walker absolutely smashed Dangerfield down back last year, and last week I reckon he lowered his colors to a similiar sized player in the aging Chad Cornes. Walker should get the first crack at him here. Curnow to go head to head with Van Berlo, and expect Gibbs to be given a similar role to that he had on Pendlebury a few weeks back on Bernie Vince. Don't mind how we match up here at all.
HF Robinson Waite Carrazzo
Carrazzo starts on the field, but not necessarily off a flank, has to go with Thompson who I think is the game winner for Adelaide. His first half was sensational last week. Otherwise, also has potential to play a defensive role on Johncock also, thought Surjan did a very good job on him last week. Robbo has to go to Tambling, who I've thought has been very good for Adelaide in taking over the McLeod role. I reckon if we rough him up a bit, and use the same sort of approach that we use with Aaron Davey and unsettle him early, we take him out of the game. Waite will probably get a returning Scott Stevens. Bit of a mismatch in our favour, I find.
F Hampson Henderson Garlett
Not entirely in favour of Hampson staying, but I see the merit in trying to stretch Adelaide's defence. What was a rare win for Adelaide matchup wise last week was that they were afforded the luxury of playing Rutten on Ebert. Hampson makes it harder for them to choose a smaller running defence that is their strength, and keeps in Luke Thompson, who I find is still half a year off being senior footy capable, and got absolutely towelled by Westhoff last week. Doughty should be back for them, and gave Betts a towelling last year. Does he go to Garlett who has kicked 7 in his last two against the Crows, despite possibly not being quick enough, or does Otten, who I felt took the honours against Motlop, despite dominating the highlight reels, go there? Think Otten will get the nod, with Doughty going up the ground.
R Warnock Judd Murphy
Maric was terrible last week, and wonder if Jacobs gets the nod against the old side instead. Probably will, Warnock is in as good a form as any ruckman going around. I reckon Doughty goes to Judd, who'd be once again glad to see no Robert Shirley on the list, and Reilly takes Murph. Both boys have decent records against Adelaide in recent times....last time around Murph went head to head with Bernie Vince, and I reckon that was a win for us before the ball was bounced.
INT Armfield (sub), Simpson, White, Scotland
Armfield should be a lock, if only for the idea that Adelaide aren't a very fit side. They faded badly against Port after a great start, and if the Rucci Advertiser is to be believed, such a rigorous training program focused on match hardening young players is a factor in this. Bring him on for Hampson or White after half time, and lets run them into the ground. White deserves another run, after being brought in to play a role, and I think his versatility in playing either end of the ground is helpful, and with Adelaide's talls up forward, deserves the run as insurance. Scotland and Simpson are fairly self explanatory.
EMERG - Watson, Ellard, Lucas
Wouldn't be surprised to see Watson brought back, given Etihad is great conditions for tall forwards, and we may decide to make the hard call on White. Depends on whether the Watson omission of last week was moreso form or soreness related. Hard to see him being rushed back after one week without playing Bullants, but at the same time, seemed to be rushed in against GC on a horses for courses policy relating to their tall forward line, and it could happen again. Ellard in too good a patch of form in the twos to not consider, reckon he'd play if it weren't at Etihad (same reason for no McLean) or injuries presented, but another week banging on the door awaits. Lucas obviously has the flexibility to be considered and form on the board also...can't see o'hAilpin being brought back straight away, after Hendo and Bower served 3-4 in the Ants each, and Ratten's general uneasyness towards backing him over the years. Reckon Simpson plays the Betts role, with cameos from Armfield, and perhaps Murphy going forward also to break the tag at times.
Overall, I reckon we'll win by 6-7 goals. The first quarter will be crucial.
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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.
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