OUT: TBird Joseph Curnow Setanta
IN: Kreuzer Lucas/Tuohy Laidler Henderson

B: Yarran Jamison Laidler
HB: Duigan Henderson Russell
C: Simpson Judd Scotland
HF: Walker Waite Gibbs
F: Betts Kreuzer Garlett

FOLL: Warnock Carrazzo Murphy

IC: Robinson Ellard Armfield
SUB: Lucas
EMERG: McLean Setanta Joseph Tuohy/Lucas

Will Kreuzer blitz against Frankston this weekend? If so...will he come into the team?
Is it Tuohy time? What if he blitzes this weekend too?
Do we need McLean's hardness to compete against hardened Cats midfielders?

Whatever...we have a great chance to win this game if our players turn up fresh.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

IN
Laidler, McLean and (1 of) Hampson/Watson/Henderson

OUT
Thornton, Curnow and (1 of) Joseph/Ellard

I haven't really followed the pussy this year but is that true Duke?

Talk is now Kreuzer may not play this weekend, but even then I don't know why anyone thinks he'd come in the following week. Tuohy is one player I wouldn't mind working into the mix, but who for?

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

In: Laidler, Watson and McLean
Out: Thornton, Joseph and Curnow

I doubt Hawkins will get a gig, especially if he doesn't play well against Coll. The guy is basically just holding his spot so I would think Mitch Brown is a likely player to come into their side against us. A perfect opponent for Watson.

Jamo would probably play on Mooney and Laidler or Russell on Pod.

We need to do something about letting these loose defenders taking uncontested marks in our forward 50. I think it's case of either kicking it to the goal square or hitting a player on a lead and not trying to pop it up in random areas in the forward 50. There seems to be a structural problem with our forward 50 when other teams flood.

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Koperek.

He'll only come in for Armfield or AJ unless they try him through the midfield, which is a big ask of a newbie.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Nah, that's just my blueman prediction . Big game against colonwood and they'll throw everything they have at that. It MUST have some consequences......surely!

I struggling with all the calls for Henderson to be brought back in. He was no good last time he played and by all reports, hasn't improved much in the 2s since.

Meanwhile, Setanta has done quite well and deserves his spot.

Sure Hendo may come good and become a very good forward option, but until he continues to dominate in the Ants, he should stay there.

I think the last few weeks has shown we've got a pretty good structure at the moment and should stick with it as much as possible. Naturally Kreuzer is a first picked player when available and perhaps Thornton should make way for him. Lucas can replace Curnow.

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end of message

..no way..the Krooz needs to get touch and match fitness back.. ..should give him a few weeks at least in the 2nd's to get back into it..

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..

You would imagine that Kreuzer would play at least 3 or 4 in the twos before he gets a call up. Don't expect too much from him. At best, he might start having some impact in the run in to the finals.

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Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

I would not expect Krooz in the ones for at least 5 weeks after his VFL re-start.

He got injured when he was down on form and worn out. They will want him very close to 95% match fit for the finals and anything before is a bonus.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Let me clarify - Kreuzer is first picked when match fit and physically able. I don't expect anyone to come in not at their best. That's why I want to see Henderson in full flight and ready to rock when he gets a recall.

There is less evidence that Hendo is ready than there were of WMDs in Iraq.

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end of message

11 days to go, with a VFL game in between, but at this early stage I'll predict-

IN: Brock, Laidler
OUT: Curnow (inj), AJ

I would give Armfield a full game in the VFL this weekend and then play him as Sub again.

Even if White is fit to play, I'm not convinced he's a better option than T-Bird. I would rate them about the same - both are essentially 'stop-gaps' until Bower and/or Watson are in our best 18, both can push forward (although I think T-Bird is the more accomplished forward), both are undersized KP players, T-Bird has the edge in skills/smarts but White is (comparatively) a better body player. I seem to recall that White struggled on Pods last year (he was lucky Pods didn't kick straight). I think Jamo will take Pods this time, with T-Bird/White on Mooney. If the Cats play the 3rd tall (Hawkins/Ottens), Laidler might have to play tall - not ideal, but it might mean we can expose them with run.

I don't think we'll see Kreuzer line up for the Bullants for at least another couple of weeks, then he'll need 4-6 weeks in the VFL. So don't expect to see him playing for Carlton much before late July.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

In: McLean, Laidler
Out: Curnow, AJ

(Maybe Thornton out for Watson...)

McLean for Curnow is fairly certain. Will be interesting to see whether they play Brock in the Bullants this week - they should b/c I think it will be good to have a few players battle hardned although Brock's luck will mean he'll probably twist his ankle in the last 5mins....

Laidler, if fit, probably comes in for AJ.

I reckon if Watson plays well again, he ay come in for Thornton although not sure how Watson will go against the hard, strong-bodied Cats forwards (incl possibly Ottens).
If Ottens goes forward, does Setanta go back on him?

I think we are in the fortunate position of forcing players to force their way into the seniors with consistently top level form in the 'Ants. McLean has been playing v well for about a month and will deserve his shot. Watson has been playing well but may need to keep doing so for a few more weeks. Lucas is nowehere near it, in my view. He will be a waste of a player in the seniors at this stage. He should force his way into the team by later in the season but not yet, for mine. Similarly, I would expect Kreuzer to spend a few weeks in the Ants and don't think he will star in the seniors probably until next year, although structurally he will help the team play much better and he may shine here and there (hopefully!)

If we nail our opportunities, we are every bit as good as Geelong. If we cannot hit the scoreboard, we will fall short.
We are playing an awesome brand of competitive footy but this style can be very taxing, especially if we can't get reward for our effort. Must nail opportunities.

PS. Apart from all the deserved commendations for Jamo, Yarran, Duigan, Irish etc... against the Saints, Gibbs put in several gut busting efforts and was generally a whole lot tougher than he has been for a while. Great sign for us and kudos to him.

Yeah...nah..just a few tips with that Dukey.
You need a longer post.
Much longer actually, and you need to say...The Duke thinks this and that.
getting there though.

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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.”

Wow!!
I just got my personal weekly letter from Ratts,
and, as requested, he assures me that the boys will be putting in plenty of goal practice over the break.
Thanks for listening Ratts.
You beauty.!!
(Don't forget the contested marking practice as well champ..ok?
Great.

_________________
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.”

It's nice to dream about beautiful ideas.

I can't wait to see these 2 in the seniors.
But I'm happy to wait.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Out: Thornton Joseph & Curnow (inj)
In: White Laidler & McLean

Kruezer not ready yet IMO
Want to see Lucas & Henderson asap.
Like to see Watson, Tuohy and Kerr soon.

I'm curious as to why you would drop Setanta. He was one of our best the other night. And sure, he's not great in the ruck but he's a much better option that brining Kreuzer back in after 1 game............ he's missed a whole pre-season remember?

Setanta's a great option, for now, to help out Warnock - who looked completely SPENT before half time the other night. And unlike Hampson, he can take a grab and kick a goal.


I know you hate him but geez...............

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

Hey Ryan 2000, you have a short memory and don't know me at all anymore.
I remember lots about you: health issue, overcoming that by running around PP, running next to Kouta, Setanta fan....
I was even a fan of yours till your last post. Don't you remember you and I working the Setanta haters as a team? Doesn't matter anymore.

Go through my posts and you will see for a long time there, other than yourself, and a poster called mantis and myself there were very few Setanta fans. I am a big fan of his. I didn't want him traded to the Doggies; he's ours.
Just about every second Setanta post I called him our 'Insurance Policy' and that he should be in the 22.
I had stouches and made enemies sticking up for the qualities he brings to the table.
He is taller than our current KP backmen, and the only athletic player who could match resting ruckmen in our backline.

I know Kreuzer isn't back this week because it's a bye, but he will be playing in the Ants or he is expected too.
If you read my post carefully, I made it clear that IF Kreuzer plays a blinder and looks ready for AFL would we pick him?
The answer is 'maybe' I guess....and if Kreuzer is picked I am also guessing that Setanta will lose his spot.
It's just the way it is, and not because I dislike Setanta. It's ruckman for ruckman.
Whatever the MC decide, I'll leave it to them because I think they're doing a great job this year.

If I had my way Setanta would be CHB till we have bonafide CHB to take the spot from Setanta.
I like the flexibility of the big man.

I'd drop Thornton before I dropped Setanta. But I tell you what, I am really chomping at the bit for Kreuzer's return, and the thought of his return is so exciting. So excuse me if I am getting ahead of myself; it's only a nice dream (as I said in the post above).

Oh yeah...and I'm a big fan without any unrealistic expectations of another big man who is only 23yo this year.
I've seen Hampson take a grab and kick a goal at the age of 19, 20, 21, 22 and this year too (just as Setanta can), and imo he's progressing slowly but surely.
Just like Setanta had calf issues which hampered his progress, Hampson has finger issues which are making marking difficult.
I love all Bluebaggers, and I believe in the list. I also know we can't fit our best 30 players in the team of 22, and someone will have to miss out despite being a better player than most of our 22 in the period 2002-2008. That player might be Setanta, it might be Hammer...geez I don't think it will be Kreuzer if he's fit.

Onya

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

BG72, I got the message too. Is it sent to all members?

I thought it was a good touch, but was amused by the comment about the boys concentrating on goal kicking at training. It says they will be having 40 shots at goal per week - surely that is a misprint. I would have thought 40 or 50 per day would be a minimum - country footballers would do that and they are not full time pro's.

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“Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile a way and you have their shoes."