No way is Hampson ready to come back. Still not clunking consistently, against inferior, smaller, weaker opponents!
Henderson improved a lot this week in terms of getting to contests and off-the-ball stuff. But, his marking still not strong enough to warrant a senior spot, forward or back. Another couple of weeks of consistent improvement in the Bullants and he should be right to go.
Watson - needs a bit more mongrel. Did a couple of nice things and screwed up b/c he was too nice as well. That may just be his style and as he develops the rest of his game it will probably be ok but not currently smashing the door down on any front. If one of our seniors play a couple of shockers (or if Thornton plays one shocker), maybe there would be a case but absent that, not yet.
Don't know what the article was on about....

(Although Houlihan was very good in the 1st half...)

For mine:
Out: Curnow
In: McLean
AJ = sub.

I'd wait for the week after against Melbourne to blood Tuohy, hopefully Laidler can come in for Joseph.

Going to be intriguing to see how Ratts uses McLean and how Geelong will try to expose him. A real game of chess coming up I reckon.

Expose him? Didn't he give the Cats a touch up last time he played them?

Not really. Didn't get any b&f votes - 9 kicks 8 hbs, our best tackler though with 8.

Don't get me wrong, he deserves his likely promotion as he's worked hard to improve his deficiencies. He's definitely more mobile this year but let's not kid ourselves about his pace. I don't think it's stretching it to assume Geelong will try to expose him. How they do it and how Ratts counters that will be intriguing.

He's having trouble running out games IMO. That's why I've got him in the sub role. The way I see it he can play 2 or 3 rounds, then the next as a sub.

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

Any news on how Kreuzer is tracking for a return? Read a little while back that round 8 would probably be it.

_________________
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."

Next week in the VFL I believe.

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

Kruezer, Bower, laidler, white, collins and mitchell were all training today with the main group...only one missing was curnow, looks like we are getting quite a number of players back in in the fold which is great for our depth...exciting times ahead

Yep, he was fantastic that day. Stats don't tell the story, did a heap of grunt work that allowed our midfield to dominate one of the best midfields in recent history. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes him a week to find his touch after so long out but if he can be anywhere near as effective as he was in that game we'd win.

Dont think we will see too many changes but I'd go...

In houlihan, mclean, Laidler (or watson/henderson in defensive role)
Out Curnow, Joseph and thornton

I think its worth risking houlihan as the sub given that reports indicate he was a class above in the half he played last weekend (most important thing would be touch after an extended layoff).

Houlihan needs at least another 3 games at VFL level before he will be considered for senior recall.

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You heard it here first!

I'd somewhat agree - particularly in previous years. I think the subrule changes this somewhat though (given that most subs have played just over a 1/4 of footy) - of course you take a risk of having to carry an unfit player if you get an injury early though. However, I think that we could do with every bit of class against the cats so it might be a worthwhile risk.

Normally there are 2 concerns over players coming back from long term layoffs - footy touch/skills and fitness. Reports suggest that footy touch/skills werent an issue with houlihan in his 1st game back (as compared to say, henderson). The subrule can actually benefit players coming back from injury and lacking full fitness as they are unlikely to have to play a full game.

I'm assuming that Collins and Mitchell wandered off when the contact drills started?


He was good with the ball in hand but didn't look like he was up to speed in the legs. Needs more time. Have a look for yourself later in the week.

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

IN
Laidler, McLean + Hendo/Watson/Hampson

OUT
Thornton, Curnow + Joseph/Ellard

Is White available for selection? I don't see him on the AFL injured list.

_________________
"It was like calling your ex girlfriend after a night on the booze, just a really bad decision".

Watched Ratts ping one from the boundary at training yesterday. Still a better player than coach .

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end of message

So which Geelong midfielder will expose McLean for leg speed?

I was told Warnock has been playing sore for the last few weeks as his form has dropped off. The week off should be good for him. I understand he also got smacked in the head early against the Saints which could have accounted for a lower than average game.