McLean will get another game, just so we can show Melbourne how well they did.

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"I had to eat"

My changes...

Out: Warnock (concussion), Ellard, Armfield

In: Hampson, Tuohy, Joseph

My logic? Didn't like Ellard's game, wasn't able to make enough of a defensive impact to compensate for his sketchy disposal. On review, Armfield did a horrible job defensively, despite some smart kicking and offering a link forward of centre.

Casting an eye over our list, these are the midfield options:

Injured: Lucas, Collins, Curnow

Not ready: Houlihan

Rookie list: Carter, Twomey, O'Keeffe

Which leaves Joseph, Kerr, McInnes.

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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.

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"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

Just realised Tuohy was rested this week in the VFL, so count him out of the selection options. Armfield survives, and gets a go in the midfield.

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

Wouldnt be making too many changes for next week as we played very well last night.
Depends how bad Robbie Warnock's concussion is, but wouldnt be dropping him unless necessary becasue our Warnock/Sentants ruck combo should smash their Martin/Newton combo...

Hendo did okay in the Ants game today, but hes not excactly belting down the door to get back in. Our forward line is doing ok without him, and should cope ok with a Melbourne defence weakened by injury (even more so after Tapscot did him hammy today).

Their midfield wont go anywher near ours without the class of Scully and Trengove, and the silver service that Jamar provides them... Id give Brock a few more games to show something. This game is perfectly set for him to make a statement one way or another. Friday night... His prefered MCG... Against his old mob... He'll either stamp his authority as a Carlton player and put in a watershed game, or he'll look a fool and expose the stupidity of giving up Pick 11 for him...

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

Don't forget to buy your white paper bags.

Back-to-back weeks of the poofy jumper coming up.

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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.

Apparently White has done his knee in the Ants game so count him out if true.

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

With a loss to St Failure, the blowtorch will be applied to the Dees this week. We have to be ready for them to come out strong. It's amazing how teams can play soft, 'gutless' footy for weeks on end, but suddenly find the 'Eye of the Tiger' when facing us.

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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

Demons have also lost Luke Tapscott (who I rate) with a "hamstring tear" in today's game against the aints.

We should smash them - they are seriously undermanned.

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

He did hurt his knee. Looked like a medial ligament.
Hampson was not very impressive in the Bullants so i hope Warnock comes up. Hendo did okay and may be a chance.
Out. Armfield
In Houlihan

Well for a start I am eternally grateful hotcox will not get within a mile of a decision making role at the CFC.

Sounds to me like Warnock may struggle to get up. Hammer will have to come in if that's the case.

If Houla is fit he needs to come in. Either for Armfield/Robinson. I do agree with Jimmae that Ellard was off his game last week, he might also be in line for a red jumper.

Warnock won't and shouldn't be dropped.
- If we are dropping players for missing shots at goal, there wouldn't be too many left on the park.
- Fairly std procedure to keep concussed players overnight for observation
- He pretty much nullified Ottens who is one of the form ruckmen of the competition
- Hampson, whilst marginally better this week, is still not doing what he needs to be doing to get elevated

Also, being concussed he would not have had the presence of mind to 'stay down' and was not so obviously out of it to warrant someone else taking the ball off him for the kick. I would like to see him doing more around the ground generally - running harder, taking big marks, kicking goals but I am not so worried about this particular episode.

I wouldn't be dropping Army just yet and certainly not Robbo. Army hasn't been great but no-one I can think of pushing to take his spot. Touhy didn't play. Robbo has been pulling his weight.
From the Bullants, Cachia is developing well and O'Keefe did some nice things. Hendo is improving every match but not quite ready...

Out: Warnock (concussion) Setanta
In: Henderson Hampson

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Agree with Psychologist

Setanta didn't and doesn't do enough consistently enough to keep his spot in the team. One passage all he needed to do was bring the ball to ground and he was outmarked by Taylor...he is 2m tall but doesn't play like it. Henderson will provide an option at HF allowing Waite to stay deep. Gives us some variety instead of having shots from 55m out or bombing it long to 10m out.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Warnock is clearly our #1 ruckman at the moment. He missed an important set shot last night, but you wouldn't drop him for that (sounds like he was concussed anyway). I am concerned about the effect of his current workload however. So pending an assessment by the fitness/medical gurus, the MC may decide they have to rest him. The problem is that Hammer isn't exactly banging down the door at the moment. He looked pretty average in the VFL today.

One change I would consider making is bringing in Houlihan as a Sub. He probably needs another week in the VFL, but I wonder if the MC would be minded to take the risk and play him as a Sub? It would be very handy to introduce a player of his skill and experience into games in the last quarter.... But who would come out of the side? Assuming Judd is OK, it's probably a choice between Armfield, Brock or Robbo. I'd like us to persist with Brock for another week, so Robbo might be the one to have a run with the Bullants this week.

There isn't really anyone else from underneath that's pushing strongly for selection, except maybe Hendo (who played his best VFL game for the year today). Setanta's form has been OK, but I thought he was disappointing in the 2nd half last night, so there's a chance Setanta might make way for Hendo.

T-Bird is safe for another week. His form has been reasonable and White's injury (and Watson's so-so VFL form) means he is likely to stay safe until Bower is ready to return.

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

We're playing an undermanned Melbourne and should account for them pretty easily.

No changes unless forced due to injuries...

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“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” ― Richard Feynman

I didn't see Melbourne today but it looks by the stats to be Martin and Newton doing their rucking so if Hendo was to replace Setanta he'd probably be rucking against Newton who got 5 hitouts today.
Personally I can't see Setanta being replaced until Kreuzer is ready.

Armfield out Houla in as sub.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Hendo has been spending a bit of time in the ruck with the Bullants. As a ruckman, I personally don't think he's much worse than Setanta.

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

With it being a Friday night game and Warnock still in hospital I can't see him being ready.

I believe Hampson will step up to AFL and relish the chance to finally be the main ruckman.

Henderson is a must. We had 10 more inside 50s last night but we just don't have that big guy to create space and provide a standing marking contest. He can also back up in the ruck and with Jamar out Melbourne lack talls.

Thorton is the interesting one, was okay last night but defences are becoming more mobile and Melbourne have a smaller forward line. Jamo, Laidler and Duigan can easily match up Watts, Pettard and Jurrah. So Houlihan or Touhy as a sub may be an option. Pity Lucas is struggling!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015