Both times Hoops has come on as a sub he has done well. As a defending forward flank last I thought he was great - Much prefer him to play a full game than Curnow at this point - even though I rate Curnow pretty highly. I think if we are going to see what Hoops can give us this year - now is the time to find out....

For me Duigan for White, Hoops to play a full game (although I am not sure who would go sub....

Setanta joined in full training today and appeared to be injury-free.

Russell grimaced at one stage and grabbed one hand with the other in obvious pain, but carried on. Noticed later that he had a thumb strapped, but again seemed unconcerned.

Didn't notice Curnow training (though he was there), not to say he didn't though.

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"I had to eat"

I think you need to look at West Coast's remaining draw. They will probably lose one more game only hence end up 3 or 4

Our game plan has changed significantly compared to the run-and-gun of 2009/10. We've had trouble adapting all season (doesn't help having our most expensive player and key defensive quarterback rotting away at the VFL), but we're slowly adjusting and adapting to the requirements of the forward press gameplan. Structurally we're starting to get the playing personnel mix right, and actually utilising our strengths a bit better - some of our kids have shown plenty and in areas we were desperately short of.

I'm confident we won't be embarrassed again for the rest of the season (like we were against WC and Geelong) but that doesn't mean we are at Carlton's level. Looking forward to seeing just where we are at.

Oh, and Griff and Coons are also more than adept at winning their own contested ball (Coons had 17 of them on Friday), and Hudson is also as hard as a cat's head (he also hit a welcome patch of good form last week). Krooze really worries me, as I think Huddo relishes bashing and crashing all night into the beanpoles (he has a great record against Sandi), but Krooze is basically a younger and better version of Hudson. I'm also worried about Murphy and or/Judd really getting off the chain (basically whoever isn't tagged by Picken, who is in hot form at the moment - he kept Ablett to 24 possessions and sub-par disposal efficiency 2 weeks ago, and conpletely monstered Scully last week).

Thank christ we didn't play you guys about 6 weeks ago because it would have been a 15 goal hammering.

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"You've got no fear of The Underdog, that's why you will not survive"
- Spoon, 2007
- Western Bulldogs, 2016

Robbo to deal with Picken.

Blues by 89 points.

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"I had to eat"

I agree that on present form, West Coast probably start favourites in every game for the rest of the year, with the only exception being this week v Geelong, which is probably 50-50 given they're at home. But I'd be surprised if they manage to maintain the rage all the way to the finals. I'm expecting a dip in form like what we've seen from Essendon*. Whilst it's not unheard of for a team to go from last to top four, it's pretty rare, and I think it's probably getting harder to do - I expect that they were belted around during pre-season. They've also had a charmed run with injuries. Lastly, there next 4-6 games aren't against easybeats, and involve three trips to Etihad to play Melbourne teams who are still in the hunt.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them drop at least two of these next four:
Geelong (home)
St Kilda (etihad)
Fremantle (home)
Bulldogs (etihad)

Richmond and Melbourne follow the fortnight after. Easy from there on in but I think the next six weeks will see the Eagles drop away.

I'm hoping the Coasters finish outside the top four so if we happen to lose in week one of the finals we get to play a home final against these clowns for redemption at the "G'

Western Bulldogs v Carlton


Simpson put Aussie's name forward as a player who can cover for Jamison.




Henderson's game was promising, but the hype over his performance might rival Setanta's efforts on Lloyd in that come back win. Setanta won a lot of the one on ones, yet Lloyd still kicked five goals by beating him on the lead.

I'm worried about Hall if he fires. Hall was the key to their forward structure last week with their smalls working off his contests. With Hall anchoring their set up and bringing it to ground inside 50, Jones and Grant got off the leash up the ground.

Yarran needs to tighten up as a defender. Nahas slipped him a couple of times with a couple of poor one on one efforts on the wing and inside 50. Giansiracusa or Gilbee would make him pay if his tackling and accountability is that poor.

Robinson v Ward will be a cracking contest if it eventuates.

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#DonTheStash

Soooo...only a 14.833333etc goal win then?......disappointing. I'll be looking for scapegoats.

?
(please explain)

Dennis Armfield

That article in The Age also says that Channel 7 will be showing it live too ... pfffft!

Out of all the defenders available, Bower is the best of them... Would be good to get him fit.. Hendo looked impressive and if we could get Jamo FB, Hendo CHB and Bower on 3rd tall by finals our backline would look very nice, particularly with Laidler, Duigan and Yazz down there and with Scotty, Gibbs and Rusty getting back and helping out too!!!

Thornton has been great this year as a fill in, but if Bower is fit and firing, Jamo comes back in and if Hendo goes well down there he may be omitted... Will be an interesting decision come finals time... I guess Hendo could also move back forward but will he be as effective there?

Anyway for this week:
In: Bower, Duigan
Out: White (inj), Thouy (unlucky)

Curnow for Houla?

In: Duigan
Out: White

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You heard it here first!

I still don't know if you're saying that a) Armfield is a poor player and him not being in the team is no indication of our
strength, (although in that case I don't know why he's the only name on the list highlighted, or b) Armfield is a good
player who obviously should be in the starting 22 and it's ridiculous that he isn't.

I do know that I don't really care anymore though.

I still don't know if you're saying that a) Armfield is a poor player and him not being in the team is no indication of our
strength, (although in that case I don't know why he's the only name on the list highlighted, or b) Armfield is a good
player who obviously should be in the starting 22 and it's ridiculous that he isn't.

I do know that I don't really care anymore though.[/quote]

the kids name is DENNIS Armfield. Not David Armfield

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i AM CARLTON

We're shitcanning The Age kev, not Armfield himself.

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#DonTheStash

Agree with your Mark Austin sentiments.

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You heard it here first!

While the dumb ones amongst us will look for escapegoats

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"I had to eat"