You didn't like first year players being benched for almost an entire game after making an error? That's just lunacy.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

There's plenty of Carlton supporters that would approve of Andres Escobar type disciplinary methods.

Agreed! How the bombers get away with playing some of these rake like kids is ridiculous. If it were my league on Saturday arvo and I saw players like Dempsey, melksham and heppell I would hit them so hard and tackle to break them so they couldn't get up. I had to bulk up considerably to stop getting thrown around and beaten down. In the afl these players are protected! Snap em in half, that's the attitude to have.

Communication. A kid needs to play between 3-5 games at the very least for education. 1 game and then back in the VFL does nothing for education or development. Please don't tell me it's how you communicate it him that's the difference. As much as I don't like Malthouse, 1 thing he does do is believe in the kids he promotes to play AFL and gives them time on the ground. No need to promote them otherwise.

It's how you communicate it to him that's the difference.

The MC may have got it wrong in dropping him, but you don't think Watson was reminded through playing in last week's game exactly what he has to work on at the elite level? Kicks that hit their target at VFL level are picked off at AFL level. You don't have time to hesitate.

I'd like to see him retain his spot but I don't think we're 'killing' him. If the club are clear in what they expect from him, and why he's been dropped back to the 2's after a game I don't see any problem.

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Congratulations CK95

Have to disagree with you and Jimmae on this one. You can't pick a player who's struggling in the two's just
because he played well for a while last season.

So after 16 or so pages of debate, has it come down to

Austin Vs Davies

Ellard Vs McLean

Setanta Vs .... don't know ... I've read a few calls for his inclusion but I don't
think any have specified who he should replace. Davies?

Watson Vs ... also don't know. Most posts have said it's harsh to drop him but haven't
gone so far as to say who he should be in a head of. Davies again?

My two cents then :

1) Wouldn't have a clue about Austin and Davies except that Austin is a bit taller.
2) I like Ellard. I think it's because I have actually seen him play well for us but I'm still waiting
for Brock to bless me with that experience.
3) Setanta much taller than Davies, but he's not exactly an automatic. If Davies has been going
ok in the twos and it looks like being wet, going for a shorter player with current form sounds reasonable.

Sheeeeet .... I'll be a happy boy if Davies plays a blinder.

Ah Marcus Davies, he knows how to time a run. It was the last 5 or 6 games of last year as well?? Can play the boy and I would be fascinated to see how that big body of his goes in the centre square.

Watson got dropped because he made mistakes. Simple. Welcome to the big league. We are side pushing for a top 4 spot, not a charity. If the MC think this is the way to go, and communicate properly to MW why and thier expectations, job well done really. Watson can play, you can see it. Looking forward to watching him for the next 12 years.

The emergencies smack of a late replacement. The Aussie lovers might get thier wish. I thought he was a perfect sub for last week, but they went with Bower.

Great to see Army back, hopefully moustache less. The character from the final to forget about that free and then next time you get the ball, charge forward and take on the opposition. More of that please - I know your'e reading...

Anway, we will win, closer to 6 goals than 0 goals.

Go Blues.

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Yazz - The only way is up

BigKev well done. Washed out a heap of mud in one post.

In other words the MC got 20 (at least) of the 22 right. Question of course is what about the last 2, Davies and Ellard? Do we find out Saturday night or is there a late replacement?

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"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

Davies disposal worries me a little, but if that's what Ratten has said, his inclusion makes perfect sense. He might not be the cleanest with disposals, but he won't think twice about using his body and pressuring/knocking his [or anyone elses] opponent on the day.

With his strength and defensive skills he can probably take whoever Laidler would normally take (Crameri?) and leave Laidler free where his excellent spoiling will go a long way to killing these marking contests.

Davies has been a consistent performer for the Ants for a while and deserves the chance to play this week.
Why draft players if you don't believe in them and give then an opportunity? We need to pick a team that is the best chance to win and according to the MC, Davies fits a role against Ess.

There is obviously no role for Watson and they perhaps learnt last week he is not at the stage to play AFL. However, I am glad they gave him the chance. Unfortunately we don't have time to give him another week based on the theory of 'playing the kids' and giving him another go. He was not up to and Davies is a better option so let's trust the MC and coaches and wish Davies all the best for his 1st game of the season.

Why would you worry about the inclusion of Carlsile before being confident in the inclusion of Davies? He may be shorter but I don't see anyone here complain about Laidler and White playing on bigger players when they beat them. Back our players, don't worry about theirs and if Davies gets his pants pulled down because his opponent was too tall, then complain.

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Koperek.

Hehe. That's good. I had a similar experience last year. A mate of mine played one of his first games against us, and I had texted him that I hoped he kicked 10 goals but we smash them by 20. He texted back that he hopes he kicks one point but they smash us by 20.....

In the end, he kicked 4 behinds and we won by a few goals!!! (I texted him later to thank him. It didn't go down that well.... )

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

I can tell you straight up that Lucas has been getting plenty of touches all season, so that's not a qualifier. His decision making has been poor but he has picked up in the last month.

The big problem, IMO, is how much his desperation to reclaim a senior spot seems to affecting his football. I can't make a judgement on that, but I certainly hope the line of communication is up and running and the player is on-board with what's being asked of him.

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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.

He's not struggling so much that he shouldn't have gotten a game at this point. I think it's now gone past that and his confidence is plummeting.

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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.

Swann said on SEN this morning that Judd won't play if his wife goes into labor.......

Lucas/Setanta a chance then?

Would have thought she would have been a liberal

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

A lot being made already about Watson and Hocking being out against our midfield juggernaut.

They're so brave that they're brave even when the game hasn't started yet.

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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

Legs together Bec

Bit late to be giving her that advice, isn't it?

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)