Waite's still relevant if he can play.

What I'd like to see:

FB: Laidler Jamison Duigan
HB: Scotland Bower Yarran
CC: Gibbs Murphy Simpson
HF: Lucas Henderson Walker
FF: Betts O'hAilpin Garlett

RR: Hampson Robinson Judd

Int: Kreuzer Curnow Armfield/Joseph Russell/Houlihan

The week off should help a lot of players who looked like they were feeling the pinch of this season, particularly Gibbs, Garlett, Duigan, Judd & Robinson, while it gives us time to get some extra legs into those who need it without being too taxing (via the VFL).

Hammer is simply a must, both form wise and structurally. I'm not completely adverse to Warnock remaining in the team at the expense of Kreuzer, but I think the kid will be of more use and seems to be just about to work out of the groove he's been in.

Curnow is worth a shot, particularly with such a poor return from Ellard this round after finally looking like he was getting some form back the two weeks prior.

Lucas simply cannot be ignored anymore and will add an immense level of running power with the potential for good finishing, which beats the pants off Carrazzo's performance against the Hawks. Russell comes back into offer a strong body to supplement Carrazzo's, while adding footskills and perhaps more versatility.

I think Thornton almost deserves a spot on form, but if Jamison fails on his match-up, he doesn't offer enough of a plan B, and up forward I suspect he is virtually a different take on Walker's role. We need bigger bodies or more athleticism in the positions he is best suited for, and Laidler pinches the 3rd defender spot he'd shine in.

Hendo can link up with Setanta up forward, who has put his hand up in Waite's continued absence. There are seemingly no other useful pieces on the board, so we need at least a week to find out if this is the forward line we should go with.

I've nominated Joseph to nick Armfield's spot primarily if form/injury permits, and Houlihan as a chance instead of Russell under the same circumstances. I'd also consider White & Tuohy to be under consideration in addition to all the names I've mentioned.

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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.

out's; thornton, ellard, davies and armfield
in's; hampson, curnow, jr and lucas

duigan jamison laidler
yarran henderson jr
scotland gibbs simpson
lucas kreuzer walker
betts hampson gartlett

warnock judd murphy

curnow robinson carrazzo joseph

last three weeks lucas has been in the best, deserves a game.

Why isn't there unanimous agreement on the need to drop Duigan? He was shocking. His disposal is very poor, mainly due to poor decision making.

I watched a replay of the game and it is clear to me he repeatedly hurt us badly.

He is the first out. Russell gets his spot.

Ellard has done nothing. All year. He has had more than 20 possessions twice in 17 games and hasn't had 20 for 10 weeks. He is a midfielder. Curnow gets his spot.

Thornton is too slow to be a hit up forward and his opponent easily makes space off him. Obvious out for Setanta.

Those three changes are certain for mine.

Hampson And Lucas would be considered. Arm field or Davies for Lucas. Warnock for hammer.

Five changes is prob too many. Three most likely. Four possible.

Rotating rucks off the bench is a bit different in 2011 Jimmae.

I dont think the forward line needs as much of a rejig as you have made. Just someone taller and stronger to play in that TBird/Jamo position. Carlos Waite or even hampson may be a better option.

Our forward line has been successfull this season. Stat wise one of the best but its success depends on the midfield dominating. This is what catches us out against top 4 teams (probably not the cats).
Last night proved this point. Early when the hawks beat us up around the ball and were in our face our forward line was terrible. This is due to us not running it down the ground with any speed and fluency. As the game wears on and our midfields running ability takes over and our forward line all of a sudden starts to work.

In finals its that first half when we are going to need a big solid target inside 50. I agree with most that tbird isnt it even though he has done that role well against lesser teams.

Something of weapon we are only starting to use is Walker onball. I think this move can be something that gives us a real energy and refreshes our game style come finals.

i like:-

FB: Laidler Jamison Duigan
HB: Scotland Henderson Yarran
CC: Gibbs Murphy Simpson
HF: Carrazzo Ohailpin Walker
FF: Betts Kruezer Garlett

RR: Hampson/Warnock Robinson Judd

Int: Armfield Curnow AJ Russell

Just watched the game again. Apart from Duigan, who was terrible, our back line was terrific. We really hurt ourselves with poor delivery into the forward line when under no pressure. Probably not helped by the complete absence of a leading forward. And easy missed goals. I found rattens comments about our delivery into the forward line strange at half time because I thought it was our stoppages and lack of contested ball that was killing us. But even despite that we were getting heaps of easy ball use into the front half which we then stuffed up. He was right.

Walker was better than I thought. Gave us a lift when he went through the middle. Carrots was worse than I thought and probably should be dropped. Ladler was better than I thought. Jeffy was really poor but keeps his spot because he is creative. Davies doesn't do much right. Doesn't do much wrong. Don't know what to make of him.

He likes to tackle, hard.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Re this game means nothing.....

I just did the ladder predicter and this game MAY mean the Saints drop to 9th....

Syd vs Saints
North Vs Saints
Us vs Saints....

Not an easy run...
the first 2 games keep sides in the 8
the game against us is for either a home final or out!

WE COULD DROP THEM OUT!!!

Not important to the players.... BUT PULEESE !!

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Stay tuned We're in for a BUMPY ride

We've got a bit of a dilemma with our ruckmen at the moment I feel.
Going by RR's brilliant ant report Hammer only played a 1/2 game spending all his time forward. This suggests he's quite a bit behind on conditioning and fitness and might need AT LEAST a few more weeks to be ready for AFL (finals). Therefore, Warnock will likely continue with Kreuzer in the ruck/tall forward roles for the time being.

Lucas seems to be finding form but as BV explained it's difficult to find a spot for him in what might be his preferred role on the wing. I'm tempted to replace Davies with Lucas and allow Scotto and Lucas to play the wing/half back role.

Setanta's good showing with 6 goals gives him a good argument to come in as KPF target for the high inside 50's.

Carrazzo and Ellard are fighting for the link up role IMO and even though Ellard has superior footskills/goal scoring, Carrazzo finds more of the pill around the ground and his seniority is probably in his favour.

Curnow's form is looking better and it seems he's regaining early season form.

AJ and Army provide the run and shut down ability we'll need in finals.

In: O'hAilpin Lucas Curnow
Out: Thornton Davies Ellard

B. Laidler Jamison Duigan
HB. Scotland Henderson Yarran
C. Lucas Gibbs Simpson
HF. Robinson O'hAilpin Garlett
F. Betts Walker Kreuzer

R. Warnock Judd Murphy

I. Carrazzo Armfield Joseph
Sub. Curnow

Rexy, right now I'm happy to bring Hampson in against StKilda and play him forward for 4 quarters. That's how bad our forward structure is currently. Maybe someone needs to ask the question to Barker and find out what his logic is going into an AFL game with no recognised KP forwards?

In Barkers defense he has built a forward line that stat wise has been the most effective this year and since Waite has been out has been even more effective stat wise. He was well within his rights to believe that the same set up for the last month would get the similar results against the Hawks. Unfortunately for him he got nothing from thornton and Kruezer . Also the Hawks in the first half put so much pressure on us that our ball movement through the midfield was slow and miles of the fast slick ball movement we have seen over the last month that has given our forwards every chance to succeed.

What we now know is good teams are going to put that pressure on us. Particularly in the first half before our hard running team takes over. We need a target i agree. I am not sure what Barkers options were. He could have dropped thornton and played carlos but thronton was in ripping form prior to friday and carlos was in so so form and fitness kind of plays more like a small forward.
Henda could have went forward but that would leave Thornton to cover Buddy. Not good.

So in summary i believe Barker isnt to blame but he would have got a bit out of friday night.

We did get chances in the first half. Plenty infact but easy shots were burnt.

Agree Surrey.
My understanding is that Matt Lappin came up with the small forward structure following the departure of Fev, but relied on Setanta to compete/bring the ball to ground.
Not sure what Barker has brought to the table.

Hey Club,
Jamison showed us all on Friday night just how much we lack a KP forward currently.
He lead beautifully marked out in front and created a presense. Something we have been crying out for for weeks and the very reason I am so upset and dumb founded about. Unfortunately, I agree with many that Setanta is not the answer either.
I also agree that we have done quite well with what we structure up with right now but this will not win us a final against any quality opposition, if at all. We need to address this before what now seems to another elimination, else Ratten will come under some heavy scrutiny in 3 or 4 weeks time.
I'm not sure what Bower has done to be left on the outer but he is one who can help us with our structure and Hampson is the other, although again, he doesn't give me confidence that he can lead and kick a goal as a forward needs to do. Maybe pushing Kruezer up the CHF might help him as well....we have missed Waite and to depend on him alone also does not go well.
Will be interesting watching this finals series unfold and hope to god we haven't wasted this year.

I agree with all that except for the part about being dumb founded. FOr the last month Thornton has been able to deliver in a manner that Jamo did on friday night. Unfortunately TBird and K played poorly on friday night and our mids didnt move the ball with any speed or fluency that would have given our forwards every chance to perform the feats of previous weeks. I dont blame Barker for that.

The MC seem to have no faith in Bower being able to get the job done or get through a game uninjured. If he was defending to the level of Henda at the moment we could afford to let Henda find his feet as a forward. Too late this season i reckon. Wouldnt want to rejig the backline again at this time of the season.

If we win the first the first final we have to travel to Perth. I would rest key players including Judd as this game means nothing to us. We need to be as fresh as possible going into the finals. 2 weeks off now could be important for some of the players.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

Can't arue with much of this. I like Ellard but if Curnow can reproduce his "hard over the footy" play he had in the first 6 gmes, he's a must for the finals.

I'd play Curnow from the start and Lucas as the sub.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

From what I gathered from Alan Richardson's interview on SEN yesterday, not sure Waite will be back any time soon...
My changes would be:
IN - Setanta, Russell, Hampson
OUT - Davies, Warnock, ???

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

??? would have to be Thornton or Duigan in that scenario you would think.

Dominator_7 wrote:
From what I gathered from Alan Richardson's interview on SEN yesterday, not sure Waite will be back any time soon...
My changes would be:
IN - Setanta, Russell, Hampson
OUT - Davies, Warnock, ???

From all the people that are asking for Jordan Russell to come in they either have not been watching the Bullants or aren't paying attention to River Rats comments.

His disposal has been attrocious , his role in the side has been taken by laidler/yarran/duigan.

The changes i would make are Bower for Davies if he can sucessfully get through another Ants game. and ditto curnow for ellard. The biggers bodies of the Hawks midfield monstered us in the first half and thats why Walker going into the midfiled + Armfield assisted.

Also i would bring in Setanta for Thornton and Hampson for Warnock if he can get his fitness up.

I would like to see some of...

Setanta for Thornton
Hampson for Warnock
Curnow for Ellard
Lucas for Carrazzo
Bower for Davies
Russell for ???

Never going to get a better chance to see if any of these guys can play a part in finals.

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

Really don't know what to do about Hampson & Warnock.

Hammer's 3 games before injury were sensational but geez he took a long time to build to that form. I know Warnock hasn't been setting the world on fire but it will be a gamble changing rucks if we decide to.

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#DonTheStash