I like the ins, but JR's absence is a surprise and disappointment.

I hate all the rumor mongering stuff, but the absence raises the question in my mind.

With the Aints bringing in Gardiner it looks like they will try and exploit our lack of defensive height. Jamo & Hendo take 2 of Gardiner/Kosi/Roo but who takes the third? Laidler and Duigan too small, O'hailpin hasn't played back in, like, forever, Kwho is left? perhaps we might be forced to go with Walker @ CHB on Roo, worth a try in a gae that doesn't matter, but robs or no 1 forward option. The team remains at least one if not two genuine talls short IMO - but absent Waite and if Hampson isn't ready (and he isn't ready to ruck, could only play forward) Bower/Austin/Watson don't excite - perhaps Bower who is in some sort if form, but isn't ripping it up in the Ánts by any means. And even with Thornton will be back next week, he isn't a real tall type, although he can mind the talls reasonably well on a good day.

Would be a great time for one of the talls in the Ánts to play a blinder.

Based on his game for the Bullants last week I did not think that JR would get back in.

In relation to TBird he is carrying a significant injury and they are resting him for the first week of the finals.

Given the injury it is amazing how he even got through the game against the Hawks.He plays with more injuries more often than some other players.

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Life is made up of 3 things: Pre-Season, Post Season & Footy Season.

Good 'ins' under the circumstances. I think Lucas and Touhy are part of the way forward. I know we have a few players who try their guts out each week but I think their limitations become expossed in big games. Still one or two of those there, I suspect, but we are getting there.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

I dunno about that, I think with Setanta in the balance is now right (would prefer Waite to Setanta of course, but we don't have that luxury). If the Saints have Gardiner/Kosi/Roo all in the one forward line I'd be more worried as a Saints fan than a Carlton fan. If the ball hits the deck, they are shot.

Another interesting fact is the Saints have NOT won at the G in 2011!

Speed kills....literally!

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'The Carlton people are spirited & I'm the same as them, they have life in them, they have humor, they're arrogant, they're cocky & they're proud. And that's what I want my team to be.'

I'm extremely surprised and more than a bit disappointed JR has been overlooked...

No disrespect to Tuohy & Lucas, but I really didn't see them as part of our September plans this year. JR is simply a better player than them at this stage of their careers. Food for the conspiratorists....?

And I thought one of Brock or Curnow might come in with Ellard omitted, but I'm pleased with the Setanta selection. I think it's worth rolling the dice with him this week...

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

But if JR hasn't been playing well in the Bullants, then why does he deserve a spot in the Seniors? Fair enough you say that JR is the better player and yes he did come runner up to Judd in the Blues Best & Fairest last season but we need to put blokes in that are in form.

Would the fact that we play bombers in a VFL final this weekend have anything to do with Russell being left out?

Would he gain anything from potentially playing against the team we play the following week? Given the seniors have the bye and may drop a few to gain confidence/fitness as we did last weekend.

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The climbing has alread began

Certainly one of the quicker teams we can field (Russell would add even a little more). Pleased to see Lucas get a run after some good recent form at VFL level. Pleased to see Tuohy back in the side as well. I agree it's a good investment in where our team is headed.

I suspect Santy's elevation is a sign that the MC don't think Waite will get back. And they want to see if Santy can cut it in a high stakes game.

Run, run, run, Blues!

Big game for Carlos and Kane.

Kane hasn't played since being sub in Rd 1 is that correct?

Nice to see Tuohy back in.

JR....if he's not picked next week.....perhaps the 80s day at training was a chance for him to get used to orange!

on every point you made here.

got word tonight from one of his mates that Juddy needed the bye more than anyone last week, apparently he said his body, particularly foot, was really starting to effect him. the seasons taken it's toll way more than he'd thought, will be interested to see how much game time he plays on saturday. reckon it will be much less than usual. actually hope.

I like this team. I like the idea of Setanta. If Waite can't play, I think Setanta is the next best tall option.
I am predicting that Garlett wnad Eddie will kick most of our goals this week just because Setanta is there to get the footy on the ground and do those unexpected 1%ers thata he manages to do.
This may well be the most important game Setanta has ever played, given his contract runs out and Waite will be ready next year.
IMO, Setanta gives us more flexibility than any other tall outside Waite, Henderson and maybe Thornton.
Long night for me on Friday but I am hanging out for it. We should win this game out of the middle. We have to win it if we have any aspirations on making it past the first week of finals.

Good luck to Lucas and Zac as well. Especially Zac, who has come a long way in his short time at the club.

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

OK name your sub.

We've just come off a bye. If our quality running players are healthy they need a good hitout in preparation for the EF. Carrazzo was a sub three weeks ago, needs the run as much as anyone.

I want to see all three of your named players get a full game, certainly Army needs one if he's to play a role in September. But there doesn't seem like an obvious fit. So I assume either Tuohy or Lucas will sub.

I don't see much point in bringing Lucas in for his first game since Round 1 (in which he was the sub) and making him the sub - if we have enough faith to bring him in now, on the basis of solid form in the VFL, let's see what he can do. Otherwise, we might as well have not picked him at all.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

Laidler or Duigan, perhaps the latter who has looked tired to me of late.

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Saints have got more to play for, especially if a home final is at stake.