Very tough week for the selectors, don't envy them the task of picking from a group of talls that are either down on form or fitness (or a combination of the two).
FWIW, my view is that we need to limit the disruption to the team and should be very cautious about bringing players back in that haven't played AFL of late - virtually every player that has come back this year has been a step slower than you'd like. For this reason, all of Jamo, Waite and Hampson are big risks. I'd add Lucas and Russell onto that list as well - Lucas in particular dropped off significantly in the 2nd half (not the only one, obviously).
Having said that, going in with players that are carrying injuries is just as risky - so Kreuzer, O'Hailpin (purely on the amount of taping on his leg last night), Thornton aren't necessarily better options. In the smaller men department, I imagine Carrots was just rested and will be OK.
WHO PLAYS?
Jamo vs Waite: Might seem strange to compare these two but, by virtue of the their similarities in terms of importance to the team (v high) but fitness levels (v low), I think we can pick one and only one. Jamo plays. A risk but he's good enough - even if we're forced to swing him out of the goalsquare as he showed he can do vs the Hawks. For Waite, it's a case of see you in 2012 - a massive loss but can't risk a guy who hasn't played in 2 months at any level.
Kreuzer vs Hampson - wait and see what Hampson looks like and what the specialist says re Kreuzer. My inclination is towards Hampson - he's athletic enough to manage fitness-wise. Generally, I think Kreuzer has been struggling. That said, if the ball is hitting Hammer on the head this afternoon and the scans are clear for Kreuzer then I think we stay with the status quo.
O'Hailpin vs Thornton - this has to be a choice between these two. I prefer Thornton back and Setanta elsewhere. Given I think our backline is less vulnerable, I'd play Setanta - he'll do some stupid things but has more potential to kick a couple.
Carrazzo will come back in because he's of vital importance to our midfield structure. I don't think anyone else gets a look in because, as we saw last night, even four changes can be very unsettling.
WHO MISSES?
Someone has to make way for Jamo and Carrazzo - the nominees are: JR, Lucas, Davies, Tuohy (some on here will nominate Joseph but he plays an important role and finally seems to be working himself into positions to play positively where possible)
My leaning is towards leaving Davies and Lucas out. Davies misses because he is still a bit green and, even in a game like last night's (which was definitely his best so far), his lack of poise was still evident - the failure to nail that goal in the 3rd. Similar reasons with Lucas, except the question marks for me are over toughness and stamina. Both will probably be a part of our finals campaign in 2012, but not this year.
In contrast to the two youngsters, JR has a bigger (too big?
) body and looked comfortable on return - I think he has to play. Tuohy - I feel less strongly about but I see his ball use and pace as pretty similar to Lucas - his current fitness levels mean he gets the gig ahead of #9.
IN SUM:
Ins: Hampson, Carrazzo, Jamison
Outs: Kreuzer, Davies, Lucas
And I start holding my breath until next Sunday.... NOW.
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