with very good reason

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Oh good another poster overrating Austin.

What has his shown????

I am much more confident knowing that Humphrey will be in the side.

I thought having both he and Carlos together made the forward line look the most dangerous it has been in some time.

I think Kreuze enjoyed having another tall in there and it takes the pressure off Jeffy and Eddie.

It was only when Kreuze went down that the Aints got back in the game.

If Jamo can stay on the field for most of the game then we will win comfortably.

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Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love

I tell ya what, Murphy, and Robbo, Gibbs better cover for Juddy as they will be targetting him big time.

This is what teams have done well over the last couple of games, they shut out Judds influence and guess what we lost both times.

Sick of the team always leaving it to Judd, others need to stand up.

Murphy, and Simpsons high possession count meant for nothing last week as they were not damaging enough.

Stand up Blues !!!!!!!!!!

i didn't think he was too bad at ground level, but that was watching on telly

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one you knock back is one you never have

Another poster who hasn't seen a game from 2009 or who can't remember that far back. If it wasn't for injury, he would have become our CHB.

Why do most posters seem to have such short memories?

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

Ratts saying Waite ran ok - and may use him as the sub - Like that idea

go with the Big guys Kruez - Setanta and Warnock - then half way through the third sub the least effective off and bring in Waite

If one of the backman go down he can cover there as well

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Key players:

Judd - This seems obvious. In the past he seems to have been able to rise above and save our bacon whatever the odds. But lately he seems to be finding it more difficult to overcome the heavy attention. Hocking is a good player & an absolute tackling machine, and if he plays on Judd then the great man needs to rise above. Welsh is spent - if they try Welsh on Judd then they won't get the success they've had in the past.

Yazz - Absolutely brilliant this year, but you can bet they will focus a lot of attention on him this week. He needs to play his natural game, but he can't let someone like Davey or More-frees kill us with cheap unaccountable rebound footy.

Carrots and Robbo - They have to win clearances and hit targets. They are so important to our ball winning now that McClean is out of the picture. Howlett, Lonergan, and (sometimes) Stanton are all capable in and under. If you can stop their clearances, then you stop Zaharakis and Melksham bombing it in 50. If we stop Zaharakis and Melksham (and Heppell if he goes into the middle) then we win.

Hendo - He is going great, but Hurley is a big job. If he can make Hurley work very hard for 3 to 4 goals, that might be a win. If he starts getting carved up and we have to swap the backline around it will create mismatches and allow players like Ryder and Carlisle to get into the game.

Warnock and Kruze - goes without saying

Setanta - needs to do just what he did last week against saints (except the fluffed goal). Will be a key to our forward structure.


The Amigos - it's been said enough. They need to nail tackles and be ruthless in front of goal. And whoever has Fletch NEEDS TO KEEP HIM ACCOUNTABLE!!

The coaches, leading teams, sports psychologists, etc. - it's clear we are favoured. But the bombers have the edge on us mentally (despite our last win). If we can't win this final, I can't see us ever winning one under this administration. Half of it is mental, but a large part is selection and tactics. It's our game to lose.

No Passengers.
I seem to remember a chunk of my membership money going towards printing out those flyers.
Now let's see if everyone was true to their word.


Go Blues!


And FFS: Somebody lay a tackle on Jobe Watson!!!!

IMHO you missed out two key players.

Betts and Garlett.

One of them (or both) need to fire. When they don't it's a sign that the Blues are in trouble.

Garlett for mine has been on thin ice and apart from a few cameo's he has had his share of brain fades and non existence in the game.

Betts has gone from 6 goals to zip and zip in successive weeks.

If it rains, its best to have runners more than loading up on the talls.

They absolute key is getting Betts, Garlett and Walker up and firing again, especially on Sundays conditions.

If two of Betts, Garlett and Walker play well we'll win easily.

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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

..absolute desperation to select Waite and in my opinion would be the worst MS decision of the year [and there's been a few howlers].. ..missed far too much footy at any level, and using a tall as a sub is a bit risky, using one out of touch, unfit and over 2 months out of footy in an elim final is crazy talk..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Watched him closely against the Eagles but because of his fitness level he was ineffective, he just couldn't get up for second and third efforts, I think with a big pre season he can make a very reliable defender/utility in 2012. Talent wise he looks no different to plenty of other blokes in the AFL getting regular games.

Have to agree. As we know our history with sending underdone guys on the field in crucial games is awful, and especially given that the forecast is for showers and @#$%&! freezing, a tall without match practice for two months is of no use to us.

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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

Agreed. But perhaps Ratts is just playing a bit of funny buggers in the press.

Agreed. However, if he’s right to go then I would happily play him in the VFL. If he gets back into useful touch quite quickly (which he has done in the past), he could be useful if we go deeper into the finals.

I'd happily play him as a Sub & then sit him in the Goal Square in the second half once fatigue sets in. The boy is a big game player & has some mugrel in him that WE SO desperatley lack.

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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.'

EFT

_________________
Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love

Waite won't play. But Essendon* won't know that till Fri pm if we name him on the bench

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T E A M