I suspect we don't think Cox will play.

Cox will not play.

Now I might have this wrong, but wasn't it about this time last week that you informed us that Hurley wouldn't be playing?

For those bemoaning the loss of Gibbsy and the continuing injuries to Krooze and Waitey, consider that we are going to field close to the most in form side that we have put on the park this season. Also consider that the team that played against the Weagles in round 14 was close to our worst for the year.

Sure Gibbsy is a big loss, but let’s look objectively at the other changes:

Firstly Santy has been in better form than Krooze. Tick!

These guys played in round 14 and are either gone (retired, injured or sadly out of form):

Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs, Jordan Russell, Brock McLean, Mark Austin, Ryan Houlihan & Rhys O’Keeffe.

Here is that side from Round 14 and have a squiz at just who was missing:



Carlton V West Coast Round 14 June 26th.


B: Zac Touhy, Michael Jamison, Paul Bower

HB: Chris Yarran, Mark Austin, Bryce Gibbs

C: Kade Simpson, David Ellard, Heath Scotland

HF: Jeffrey Garlett, Lachlan Henderson, Ryan Houlihan

F: Andrew Walker, Matthew Kreuzer, Eddie Betts

Foll: Robert Warnock, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy

I/C: Jordan Russell, Andrew Carrazzo, Dennis Armfield, Rhys O’Keeffe



Missing from that match and in the mix to play Saturday night:


Nick Duigan, Jeremy Laidler, Mitch Robinson, Bret Thornton, Setanta o’hAilpin, Aaron Joseph, Michael Jamison (broke down and was subbed off early in match) & Shaun Hampson. Take into account also that Knockers and Hendo were only a game or two into their returns. Hendo played forward and was almost unsighted, but has reinvented himself as a KPD since. The hard nuts who were missing that day include Robbo, Duigs, Laids, AJ, Santy and even Juddy who dragged himself out of bed to play with the flu. There is no doubt that if Hammer plays, he will be invaluable assistance to Knockers and when resting forward, will straighten us up.


Possible team for Saturday night (I adjusted Hendo and T-Bird to where I am sure that they will play):


B: Aaron Joseph, Michael Jamison, Jeremy Laidler

HB: Chris Yarran, Lachlan Henderson, Nick Duigan

C: Kade Simpson, Mitch Robinson, Heath Scotland

HF: Jeffrey Garlett, Bret Thornton, Andrew Carrazzo

F: Eddie Betts, Setanta o’hAilpin, Andrew Walker

Foll: Robert Warnock, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy

I/C: Dennis Armfield, David Ellard, Marcus Davies, Zac Touhy

Emergencies: Sean Hampson, Paul Bower, Jordan Russell

In: Tuohy
Out: Gibbs (Shoulder)

So from last week against the Bummers, we lose Gibbsy and he is replaced by Zach Touhy who shouldn’t have been dropped in the first place, IMHO.

Gibbsy aside, really we are infinitely a better side now and are much better balanced with more talls and guys who can play tall as well as positional changes that have been working. Our defense looks very settled now as opposed to the part timers that we had at our disposal in round 14. I am sure that there will be at least one late change dependant on weather, intel and matchups. I would be very surprised if Hammer didn’t play. We will need him against their super tall jumpers.


Carlton to run them off their legs and win by 4 goals. Go BlueBoyz!