AJ hasn't done enough to get a game. Davies has shown more. Bower would be neck and neck with Watson for a game. I don't want Watson to play before he's ready and have his confidence broken by being beaten in round one. That could happen if he gets Vickery. Even Merrett gave him the run around. Watson's an elite kick, yet I would lean towards to picking JR and Bower. Both can go back to free Yarran up to hurt Richmond through the middle. JR and Tuohy can play midfield too.

No way known that we're going to go into round one with Casboult backing up Kreuzer. Casboult is still 50-50 if the ball hits the deck and he's in front of goal. Rowe looks more likely due to his superior mobility and kicking. Cast your mind back to last year and you will recall Kreuzer and Hampson stretching Richmond's backline. Waite smashed them with thirteen marks.

Curnow and Mclean look to have done enough to get a game. Both could play if Robinson and Ellard don't come up. They've been more impressive than Carrazzo. The club seems to be protecting Mclean and keeping him fresh after he was subbed out last week.

Being that he is a Ratten favourite he is a chance but based on his form over the pre season surely others will be preferred?

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

AJ has done plenty more in the pre-season than Davies, and Bower would easily be outpointing Watson as a defender. The rest of what you had there was fine, but that little grab there shows your Davies bias.

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Bower Thornton Yarran

Duigan Henderson Scotland

Simpson Gibbs Russell

Robinson Waite Garlett

Kruezer Walker Betts

Hampson
Judd
Murphy

Lucas, Carazzo, Armfield, Ellard

Emg from
Joseph, Collins, Rowe

The way to beat Richmond is with attack on the ball and run and carry. They will turn it over so we need to be ready to rebound.
Waite/ Thornton/Hendo will be under huge pressure to carry the KPP
Mid size players in Walker and Robo are under done and may not make it.

Pre Season preparation has not been as solid as it should be and Richmond appear to be more confident than usual.

I wouldnt be suprised if Collins was selected as a forward option.

Also with elevation of Curnow and Thouy, Levi is done.

If Robinson is to miss then maybe Sam Rowe comes in and then Waite shifts to flank

Well I think it's becoming clearer for me, unless we have injuries this week or have some players turn up who are under clouds:

B: Tuohy, Henderson, Bower
HB: Yarran, T-Bird, Duigan
C: Scotland, Curnow, Simmo
HF: Garlett, Waite, Gibbs
F: Collins, Hampson, Betts

RCK: Kreuzer, Judd, Murphy

INT: Casboult, Carrazzo, Lucas

SUB: Davies or Russell

Carrots will get Cotchin (Tagging starts properly in the real season, Carrots is the best at it)
Hammer, Kreuzer and Casboult rotating the big men roles
T-Bird or Waite can switch between CHB/CHF.

Missing Walker, Robinson, Jamison, Laidler, Warnock

Levi has not been promoted from the rookie list.

He is not a nominated rookie.

So he will not play unless we have a long term injury.

Maybe Dylan Buckley or Mitchell for long term injury list?

To be honest, there is little chance for Levi, he just hasnt grabbed a game by the scruff and delivered.

Unless we have a LTI casboult cant play

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They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

We have Buckley and Mitchell.

I'm all for taking a punt on the kid round 1 and 2, until Jamo is back and T-Bird can move forward.

What exactly is a 'Ratten favourite'?

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B: Tuohy, Henderson, Duigan
HB: Yarran, Bower, Scotland
C: Lucas, Curnow/Mclean, Simmo
HF: Garlett, Waite, Gibbs
F: Thornton, Hampson, Betts

RCK: Kreuzer, Judd, Murphy

INT: Collins, Carrazzo, AJ

SUB: Russell

Good running team with the balance close to what i expect all year. Testing the forward line without Walker will be interesting. If we can still muster up a good score then Walker can come in and play further up the ground. If we cant get a score then Tbird can come out of the team or to the backline when Walker returns to kick a bag.

B: AJ, Henderson, Duigan
HB: Yarran, Bower, Scotland
C: Lucas, Curnow, Simmo
HF: Garlett, Waite, Gibbs
F: Kreuzer, Thornton, Betts

RCK: Hampson, Judd, Murphy

INT: Collins, Carrazzo, Tuohy

SUB: Armfield

Ratten loves Davies, but there can be no reason for including him before Joseph at this stage.
Bower well in front of Watson. No contest there.

Can't believe people are continuing to throw up Watson's name.

All respect to the guy, and he has plenty of time to develop...... but he is currently MILES off playing seniors.

If he gets a gig it means we have some serious injury issues down back.

AJ's efforts in the NAB Cup are on par with Davies' efforts. It's just the latter has haters who concentrate on his stuff ups more than the rest. If Davies is in the squad, then he is competing with Joseph and Armfield for a spot in round one. Joseph's best used as a tagger. Sucks at shutting down small forwards.

Joseph's pre-season work was miles in front of what Davies had to offer.
I don't hate Davies by a long stretch, but he does need to get some runs on the board soon, or he may be facing the chop come years end.
I doubt he and Kerr would have been given more than one year to prove themselves, as we would have wanted plenty of breathing room should we be in the market for a free agent.
That and along with a seemnigly deep draft coming along, we will see more than just two cut from our senior list this year.

It seems this is pretty close with what will go with unless Jamo or Walker get up.
I think Jamo will get up and take the Watson spot.

Joseph/Tuohy Henderson Watson/Davies
Russell Bower Yarran
Simpson Curnow Gibbs
Robinson Waite Gartlett
Hampson Thornton Betts
Kruezer Judd Murphy
Carrazzo Scotland Robinson Lucas

We going to clone Robbo?
And we don't have a Gartlett on our list

We don't? Next you will tell us we don't have a Laidlaw..

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Carlton has confirmed Walker, Jamison, Duigan and Warnock will join Laidler out injured for the season opener against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday March 29.

Defence is looking good...no Jamo, Dooogan or Laidlaw

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