Walker Jamo Duigan and Laids are massive outs - we are underdogs

Duigan and Jamo never played last time we met. We can cover Laids and Walker.

It's only Richmond ffs

Jamo, Kreuzer and Henderson missed last year's round one clash, yet we still beat them by four straight kicks.

Tigers appear to have improved, but if we dominate the midfield, then we should get home in another close game.

I respect Riewoldt and Vickery, but Walker is the one we need to replace.

Rowe forward and Waite on the flank?

Think we can cover for Laidler, Duigan and Warnock.

No we didn't.

We beat them by 1 straight kick and 14, count 'em, 14 crooked kicks.
15 bloody scoring shots.

And Waite was KO'd in the first quarter.

AJ Hendo tuohy
Yarran Bower Scotland
Curnow Mclean Simmo
Gibbs Waite Robbo
Garlett Hammer Betts

Murph Kruze Judd

IC Carrazzo Thornton Lucas
sub Ellard

Robbo on Deluidio

Not sure about Ellard - how has he been going? better than McLean?


Pretty happy we got Hendo for Fev...

Now, can we all reflect on this and throw in the other 103 point flogging dished out later in the year. 15 scoring shots diff and that 20 point losing margin seriously flattered them.

I fully agree with other posters that if we can't beat this lot with what we have out there, we aren't a serious top 4 and flag contender. No excuses IMHO.

Think how decimated the Dawks were at times last year!

FB: Joseph Bower Thornton
HB: Tuohy Henderson Yarran
CC: Lucas Murphy Simpson
HF: Gibbs Hampson Scotland
FF: Garlett Waite Betts

RR: Kreuzer McLean Judd

Int: Carrazzo Curnow Robinson

Sub: Russell

Pretty happy with that line up, all things considered. Bower to Riewoldt would leave us less exposed to Vickery's height in theory. Thornton will be about to give a chop out anyway.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Fans expecting an 80pt win are out of their mind.
Intent means a lot and Tigers think they're on the up and have built this up like a GF. They will give a good account for themselves. Remember they have some form albeit summer time type.
We will need to be fair dinkum and we will need our patched up back line to produce. I'd be loading it with experience - TBird, Scotland types, maybe even Gibbs though ideally he plays more attacking given Walkers absence. Thornton needs to stand up as a tall defender. Betts, Garlett, Waite to damage Tigers down the other end. Hope Judd finds some touch tmrw. I'll be there, coffee in hand. Go Baggers !

IN all fairness, they build it up like a GF every year.

If we flog them in this one with a third of our best team out, they may well request to be stripped of the season opener.

_________________
"I had to eat"

We REALLY can't afford anymore injuries, because we're looking vulnerable already - particularly in defence.

We'll see what happens today, but I think jimmae's team is about right. The main query for me is can we play Brock & Curnow in the same side? Mmm...not sure. Armfield (if fit?) may need to come in for one of them. Today's game might decide.

Gibbs will probably play forward with Tex out, although there's a chance that Judd might spend more time than usual inside the forward 50 (especially if Brock/Curnow/Carrazzo/Robbo are winning their share of the ball around the ground and Murphy isn't being tagged out of the game). Gibbs might be needed up the ground to play a role on Martin or Cotchin or Lids (unless Carrazzo and Scotland can keep them quiet). It wouldn't surprise me to see Yarran get thrown forward if the Tigers get on top. Another reason to play Armfield.

It's really important that Kreuzer/Hammer control the ruck because I don't like our chances if their midfield gets going and puts our defence under pressure. It'll be a massive bonus for us if Hammer & Waite can clunk a few marks and kick straight early too. I think Hammer looms as something of a wild card in this game - I'm not expecting him to be a world beater, but if he can support Kreuzer in the ruck and cause a few headaches for the opposition up forward (and the Tigers backline is just as suspect as ours), then it gives us a real chance...

I wonder if Watson might be a smokey selection to play on Vickery? Watson hasn't been in good form, but if he has a good one today, they might bring him in (and play Bower on Miller and use T-Bird up forward). Either way, I think Hendo has to take Jumpin' Jack.

It's interesting that Collins played in the VFL yesterday. I would have thought he'd be in the mix for Tex's spot, but if that were the case you'd expect him to be playing today. If he's no chance of selection with Tex out, you do wonder when he'll get an opportunity...

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

No more injuries I'd go with

B: Tuohy. Hendo Bower
HB:Yarran Thornton Scotland
C: simmo. Robbo. Lucas
HF: Gibbs. Waite Gibbs
F: betts. Hammer garlett
Foll: kreuz Judd murph
Int: AJ carrots Curnow/McLean
Sub:Curnow/McLean

Curnow and McLean both deserve games but I don't think we can afford to play both and carazzo.
Scotland needs to play back, jamo, duigs & laidler being out means he will need to be general down back.
No walks means Gibbs will need to go fed when ever he can.
If Watson plays well today I'd consider playin him back, and Thornton fwd

You've got Gibbs in the side twice....

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

Yeah, not really confident about this one

_________________
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

Yep. The pre season has only made it worse for us nervous nellies.

Prepared to cut the club, players, coaches and fitness stuff some slack.....until about 11pm on the 29/3. I'm trusting they know what they are doing.

One thing is for sure. There is no point peaking for sept if you are gonna struggle to get there. We would not want to start slow and leave too much work to do.

_________________
We are on our way back...

dont worry its only the Tigers.... we have been foxing... pre season is unimportant

This is when the real footy starts!!!

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Can I call you a smart arse now or shall I wait until after a first loss?

Depends on what i can call you if it doesnt pan out?

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

You seem incredibly eager to be right.

Not sure what that says about you.

perhaps you are someone who needs the validation by being right to feel worthy. Not sure but hey you have a rapt audience waiting on your every word.

Ok, cos me being hopeful will prove i am right or wrong ?

Youre funny...

Im actually after success.. and success means a well run operation. You dont win flags with amateurism.
You on the other hand are praying, hoping, slapping two tunas together and keeping your fingers and toes crossed.

Thats the only difference.
You dont want Carlton to win a flag more than me.. youre just more naive and gullible.

The blow torch needs to be turned on every part of the club to make sure its performing to its optimum.

I dont see optimum performance around the club.. so i cant see a flag.

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The blow torch will be applied by more than yourself Synbad if pre-season results translate into the season proper.

Lets just wait and see what happens, today's 4th quarter was at a level way above the previous 17 quarters we played this pre-season. I still think we're ready and prepared for Round 1, time will tell!