Bower stiff, but it pretty much reflects that they just want run, run, run down back - the amount of times we've been caught out down back once the zone is pierced has been frightening lately. Very much a defensive move if we keep struggling at stoppages, too. In effect, Gibbs has become the new Laidler back there, taking the third tall (read his games on Chad, Goodes, etc). Can live with that for the time being.

just last week

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

Thornton -Glutean strain- must have been from sitting on his arse to much

up to 3/4 time last week 3 kicks 2 marks 0 handpasses 0 tackles

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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

You forgot to go in and get the ball first...

It's ok, so has Ratts

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“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” ― Richard Feynman

So it did end up being just the usual whipping boys. What a statement!

bower and russell are the DEVIL !

hence therefore

TC is a satanic sponsoring organisation

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*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

Yay for Boots!

This team is a bit of a throwback to the dark old days of 2002-2008. Names like Tuohy, Joseph, Armfield, McLean, Bootsma, Collins, Curnow and Ellard don't inspire me with confidence. Whoever was spruiking about our depth pre-season is sadly mistaken.

Tuohy will be a very fine player and Bootsma has played one game Some very harsh calls there Eddie. The others are in our bottom 6 any given day, I'll concede that.

Also reminds me of the 89` to 91` period. A smattering of good players mixed in with average. Had some good wins and horrible loses.

Have to love that running backline though. Cop a few goals from bigger players but get a few back on the rebound and cut off half a dozen that come from the broken zone and loose ball inside our defensive fifty.

I have been calling for this for a while so i hope it comes off or i will look like that guy who sat in front of PP Whistler and i calling for Watson forward in the preseason. When Watson got shifted there he was rubbish and the know it all copped a nice heckling from his mates and strangers alike.

Can see Bower coming back in for Henda though.

One thing we know is that Kreuzer is going to play CHF all day. With Bower, Thornton and Watson out we now have NO flexibility in that area .

Team selection is continually baffling.

This

Both will/may be fine players eventually, but we are talking about the here and now. Remember, we are supposedly a contender, not rebuilding.

How many of the aforementioned players would have got a regular gig in the recent Geelong or Collingwood premiership sides???

I just want us to be aggressive and win.
After we win, I want us to win again.
etc
etc

_________________
That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

They are trying something so give them a go. They want a running line up to either try counter current tactics used against us or match them with the same tactics and the have the game turn into a giant 120min rugby scrum.

Let them go and see what they come up with. They will live or die by the results. Sit back and enjoy the action.

Happy for the younger guys to get a run if they bring 100% enthusiasm and commitment they can produce a result...

Lose to this mob and it's curtains for a few at the club you'd think...

Melbourne are a rabble though. They seem to be the 07 Pagan coached Blues... playing almost out of spite.

Boy, that's an ordinary side. It really shows up our lack of depth. I'd hate to be playing a good side. Two of our three ruckmen are very awkward below their knees and none of the three has shown much marking form, and no two of them are quick enough to play together as key forwards. MAybe Big K is going to play as a bulldozing midfield which is not a bad experiemnt. With McLean, Ellard and Curnow in the same midfield we won't be worrying them for pace. I think Bower was unlucky. Surely we wouldn't pick this side against a decent team. We will win because Melb are terrible and half them seem to hate their coach but I am not sure what we get out of it. We are so top heavy. Are we rehearsing for the rest of the season? It is hard to fathom. I love Hendo in defence but the time has come to play him forward and Bower back. That's not happening this week though.

Result is paramount but I think more important over the next two weeks is our better players getting some form...Gibbs, Kreuzer, Robbo, Betts, Tuohy, Yarran, Walker in particular need to run into some good form.

Apart from Joseph, that's some mighty fine disposal in that backline - especially when you add Bootsma to the mix.

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"In better news for Blues fans, Jarrad Waite was not named on the club's injury list."

None of the rucks are especially awkward below their knees. People have short memories about Hampson's and Kreuzer's marks early in the year.
We can get the four points and confidence if we play hard attacking footy.
We may have picked a team that can beat them for pace and hardness. Bit of a defeatist attitude.
Bower and Watson could still come into the team.
Sending Henderson forward is reactive with Jamison still not 100%.
No depth with Carrazzo, Laidler, Murphy, Duigan, Thornton, Waite, White and Davies out injured. Plus Russell and Bower omitted. Not to mention Lucas who will come good. Casboult, Mitchell and Rowe are unavailable too. If you consider that list, it's a bit of a mystery why you would say we don't have any depth.

Such a positive place and attitude.