2 weeks 8 weeks ago

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Depending on who's available and plays well in the 2s but I think Lucas' position is up for grabs.

Why would his position be up for grabs? Shown improvement in every game this year. No way you can drop him!

needs to be more confident in accepting body contact for the team

He was a lot better in that area this week IMO. His confidence is growing. By the end of the year he will know he belongs in this team.

Agreed... And I reckon with a little more time, Buckley is capable of providing what Lucas does now but with a harder edge on tackling opponents .

Agree. Made some soft mistakes early but fought back and played his best game. Needs to keep improving defensively but dropping him would be a mistake. Need to keep building his confidence and has done more than enough to retain his spot.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Agree...has to learn to ply his trade against bigger bodies in the seniors.
He has to learn to do this in readiness for finals footy whether it be 2013 or 2014.

We must get him up to that level with his physicality because he has the rest of tools to cut up the opposition.

I think Lucas will make it once he becomes stronger at the contest and stops ball watching.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Buckley is not more capable than lucas ...

Lucas has improved each game this year. We have to get as many games into him as possible.

Not yet, but he will be

Is that you Brett ratten ?

Whose not available through injury?

Kreuzer
Waite
McInnes
Davies
OKeefe
Graham

Whose returning from injury?

Betts................... is a given if he's ready, (and I believe he is ready to play this week).

Whose knocking on the door? (IMO)

Ellard.........no doubt
Bell...........MM may be moulding him? but I reckon he's good to go, but has a lot to learn
Buckley......bit light atm...maybe one more preseason?
Menzel.......dunno...kicked 4 against weak opposition in the 2's last week.

Bootsma....MM has seen him and Davies ahead of him now
Casboult....Rowe looks to have a hold on his spot after good effort last night
Laidler.......if he has a blinder today he may take White's spot although White did well 50/50
Duigan......named emergency and isn't setting world on fire. Not needed and Tuohy can fill his spot.

Who are our bottom 6 and vulnerable to ommission? IMO

Small/medium:

Joseph ......played as sub/ borderline/ tagger....Crows midfielders are all bigger than Kerr and Joseph
Simpson.....out of form?
Lucas........developing well imo
Curnow......borderline player played great game last night
McLean......did a lot of damage last night because the WCE didn't take him serious...slow but played well


Talls:

Warnock.....was on the borderline but played himself in last night imo..keeping Casboult out
Rowe.........ditto Warnock and is keeping Casboult out
Hampson....more of a forward than Warnock. Made a lot of contests last night, hard hands av kicking but still ahead of Casboult for now???

I think it will be one change only.

IN: Betts
OUT: Joseph

Possible consideration OUT: Simmo White IN: Bell Laidler

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Problem with Lucas is opposition players dont get rid of the ball when hes around.
They run over the top of him as they know he isnt a great tackler.

Hes a good runner though and fast.
But he needs to tighten up on his hysical presence and delivery

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That's a well composed summary bondi..

Agree with most of what you say... Not sure Betts will be ready this week although I hope he does (MM, in last nights presser, refered to a Betts return within under a month , so suspect another week or 2)

Ellard for AJ perhaps?

Buckley is not more capable than lucas ...

They are different types of midfielder....silly trying to compare them.

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Although I thought white's inclusion was a good one.. Much more versatile than Davies

Possibles ins will depend on who does well in the magoos, but I guess Buckley, Ellard, Casboult, Laidler, Bell and maybe even Cachia have some claims to press, along with Eddie if he is right, who would be an automatic inclusion. Waite I think would need a game or two at Northern even if he comes up this week.

The possible outs are very much a matter of divergence of views on what I have read on here. Some have Simpson in the gun - I thought his game was better and he and the team benefitted from him being down back and I for one would give him a pass mark. Some have criticised Armfield, for me he had a great game, kept his opponent from giving crucial drive and worked hard all night. His shepherd for Yazz's middle goal was sensational and showcased just how quick Army is, and that is invaluable. Hammer has not been impressive, but I think he is important for structure and you can forgive him being a bit restricted given his operation. Only if Casboult shows a dramatic turnaround in form could I contemplate dropping Hammer, though I know others take a different view. Some have put Lucas under the microscope and whilst I agree he has been amongst our lesser performers all season, he does have some attributes and he is improving all the time. Curnow seemed OK to me, perhaps Ellardif he stars might press for his spot, but I felt Ed did enough to hold on unless someone in the 2s can't be denied. To me the one player who needs a run in the 2s is Joseph, tough though it is to make the sub role work he isn't the right type to come on and impact. I think you either assign him a tagging task on ball, or have him on the bench but not the sub so he can be brought on to tag if needed without having to sub someone off. I think it is pretty clear he doesn't cut it as a small defender. I don't think he's done anything to earn an upgrade into the starting 21 and I think after 2 weeks as sub he needs a full game, so it's off to the magoos for mine.

At this stage it's IN Betts OUT Joseph, perhaps Ellard if he stars today for Curnow, but probably just the one change. If Eddie doesn't come up then someone for Joseph, probably Ellard if he performs well.

Good post BB. The positive is that if we can get them fit players will have to EARN their spot in the side. Makes a massive difference when players know they have to perform and are not just given games.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015