I also think that Brock was never going to play and we were always going to play either Duigan or Ellard depending on the Tigers final team sheet.

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end of message

Just because our ruckmen are one dimensional and virtually incapable of playing anywhere else doesn't mean we should discount other clubs' ruckmen for doing so. Hypothetically - Bailey goes down in the opening minutes, you don't think Roughead wouldn't ruck all day?

The issue is maintaining the ascendency in the ruck - Warnock will give us the advantage at the centre bounces, and not much else. Three ruckmen rotating through him will tire him out. As good as Kreuzer is, I'd question his ability to run out a game against three rucks without a back up ruck. Not just Casboult or Rowe for 20 minutes a game. Throw in that one will inevitably rest forward, and the ongoing concerns with a third tall down back, playing the two rucks is probably our best way of countering it, rather than relying on McInnes to come good.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

A very reliable poster on BF (I think this is their first post of the year) says Kreuzer has had an op on his foot, with a possible screw/pin insertion.

Ha, as if we'd have a full component of talls in the finals series. When does that ever happen.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

I remember that. Whether Mick tries it again who knows. Duigan played more midfield against Port last week, but can drift forward and takes a strong mark. His size at the moment can really hurt opposition players too which is a Brucie Bonus.

Yep its Molly

Kreuzer ain't playing

Will be interesting to see how we negate the Sydney tactic where one ruck nominates and the other ruck contests ballups/throw-ins without Kreuzer.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

I do not believe you can go in with one ruckman in finals. Always have said that.
If we lose the ascendency in the ruck, or if the opposition have the ascendency in the ruck they can can dictate the terms. If one goes down, at the very least you have a ruckman to ruck and continue the midfield caper whilst not changing your structure forward or back with a KP having to do the ruck work.

Hale is a ruckman........and yes he can play forward and does.
Bailey is a ruckman
Roughhead can ruck but is a Coleman medallist

Roughead can ruck but doesnt have to when Bailey and Hale are playing, hence the Hawks retain their structure with 2 KPs and a ruckman thrown down there to cause a mismatch. If one of their 2 bonafide ruckmen go down then the rotation happens at FF between the KP and Ruck.

Can't depend on one bloke to carry the ruck in finals....and it seems to me that Casboult is spent as a KP after he has to do some serious rucking stints...just doesnt have the engine yet.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Hooly Dooly

Hampson and Kreuzer out injured as it was against WCE final in 2011.

Warnock can ruck for long periods.
Casboult can ruck for short periods.
Waite and Casboult as our KPF's.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

It is the only option. I don't like seeing Casboult in the 22 but it has to be. I am still worried Waite won't come up too.

We have to go with the flood and counter tactics IMO. At least for the first half.

Run Run Run...

Very reason why I don't want to trade 1 of our rucks.

We're less banged up than they are. MM said in his presser (of the emergencies, but the point still stands for the entire 22) that anyone can be warmed up and run around, but they need to be switched on upstairs. If they want it bad enough, two rucks, one ruck, they beat Sydney. Good teams find a way...I just hope our 'never say die' attitude of the last couple of weeks continues.

If that's true, then McLean probably didn't tweak his injury again, which means he's a chance to come in this week

Hardwick reckons they watched McLean warm up and never saw him kick with his bung leg

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"I had to eat"

Thanks, that would suggest that it was funny buggers by MM, and McLean has had no setback.

McLean was never going to play IMO and it showed when we didn't bring in a mid to cover when Ellard was available.

Duigan might not have been in on the shenanigans, he didn't need to be.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Cas in for Kreuz would be a no-brainer. Up forward we gain more from Cas, around the ground we lose more from not having Kreuz. If Brock comes back we can negate some of that?

Judd is apparently 50/50 on his knee. Can anyone confirm that for sure?

..i think Bolt coming in is the only option really.. ..i don't think Rowe would be in contention [unless Bolt hurt], and Hampson isn't right yet [?].. ..he'll give us another strong marking target around the ground when playing in the ruck [better than krooz and knockers in this regard].. ..when he rucks we need switched on mids, cos he'll most likely lose the contest, and rarely taps to adv even when he gets the tap.. ..but he will hit packs hard, he will tackle with intent, he won't shy from contact.. ..need that vs swines..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

he said he felt a twinge, gee I hope he plays.

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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.”

We lose defensively with Bolt.. not sure about forward because he start a round of the yips for goal too...

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