I like these changes.

I would have Garlett out and Robinson back in the side. I haven't seen enough from Garlett to keep him in the side again..

With Austin being suspended - that's Bower, Waite and him now out of our defence. As a result - we may be forced to play Setanta down back - and therefore someone like Cloke might have to come in as a forward (Please note: I have not been watching the Ants play - so I'm basing his inclusion on the fact he was named on the extended interchange last week).

Also - I wasn't that impressed with Bentley last week - so he may be dropped for Scotland.

I see this as a danger game moreso because of the short break and the return trip from Perth. We can't afford to play catch up footy this week cos I doubet we'll have the legs to pull it off.

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That's right. Gather the nector my little drones and make honey. Honey for your children.......Fools!!!

If we don't win this week, the "Its becoming very clear that Ratts is not the man IMO..." thread will go int meltdown

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Cheats never prosper (except in the AFL)

Off topic sorry, but when we play at the 'G, does the cheer squad sit at the Jolimont station end every single game? or at some games their at the other end ect?

Im buying my tickets for the collingwood game and i went to the game the first time we played them this season and my tickets were at the collingwood end, so i had to sit within the collingwood supporters and i got jealous of our supporters packed in at the other end

If we need to bring Hartlett in for Austin, I think he has to play up forward (any Bullant watchers who think otherwise?).

That means Setanta down back. I'd rather just toy around with Setanta, Kreuzer and Hampson as match-ups dictate, with an effort to keep Setanta at CHF.

So if it's out Austin, I say bring in the next bloke on form, which is supposedly one of Stevens, Scotland or Yarran.

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

Leave Setanta in the one spot. That spot being a forward as he has proven me wrong and played his best footy footy in that posi

Robinson hasn't seen much of the footy in 4 weeks to keep him in the side.

Robinson has been suspended for two in the VFL and the bullants had the bye during the split round.

Do we really need another tall in defence to cover Reiwoldt, Morton, Vickery/Post?

Grigg can plan tall and cover one of these guys, T-Bird and Jamo the others.

Then we swing Hammer or Kreuzer through defence. I think Hartlett down back is a complete waste of time.

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

Harts can't win the ball up forward and provides less forward line pressure than Fisher so no thanks. I would prefer Banno or Anderson to replace Austin unless the tiggers have an especially tall forward to match up, which is what Austin has been doing.

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Hey Rocky; there are too many rabbits ... in China.

I wouldn't expect too many changes this week, but a short week a a couple of sub-par performances and a suspension will give us a few.

Ins:
Ellard: Needs to be rewarded for his work in the twos and given a few games. Ellard can play forward pocket, as well as have a few bursts through the midfield. He is kicking goals in the ants, should be told to play in front and crumb off the big boys.
Scotland: Scotland is a probable in. Mixed reports from the Bullants game, but if he doesn't play this weekend for the blues, then he is out for at least another one after that due to the bye. He also gives us some run and class from the half-back line.
Browne/Ando: Depends on match-ups. I'm happy with either of them really. If we need a taller defender to replace Austin, then Ando. If we need a shorter runner, then Browne.

Outs:
Garlett: I'm loathe to take out Garlett after one game but I just think he needs more time to get himself ready for AFL level. However, I think that Ellard could come in for him.
Bentley: Just not up to AFL standard. Can't even put him as a Cory McGrath who at least would give you absolutely everything he had the whole game.
Austin: suspended.

Three changes for me then:

In: Ellard, Scotland, Browne/Ando
Out: Austin, Garlett, Bentley

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I would like to thank Collingwood for helping me keep faith in my old man. He always told me that 'People are thick'.

Would like to see Garlett stay in. He adds something to the forward line that just can't be measured in stats. We have won 5 of the 7 games that Garlett has played. The two losses he has played in were r3 Essendon* and r12 St Kilda.
Also would give Bentley another game and it might as well be against the tiges. It is a big step up from VFL to AFL. Let's not forget Simpson's 3 duckeggs at the start of his career.
Interesting selection week. Six players suggested for possible demotion on this thread so far, plus Austin suspended. Nine players mentioned for possible inclusion.

My guess:
in: Anderson, Robinson.
out: Fisher, Austin (susp).

Worried that we might need another tall in defence. We need the Irishman araldited to CHF for now so he is not an option back there IMO. Can see an argument for Bannister and wouldn't be surprised if Anderson has to wait another week or so.
For some reason think that Ellard might best be saved for the two Friday night games in r18 and 19 if he is eligible.

Only the MC will have any idea whether Robbo is right to go this week, but if he is, then back in for mine to replace Fisher. This time maybe tell him that when he takes that suicidal mark and gets knocked out, that he gives up the shot for goal to a player who hasn't just been knocked out.

Suspect that fitness will be a big factor in selections this week - as it should be.

I'm sure those philosophies would work wonders in the Under 11s.

What would you like the players to do when they recieve a free kick? Obviously the opposition will hold them up and allow their teammates to get numbers behind the ball.
What then? What would you expect Jordan Russell to do when he's faced with a 20 player flood ahead of him.
Run around his opponent and get caught with the ball? Kick to a contest and turn 100% possession into a 50/50 situation?

The players create space and lead into it. You may think it just all mysteriously unfolds for them but good teams retain possession through hard work and practice. All of them do it.
I love these mission statements like "no need to chip chip". They're simplistic fantasy land stuff but they dont address the reality. Tell us how we can play the game successfully without chipping the ball when required and 15 AFL coaches will give you a job.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I can't see why people want to drop Garlett or Houlihan and yet think Fisher and Bentley keep their spots. Bentley lacks pace, and speed of thought, while Fish, - well he can take a mark but goes to ground too often and his kicking just has not improved over a number of years. I think Scotland will come back in.

Does anyone know how far away Walker is?

This is the truth.
There are two ways to play at the moment.
1. Run and carry using a chain of handballs. Of the teams in the 8, Geelong do it. Essendon* do it. Collingwood have started doing it. We do it when we lose.
2. Chip it around using the footy to maintain possession through the zone. Dogs do it. St KIlda do it. We do it when we win. Adelaide do it now.
If we are to continue winning, we have to possess the footy as we don't have the skill level or pace to run and carry the footy. Stats prove this. It is this fact that helps Houla retain his spot despite his lacking in other areas. We need players who can use the footy.
Having said that, we do need players who can run and carry when the occasion warrants it. Simmo, Russell, Armfield, Walker, Grigg and Gibbs can do it but they have to finish off with an accurate footpass or shot at goal. This running and carrying followed by a sloppy handball to a player in an ordinary position has cost us dearly so far this year.
The 'ins' need to reflect the need down back, not just who is playing well in the Ants. If we need a tall, we have to find one, be it Hartlett or Edwards. No point putting in a short if it means we have to put Setanta down back and run short in the front half. If nothing else, we know Hartlett is a booming kick and I for one would like to see if we can do something with our kicking out after a point.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Ando in for Aussie.

We need to run with Tambling and Cousins.

Be good to see Murph and Cotch go head to head.

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There's so much I could say...

but we want finals.

And they want a priority pick (and are playing West Coast Round 22).