I have doubt on T-Bird pulling up for this game. The Age reports he has fractured his collarbone. If so I highly doubt he will play again this year.

So we had another average win, not much to write home about. A win generally means limited changes in this case possibly T-Bird out for Jamo if he comes up.

I hope the boys find that missing ingredient we had before the break. If we believe in each other we can win against Geelong, if we are a fractured unit, which IMO it looks like we are, then we will get flogged in this game.

Let hope Geelong have a full side available so we can take the challenge up to them on the "BIG STAGE".

I actually hope we play Geelong into form a bit. We need to do everything we can to ensure St Kilda doesn't win the flag.

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We've got a bye Round 19. We need to use that time off to get ready for finals in '09!

If that is true about t.bird....then huge cudos to him.
he was briliant last nite...and love seeing up forward...that's 2 swing players now.really hope he can keep playing.

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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.”

I read it as The Age saying it was initially thought Thornton broke his collarbone. I doubt whether you'd realistically be able to come back on after breaking a collarbone.

Hopefully it's not.

Anyway, for next week's match, as I stated in the Post-match thread:

We're F^%&*%ed if we play like that next week.

OK....how about we all pray to Mary McKillop for Geelong to get explosive gastro and/or anal fissures next Wed/Thu. It could be the miracle we need, and she needs to be beatified as a saint.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

The main thing here is not lose too much percentage.

You're all kidding yourselves.


We;ll beat em. You heard it hear first

there is no way T BIrd would be able to play after a broken collar bone. Probably got a heavy knock without any damage and was able to put up with the pain. A week off would be a smart idea. Bower looked very proppy too, infact its a good week to rest any other players who need a rest ie..

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Koperek.

At present we look like the walking wounded.

I can only see Jamison coming into the team (who knows what's up with him?)
Otherwise hopefully no change and a light week at training.

Who knows if Bower and Thornton will come up

Judd, Simmo, Scotland don't look 100% fit

Setanta and Walker are getting back in the groove (finding their feet)

We are developing the likes of Austin, Armfield, Joseph, Robinson and Russell

Hadley Armfield Carrazzo not the best disposers of the ball (but are needed in the present 22)

Fev has the kicking yips

Our depth in the 2's consists of more developing type players Yarran Garlett Bentley Brown

Our depth in the 2's allows us to bring in out of form Grigg, Cloke, Hartlett Fisher Wiggins Bannister (not good is it?)

I hope we step up to the challenge like we did in the preseason against Geelong when we had 8 seniors missing (and Grigg and Russell starred)

Whatever....the ingredient we have to bring to this game is pace...run run run like never before and compete in contest after contest...and make sure we have a multi prong attack. Can we do all that in one game against the ladder leaders? It's a bit of an ask.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

We have been expected to win almost every game over the last 5 or 6 weeks and we've won 4 from 5, haven't been impressive but done enough to win.

No one will expect us to win this game so hopefully the boys go out with a similar mind set and game that they played against the Saints with and just run hard, tackle, apply a shit load of pressure and move the ball very quickly.

There is absolutely nothing to lose with this game.

Maybe just percentage which could cost us a finals spot come round 22.

as i said in another thread, it's unlikely but wouldn't surprise me at all if geelong rested a few players this week. keeping in mind they would much prefer us n the 8 than the hawks and given they are not going to move any higher or lower from 2nd spot anyway i think it wouldn't be too surprising if a number of their senior players who are carrying a bit of a niggle were rested, if we're lucky these could incldue ablett, bartel, scarlett and taylor (who both probably already won't play) and anyone else we may nto know about.

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Last edited by true_blue3 on Mon Sep 26, 1981 5:07 pm; edited 92 times in total

Flu apparently going through the camp, so we should be a bit better this week.

Cannot have any passengers in this game, and unfortunately that's exactly what Robinson was. 70% game time for 8 possessions (ok), 5 marks (huh), 1 tackle (bad), 2 frees conceded (shocking) and a behind (meh).

Love the kid, love his attitude at times and love when it comes together, but if his tackling is down and he's giving away frees with his game style, his ball use is not good enough to warrant a game by itself.

Having said all of that, I would consider Yarran this week. Form permitting, it may be a ripper chance for him to see how it's done, and you know he'll use the ball well.

Warnock a real chance for this match, although he looks set for a very meek direct opponent in the VFL tomorrow in an otherwise strong team. Baptism of fire.

Can anyone give me an idea on Scotland's role last night? Used the ball by hand a lot of can't remember him featuring in contested/clearance work. Perhaps sacrificing his run and carry to unleash a few others with lesser reads of the play?

Anyway, here's my initial read on the changes:

FB: Joseph Jamison Thornton
HB: Armfield Bower Scotland
CC: Gibbs Houlihan Simpson
HF: Carrazzo Kreuzer Stevens
FF: Walker Fevola Betts
RR: Warnock Murphy Judd

Int: Russell Hadley O'hAilpin

The fourth bench spot is killing me: has to be one of Yarran, Wiggins & Garlett, but if Wiggo comes in and our mids do not push up to crumb, we are in deep shit.

In: Jamison, Warnock, <TBD>
Out: Austin, Robinson, Hampson (general soreness)

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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.

This could be a big loss .. the main emphasis should be on limiting the damage ... we need to keep our percentage up as high as possible.

Personally ... I won't be watch the game ... like someone mentioned before ... its a bye.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Geelong have a real weakness in the ruck. They may also be missing their two key defenders in Scarlett & Taylor. Perhaps we should considering bringing Jacobs in to support Hampson, and playing Kreuzer as a forward for the whole game. Exploit their weakness in key defensive posts, break even in the ruck, and try a new forward structure.

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"I had to eat"

Hey,with an attitude like that,you could be coach!

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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.”

Geelong are gonna hand our @rse back to us in 2 halves ....

I cheek deep fried

the other cheek smoked!

Saying that will still wake up 5 a.m to catch the live feed and wish my beloved Blues all the luck in the world.

A loss under 25 points is a win in my books for next week.

Would love to see the MC play all fringe players with the instruction they are playing for thier AFL careers and treat the game as a bye ... would at least be very interesting to see the intensity!

Won't happen so do not wish.

Go Blueboys ... protect the percentage please ... lets play finals (even badly) its been too long!

Don't you know, bondi, only other teams, like Hawthorn, are allowed to have excuses. When it's Carlton, any issues are Ratts' fault.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

If we go out on the park next Friday night looking to do nothing more than protect percentage, we're going to be F$%^ed from here to next Sunday.

Nothing to lose. Everything to gain.

Simple as that.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

This is the type of game, like the Hawthorn & Saints game, that long term statements are made by players who can step up against top quality opposition.
A massive game for the Big Setant I reckon.

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There's so much I could say...