On free to air TV next Sunday. the game starts at 15:20 at Marvel.
Im already over that marvellous Collingwood victory.
It will be an interesting game - we will be hot favourites and this mob doesn't handle being the big dog. They better start handling it and continue impressive pressure contested football
Im already over that marvellous Collingwood victory.
It will be an interesting game - we will be hot favourites and this mob doesn't handle being the big dog. They better start handling it and continue impressive pressure contested football
I must admit, I'd rather be the underdog. We've been the underdog for every game but for the Weagles clash and it has suited as hunter style. (The bookies may have thought differently, but that's another tale.)
I must admit, I'd rather be the underdog. We've been the underdog for every game but for the Weagles clash and it has suited as hunter style. (The bookies may have thought differently, but that's another tale.)
External perception doesn't matter, internally they must continue with the hunter or underdog attitude.
I must admit, I'd rather be the underdog. We've been the underdog for every game but for the Weagles clash and it has suited as hunter style. (The bookies may have thought differently, but that's another tale.)
I used to feel this but things feel different - if we fall apart under something like being favourites we are not ready to progress.
I think we are. I think we will win by 50.
I wouldn't be writing the Aints off just yet, Ross the Boss is the master of dragging the opposition down to his level.
For some reason, they've generally had the wood over us for a long time....even when they were worse than us, they always seemed to beat us. If they're missing King and Membrey again, then we should have their measure.....and one more good haul for Charlie should seal the Coleman.
Dow in for Cerra is probably the only change I can see with maybe Binns or Carroll as the sub? They might also go for a smaller defender and replace Marchbank with Cowan given the Saints relatively smallish forward line.
Just listening to the Ross Lyon press conference - he seems pretty confident that King, Membrey and Hill will be back next week.
Just listening to the Ross Lyon press conference - he seems pretty confident that King, Membrey and Hill will be back next week.
When was the last time anyone took seriously anything Lyon said … apart from the suckers who sacked Ratts and gave him the Saints job.
For some reason, they've generally had the wood over us for a long time....even when they were worse than us, they always seemed to beat us. If they're missing King and Membrey again, then we should have their measure.....and one more good haul for Charlie should seal the Coleman.
Dow in for Cerra is probably the only change I can see with maybe Binns or Carroll as the sub? They might also go for a smaller defender and replace Marchbank with Cowan given the Saints relatively smallish forward line.
Teams have had it over us in the past even when being bellow us on the ladder and with less form. We always found ways to be over confident and lazy with intensity when we needed this to be a priority. Trying to beat teams with a lack of work rate won’t work. We have improved in this area. Have we turned the corner? If we beat the Saints, we will have successfully beaten at least 3 teams in a row above us on the ladder. This could be the game that locks us away in the top 8. Maybe not. Maybe we need at least another win or 2 after that. This is the game that will determine if we are desperate to stay in the top 8. A win here might awaken the other sides. They might believe we are a threat and make too many changes to compensate for our current form and game style. At a guess 2 to 3 goals as a win for us. I hope we don’t drop the ball now and lose by 30 points, sleeping and going back to old habits.
Fremantle and Gold Coast were above us on the ladder too.
If we bring the same intensity and effort, the Saints won't know what hit them.
Fremantle and Gold Coast were above us on the ladder too.
If we bring the same intensity and effort, the Saints won't know what hit them.
Ross (and everyone else) has now had 6 weeks to look at what we do well, lots of interesting footy coming up.
I have absolutely no doubt that Ross will be aiming to 'get in our grill' with borderline legal tactics. He'll attempt to unsettle and distract us with physicality. It'll be a good test for us.
This mob have the irritating ability to rain on our parade... however, all we need do is maintain a steely resolve to hunt them, no matter what tactics they try. And that will keep the scoreboard ticking over in our favour.
We will smash them.
Really, really, really hate this mob and the fact that we've been their bunnies/bitches for so long intensifies my hatred exponentially. Watched them against the Dawks and they are KRAAP. Well they both are, but if we manage to find a way to lose against these knobs again I may not recover. Come on baggers, get it done!
Their first quarter was awesome and they finished strong, but when all is said and done they beat the Hawks who are cellar dwellars. A return for Membrey appears likely and if King and Hill get up they will be greatly improved assuming they are fully fit. However they seem to have lost Jones and perhaps Sharman, so its not all one way traffic from the medical room. Caminiti is on report but I don't think it warrants a week - looked worse on first blush - but who knows with the lottery that is the AFL suspensions system. All in all I think we should have their measure absent any unforseen player unavailability.
It's amazing when you get the basics correct how things fall into place.
Harry and Charlie have been pretty much bringing the pill to ground for the whole season, mark it or not they are rarely beaten. But Owies was in and out and Durdin and Motlop were getting where the pill wasn't, so we gained little advantage.
Cunningham and Martin come back, Fogarty comes in and all of a sudden things change massively. Add to that a bit of remedial homework for Motlop and all of a sudden despite Harry and Charlie actually starting to take more marks we've seen a huge boost in game influence from our smalls.
Where was this for the first half of 2023, if it's so obvious to fans, how can it be that it persisted for so long without being addressed by the players?
Stupidly the media start talking about Mosquito fleets, the reporters have cause and effect completely ar5e about!
We should hammer Stkilda, I get to see a few of their games courtesy of my daughters inlaws and its painful most games watching them play that Rossball style. Owens, Philipou, Wanganeen -Milera and Caminiti are good kids for the future and they have a good ruckman in Marshall but down back they dont have much and onball they rely heavily on Steele and B.Crouch and every week Lyon pulls the Sinclair into the middle move to try and generate some clearances.
King is a worse kick for goal than Harry and Membrey while still a dangerous player when on is very banged up and near the end so even with those two as inclusions Id expect them to be minimal threats.
If we sit a player on Sinclair and our rucks can break even with Marshall we should win comfortably....
There is a part of me that thinks this would not be a bad week to blood Binns to give us some extra run and out of left field I could see O'Keeffe as a chance to replace Pitto, swinging TDK into the ruck and letting O'Keeffe do the forward/ruck role. He shows more forward than either of Pitto or TDK and whilst he is no hare he is more mobile than Pitto even without injury concerns. I don't think O'Keeffe is anywhere near fully developed and if JSOS was available I'd be looking at him doing the relief ruck but he isn't so there it is. Lemmey is way further back than O'Keeffe and I don't see any other options if we have stamped Young's papers as a forward, which I think we should have.
Have I missed something, is Pitto out? :o
TAG siniclair other big move Marshall to fwd line
Camanitti has been rubbed out for a week.
Camanitti has been rubbed out for a week.
Good, it was a stupid act. Remember when Newman used to cop time off for similar stuff. He'll learn, maybe.
There is a part of me that thinks this would not be a bad week to blood Binns to give us some extra run and out of left field I could see O'Keeffe as a chance to replace Pitto, swinging TDK into the ruck and letting O'Keeffe do the forward/ruck role. He shows more forward than either of Pitto or TDK and whilst he is no hare he is more mobile than Pitto even without injury concerns. I don't think O'Keeffe is anywhere near fully developed and if JSOS was available I'd be looking at him doing the relief ruck but he isn't so there it is. Lemmey is way further back than O'Keeffe and I don't see any other options if we have stamped Young's papers as a forward, which I think we should have.
Don't know why people think O'Keefe is ready. He's still a fair way off. We still need Pitto's toughness, especially against this mob.
Don't know why people think O'Keefe is ready. He's still a fair way off. We still need Pitto's toughness, especially against this mob.
Agree O'Keeffe is very raw but I don't think he is as far off as all that. St Kilda don't boast a lot of defensive height and his main duty would be to offer a bail-out option up forward which I think he could do better than Pitto and at least as well as TDK (unless TDK chooses this week to move from "almost brilliant" to actual brilliance) and some relief minutes in the ruck. The problem with Pitto and TDK in the same team is the impact on run and the limited value of either (but especially Pitto) up forward. That said I am not opposed to Pitto leading the ruck division but loss of run is a price that then has to be paid.
No Cerra, Walsh, Kennedy, McKay, SOS
Thats some serious talent missing. Will be a good test how deep this squad goes and how strong the system is.
Oke is 18 year old doesn't turn 19 until December (I think).
Coming along nicely the big fella.. big pre season will be good for him.
Don't know why people think O'Keefe is ready. He's still a fair way off. We still need Pitto's toughness, especially against this mob.
Agree...No time to get cute and experimental and Pittonet will be a very handy opponent for Marshall next game.
O'Keefe is promising and I like his work rate but is still very raw.
I'm not sure i get the hysteria around Pittonet this week.
We picked him when he clearly wasn't fit because we were down too many other soldiers.
Despite that, he still outperformed TDK who played he worst game for the year, if not 2 years.
Somehow, some raw kid is supposed to be an upgrade on both?
Yeah nah.
We have significant outs again. If we continue to sustain our defensive intensity and win at the coalface, we'll trouble any team. I hope we're across the 2 faces of the Saints (low, slow - slick, precise) and Vossy has Rossy's measure. I'd love to beat this mob but that's been easier said than done in recent times.
Go Blues
If I were a punter, I'd beat that Cunners has a breakout game.
I'm not sure i get the hysteria around Pittonet this week.
We picked him when he clearly wasn't fit because we were down too many other soldiers.
Despite that, he still outperformed TDK who played he worst game for the year, if not 2 years.
Somehow, some raw kid is supposed to be an upgrade on both?
Yeah nah.
How do you know TDK was 100% fit?
How do you know TDK was 100% fit?
We don't, but its kind of irrelevant to the point don't you think?
He did play the previous 2 games whereas Pittonet was injured, or returning in the VFL.
Just listening to the Ross Lyon press conference - he seems pretty confident that King, Membrey and Hill will be back next week.
Is that some sort of miracle recover for King? I was sure initially Lyon said he was out for the year.
Last two times we have played this mob we should have won, but did enough bad things to lose.
I am worried we may have a bit of a let-down after the massive high of last week, and that is exactly when crap teams like St Kilda choke us and win ugly.
I have one request of the match committee - put Fogarty on Jack Sinclair and shut him down. If he is out of the game, and Hill is still a bit iffy, it will go a long way towards giving us a win.
This is 4 points I would love to put into the sack, witrh reinforcements due to return a couple of weeks or so after that.
Marshall looms as a issue as he is a mobile hard running ruck who works as an extra mid around the ground. Everyone knows how i feel about Pitt but playing him this week would be a mistake imo. He is a old school ruck who is good at the ruck contest and a non event everywhere else and against someone like Marshall who aerobically and leg speed wise will leave Pit in his wake.
While TDKs form has been up and down in recent weeks he at least has the tools needed to match Marshall and is much better equipped against this sort of mobile Ruck and I would be surprised to see Pit named this week.
Watched the reply again of last weeks game and was surprised the amount of manic pressure that Forgerty applied. Owies Martin Motlop also did similar but they seem to get noticed more by us fans and media. Stats are one thing but watching the off the ball running hard to affect a contest even when you dont win has to be watched to be appreciated and to see a small forwards value.
You look at the stats and see he touched it just 10 times and never kicked a goal yet he did his job very well.
Watched the reply again of last weeks game and was surprised the amount of manic pressure that Forgerty applied. Owies Martin Motlop also did similar but they seem to get noticed more by us fans and media. Stats are one thing but watching the off the ball running hard to affect a contest even when you dont win has to be watched to be appreciated and to see a small forwards value.
You look at the stats and see he touched it just 10 times and never kicked a goal yet he did his job very well.
Good pick up, Shawny. Noticed the same thing. Plus I also noticed that in Vossy's media conference that when Martin and Cunners were mentioned as valuable inclusion in recent weeks by one media dude, Vossy was quick to add Fog.
I'm not sure i get the hysteria around Pittonet this week.
We picked him when he clearly wasn't fit because we were down too many other soldiers.
Despite that, he still outperformed TDK who played he worst game for the year, if not 2 years.
Somehow, some raw kid is supposed to be an upgrade on both?
Yeah nah.
O'Keeffe is not an upgrade on either of them as a ruckman, but as a forward undoubtedly is better than Pitto even at his immature stage of development and on TDK's performance against Collingwood I would expect O'Keeffe could better that effort. Meanwhile TDK has been very impressive in the ruck in Pitto's absence and is a much better option to go head to head with Marshall, whom I really rate. The St Kilda backups are just part-timers and I reckon O'Keeffe could at least hold his own there and maybe even better. Anyway, I get that O'Keeffe is a left-field suggestion and only a kid but I just think the match-ups align for it.
Pitto and TDK couldn't play any worse surely.
They need to up their game this week.
Pitto’s effort at the end of the Collingwood game was outstanding.
Dow kicked to no-one and a Collingwood player was closing on the ball. Pitto was our closest player and he led his opponent to the ball and, in a one on two, managed to get the ball to Martin who, unfortunately, missed the shot at goal. That’s the effort that gets Pitto a spot in the 22 even if he’s not fully fit.
I like O’Keeffe and I think that he’s going to be a ripper. As others have said, his forward craft is good and he’s a very accurate kick for goal. Although he’s raw and several kilos short of AFL body size, I think he’d acquit himself quite well if he did get a run. However, he’s way behind Pitto and the King at this stage.
I think that AFL rucks should have a presence around the ground; marking at both ends of the ground and providing a target when we have to go long. Pitto doesn’t do that (and the King doesn’t do it enough) but he does stop the opposition rucks from doing it. That’s why I was surprised that Cameron got coaches’ votes; he was effectively neutralised … and Cox was obliterated.
One of the real strengths of our team at the moment is a rock solid defence where EVERY player has confidence in their, and their team mates ablility to get the job done. Maybe there wasn't the same faith 6 weeks ago before Kemp came in. In fact you can become preoccupied in trying to cover the weak link. Weitering is better because he trusts Kemp. I don't think it was the same with Young. This group wants to play together.
Caminitti free to play 🙄
Caminitti free to play 🙄
It was pretty soft, but there's no way that it wasn't intentional.
It was pretty soft, but there's no way that it wasn't intentional.
He says it wasn't intentional and it's downgraded. Go figure. Integrity v reliable assessment criteria. It's anyone's guess and may vary week by week.
The even spread of contributors was the standout for me against the Pies. Nearly everyone played their role and brought genuine heat. Repeat that and we win comfortably.
I just don’t want to hear we were complacent and caught napping from the first bounce. We are still going to be missing some key players. This is the game that could set us up for a proper finals assault. You don’t beat the top 2 sides and the lose to St Kilda.
I just don’t want to hear we were complacent and caught napping from the first bounce. We are still going to be missing some key players. This is the game that could set us up for a proper finals assault. You don’t beat the top 2 sides and the lose to St Kilda.
I'd like to think the methods adopted for our planning and preparation over the last 6 or so weeks would mean the players will be ready to go at the first bounce. Unfortunately, "We Are Carlton" and a lot of us supporters (me at least) are not at the same level yet so there is always that bit of doubt. Even with our injuries, on paper we should cane this mob.
So the big question, after a few rounds of success, "Is silence golden?"
A lot think this forum and others like it need winning games to thrive, yet it seems there is far more debate in pain than in joy!
I just don’t want to hear we were complacent and caught napping from the first bounce. We are still going to be missing some key players. This is the game that could set us up for a proper finals assault. You don’t beat the top 2 sides and the lose to St Kilda.
Agree but this week will be very different to the game style we were able to play to get the points against the top 2 sides. We were the hunter in those wins so we could plan against them without the same extent of planning being done on us as both Port and Pies would have been more concerned about their own gameplan as they would have been confident if they play well they win. This week that wont be the case as Lyon will choke and strangle the game to negate us and bring us down to their level where they stand a much better chance of winning.
Dont think this week will be as easy as many think - we will need to win ugly and be patient and prepared that we may struggle to plan our style for the full 120 mins. They will be flooding our F50 so our forwards wont get the space they had in the last 2 wins. Be a good test to see how we strong we are when an opposition team brings a plan to completely negate our style.
Dont think this week will be as easy as many think -
Excluding fans and outsiders, does anybody on the inside really think games will be "easy!"
Looking at the AFL, all games are hard, the difference between the top and the bottom is not even 5%, we should know that better than most!
Excluding fans and outsiders, does anybody on the inside really think games will be "easy!"
Looking at the AFL, all games are hard, the difference between the top and the bottom is not even 5%, we should know that better than most!
Spot on LP..just look at the results from last round. All the favourites that were a bit off, lost.
At the moment we have quite a few teams contesting a limited number of finals spots.
Without looking closely at the draw I suspect that over the next couple of weeks some of these side will drop off when it becomes mathematically impossible for them to make final.
That may lead to some teams lacking in intensity in the final rounds and those games may be a little easier...
but for a team still in contention approach those games with that attitude at your peril ;)
Spot on LP..just look at the results from last round. All the favourites that were a bit off, lost.
The hardest part of playing AFL, the big difference between AFL and the next lower level, is mindset.
You have to be instantaneously brutal, cold and unrelenting in your process, if you aren't then efficiency leaves the building and you look like a chump. In AFL, it has always been blink and you're dead!
A lot of fans carry on about skills, there isn't a poorly skill player in the AFL, they are all good beyond what fans realise. The problem with execution of skills come from mindset, not from a lack of capability.
So I'm hearing Gov with a hamstring, is that an opportunity for Sam Durdin to be the next man in, or will Young come in?
Yeah just heard that on SEN. Depends if King is in I reckon. If King plays, play Young if not Durdin.
Is the change in how we are playing the game taking it's toll?
Is the change in how we are playing the game taking it's toll?
Its a long(er) season this year. I reckon we'll see a bit more of these 'niggles' taking its toll.
Just get him right for finals.
Is the change in how we are playing the game taking it's toll?
How many hammies? Walsh, Cerra, Gov, are there any others?
Seriously, our luck winning games with injuries to key players has to run out surely.
Is the change in how we are playing the game taking it's toll?
Possibly, it's a high pressure game we play.
Players are expected to chase, and chase, and chase some more.
Some of the running that some of our guys are doing is next level stuff.
Hollands gave an example of that last week with and end to end run.
To play that style of game you have to be pretty well conditioned, otherwise it's not sustainable.
Are we at that level that we can maintain it for another 4+ matches?
That will be seen.
But we're committed to playing that way.
There's no turning back now, and no luxury of a game against a significantly weaker opponent.
We can look at the players who will come back with some optimism.
The ones we'll lose, and the length of time we'll lose them for, is the big unknown.
IN
Ed Curnow,
Jaxon Binns,
Josh Honey,
Sam Durdin,
Zac Fisher
OUT
Adam Cerra (Injured),
Mitch McGovern (Injured)
Is the change in how we are playing the game taking it's toll?
Seems controlled kamikaze committed football is taking some prisoners. At the same time there are still few players that have played all season more or less. Can handle the 2-3 weekers but not the 2-3 monthers,
Interchange
[25] Zac Fisher,
[2] Paddy Dow,
[46] Matthew Cottrell,
[3] Jesse Motlop,
[35] Ed Curnow,
[38] Sam Durdin,
[32] Jaxon Binns,
[36] Josh Honey
I'd say Motlop Dow Cottrell Durdin
Sub Fisher
The defender (McGovern) is unavailable after experiencing a hamstring injury at training today. He underwent scans this afternoon which confirmed a low-grade hamstring strain that is expected to sideline him for the next 2-3 weeks.
Fme. When will it end?
Not sure why Honey keeps getting included...has done nothing all year either at AFL or VFL level.
Looks like Sam Durdin will play instead of Young which is a bit of a surprise to be honest.
I'd have him and Dow into the 22 for McGovern and Cerra and Binns as the sub this week.
I think Weitering, Kemp and Marchbank is more than fine.
Marchy played small last week he can play tall.
Some good ins for the Saints. Membrey, King and Hill. Hopefully the first two will be underdone and lacking match fitness.
And Lachie Fogarty's 50th game. Well played young man. It's been a patient journey.
And Lachie Fogarty's 50th game. Well played young man. It's been a patient journey.
Congratulations to Fogarty on a great achievement.
Hopefully we can continue to get the chocies for our milestone games.
And Lachie Fogarty's 50th game. Well played young man. It's been a patient journey.
Another underrated player is Fogs (and I’m guilty of dismissing him as a genuine forward/midfielder prospect). He has been a significant part of our return to winning form.
Congratulations on the 50 game milestone Lachie. Let’s hope the second 50 doesn’t take quite so long.
Yeah I am guilty as well, pretty sure Elwood was calling for him to come in for a while. LP also said we can't have Motlop or C Durdin in the same side at this stage.
Injuries continue to hurt us. We'll miss McGovern: he has been really strong of late.
Injuries continue to hurt us. We'll miss McGovern: he has been really strong of late.
Good timing at least. Marchbank slots in to his position pretty easily.
Injuries continue to hurt us. We'll miss McGovern: he has been really strong of late.
Been chipping in with a long range bomb goal in a few games of late.
Saints ins are good ones, was a fan of us drafting Hayes and he debuted very well until he was injured.
Losing McGovern makes it a bit harder with matchups and options, thought he did some good things vs Collingwood.
King, Membrey, Caminiti and Owens is the most potent forward line the Saints can field and this game has got a lot harder than it was meant to be with our injuries.
We should still win but I'm less confident given our outs and their ins and hopefully the latter are rusty or don't play.
Blues by 17 points in a tight game...
Saints ins are good ones, was a fan of us drafting Hayes and he debuted very well until he was injured.
Losing McGovern makes it a bit harder with matchups and options, thought he did some good things vs Collingwood.
King, Membrey, Caminiti and Owens is the most potent forward line the Saints can field and this game has got a lot harder than it was meant to be with our injuries.
We should still win but I'm less confident given our outs and their ins and hopefully the latter are rusty or don't play.
Blues by 17 points in a tight game...
King still in doubt and Membrey will be underdone. Need to shut their smalls Butler and Higgins.
We need to beat this mob to make our wins against the top 2 worthwhile.
I would rather beat these guys and have lost to PA and be injury free.
The way the ladder is this is one of those 8 point games.
Don't worry about their forwards. If we do what we do, the ball shouldn't pass the middle. We should dominate the middle of the ground, even with our injuries.
As long as we kick it through the big ones, we should be ok.
We have a habit of making Membrey look like Superman. Need to beat this mob!
We win this with all the players currently unavailable and the sangers at nearly full strength, it will be an even better performance than last week….
Agree Stevie-Poo....he's torched us plenty of times in the past and seems to play way taller than he actually is. Kemp might even be given a shot at him. Their backline looks a bit short but they've been pretty tight regardless. Get plenty of ball in the middle and I reckon Charlie can get another handful.
Agree on Butler and Higgins who are very dangerous but Saad, Newman and Cincotta have all been in good form. Reckon Doc will play more midfield this week with Cerra, Walsh and Kennedy all out....with Fogarty and even Cunningham rotating through the middle at times. Even Acres can go into the middle with Cottrell and Hollands taking up the wing spots.
Agree Stevie-Poo....he's torched us plenty of times in the past and seems to play way taller than he actually is. Kemp might even be given a shot at him. Their backline looks a bit short but they've been pretty tight regardless. Get plenty of ball in the middle and I reckon Charlie can get another handful.
Agree on Butler and Higgins who are very dangerous but Saad, Newman and Cincotta have all been in good form. Reckon Doc will play more midfield this week with Cerra, Walsh and Kennedy all out....with Fogarty and even Cunningham rotating through the middle at times. Even Acres can go into the middle with Cottrell and Hollands taking up the wing spots.
Id start Cottrell on Hill to tag him and Acres on Wanganeen-Milera who has been in fair form of late, probably let Hollands start on the bench. In Saints games I have seen live both Hill and WM are keys to how they move the ball along with Sinclair and nullifying all three will go a fair way to winning us the game.
Sinclair has murdered us in the past.
Sinclair has murdered us in the past.
Yep....its no secret Lyon uses Sinclair in the middle when the Saints are struggling and also after half time to give them more run and carry when other teams are tiring. Doesnt always work but when the Saints win games he is usually a big reason why.
He has real leg speed and its often difficult for teams to find opponents who can keep up with him and also deny him the ball, likes to run onto the ball from behind the centre bounce area either straight or running in an arc and Id be wanting to deny that space to him and make him have to work at the coalface contest a bit more to get his kicks.
Saints are not that great a team imo talent wise overall but have a few of those bogey type players who bother us like Sinclair, Membrey and Steele(Cripps), be nice to turn the tables on them for now and the future.
Missing from Round 6 defeat:
Young, McGovern, Kennedy, E Curnow, Silvagni, Durdin, McKay, Cerra, Walsh, Honey
Inclusions who didn't play in Round 6:
Kemp, Marchbank, De Koning, Cuningham, Saad, Owies, Fogarty, Dow, Docherty, Cottrell.
Gee we'll be bloody good when everyone's back!!
Good Luck to Fish hope he puts on a performance. Even though we look a little short with only one notable key forward will be a real test of the system.
These are two strong defensive teams and we lack abit of rotational depth in the middle.
Hope Dow puts in a shift of a lifetime.
I can see Docherty as the 7th defender, Acres on the wing with Cotrell rotating with he and Hollands........and Cuningham and Fogarty adding pressure up forward and on the ball. Good seeing Membrey on the sidelines, one less tall up forward and I think there is still some doubt over King. If he does play, I doubt he'll be cherry ripe after the layoff and no run in the twos.
22 points in our favour!
I think this will be a big test for the system. While Dow should have adjusted, I hope Fisher makes a seamless return. If we let the Tiger's smalls off the leash I'll spew.
Having our measure in recent years, this will put the coaches in the hot seat. If they can motivate the same contested performance and we can sustain it, we'll get the win.
Go Blues
I think Fisher will be the seventh defender. I think he has been spending time down back in the VFL and St.Kilda have a lot of small forwards.
I think Fisher will be the seventh defender. I think he has been spending time down back in the VFL and St.Kilda have a lot of small forwards.
Unless Fisher's defensive game has developed a lot, I'm not confident v Tigers smalls and Gresham. The two former can steal the game
With no Membrey, wouldn't surprise me to see Kemp get one of Butler or Higgins....he's got the pace to go with them. Newman probably gets the other....Cincotta might get Gresham.
Unless Fisher's defensive game has developed a lot, I'm not confident v Tigers smalls and Gresham. The two former can steal the game
I know Fish got one game primarily off half back but since then seems to have been more mid or forward in the 2s from my recollection. Suspect he will more likely be used mid or forward.
With no Membrey, wouldn't surprise me to see Kemp get one of Butler or Higgins....he's got the pace to go with them. Newman probably gets the other....Cincotta might get Gresham.
I think Owens will be a handful and require a player like Kemp who has some leg speed and can compete in the air.
The Stkilda kid can really play and needs a decent player on him not someone undersized or lacking mobility, he has really impressed me out of all their kids and is wasted with such a negative game plan under Lyon.
I think Owens will be a handful and require a player like Kemp who has some leg speed and can compete in the air.
The Stkilda kid can really play and needs a decent player on him not someone undersized or lacking mobility, he has really impressed me out of all their kids and is wasted with such a negative game plan under Lyon.
Ross will release the shackles tomorrow you watch. The prick loves playing and dining out against us.
Kissed on the dick Cats and Swans did us no favours tonight.
Ross will release the shackles tomorrow you watch. The prick loves playing and dining out against us.
Kissed on the dick Cats and Swans did us no favours tonight.
The Swans win helps us as much as it hurts us.
Geelong winning is dissapointing but we have our fate in our hands and we are likely better off having to play every game like its a final anyway.
The Swans win helps us as much as it hurts us.
Geelong winning is dissapointing but we have our fate in our hands and we are likely better off having to play every game like its a final anyway.
Every game since that 6 game losing streak has been an elimination final and we have risen to the occasion. I am wondering though given our mounting injury list to important players if we can maintain that momentum.
It's at the point where it boils down to which side comes with the greatest intensity and pressure.
Ability will have little to do with it, and it will be more about desire to win.
The teams still in contention have different strengths and weaknesses, injury will also play a part,
and some sides will match up better against others.
But try tipping winners of individual games and you'll probably be surprised as often as you're right.
A game lost can mean an opportunity wasted. and may be the difference between playing finals or not.
There are no easy games as West Coast proved yesterday.
We're on a bit of a run.
Sometimes sides take this type of run all the way through to the end.
But this is a strange season and it's hard to remember one where places for the eight are so tight so far down the ladder.
To continue a run with that kind of competition for finals spots would be an exceptional effort.
Every game from this point will be a challenge, but in two weeks time results may determine that some sides have dropped off the pace and can no longer make it.
That may be another factor in affecting results.
We lost a lot of drive last week when we lost Cerra, but we were able to correct it and hold them off.
But it's a worrying addition to an already significant injury list.
We beat Collingwood last week, St Kilda beat Hawthorn who this week also beat Collingwood.
Drawing a form line through that means this game could be a real challenge.
But form lines are seemingly irrelevant in this charge to the finals.
Expect both teams to come with full attitude and intensity
So for this game, as for the rest of the season...hoping for a win is about the best I can do.
Such an important eight point game.
It's not the end of the world if we dropped this but fifth sounds alot better than ninth
Such an important eight point game.
It's not the end of the world if we dropped this but fifth sounds alot better than ninth
A win today is imperative for both our finals aspirations and my sanity. Beating 1st and 2nd will be meaningless to me if we can't beat this mob. That's what I'm wrestling with as I am almost certain that full strength (or close to) and playing the way we are playing now, we would hammer this ass stain of a club.
A win today is imperative for both our finals aspirations and my sanity. Beating 1st and 2nd will be meaningless to me if we can't beat this mob. That's what I'm wrestling with as I am almost certain that full strength (or close to) and playing the way we are playing now, we would hammer this ass stain of a club.
Same..Saints are rubbish and we should hammer them after such an impressive performance last week vs quality opposition in Collingwood.
It will show the mental strength of the team if we can fight the let down mentality that often happens after big wins and given we are missing some key troops it will also test our depth.
Only 2 teams this season have won after playing the Pies. Just another hurdle to overcome...
Aints are a Pest team, always been a pest and always will be a pest.
Aints are a Pest team, always been a pest and always will be a pest.
Agree. One of those games that you can never be that confident of winning.
Plus Lyon is a cunning prick and will have several tactics to not allow us to play the game style that suits us best.
Have to win ugly today I reckon and wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie is contained so need Martin and the smalls to hit the scoreboard.
Watch George Hewitt today. Injury free, fitness level up, higher degree of responsibility. Will be in our top 3..... but you might not notice! That's the way he operates.
Ross Lyon interviewed on Ch7, gotta hand it to the prick, such a tactical mind when explaining the game and what he wants to do. His ability to pick out minute details about opposition is unbelievable.