A big game on Friday night at the MCG. It will probably be wet.
Essendon have been rubbish, but ...
We're probably at our weakest, with so many important players in the stands.
Assuming Kennedy is fit, does he come in for Dow?
I think we're all expecting Durdin to come straight in to replace Weitering? Although if it's wet, as suggested, it might not be as clear cut.
Does Motlop hold his spot? If not, who replaces him?
Not confident this week, CheatsFC 150th celebrations, they should not better us, but the fix is probably in for a big AFL payday!
Assuming Kennedy is fit, does he come in for Dow?
I think we're all expecting Durdin to come straight in to replace Weitering? Although if it's wet, as suggested, it might not be as clear cut.
Does Motlop hold his spot? If not, who replaces him?
Not sure about Sam Durdin, should take a couple of VFL games before he gets hold of the game plan, I suspect Motlop will be an out with Dow to retain his spot, and if it is wet Hayes could be straight in as he is ready to go!
If it was wet Kemp is not a bad option because for his size he is quite mobile / agile, but he is a bit down on confidence.
Historically, Setterfield plays his better games in the wet.
Who plays on Peter Wright?
Who plays on Peter Wright?
Young
I suspect we'll implement a plan similar to last week, TDK at the bounce before dropping behind play, with SoJ and Cripps doing a lot of around the ground stuff.
There’s not a lot of height in the Essendon F50. Obviously, 2 metre Peter is tall but Lewis Young is on him. They played the 2nd ruckman in Phillips and seemed to rotate Draper and him through a forward pocket but there’s a reason why few clubs these days leave specialist ruckmen in the pockets. I’m not at all sure we need to jump at shadows and parachute Sam Durdin into the backline just because he’s 198cm. Plowman and perhaps Marchbank would be competitive enough in the air and would expose Draper & Phillips when the ball comes to ground. They’d also match up pretty well on Harrison Jones or Stringer. In particular, I’d like to see Marchbank blooded against a weaker team like Essendon. Yes, a win isn’t guaranteed but I’d prefer to bring him back this week than against the Tigers, Dockers or Saints in the following weeks. Of course, that presumes he’s over the knee bruising and he’s back to full training.
I’d like to see Marchbank blooded against a weaker team like Essendon.
Not sure if it is wet weather that it is the ideal day to be running Marchbank, his strength is really intercept marking.
Agree about Plowman, he along with Newman and Saad tend to play taller than people expect, Hayes is also pretty good at contesting in the air. The trick in the wet is always to bring the ball to ground in a controlled manner and have numbers ready at the fall.
Will need deep runners, I'd rest Motlop, keep the likes of Cottrell, LoB, Newnes, Durdin and Owies as they all have the two way work ethic. Assuming Kennedy is straight back in and good to go.
I've heard Stringer and McGrath are 50/50 at best, Stringer has always bullied us a bit, it's that Stringer / Membrey / Parker size we often struggle with. I realise he gives up some size but as a hard tag I'd run Stocker on Stringer to start with assuming Stringer plays.
There’s not a lot of height in the Essendon F50. Obviously, 2 metre Peter is tall but Lewis Young is on him. They played the 2nd ruckman in Phillips and seemed to rotate Draper and him through a forward pocket but there’s a reason why few clubs these days leave specialist ruckmen in the pockets. I’m not at all sure we need to jump at shadows and parachute Sam Durdin into the backline just because he’s 198cm. Plowman and perhaps Marchbank would be competitive enough in the air and would expose Draper & Phillips when the ball comes to ground. They’d also match up pretty well on Harrison Jones or Stringer. In particular, I’d like to see Marchbank blooded against a weaker team like Essendon. Yes, a win isn’t guaranteed but I’d prefer to bring him back this week than against the Tigers, Dockers or Saints in the following weeks. Of course, that presumes he’s over the knee bruising and he’s back to full training.
No, there's only Shiel (190), Stringer (192), Jones (196), Wright (203) and Draper (205) or Phillips (201). Without Durdin, our taller defenders are Lewis (201) and Plowman, Marchbank and Kemp (all 193).
Yes. it's a night game, it could be wet, and the Essendon forwards aren't setting the world on fire, but it would be a big ask for Young, Plowman and Marchbank or Kemp to contain them, particularly as the night wears on. I think Durdin has to play, even if his role is just to kill the ball at marking contests.
Personally, I think we match up better against CheatsFC than we did against the Filth, for me the tape measure doesn't mean much.
This game will be won or lost in the midfield, if we get on top and do not burn the footy the ball won't get down to Wright enough to worry about it. CheatsFC will be hell bent on forcing turnovers to back in their speed advantage.
It will be interesting to see which way the MC goes.
Young
I suspect we'll implement a plan similar to last week, TDK at the bounce before dropping behind play, with SoJ and Cripps doing a lot of around the ground stuff.
Young was probably worst on ground last week.
DJC, you might be reaching a bit if you’re suggesting Shiel at 190 cm is a tall forward. Leaving aside that he’s a mid with few claims to being a forward, if 190 cm is tall, then we have a tall defender in Newman to put on him (187 cm). Likewise, Stringer (if he has recovered from a hamstring injury) plays as a big-bodied midfielder. If he stays in the forward line, that’ll be a win for us. He’ll need an athletic defender to lock him down rather than a lump like Durdin. So we’re down to Wright who is more noted as a leading forward rather than a Charlie Dixon monster key forward and a couple of rucks without much evidence of being pack markers. And Jones who may well become a contested marking option in the future but for now he feeds off uncontested marks on the run as he can’t cope with body contact. Do we play Durdin on the off-chance one of the ruckmen will have a day out or do we play a tall defender like Marchbank who is a much smarter footballer who knows the Carlton game plan?
Young was probably worst on ground last week.
As a 200cm defender against the club with potentially the strongest small forward setup in the AFL, even so I doubt he was our worst, I can think of some others.
People have short memories it seems. We are not flushed with talls and Cripps was doing the ruck work with Jsos as backup to Tom De Koning last week.
The Bombers rucks will give us a headache, and Durdin for me is a walk in start, because even if he doesnt set the house on fire, I dont want to tempt the Footy gods by talking about other players going down, but one key tall at each end with one ruckman means he becomes an automatic in.
Young
I suspect we'll implement a plan similar to last week, TDK at the bounce before dropping behind play, with SoJ and Cripps doing a lot of around the ground stuff.
In the last game De Koning took the centre bounce and went forward far more often than he went back. We relied on winning the stoppages and controlling possession to minimise and/or disrupt Collingwood's forward 50 entries. Without Cox, Collingwood's forwards are 192 and shorter so we had an advantage when the ball was bombed in. That won't be the case against Essendon.
Being one of the few people on earth who bothered to watch the Port-Essendon match, the ruck situation will be a problem. For whatever reason, Port persisted in rucking Sam Powell-Pepper as a 2nd ruck and he was beaten senseless. Both Phillips and Draper threw him out the way as if he wasn’t there and won frees for being held. I’m not sure this says much about how JSOS will fare, though, as he puts much more effort into competing in the ruck. Powell-Pepper doesn’t seem to bother on that score: he just hopes to win it on the ground.
Draper is a pretty decent ruck. He has an unusual blend of physicality and athleticism. TdK will have his hands full with him but TdK seems to have a major advantage when it comes to his leap and is much more likely to take a pack mark.
Carlton has pretty much made it clear that it won’t resort to using Lewis Young as a secondary ruckman, even when Weitering was controlling D50. I can’t see us breaking from that mindset as JSOS and Cripps are certainly capable of taking on Phillips around the ground. If TdK were to be forced out of the game, would Young be thrown into the ruck then?
JSOS and Cripps are certainly capable of taking on Phillips around the ground.
Around the ground I was very impressed with Cripps, he's really grown into the stoppage ruck role / contest and was a serious threat, he is just too strong for even the bigger rucks and his recovery to the 2nd effort is a magnitude better than most rucks his size or bigger. So the opposition rucks start hanging onto him so that he can't join the chain of play, and if they do that too much he could win some frees if the umpires are switched on, a useful trick inside F50 in a tight game. A bit like Hawkins
A lot of this is down to SpecialK's ruck coaching skills, you can see it in all our guys who ruck now, none of them stop and watch they are looking to be a continuous part of play.
DJC, you might be reaching a bit if you’re suggesting Shiel at 190 cm is a tall forward. Leaving aside that he’s a mid with few claims to being a forward, if 190 cm is tall, then we have a tall defender in Newman to put on him (187 cm). Likewise, Stringer (if he has recovered from a hamstring injury) plays as a big-bodied midfielder. If he stays in the forward line, that’ll be a win for us. He’ll need an athletic defender to lock him down rather than a lump like Durdin. So we’re down to Wright who is more noted as a leading forward rather than a Charlie Dixon monster key forward and a couple of rucks without much evidence of being pack markers. And Jones who may well become a contested marking option in the future but for now he feeds off uncontested marks on the run as he can’t cope with body contact. Do we play Durdin on the off-chance one of the ruckmen will have a day out or do we play a tall defender like Marchbank who is a much smarter footballer who knows the Carlton game plan?
Neither Shiel or Stringer are tall forwards Mav, but they would challenge our smaller defenders, particularly Stringer (if fit) with his strength and marking. Ideally, you would play Plowman on Stringer (when he goes forward) and Newman on Shiel. If Plowman is our second tall defender, he gets Draper/Phillips and Jones has Docherty or Stocker. And it's not pack marking that's the main concern, it's not be able to win or kill one on one marking contests.
Marchbank has one and a quarter games more experience with our gameplan than Durdin has ... and Glenelg's defensive set up is quite similar to ours.
And it's not pack marking that's the main concern, it's not be able to win or kill one on one marking contests.
That primarily a coached skill not an ability, although being able to read the flight of the ball is critical for early positioning, how the footy is delivered off the back of midfield pressure also has an impact. A good coaching panel can chip away at these little pieces of the puzzle to deliver an outcome, I have confidence in Voss.
However, if we get too focussed on defending I think we diminish our own strength, so I hope we do not go overboard in worrying about them so much that we forget what we are good at.
Let's see what the CheatsFC does with Stringer, Draper, Jones and Wright if we get a run on with Charlie, Cripps, SoJ and Kennedy pressing forward to mark the footy!
Let’s not forget that their tall defenders are hardly top shelf. Laverde is their key defender and he’s just average at 193 cm. They have some taller guys like Reid and Ridley but they’re nowhere near elite.
I think Draper will be a problem player given he is that old fashioned type ruckman who wants body contact and likes to collect opposition players Neil Balme style, a real neanderthal in terms of modern football.
Shiel is rubbish and Luke Parker only indicated what everyone knows and thats if its a hard contested game you wont see much of Dylan on the inside putting his head over the ball.
Stringer will kick goals because we dont have anyone who ticks every box to play on him, Plowman can go with him overhead but Stringer has a decent ground game and is one of those inbetween players we often struggle to contain.
I reckon Sam Durdin has to play but I'd have him on the resting ruckman and start with Young on Wright and then make the move if Wright starts kicking goals.
If we can contain Parish and Merrett then I dont see Essendon bothering us too much and we want the game as contested as we can make it and not allowing Essendon to run free on the outside.
Charlie should have a picnic vs their rubbish defense, main concern for me is no more injuries and thats why I'd be wary of Draper who has that awkward look where he often disguises thug behavior with unco play.
Stringer (if he plays) will be the one Im concerned about. Seems to grow a leg against us.
Shiel should be arrested for fraud. Utter trash player. I'd also love a BOG from Saad ...
Shiel should be arrested for fraud. Utter trash player. I'd also love a BOG from Saad ...
Shiel was the best trade we never made, but as I have said before he was recruited for the wrong reason by EFC and that Dodoro's ego placed ahead of what they actually needed which was a genuine inside mid to lead their team. Shiel is an outside ball carrier but Dodo wanted a big recruiting win to show how good he was at his job and especially with us in the hunt too he thought he had a double win by beating us to Shiel. Dont know any Essendon supporter who was happy with that trade and the ongoing cost and salary cap chunk that Shiel created.They tried to beg Bevo for the contracted Dunkley to try and bandaid the problem but the Dogs held firm and its been fun watching such a large list management fail.
People have short memories it seems. We are not flushed with talls and Cripps was doing the ruck work with Jsos as backup to Tom De Koning last week.
The Bombers rucks will give us a headache, and Durdin for me is a walk in start, because even if he doesnt set the house on fire, I dont want to tempt the Footy gods by talking about other players going down, but one key tall at each end with one ruckman means he becomes an automatic in.
Agree.
We have....
Charlie - forward
TDK - ruck
Young - back
and Jack as backup to all 3.
....and people are suggesting we don't quite need Durdin in the side? FMD. What happens if Young or TDK goes down??
Durdin plays.
I'd be playing Marchbank and Plowman as well.
That way we can have a traditional backline setup of 2 KPPs, a 3rd tall and a 'tall marking small' -Plowman.
Then we can use Jack as KP/ruck swapping with TDK both helping out Charlie.
To go in without Durdin is suicide.
Durdin needs to come in because 6 days later we might have to face Lynch and Reiwoldt.
Shiel was the best trade we never made, but as I have said before he was recruited for the wrong reason by EFC and that Dodoro's ego placed ahead of what they actually needed which was a genuine inside mid to lead their team. Shiel is an outside ball carrier but Dodo wanted a big recruiting win to show how good he was at his job and especially with us in the hunt too he thought he had a double win by beating us to Shiel. Dont know any Essendon supporter who was happy with that trade and the ongoing cost and salary cap chunk that Shiel created.They tried to beg Bevo for the contracted Dunkley to try and bandaid the problem but the Dogs held firm and its been fun watching such a large list management fail.
I would be happy with Sheil on a wing in our side.
If he took a pay cut, so would I.
Marchy playing.
Great news.
Marchy playing.
Great news.
Yep really good news, will be a huge boost for our backline.
Marchy playing.
Great news.
I'd given up on this bloke but I couldn't help but get a little emotional watching the video in this article
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1144923/afl-team-news-welcome-back-caleb-marchbank
Go well Marchy
I would be happy with Sheil on a wing in our side.
My point was he was recruited by EFC to play as a midfield leader at the coalface and that's not what he can do as he is a poor contested player.
On a wing is where he belongs but I'm not paying 1.2k a year plus perks for a winger.
I was sitting in the Southern Stand a few years back and Marchbank was sitting a few seats away. He was wearing some sort of metal plate that went up the back of his neck. That sort of brought home how serious his injury was. Good luck to the (not so young anymore) lad. He deserves a bit of good luck for a change.
My point was he was recruited by EFC to play as a midfield leader at the coalface and that's not what he can do as he is a poor contested player.
On a wing is where he belongs but I'm not paying 1.2k a year plus perks for a winger.
We are paying 800k for Zac Williams who really is currently about the same value to the side as Nic Newman.
I was sitting in the Southern Stand a few years back and Marchbank was sitting a few seats away. He was wearing some sort of metal plate that went up the back of his neck. That sort of brought home how serious his injury was. Good luck to the (not so young anymore) lad. He deserves a bit of good luck for a change.
Only 25, seems older.
We are paying 800k for Zac Williams who really is currently about the same value to the side as Nic Newman.
An utter waste of money, worse than Gov.
We are paying 800k for Zac Williams who really is currently about the same value to the side as Nic Newman.
Probably less value given we acquired him with a dodgy Achilles injury, was never a fan of that amount being paid for a rebound only defender but the market sets the price and he had multiple suitors.
Probably less value given we acquired him with a dodgy Achilles injury, was never a fan of that amount being paid for a rebound only defender but the market sets the price and he had multiple suitors.
I wonder who else would have been stupid enough to pay him that kind of coin. Saad on the other hand is worth every single cent we pay him.
I wonder who else would have been stupid enough to pay him that kind of coin. Saad on the other hand is worth every single cent we pay him.
Yep Saad is very durable, can both attack and defend and was fairly priced.
Been excellent value even for a 1st round pick trade.
Williams and McGovern have both been disappointing form and fitness wise and I'd include Martin in the same category but every club has their high priced failures.
McGovern hopefully can continue where he left off when he returns and give us some value but history suggests all three will never play a full season as individuals or together.
Probably less value given we acquired him with a dodgy Achilles injury, was never a fan of that amount being paid for a rebound only defender but the market sets the price and he had multiple suitors.
All points to the general dearth of talent in the comp and the gambles clubs must make. Sorta highlights the stupidity in recruiting from time to time, but swings and roundabouts.
All points to the general dearth of talent in the comp and the gambles clubs must make. Sorta highlights the stupidity in recruiting from time to time, but swings and roundabouts.
When talent doesn't want to come to your team because you are $h!t, you have to overpay.
Now talent will want to come to us because we are good, and they will take a paycut for the priveledge.
At the end of the day, we had an excessive amount of money sitting arund that had to be used (you can only bank so much before it 'expires') so we may as well throw it at someone like Martin, Williams etc
I'd given up on this bloke but I couldn't help but get a little emotional watching the video in this article
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1144923/afl-team-news-welcome-back-caleb-marchbank
Go well Marchy
Wishing the bloke all the best and it’s an understatement to say he needs a catch a break but reality is he has played 5 reserve quarters in the last few weeks since missing 3 years! Hardly enough imo and can’t help but think it’s a desperate move and pushing things with him faster then ideally we would if Weiters didn’t go down.
Time will tell but must have Durden or kemp as the sub.
My point was he was recruited by EFC to play as a midfield leader at the coalface and that's not what he can do as he is a poor contested player.
On a wing is where he belongs but I'm not paying 1.2k a year plus perks for a winger.
That's the stupidity of football clubs, he was starring as the 3rd mid, getting on the end of a chain from the inside players and the CheatsFC tried to turn him into a grunt type. He probably accepted that offer because his motivation was more about property development than football.
Anyway, we can't claim the high ground, we are turning Kemp, who was brilliant in midfield rotations just prior to his TAC injury, into an average HBF. Football clubs do this over and over again and it is rarely based on evidence, they break more players than they make, someone like Jones is an exception.
Good to see Marchy back in the thick of it - still young and if injury free can give another 5-7 years to the club. Need him fit and firing desperately
Good to see Marchy back in the thick of it - still young and if injury free can give another 5-7 years to the club. Need him fit and firing desperately
Surelythis poor bastard has utilised every possible injury ticket issued to him,.
Surelythis poor bastard has utilised every possible injury ticket issued to him,.
I just hope we are not dumb enough to expect him to stand Wright, Draper, Philips etc and give him a task that is within his capabilities and that he is eased back in and Sam Durdin plays so he and Young get the gorillas to mind.
We've been missing an intercept tall defender since Jonesy retired. His timing to leave his man and intercept pre injuries was elite imo.
firstly wat is the weather like friday night i hope essendope go in to tall ,need to bring the speed into the side ,coll,freo,goldcoast they beat us with quick ball movement not individuals players.
Yep. IIRC, against Port none of Wright, Phillips, Draper, or Jones (or Shiel for that matter) took any contested marks in F50, save for 1 mark by Wright in a one-on-one contest near the boundary on the 50m arc. Phillips took a mark when he was rucking and his opponent let him run into the F50 to take an uncontested mark which gave Essendon its first goal. Harrison Jones took 2 marks running back towards goal with no one near him and took another before a Freo player was able to get close enough to apply body pressure. That’s a pretty paltry return when smaller forwards would have had just as much success in the air as well as applying more defensive pressure.
The midfield, contested ball, clearance stuff is our strength....and Essendon's weakness at the moment. Reckon they'll have Stringer in the middle quite a bit to try and match us in that area. Win that area well and we'll give our forwards plenty of chances to score. Perkins might be a hard match up but reckon we can cover them in most areas. As EB pointed out, their defence isn't a strong point. This is one we should win.
They still reckon H is a chance.
Reckon they'll have Stringer in the middle quite a bit to try and match us in that area.
If Essendon is forced to play Stringer as a deep forward, that would be a win for us. It would be like us being forced to play Cripps at full forward. Stringer is just the sort of explosive big-bodied mid that Essendon lacks. After an injury lay-off and given he isn’t a fitness fanatic, he might have to play as a forward.
I just hope we are not dumb enough to expect him to stand Wright, Draper, Philips etc and give him a task that is within his capabilities and that he is eased back in and Sam Durdin plays so he and Young get the gorillas to mind.
I suspect Durdin might miss EB, and that would be a mistake in my book. Marchbank, at his best, is a very good intercept marking defender but he's only played 5 quarters of VFL footy in the last three years. Asking him to match up on a bloke 12cm taller and 11kg heavier in his first full game of footy in three years could be a bridge too far.
Essendon's tall forwards probably don't faze many opposition teams but Wright's averaging just under two contested marks a game and just under 2.5 marks inside 50 ... and that's against genuine key defenders.
Weitering's comments on SEN suggest that Durdin could be in the mix later in the season ... but he could be spinning a yarn.
Whatever happens, we're going to have to dominate the stoppages, control possession and lock the ball inside our forward half.
On a brighter note, the rumours about Harry being right to play are gathering momentum.
They still reckon H is a chance.
It's early, but he trained pretty well apparently, did everything with everybody.
It will depend on the specifics of the injury and the repair, but the word is he did enough to throw a spanner into CheatsFC planning.
If he's there and parked inside the forward 50 it'll free up Charlie to roam rather than be the full forward. Forward line would look completely different again with H and also Jack Martin up there....add Owies/Durdin/Fisher/Silvagni....
We don't want to take too many into the game with question marks over them. And in McKay's case, we can't afford to play him if there's any risk at all of a relapse. Essendon hasn't been a good team this year. Yes, it's possible they'll play a blinder but we need to take advantage of playing lesser teams whether that's by playing Marchbank after 3 years out of the senior team or resting McKay if there's any risk at all.
Footballers thats cant play half injured are not footballers.
Risk versus reward. I'd rather the caution
Risk versus reward. I'd rather the caution
I reckon if he says he's right to go he's right to go. H is a different person these days, a mature and elite preparer who leaves no stone unturned during the preseason and during the season proper and Ill bet he would have rehabbed the bejesus out of that knee and set himself for this game.
I reckon if he says he's right to go he's right to go. H is a different person these days, a mature and elite preparer who leaves no stone unturned during the preseason and during the season proper and Ill bet he would have rehabbed the bejesus out of that knee and set himself for this game.
Since the Terrier’s arrival, we have had a pretty good record with players returning after injury. It’s those who re-injure themselves during rehab that are the problem.
If the medical staff pass Harry fit to play, he gets through tomorrow’s training, and he says that he’s good to go, then he’s good to go.
Risk versus reward. I'd rather the caution
Tend to agree, I think we can beat EFC without Harry and I was interested to see that Hardwick wanted Lynch to have the extra week for Richmond and err on the side of caution. Harry to me is similar and I'd be thinking one risk vs reward player in Marchbank is enough this week..
Since the Terrier’s arrival, we have had a pretty good record with players returning after injury. It’s those who re-injure themselves during rehab that are the problem.
If the medical staff pass Harry fit to play, he gets through tomorrow’s training, and he says that he’s good to go, then he’s good to go.
Yep, many times these injuries are repaired and as strong as they will ever get after just 2 or 3 weeks, then it's about managing confidence, pain / inflammation and expectations.
It's quite common for there to be some ongoing niggles, so we should not expect a 100% seamless return even if BigH waits another week or two, it's just the way it goes.
McKay is playing!
There are strategies that will limit how bad this will be for H.
I.e. Play him one out at full forward. Instruct him to lead in straight lines only at whatever pace he is comfortable with. How he is feeling is obviously a factor and we do have a sub that can come in at a moments notice.
Having his name on the team sheet is a strategic advantage, and having him on the field even if he is a witches hat, will still give the opposition defenders a headache.
Agree Thry....leave him close to goal and let Charlie and Silvagni and even Martin roam around further up the ground. Essendon don't have two quality key defenders so will be scratching to cover McKay and Curnow.
"Mid-season draftees Sam Durdin and Will Hayes are set to feature for Carlton’s VFL team at Windy Hill on Saturday."
Doesn't look like Sam D will feature this week. Probably makes a bit of sense given that we already have 2 tall inclusions on a night that is likelyu to be slippery.....
Interesting to hear Voss mention that BigH set himself to return this week, and made it happen!
That's a positive, I think! :o
Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more important in my universe than Carlton defeating Sheedy's Cheats!
With McKay coming in DeKoning can push back when Silvagni is rucking.
I'm sure the Bomber defensive coach just got a headache he didn't expect.
Who will McKay come in for?
Marchbank for Weitering
Kennedy for Dow
McKay for ?
I'm thinking McKay comes in for Motlop. Small forward area still well covered with Durdin, Owies and Fisher.
Martin might even come in too and replace someone like Newnes or Carroll?
Much has been reported about the Cheats celebrations this week and how they have gotten all their past champions back at the club to rev up the players for this game. For every one of theirs, I hope we got two of our past greats to emphasize to our blokes the importance of beating these pricks (if they didnt know it already). We simply cannot lose this, we MUST make a statement that they days of crap sides beating us are over. Our blip happened two weeks ago, no more!
GTC....fair chance that Diesel will be giving them a rev up? He f#cking hated Essendon with a passion....as did Sticks.
Agreed, this is one that is just a must win game....not just for the finals chances. But to put a stamp on it and kick a team when they're down as has been done to us many times over the years.
GTC....fair chance that Diesel will be giving them a rev up? He f#cking hated Essendon with a passion....as did Sticks.
Agreed, this is one that is just a must win game....not just for the finals chances. But to put a stamp on it and kick a team when they're down as has been done to us many times over the years.
Surfie, Diesel was a mercenary and happy to work for the Bombers after his playing days were over. He lived/lives close to Windy Hill in his mansion with the turret and like Judd who worked with Merrett , Diesel worked with their mids.
Much has been reported about the Cheats celebrations this week and how they have gotten all their past champions back at the club to rev up the players for this game. For every one of theirs, I hope we got two of our past greats to emphasize to our blokes the importance of beating these pricks (if they didnt know it already). We simply cannot lose this, we MUST make a statement that they days of crap sides beating us are over. Our blip happened two weeks ago, no more!
Heraldsun did a ladder predictor which had us finishing 8th. That was with us winning tomorrow.
Essenscum, The Cheats, just the thought of playing this club brings up so many emotions.
Pretty much all of them amount to anger, disgust and hatred.
I dislike alot of teams but I HATE this mob. >:D
What's better than beating Essenscum? Beating them by a point, ala '99. :P
I can't even have a footy conversation with any of their supporters because they feel they did nothing wrong and have been hard done by. It seems Sheedy and Co. feel the same. ::)
It's easy for us supporters to create and feel the hatred towards this putrid club, I only hope the boys channel this emotion.
They grow an inch and ram home to The Cheats we are the better Club, better Team and have better Supporters. 8)
Just to prove how dodgy they are, the appoint an insider to conduct the extensive and wide ranging full review, Sean Wellman!
FMD, who is going to assist, Dean Wallis? :o
Surfie, Diesel was a mercenary and happy to work for the Bombers after his playing days were over. He lived/lives close to Windy Hill in his mansion with the turret and like Judd who worked with Merrett , Diesel worked with their mids.
I have my own theory on that, we were too screwen stupid to hire him until recently. We were too busy with Saint Chris Judd Invests, our Footy Dept deteriorated into an abysmal joke on his watch, Ill never forgive him for walking away like he did. Everything Diesel has touched thus far has turned to gold so I am happy for him to share with our current crop of chargers what a despicable bunch of cheating kents they are and how winning on Friday is a NON NEGOTIABLE MUST!
Go Blues
Just to prove how dodgy they are, the appoint an insider to conduct the extensive and wide ranging full review, Sean Wellman!
FMD, who is going to assist, Dean Wallis? :o
Not a well man!
Just to prove how dodgy they are, the appoint an insider to conduct the extensive and wide ranging full review, Sean Wellman!
FMD, who is going to assist, Dean Wallis? :o
Hopefully, Tobin brothers
Hopefully, Tobin brothers
He had a massive heart attack not long ago.
Wallis probably still has nightmares with Fraser Brown in them.
Heraldsun did a ladder predictor which had us finishing 8th. That was with us winning tomorrow.
I actually think this year might be the most open final series we've seen in a long time. I reckon that if we get some of our missing troops back in the 3-4 weeks before the September frolics begin, regardless of where we finish (assuming 8 or higher!), we will have a sniff on a week-by-week basis.
I actually think this year might be the most open final series we've seen in a long time. I reckon that if we get some of our missing troops back in the 3-4 weeks before the September frolics begin, regardless of where we finish (assuming 8 or higher!), we will have a sniff on a week-by-week basis.
If Finals started tomorrow, any of the 8 teams could win the flag.
Stocker/Cottrell omitted.....that's strange! Prefer Stocker down back to Boyd. And thought Cottrell has been pretty good since coming into the side, albeit down a bit against Collingwood.
Stocker/Cottrell omitted.....that's strange! Prefer Stocker down back to Boyd. And thought Cottrell has been pretty good since coming into the side, albeit down a bit against Collingwood.
Just don't know what they see in Boyd, ces't la vie.
Team looks good - look even better with Weits and Pitto back
Stock needs to be played in his natural position - inside mid.
Pinot....I fear that both Stocker and Dow could ask for trades at season end if they both want to play as inside mids...barring injuries, they're not going to break into those positions with Cripps, Cerra, Walsh, Kennedy and Hewett in there.
Team looks good - look even better with Weits and Pitto back
Stock needs to be played in his natural position - inside mid.
Stocker's disposal is not good enough for a defender who often kicks without pressure when switching play. His lapses with disposal mean that his chances of earning an inside mid role are extremely slim, without considering the talent of the blokes ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, I would prefer to see Stocker in defence rather than Boyd. I'm not sure what the MC sees in him :-\
Pinot....I fear that both Stocker and Dow could ask for trades at season end if they both want to play as inside mids...barring injuries, they're not going to break into those positions with Cripps, Cerra, Walsh, Kennedy and Hewett in there.
Stock will be a big loss as he is a talent but if we receive appropriate compensation I hope we accept it and bring young talls in. OMac & Gov look cooked and defence need reinforcements young key back and young key forward/ruck to balance the list will be fine with that
Article in The West over here today by Paul Haselby imploring the Eagles to go after blokes like Dow, Zurhaar etc....and basically do what we did with Jack Martin....offer up nothing as a trade and walk them through to the Pre-Season Draft and get them for nothing. He was suggesting someone like Dow offers them an inside mid with some leg speed....something they're lacking at the moment. But, if he did sign a one-year extension as was reported, then they'll have to come up with something. Their second rounder will be an early one and I think they also have Port's second rounder too....both probably a bit higher than what they'd offer.
OK, so we get a few players back (McKay and Martin, and recently Stocker). We have been blooding a few kids (Carroll and Motlop) and even giving Dow a run for the first time in a long time.
*teams come out*
OUT: Carroll, Motlop, Dow, Stocker
IN: Boyd
How? Why?
Please explain.
OK, so we get a few players back (McKay and Martin, and recently Stocker). We have been blooding a few kids (Carroll and Motlop) and even giving Dow a run for the first time in a long time.
*teams come out*
OUT: Carroll, Motlop, Dow, Stocker
IN: Boyd
How? Why?
Please explain.
Please explain!
My shopping trolley has been murdered. :D
OK, so we get a few players back (McKay and Martin, and recently Stocker). We have been blooding a few kids (Carroll and Motlop) and even giving Dow a run for the first time in a long time.
*teams come out*
OUT: Carroll, Motlop, Dow, Stocker
IN: Boyd
How? Why?
Please explain.
Carroll was panicky against the pies and definitely due a rest, whilst Motlop simply hasn’t done enough since making the side
Cottrell, Dow and Stocker are very stiff and far from our worst
Stocker should be playing ahead of Boyd..Cottrell probably got punished for Collingwood wingers playing so well.
Amon having a blinder vs the Tigers and might be upping his price...
Stocker should be playing ahead of Boyd..Cottrell probably got punished for Collingwood wingers playing so well.
Amon having a blinder vs the Tigers and might be upping his price...
Agreed
Also think that the Dow can’t play wing theory is nonsense
Stocker should be playing ahead of Boyd..Cottrell probably got punished for Collingwood wingers playing so well.
Amon having a blinder vs the Tigers and might be upping his price...
Cottrell was poor and wasted half of his possessions, but Newnes wasn’t much better. O’Brien had a decent game but he also let Sidebottom get away.
I thought Stocker was OK, apart from a couple of shanked kicks, but he’s not in great form. Even so, I can’t see how Boyd offers more.
Stocker should be playing ahead of Boyd..Cottrell probably got punished for Collingwood wingers playing so well.
Amon having a blinder vs the Tigers and might be upping his price...
You reckon Amon was good last night EB? I though his disposal in particular was very ordinary.
You reckon Amon was good last night EB? I though his disposal in particular was very ordinary.
That was the same knock on Cerra. He's turned out alright.
Say what you like about Amon, but the one take away I could see is that he ran hard both ways.
He isnt dissimilar to Lachie O'Brien really.
Carroll was panicky against the pies and definitely due a rest, whilst Motlop simply hasn’t done enough since making the side
Cottrell, Dow and Stocker are very stiff and far from our worst
Agree, to a degree, Big 6.
Carroll was clearly overwhelmed but will benefit from the experience. Motlop was way off what was needed but will also benefit from the experience and realise what is required.
Unfortunately Stocker is out of form and just looks to need more confidence. Cottrell just didn't do his job well enough against the Dagpies.
Not at all surprised that Dow was dropped.
Seems Boyd has been recalled for a specific job. This kid has two huge things going for him... attitude and courage, as does Stocker but Stocks seems down on form/confidence. In time, hopefully, both will become highly effective players for us.
Agree, to a degree, Big 6.
Carroll was clearly overwhelmed but will benefit from the experience. Motlop was way off what was needed but will also benefit from the experience and realise what is required.
Unfortunately Stocker is out of form and just looks to need more confidence. Cottrell just didn't do his job well enough against the Dagpies.
Not at all surprised that Dow was dropped.
Seems Boyd has been recalled for a specific job. This kid has two huge things going for him... attitude and courage, as does Stocker but Stocks seems down on form/confidence. In time, hopefully, both will become highly effective players for us.
If Bolton plays forward for Richmond and Boyd takes him we will get slaughtered....
Say what you like about Amon, but the one take away I could see is that he ran hard both ways.
He isnt dissimilar to Lachie O'Brien really.
I prefer LOB to Amon every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Carroll was panicky against the pies and definitely due a rest, whilst Motlop simply hasn’t done enough since making the side
Cottrell, Dow and Stocker are very stiff and far from our worst
I don't think Carroll was panicky per se', I think he is just plain old slow with ball in hand and right now, unable to make decisions fast enough. More time in the 2s working on quick decision make and he'll be fine. Perhaps they need to say instruct him to play on instinct, if he messes up that's fine but do what your head says first time.
I prefer LOB to Amon every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Not a fan of either.....
Re: Amon, got a lot of ball last night and is a higher possession winner than LOB and can hit the scoreboard.
Don't disagree his disposal was off at times but he was one of Ports best in a fairly poor standard game.
Would I pay big money for Amon...no way as he isn't my type of player but given our wings are a problem position I think Voss will be interested given he is a free agent and he knows him well.
In the first couple of weeks when Pitto was out we had TDK spending too much time worrying about the tap and opposition rucks, to his detriment. Once he'd relaxed into the job a bit he started to get around the ground and we saw some great results with joining the chain of play out of stoppages. In other words playing to and using his strengths.
I sure hope we don't make him too D50 focussed tonight, and we let him free to force the Cheats to chase him around the ground rather than have him tag a nobody.
I'm confident if we play to our strengths, the Cheats won't get enough F50 footy to worry us.
If Bolton plays forward for Richmond and Boyd takes him we will get slaughtered....
Good thing we’re playing Essendon EB 🙂
If things go as I expect, Boyd will be back in the VFL for the Richmond game.
Don't care if we loose every game after tonight as long as we
WIN TONIGHT.
I hate those cheating f#$$kers.
I'm confident that Vossy will have them in the right headspace and the 5 changes show that complacency will not be tolerated...
PS.... time for Martin to show what he has got....
I can see a CFC team wide cobra recoil if we're challenged and what better pack of mongrels to earn a response like that.
Good thing we’re playing Essendon EB 🙂
If things go as I expect, Boyd will be back in the VFL for the Richmond game.
I know that DJ, just looking ahead and with Essendon lacking any real small forward threats other than newbie Martin I think Boyd might hold his spot as I think we should take care of Essendon easily.
I feel Stocker is the right man for the backpocket long term and needs to be persevered with rather than in one week out the next week through injury, form, suspension etc and he never seems to get a clear run. Likewise if you are going to play Boyd then play him for a series of games. Obrien isnt my favourite player but has improved with consistent game time, reactive selection to a loss
has seen Dow dropped again, thats not development imho.
I know that DJ, just looking ahead and with Essendon lacking any real small forward threats other than newbie Martin I think Boyd might hold his spot as I think we should take care of Essendon easily.
I feel Stocker is the right man for the backpocket long term and needs to be persevered with rather than in one week out the next week through injury, form, suspension etc and he never seems to get a clear run. Likewise if you are going to play Boyd then play him for a series of games. Obrien isnt my favourite player but has improved with consistent game time, reactive selection to a loss
has seen Dow dropped again, thats not development imho.
Writing was on the wall for Dow when we picked up Cerra.
Ill refresh a few memories with the departure of talent from GWS. They hit the draft hard, collected top tier talent for a few years running. After 5 years, any that werent starting material started getting traded.
FWIW, we did similar. We got in the A grade talls in the first draft and started picking mids too. Started picking up likely types in the next few, that didnt pan out, then got Walsh who is a bonafide gun. Cunningham will return and that makes spots a bit thin. SPS has already gone. Dow is the next cab off the rank with any currency. Carrol has emerged and is at the same performance level already as Dow. That means Dow, needs to become a proper walk up starting player and perform accordingly, or he is off for a bright and shiny new draft pick, because we have plenty of midfield depth and probably more mids to come in the draft. Most mids hit the ground running these days if they are good. That draft year is just looking a bit ordinary. Nothing wrong with that, but it means he will likely go, and we will bring in someone from his cohort who complements the list better.
The pick-up of Hayes rather than a tall in the MSD is probably a further indication that Dow may be on the move.
I think we may try to package up Dow with a pick or two to try and attract a quality KPD.
Dow does have currency.
We play him just to give a sight to other sides.
He's not that bad.
He does have a bit of currency...but other teams see that he's behind a few of his current midfield teammates.
To another side lacking a quality midfield he may be worth chasing.
But the way Voss spoke at a recent after match presser suggests he may not be part of his long term plans.
Selection at this club continues to confuse.
There is just no logic in any of it.
Boyd, who has shown nothing, gets another gig. What aren't I seeing? Am I missing something?
I see we've shuffled the deck chairs out on the wings again. After one poor game. I'd hate to be one of our young outside running players.
Stocker is being played out of position, yet making a fair go of it, and gets dropped. Why whould he want to hang around? Dow must be getting disenfranchised as well.
Time for Martin to deliver, enough's enough. What does Dow need to get the ride this bloke has had?
I know that DJ, just looking ahead and with Essendon lacking any real small forward threats other than newbie Martin I think Boyd might hold his spot as I think we should take care of Essendon easily.
I feel Stocker is the right man for the backpocket long term and needs to be persevered with rather than in one week out the next week through injury, form, suspension etc and he never seems to get a clear run. Likewise if you are going to play Boyd then play him for a series of games. Obrien isnt my favourite player but has improved with consistent game time, reactive selection to a loss
has seen Dow dropped again, thats not development imho.
One week at a time EB, lets deal with this mob of cheats first.
What's the forecast weather over there for tonight's game? I fear a wet/slippery night will bring us back down to their level a bit and reduce the effectiveness of our tall forwards. That said, our bigger bodies in the middle should be able to get on top.
One week at a time EB, lets deal with this mob of cheats first.
If we cant beat EFC then we might as well sell Ikon park to Scientology and move to Mars...
What's the forecast weather over there for tonight's game? I fear a wet/slippery night will bring us back down to their level a bit and reduce the effectiveness of our tall forwards. That said, our bigger bodies in the middle should be able to get on top.
I am in the Yarra Valley and its very cold and very wet. I doubt it would be much better at the G. Good night for the couch, pizza and a bottle of red. 😎
Similar to over here....pizza/white wine it is!
Selection at this club continues to confuse.
There is just no logic in any of it.
Boyd, who has shown nothing, gets another gig. What aren't I seeing? Am I missing something?
I see we've shuffled the deck chairs out on the wings again. After one poor game. I'd hate to be one of our young outside running players.
Stocker is being played out of position, yet making a fair go of it, and gets dropped. Why whould he want to hang around? Dow must be getting disenfranchised as well.
Time for Martin to deliver, enough's enough. What does Dow need to get the ride this bloke has had?
Martin usually goes ok first up after a spell and I'd expect him to play well tonight and be reasonable vs Richmond then taper off until he gets injured again and then the cycle repeats.
Agree on Dow, didnt think he was too bad vs the Pies and I would be trying him on the wing which continues to be a problem position/s. Stocker is an important player imo and I dont get the logic especially when its going to be wet and strong bodies needed in the conditions. Boyd is a player who I cant define in any role, backpocket, half back, wing, midfield....I dont see where he specializes or excels in any position.
Similar to over here....pizza/white wine it is!
👍
I'm with you EB on Stocker. Sat behind the goals in the game against Collingwood and he was tough and hard at it and clobbered Ginnivan a couple of times off the ball nicely. Yes, his disposal can let him down at times but we seem to have too many offensive type defenders who don't really lock down on opponents and Stocker looks like he can do that. I also floated the idea of Dow on a wing sometime back too....he's got good leg speed. But if he can't find another spot and make it his own, it's hard to see him breaking into the lineup as an inside midfielder.
Foxtel showed 2011 win (Walker's mark of the year, Eddie with 8 goals) and 99 Prelim. Hope we can replicate those results and not the 93 GF which they also showed, but I didn't watch that one.
Very easy way to affirm my dislike of tonight's opposition.
I'm with you EB on Stocker. Sat behind the goals in the game against Collingwood and he was tough and hard at it and clobbered Ginnivan a couple of times off the ball nicely. Yes, his disposal can let him down at times but we seem to have too many offensive type defenders who don't really lock down on opponents and Stocker looks like he can do that. I also floated the idea of Dow on a wing sometime back too....he's got good leg speed. But if he can't find another spot and make it his own, it's hard to see him breaking into the lineup as an inside midfielder.
He only runs hard one way. Pretty sure he's been told it's two way running or he's done. He lopes after people without the ball and explodes with it. The gap is to big.
What's the forecast weather over there for tonight's game? I fear a wet/slippery night will bring us back down to their level a bit and reduce the effectiveness of our tall forwards. That said, our bigger bodies in the middle should be able to get on top.
Unless it rains during the game, it won't have any effect. Sure it's cold, but no difference to any other night recently over here. There's not much wind - maybe a breeze but that's it. Anyone who had just woken up now wouldn't really be tell it was raining earlier today other than by a bit of water in the gutters and damp patches on the road or footpath. I've just walked the dog in an inner city park and the turf was reasonably firm under foot.
The reality is that rain doesn't affect AFL games at the MCG these days given the drainage is so good. Even if the grass is damp, the fact they play with mutliple balls during the game helps to make the balls easier to handle. It might have a minor effect on ball handling but tall forwards with bucket hands won't be worried and it would play into the hands of in-and-under types like Cripps. Scoring in these conditions tends not to drop and our strategy of winning the ball out of the centre and thumping it long to H & Charlie with smalls at their feet won't be hindered.
McGrath a late out....but as expected. Replaced by Cutler.
The pick-up of Hayes rather than a tall in the MSD is probably a further indication that Dow may be on the move.
I think we may try to package up Dow with a pick or two to try and attract a quality KPD.
Dow does have currency.
We play him just to give a sight to other sides.
He's not that bad.
He does have a bit of currency...but other teams see that he's behind a few of his current midfield teammates.
To another side lacking a quality midfield he may be worth chasing.
But the way Voss spoke at a recent after match presser suggests he may not be part of his long term plans.
This time last year Kennedy was a goner too.
Just signed a 3 year extension.
If you work hard enough, you can turn it around.
I'm just not seeing it as yet from Dow. We can't gift him games like Bolton did, you gotta earn them now and he isn't.
Trade him to tigers to play with his brother for a pick.
Use that pick and trade it to Geelong (with another pick) and reunite brothers on our end by getting SDK.
Foxtel showed 2011 win (Walker's mark of the year, Eddie with 8 goals) and 99 Prelim. Hope we can replicate those results and not the 93 GF which they also showed, but I didn't watch that one.
Very easy way to affirm my dislike of tonight's opposition.
It was easily mark of the year ... but he was robbed of the award. A disgrace
Bombers showed their new AFLW players.
Can't tell if the people booing were sexist, racist or just don't like traitors.
Maybe the media (or Mav?) can tell me what it is. ;)
This time last year Kennedy was a goner too.
Just signed a 3 year extension.
If you work hard enough, you can turn it around.
I'm just not seeing it as yet from Dow. We can't gift him games like Bolton did, you gotta earn them now and he isn't.
Trade him to tigers to play with his brother for a pick.
Use that pick and trade it to Geelong (with another pick) and reunite brothers on our end by getting SDK.
Saw an interview with SDK the other day.
He kind of put the kibosh on a brotherly reunion.
He's happy as a pig in mud at Geelong.
Loves the place, and said that Tom was equally as happy with us.
Saw an interview with SDK the other day.
He kind of put the kibosh on a brotherly reunion.
He's happy as a pig in mud at Geelong.
Loves the place, and said that Tom was equally as happy with us.
I'd expect him to say nothing else.
But money talks......and players walk.
If a club who finishes (lets say) top 4 comes to you and offers you plenty and sells it that YOU are the missing piece needed to win the flag....can you say no?
Now we are booing James Hird.
Can't be racist, sexist, traitor or because of any on-field efforts....perhaps there is more to this booing thing then the media will lead you to believe.
The pre-game drug cheat hype and pomp is nauseating 🤢
The pre-game drug cheat hype and pomp is nauseating 🤢
It'll be even worse if they win.
The pre-game drug cheat hype and pomp is nauseating 🤢
I used to quite like Briggs music, not so much now… 🤣