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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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....
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.
