No rushing back of anyone carrying injuries or are not 100%. We are in the finals so the aim is to freshen up the boys to have a crack in week one. Leroy has to go though.
Carlton are the filth
Honestly hope the TRB make wholesale changes. There is no point playing out of form players. We saw how well dalgleish did yesterday.
Got to take a risk, would rather play guys who are willing to have a go and lose by 60 than play guys who will only run one way and lose by 40
In: Hams, NatRat, Hurley, Myers, Hille, Van Unen, Browne, Davis, Ryder
Out: Pears, Bellchambers, Baguley, Howlett, Zaharakis, Stanton, O'brien, jetta, Heps
In: Hurley, Merrett, Myers, NAT RAT, Ryder
Out: Pears, Jetta, Zaka, Heppell, Bellchambers
Bags Carlisle Nat Rat
Hibberd Hooker Goddard
Dalgleish Watson Stanton
Crameri Hurley Merrett
Davey Daniher Kommer
Ryder Hocking Melksham
INT: O'Brian, Myers, Howlett
Sub: Hardingham
Don't care what happens this weekend or the one after. We're in the finals, we will be playing in Melbourne (unless the Swans do drop the next 2) so lets just prepare ourselves for that. Don't care about beating Carlton and Richmond, just make strides each week. Lets focus all our energies on beating Collingwood, Richmond or Sydney in that first final.
Don't care what happens this weekend or the one after. We're in the finals, we will be playing in Melbourne (unless the Swans do drop the next 2) so lets just prepare ourselves for that. Don't care about beating Carlton and Richmond, just make strides each week. Lets focus all our energies on beating Collingwood, Richmond or Sydney in that first final.
Top 4's set, we'll be playing in Melbourne if we play a final.
Those wanting Baguley dropped or delisted are delusional. He has become the small defender that we have needed for a long time. His kicking wasn't good yesterday, but he did drop back into the hole and took some strong grabs.
Is Heppell a certainty to miss? We’re stuffed without him; he’s one of very few who are actually in form, plus he’s our only other creative inside midfielder aside from Jobe.
Out: NOB, Jetta, Hardingham
In: Myers, Hurley, Ryder
Kavanagh in for Heppell if he misses.
Given that we have lost the last 4 games by 45+ points. There is logic and reason behind why it's occurred. Not only do you have the off-field drama which will affect players confidence but Zaharakis is slowed down by his back fracture injury, it's obvious, so there isn't much you can do about that. Winderlich and Dempsey are also big outs for us. They are both super fast and super skilled players for us when fully fit. So they are big outs.
Our forward line players have all suffered injuries as well. Crameri has come back slowly and a bit out of sorts. Hurley injured. Gumbleton has a niggle. Daniher is a great option up forward and needs game time.
Heppell is injured. Myers is injured.
All consequences of the modern day game and training demands of each season of a team that isn't at the level of the Cats or the Hawks yet, which will take years.
We have a young team that is building in terms of the list.
A positive is that we now have a bigger group of A grade players = Watson, Goddard, Hibberd, Carlisle. Heppell. Fletcher, Winderlich (when fit)
Potential A graders that are close = Melksham, Howlett (when fit) Hocking, Crameri, Zaharakis (when fit) Dempsey, Hooker, Hurley, Ryder
Players that need a year or two: Myers, Kommer, Daniher, Dell, NO'b, Browne, Baguely (is already playing solid football)
Quite a few of the above players are not fully fit and are adjusting to the demands of more and more training.
It took Geelong many years before they reached the synthesis of a solid list and a good system. With Mark Thompson at the club, at least we know we are on the right track, if nothing else in terms of how to reach a high standard. Ok, maybe there was some luck involved with their list and everything working out, but at least Thompson knows what you need to do.
We are building state of the art new facilities, which is exciting for the club.
So things are improving.
This year, amongst the drama, is just the second time in 10 years that we've made the finals series. And we are in with a chance because we will play either Port, Richmond or Collingwood first up. So there is a chance we could win the first final in over 10 years, if we can find some form in the last few games this season.
Chin up. There are some positives.
Reckon we should bring in browne/van unen and release hibbs in the midfield
Not sure what is happening with Browne. Weird that he got a lot of games end of last season and is off the radar completely this year. Don't know why. I agree, it would free up Hibberd in the midfield.
Zaka needs a spell. Isn't chasing and quite honestly, isn't making much of an impact at all. Hasn't ever since he hurt his back against the doggies.
Bags has had a fantastic season. A highlight for us. Tough and doesn't give a ■■■■...bit of Essendon of the old for me.
Not sure what is happening with Browne. Weird that he got a lot of games end of last season and is off the radar completely this year. Don't know why. I agree, it would free up Hibberd in the midfield.
I know Demps is injured, but don't we want to be freeing Demps up before Hibbs?
Don't care about it really, just as long as Jetta goes. And never comes back
The following out and off the list at the end of the year: Pears, Baguley. They make Trevor Spencer and Brian Whitten look like champions! My one year old son has better skilss than both of them.
In: someone who can hit a target!
Essendon Football Club have no record of Brian Whitten. You are a touch embarrassing.
OUT: Jetta, O'Brien, Bellchambers, Heppel (Injury), Pears,
IN: Hurley, Ryder, Hille, Lovett-Murray, Myers
If we are going to refind some form this year pleeeeeeeease let it be this week, pleeeeeeeeeease, Carlton will be hoping for an easy win, beating them will be glorius!
Those wanting Baguley dropped or delisted are delusional. He has become the small defender that we have needed for a long time. His kicking wasn't good yesterday, but he did drop back into the hole and took some strong grabs.
Agree, he had a couple of kicking howlers yesterday, but he still defended well. Has been in solid form and is a certainty to play next week, as he should be. The defence is still not the problem, forward dysfunctional line is, as was the midfield yesterday. Jetta gawn, Ryder back in. TBell looked like he was not 100% right yesterday. JD took a step forward. Hurley back in if ok to go. Colyer for some pace. Kommer stays in. Whoever said he doesn't stick his tackles missed a ripper yesterday, when he rode one player into the ground, bulldog style.
Out: Unfit/Out of form players
If that includes Zaka and Howlett so be it.
Pity Hille didn't get a thankyou game this week, can't see him getting in now.
In: Ryder, Myers, Hurley, NLM
Out: Jetta, O'Brien