Considering McGrath and Kelly are out, and no recognized small defenders are in, perhaps Howlett is brought in to play in the back line?
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I reckon Howlett has been brought in the role of getting 12-14 touches and 1-2 shots at goal.
Iām not sure heās ever shown heās capable of much more?
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Not going to rain, according to the super reliable weather forecast
Maybe true. Then that releases Darcy to play more time at stoppages and on the ball . Thats a good thing imo.
Glad to see Kelly and McGrath rested, a little surprised Dea wasnt a in, But I imagine Ambrose Hartley will play tight and Hurley will play looser and be the general of the backline, play the rance role, but better!
Not sure I get the logic. Playing a proven underporformer somehow allows another player to play more midfield time?
Howlett is tough around the contest and does lay some good tackles. It has been frustrating over the past 2 weeks how easily and cleanly norf and doggie mids have moved the ball from stoppages to setup their offence. Howlett is a better option to improve our defensive clearance work than Langford and I think this is why he comes in this week.
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Iād prefer we not play Hurley loose this week. He needs to be at least nominally accountable if only to ensure that they they donāt play 3 loose behind the ball.
This is going to be another ugly slog with them playing Ultra defensive. Really need our talls to stand up and put on a clunking display. We also need to be smart with our ball use and structure. Need to push up to the share to create the contest and do everything possible not to just dump it long to the advantage of their loose man like last time.
I donāt understand how supporters can think we do not have a chance of winning in the first week of finals if we make it.
We have performed very well against many of the top 8 teams. Do people forget the games vs Geelong, WC, Port, even the losses to Syd and GWS were ok.
If we make it, we CAN WIN!
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Pessimism comes naturally to most of you dorks. They havenāt played the game yet. Resist the urge to wallow in self pity for Godās sake.
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Pessimism must be some sort of defence mechanism in case we lose.
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I dont mind the ins but taking out 2 small backs without replacements?! Ambrose & Hartley have matchups and if Hurley plays loose/roaming role who plays on the other 4 small/mid Carlton forwards? Gleeson, McKenna andā¦?
Bags, Howlett, Tippaā¦
Forget āplaying the kidsā this week and whipping yourselves over it.
The club wants to maximise success this season, for 3 main reasons, to clear the $10m loss asap, to reward players, and reward supporters with on field success. So they are not āplaying kidsā unless the ākidsā are good enough.
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Dustin Fletcher just called and personally asked me to come and watch the game.
Of course I will Dustin. Of course I will.
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He must be a busy guy today, he just rang me as well, told him Iād be there but he didnāt respondā¦
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Surely dea is a better defensive option
For one, Zerret normally backfills in defence, so much so, last year he won āBest Defenderā at the Crichton. Also expect Tippa and Raz, who both played a bit of time on the āwingā in the last game to help out down back. There may have to be some adjustments to roles, but its hard to see them doing it any other way.
Going to rain. ā ā ā ā ā ā hell weāve already lost this before the bounce. Too tall.
I think using a ādepthā player when we need some ādepthā is pretty sensible.
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