The Team - vs Western Bulldogs - Sun 3.20pm

[Finding_Nino]

Yes but this is Essendon we are talking about

[Odoyle]

If he gets 30 disposals he will probably kick 10 goals because he plays solely forward now

[Saucy]

I don’t think we’ll win.

But, respect to Truck for making a big decision.

[bltn]

@Speedy_Gonzales

Bont playing 4th tall essentially and Kelly best suited, unless it’s Hep. Which I don’t really like the idea of.

[Tezzalenco]

About time the club started making players earn their spot. Too many players getting games because of their names and reputation. It might stick a rocket up some players to pull their finger out. Hopefully this is a turning point.

[Finding_Nino]

Dogs have been under the pump a bit via the media I’m expecting the dogs at their best and then we have to put with the commentators saying how you can’t count out the dogs as a flag threat

[beerme]

Great work coaches. Next step move on from Heppell.

[efc1robbo]

Great stuff by Rutten, set standards and if players don’t comply with them- Your out!

[bltn]

We can make a game of this, but we absolutely need Parish at 100%.
The Dogs midfield, even if Bont plays forward all day, is still very deep (Libba, Smith, McCrae, Dunkley, Treloar).
I would expect Draper to handle a 35yo Martin quite easily though.

We probably go down.
It will be nothing like that '19 nightmare though.

[Bomberman76]

Surprised so many are happy to have Shiel out of the side but Cutler in.
I am all for making players earn games but plenty worse than Shiel in my opinion.

[efc1robbo]

If you refuse to run back and defend, you shouldn’t be in the side

[The_New_Coleman]

Two observations:

• Cutler got 17 disposals in a half in VFL (taken off ground in second half as AFL emergency).
• No intel, but Shiel might not be 100% fit. Quote from training thread:

@6_monfries_and_coke

Although heppell and shiel did heaps on run throughs before main training started a good 30 or so minutes before the rest of the guys came out. They then disappeared.

[Tugg_Speedman]

Let’s drop a guy who doesn’t tackle for a guy who doesn’t tackle

[Touchedontheline]

At least Cutler can kick.

[BAAKKEERRRR]

Two first round draft picks, eh?

[Clone_Hirdy]

BZT out must mean LAV is good to go.

[Odoyle]

Our main issue is our midfield not running defensively, and Shiel is the biggest culprit. Cutler will play a completely different role to Shiel, allowing perhaps Caldwell, Perkins and Hobbs more mid time and the chance to increase our midfield defensive pressure.

[Speedy_Gonzales]

Others who do tackle and will put in defensively will get his main midfield minutes though.

Cutler isn’t replacing him in that role

[Clark_Griswold]

I’m pondering who is going to get Shiel’s centre bounces…probably Stringer IMO:

[efc1robbo]

Rutten walking around the club after dropping Shiel