Vs Essendon

[BigMart]

How do we match up

Midfield Group
McEvoy, Armitage, Steven, Montagna, Hayes, Ray
Bellchambers, Watson, Heppell, Zaharakis, Howlett, Melkshem

Tagged
Dal Santo..... Hocking
Jones....... Stanton

Run with
Gilbert...... Goddard

Stk Fwds
Riewoldt........ Carlisle
Maister......... Pears
Hooker......... Lee
Milne........... Baguley
Saad.......... Hibberd
Milera........ Dempsey

Ess Forwards
Hurley........ Simpkin
Hille........... Stanley
Crameri........Roberton
Davey......... Geary
Winderlich..... Wright

Spares
Fisher....... Myers

Subs
Siposs...... Merritt

We would need to play well

Heppell, Watson is a problem for us..... As is Hurley/Simpkin (Fisher as a back up) .. Crameri is a real hard one, He and Goddard will need utility style defensive opponents... Ray is also an option their, as is Fisher
Dempster and Gwilt will be missed in this game as they have mid sized marking targets

For them
Milne and Saad are a worry... As leading small fwds... But they can be opened up defensively
I reckon they can match us, close us down in most areas..... Leg speed through the middle is a concern

[Jakes]

Whoever has BJ should drag him to the last line of defence! I loved BJ but I've never seen someone so skilled literally wet themselves everytime they were 1on1 on the last line of defence like he did. Constantly gave away free kicks for holdings, and often when he didn't, he probably should have.

[remboy]

Won't be that easy Jakes. I'm sure the Bombers will organise themselves so that BJ is further up the ground.
I feel good about your match ups BM. Was wondering, though, if Fisher might get first crack at Hurley with Simpkin on Crameri?

[BigMart]

Crameri would be too nimble for Simpkin

He is a 6'1" flanker, who is strong overhead... Simpkin is a short FB

[spert]

I presume Watters will use similar tactics to last season when we beat the Bombers who rely on breaking lines and running fast, and will try and expose our backs to one-on-ones near goal. Problems for us would normally be Watson, Ryder and Hurley- Ryder is gone and Hurley is not quite match fit yet. Our midfield need first touch and also need to improve their defensive work off the ball, the forwards also need to keep the ball in their zones and not let the Bomber half backs run the ball out freely. We may see Maister floating around the backline to add some marking power, and I would play Roo at FF to keep the best Bomber defenders down deep, while Lee can roam around the half forward line. My worry is that Simpkin hasn't shown much form in the VFL, so I hope he lifts, and I'm still not sure where is Siposs' best position to play is.. I would like to see him on a wing of HF rather than down back.

[BigMart]

I thought Arryn was our great white hope across HB?

He was lauded after 2 excellent games there at the end of last year and 1 good pre season game....

Now he has gotten ahead of himself and played some quiet games he needs to be repositioned or questioned?

He's young, he will play poor games.... Quite a few

[plugger66]

I thought Arryn was our great white hope across HB?

He was lauded after 2 excellent games there at the end of last year and 1 good pre season game....

Now he has gotten ahead of himself and played some quiet games he needs to be repositioned or questioned?

He's young, he will play poor games.... Quite a few

How do you know he has gotten ahead of himself. Sometimes I wonder.

[noob]

Roberton on Crameri for mine. If not Fisher. Big day for Beau Maister. Needs to step up.

[gringo]

A bit rough on Siposs, he's really just not quite handled the pressure of expectation. I think we Tommy Walshed him hoping he would be Goddard at the start of his third year with about 20 games to his name. I think the fans might have got ahead of themselves not him. At around 75 games we can probably better judge how good he will be.

[BigMart]

He will be a good player, just need to allow him to play bad games.... Consistency isn't reached without experience...

We are just a bit used to Ross not playing kids much, because he wouldn't allow them to make mistakes in order for them to grow

[plugger66]

He will be a good player, just need to allow him to play bad games.... Consistency isn't reached without experience...

We are just a bit used to Ross not playing kids much, because he wouldn't allow them to make mistakes in order for them to grow

Most werent good enough or had injuries or weaknesses that they need to get better at.

[Old Mate]

Roberton on Crameri for mine. If not Fisher. Big day for Beau Maister. Needs to step up.

Crameri a likely late withdrawal through injury. Gumbleton to come in.

[SaintPav]

Roberton on Crameri for mine. If not Fisher. Big day for Beau Maister. Needs to step up.

Crameri a likely late withdrawal through injury. Gumbleton to come in.

that's a big out. Will Hurley get up?

[Old Mate]

Roberton on Crameri for mine. If not Fisher. Big day for Beau Maister. Needs to step up.

Crameri a likely late withdrawal through injury. Gumbleton to come in.

that's a big out. Will Hurley get up?

Yup Hurley in.

[Old Mate]

Finals teams:

Out:
Crameri

In:
Gumbleton

Out:
Lee & Siposs

In:
TDL & Ross (sub)

[mullet]

Wasnt it hurley last week who was whincing and dry wretching with a wrist injury???

Surely it cant be right. Some extra slaps whilst trying to punch ball away on that wrist me thinks.

[8856brother]

Wasnt it hurley last week who was whincing and dry wretching with a wrist injury???

Surely it cant be right. Some extra slaps whilst trying to punch ball away on that wrist me thinks.

Bombers have good medicine.

[MC Gusto]

Disappointing outs - would have liked to see lee have another crack and was hoping sippa would be ok.

Tdl doesn't inspire me but good luck to him

[MC Gusto]

Should have added that I'm stoked for Ross. Woulda preferred tdl as the sub

[mullet]

Wasnt it hurley last week who was whincing and dry wretching with a wrist injury???

Surely it cant be right. Some extra slaps whilst trying to punch ball away on that wrist me thinks.

Bombers have good medicine.

yep there is that, perhaps hurley is a bit of a sooky la la