Baker In. Big Ben OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beej]

Gram's fitness is what's worrying me.

When he came back on after his groin issue he was not able to get into a sprint.

The one passage of play that sticks in my mind is when a Bulldog waltzed around him with way too much ease and Gram looked to be really struggling.

I hope we don't take a risk with him. At his best he would be a massive loss but he's had an ordinary year by his standards so I think we'd be better off with a 100% Geary than an underdone Gram.

[GeorgeYoung27]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

[saintly]

Stanley maybe is emergency for Kosi?

on foxtel teams glen jackovich stated that Kosi had broken ribs.

wwould bthat be possible. and if stanley comes, i don't give the saints much hope. Stanley has not played for 5 weeks at least round 22 vfl which was round 21 afl.

[Buckets]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

[Bernard Shakey]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

[plugger66]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

Probably doesnt but how would you know?

[sunsaint]

Absolutely NO CHANCE that Big Mac won't play!

Baker may play if Gram doesn't come up, otherwise unchanged.

Lyon is trying to play funny buggers.

yep agree
the one area we had a clear advantage was ruck
WHY would you stuff that up.
Both Gardiner and McEvoy go forward and kick goals thats been proven over time, and it means that Jolly and hack fill-in have to play a very defensive mindset after the bounce. Thats is to our advantage.

I understand your concern.

However, you are forgetting that the very capable Pies thrashed us in Rd 16, whatever circumstances may of contributed to it.

Our structure just didn't hold up that day, and I know I don't want Ross to do a Bomber, and back our gameplan when it's obvious it didn't work against them.

We need to come in with a Collingwood specific game plan.

The structure wasn't great in rnd 16 cos a certain #12 wasn't 100% fit yet.

and...McEvoy didnt play that night
Paterson was in ...and Jolly smashed us in ruck single handedly
So SainterK you think RL is going into this game with a changed game plan?

[Bernard Shakey]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

Probably doesnt but how would you know?

Because Glen Jackovich wouldn't know what day it is. He is going on what he saw on the tele last Saturday and has decided he knows more than any other footy journalist. Get real.

[plugger66]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

Probably doesnt but how would you know?

Because Glen Jackovich wouldn't know what day it is. He is going on what he saw on the tele last Saturday and has decided he knows more than any other footy journalist. Get real.

Then why say they may be even bruised. Sounds like he knows nothing so we can claim Kosi is 100% fit.

[saintly]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

why do you say that? and stanley is emergency why?

[Buckets]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

Probably doesnt but how would you know?

Question is what in the world are you two on about????
GY27 and I were commenting on the fact that MM looked abit shocked with the selection and that it may have put him on the backfoot, haha

[repta]

I like Big Mac, but he is still a project player. He doesnt win many taps, doesnt win much around the ground. Realistically all he is in the game for is to give Gardiner a break.
Kosi needs to step up. THe only time he has looked good this year is when he is in the ruck. We will need Baker on Didak or Davis. Both have the X Factor. Baker has the ability to get under both their skins. Big Mac is a long way off ripping a game apart. We cant carry anyone into the GF. This is their chance ... this is it ... it is now or never. Throw absolutely everything at it and leave nothing behind. Carrying in project players in (Geary / Mac / Stanley) we wont win.
Time for Kozi to stand up and be counted.
Send Baker out to see if he can beat Alister Lynchs record at the GF tribunal.

[Bernard Shakey]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

Probably doesnt but how would you know?

Because Glen Jackovich wouldn't know what day it is. He is going on what he saw on the tele last Saturday and has decided he knows more than any other footy journalist. Get real.

Then why say they may be even bruised. Sounds like he knows nothing so we can claim Kosi is 100% fit.

You really are annoying aren't you!
Did you go to the game last week, or even watch it on the television set?
If you did you would have noticed that Kosi ran into a Doggie player he didn't see, gave away a free kick and came off second best with bruised ribs.

Any other questions Albert?

[PaulieGa]

I think there are a few advantages to this change and view it more as Blake for Big Mac and then Bakes for Blake rather than Bakes for Big Mac.

Some advantages that I can see are:
- Blake can cover Leigh Brown around the ground, having done a similar role on Goodes in the past and it saves changes the defensive structure if Brown goes forward as Blake can just follow him. Plus Blake has a bigger leap and is apparently only 3cm shorter, so I figure that he will compete in the air well at centre bounces. Around the ground bounces we can easily have a third man up like I have seen so often.
- If needed Kosi can have a run in the ruck against Brown leaving Presti to either have to follow or take up a seat on the pine and impact collingwoods rotations
- Bringing in Bakes mean we now have 3 smaller taggers instead of 2. Dempster, Bakes and CJ. This could allow CJ to spend all his time in the midfield instead of Didak as some have suggested (Dempster has the tank to follow Dids in if needed). I would prefer to see CJ have a run with role with the likes of Pendles or Swan and it means that we dont have to use our other taller defenders Chips, Gwilt, Gilbo and Zac on their shorter forwards.

The disadvantages that I can see are:
- We lose Big Macs effort going forward (but have Brown covered more defensively)
- We lose our big target to kick to 70m out on the wing when coming out of defence (however this could be covered by kosi or roo, they just may have to be on their bikes a little bit more)

I feel for Big Mac, but I can see the advantages of the move. Plus...... it must have MM thinking WTF? does he change his plan for this thinking we will leave it as is, or does he think we are bluffing and plan for Big Mac?

Will be interesting to see what the final team is.

[plugger66]

Disappointing for Ben but he may be our No.1 ruckman next year if we win.

Brilliant move by Ross at the selection table. Just watching the 7 footy show and Malthouse seemed thrown by the dropping of Ben and was talking about changing his team before Saturday. First points to Ross.

Baker in puts the wind up the Collingwood forwards even before the game is played. Big Mac is out but it means that Kossie plays as relief ruckman. Prestie can only play on Kossie as Prestie is slow and cant kick. If Kossie is in the ruck, what do you do with Prestie? The bench which then limits their rotations?

Picked that up as well. Very interesting...

Kosi does not have broken ribs, bruised maybe but not broken.

Probably doesnt but how would you know?

Because Glen Jackovich wouldn't know what day it is. He is going on what he saw on the tele last Saturday and has decided he knows more than any other footy journalist. Get real.

Then why say they may be even bruised. Sounds like he knows nothing so we can claim Kosi is 100% fit.

You really are annoying aren't you!
Did you go to the game last week, or even watch it on the television set?
If you did you would have noticed that Kosi ran into a Doggie player he didn't see, gave away a free kick and came off second best with bruised ribs.

Any other questions Albert?

You and Stinger working together. Now that is a site. I went to the game. Not going to question you on weather you went because i hope like me you would have gone. I did see the hit. You are the one who comes out with one line statements like they are 100% certain to happen. I was just questioning this one like I questioned Baker last week and when you said Joey will be rested.

[mbogo]

Brilliant selection - strengthens the side - brings in a favouraite and tough small - to match Coll smalls.
Kossie will ruck - Goddard moves forward - Presti will be alone and lost. LOve it.

[Bernard Shakey]

Bakes had no match up last week and the only reason he would have played is to prepare him for this week. Bakes didn't play and therefore will not play this week. Joey should have been rested, but Ross in his wisdom decided not to.

[plugger66]

Bakes had no match up last week and the only reason he would have played is to prepare him for this week. Bakes didn't play and therefore will not play this week. Joey should have been rested, but Ross in his wisdom decided not to.

So bakes is out?

[Bernard Shakey]

Bakes had no match up last week and the only reason he would have played is to prepare him for this week. Bakes didn't play and therefore will not play this week. Joey should have been rested, but Ross in his wisdom decided not to.

So bakes is out?

Yes!

[plugger66]

Bakes had no match up last week and the only reason he would have played is to prepare him for this week. Bakes didn't play and therefore will not play this week. Joey should have been rested, but Ross in his wisdom decided not to.

So bakes is out?

Yes!

Why would they pick him then. The pies would be just as confused if he was emergency so why put players through the pain even if they know, friends and family probably do not.

[mbogo]

Even if you are right Bernard - why would you release the secret here so early?

[maverick]

Bakes had no match up last week and the only reason he would have played is to prepare him for this week. Bakes didn't play and therefore will not play this week. Joey should have been rested, but Ross in his wisdom decided not to.

So bakes is out?

Yes!

Excellent looks like he will play then.
Now just tell me Ben won't play and Mini will and then I will be happy.

[saintnick12]

Bakes had no match up last week and the only reason he would have played is to prepare him for this week. Bakes didn't play and therefore will not play this week. Joey should have been rested, but Ross in his wisdom decided not to.

So bakes is out?

Yes!

Why would they pick him then. The pies would be just as confused if he was emergency so why put players through the pain even if they know, friends and family probably do not.

Especially as Ross said he wasn't going to fox with Bakes in the prelim as it wasn't "fair on Steven". He said he wouldn't be naming him then pulling him out again, after what happended with the QF. Maybe Bakes offered it as the ultimate sacrifice. Doubt it. Think we'll go in as named

[Bernard Shakey]

Even if you are right Bernard - why would you release the secret here so early?

What secret? I'm just giving my opinion. I'm sure Malthouse doesn't think he'll play.

[bergsone]

Brilliant selection - strengthens the side - brings in a favouraite and tough small - to match Coll smalls.
Kossie will ruck - Goddard moves forward - Presti will be alone and lost. LOve it.

Agree with this,BJ going fwd hitting the score board may just be the difference