If Howe doesn’t get up...

[David]

I’ll be devastated if Howe’s injury stops him from lining up next week, both for him and because of his crucial role in our defence. But if he doesn’t get up, who do we turn to?

[masoncox]

Moore

[Nick - Pie Man]

Benny Reid - tallk bloke, and has crucial grand final experience. I swear Sidebotton, Goldensack and Pendles are all that's left of the 2010 team

[Johnno75]

Reid before Moore.

[David]

It’s really tricky. Madgen has been an emergency for every final and is nominally next in line, but is also really green. Moore is the most talented, but also the biggest worry in terms of breaking down and costing us a rotation. Reid has the big finals experience (and experience in general), but has barely played all year. Appleby could be a total left-field option as someone who was a solid and reliable defender until his injury. I presume we’re all in agreement that Murphy, Oxley and McLarty aren’t in the picture. So, a real quandary!

[Pies2016]

Doesn’t matter, he’s fine. He came back on when we were 35 points up.
They wouldn’t risk him with that advantage if he was in trouble.

[E]

Reid seems fit. Moore does not. I'd go Reid. Hopefully we wont need anyone although Howe looked pretty ginger.

[Dave The Man]

[Tannin]

If we play West Coast, Ben Reid. Like his strength and experience, love his kicking. Don't like his fragility, or his relative lack of run. (Not knocking the bloke: he's a tall. Howe is a medium who plays tall. Not the same thing.) The other risk with Reid is that he hasn't played with our other defenders for a very long time.

Moore: not ready. Not fit enough to last out 4 quarters. Would love to have his energy and run, but you don't play half-fit players in finals. Richmond just proved that.

Appleby: good player, been out for too long. (Veterans can come straight back in after injury: youngsters really need a week or two to get back up to speed.) On the other hand, he has played as part of THIS defence, not last year's one, and that is a big plus.

Madgen: not really AFL ready. Has a crack but he's nobody's first choice at this stage.

If we play Melbourne, Appleby is my first choice. Reid the other possibility.

Hell. I voted Reid but I've almost talked myself into favouring Appleby, even if we play the Toastrack.

[swoop42]

Riewoldt still managed 5 goals in a losing side.

We may have to consider a Reid or Moore anyway as while Goldsack did a great job on Kennedy Kennedy also failed to clunk 3 or 4 marks he'd normally take in that game also I thought.

McDonald is a dangerous tall target in the Melbourne side while Weideman has surprised also.

[David]

^ Interesting, Swoop. Who would you drop, though? Can’t think of a defender who wasn’t brilliant tonight.

[think positive]

moore, bur we wont need him
the man the body he will play!
jeremy Howe cmon down!!

[swoop42]

[Pies2016]

The same team did a number on Cameron and Himmelberg the week before.
They aren’t household names but they are both tall, so I dont see why we would really make any change unless forced upon us by injury ( and that’s not likely ).
Regardless of the opposition, the current backline has a great synergy and the modern game is more about structures and playing your role. The days of horses for courses selections seem a little less relevant these days.
No change for mine.

[Skids]

Howe will play.