Pre Match. Pies v. Dons. All comments please.

[Pete 70]

There is always an absurdity to the thru haven’t beaten anyone argument as you can only ever only beat who you play. Not sure we could have been more convincing last outing and I reckon Moore, de Goey and Stevo would get a game in any team in the 8 so pretty handy ins. Reality is, last 3 years some teams did very well because they had a heap of games against the lower performing teams. Oh to play the suns twice. I feel like we are getting closer to that form of the first part of the season; and I think to go deep into sept you need a dominant half back line. Ours isn’t looking too bad.

[Pies4shaw]

Full team in OP. In Moore. Out Sidey.

[David]

It’s true that we’re not in amazing form, but we’re not playing worse than GWS, and Geelong are probably about on par with us. Richmond, Brisbane, West Coast, Hawthorn and the Bulldogs are the form teams at the moment, but at least one of those last two won’t even play finals, and who knows how long the others will keep it up. I was genuinely worried after the lacklustre Melbourne win, but we were brilliant against Adelaide – it’s one thing to beat an out-of-form team, another to absolutely smash them at their home ground. If we go into the finals with four straight wins, then that’s about the best formline you could hope for.

[Pies2016]

The bombers have been absolutely decimated with injury at tonight’s selection.
We can’t ask for anything more. Even if we’re only half fairdinkum, it should be a pretty comfortable win.

Go Lions !!

[David]

No real surprises here! Roughead named FF, Moore CHB. Daicos probably the only emergency in the mix for selection over the coming weeks.

[Magpietothemax]

[BazBoy]

My first impression of Jack Magden at the Sydney game was less than encouraging

Then the game last week whilst he seems a bit off AFl his game was not too bad

So Jack good luck and keep plugging away mate

[Raw Hammer]

[Raw Hammer]

[Magpietothemax]

The Bombers sealed their September spot last week with a road victory over Fremantle, but will be without David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell, Jake Stringer and Orazio Fantasia in the final round. (AFL website)
Hell, that is injury carnage even worse than ours. Their midfield is decimated. If we can't dominate in this area of the ground, then we will struggle in September. Loss of Fantasia and Stringer also pretty significant, as it means we have few smaller type forwards to worry about, and the added height with Madgen and Moore becomes an even more perfect match for Essendon's F50.

[Magpietothemax]

[Pies2016]

[Skids]

Meh, they're resting a few... so are we; JDG, Stevo, Sidey, Wells & Aish.

[swoop42]

Smart play with selection by Essendon and their best hope of winning an elimination final.

They have nothing to gain from securing victory as it would only guarantee an interstate elimination final.

They've taken the opportunity to omit some quality players who could do with an extended rest and if we do as hope and produce a comfortable win tomorrow then this could lead to some complacency on our part if as anticipated we meet again in 2 weeks time as that Essendon side will be a stronger 22.

[Magpietothemax]

Historically, this approach does not work. Complacency does not kick in during finals. A heavy loss does create a cloud though. This is on the historical record.