Pre-Match. Magpies v. Hawks. All comments.

[mudlark]

[David]

To split the difference between the "bring back Ginni" crowd (of which I am a sometime member) and the naysayers, he wouldn't have been named as an emergency several weeks running if McRae and the rest of the coaching staff didn't rate him and didn't see him as right on the cusp of selection. There are many talented players on our list performing in the VFL most weeks, after all, who are not getting that nod. (Carmichael, for instance, seems to be in our best most weeks, but I can't even recall when he was last named in the 26.)

It's also a fact that consistently strong VFL performances don't necessarily correspond to an ability to do it at AFL level – Callum Brown, among many others, would still be on our list if that were so. But that goes the other way too; Ash Johnson came straight back into the AFL team a couple of weeks ago after a performance in the seconds that could only be described as a debacle. It's not rocket science: whatever they do in the seconds – and obviously it's expected that they show the right attitude and don't sook it up – players like Johnson and Ginnivan are known inside and outside the club to be capable of standing up in big matches, and have demonstrated that on many occasions. So it should hardly be a surprise if Ginnivan returns to the team soon without having set the world on fire in the VFL.

[Damien]

The ONLY reason Ginni is not in the side at present is because we are basically injury free. Same for the likes of McCrae, Frampton, McInness, Krueger, Carmichael etc…

You can debate it all you like but it comes down to the simple fact that 30 into 23 doesn’t go, therefore someone misses out.

The positives are that our VFL side will play finals and we will have a big core of HUNGRY players awaiting a chance to play at the highest level. It’s a bloody great position to be in. We are making changes by choice, not necessity.

Unfortunately history tells us that the amazing injury free run won’t last, which means that players WILL get their opportunity.

The coaches will also take a ‘horses for courses’ approach. If they see the best way to beat an opponent is a small, fast forward line, they may swap a tall for a small for example.

[Donny]

[Harrysz]

As some have said, this is our strongest team for the year. I agree. It is our strongest team of the year ON PAPER. In reality it's not as strong as the team we watched in the first half of the season. Miocek and Lipinski are out of form and Mitchell looks tired. Also, there's lingering uncertainty about the best make-up of the team. Ideally we'll win big against Hawthorn and develop some impetus which will be required against the better teams.

I don't understand the enormous love for Ginnivan shown on this site. He has some smarts but he lacks pace and doesn't get into enough contests. I agree with Mudlark's comments.

[KenH]

[lazzadesilva]

I get it that posters have a love or hate relationship with Ginny (I’m unashamedly in the former group) but if Collingwood gets rid of him, it will be the biggest blunder the club has made since they appointed John Cahill as coach ahead of John Kennedy or when Tuddy crashed into McKenna in the 1970 grand final! We all make mistakes in life if we’re honest about it and Craig McRae is the perfect coach to help Ginny (like he did with Jordy) resolve a few issues and get back to doing what he knows best, kicking goals for Collingwood. We should never underestimate the importance of the strong relationships McRae has with his players. He is a genius at solving problems.

[perthmagpie]

Over the last 18 years or so 90% of the premiers have won 3 or 4 of their last four games. Time to get back to Pressure Pies.

[Gerry Cooper]

[Donny]

[scoobydoo]

[scoobydoo]

[inxs88]

Ginnivan's problems are three-fold:

1. He got ahead of himself over the Summer with the drugs breach
2. He is slow without strong endurance
3. Umpires have curbed his one wood insofar as scoring

The word is that he is committed to the Pies and obviously contracted for next year. The interesting thing is are we committed to him?? With Grundy, Treloar, Phillips and Stephenson shown the door, the club may see him superfluous to needs and a pick in the 30's may be alluring to us.

[swoop42]

The gap between Hawthorns best and worst is large but when at their best they have the capacity to move the ball quickly and score heavily when they have the momentum.

Can't recall to many times across the years that Hawthorn haven't shown up when playing Collingwood and I'm sure Mitchell would love a scalp before the season is out.

[KenH]