Pre-Match. Magpies v. Bombers

[LaurieHolden]

[Podpicken]

Huge game this one....

Out: Adams- In: McRae (one inside mid for another- not as good, but a player in fine form- would be nice if he could jag a few goals resting forward)

Out :Murphy-In: Ruscoe (Ruscoe is 193cms and 95kgs- taller and significantly heavier than Murphy)- Ruscoe has a significant grunt-factor as well- not as good as Murphy, but Ruscoe is 21 years old and has an awareness of our defensive set-ups that will be crucial...

Out McStay- In: Kreuger (I do not believe that Kreuger will ruck, but he will provide strong aerial presence to bring the ball to ground and not allow Redman et al to zone-off...)

Out Wilson- In De Goey (de Goey has the talent to rip a game to shreds- he will be well-rested after last week and hopefully primed for a big one...

Not sure who the sub will be, but they will be stiff.

I think our mosquito fleet up forward can bring home the bacon- provided we break even in the centre clearances. Hill, Ginnivan, Mccreery and Elliott represent a significant threat to the Essendon defence. In my view, this is where we can win the game...

Win, lose or draw, we can't sook-it-up if we lose.

Our coach insists that we are a work-in-progress and this is true; think of the incredible experience Bobby Hill, Kreuger, Nick Daicos, McCreery, MacRae, Johnson, Frampton and Ginnivan will get by playing in front of such an enormous crowd???

Win, lose or draw, we can reflect on the following:

Murphy and Adams will be back for Round 7
Cox and Begg and Draper available to play AFL/VFL about Round 9
McStay (subject to confirmation), Howe, Cameron and Lipinski back around Round 11-12

Some significant Outs, but some light at the end of the tunnel- if we can hit the start of Round 8 at 5 wins and 2 losses, we would presumably still be well-placed to make an assault on the Top Four as the troops begin returning...

Floreat Pica

I like it mate. Interesting one the McStay swap. McStay in Round 5 was a write off early. In round 4 only had 10 possessions, a little bit in the ruck with 15 hit outs but not overly impressive, but serviceable. Round 3 kicked 1, had 16 possessions and actually played ok. But kicked 1 goal all the same. Round 2 he had 10 possessions and 1 goal. Round 1 he had 6 possessions, 1 goal.
He's kicked 3 goals as a key forward. You have to say Kreuger isn't stepping into big shoes to fill (at this point!) and why not play him as a key forward and pinch hit a little in the ruck, even on minimal game time since return from injury? One thing we know is he has plenty of grunt in him. I like the idea.

[RudeBoy]

Seems there is a general consensus that De Goey, Ruscoe and Kreuger will come in to replace Adams, Murphy and McStay.

The only doubt is whether Wilson gets dropped, and if so, who should replace him? It probably won't be a like for like, as the only other tall on our list would be Kelly, and I don't think he's shown enough in the ressies to warrant a recall to the seniors. So unless Fly thinks Kelly is ready, the sub will probably come from Bianco, Carmichael, Macrae or McInnis. There are good reasons for selecting either of them. However, if I was the coach, I'd take a punt and select Allen as the sub.

Either way, I think we have enough talent and desire in our team to beat the bummers, and cement a top spot on the ladder. Pies by 17 pts.

[Pies2016]

I feel that Michell holds the key to this one.
Not only does he have to take up some of Adams slack but he also has to nullify Parish by equalising him at the stoppages.
Parish seems to love playing the Pies, so no Merrett and a subdued Parish will go a long way to giving us first use of the footy.
Mitchell has had a very good first few weeks in black and white and I don’t see his first ANZAC day game being any different.

[Magpietothemax]

I feel that Michell holds the key to this one.
Not only does he have to take up some of Adams slack but he also has to nullify Parish by equalising him at the stoppages.
Parish seems to love playing the Pies, so no Merrett and a subdued Parish will go a long way to giving us first use of the footy.
Mitchell has had a very good first few weeks in black and white and I don’t see his first ANZAC day game being any different.

Do you think then that playing McCrae as a support for Mitchell would be a good strategy?

[dillo_09]

HI All

Just a lurker these days after being very active through the early to mid 2000's so hi to all who may or may not remember me.

Just wondering if anyone has any ticket available for Tuesday or if one pops up in the next fews could you DM me? All i need is any ticket that would get me into the Ponsford as I can then manage things from there

My wife hasnt been for many years to ANZAC day and I semi promised that I would get her a ticket this year but left my run too late and am now trying to avoid a situation equivalent to an "international incident" so to speak!!

So if there is anything out there I would REALLY appreciate it!

I am happy to cover any costs and chuck in a gift of some sort if needed. Could do a contra deal on something else.

Let me know.

[warburton lad]

I feel that Michell holds the key to this one.
Not only does he have to take up some of Adams slack but he also has to nullify Parish by equalising him at the stoppages.
Parish seems to love playing the Pies, so no Merrett and a subdued Parish will go a long way to giving us first use of the footy.
Mitchell has had a very good first few weeks in black and white and I don’t see his first ANZAC day game being any different.

Do you think then that playing McCrae as a support for Mitchell would be a good strategy?

I think it would be an excellent strategy- and give MacRae the confidence in knowing that the Coaching staff have faith in him to do the business.
Excellent call

[Pies2016]

I feel that Michell holds the key to this one.
Not only does he have to take up some of Adams slack but he also has to nullify Parish by equalising him at the stoppages.
Parish seems to love playing the Pies, so no Merrett and a subdued Parish will go a long way to giving us first use of the footy.
Mitchell has had a very good first few weeks in black and white and I don’t see his first ANZAC day game being any different.

Do you think then that playing McCrae as a support for Mitchell would be a good strategy?

M M, I don’t really spend much time thinking about in’s and outs these days. They coaching staff will have a plan and it may include MacRae or it may not.
The footy dept know these players and the opposition so much better than we do. I’d like MacRae to get a chance ( full game ) but that’s just me wanting a young bloke to get an opportunity. DeGoey coming back may also offset his chances a bit. As they say, all will be revealed when they run out.

[LaurieHolden]

Would Carmichael be ahead of Macrae clearance player? Carmichael can hit the scoreboard as well.

[lazzadesilva]

Seems there is a general consensus that De Goey, Ruscoe and Kreuger will come in to replace Adams, Murphy and McStay.

The only doubt is whether Wilson gets dropped, and if so, who should replace him? It probably won't be a like for like, as the only other tall on our list would be Kelly, and I don't think he's shown enough in the ressies to warrant a recall to the seniors. So unless Fly thinks Kelly is ready, the sub will probably come from Bianco, Carmichael, Macrae or McInnis. There are good reasons for selecting either of them. However, if I was the coach, I'd take a punt and select Allen as the sub.

Either way, I think we have enough talent and desire in our team to beat the bummers, and cement a top spot on the ladder. Pies by 17 pts.

RB I’m nowhere near as confident as you are! I think we will drop this one just due the lack of players for perfect matchups. Just a gut feeling and frustration that we are struggling with this injury curse once again

[MagpiesTheGreat]

The Almighty God is guiding us to march toward the 16th flag: resting some players, and trying out different strategies in the early part of the season.

Pies to win by 28 points.

[lazzadesilva]

I thought God always hated Collingwood most times, esp. in Grand finals.

[think better]

Interesting how Frampton has become just about the most useful player on the list.

He rucked well on the weekend and has been more than good as a key back - and we picked him up for nothing!

[think better]

[quote="lazzadesilva"]I thought God always hated Collingwood most times, esp. in Grand finals.

[Take_a_Screamer]

...There's an outside chance we'll hear 'Kreeeeuggg' echoed around the stadium?
You think he'd be a bit underdone, but you'd know he'd give his all.

I'd prefer him to strengthen and get match fit in the reserves considering his propensity to injury.

...Hill and Elliott, and the sixth sense of Ginnivan,

Could this be the game we see the destruction of the opposition
by these dynamic and super talented three amigos?

Love your selected team Laurie, hope it turns out exactly that way.