Reports indicate that Fisher and Waite are doubtful for this week, and Kennedy is highly unlikely to debut from only one match in the Bullants, so is it Setanta's time?

In the pre-season game, he looked a little lost, but his endeavour was fantastic, and I can't think of any decent alternative.

Our forward line is looking decidely fragile, and Hawthorn's defence isn't the strongest, so I vote for O'hAilpin to get a run.

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"The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything." Oscar Wilde

Didnt he go off in some pain in the Bullants last outing?? How is Carlos, is he fit? Same thing with Kennedy, is he fit?

Other reports have Waite a realistic chance to play along with the fish!

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"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly

Fitness clouds: Setanta, Waite, Lappin, Kennedy, Hartlett

Fisher will play. Waite and Lappin are close and I think Josh will get another run in the VFL after straining his groin. Had he not he would be in the side.

Hopefully Harts is fine for the VFL and starts putting some runs on the board, ditto Santy (unless some of the others don't come up).

I thought someone mentioned that Hartlett has done a hammy?

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

I said this in another thread about this weeks match:

Well, whoever comes in, I'm hoping Denis will just let them play. Loose the reins a bit and let the youngsters have their heads. It will probably make for enjoyable footy to watch, and who knows what we might pull off.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

....you'll have to explain this one to Rambo you know

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There's so much I could say...

Maybe I could beat it into him with some 4 by 2?

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

At this stage it looks as though we will lose Fevola at FF and Lappin in the HBF. So who plays FF and HBF?

Expectation is that one of either Waite and Fisher to return. Waite was a last minute exclusion, so a good chance IMO. We can't count on either of them till selection night, although both look promising to return.

Teague's courage is valued, his disposal not up to AFL standard.

Chambers has stamina in the running department but can't find the ball or break lines with pace.

DeLuca has saved his spot IMO.

* chance to play

OUT INJURED: Lappin*, Waite*, Fisher*, Hartlett
SUSPENDED: Fevola, Davies

DROPPED: Chambers, Teague.

AVAILABLE: Setanta, Bannister, Prenders, Blackwell, Longmuir, Livingston, Wiggins, Bryan, Russell, Kennedy.

Fevola replacement: Kennedy doubtful but could be a surprise at FF. Setanta may be the only choice (if shooting for goal from no more than 30 meters out).

HBF: Houlihan or Bannister

We may need Blackwell and Longmuir although it may be a bit early for Blackers. If so, Prenders is the only other I would consider.

IN: Setanta, Bannister for Fevola and Lappin
Prenders and Longmuir for Chambers and Teague.

We are stretched for depth. Too young and underdeveloped. Just goes to show how important Fev, Lappin, Fish and Waite are to our team.

Most important, we have to win the midfield. A smart game plan and match up for the small and fast leading FF Williams. Bannister for mine, with Rucks filling the hole...and whatever happens lets not leave the FF whether its Kennedy or Setanta in a 1 against 4 situation like last week.

I need to have a good look at the Hawks game against Geelong again because I'm freaking out of this Friday's game moreso than against the Swans.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Is that a fact or an "educated guess"?

Fisher has been suffering knee soreness and has had a limited training schedule.
Soft tissue injuries are a resulting problem.

Unless he is 100% (and he didnt train freely on Friday), it is irresponsible to play him.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

you would think the 2 likely players to come in would be Livo and Banno. Livo so maybe Lance could move up the ground and Banno to tag one of the hawks influential midfielders.

I doubt Setanta would be the replacement for Fev i think Dennis is smarter than that and wont allow Setanta to play under such pressure and would rather Setanta come in when Fev, Waitey and Fish are firing.

We are going to get slaughtered when the hawks stream out of defence they have the 2 best swooping play making half back flankers in Guerra and Hodge in the league.

Dennis has some huge problems i think we got there forward line covered but we could be exposed across half forward and forward line pressure as they will clear the ball very easily and will have alot of run generated from the back line.

So expect to see a whole heap of flooding its going to ba an ugly game.

Someone who demonstrated clear knowledge of the injury called him fit to play, I'm inclined to agree with them.

he is a bloody good player the best hands in our team imagine a full season out of Waitey, Fish and Fev

I've heard that Waite will miss at least this week possibly another. Fish is a 70/30 chance of playing. Lappo wants to play but I think will be ruled out! So what do we do? No-one has mentioned Bryan - maybe at CHF or FF. He is big, agile and can kick.

Sporn gets one more week by default because of the injuries.

Bannister has good endurance and mobility AND is a better FOOTBALLER than Chambers.

Under no circumstances bring in Prenda! I'd give Wiggo a chance before Prenda.

If JK isn't ready Carlos has to be given an opportunity as replacement for Fev.

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There's so much I could say...

That's what I thought. Guess.

Why present something as fact if you dont know?

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I don't believe in recycling the players that have taken us to 2 wooden spoons and don't add anything to the team. I am talking about - Wiggins, Bannister, Prenda, Longmuir, Sporn, Chambers etc. Let's try some of the younger players that may be prepared to have a go!

OK Budzy Prenders not included. You must have seen a lot more of him than I have this year.

Wiggins to tag Hodge?

I like the idea of Bryan at CHF. Big body big kick, and I'll never forget that Swans game he played last year.

I fully understand reasoning behind no Fev no Setanta, but we need forwardline pressure.

Who can play FF? Kouta !! vs Dawson. Hawks also have a good running defender in Smith too.

It's going to be an ugly game. We've got to get that nut first. Hit hard. Sacrifices. When we get the ball don't just bomb it forward. I hope the boys learnt something from the Swans last weekend, and that is if we have the ball they don't.

Assume that Lappin, Waite and Fisher are out. What is the likely line up?
We're all over the place if we become too Hawks focussed and don't concentrate on our game. If so, maybe it's time to release Walker in the midfield/ wing. Let them worry about us.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

No way can Kouta, Deluca and Bryan play in the same forward line they will carve us up, none of those players can chase and apply pressure.

Dennis has to stick to his guns and not be to defensive. If he applies a defensive approach he is already sending the message of defeat which doesn't come across well.

We still in development stage and we also want to win but i rather the team stick to its game plan than playing like the swans did to get a win on the board

Put it this way, this bloke rattled off an accurate account of the injury. Based on his description I agree with his assessment (I am a Biomedical Science undergrad).

But please, with no statements, no evidence and no knowledge of the injury, feel free to knock back any claim I make because of what you think of me.

As of right now, Fisher will play. His hamstring is 98-100% and he will be incurring a new injury if he were to miss out this week. He has done more than enough time for the nature of his injury.

gday,

even if fevola, fisher, waite, o'hailpin, kennedy and lappin don't play, i think the escape lies in more alternative measures, let eddie betts stand on french's shoulders in the goal square batting away potential goals, bring back davies and wiggins in some sort of suckerpunch role, they-run-out-and-throw-a-few-at-hodge-and-mitchell sort of deal, they'll be delisted by years end so may as well go out ala lynch in 2004. de luca can play forward, and by play, i mean model designer gloves to the nobody who would waste a glance on the lanky bastard,

in all seriousness though,

when waite was asked up on stage at the social club function last saturday you could make out a limp, hopefully he's right as he doesn't fare too bad against the hawks (then again, most don't far too bad against the hawks), but after their win over geelong and that fact that five of my ideal front six look uncertain to play, i'll pray, but this doesn't look like a good week,

bring on the tigers!