Yes it is harsh. he's played 3 bloody games of AFL football and got concussed in his second game. By your standards it seems anyone who does not make an immediated 5 goal or 30+ possessions impact should be shafted. Let me say that on this basis Waite, Fevola, Whitnall, and several others would not be at this club. Fair dunkum mate wait til hes played a couple of seasons.

Because it's floopin' Pagan who wants them to play injured. Isn't that what preacher said a couple of days ago?

@ Pagan.

For crying out loud Denis, have some faith in the kids give them a chance to recover. You'll do them long-term damage if you continue like this.

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"A good composer does not initiate. He steals."

- Igor Stravinsky

Collingwood are playing a more physical game with added pressure compared to last year. Add to that a fit Rocca, Fraser and Tarrant to their team, and they have a different height dimension to their structure from last year's losing team.

We need muscle in the middle and I'm not sure if Blackwell is the answer there; he would be if he focussed on getting the ball first with C'wood players giving away frees for head high hits. Big IF.

We have to play to win in the first half of the season, with Kennedy and Russell the two developing players.

Kennedy to replace DeLuca at FF/FP and only if Bentick is injured he is should be replaced by Wiggins (who is desperate to perform) and has performed in the Ants. Russell would be the only other to be considered for replacement, but I would prefer that Russell and Kennedy get plenty of game time in the seniors, as apart from Wiggins, Prenders is the only other player with his hand up ATM.

Collingwood forwardline are tall and strong.

FF: Rocca (Saddington)
FP: Tarrant (Thornton)
CHF:Cloke (Whitnall/Bannister))
FP: Fraser (McLaren)
HF: Buckley (Bannister/ Walker)
HF: Didak (Carazzo/ Walker/Russell)

Interesting analysis of playing methods of C'wood forwards from Walls (On The Couch: Foxtel) last night:

Rocca stays within 30 meters of goal (semi circle)
Tarrant leads out to both HF's and back to CHF (lateral mover)
Cloke roams out to the wings and centre (beyond goal range)

Whitnall being taken out to the middle by Cloke is not a ideal for us, as he is a waste chasing Cloke around in that area. Swapping Whitnall onto Rocca would mean Whitnall is stuck on the FB line. So maybe Whitnall CHF with Russell or Walker on Cloke. That way when the ball is spoilt by Walker, Walker has an opportunity to do some damage in the centre corridor, effectively playing CHB position with a midfield role.

We may just sneak a win. This will happen if the flood continues to be effective defensively, AND, we have good positioning to take advantage of rebounds. That's where Kennedy fits in standing the square, with Fev leading from there as a link (or within range) at CHF and Wait and Fisher further up the ground as marking targets.

Go Blues. Surprise me.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Rocca vs Saddington doesnt grab me..would prefer Mclaren ..Rocca will outmuscle Saddington..
I would have Walker on Didak.....Didak is very strong for his size and tends to bully bounce smaller lighter players, he wont outmark AW and he wont chase him either because Didak isnt accountable and I reckon AW can give us some drive as well as keep Didak quiet.

Bannister on his old mate Buckley with a swap with Walker the alternative if Buckley is on his game...
Wiggins/Bentick on Obree..Obree has been playing well and is a major possy winner for Collingwood....

Whitnall on T Cloke
Saddington on Fraser
Thornton on Tarrant.....
Russell on Bon Jovi Thomas..let the two youngsters matchup...

Carazzo on Neon Leon

Dane Swan to tag Murphy
Holland or Licuria to tag Stevens now that Campo isnt available..

Battle of the midfields..pies will win if they get enough supply, they have a potent forward line and the best defense is to make sure the ball doesnt get down there that often..likewise i think we can kick a winning score if we get decent supply.....Harry Obrien, Swan, Maxwell,Heath Shaw etc are not exactly stars and they rely heavily on Clement and Presti....

French needs to play a good game and dominate .....Richards and Fraser are not worldbeaters and its time our ruckman did something....

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

i'll bet my life on it that McGrath will be back this week.

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Blueboy forever

Whitnall on Rocca, he has no other matchup.

I'd like to see Livo in again for Rocca, and I agree with ubettsya, would love to see McGrath back in.