Pre-match. Pies v. Crows.

[tbaker]

I don't see any issue with a 5 day break.
We beat the Gold Coast after ANZAC day (5 day break) last year.

These guys are finely tuned athletes, with the best medicos looking after their welfare. I ran half marathons with 5 day breaks (multiple times) after drinking beer like it was going out of fashion and even set a PB at 42 years of age.

Pies by plenty.

Well players across the competition regularly talk about it being good having a longer rest following 6-day breaks, so I'm sure 5 day breaks is really stretching it. Yes the fit sides may be able to overcome it (depending on who they come up against), but surely we shouldn't be travelling off a 5-day break.

[Skids]

It's a 90 minute flight.

[gurugeoff]

makes sense to give Pendles a rest, and probably give Murphy another weeks rest as well, given that we have other options

[scoobydoo]

Strange how the teams playing on Monday night get easier options the following week than the teams who played on Tuesday.

[Podpicken]

I wouldn’t drop Ruscoe after today’s game as I rated him one of our best. In Adams and Murphy, out WHE and Kruger.

His second half was terrific

[What'sinaname]

I get the Ruscoe love, but with Murph back, where does Ruscoe play?

[RudeBoy]

Assuming Murphy has fully recovered, he and Adams will come straight in.

That means there will be a minimum of 2 outs. I've been re-thinking long and hard about who to drop, and I'm really not sure. Anyone dropped will be unlucky.

Kreuger didn't do much, but he should be better for the run, after missing so much footy and it would be risky to go into this game relying solely on Frampton. I also feel we need to keep Johnson in the forward line, where he is a major weapon for us.

Pendles, is clearly under an injury cloud, so he may miss, though he's such a disciplined professional, that I'm sure he'll do absolutely everything possible to get up for the game.

I haven't seen his stats, but our new whipping boy, WHE, seemed to have a quiet game, despite being robbed of mark of the year! However, I suspect WHE's hard running makes him a reliable role player, unlikely to be dropped.

While he did some good things when he came on, I think Kelly will probably go back to the ressies, for now at least. He should have more confidence, and there is now definite hope that he can make it, as a winger, not a KPP.

So, after much thought and changing my mind several times, I now think the most likely changes will be:

Out: Pendles (inj), Kelly

In: Murphy, Adams

Ruscoe to be the sub.

[qldmagpie67]

Hearing Pendles is 50/50 he’s getting a scan today which will decide his fate
Also hearing Sidey might be a no go
3 interstate trips in 3 weeks and 2 of those games played on heavy fields has left his legs a little weary
Club is debating is this a good opportunity to rest him up to attack next chunk of season (they’ve broken it down into thirds)
I think it will depend on whether Pendles gets up really don’t think we would go into game with both out

[tbaker]

It's a 90 minute flight.

Come on, there's a lot more to it than the flying time! I'm not concerned with the travel, just the fact it's coupled with a short break.

[Donny]

Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury has been cleared of serious eye damage after getting a poke in the eye in the last quarter of the Anzac Day win over Essendon.

Pendlebury consulted an eye specialist and was cleared of serious damage from the blow. He will be re-assessed later in the week but is expected to be clear to play against the Crows in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

Source :
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/haw ... 5d3ff.html

[pietillidie]

^Good injury news - for once!

What'sinaname, as Rude said, Murph will be straight back in if fit, which is no slight on Ruscoe who keeps showing something whenever he gets a crack. Murph has just been huge this year, building further on last year, and plays tall.

[stoid]

Strange how the teams playing on Monday night get easier options the following week than the teams who played on Tuesday.

My feeling is that we should play Richmond the week after ANZAC Day and Essendon should play Melbourne after ANZAC Day.

I feel we can't play Melbourne the week after ANZAC Day because we play them Queen's Birthday only 48 days later.

[David]

Some tough selection decisions next week, but for me, biggest priority is that Ruscoe stays in (even if only as 23rd man). He's earned it, and we're a better team with him out there.

[Meredith1965]

Krueger unlucky, as I thought the stats didn't reflect his attack on the ball.

I agree with that. Kreuger stays in for mine, unless we've suddenly solved our rucking dilemma (which we can't rely on Johnson as 2nd ruck). Kreuger will be better for the run, and with him only playing just under 3 quarters is hopefully still fit enough on a 5 day break.

Krueger did a lot of “nearly” things yesterday. As the rust clears out, I think he’ll be a serious addition.

Losing Pendlebury this week will hurt but Adams is an underrated player, liberated by Mitchell coming into the team.

Mitchell, I suspect, is the biggest reason we have gone from good to great this year. Hard ball extractors are hard to find, and they release creative players like DeGoey, Daicos 1 and 2, and Pendlebury. Mitchell’s CPs are elite.

[The Black and White Lion]

Definitely some tough decisions if all are fit and ready. Sometimes injuries and suspension force your hand.

We’re missing Howe, Cox, Cameron, McInnes, McStay, Murphy and Adams from round 1 team.

Frampton, Markov, Johnson, Ginnivan, Kreuger, Ruscoe and Kelly have all come in and played a part.

The Adelaide Oval is a long ground, need stamina, speed by foot and long kicking.

If Adams and Murphy come in, I think Markov and Kelly drop out with Ruscoe the sub.

If Pendles and Sidey has a rest, I’d like to see Kelly get another game with Macrae a fringe chance to fill in.