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

[RudeBoy]

Finishing a game clear on top of the ladder will no doubt be celebrated by our team and give them confidence that they have the game to beat anyone.

Once the finals start, its a whole new ball game. The fact is, the past several weeks have seen us missing several of our very best players, but we are gradually getting them back now, and should be close to our best line-up by week one of the finals and certainly by the prelim, if we get that far. Form is temporary, but class is permanent. Our side is brimming with class.

[Pies2016]

We are first team for 14 years to have had top four in locked five weeks before finals (St.Kilda 2009). So even though I am very aware of the premiers win at least 3 of their last 4 home and away games stat, this year that stat is almost meaningless. There are a couple exceptions too in the last twenty years. But it’s been 14 years since a top team didn’t have to spend much of their last five weeks playing at full intensity to lock in top 4 and then top 2 for a home final.

Very relevant observation. When in doubt, always revert back to human nature. It’s no different to most employees who achieve their KPIs or goals with a month to go. There aren’t many under that scenario who would continue to bust a gut for another month when there’s nothing more to achieve. The coach or boss can do little to alter human nature during that “ no incentive “ period. However, when those new goals are defined or laid out, is when the good coaches or bosses get the best out of the people they oversee. I’ve said this before but McRae is also going to learn a lot about himself in this finals series. Only time will tell whether he proved to get the balance right and whether he pulled the right levers to get them back to their early season form.

[lazzadesilva]

There aren’t many under that scenario who would continue to bust a gut for another month when there’s nothing more to achieve. The coach or boss can do little to alter human nature during that “ no incentive “ period.

[dmov73]

Well, I think it's time to scrap the old tradition of captain and coach holding up the premiership cup and instead hoist up a champion data stat sheet. It's all about the stats!

Gold!

[BBHS]

Murphy confirmed out. Howe goes back. Might see Ice Trey make an appearance.

[Pies2016]

There aren’t many under that scenario who would continue to bust a gut for another month when there’s nothing more to achieve. The coach or boss can do little to alter human nature during that “ no incentive “ period.

[dmov73]

Murphy confirmed out. Howe goes back. Might see Ice Trey make an appearance.

Where is this confirmation?

[LaurieHolden]

FWIW we must address the defensive games experience deficit, coupled with our run out of defence. It's a non brainer putting Howe back into defence. We missed his voice of experience and interception qualities.
We'll need Ruscoe in as well. Murphy needs time to get over these corkies.

Round 23 we went into the game with a defensive mix having played 480 games.

Getting Howe back in along with Crisp would give us a mix of :
B : Crisp (222) Frampton (38.) Maynard (182)
HB : Noble (91) Howe (229) IQ (81)

There's +363 games in match experience from last week. They know our system, and offers to get that offensive drive from our defence.

Irrespective of whether Ruscoe's (18.) exit Visa has been stamped, he offers a rotation option.
I'd also consider Oleg as a rotation mix, should Crisp be required for midfield relief.

So from last week :
Outs : Murphy (inj.), McCreery (susp.), Ryan (inj.), Mitchell (mgd)
Ins : JDG, Cox, Hill.
Ruscoe or Oleg (sub), suspect Oleg will be ahead of him.

[Piesnchess]

Finishing a game clear on top of the ladder will no doubt be celebrated by our team and give them confidence that they have the game to beat anyone.

Once the finals start, its a whole new ball game. The fact is, the past several weeks have seen us missing several of our very best players, but we are gradually getting them back now, and should be close to our best line-up by week one of the finals and certainly by the prelim, if we get that far. Form is temporary, but class is permanent. Our side is brimming with class.

Well said, agree 100%. first , beat Dons by say, 4-6 goals, after bit of a tight match, then, rest up, re set, reload, get players back for the first big Final, win that, rest up, again, go into the Prelim fresh as daisies, then the sky is the limit., hopefully.

[BBHS]

Murphy confirmed out. Howe goes back. Might see Ice Trey make an appearance.

Where is this confirmation?

https://twitter.com/CollingwoodFC/statu ... 59631?s=20

[think positive]

Finishing a game clear on top of the ladder will no doubt be celebrated by our team and give them confidence that they have the game to beat anyone.

Once the finals start, its a whole new ball game. The fact is, the past several weeks have seen us missing several of our very best players, but we are gradually getting them back now, and should be close to our best line-up by week one of the finals and certainly by the prelim, if we get that far. Form is temporary, but class is permanent. Our side is brimming with class.

Well said, agree 100%. first , beat Dons by say, 4-6 goals, after bit of a tight match, then, rest up, re set, reload, get players back for the first big Final, win that, rest up, again, go into the Prelim fresh as daisies, then the sky is the limit., hopefully.

this please
No fries needed!

[What'sinaname]

Going to be a tough trying to contain Langford, Stringer and Wright.

[BBHS]

Yeah GWS really struggled with the task

[LaurieHolden]

Frampton on Wright
Maynard on Stringer
Howe / Ruscoe on Langford

Considering Essendon kicked as many goals in the 1990 Premiership as they did last weekend isn't going to cause me any lost sleep.
And Essendon playing Wright is like giving us another defender.

[swoop42]

Hopefully McRae takes the final opportunity before finals to see if Cox is actually capable of dislodging Cameron from his No.1 ruck mantle.

His biggest supporters seem to believe he can, I remain open minded but it's all pointless if McRae hasn't seen it that way.

Start him as our No.1 option from the opening bounce and let's see how he goes in that role for a half up against a combative opponent in Draper. If he does well he gets the second half also.

Time to sink or swim for Cox and for McRae to get his answer.