Pre Match v Wee-Gals...all pearls of wisdom here please!

[shackleton]

I really hope we win this game, i know its only preseason, but by what the Media has been saying the weagles are gonna have a shitload of players out - so i really expect us to beat them and convincingly if were going to do anything this year.

[samuel]

I would take the 3 premierships in a row and then a lean period.

[Cannibal]

Terrific preview, Johnno!

If the Weagles do indeed end up missing a large number of players, and the Collingwood players are as pumped up as Rocca said, then we should win. But I agree also that it still won't be easy in the Darwin heat and humidity, extended bench or not, and will be a very, very close game.

Go 'Pies!

[pies417]

I great preview! Better than most crap in the papers.

AS far as the KIDS V EXPER argument goes it is important to remember we had a lot of injuries last year. Some of the guys that have already played 6-10 games wouldn't have played that many otherwise. Better to get them a few more games under the belt and get them running. Most a are pretty young so hopefully burnout wont be a problem.

My tip The pies by 15, Ritchie Cole to star!

[Your Joking Me!!]

I think Rhyce could consider himself unlucky if he was dropped. He did some good things on Friday night and from what I saw, his dispposal was better than average. If nothing else, Rhyce can run and Mararra is the same size as Subicaco, a ground where good legs are definately needed. Would like to see Fanning get a run, maybe at the expense of Cam, and let Josh roam the forward line and Richards and Fanning do most of the ruck work.

RE kids Vs older-heads, I don't think the new recruits should be given a game for the sake of it, they should be forced to earn their spot, even at this early stage of the season. As was mentioned earlier in the thread, people do forget about Rowe, King, Walker, Cam, and even Richards,who put together,would struggle to have more than 50 games of experience. When Mick talks about 'the kids', I read that as being more about the above names rather than Egan, Trav, Rusling, Yakka etc.

For Collingwood this year, I do think it as more important to do well in the Wizzer rather than to play the kids to not only restore confidence in the playing group, but to generate some excitement about what lies ahead in 2005. The new recruits will get their chance to play senior footy at Willi which should provide a good guide as to where they're at.

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

I'll have a bit each way regarding the 2005 Wizzard Cup.

I do think its great to give our young players a taste of senior footy & the wizzer is a great opportunity to do so without losing premiership points.
However, we did debut more kids than usual last year, and after our 2004 performance, it wouldn't be a bad idea to build the sides confidence by winning these pre-season games.
Having said that, they are 'practice-games' when its all said & done!!

How about:
If we win = Its very important that we did
If we lose = Was only a practice game to help brush out the cobwebs

I like it

[Lloyd Christmas]

pies by 3 points...







.

[Cannibal]

From Johnno's post in another thread:

Collingwood: Leon Davis, Shane Woewodin, Ryan Lonie, Brodie Holland, Chad Morrison, James Clement, Julian Rowe, Shane O'Bree, Tristen Walker, Richard Cole, Shane Wakelin, Chris Egan, Scott Burns, Paul Licuria, Andrew Williams, Rhyce Shaw, Anthony Rocca, Josh Fraser, Nick Maxwell, Matthew Lokan, David King, Travis Cloke, Cameron Cloke, Simon Prestigiacomo, Dane Swan, Heath Shaw, Zane Leonard, David Fanning

This is the squad for Saturday night. 28 players. Egan, Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw, Leonard and Fanning are going, so it looks like those who want to see some of the kids have had their prayers answered!

Without Taz, it looks like Tex will play FF.

An interesting mix.

[DaVe86]

Im not a fan of Rheecey but i would love to see him hav a run this week and I would love to see him pick up chris judd from the outset. Brodie Holland may not have the legs to run with him all day and may not be fast enough for judd. Shaw can keep up with Judd as he proved last year. A really good game on judd could give shaw the confidence he needs to hav a good year. If judd beats shaw, then shaw has nothing to feel bad about because judd is a champion and has beaten most quality taggers.

Shaw as mentioned in this thread would enjoy the pace of the game, as both teams will be fast through the midfield. I think it will be a free flowing game with no big emphasis on flooding or defence. Shaw would be able to run off judd a bit and cause troubles of him own. I do not think judd is as "strong" as other midfielders liek buckley or voss so shaw's lack of strength is not exposed. Where judd does damage is in his ability to totally outrun an opponent. If Shaw can keep up, Judd will struggle as i dont think judd has great marking power in a one out contest.

Id love to see Shaw thrown in the deepend this week against a slightly undermanned west coast squad.

[foreigner]

From the AFL site,

Introducing Cloke III
4:39:37 PM Thu 24 February, 2005
Samantha Lane
Sportal for afl.com.au

Collingwood is set to unveil four new youngsters in its quarter final clash against the West Coast Eagles at Marrara Oval in Darwin on Saturday night.

Chris Egan, the club's first selection in last year's national draft, has been named, along with father-son pick Travis Cloke. Collingwood has also added second-year rookie players David Fanning and Zane Leonard.

Full story, http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&s ... eid=187297

Looks like they will be thrown into the hot water in a bunch. Should be interesting.

[05bucks]

while this game is only a wizard cup match is understand why the pies should rest some of the bigger named players and give the younger kids a run, but as im from perth and living in perth as a collingwood supporter there is nothing better then beating the west cost weagles especially after what they did to us last pre season.
so i hope the boys come out and smash the weagles on sat night.

[35forever]

Bloody interesting this. For me the key is the 8 man bench. Basically, we could play two benches. Stick with the regulars if things are tight, and gived the kids a run if we get away from Wet Toast (which I fully expect us to do). We could play 3 new guys, 4 regulars who wouldve been on the pine if it were a home & Away, & one of the guys short of a run or maybe not 100% (eg: Tarkyn or Taz), paricularly if WC are without Judd & Cousins.

Being a Queenslander I dont get to see anything of the Willi games, so I'd love the chance to see Fanning, Egan, Leonard, Heath, & particularly C3 (but then I doubt MM will give my preferences a great deal of consideration - he hasnt called me in days!).

I'll also add my voice to those calling for Race to play on Judd (if he plays - looks like he will), he cleaned him up last year. Race is a bloody good player with absolutely zero self-confidence, the boost he'd get from another win on Judd shouldnt be underestimated (but of course Judd is a vaguely reasonable player, so it aint no certainty).

Obviously its dangerous to get carried away, but I think people really underrated the game Richmond played. I thought they looked good, they were desperate to please the new coach, & got a couple of lovely performances from their brand newies. They were confident & moving well in the last, and were simply overrun by a more confident, beautifully drilled side. For me it was the return of the side I last saw in the Prelim against Port in September '03. The poise & coolness of the backline led by Jimmy, Wakes, & Presty, added to beautifully by Mumbles Morrison, was a joy to behold, with Johnno & Richie running it out a treat. And we should have won by more, Willo's first shot outside 50 missed by an inch and Rowe missed two he shoulda kicked.

I think Brodie & Race could make a huge difference this week if they can neutralise the more mobile forwards like Sampe & Matera. I'd prefer to see Tex in the goalsquare than down back, as I think we've got their tall forwards more than covered. Actually I'd like to see C2 & Tex alternating as marking forwards with Pebbles on the 50 (ours if possible & theirs if we need an extra man in defence) Perhaps those 2 big forwards could take turns presenting upfield a la Taz?

The ruck should be interesting, with Josh having been slaughtered by an orange maggot on Friday. But then we've shown we dont need to win hitouts, and Josh showed guts to mark & goal at the death last week. Still, if his confidence isnt affected by that assclown umpire's antics, he's a freak.

MM did appear a happy boy after the game, as did Pebbles, but whether it was confidence for the season ahead or relief at a near escape from Morwell remains to be seen.

My tip: The pies by 44 if we kick straight (15 if we dont).

[35forever]

PS: Who are the 'serial duds' referred to above? (I ask because I dont know, not because I disagree). Also, Johnno, do you do a preview every week? If so do you send it to a mailing list? Count me in if you do. Good stuff!

[London Dave]

PS: Who are the 'serial duds' referred to above?

The serial duds make up the entire list, as I'm sure they've all been included by various posters in their personal 'duds' list.

[stoliboy]