Mighty Magpies vs Eagles... pre-match thread

[Johnson#26]

With such a big match looming on the horizon, is it time for a pre-match thread? Just can't wait for the big clash.

Key match ups will include:

Midfield:
Cox/Seaby vs Fraser/Richards - we must hold our own.
Judd vs R.Shaw/Jonno
Kerr vs Burns - let the two hard nuts go head-to-head
Cousins vs H.Shaw - Heater has good pace and will go all day. May prove the surprise match up.
Fletcher vs Licuria - Licca can tag and hurt the prolific Eagle the other way
R.Jones vs Swan - both prolific ball winners. Could be interesting.

Forwards:
Tarrant vs Hunter
Rocca vs Glass
Fraser (when forward) vs Graham
T.Cloke (should he play) vs Gaspar (should he play)?
Didak vs Wirrapanda
Davis vs Braun/Banfield
Thomas vs Braun/Banfield

Defenders:
Lynch vs Presti
Hanson vs Maxwell
Seaby (when forward) vs Wakelin/O'Brien
Embley vs Clement
LeCras vs O'Brien
Sampi vs Jonno/H.Shaw

Could prove interesting should Hunter be thrust forward - I'm of the belief he is a natural forward. I'd back Clemo or Wakes on him. No one particuarly suits Presti - no Fevola/Lloyd/Lucas/Richo/Bradshaw/Pavlich type to contend with. Lynch may be the best bet. Maxy fits Hanson nicely, both not too thick but are mobile and of a similar height. Jimmy is the best fit for the explosive Embley.


Should be a real, old fashioned ding-dong battle. If we play to our maximum (4 third quarters) we should seriously challenge/get over the line. Two teams playing hard, fast, high scoring footy with plenty of thumps and bumps. Could be a similar story to round eight 2002, vs Brisbane at Colonial.

I hope we can hold on and not get blown away early...do that, and we're in with a show. Carna' Pies!

[Dave The Man]

We have to much power up foward.

We will win by 5+ Goals!

[jonesy86]

i'd play brodie on cousins as he doesnt have much of a defensive side to his game and brodie could kick a few goals running forward

i noticed u didnt have bucks there i also think it would be smart to save him from a trip to perth

i wouldnt be surprised if stenglein plays on tarrant and they play hunter forward and also lonie will get the job on embley

[burnsy17]

Their forwardline is weaker than ours.... their backline is weaker than ours... their midfield dominance is going to be the key. They have alot of goals kicked through their midfield... we need to stop that.

[favourites 2008]

Graham will not play down back, he has been there find this year playing forward he will need to be taken by wakes or presti. I think the other thing is i wouldn't go tagging to much as our midfielders are already defensive enough, i reckon if we match up tight on them n run off hard we will find them knapping all day just like bell and carr did last week. We can really hurt them with goal kicking midfielders in burns, swan, o'bree, bucks, brodie.

[loki04]

Staker generally lines up at CHF for them too Johnno

[favourites 2008]

Hurn will prob take Thomas what a match up that will be :):) i dont think banfield is fit to play?? i mayb rong though.

[HAL]

Would Hurn will prob take Thomas what a match up that will be smilesmilesmile he or she ever think banfield is fit to play?

[Johnson#26]

Staker is probably a touch overrated...someone the ilk of Harry could probably take him and hold him.

Jonsey, I forgot Dutchy - he'd be probably first choice on Cousins.

[favourites 2008]

Did n e one else notice quick ball entry into the 50 found them in trouble down back majorily even against just pavlich, i reckon they may really struggle to curve rocca and tarrent and fraser when forward, if we can supply our forwards with nearly as much supply as WCE forwards get then we will win the game quite easily.

[loki04]

Staker is probably a touch overrated...someone the ilk of Harry could probably take him and hold him.

Jonsey, I forgot Dutchy - he'd be probably first choice on Cousins.

Wasn't commenting on how good he is, I was saying he has been linning up there as in part of the forward line match ups.

[Johnson#26]

Fair enough, Loki.

Favourites, IMO Graham could be needed down back to cover our tall forward line.

[Magpiefan3]

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=matchd ... eid=264292

Match Preview on afl webiste says West Coast by 4 goals, i hope its tight, i say Collingwood by 9 points.

[DaVe86]

I genuinely think that Collingwood is the perfectly suited team to beat the west coast eagles. Eagles will beat anybody, but often get absolutely bamboozled by our toughness and intensity. I have little doubt that if we maintain this level of intensity that we will win.

I have 1 concern...it is not chris judd or cousins or kerr. It is Dean Cox. This guy is going to have a field day. Ill be setting him captain of my dream team thats for sure. We do not have anybody half capable of doing the job on Coxy.

The only way i can see us playing him is using fraser in an equally damaging role around the ground. Cos is used to beating slow, immobile opposition ruckman. It will be a better matchup for him around the ground against another versatile ruckman like Fraser. Fraser may actually threaten Cox in the mobility department which is half of Coxy's strength. However the actually tap work is the real concern. Cox has it over both Richards and Fraser. No doubt Richards will be brought back in this week.

I tell you what, i wouldnt even be considering bringing in a Fanning or Cloke this week. We gotta put our 2nd best ruckman in there, and that is Guy Richards. Fraser has got to play the game of his life. If we win, its because Josh has played a stunner

[3rd degree]

Word is that Wilson is returning to the Eagles after finishing up as a racing car driver and will line up in the full forward square.