Pre-match: PIES v roooos - all comments here.....

[leelee]

Yeah.... that BIG inter is the problem lol!

[eddiesmith]

Dave86, wasn't Maxi improved against Carlton (after nothing much the week before and a shocker the week before that)? Didn't see it but his name came up a bit on the broadcast and he took 8 marks for a goal and 15 disposals. Sounds like a player on his way back into form to me.

I heard his name a bit on the broadcast, it went something like this atleast 3 times

"Maxwell on his own in the centre, he takes the mark, takes off, kicks it in direction of team mate, they cant get there, turnover, Carlton player picks it up, runs down the other end.... Carlton goal"

Obviously still lacking penetration in his kicks around the ground

[luvlicca]

I thought Maxy did ok, he still probably trying to get back into it after his broken leg.
As for ins I would like to see Taz back but I still think he wont play and I would like to see J Cloke back in the side as well. I was disappointed to see he had been omitted from the carlton game as I think he has done nothig wrong to warrant it.
If Bux is fit I would like him back in the side as we missed him on Sunday quite a bit I thought.

[didak#4]

I really didnt think guy richards was that bad, not sure why people want him dropped. Is that just me?

[David]

The stats sheet didn't do Richards much justice.... I've only seen the first half of the game and he was actually pretty good. He made a good tackle and managed to get the ball out under pressure. Did the ruckwork well too. There were players who did less, for example Rowe and Iles, I think. Lockyer and Maxwell were quiet but I think Maxy's getting better by the week and Lockyer usually performs.
My changes would be:
Bring Tarrant in. He has to have match practice before the finals and if I'm correct he can't play for Williamstown.
Buckley 50/50. Maybe rest him for another week to make sure he's prefect, or give him a run.
A handful of players eg J.Cloke, Davies, Wakes and Pendles would all be pushing hard for selection and at least a couple of those should get a run.
My changes would be:
In: Tarrant, Buckley/Pendlebury, J Cloke
Out: Trav, Rowe, Iles
You'd have to be pretty happy with those changes.

EDIT: What about Dale Thomas? Is he far off? He will be another big inclusion when he returns.

[Jamie loves Collingwood]

On the news, Trav has been cleared of serious shoulder injury.
In: Bucks, Taz
Out: Iles, Rowe

[DaVe86]

I would be giving C1 a run this week. I can see him been valuable in finals.

[David]

Jamie Trav's still going to miss at least one isn't he?

[favourites 2008]

Yeh, i go with

In: Davies, Tarrant, Bucks
Out: Clokes, Isles, Rowe

Egan to push back if needed.

[Cuthbert Collingwood]

I'm in two minds about Rowe, i would love him to have another go this week at the top level, but also think it's a good idea to bring in davies to see if he's got anything for our finals campaign. Might be a good idea to give Burns a week off as well, especially as Taz and Bucks are due back. Also there's J.Cloke and Wakes - we might need some tall timber down back for the rooboys.

out: T.Cloke, Iles, Burns
in: Taz, Bucks, Davies/J.Cloke/Wakes (hedging my bets here a bit)

[Warbler]

out: T Cloke
Rowe
Burns ( rest him for the finals )

in: Wakes ( if fit )
J cloke
Pendlebury or Daisy ( if fit)

Another weeks rest won't hurt Bucks or Taz ( if Taz is fit & will hopefully make Taz a bit hungrier )

We will need tall backs to handle the Roos tall forwards

[Zeke]

I just hope Laidley plays Michael Firrito on Tarrant.

Would be an ideal way to run Taz into some form.

[Jamie loves Collingwood]

In: Taz, Bucks, C1, Thomas
Out: T Cloke, Rowe, Iles, Maxwell.

Wakelin will NOT be played this week. Last time was craved up by big Sav. Maxwell needs a week in Willy senior to regain his confidence. Iles needs to be developed and has been craved up by Ebert and Betts. T Cloke needs a week to fully recover from his injury. C1's marks in defense will help our run and hurt the Roos since they only have tall forwards no crumbers.

[Tannin]

How about something like:

Out: T Cloke, Rowe, Iles, Burns, O'Bree (both rested)
In: Wakes, J Cloke, Tarrant, Pendles, Yakka

Some extra tall defenders are obviously required.

Rowe did nothing. Iles didn't do a lot more. This is the only chance we have to rest the engine room midfielders before the finals. Holland and Licca both played a lot better last week so we should allow them to continue their form recovery against North. Burns and O'Bree, on the other hand, don't have form problems (they are playing well) but (I guess) could benefit from a 14 day break to refresh them.

As an inside player, Yakka is well-suited to stand in for Burns/O'Bree, aided by Pendles and some of the small, running backmen that won't be required against the tall Roos forward line (Heater, Swan, R Shaw, JB, Lonie).

Can we beat North without Bucks, Burns, and O'Bree? Well, we have Licca, Holland, Heater, Swan, R Shaw, and Johnno in the side, plus Pendles and Yakka, so there is some hardness and some class there still.

I don't know that I'd have the courage to try that lineup in real life - probably resting one senior player too many - but food for thought?

PS: Yes, I'm listing J Cloke in my starting 22. Yes, me. Probably for the last time, but matchups are matchups, and I think he could be handy against North.

[Johnson#26]

FWIW, Pies by 54 points, and carry on from their Carlton bashing form.