Pre Match - Pies v. Dons on Anzac Day. All comments.

[RudeBoy]

It's a shocking indictment of the ruck stocks at our club that a reject from last year's wooden spooners is now looked upon as our saviour. However, be that as it may, we desperately need a physical presence in the ruck and Bryan is all we've got. He should be used as a battering ram, but not to get rubbed out, as we are probably going to need him for the remainder of the year.

On a separate issue, I noticed The Age this morning said that Medhurst was unlikely to be available - I hope they are wrong, as I was pinning my hopes of a glorious victory over the Bombers on having the twin barrels of Medhurst and Didak firing on either side of big Anthony.

[magpieazza]

Yeah ok sorry a bit over the top I really hope Bryan doesnt get suspended for using his frame I'm sure he can do it legally though. This to me is key to us winning and losing. It will liberate Fraser to the forward line Cloke to CHB. I reckon between Cloke , Clement and Maxwell their key Forwards will struggle and sorry but Presti missing could be a stroke of good luck because to me Presti is struggling more and more these days, although I do think he has been great for us. If it has been injury to Prestis groin that has affected his kicking well he shouldn't be there in the first place but one case in point from the Power game was when Presti handballed to Johnson instead of kicking it and a turnover resulted in the last quarter .That was when I thought to myself we just cant afford that to happen at all. Presti would be awesome if he could kick it accurately or with some penetration at least, his drop punts seem to rotate too much in the air, you know up an underish. Anyway he has done better than me in his career as a aussie rules player so good luck to ya Presti and if you play tomorrow rip it up them!!!!!!!!!

[Jamie loves Collingwood]

In: Medhurst, Didak, Bryan, Brown
Out: Prestigiacomo (inj.), Licuria (inj.), Richards, Dick

I'd play Brown at Full-back. He owned that possie in under 18's. Meddie will play. Thomas will play and Burns will play. Drop richards cause he needs time in at the VFL level and bring bryan and he'll give fraser more time in the middle.

[noddy,]

It's a shocking indictment of the ruck stocks at our club that a reject from last year's wooden spooners is now looked upon as our saviour. However, be that as it may, we desperately need a physical presence in the ruck and Bryan is all we've got. He should be used as a battering ram, but not to get rubbed out, as we are probably going to need him for the remainder of the year.

jeez, how about we give the guy a go and then make a call. freo were on the bottom of the ladder and throwing away all sorts of good players.

[Joel]

The bombers are in for an absolute hiding.

For the first time this year we will have close (except for Bucks) to our best forward line with Pebbles surrounded by the class of Didak and Medhurst...i'm excited!

I read this morning that Medhurst is unlikely. I can't remember where I read it though.

[jimbeam]

The bloke can play, his fist few games he was kicking the ball 70meters, every time he got the ball the scum chanted whoosh or some crap they loved Bryan, id say right up until he found out pagan was some creature out of the lord of the rings his future was pretty set. There is no reason not to play him, he will do something Bitchards as im starting to call him will do nothing like always. Even if its only 5-6 monster kicks down to rocca forward its more than richards would have done for the last 2 years.

[Joel]

It's a shocking indictment of the ruck stocks at our club that a reject from last year's wooden spooners is now looked upon as our saviour.

A shocking indictment? I think he would have more to offer than Richards, and atm, that is better than having less to offer. He is not he saviour, but Richards is showing nothing.

[eddiesmith]

It's a shocking indictment of the ruck stocks at our club that a reject from last year's wooden spooners is now looked upon as our saviour.

Too right it is, hell he couldnt even get a game for the wooden spooners

[RudeBoy]

It's a shocking indictment of the ruck stocks at our club that a reject from last year's wooden spooners is now looked upon as our saviour. However, be that as it may, we desperately need a physical presence in the ruck and Bryan is all we've got. He should be used as a battering ram, but not to get rubbed out, as we are probably going to need him for the remainder of the year.

jeez, how about we give the guy a go and then make a call. freo were on the bottom of the ladder and throwing away all sorts of good players.

Giving him a go is exactly what I'm calling for. In fact, I'm desperate for him to be given a go. I suppose all I'm trying to do is to put some perspective on how poor our ruck stocks are. I hope the kid turns out to be an absolute champion, but we should all have realistic expectations.

PS. We got Bryan from Carlton not from Freo.

[~Madness~]

I do find it amusing where all of a sudden some what Bryan in the team when only in December he was a dud, an ageing ruckman (at 24 then) with a stuffed knee. Bad decision for the pies to draft him. NOW he is wanted in the team for ANZAC day.

Not every one had that opinion madness , he is what we need may not be the messiah but he will give an honest go in the ruck unlike richards who gets thrashed 95% of the time.

I know it wasn't everyone, and certainly not me. But some are now "hoping Mick brings in Bryan" while at the draft he was a dud. But that is just typical

[1eyedpie]

[Johnson#26]

[Snoop Dog]

My thoughts on the matchups are;

B: Mark McVeigh, Mal Michael, Henry Slattery
F: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Alan Toovey

HB: Adam McPhee, Dustin Fletcher, Patrick Ryder
HF: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Josh Fraser

C: Mark Bolton, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
C: Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Burns, Shannon Cox

HF: Mark Johnson, Scott Lucas, James Hird
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, James Clement

F: Alwyn Davey, Matthew Lloyd, Angus Monfries
B: Rhyce Shaw, Simon Prestigiacomo, Harry O'Brien

FOLL: Jason Laycock, Damien Peverill, Andrew Lovett
FOLL: Chris Bryan, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson

I/C: Kepler Bradley, Ricky Dyson, Courtney Johns, Chris Heffernan
I/C: Shane OBree, Scott Pendlebury, Brad Dick, Leon Davis

Preview

Its clear we are down on talent here with a number of our best 22 missing and a few more playing hurt. Still not convinced Fraser and Burns will play.

Essendon are clearly a bigger and stronger side. When you do the matchups they are clearly taking a taller side in. In contrast, we are taking a much quicker, smaller side. This should provide an insight into where Collingwoods best chance resides. Quite simply, whether the early on slaught and then run them off their feet. Remind you of last years game????

Shaw boys, Lockyer, Swan, OBree, Thomas, Davis and Johno are critical. Rocca, Cloke and Fraser are going to need to provide targets. Fraser must be on the ground all day, rucking only in the last 10 mins while Bryan has a rest. At this point Dick comes on to run amok.

In the back half we have the axis of evil "Lloyd, Hird and Lucas". Presti, Maxy and Clement respectively for these roles.

No excuses Pies, go hard at the footy and run all day and we might sneak this one.

[David]

Good to see Dids back, and Bryan was always going to come in for Richards, but a little surprised we made so few changes in the end. Shame Medders isn't ready to come back in, but on the plus side, Presti, Burns and Thomas are all fine. Cloke is a little lucky to still be in the side, so let's hope he has a blinder tomorrow and shows how good he really is.

As for the Bombers, they'll miss Hille, good result for us. No way could we afford another thrashing in the ruck. Laycock v Bryan should be about a dead heat at worst, and we've got Fraser to back up if needed.

We've got a chance.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Hille's absence is a massive blow for the Bummers mark my words.
If Josh manages to put in a big one it could make all the difference in an otherwise evenly matched contest.