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

[Donny]

Friday. MCG. 7.40

Collingwood v. Essendon.

Ned Long to debut.

In: Charlie Dean, Lachie Schultz, Ned Long

Out: John Noble (Injured), Beau McCreery (Injured), Lachlan Sullivan Omitted),

Let's hear ya !!

[Haff]

For all the ups and downs of the last month this is the probably the result that will make or break our season. Win and we’re at the pointy end, lose and we’re probably also rans.
That said, if there was ever a side who could win it from 5-8 it’s us.

[RudeBoy]

Assuming McCreery and Noble are out, but Maynard is available, I'd make the following changes to our team. I'd definitely bring Richards into our starting 22 and have Sullivan or McInnes as the sub.

The worry is that we looked slow at times against the Suns, and Noble and McCreery are two of our best runners. I'm not sure we have any lightning fast players to bring in, so we'll have to rely on an overall lift in intensity across the board.

Out: McCreery, Noble

In: Schultz, McInnes

The key to winning this one, as with all games, will lie in the midfield. We need to dominate territory, something we didn't do against the Suns.

I'm confident we will come out of the blocks on fire against the Bumbers.

Pies by 7 pts.

[Piesnchess]

Dons looked pretty ratshit v the Pussies, very average, no fight, de ja vu last season. WE lost a very close game, at an interstate venue,where no one wins, so Im fairly confident we can win this one, and win it quite well. Our record against them is very good.

[ANNODAM]

Tough gig, need to play 4qtrs of relentless footy.

[Piesnchess]

Fly is spewing an in a foul mood, despite calm. The players are in a foul mood too. Dons put in a shocker v erratic Cats, most of their fans on Bigfooty, givenup, reckon they are as weak as piss. I reckon we will rip into these pricks,an send them packing, hopefully.

[Johnno75]

If Noble is out I would bring in Dean, IQ can play the running HB role. It wasn’t so much our speed against GC. Not enough got their hands on it. Need a few to lift.

[RudeBoy]

That's a good call J26.

Out: Noble, McCreery

In: Schultz, Dean

Richards comes into the 22 and Sullivan to be the sub.

[dalyc]

That's a good call J26.

Out: Noble, McCreery

In: Schultz, Dean

Richards comes into the 22 and Sullivan to be the sub.

Yes. This is the way.

[qldmagpie67]

We need to make some changes for sure based on yesterdays efforts

For mine I would line up as follows

B. Maynard Frampton. IQ
HB. Howe. Dean. Pendles
C. Lipinski. Crisp. Josh D
HF. Hill. Moore. McCreery
F. Schulz. Checkers. WHE
R. Cameron Nick D JDG
Int. Harrison. Krueger. Markov. Sidey. Sullivan
Either Harrison or Markov as sub

Get Moore up the ground let him run free for a while. He has decent speed and is a good kick. Give him some freedom see if it frees up his mind
Pendles back to defence to be the general and try to restore some order down back.

[Haff]

That's a good call J26.

Out: Noble, McCreery

In: Schultz, Dean

Richards comes into the 22 and Sullivan to be the sub.

Yep, this is all I could come up with.
Sullivan has performed admirably but has been a passenger two in a row. McRae is not the answer so I can’t find a suitable replacement save for swapping him with Richards.
Dean has to play for mine to help release Moore, if that doesn’t work we might as well send Moore forward.

[David]

I was surprised Dean was dropped and felt like we missed him in defence yesterday, so definitely think he should come back in to the side along with Schultz. Wasn't so sure about Markov's selection but he had some good moments and is excellent at breaking lines, so I'd persevere with him in Noble's absence.

I think given current form and what he can offer in the role, Harrison makes most sense as sub for this one.

[warburton lad]

Out: Noble and McCreery

In: Schultz and Dean

I would have Harrison as sub- he appeared 'lost' at times yesterday but absolutely needs to get games under his belt.

Richards definitely plays a full game- he is too clever a player to have sitting on the pine as Sub and, like Harrison, needs to be in the milieu of AFL action...

Moore to play centre half back- Frampton full back... Dean back pocket

Howe to play forward-

B: Dean. Frampton. Maynard
HB: Pendles. Moore. Quaynor
C: J Daicos. Crisp. Sidebottom
HF: Richards. Mihocek. Hoskin-Elliott
F: Schultz. Howe. Hill

Ruck Cameron. De Goey. Nick Daicos

IC: Markov- Krueger- Sullivan, Lipinski
Sub: Harrison

Those unavailable for selection but potential AFL inclusions:
Mitchell, Elliott, McStay, Cox, Noble, McCreery,

Those who have played AFL this year but not in team at present:
McInnes, Jiath, Allan, Macrae, Bytel, Johnson, Parker,

These next few weeks will, almost definitively, determine our season prospects...

I have every confidence the lads can get over the line against the Bombers, Cats, Hawthorn and Richmond before the final big two against Blues and Swans (away).

I know emotion can be counter-productive in elite sport, but I fail to see how the team will not rise with the return of Mitchell, Elliott and Cox from longer term injury. Noble and McCreery will be back very soon and, if rumours are correct, McStay could play VFL as soon as next week.

Sport has a very unusual affect on old diehards like me- it is not rational to yell at a television screen for two hours, but I did yesterday and, I suspect, that I will again next Friday night.

We are a very professional outfit and we are extremely well-coached and led off the field.

I expect a very strong rebound from yesterday and a win against Essendon next Friday night.

Let's show up, in force, and will our boys to great effort to keep our Top Four hopes alive and kicking.

The only outcome that will leave me cold this year is an Essendon or Carlton flag. I hope the Pies can triumph- a win this year would be the greatest flag in our history...

Floreat Pica

[David]

Any chance Ned Long comes in to the mix? Sounds like he didn’t have a massive game in the VFL yesterday, but looking at WL’s list above there are not that many others to call on at the moment who have been able to show much at AFL level, apart from McInnes and maybe Macrae.

[Skids]

I'm coming over for the match, it's in the bag, we don't lose when I'm at the ground.

Pies by 38 points.