This weeks team

[titan_uranus 22,749]

The midfield will be a great battle I reckon. Judd-Murphy-Gibbs-Simpson-Scotland vs Moloney-McDonald-Scully-Trengove-Gysberts. And Jamar vs Kreuzer should be epic. Probably 2 of the top 5 ruckmen in the comp.

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

I couldn't disagree with this post anymore......the future IMO is still very very bright for this defence. Damn we are still in the top 4-5 rated defences in the league for points against and where we have come from and still trying to head, this is one feather in the cap.

Of course there will still be some chopping and changing and so there should be. This week as has been the case for a few weeks now, the FD are picking sides to suit who we are playing against.

Frawely - don't have to say much about Chip - most improved player in the comp! All Australian jumper coming??

Garland - will return to his best after a long spell.....there is never much room between him and his defender, once that yard of pace returns he will be hard to beat.

Warnock - yeah he wasn't great last week, no defender no matter how good looks good when supply from the opposition mids is continual.....against Geel this was the case. I'll say he still was outpointed often which is not great but how quick we forget the other games where he has been a rock...no match up this week, he misses

Rivers - some of the continual bashing of Riv here astounds me, it really does. I do concede that he is struggling one on one and concedes the front spot too often...as a floating reader of the play he is as good as any player in the comp.

Martin - IMO he had his best few games for us when he played up back, he has looked lost and soft at the contest in other areas but this young guy is still a solid work in progress, injury has had him take two steps forward and one back for the most part this year, otherwise IMO we wouldve seen more of him being used as the back up to Russian as well as being able to swing between forward and defence. He needs to crash into packs more and be a bit harder but IMO there is plenty of upside to Stef.

Cheney - hasn't kicked on would be correct but he is doing everything asked at Casey and should get a shot soon - jury still out no doubt. Bartram has held the spot well so far but I still see Kyle getting this spot at some point - lets see what he does in an improving side...

Strauss - You haven't mentioned this silky star in the making - IMO! This guy will become a regular senior player in the next 12 mths or so - could be our man to finally use the ball properly when kicking out from full back - kicks long, penetrates and hits a target - has a good size and besides a couple of howlers in his first two games does have good awareness. IMO - If the pies reckon they have a good half back line pair with Shaw and O'Brien - they wont come close to Grimes and Strauss!!!

Morton - huge guy for a mobile bloke - needs more strength no doubt but seems to have put on more weight from last year, needs to put on more but will become a good swingman similar to Cam Bruce - possibly better than Cam IMO

Grimes - the cream....just a star is Jack - love watching this kid that I'll say it again....I love watching this kid!!!!

McNamara - yep, got a way to go and has many above in front of him.

IMO - this defense has been building a fantastic core group of player, again we are only at the start of our re-building phase but two points are the defense has a fantastic points against result very early into this phase, the midfield is near the top for clearances - these indicators can and will only get better. Once the midfield really starts to control the play the defense will see less of quick ball coming down and we can only improve again.

It's all my humble opinion and having the day off work today - love having the time to put my thoughts across.

We are in good shape! Patience is the key.

I agree with this except - I dont think Morton is ultimately a back - I dont agree that Cheney - hasn't kicked on - not on this year's form. He cant do more than produce consistently high performances. Can you call someone a defender (Rivers) who "isnt good at one on ones and and concedes the front spot too often?" Isnt that the opposite of the requisite defensive DNA?

Does McKenzie with his tackling have a role to play in defence here? Isnt Junior a part time back with potential down back?

I think our defensive stocks are fine.

Our current strength in the ruck masks some weakness of depth. What happens when Jamar is injured? Gawn, Spencer, Meesen et at its not an inspiring collection - maybe Gawn in 3 years ...maybe. Maybe Martin and Fitzpatrick in the near term future but they are at this stage not compelling options. We are fragile here.

If there is still a place for a hoof forward to a contested marking contest (when other options recommend this / Podsiadly, Riewoldt (2) and Brown suggest there is still a place for this) then we dont cater for this very well. Watts and Jurrah and maybe Fitzpatrick in the future. We would seem to have crumbers a plenty.

Edited June 4, 2010 by poseidon burke

[e25 5]

Just quietly have a look at our bench this week:

Sylvia-Gysberts-Garland-Bate.

Not too shabby.

We're making progress.

[Tricky 337]

Just quietly have a look at our bench this week:

Sylvia-Gysberts-Garland-Bate.

Not too shabby.

We're making progress.

Couldn't agree more. Even have a second ruckman.

[e25 5]

Just quietly have a look at our bench this week:

Sylvia-Gysberts-Garland-Bate.

Not too shabby.

We're making progress.

[Red Sox 2]

Just quietly have a look at our bench this week:

Sylvia-Gysberts-Garland-Bate.

Not too shabby.

We're making progress.

Shhh...I am being discreet and having a look . Its looks awesome!!!

Got the good feeling all week about this game....we will wiN!

[Akum 2,660]

It's not so much dropping players that bothers me, it's just that I think we should take note of where we might be vulnerable against whoever we're playing and select accordingly. This week we are vulnerable to the height of Kreuzer, O'hAilpin & Jacobs near goals, and very vulnerable when Jamar needs a rest. If Ratten's smart he won't put Kreuzer against Jamar, he'll leave him up forward where he'll be dangerous, and put him in the ruck when Jamar's resting. He'll be able to give that midfield an armchair ride for 10 minutes a quarter against whoever we put against him (Miller? Sylvia?).

That's the "big risk" - we've left ourselves one tall too short, and if they can exploit that, we'll be in big trouble because we have nothing to counter it either around goals or on the ball. This is one we could definitely win IMO, all other things being equal, but I'm concerned about the size of the hole we've left.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,489]

Bails is usually on the money so I will be watching closely to see if skull runs out.....no one is ever correct 100% of the time so Bails...here's hoping this is one of your off days!

Me thinks Bails has thrown in a curve ball this week to put us off the scent

[Hot as Hell 465]

I really would like to have seen Brocky out there.

I have no malice against him, but would have enjoyed seeing our younger faster blokes catch him and bring him down.

Maybe next game.

[jacey 333]

Frawley out. Warnock in.

Triple M.

Edited June 5, 2010 by jacey

[Gorgoroth 12,352]

Yeah Chip will be a massive loss I reckon.

[Freak 100]

Yeah Chip will be a massive loss I reckon.

Worst possible withdrawal

[WonnaJurah 5]

Is Frawley injured? would of thought Garland for Warnock

whats happening with Marric is he close to returning ?

[Nasher 33,166]

Frawley out. Warnock in.

Triple M.

Odd, since he wasn't named an emergency (which was also odd in the first place).

[Gorgoroth 12,352]

Sore back is the reason.

Did not loosen up when they tried to warm up.

[tez 6]

Frawley out. Warnock in.

Triple M.

noticed chip grabbing his groin and leaving training early yesterday didnt think too much of it but is a big loss

[Jonesy!!! 27]

Why o why is newton doing sprints In the warm up??????????

Please no

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

In all honesty I think this is about the best team to loose Frawley against. Their key forwards are all 2m +, so he's not really the best man to match them, and he's not ideal against their smalls because they are all lightning quick. I was concerned when I saw Warnock left out because of the obvious height advantage they would enjoy. While Frawley is still a great loss, I'm happier with Warnock in the side.

[Madness 44]

In all honesty I think this is about the best team to loose Frawley against. Their key forwards are all 2m +, so he's not really the best man to match them, and he's not ideal against their smalls because they are all lightning quick. I was concerned when I saw Warnock left out because of the obvious height advantage they would enjoy. While Frawley is still a great loss, I'm happier with Warnock in the side.

No way, warnock is killing us with these stupid free kicks, we are missing frawley back there massively...

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

No way, warnock is killing us with these stupid free kicks, we are missing frawley back there massively...

He gave away one silly free for a jumper pull. The rest can all go on the umpires' slate as far as I'm concerned.

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

It's not so much dropping players that bothers me, it's just that I think we should take note of where we might be vulnerable against whoever we're playing and select accordingly. This week we are vulnerable to the height of Kreuzer, O'hAilpin & Jacobs near goals, and very vulnerable when Jamar needs a rest. If Ratten's smart he won't put Kreuzer against Jamar, he'll leave him up forward where he'll be dangerous, and put him in the ruck when Jamar's resting. He'll be able to give that midfield an armchair ride for 10 minutes a quarter against whoever we put against him (Miller? Sylvia?).

That's the "big risk" - we've left ourselves one tall too short, and if they can exploit that, we'll be in big trouble because we have nothing to counter it either around goals or on the ball. This is one we could definitely win IMO, all other things being equal, but I'm concerned about the size of the hole we've left.

Can some confirm for me - was it the 5th or 6th Carlton goal of the first quarter where Sylvia lined up on Kruezer at the bounce? Carlton scored a goal within 30 seconds. Next bounce - back comes Jamar.

The poor Russian. He's got no support; he knows he has to ruck all day. I thought he did well against 2 taller opponents and he took a few marks in the backline. He also gave away too many frees but that can happen with ruckwork and umpires interpretations.

At the moment there is no-one who can fill that second ruck spot, with Spencer, Meesan and Gawn Injured, Martin and PJ out of form, and Fitzpatrick not ready. Maybe Miller is an option. Try something different with him instead of leaving him as a forward who gets 6 touches for the day.

[old dee 22,982]

Can some confirm for me - was it the 5th or 6th Carlton goal of the first quarter where Sylvia lined up on Kruezer at the bounce? Carlton scored a goal within 30 seconds. Next bounce - back comes Jamar.

The poor Russian. He's got no support; he knows he has to ruck all day. I thought he did well against 2 taller opponents and he took a few marks in the backline. He also gave away too many frees but that can happen with ruckwork and umpires interpretations.

At the moment there is no-one who can fill that second ruck spot, with Spencer, Meesan and Gawn Injured, Martin and PJ out of form, and Fitzpatrick not ready. Maybe Miller is an option. Try something different with him instead of leaving him as a forward who gets 6 touches for the day.

Sorry to say it but the only options are PJ and Martin.

Martin seems to have gone backwards and is sadly out of form.

PJ is ok at centre bounces but useless everywhere else.

So do we play an out of form Martin or PJ who gives us nothing outside of the centre circle.

I can see why Bailey has been pinch hitting with Miller and others.

With all his faults the only choice for Monday is PJ.

At least we get an even break at centre bounces!

God what a choice, glad I am not the coach.