THE REVERSAL OF FORTUNES

[hardtack 10,517]

Or Petterd, Bate or Bennell.

I would have thought McDonald will be necessary in the backline assuming Hawthorn plays all of Buddy, Roughhead and Hale. I'd expect him to pick up Hale.

For mine, I suspect Petterd will be the sub. For two reasons. Firstly, he's shown before tremendous attitude - let's call it fury - when he finally gets the chance to come on. And secondly, Neeld seems to have a strategy of using forwards as the sub and bringing them on and placing them in the forward line. It's a strategy I don't understand.

Well, as only Bate (of those you listed) is named on the bench, I would think that Bennell and Petterd are both playing from the opening bounce. I suspect that it may be Bail who gets to wear the vest.

Edited May 10, 2012 by hardtack

[Guest José Mourinho]

Tom McDonald will spend a fair amount of time on Buddy, I'd have thought.

[Dr. Mubutu 831]

I joined the group, but it didnt take long for me to get the gist of the level of intelligence on display there. I now avoid it like the plague. Nothing to be learnt from those sorts of public forums. May as well read bigfooty and take it seriously!

The only reason I stick with it!

I know SFA about footy tactics, but compared with most on that group, I'm a veritable Len Smith!

[Dr. Mubutu 831]

Tom McDonald will spend a fair amount of time on Buddy, I'd have thought.

That should be quite the intriguing matchup, if only to see how Clarkson deals with it!

I, personally, can't wait for Jordie to be all over Mitchell (or Birchall possibly) like a cheap suit. Given the degree to which he irritated Goddard and Bartel in previous weeks, it'll be the matchup to watch, for mine.

[mauriesy 7,261]

Half forwards Clarke Boyle Brown

Forwards Dixon Williams Miller

They have some emerging stars in that 2006 team, but that was a really ordinary forward line. Franklin, Roughead and Rioli are a quantum leap from that lot.

[PaulRB 6,352]

I like the In as they reward players who have worked hard at Casey and provide us with what we need to stretch the Hawks in speed, spread and height in the forward line.

Given the Hawks are low on tall defenders, Fitzpatrick is useful and helps with ruck duties. Bennell and Petterd provide spread and speed. I like Tapscott but reckon with Silvia in and the bigger size of our midfield we need him humming to warrant his place in the team. Dunn likewise needs to be impacting to keep his spot and he hasn't.

Usually the Hawks smash us for contested ball (and spread) but I think we should match then in contested ball, especially with Jamar the likely dominant ruck. the key is then in us matching the Hawks on the spead and not turning the ball over with "unforced errors"...

Go Demons

[old55 23,414]

The issue is he can match it for 2 quarters and then he is stuffed. He needs go to Casey and get fit enough to run out games.

Hope that's what the problem is.

[H_T 3,043]

The issue is he can match it for 2 quarters and then he is stuffed. He needs go to Casey and get fit enough to run out games.

Yes. Needs to increase his engine.

[jimcor 212]

I was away do didn't get to the game and have just watched the recording. First reaction was that the skills and endeavour were still improving. A few costly howlers but a number of them were simply poor decision making or poor skills - both treatable and not punishable by death.

The performance of those who came up from the twos struggled with the ehigher tempo and pressure levels. I agree with those saying that it's too much of a knee-jerk reaction if they were immediately dropped. They need time to settle. I. Wouldn't be surprised if Watts & Jurrah were given given another run with Casey but, as has been remarked elsewhere, they are definitely too good for the VFL. If Neeld decides they are right to come back then It will be interesting to see if he (Neeld) holds his nerve about giving promoted players the opportunity to settle in. I suspect not and can see Petterd & Fitzpatrick being dropped.

Also thought Dunne put in a pretty complete performance for Casey but needs to show that he can do so over a number of weeks.