I think we have proven overcoming our defence is a 4 quarter job, our stage of development means that in patches cracks will show, port worked this out and kicked goals during those times, we need to make sure we apply score board pressure and frustrate them as their minds might be slightly off the game

In about an hour - 5-6pm.

Cheers

Mckenzie, Riley, Kent, Salem final bench.

IN: Mckenzie, Riley, Kent

OUT: Gawn, Terlich, JKH

hmm.. so for the first time, Roosy has swung the axe with three omissions. Jordie and Kent have played twice each this year (rd 4+5, and 3+4 respectively). Fair to say they have been given a long time to work their way back in, hopefully it shows in their application. Feels a bit rough for Terl, I've liked his season for the most part.

hmm.. so for the first time, Roosy has swung the axe with three omissions. Jordie and Kent have played twice each this year (rd 4+5, and 3+4 respectively). Fair to say they have been given a long time to work their way back in, hopefully it shows in their application. Feels a bit rough for Terl, I've liked his season for the most part.

Think the problem for terlich might have been we have Jetta, Dunn, Garland, McDonald, Grimes & Howe, there isn't really a spot for him down back. I think we are, as we have done gone with another mid. Provides a bit more run and another rotation through the middle!

Wow that's a lot of changes for Roosy

I don't know how I feel about Terlich being dropped without an obvious replacement... unless Riley is going to be used as a small rebounding defender.

As much as I see Terlich's obvious flaws and the curse the day he kicks the footy, defensively he's been good this year. Will be interesting to see how we line up now.

I'm especially interested to see who takes Chapman. I hate the [censored]!

Wow that's a lot of changes for Roosy

I don't know how I feel about Terlich being dropped without an obvious replacement... unless Riley is going to be used as a small rebounding defender.

As much as I see Terlich's obvious flaws and the curse the day he kicks the footy, defensively he's been good this year. Will be interesting to see how we line up now.

I'm especially interested to see who takes Chapman. I hate the [censored]!

Would think this means Howe will continue down back. Not a bad thing

Wow that's a lot of changes for Roosy

I don't know how I feel about Terlich being dropped without an obvious replacement... unless Riley is going to be used as a small rebounding defender.

As much as I see Terlich's obvious flaws and the curse the day he kicks the footy, defensively he's been good this year. Will be interesting to see how we line up now.

I'm especially interested to see who takes Chapman. I hate the [censored]!

I agree Jaded, but it's really encouraging that we now have sufficient depth on our list to be able to drop a defender who, as you say, has been defensively good all year. It's fantastic that for the first time in years we can now afford to let players with obvious flaws go back to Casey to work on addressing them (a la Jodie McKenzie). There's no point letting them get 'comfortable' in our best 22..

There is quite a few still to keep a close eye on other than Watson. Zaharakis, Heppell, Goddard, Chapman and Stanton. Who gets Tagged? Who gets run with roles?

Salem to be the sub?

I reckon Kent as the sub, he can play inside/outside, great pace and can kick multiple goals, i'd bring him on maybe a little early though

Really happy with Gawn out. I think he played well last week when in the ruck, but up forward he's a liability. Very limited once the ball hits the deck and not fit enough to continuously apply forward pressure. Slot Kent in his place, keep chippa and dawesy up there as the tall targets and you have a drastically more menacing forward line.

Statement from Roos IMO. He's shown this year he doesn't just drop players for the sake of it. JKH he's explained away as him being a bit tired, but for Gawn and Terlich it's obviously more than that.

I'm happy with Terlich being dropped. I've grown very tired of the same mistakes being made every week. We'll see how we cope without him, but Essendon's a bit taller so we can afford one less small defender I think.

With Grimes kind of undroppable as captain, you'd think Terlich has been on borrowed time since Jetta's come in and been towelling up everybody he's played on. A pity for Terls, who I like a lot, but if he's forced out because another bloke's playing better, so be it.

With our fourth quarter fade-outs, we need more guys in the team who can rotate through the midfield to spread the running load. While I'm surprised to see three changes, I don't mind the thinking behind it.

hmm.. so for the first time, Roosy has swung the axe with three omissions. Jordie and Kent have played twice each this year (rd 4+5, and 3+4 respectively). Fair to say they have been given a long time to work their way back in, hopefully it shows in their application. Feels a bit rough for Terl, I've liked his season for the most part.

Without being pedantic (I often am) I wouldn't say he swung the axe as much as he rewarded the performances of those who came in, and selected to improve team balance.

Swinging the axe is usually regarded as a punitive measure, and I doubt that this is the Roos way. He has already explained the JKH situation, and almost preempted it previously.

i like Terlichs endeavor but I have been saying since Round 1 2013 that when Terlich is finally dropped we will be a much better team

And this is the best team we have fielded all year even with JKH out

I reckon JKH was dropped for those primary school dropped marks. Otherwise it would've been Salem.

Kent to start, Salem to be sub and then to the vfl.

Wow that's a lot of changes for Roosy

I think the circumstances had a bit to do with it. The three "ins" are relatively fresh and given we're coming off a six day break, this could become a factor, particularly later on in the game.

I hope Kent isn't the sub. After all, he kicked as many goals in the VFL last week as did the entire AFL team. His presence could be the point of difference along with the tackling strength of the two other inclusions. After an emotion charged couple of days, I can't see Essendon taking things lying down and we're going to need those attributes.

I really hope Kent makes his mark in this game and keeps his spot in the team on a regular basis.

In spite of my scepticism on Mackenzie's ability I think the side looks better than last week.

Playing a second ruckman like Gawn is effectively making the forward line one player short at this point he is a reasonable ruck man full stop.

Dees to lose by 5 points the Bombers will have a little too much ability and will be fired up after the last couple of days.

I really hope Kent makes his mark in this game and keeps his spot in the team on a regular basis.

I agree. Kent has had no continuity this year through injury and then getting rubbed out in the VFL. Would be a fixture in the side if not for that IMO.

Glad to see Jordie given another chance after some corrective coaching in the twos. Also a great wrap for Kent and Riley. I like the look of this weeks side, even though I think Maxxy was unlucky.

Just like last week against the Pies, the game against the Bombers will demonstrate our lack of class up forward. It will be a close game, and I reckon we can match them down back and across the middle, but their back line will smother our forwards and rebound it quickly making scoring opportunities on the rebound. If we can deliver it well to Dawes and others we have a chance. A winnable game, but I reckon the Dons by about 15. I hate typing that. I absolutely despise Essendon.

Just like last week against the Pies, the game against the Bombers will demonstrate our lack of class up forward. It will be a close game, and I reckon we can match them down back and across the middle, but their back line will smother our forwards and rebound it quickly making scoring opportunities on the rebound. If we can deliver it well to Dawes and others we have a chance. A winnable game, but I reckon the Dons by about 15. I hate typing that. I absolutely despise Essendon.

Relax.................................etc

Happy to see Kent back in the side. I struggle to find any flaws in the way he plays.