READY FOR THE KILL - THE HAWTHORN GAME

[Samael 560]

I think we are wanking dc.. I have lost confidence in Roos - WTF is he playing at?

That would suggest we know what we are doing.

[george_on_the_outer 7,855]

I tend to agree with this. I expect to see a much stronger side against the Bulldogs (Jetta and Viney will help).

Agree wholeheartedly.

With 2 winnable games out of the next 4 ( after the Hawks), we need to make sure that we rest worthwhile players, so they can be ready to pick later.

I would expect Jamar to be back as well, and hopefully Frost for the St.Kilda game.

Sadly, once again this weeks selections shows the lack of depth in our list.

[grazman 7,537]

If we run as poorly as we did last week, then poor skills will be the least of our problems.

Agree, Hawthorn have outside pace to burn and we need to bring in some footspeed. We will win enough contested ball with Hodge and Lewis missing, but we need to counter the likes of Hill, Suckling and Birchall. We also need someone to lock down on Poppy.

[Frosty Demon 153]

Melbourne to win by 17 points. Hogan to smash Frawley

Watts to kick 4 in. BOG performance

Brayshaw to rag doll Mitchell's head into the turf in the first 5 mins leaving them a man down

Killing Mitchell is critical. I would make this happen as early as possible. Lets play some unsociable football shall we!

[chook fowler 19,735]

Matt Jones and Bail - I'm jumping out of my skin with excitement and anticipation.

[Frosty Demon 153]

What does watts have to do now that he is dropped? What are peoples thoughts on what coaching staff are asking of him in terms of a role?

Is it a running wing/flank? Is it a lead up foward? A third tall?

Watts is one of my favorites and I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts?

I'd make him study tapes of Jack Gunston.

Id make him study his own tapes and ask him if this is how he would like to be remembered.

[bing181 9,436]

So much angst over swapping a few fringe players for some other fringe players. 3 of the 4 dropped contributed next to nothing last week. Mitchie and Jones would be an upgrade on JKH and Newton, at least the way they've played recently, Grimes, we'll have to see, and Bail will probably be sub, and snaffle a goal when he comes on.

Jones and Grimes, at least, have been very good at Casey, and the Roos ethos is, if nothing else, play your role, work hard, do what you're supposed to, and we'll support you.

But the most important for me is that it's not so much about who comes in, as who goes out. The message has to be, if you don't perform, we can't guarantee your place. I'd rather be bringing in NQR players to keep pressure on those already in the team, than let mediocre performances be enough for players to hold their place.

[Frosty Demon 153]

I think we are wanking dc.. I have lost confidence in Roos - WTF is he playing at?

Be cool Bitter, it might be all you've got.

[titan_uranus 25,212]

Grimes and Michie were stiff to have been dropped in the first place, Bail and M Jones provide the run we've been lacking, and the outs were probably the clear bottom 4 in terms of impact vs Sydney.

I'm not fussed much. We've taken out the bottom 4 from last week, and even though I suspect the four ins won't do much, that's not where this game is going to be won for us. If we're to put in a decent show, it's going to come from improved performances from N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Lumumba, Dawes, Howe, Dunn, Garland etc. If our core are at their best, who knows, but I know for sure that if they're all down on input, then M Jones, Bail, Michie and Grimes could have the games of their lives, we're not going to be close when the final siren sounds.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Not surprised by Bail and M.Jones. More surprised by Grimes and Michie coming back in.

As for Watts..I'll try and be positive that a return to the VFL could reignite him, but generally I hate it when players are demoted to sub and then dropped off the back of that.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,460]

Worst team selection in three years. We are [censored], bail jones and grimes in with spencer in the ruck. Will be lucky to score

I agree - really unhappy with these selections and the selections over the past few weeks. Yeah I know you have to set standards but there's also an element of having played two of the best teams in the comp and just not being up to it.

We need a settled team and for the players to be backed in by the coaches as well as getting experience. Michie should never have been dropped. Newton should not be dropped - he's only played about 10 games! Watts has been rightfully dropped. Howe is lucky to still get a game. Pedersen should not be dropped. Give him Watts' role as the third leading forward with Dawes coming up to high half forward and let Hogan sit back closer to goal or leading back to the empty paddock in front of goal (Pagans Paddock).

The multiple changes the last couple of weeks have a touch of panic about them.

Bail, M Jones, Grimes - three absolute butchers against the team who absolutely kills you on the rebound with their skill. We need to have physical players in this week to pressure the Hawks like we did the Crows - these three will not be doing that.

[CityDee 738]

Jamar Watts and Pederson in the 2's - sheesh who woulda thought

[What 18,810]

B - Grimes - Dunn - Garland

HB - Lumumba - T Mac - Howe

C - Salem - Tyson - Vince

HF - Vandenberg - Dawes - Brayshaw

F - Garlett - Hogan - Stretch

R - Spencer - N.Jones - .Cross

Bench - Toumpas - Bail - Michie

Sub - M.Jones

Not as bad as people are making out and all the wrist slashing is laughable. Would take that team over any team we named in 2014

[Je Roos Salem 661]

What does watts have to do now that he is dropped? What are peoples thoughts on what coaching staff are asking of him in terms of a role?

Is it a running wing/flank? Is it a lead up foward? A third tall?

Watts is one of my favorites and I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts?

I'd make him study tapes of Jack Gunston.

To me Watts should be a lead up forward. He should really be the athletic, versatile 2nd tall to be balanced with Hogan's size and strength. No way he is a running wing/flank. He can lead up to the flanks to spot up a target inside 50, but once he's aimlessly following the ball around the ground or just playing loose as a winger is when his flaws are most pronounced.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,460]

With Luck Watts goes to CHF for Casey and gets given a mission to play a physical domineering game. He needs to show everyone that he can play like a tall, not just an oversized Jamie Bennell.

He doesn't have it in him. Pea heart.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

As I stated on the "changes next week" thread, which is now obsolete, with the dry conditions forecast, I still think there's some chance that one of Gawn or Pedersen will come in and a late change, most likely Tyson (knee) will happen.

Otherwise we are majorly at risk should Spencer go down given that they have two genuine ruckmen.

The other comment is that based on team selected, you'd have to think that Howey will be the surprise third tall forward with Lumumba playing as the third-man up down back.

Final comment is to the guy who said Watts lacks class, that is complete and utter nonsense and shows you have never been to training.

His only significant problem is that he lacks aggression - and that, sadly, is why he will never make it.

Hope it's Gawn. If he can't get near it he can just get subbed off in the third

[Demon Dynasty 17,135]

Bail? Grimes? Matt Jones? Hello 2013!

Matt Jones and Grimes add a little run and carry ranking in our top 10 last year for carrying the ball/running lines. Bail also but to a lessor degree. Unfortunately all with some un-hawthorn like finish. Grimes will get to where the ball is, get a fair amount of it and will at least increase our out of bounds on the full stats (ie., clangers)

Having said that we at least know they will bring "effort" and have a dip when it's their turn to go.

Michie deserves another go and should help ease the weight off the other mids with another "ok" rotation. Viv presently has the best DE% (average) of any mid in the team with a DE% of 75.70% He is also the only mid fielder in the team to have a DE% above the AFL average of 72.85% (exclusive of MFC). Albeit this is only a 2 game average lol. But there's more to playing footy than being accurate with your disposal and I reckon Roos has sent out an obvious message here after Viv was dropped last week...

"Better bloody tackle mate!!"

[PaulRB 6,435]

I like it. The outs needed to learn the consequences of mediocrity and the players come in give us dash, if lacking in foot skills.

I reckon we isolate Hogan and Gartlett forward, tie the hawks up and absorb their attacks and then aim move the ball quick by hand and foot speed before bombing long to ...

Rope-a-dope.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Almost expected to see Tapscott listed with the ins honestly.

I think Roos is running out of whiteboard markers.

Our team selection seems very chaotic at the moment, only surpassed by Carlton.

I don't think we'll ever have a best 22. Only a best 10 or so

[Seraph 1,824]

I am fine with the changes.

At least they'll have a crack. They'll work much harder than JKH and Watts, that's for sure.

We couldn't hit targets vs Sydney because they ran both ways far better than we did, and it showed. We'd often go to break to the other side of the ground and there would be 3 Sydney players vs 1 Dees player running into space.

Hopefully these changes address this.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

He doesn't have it in him. Pea heart.

You gotta stop, man.

[Gator 18,019]

I'd like to see Howe go forward again and Grimes can adequately play his back-line 'intercept' role. Neither have been great, but it's worth a try.

Lord knows I'm no fan of some of these 'ins', but I fail to see how Bail, Jones and Mitchie for Pedersen, Watts, Newton and Kennedy-Harris overly weakens us. I like Newton, but the other 3 have been borderline hopeless. The 'ins' will at least double the possession tally of the 'outs'. And it's not as though the 'outs' don't give it back too.

I can't quite understand the angst.

[Die Hard Demon 1,224]

Bail, Grimes & M. Jones ....... Jesussssss

[Demon Dynasty 17,135]

So much angst over swapping a few fringe players for some other fringe players. 3 of the 4 dropped contributed next to nothing last week. Mitchie and Jones would be an upgrade on JKH and Newton, at least the way they've played recently, Grimes, we'll have to see, and Bail will probably be sub, and snaffle a goal when he comes on.

Jones and Grimes, at least, have been very good at Casey, and the Roos ethos is, if nothing else, play your role, work hard, do what you're supposed to, and we'll support you.

But the most important for me is that it's not so much about who comes in, as who goes out. The message has to be, if you don't perform, we can't guarantee your place. I'd rather be bringing in NQR players to keep pressure on those already in the team, than let mediocre performances be enough for players to hold their place.

Spot on bing. Might also have a slight effect going the other way too, giving a little more incentive to some at Casey that they might get a gig if they do up the ante down there! Carrot & Stick!

[Dr. Gonzo 24,460]

You gotta stop, man.

Stop what?