If I get a leave pass, I'll be watching from the Roppongi Hobgoblin, a pub in Tokyo.

I'm not greatly confident (because we always seem to play teams in crisis after an upset defeat) but let's see ...

Could be a shaky game, just like Japan at the moment. Wasn't nervous about this game until this morning.

A must win game, 1 - 3 would be a failed start to the season for mine.

Edited April 16, 201610 yr by Ethan Tremblay

This is a massive game for us. No Vince and Garlett is a big blow for us, while VBD has started slowly so his absence won't be as damaging.

I know I am getting ahead of myself, but a win today, with the likes of Vince, Garlett, Petracca, a fit VDB, and a second tall forward in, gulp, Dawes or even Weidemann to come in over the next month or more, would set us up pretty nicely.

Still hearing whispers of another late change! Hope not!

I am still seething at throwing away 4 points against Essendon, and then letting another 4 points slip away last weekend. As much as Collingwood have been under the pump, I would hope we are even more fired up.

For some reason i just cannot find the confidence for this game. I think Vince is a huge huge out along with Garlett who always plays well against them.

Playing Hunt and Wagner is the downfall for me personally. I know he is still young but Brayshaw seriously needs to step up and help fill the void left by Vince. 

Huge game from McDonald and Dunn but im backing them.

Kent must back u his performance from last week and hit the scoreboard plus bring that forward pressure.

1 minute ago, picket fence said:

Still hearing whispers of another late change! Hope not!

Also nervous about this. With Vince and Garlett out, I don't think we can afford to lose another one of our key players, with Hogan the one the whispers seem to be about?

4 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Still hearing whispers of another late change! Hope not!

Hearing from who?

Someone mentioned Hogan in the other thread.

I was at training on Wednesday and noticed Hogan had his left ankle taped,that had me a little worried.

Watching Crows/Swans last night, both teams tackle as opposed to corral, can we stop the corralling as the opposition can still dispose of the footy.

 

16 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Could be a shaky game, just like Japan at the moment. Wasn't nervous about this game until this morning.

I lived in Kumamoto for a couple of years (hence the user name). Lots of friends and former colleagues still over there doing it tough at the moment. Really feel for them, and the city/region...it's an amazing place.

Back on topic. Very nervous about today's game, but that's not unusual. I hope Bernie being out doesn't hurt too much. Would love to see Ed's face turning red/purple as the result unfolds.

Jeez I hate 3pm games. I have to put up with lingering nerves all day. If I were an AFL footballer I'd definitely be the type that has a quiet spew on the boundary line during the warmup.

Pretty excited though. I've gone from supreme confidence after the North game, to overcompensating and going to water after seeing the inexperienced side we picked, to finally settling on the knowledge that if we bring the effort we brought last week, we should beat this woeful team, and if we don't, we won't. Our fate is in our own hands.

Best of luck to Jayden Hunt. Hope we get to see him with his afterburners on streaming through the middle. 

1 minute ago, Nasher said:

Our fate is in our own hands.

This. If anyone is struggling to see our progression, this is the difference compared to recent previous years.

Just now, Skuit said:

This. If anyone is struggling to see our progression, this is the difference compared to recent previous years.

Absolutely. "It is up to us to win" is certainly a better feeling than "I hope they have mercy on us" before the game.

Don,t like the way the press are promoting this game as do or die for Buckley

3 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Absolutely. "It is up to us to win" is certainly a better feeling than "I hope they have mercy on us" before the game.

In theory yes. But after the last 10 years i have more faith in the later! 

2 minutes ago, loges said:

Don,t like the way the press are promoting this game as do or die for Buckley

Why make Buckley the sole scapegoat? In my view it is Maguire who should be resigning (although it will never happen)!

Dees are out to $3.00 to win on sportsbet. love it. The beauty of playing Collingwood, they have some many supporters willing to put their money on them regardless of how well they are playing that the bookies have to shorten their odds on and try to entice more people to back Melbourne with longer odds otherwise they take a bath...  I am more than happy to take some of their money.

It would be nice if Kennedy kicked a few and Howe just gets his usual 3 possessions.

10 minutes ago, hells bells said:

Best of luck to Jayden Hunt. Hope we get to see him with his afterburners on streaming through the middle. 

Haven't seen him play at VFL, is there a player who speed he could be compared to?

Just now, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Haven't seen him play at VFL, is there a player who speed he could be compared to?

Usain Bolt.

8 hours ago, Emerald said:

It would be nice if Kennedy kicked a few and Howe just gets his usual 3 possessions.

Was thinking Kennedy as well, but I also think the stage is set for Watts, their defence  isn't much chop at the moment. Would love him to bag 5.

Getting very nervous about this game. a lot of money has been popped on the filth with the betting companies. A good first quarter is a must today.

 

Not feeling all that confident today, although that's more out of the fact that I think the Pies are much better than how they are playing at present.  Their side looks pretty good on paper, but they have crumbled under pressure.  They'll be fired up and we need to weather that early storm.

Unlike others I don't mind that Hunt and Wagner were selected.  I know they are inexperienced but they both played good footy at VFL level and have earned their chance.  I'll back them in to make a contribution.

As others have said, if we turn up to play then we win.  Our game style at the moment has us capable of kicking a good score and if Max gets on top and gives our boys first use then it will go a long way to us winning the game.