13 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

From the Saintsational site: picture of Etihad surface as of 21st March !

should we be training at the beach or maybe an ice rink to prepare for this one?

"Dees rookie Joel Smith a strong chance to debut against the Saints. Jack Watts did extra ruckwork at end of training. Expect him to play." - Ben Guthrie

44 minutes ago, small but forward said:

I'm sure the AFL has legal obligations to provide a safe workplace and accordingly hope they undertake due diligence via inspection by expert before sanctioning to use the venue to cover their backsides. I also hope they are contingency planning, but I think they'd need to call it (a change in venue) today/tomorrow am latest and can't see this happening with timing of other games planned at the G.

I also hope they are using the right dirt glue (earlier post still tickling my funny bone)

Or ........ they could declare it a non-issue, sweep the whole thing under the carpet, and threaten any club who looks like kicking up a fuss.

 

Decisions, decisions ...

14 minutes ago, demon9 said:

"Dees rookie Joel Smith a strong chance to debut against the Saints. Jack Watts did extra ruckwork at end of training. Expect him to play." - Ben Guthrie

Interesting re: Watts.  Could they be getting cold feet about playing Spencer and just go with the pinch hitter in the ruck?  I'm hoping that's the case.

21 minutes ago, demon9 said:

"Dees rookie Joel Smith a strong chance to debut against the Saints. Jack Watts did extra ruckwork at end of training. Expect him to play." - Ben Guthrie

Clear indication of no Spencer.

3 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Clear indication of no Spencer.

It sounds like no Spencer.. but does Weideman get a gig??

2 hours ago, Devil is in the Detail said:

Not comparing Watts and Weid. But i feel that even if Watts kicks 1-2 goals he costs us 3 goals the other way due to lack of pressure, soft tackling efforts, or soft contested efforts.

All that finding space on his own and no one kicks it to him puts him too far away from opponents to apply pressure.

Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

It sounds like no Spencer.. but does Weideman get a gig??

Yes for mine. Now competing with Pedersen who played 0 JLT games. 

Wouldn't put my house on it, but that's my reading of the tea leaves.

Agreed Nasher

45 minutes ago, demon9 said:

"Dees rookie Joel Smith a strong chance to debut against the Saints. Jack Watts did extra ruckwork at end of training. Expect him to play." - Ben Guthrie

On the match preview thread, Saty suggested it was marking and spoiling. Apparently the rucks were working with Greg Stafford and Watts wasn't involved. I wouldn't read anything into that comment yet.

Don't mind Hogan, Watts, Weid as the talls. they are all fast and can mark so on the break we will test them - add in Petracca, Kent and Jeffy and we look quick all of a sudden!

Joel smith has to play surely, upgrade him already! the supercoach in me can't take the stress!

16 minutes ago, Radar Detector said:

On the match preview thread, Saty suggested it was marking and spoiling. Apparently the rucks were working with Greg Stafford and Watts wasn't involved. I wouldn't read anything into that comment yet.

There was no opposition ruck during the drill which you would need if serious,  and he wasn't practicing third man up,  seemed more about getting his timing and eye in, he was tapping the ball down now and again, so maybe Guthrie took this as ruckwork, but team ethic is all about tapping on now rather than grabbing, if opposition player is up your clacker. But then again if they go with him instead of Spencer he will have to ruck

.

Edited March 23, 20178 yr by Satyriconhome

7 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Don't mind Hogan, Watts, Weid as the talls. they are all fast and can mark so on the break we will test them - add in Petracca, Kent and Jeffy and we look quick all of a sudden!

Joel smith has to play surely, upgrade him already! the supercoach in me can't take the stress!

I have him on the bench as well.

1 hour ago, Brownie said:

should we be training at the beach or maybe an ice rink to prepare for this one?

If the date is right hard to imagine it will be in a safe state to play. I hope they swallow their pride  and move it if its not ready to go. 

 

36 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

There was no opposition ruck during the drill which you would need if serious,  and he wasn't practicing third man up,  seemed more about getting his timing and eye in, he was tapping the ball down now and again, so maybe Guthrie took this as ruckwork, but team ethic is all about tapping on now rather than grabbing, if opposition player is up your clacker. But then again if they go with him instead of Spencer he will have to ruck

.

A bit of last minute fine tuning before playing id have thought 

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Don't mind Hogan, Watts, Weid as the talls. they are all fast and can mark so on the break we will test them - add in Petracca, Kent and Jeffy and we look quick all of a sudden!

Joel smith has to play surely, upgrade him already! the supercoach in me can't take the stress!

They will likely have Carlisle playing which may make them a taller side than us....

Joel has been upgraded!!   King on LTI list

leaving to the last minute or what!?

Joel a lock to play then 

1 minute ago, DubDee said:

Joel has been upgraded!!   King on LTI list

leaving to the last minute or what!?

And will be playing (those close to him have been told to get tickets to the match)

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

Yes for mine. Now competing with Pedersen who played 0 JLT games. 

Wouldn't put my house on it, but that's my reading of the tea leaves.

What about the coffee grinds?

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

What about the coffee grinds?

They are not as easy to read. Tea leaves are a bit larger.

I don't take much notice of coffee grind readers.

6 minutes ago, old dee said:

They are not as easy to read. Tea leaves are a bit larger.

I don't take much notice of coffee grind readers.

Let me percolate over that for a while.

Looking forward to this game.

The team has been selected.  

There are some big surprises!!!!!!

That is all I can say.

Edited March 23, 20178 yr by Grand New Flag

1 minute ago, Grand New Flag said:

Looking forward to this game.

The team has been selected.  

There are some big surprises!!!!!!

That is all I can say.

By that I am going to say no watts 

12 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Joel has been upgraded!!   King on LTI list

leaving to the last minute or what!?

Just read the article on the club app time stamped as 10am this morning! Why did they wait so long to tell us!!