13 minutes ago, Razor said:

I am pleased they are not playing Gawn, and I hope they leave him out next week too.  Our priority must be having him cherry ripe for September, and not risk his return until he is 100%.

The 2nd order issue is how we cover the ruck in gawn's absence.  I presume next week at Subiaco spencer will get a game.   It is bad luck for him that the pedo experiment (and roving the opposing rucks taps) has gone so well.

My source tells me that Max will definately not be flying over to Perth for next weeks game.

1 minute ago, jane02 said:

My source tells me that Max will definately not be flying over to Perth for next weeks game.

That Friday night game vs the Swans is going to be even bigger now.

It really is absolutely miraculous, frankly, what the midfield has done without Spencer and Gawn. To the point now that we have a ruckman available and won't play him... Gee we're watching something special with these kids... and Jones et al

16 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

tmac to start in ruck and be main ruck. pedo start at chf

I'd much rather that, than TMAC starting up forward.

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

That Friday night game vs the Swans is going to be even bigger now.

I reckon this is the game they'll roll out Hoges 

If the Tigers do what I think they will then I can see us going to fourth with a win this week. Huge game. Very nervous about not bringing in Spencer.

4 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

If Tom McDonald starts in the forward line then I'll spew up.

He kicked 2 in a row at Etihad once, as a defender. 

As a forward I'm quietly confident he'll kick 12. In a row. 

6 hours ago, Cards13 said:

Roughhead and Boyd, I think this week will be the biggest thrashing we will have in the ruck without Gawn and Spenc. 

It all depends on us winning at the fall of the ball, like most weeks since they have gone down. 

Peds might start but Tmac will spend a lot of time in the ruck this week.

Why this week? Roughead and Boyd are both average ruckman. 

I'd bring in Spencer. He's shown that he can be very agile and add to the contest. Being a big body  he can create a bit more space for our mids.

Pedersen play CHF and provide a contest with his  larger body to do the same thing.

Weed to start at FF and Watts to interchange.

Bugg probably did enough 

Surprise surprise lewis wasn't dropped to all those haters from last week (still some of the more ridiculous posts of the year)... and i'd wager he has a cracker this week and will be (as always this year) very important for us as an experienced head in what will be a tough game.

im pumped for this one - realise it's a very tough ask off the back of last week vs what will be a determined doggies but it's a great test for us and I see no reason we shouldn't be expecting a cheeky win here as under dogs (no pun intended). 

Go the d's!

2 hours ago, dpositive said:

I'd bring in Spencer. He's shown that he can be very agile and add to the contest. Being a big body  he can create a bit more space for our mids.

Pedersen play CHF and provide a contest with his  larger body to do the same thing.

Weed to start at FF and Watts to interchange.

Bugg probably did enough 

Only issue is - and be great to get views of someone that was there - that reading between the lines on his match review from last week was that he was alright in the hitouts but stunk it up around the ground and is prob a big part of why they left him out - not sure we really need that at present vs doing what we have been doing absent a ruck this year.

Think giving him another week has been a good idea.

14 hours ago, willmoy said:

Turnbull or Abbott

Let's think above the morose and the mundane.

11 hours ago, Red and Bluebeard said:

It must be amusing for you when we play the Saints on a Sunday, Rev ...

There is a some sin in the saints that stains their place in the big fella's perception. The Sabbath is a day to the Lord's work. Wiping the floor with sinners is an appropriate way to spend the day. 

10 hours ago, jane02 said:

My source tells me that Max will definately not be flying over to Perth for next weeks game.

Max is expecting to be right for the WC game, but as the team hasn't been picked yet changes could happen.  He was aiming to be back for this weekend's game, but the MFC dept are on the conservative side regarding injuries.

8 hours ago, deejammin' said:

If the Tigers do what I think they will then I can see us going to fourth with a win this week. Huge game. Very nervous about not bringing in Spencer.

What do you think the Tigers will do?

Yesterday I came across a copy of the preseason game v Bulldogs which I kept for some reason. 

Among the missing from that game tomorrow were Hogan (4 goals), Weideman (2 goals) and Gawn, Brayshaw and J Smith were among our best. Think about that!

1 minute ago, The Great Pretender said:

Yesterday I came across a copy of the preseason game v Bulldogs which I kept for some reason. 

Among the missing from that game tomorrow were Hogan (4 goals), Weideman (2 goals) and Gawn, Brayshaw and J Smith were among our best. Think about that!

How much has changed since then for both sides.

I recon our onballers have learnt a lot re sharking,tackling at hit outs,reading opposition ruckmen,and the absence of our own ruckman lately, will only benefit the team in the future when Max returns.

2 minutes ago, doc roet said:

I recon our onballers have learnt a lot re sharking,tackling at hit outs,reading opposition ruckmen,and the absence of our own ruckman lately, will only benefit the team in the future when Max returns.

Yes but will they remember how to play with a winning ruck?

I think our main weakness is not the ruck but the lack of presence up forward caused by it and hogan out.  For now etihadnand dogs allow us to get away with that. 

10 minutes ago, Mister Ed said:

Yes but will they remember how to play with a winning ruck?

Never fear,they will have not forgotten old habits,its just another string to the bow.

12 hours ago, Billy said:

We got smashed last week in the ruck, would've thought the mids would welcome a bit of help from a monster ruckman, it's not to be.

Bit worried about this non selection, but will be happy to be proven wrong

IMO losing the ruck didnt lose us the first half. Most of the CW goals were from stupid turnovers by foot and some luck in the bounce of the ball. Its important to win clearnces but not necessarily the hit outs .Our Mids are superior on the ball.

1 hour ago, Bells said:

Max is expecting to be right for the WC game, but as the team hasn't been picked yet changes could happen.  He was aiming to be back for this weekend's game, but the MFC dept are on the conservative side regarding injuries.

Think you'll find Jane's source is of the highest authority.  Max not going to WA.

1 hour ago, Bells said:

Max is expecting to be right for the WC game, but as the team hasn't been picked yet changes could happen.  He was aiming to be back for this weekend's game, but the MFC dept are on the conservative side regarding injuries.

I wouldn't play him in Perth.. Can't be good for a big bloke to sit on a plane for 3.5 hours and again on the way back on a 6 day break.. Leave him for the Sydney game. West coasts rucks aren't too scary without nicnat.

Anyway on to tomorrows game. Really not sure what to expect.. We've won 4 of our last 6 they have lost 4 of their last 6 so we have the form but they are the reigning premiers and their best is as good as anyones.. However their strength is their contested footy but that's become one of our strengths so I'm tipping whichever team shows up and turns the heat on will win the game.. Which has me worried with the lapses we've had, we can't afford them against sides like the Dogs...

On 16/06/2017 at 9:10 AM, In Gawn we Trust said:

Two games out of how many? I think he's okay sometimes and don't get me wrong he has his good moments, I'm just not a fan of his decision making and disposal a lot of the time

Fair but think of it this way.

Harmes - Takes marks, Hits packs, Crumbs goals, bigger body, has abit of mongrel.

Weid- drops marks, barely hits packs, minimal crumbinh goals, bean pole of a body, no mongrel.

At this stage. Harmes every day of the week. He essentially took Weids spot and if he was dropped that's who would come in.