DeeSpencer

Openers Watson Cowan Batsmen Rogers Clarke Hughes Smith or Khawaja depending on form before first test Keeper Haddin - this one is all but confirmed but I don't like him but oh well. Let's hope Wade and Paine get back on track Bowlers Starc Siddle Pattinson Harris That's presuming the pitch isn't overly spin friendly. If so bring Lyon in rest Harris for a test where it's pace friendly. Also keep Faulkner open as an option for 6 or 8 but we need battling depth more than extra all rounder. The other quick who I expect will get a test is Jackson Bird. I can't have Warner in the side, no because of his behaviour (which wasn't ideal but he smacked a pom not a team mate move on) but because without any practice games at all how can he be ready for test cricket in English conditions? In fact I believe Warner should be realised from the squad and play county cricket until the first test finishes then bring him back in the fold. At least he'll have a warm up that way. If he's been scoring runs at county cricket then bring him back in for an underperforming batsman. Besides Clarke the other 5 can easily be dropped! Of course if (and I think they should) they go for Rogers or Khawaja they need some time in the team to see them play. In fact I'd like selectors to come out before the first test and say Rogers is in and he's on a two game trial at least so that the pressure is off for the first test.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1207435/5/index.htm This article about the Raiders - which in turn reportedly cause the son of the legend Mark Davis to sack his own PR guy - highlights the dysfunctional nature of the team and you can see a lot of similarities to our problems. I'm not sure though if Reggie McKenze is the Mark Neeld coming in and making things worse or the Peter Jackson who has come in to make things better. And maybe Hue Jackson was the Mark Neeld and Carson Palmer can star as David Rodan,

What? I'm saying good luck to her. I just don't imagine her career at the MFC will be a long one.

Well as bright and prosperous as a career can be in a one off game for the MFC..... Although if you mean for her local and state footy then sure good luck to her.

it helps game one then costs them as the series drag on. Heat would love to rest Wade and Bosh right now but cant

Betts can put on forward pressure but I haven't seen him do it for a full season, he seems more of a lead and goal type player. He'd be handy but I can't see him leaving Carlton and still being a good price. I'd look to the draft more than anything for a small forward. They can come in and play quickly if fit. I agree its an area of need for our list.

Terrible turnover, terrible player. He might find some more ball in the middle but he plays without pride for himself or for the jumper.

I'm underwhelmed as well. It looks like we generally have 3 positions for full time staff in recruiting. A head recruiter whose job will be essentially left blank this year and merged under Viney's role until the Collingwood chap comes out of contract, and 2 full time recruiting officers. It seems those positions will be filled by Burleigh who seems to me to be part of the team who have recruited poorly in the last decade and now a guy who hasn't ever done the job before. Sure he's got a good background with community and football experience but couldn't we lure a part time guy from Geelong or Hawthorn into this full time role in football? I don't think the magnitude of this years draft can be underestimated. We've got 3 first round picks, one of which will be Viney but we need to nail the other 2 and all our other picks. It's the best opportunity for us to get talented, tough footballer players in so that with the talent we've already added we can craft a proper side. If we stuff up this year then I'm not sure we'll ever get it right.

My thoughts. Bollinger out: fair enough Hilf + Johnson in: Hilf had one bad test, deserves to be in squad and only missing out if the wickets aren't meant to swing. I don't like the re inclusion of Johnson - but he is a test performer so I won't go all high horse on it. There's too much to complain about to worry about what they are doing with MJ. Doherty Out/ Beer In: We don't seem to have a spinner in the country who is up to it. We need a plan going forward on how to address this. All I want from the selectors is some kind of plan. Ie. were going to go horses for courses for a while, or where going to give everyone a try, or were including this guy and that's how its going to be. I hope this Beer dude can field. North out: had to happen Smith in: BAD! if he's going to be an all rounder or spinner the pressure of walking in now to bat at number 6 will ruin his bowling development. They've pushed the trigger too early in searching for a replacement. Both Hussey and Khawaja have first class averages of 50+. Hussey has an average of 55 with over 10,000 first class runs. Khawaja is technically organised, 24 and not in hopeless form this summer. Blooding youngsters is fine, but you have to give them a chance. Now Smith is in he needs a big chance, even though I think at 6 he is destined to fail. Man it sucks that McDonald got injured. Hughes In: He's had some success at test level and a good first class average. I'm willing to give him a shot as his only competition is Marsh, who despite some good scores of late is not up to it.

well played!