The Cold Hard Truth

Out: Neitz (inj.), Robertson (inj.), Jamar, Wheatley, Brown, Godfrey In: Bizzell, Holland, Sylvia, P Johnson, Yze, Pickett B: Bizzell Carroll Whelan HB: Rivers Holland Ward C: Johnstone Jones Green HF: Bruce Miller Sylvia F: Bate P Johnson Davey R: White Moloney McDonald Int: C Johnson, Yze, Bell, Pickett Emg: Jamar, Brown, Godfrey THE OUTS: - Neitz: injured. - Robertson: injured. - Jamar: needs a couple of games back at Sandringham to get some big game time rucking and remind himself he is too good for VFL level and belongs at AFL level - Wheatley: looked very sloppy and underdone, has had limited pre-season preparation and needs a couple of games at Sandringham - Brown: didn't have a big impact against Hawthorn but tried hard, stiff to be dropped but I've gone youth (Bell & CJ) over him - Godfrey: like Brown, didn't have a big impact but was far from our worse, but has been tried at AFL and failed to cement a spot so once i've again youth who have shown they are capable to be great AFL players and needs patience and oppurtunities THE INS: - Bizzell: one of Melbournes best over the pre-season, has worked hard and deserves a chance - Holland: need another big man and whilst he was not great this week at Sandringham, fom has been solid so far this year and deserves a spot - Sylvia: looked ready against Geelong in VFL, can be a target up foward and a pinch-hit midfielder - P Johnson: was always going to struggle to break into the side as a ruckmen but now may slip in as a forward (primarily) - Yze: has nothing to learn from playing at Sandringham. He knows what he needs to do and needs to be given the oppurtunity. - Pickett: probably hasn't warranted a spot on current form, but then again who can pick him out amongst so many others? Experienced, proven under pressure and can give that spark (whether a great goal or bump) that we need taking pressure off Davey to be the man to ignite the side and lets him relax a bit and focus on doing what he does best.

I wonder how much impact winning the first two games of the season would have on membership? I bet there are plenty of Essendon supporters who originally didn't think it was worth buying a membership this year are now jumping back on board and Carlton supporters making the effort after winning the NAB cup and their first game.

Excellent point.

Agreed. It will be very interesting to see how Daniher will approach this. I think we will either see him play 'safe' with Bruce, Green and Yze spending a lot of the game up foward to be options; or take a more risky approach and play P Johnson or Ferguson (who can't break into the side in their own rights as a ruckmen and defender respectively) and give them a chance to relish. Neitz and Robertson are big losses, but this is AFL football - you need to be able to adapt and respond to any situation. Players get injured, suspended or experience form slumps all the time and good sides will respond. You only need to look at the Bulldogs last year... Real test of character lies ahead for many players and to honest its exciting - time to find out who can step up and who are really th passengers in this side.