The rolling round by round preview and discussion thread *Round 11*

[Mat0369]

His body looks underdeveloped at the moment to play as a key defender at AFL level. When I have watched him play he does not make the best decisions either (looks to force the ball into areas too often which result in a turnover). There is a big jump between VFL and AFL level (Brock McLean) so his VFL form wont exactly mean he will perform at AFL level at this point. I don't expect him to start having an impact and really making a push for senior selection until next season.

[Mat0369]

Sandilands is out for Freo. Yarran is out, Curnow has flown over but is in doubt. Russell, Joseph, Thornton and Ellard have all flown over to Perth. I did not see anything on Armfield flying over so he might not play.

Ins: Russell, Joseph (plays on Ballantyne), Walker, Thornton/Armfield (if he flew)
Outs: Carrazzo, Laidler, Yarran, McLean

If Curnow can't play I would say Ellard comes in.

[Mat0369]

Teams have been released.

Thornton, Jamison, Armfield
Duigan, Henderson, Tuohy
Simpson, Murphy, Scotland
Robinson, Waite, Walker
Betts, Hampson, Garlett
Kreuzer, Judd, Gibbs
Russell, Joseph, Lucas, Curnow
Bower, Ellard, McLean

I was a bit surprised that Bower was dropped. If Curnow can't go Ellard will be the replacement. It makes the most sense.

[jezzablue]

this listed team on fire will beat freo...
i had a feeling sandilands wouldnt play....unfortunate for him but makes me a little more at ease...
i hear  griffin hasnt been playing well so him coming in doesnt bother me...look forwrad to whether fyfes in...

cant wait t see walker have a crack...i reckon he'll be chomping at the bit!

[plugz19]

reckon we really should win
if pav plays a high forward/pushing into midfield role who do you expect to go with him?
i was thinking gibbs (can play undersized) if he's high up the ground, and when pav is deep forward henderson/jamo to take him

joseph->ballantyne is a no-brainer
crowley will try and tag murphy and they'll go head to head with judd imo

think we really missed armfield last week, especially after carrots went down
i also expect us to stretch them for height in our forward line at some points. if we have waite, kreuz, walker and thornton/jamo down there it'll be hard to stop

[Mat0369]

I think they will let Pav go head to head in the mids. Gibbs might go to him in patches but I think McPhee will tag Judd (did a good job on him a few years back), Crowley will tag Murphy and the others will go head to head.

[Bluesman]

Teams have been released.

Thornton, Jamison, Armfield
Duigan, Henderson, Tuohy
Simpson, Murphy, Scotland
Robinson, Waite, Walker
Betts, Hampson, Garlett
Kreuzer, Judd, Gibbs
Russell, Joseph, Lucas, Curnow
Bower, Ellard, McLean

I was a bit surprised that Bower was dropped. If Curnow can't go Ellard will be the replacement. It makes the most sense.

Agree- was a bit surprised also but not disappointed I  must admit. I have been critical of him, despite the thoughts of many. I feel he does make a few too many mistakes at crucial times and looks half a pace too slow. And pleeeeease Blues..... don't EVER let us see the likes of McLean in our team EVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!  ;D

[jezzablue]

woohoo  :)
i got very nervous that last 5 minutes...i wanted bruce to shut up...it was like he was willing the dockers back into the game.

i hate the way lyon coaches...ugly football!!!

an away win in perth....awesome!!!

[truBLUE]

woohoo  :)
i got very nervous that last 5 minutes...i wanted bruce to shut up...it was like he was willing the dockers back into the game.

i hate the way lyon coaches...ugly football!!!

an away win in perth....awesome!!!

+1 mate a great win in perth , bruce buggs me aswell " dont you think",  but great job by walker  ;)

[Mat0369]

I got really worried at the end of the game but it was good to get the win.

[valkorum]

woohoo  :)
i got very nervous that last 5 minutes...i wanted bruce to shut up...it was like he was willing the dockers back into the game.

i hate the way lyon coaches...ugly football!!!

an away win in perth....awesome!!!

First up - well done on the win.  Annoys me that we won most of the major stats (including more scoring shots) and we lose the game.  In the end we weren't good enough to secure the 4 points. (another 3 mins and I think we would have got the win ;) )

Secondly - Why does everyone say we play ugly footy, just cos we have Ross Lyon as our coach?  Carlton play a 7 & 8 man defense to clog it up, but that isn't ugly footy.  Every team in the comp plays a press which has every player on the ground in one half (sometimes one quarter) of the ground.... yet Freo get labelled as "Ugly Footy".

[jezzablue]

because its styfling...congested...more defensive than offensive....ugly.
i understand there needs to be a defensive element to the game but how its coached by lyon its like its more of a factor than attacking.

i watched a game between carlton and saints from 2010 a couple of weeks ago and was the same for the saints there, than watching the game on friday night it was exactly the same style...and in the end the same result only carlton won by more vs saints.
as soon as the blues start getting ahead lyon switches the style to attack to try and retrieve the game.

[TheMailman]

Highly defensive tactics have worked for teams in the past. Sydney used it successfully to make 2 grand finals.

I'm not saying that high defensive is unbeatable. But recent history has shown that one is more successful than the other.

This isn't putting any critisicm on Carlton. They're playing good and hopefully they use up all their momentum come the SCG :)

[Mat0369]

So how many players get rested this week? I think Judd, Kreuzer, Scotland and Betts will all be rested this week. Mitch Robinson and Waite could also miss but I think they want to make sure Waite get some continuity at AFL level.

I also have 3 of those 6 in my SC team so I kind of hope they play.

[jezzablue]

yeah my list of possibilities are...
judd
scotland
kreuzer
jamison....
possibly simpson..