The Dark Side

[Ruck'n'Roll]

While many have commented that we may hold an advantage in the relative toughness of our midfield, there is of course another side to toughness. The Dark Side!

Despite Gaspar's effort West Coast do not appear to have an enforcer who could match the efforts of Hall and Jolly.

Now while I am not suggesting a return to the 1945 GF (we lost that one), I wonder if perhaps we should not consider making use of this advantage and unleash the beasts? after all how quick is Chris Judd while unconscious?

Any thoughts?

[Rizzo]

Don't think we need to. I think our physical midfield game should be enough

[Go Swannies]

Disagree. We don't need to change our game plan to win. We play tough but fair every week. Look how well the Brions went when they decided to go the knuckle last year. They just looked like untalented thugs - and lost badly.

[NMWBloods]

I can't think of any side that won by going the fist (except Carlton in '45, but even then they started the fight and then stopped and started playing football while South were sucked in and tried to keep fighting).

[Young Blood]

Setting out to go the knuckle - or even just to rough them up - would be a big mistake. But if, in the course of play, the opportunity arises to run through someone, it must be taken.

[timthefish]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Setting out to go the knuckle - or even just to rough them up - would be a big mistake. But if, in the course of play, the opportunity arises to run through someone, it must be taken.

yes. we don't need to confirm any preconceptions that thuggery is an inherent part of our game plan. our resilience and tenacity is our toughness. by all means, put in the fair attack around the ball.

[penga]

it would be nice to see kirky put his elbow through kerr's head though... bit of payback

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by penga
it would be nice to see kirky put his elbow through kerr's head though... bit of payback

haha.

Good to see you back Penga and just in time.
Hope you had a good time away mate.

[Schneiderman]

No I agree somewhat with Ruckman. Hit em hard... fair but HARD. Every tackle on Judd he has to driven into the centre square. Kerr must be gang tackled. They are both tough, but that sort of treatment creates doubt and tires players out.

And Bazza should definately throw his weight around in the F50. There are a lot of lightly framed players down there for them, so there's no harm in knocking a few of them over.

[ScottH]

Cousins eye must be a bit tender, so he might require some "treatment" from his opponent!!

[BayesysLeftBoot]

What about north in '96? They didn't exactly go the fist but you would have to say their eyes weren't always on the ball, Craig O'Brien being knocked unconsious as evidence of this. I don't think we should go out of the way to change our game plan but it doesn't hurt to take a bloke out if he's open for it.

[Sanecow]

One of the noticably bad things about our final against West Coast was how easily our tackles were broken early in the game. We need to be very physical early.

[punter257]

just play like we have all season but try to belt kerr at every opportunity

[SXP]

Originally posted by punter257
just play like we have all season but try to belt kerr at every opportunity

Or Judd!

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Go for gardiners dodgy knees, Schneider or Buchanen could put in a decent hip and shoulder effort.