Forget about Lloyd...

[Captain]

Gee I wouldn't mind seeing Hird v Goodes.

[stellation]

Originally posted by swan_song
IMO we don't have at present anyone who can stop the TOP full-forwards in the competition - Neitz, Lloyd or Gherig. They are too strong, too fast and are able to bullock their way around. HJ and Schaubs can do the job on lesser players, but the lack of a Mal Michael type option at the back is perhaps our one greatest weakness...

I think that is a bit unfair on Schauble.

[liz]

Seems like Kirk will get the job, at least while he's in the midfield.

As per Roosey on Ten's ST.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by lizz
Seems like Kirk will get the job, at least while he's in the midfield.

Probably seems a reasonable approach, and the probably a swap with C-Bolt (or even Leo) when Hirdy goes forward.

[Jack Daniels]

I think Schauble is more than capable of holding those guys in one on ones, when the midfield dominates and the ball is rammed down a full fowards throat, dustin flether, mal michael, or anything of those guys could not stop it.

[Swansinger]

Jason Ball to drop to CHB and take on Lucas.

Extended time in the ruck for Doyle , then rotate him with Goodes in a FP.

Crouch to follow the president of the umpires fan club , regardless of where he plays.

Schneider to have ten minutes at FF - just to confuse Sheedy.

[Schneidergirl]

Originally posted by stellation
I think that is a bit unfair on Schauble.

I don't.

I think Schauble is a terrific player and he looks to have beefed up a bit this year, but you can't compare him to Mal Michael.

In regards to Hird- this will be tough! I agree he has been in terrific form this year. But I totally disagree with putting Saddo or Crouch on him. Maybe Kirk- who did we put on him last year when we beat them?

Let's hope Magic is back this week, and we can cause a few problems for their defence!

[liz]

Originally posted by Schneidergirl
I- who did we put on him last year when we beat them?

He's actually been out of the side the last few times we've played them.

[Cheer Cheer]

Originally posted by Schneidergirl
Let's hope Magic is back this week, and we can cause a few problems for their defence!

Even if he cant walk chuck him in - he will still take wellman - and fletcher will take Hall. Leaving Davis and O'keefe to run amok.

[Reggi]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Leaving Davis and O'keefe to run amok.

Could it be that Ryan O'Keefe has a running player brother called Amon?


Seriously, if MO is fit play him, we clearly need to more fit runners than last week. Either Saddo or LRT needs to go, they possible need to consider Ablett as well.

We possibly went to tall for sat and had a lack of runners exposed. Need to get our match-ups right.

Big game this one

[Cheer Cheer]

Dont worry about M.Johnston or McViegh playing on Davis. He will cut them up. Last year he kicked 4 goals in under 3 qtrs on them before being rested. They tried every rough up tactic in the book, but Nick came out with flying colours.

[Newbie]

I now proclaim Nick Davis is our saviour .

[Go Swannies]

For some strange reason I seem to have seen most of the Bombers games this year. I see four players as the threats - the rest are easily contained.

Lloyd - his leading is superb. It looks like Heath James is in the near-vertical part of his learning curve while Schaubs is away.

Hird - the problem for every team is that they try to zone defence on Hird and he does all the damage while they are in change over. There has to be one player on him and I can't see anyone to do it other than Kirk. Hird plays everywhere - there was one time over the past two weeks where Hird defended in the goal square and got it out to his defenders, picked up the ball in midfield and got it to his forwards then took the mark in the forward 50 and kicked the goal. There has to be one person on him. When they tire (as they will) I'd suggest Goodes to run with Hird. He may give away some penalties but he has the speed and agility to take Hird out of the game (as Kirk has, in a much more understated way). I admire Adam immensely but containing Hird is more important - he has proved to be a single-handed game winner game after game over the past three weeks. (Think Jonny Wilkinson - only he's done it for years, now.)

Rioli - he ALWAYS finds open space and so gets great run out of defence for the Dons. Seriously, they rarely have to think about where to kick out of defence because Rioli will be running by himself with no opposition near him. I hope Crouch will be the match up but have faith (slightly dented) that Roos will get it right.

McPhee - great leader into attack. Tall and very fast - and accurate into the 50. Again, take him out and you've disconnected one of Essendon's spark plugs.

I think we can beat them but only if our midfield is a bit more accountable than it was on Saturday.

Funny, a week ago we would have been clear favourites to win this but I bet we're not. Overall, the Swans are a more talented team than the Bombers. We just lost to an underrated team and the Dons just beat a crap team (the Pies without Buckley and Tarrant.) If we beat James Hird I think the game is won. When we do, I hope they have the race-protectors up to save us from the ferals!

[hammo]

I think Sheedy may decide to really test out our small backline by playing Lloyd, Hird and Lucus all up front at some time.

The trouble with Crouch and Kirk (more so Crouch) is that Hird will kill them overhead, even if they can run with him all day.

Hird is currently the best player in the comp so there's no shame in playing a number of different opponents on him.

As I said elsewhere, I'd like Goodsey to line-up on him in the midfield for a period to try and make Hird more accountable.

As for Lloyd, my pick would be Craig Bolton as he has more experience than James and rarely gets beaten.

[hird_god]

Originally posted by TheHood
As for Jim, well if he is tagged out of the game, the Dons drop off completely.

biased, but i don't agree. in the past when Hird has dropped off we obviously aren't as good (noone can replace the impact of a champion player) but the likes of Lucas, Rioli and McPhee and to a lesser extent Solomon have stepped in. against carlton hird was out of the game for a half and McPhee stood up, then Hird was the difference for the second half. the risk is, even if he only has one quarter of damaging football, he can win the game, and in the form he is in at the moment i just can't see anyone stopping him on saturday.