Match Ups

[Captain]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
I think alot of people are underistimating C Bolton's strength, he is the equal strongest at the club(BHall), and is creative enough to be played through the midfield at times so can be dangerous on the rebound.

Spot on BRB

Bolton is stronger than Barry therefore a better match up on Gehrig. Plus this will leave Leo to create a bit of run off halfback, something he cannot do if he plays on Gehrig.

[liz]

None of the combinations of our defenders vs their forwards looks quite right, but if we're relying on the defenders to beat their men one on one we will lose.

Good though their midfield is, I reckon we have the players to match up on them pretty well, led by the indefatigable Kirk. Kirk and maybe Mathews on Hayes and Dal Santo will go along way towards deciding the outcome, and then we just need Bazza, Magic and Pebbles to hone the radar to make sure we make the most of opportunities.

[Bleed Red Blood]

Originally posted by lizz
we just need Bazza, Magic and Pebbles to hone the radar to make sure we make the most of opportunities.

Is this the first game decided by the forwards rather than the midfield?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
Is this the first game decided by the forwards rather than the midfield?

We beat them last year by kicking as inaccurately as we did against the Dogs last week. I don't think we'll have that luxury this year.

Strangely Baz and Micky didn't kick well last year but Schneider, Willo, Cressa, etc did. This year we have Buchanan.

[DST]

Originally posted by Captain
Spot on BRB

Bolton is stronger than Barry therefore a better match up on Gehrig. Plus this will leave Leo to create a bit of run off halfback, something he cannot do if he plays on Gehrig.

That maybe so, but one on one strength is not the way to beat Gherig he will still kick a lazy 6 that way.

Must play in front, cut the ball off and frustrate him. Leo is the man for the job.

DST

[dendol]

I think Bolton should get first crack on Gehrig. I dont like the idea of Goodes or Barry on our last line. We need that run out of defense, so unless Bolton, and then James, gets belted by Gehrig, I wouldnt put Barry back there. Like others have said, Bolton is our strongest defender, and is the only one I can see that can get close in one-on-one wrestling with Gehrig.

If they play a tall(er) forward line (with Koschitske), then as long as our defenders can help each other out and get the ball to ground, we should be able to mop up and rebound. I dont know if Grant Thomas will let us play a spare man in defense, but that only means we'll have more bodies back there to block leads and spoil marks.

Like all games, midfield pressure will be paramount. I havent seen many Saints games this year, but Im guessing that the thrashings they have dished out has been a result of absolutely no opposition pressure being applied to passes into their forward 50.

ps. Crouch on Riewoldt? That is soooo off-the-planet I dont know if I should bite.

[swansrule100]

my essendon supporting friend says doyle on gehrig

[sharpie]

We should have drafted the Berlin Wall this week and let it play loose in defense around the 45m arc. That's cut off their forwards' supply.

Seriously, it comes down to clearances. At the SCG it is one kick into the forward zone from the centre ruck contest. Stop Lenny, Harvey, etc from getting the kick bomb forward and get our own fair share of it is what is needed. Both forward lines have enough marking power to take advantage of it, so whoever gets the most supply will be tough to stop.

[boroboy]

Originally posted by dendol
ps. Crouch on Riewoldt? That is soooo off-the-planet I dont know if I should bite.

OK OK - In hindsight I now realise that was probably one of the most stupid comments ever posted on RWO....so to try and crawl my way out of the hole I dug myself into, the explanation is I play a lot of soccer - where the height advantage isn't so much of an issue - without thinking it through I just put pace on pace....

But I stick by my other match ups - Goodes on Gehrig, Bevan on Guerra, Kirk on Hayes, Bolton on Hammil.