Comments on the teams?

[Scottee]

SYDNEY
B: Mathews, C.Bolton, Nicks
HB: Barry, Roberts-Thomson, Kennelly
C: Maxfield, Williams, Schneider
HF: O'Keefe, Goodes, Davis
F: Buchanan, Hall, Jolly
FOLL: Ball, Kirk, J.Bolton
I/C (from): Bevan, Crouch, Dempster, Doyle, Fosdike, McVeigh, Spriggs
NEW: Darren Jolly (Melbourne), David Spriggs (Geelong)

HAWTHORN
B: Jacobs, Hay, Osborne
HB: Smith, Croad, Brown
C: Thurgood, Vandenberg, Lonie
HF: Miller, Holland, Williams
F: Franklin, Dixon, Bateman
FOLL: Everitt, Hodge, Crawford
I/C from: Lewis, Brennan, Beaumont, Sewell, Barker, Campbell, Ladson
NEW: Lance Franklin (Perth), Harry Miller (Port Adelaide Magpies), Jordan Lewis (Geelong Falcons), Josh Thurgood (Rookie elevation - North Ballarat Rebels).

Seems fairly predictable. For the bench I would suggest that Crouch (barring injury) will be in. I also think this is the time to play Dempster. McVeigh would be of more value than Spriggs, Bevan or Fosdike on form (that is a concern). I would personally put Doyle in the side because I think he is stiff to be named an emergency. They will probably go for Spriggs though to better match up on the Hawthorn runners.

Any thoughts?

[midaro]

The Hawks backline looks really good, and their starting centre-square combination of Everitt, Hodge, Crawford and Vandenberg is possibly superior to ours.

However, I think our second tier and bench players run far deeper than theirs, talent-wise.

I expect a low scoring game and for it to be much closer than the odds suggest - but realistically we shouldn't lose this game.

Then there is the "backs-to-the-wall, new coach already under fire vibe". That's my biggest worry.

[liz]

Roos has already said that Dempster will probably be squeezed out.

Crouch and Doyle are probables.

I suspect the other two will come from the group of McVeigh, Spriggs and Fosdike and that Bevan will miss out. This isn't necessarily what I' d like to see but I think Roos places a high degree of value on players who can run all day.

I'm a huge fan of Bevan but he hasn't done anything in the pre-season to make himself undroppable.

[sharpie]

Doyle may miss out if it is likely to rain on sunday. too many talls in wet weather is a liability

[Wardy]

Well the way the wind is blowing at the moment - the ground will dry out quite well - hopefully there wont be any further rainfall.

Hopefully Crouch will get a run.

[Doctor]

In today's SMH Roos is quoted as saying that as long as Crouch gets through today's training session he'll play - and I'd imagine he'll start. Can't see Bevan or Doyle being left out but the 4th spot is a lottery. I'd like it to be McVeigh as this is a huge year for him and I think he'd benefit from the vote of confidence.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Doctor
In today's SMH Roos is quoted as saying that as long as Crouch gets through today's training session he'll play - and I'd imagine he'll start. Can't see Bevan or Doyle being left out but the 4th spot is a lottery. I'd like it to be McVeigh as this is a huge year for him and I think he'd benefit from the vote of confidence.

Agree. Spot on.

[Doctor]

Woohoo! Coach Roos was obviously waiting for me to post this before naming his bench ;-)