GF Matchups

[giant]

Judd is obviously the key (no disrespect to the otehr midfield stars). Noggy really struggled last time (as he has vs some very good players thruout the finals). Need to be a bit smarter this time - perhaps double-teaming him at the stoppages. I've never seen a player break tackles like he does so it has be someone who really makes a tackle count.

[Nico]

O'Keefe should not play up the ground. When he does we lose potency up forward.

Amazing, someone from the Taigh to the Wing Club had to surface. He is playing brilliantly where he is. For goodness sake leave him where he is.

I doubt Roos will change the mix too much. I reckon they have to start worrying about us and our fitness. I hope they under rate us and think they can do it on their own withiut paying due respect.

We do have a bit on then in experience that does count in the GF.

[stellation]

Originally posted by Nico
O'Keefe should not play up the ground. When he does we lose potency up forward.

I agree. I'd like O'Keefe pushing off Half Forward to the wing, he provides a strong marking option as a link man. I don't want him pushing from deeper in the forward line to Half Forward as he is a bit too willing to ping away happily.
Davis should spend more time in the midfield than he did in the preliminary.

[NMWBloods]

I think in a surprise move C Bolton may play on Judd (and shut him down and win the Norm Smith in a great display after getting plenty of possessions and kicking 2 goals himself!).

[swansrule100]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think in a surprise move C Bolton may play on Judd (and shut him down and win the Norm Smith in a great display after getting plenty of possessions and kicking 2 goals himself!).

was it last year he played on hird? did a pretty good job. That is a good idea to start with.

They will try to stretch the backline for height i imagine.

[NMWBloods]

Hasn't been mentioned at all yet I think, but Braun out is a big plus for us.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Hasn't been mentioned at all yet I think, but Braun out is a big plus for us.

He could only walk laps @ training last nite.

[swansrule100]

Im starting to feel really confident, hall or no hall. We have some good match ups for the eagles, the key will be to shut down the midfield. Im not underestimating the rest of their team, but shut down cousins, judd, kerr etc and i think u will win more times than not.

[NMWBloods]

Problem is how to shut down the WC midfield on a big ground.

[liz]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think in a surprise move C Bolton may play on Judd (and shut him down and win the Norm Smith in a great display after getting plenty of possessions and kicking 2 goals himself!).

The only problem with this is that it leaves the defence one player short. WC may not have the most star studded forward line but they have lots of tall players. I think we'll need Bolton and Barry playing close to each other to lend support, try to be the third man up in as many of each other's marking contests as possible, and help settle LRT (who will need to take either Gardiner or Hansen).

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Problem is how to shut down the WC midfield on a big ground.

Bring them in close with stoppages.

[NMWBloods]

Yeah, I ran out of defenders when I was trying to work out who would match up on Hansen or Hunter. Still, wouldn't surprise me as an early move.

[Schneiderman]

My thoughts:

Glass - Hall
Nicoski - MOL
Chick - Davis
Wirrpunda - Schneider
Hunter - ROK

Judd - Crouch (!!)
Kerr - Mathews
Fletcher - J Bolton
Cousins - Ablett
Stenglein - Kirk
Staker - Goodes (??)

Hansen - C Bolts
Lynch (if) - LRT
Gardner - L Barry (!!)
Sampi - Dempster
Embley - Kennelly

EDIT: Oh I forgot to add that if Matera plays, I'll take him. He'll only last five minutes and then I'll watch the game from the bench

[punter257]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Problem is how to shut down the WC midfield on a big ground.

i know it wasnt a finals game but collingwood murdered them on the G this season in the midfield, i'm sure roosy and the coaching staff will be looking at this closely. it was blokes like holland, obree and licuria that did the job and they arent too dissimilar to our blue collar midfield

plus the bulldogs ran all over them at the G and gave them a good touch up and richmond almost beat them as well.
the MCG isnt exactly a happy hunting ground for them. this point gives me confidence

[Reggi]

Originally posted by punter257
i know it wasnt a finals game but collingwood murdered them on the G this season in the midfield, ....
plus the bulldogs ran all over them at the G and gave them a good touch up and richmond almost beat them as well.
the MCG isnt exactly a happy hunting ground for them. this point gives me confidence

Three of their midfielders are champions (Judd, Cousins & Kerr) a few more (Fletcher, Braun & Embley) are very very good.

They have the best ruck division going around. To expect they won't fire in a GF is a bit unrealistic - the ground is more 'neutral' in the GF given that usually the crowd is not one sided.

This is going to be a far harder side to beat than St Kilda - where only two of their midfielders fired.

They are facing injury concerns - Braun would be a big loss.

Chick is also a danger guy - I think they will play him up forward

My personal view is LRT on Gardiner, Bolton on Hanson. Not a confident tip though - Leo may end up on Chick