Teams: Sydney v Essendon

[31 hard at it]

Let's hope it pisses down with rain? Anyone know the forecast? It has been mostly dry for the last day or two but has never looked far away from threatening to bucket down.

Sydney - Sunny and 25c

It will be played as a fast game and fittness on a big ground will be the telling factor - Huge job for Mummy - He is fitter but up against a couple of mobile ruckman.
I wish him well because if he plays a good one we should win.

[ShockOfHair]

The ruck is one thing. But Meredith? He's never been a big ballwinner and didn't do a great deal in the NAB games. Hope he showed some form in the twos.

[giant]

My best guess is Pyke wont play,i think Mummy will ruck when Hille rucks and White when Ryder does,yes we loose out in the ruck but Jesse has the pace to go with Ryder around the ground i dont think Pyke does,Bird will be the sub imo.

Not a bad call for a rookie...

[giant]

One ruckman against three. If it works Horse is a genius. If it doesn't I hope they don't persist.

Hopefully White will get more than 1 hitout this week.

Apparently there is a qn mark about Hille.

[stellation]

Apparently there is a qn mark about Hille.

Yes, but it's really none of our business.

[ugg]

Bomberblitz are saying that Hille is out for two weeks. Perhaps the Swans had some inside info and are happy to let White square up against Bellchambers

[ScottH]

Gone for a bit more ball skill and agility, by the looks of it.
They are obviously confident Mummy can ruck neraly all day, and is better for the run last week.

[Bas]

I hope Bird can finish the game. I thought Sumner would get a run with it being Marn Grook. Happy with Meredith though. He is ahead of Sumner.

[Captain]

I think the bench will be: White Rohan Bird with the substitute being Meredith

Am 50% of the way to being 100% on the money

[Captain]

According to AFL.com.au, Sumner, Pyke and Parker are the emergencies, meaning that Meredith and Bird come into the team. However, it is not clear if the final squad has actually been announced or if this is just because their format can't cope with the extended bench of 7. After comments last week about a query over Mumford's match fitness, surely we're not going into a game against Hille and Ryder with just White as his back-up????

The answer is that Mummy is obviously match fit now. Mumford and Hille will go head to head and ruck for most of the game. Ryder and White will be their back ups and both play forward most of the game. I see no problem with that.

[On-Baller]

Not a bad call for a rookie...

Ah but im an old rookie,used to dwell in these parts years ago under another guise ,im quite shocked actually as all the comments since mine had convinced me i was wrong,Jesse is the better match up for Ryder but he'll have to be at his very best as Ryder was great last weak,mind you not that he was up against much.Did anyone see Meredith playing seriously?Always seemed like an outside player to me hardly a hard ball getter.I would think he'd have to be odds on as the sub.

[The Big Cat]

If Hille is doubtful there is no value in them naming Bellchambers in the team at this time since they can just bring him in from an emergency list if Hille is not right. I think that the Bombers' plan might be to stretch the swans defence. We are very height challenged with only Reg and Ted of any size down there. We are certainly not in our usual formation of the two KP defenders plus LRT to pick up the gorillas. And there are not many options available either if they decide to go "tall".

[Xie Shan]

Bomberblitz are saying that Hille is out for two weeks. Perhaps the Swans had some inside info and are happy to let White square up against Bellchambers

I'm uneasy. Let's hope that Hird hasn't learned from the Kevin Sheedy school of selection subterfuge

[RogueSwan]

Longmire surprises all again! Don't think anyone picked this bench

I/C: White Meredith Bird Rohan
Emg: Pyke Sumner Parker

In: Meredith Bird
Out: Seaby Sumner

this probably would have been my last combination if someone asked me to list them all

I, in my naivety(sp?), thought that winning contested started with a ruckman hitting the ball to our teams advantage. Hard to do that with a not fully fit Mummy and part timer in White.
I like White's game but surely Seaby, even not fully fit, brings more as a forward than Jesse does as a ruckman?
Oh well, when Jesse is BOG tomorrow I give my apology and glowing praise to Horse, until then....

[RogueSwan]

The answer is that Mummy is obviously match fit now. Mumford and Hille will go head to head and ruck for most of the game. Ryder and White will be their back ups and both play forward most of the game. I see no problem with that.

I see a slight problem, shouldn't we be trying to make mis-matches, in our favour. Not just look at the opposition and try and match them. Shouldn't we choose footballers that will make Hird scratch his head through his lovely, flowing, golden tendrils