Changes for the Semi Final V Carlton

[baskin]

McVeigh's injury occurred right at the end though so we can't really use that as an excuse. In any case Doc Larkins has a very suspect record in diagnosing players off the footage

McVeigh returned to the field after half time with a bandaged calf. The injury to his knee was the one that happened near the end of the game. Either way he looked done before he did the knee.
Carlton looked very fast when they overran the tigers today. I think we could be too slow over many parts of the ground next week.

[Bloodthirsty]

Blues are not a good side. We should account for them no matter who we put on the field. Today's result was good for us.

The only real chance I see of winning the flag is knocking of Freo in Perth (massive task), while Geelong beats Hawks. At least then we'd play in a GF against another team who hasn't had a week off. If we scrap into the GF against the Hawks, we will be on the end of the biggest hiding you'll ever see.

It's still disturbing to me that we would rather play clearly injured players, some who haven't played at any level for months, than play Mitch Morton. With the ball coming to ground and being cleared by the opposition as if it were a training run, Morton is the perfect 'in'. Did he scratch the coach's car in the parking lot or something? In the bad books again for no reason?? He should ask Jesse White for some advice. Some players in the side have not earned their spot.

[bloodbrother]

bounce

McVeigh returned to the field after half time with a bandaged calf. The injury to his knee was the one that happened near the end of the game. Either way he looked done before he did the knee.
Carlton looked very fast when they overran the tigers today. I think we could be too slow over many parts of the ground next week.

history says that we will be too good for carlton, short turn around and a gut buster today ,top 4 sides have an incredible record after losing the first final ..that being said we do need some speed around the stoppages ,contrary to many I think jetta should stay in and I would move rohan into the midfield ..lets have these two combining..i think we match up quite well against freo to look forward and if any side can bounce back hard ,,it is the swans

[ShockOfHair]

Doc Larkins on 3AW just gave an injury summary from the finals games that have been completed. He said:

McVeigh- Bone on bone bruising (will struggle to come up....normally several weeks to repair)
Hanners - Similar to McVeigh. Been carrying it for weeks and struggled in the second half.
Bolton - Knee, doubtful.
Rohan - Sore calf. Common with players coming back after a serious leg break (ie Nathan Brown, Goose McGuire). Struggled to run in the 2nd half.

The above, with an under done Jetta, and you can see why we faded in the last half. The message. You may get away with one injured/under done player but not several in a final. We need fit legs so we need to bite the bullet and go with some players who can give us a contest. I also feel that we are one tall too many up forward.....we need more movement/flexibility. Membrey, Cunningham, Biggs, Lamb, Morton need to be considered. Not all ins but I think we need to make at least 4 changes to be some chance progressing deeper this month. The selectors need to be courageous this week.

Makes sense. We were lame - literally - in the second half.

With another three or four players out, Goodes is a walkup start for next week.

[ugg]

In: Trent Dennis-Lane

[stellation]

In: Trent Dennis-Lane

Can set a game on fire.

[poundpuppy]

It's still disturbing to me that we would rather play clearly injured players, some who haven't played at any level for months, than play Mitch Morton. With the ball coming to ground and being cleared by the opposition as if it were a training run, Morton is the perfect 'in'. Did he scratch the coach's car in the parking lot or something? In the bad books again for no reason??

I've been wondering too why with all the injuries we have Mitch isn't back in ... Mr September should be given another chance to do his thing.

[ugg]

I've been wondering too why with all the injuries we have Mitch isn't back in ... Mr September should be given another chance to do his thing.

Morton has played less than 1 quarter of football (both seniors and reserves) since Round 19.

[dimelb]

In: Trent Dennis-Lane

Would send shivers down Carlton's back!

[The Big Cat]

People are talking about playing injured players coming back but today Judd, Waite and a few others looked in the same boat.

[Ludwig]

We played well enough with Biggs, Cunningham and BJ. I'd play them in lieu of any injured players. I'd give Armstrong a go as well if we are still short a player. They're all fit and rested. The fitness of Rohan and Jetta is quite suspect, but we have to leave it the pros to make the assessment if they are fit enough to play. That goes for Goodes as well. I wouldn't take more than one of those three into the match.

Hannas couldn't be that bad. He played on Isaac Smith, who's a pretty fast and fit player and did okay.

Even with the worst outcome on the injury front, I can't see more than 3 or 4 changes. I feel confident we can defeat Carlton with that.

[barry]

No point conditioning players for games you may not get to.

No point winning finals if you are shot in the next one. If we dont win the flag we might as well exit in straight sets and prepare for next year a week or two early.

[Ludwig]

I'm pleased that Carlton won. I think they will give us a better preparation for the Freo game. They played 2 big ruckman, they have dangerous quick small forwards and a wily coach that will test our weak points. The like to play hard contested footy. Although Freo are a class above IMO, they are more like Freo than the Tigers.

[Nich]

Fair dinkum. I will never understand the 'bow out in straight sets and worry about next year' attitude.

You honestly think the players have given up? The Coaches? The Club is built on not giving up. If we crawl to the GF and get spanked so what? At least we had a crack. The GF door is only open so often. Even if its only slightly ajar or even worse, beginning to close, you still try and push it open.

It they aren't good enough they will get beat. No need to death ride them.

[Jewels]

Fair dinkum. I will never understand the 'bow out in straight sets and worry about next year' attitude.

You honestly think the players have given up? The Coaches? The Club is built on not giving up. If we crawl to the GF and get spanked so what? At least we had a crack. The GF door is only open so often. Even if its only slightly ajar or even worse, beginning to close, you still try and push it open.

It they aren't good enough they will get beat. No need to death ride them.

Well said