Preview Round 2: Brisbane vs Essendon, 'Gabba, Saturday 01/04/17, 7:25 AEDT

[Fatcat08]

The gabba will be fine regardless of weather, its probably one of the quickest draining grounds in the country as far as the outfield is concerned. Ive watched a storm roll through the gabba and dump an absolute barrage of rain down, only for play in the cricket to resume 30 mins later. The only real issue can be with the centre wicket, which is where the new grass got laid the other week, as its black soil rather than sand based. It took a little bit to bind into the soil, but it will be well and truly solid for the game. I live 3klms from the gabba and mowed by grass on sunday afternoon and with the sun we've had the last few days it will be bordering on overgrown by the time I get home today.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

begs or howlett

 

[HirdsTheWord]

The gabba will be fine regardless of weather, its probably one of the quickest draining grounds in the country as far as the outfield is concerned. Ive watched a storm roll through the gabba and dump an absolute barrage of rain down, only for play in the cricket to resume 30 mins later. The only real issue can be with the centre wicket, which is where the new grass got laid the other week, as its black soil rather than sand based. It took a little bit to bind into the soil, but it will be well and truly solid for the game. I live 3klms from the gabba and mowed by grass on sunday afternoon and with the sun we've had the last few days it will be bordering on overgrown by the time I get home today.

good. that only firms our odds of winning

 

[DapperJong]

If we want to win the game, Howlett.

If we want to possibly win but have a more gelled forward line later in the year and next year etc, Begley.

 

[scanlon]

If we want to win the game, Howlett.

If we want to possibly win but have a more gelled forward line later in the year and next year etc, Begley.

probably best to wait and see if its possible to make finals or not before we start playing kids purely for future benefit. At the moment, pick who is bet fit to come into the team and give us an advantage. If that's howlett (which, judging from his VFL game, it is), then pick him. If we get halfway through the year and realise we most likely wont play finals, start playing the kids

 

[ant555]

Howlett most likely. Has been playing mid/forward. Was close to best in the VFL kicking 2 goals and providing a bit of run through the middle.
Begley not even close to AFL ready yet.

 

[Beerfish]

Howlett most likely. Has been playing mid/forward. Was close to best in the VFL kicking 2 goals and providing a bit of run through the middle.
Begley not even close to AFL ready yet.

If you're right I'm going to have to change my goal kicker tip for a second time this week.

 

[Mootsy]

begs or howlett

beglett..

 

[Beerfish]

 

[Ambrosia]

Green ruled out

That makes it easier for Belly to come in. We do lose zip up front though

I wouldn't be bringing in a ruckman until the Crows or Blues game.

 

[Darealrath]

Howlett for Green makes a lot of sense. Don't want to go in too tall.

 

[donlav99]

Definitely Howlett for Green. Howlett can kick a goal & he's a tough prick, playing for his career. (as much as i want to see Begs....)

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Colyer becomes real important now with Green missing. and some people wanted Trav gone lols

 

[Dons4days]

I wouldn't be bringing in a ruckman until the Crows or Blues game.

It'd also be very harsh to rush an underdone ruckman in at the expense of Mckernan after how he played on the weekend. We'll have a tough decision if he stays in form...

 

[Shane Hird]

You've got to remember that Brisbane also had a huge game and it required a huge effort to win that one. Might be too much of an ask for the youngsters to back it up 2 games in a row.

Both sides are susceptible to an emotional let down.

I'm not sure why the general consensus is that we will have a let down while Brisbane will be strengthened by their win.

We should be good enough to get the win, but it'll be close. Expect us to pull away in the last to win by 19.

Brisbane have improved a lot though.

Nah..our boys will be pumped.

Down to business now after the high of Saturday night.

Confidence is set in now. We'll flog them.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Nah..our boys will be pumped.

Down to business now after the high of Saturday night.

Confidence is set in now. We'll flog them.

And then followed by another flogging the week after against the Blues.

Could really set up our % for the season in the next 2 weeks.

 

[Maddogm]

I wouldn't be bringing in a ruckman until the Crows or Blues game.

Berger comes in when he's ready, Bellcho has to prove he's a better option than Smack through the VFL for mine.

 

[Dave]

I do sense a lot of trepidation amongst us for this game, with good reason too, lots of things point toward a letdown.

Lets hope our winning momentum is enough to snuff out their little surge of form.

It's a classic let down danger game.

Interstate? Tick
Not a major rival? Tick
Bogey side? Tick

It's the type of game we regularly lose but need to win if we want to be a good side.

 

[Doss]

Wouldn't really call Brisbane a bogey side. It ain't 2001-5 anymore.

 

[carnthedons]

Wouldn't really call Brisbane a bogey side. It ain't 2001-5 anymore.

Got beat last year when we shouldn't've

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

I want to see a hard tag on Rich was a joke that we let him do what he wanted last season.

 

[Doss]

Got beat last year when we shouldn't've

Meh. We lead 4-2 in the last six years, and got beat fielding a terrible side in 2016.

Geelong - now they're a bogey side.

 

[DapperJong]

They def a bogey side.

 

[baz_machine]

Up to 100 mm forecast on Friday. Pack the snorkel.

Green > Howlett and hopefully they run the game out just as well on the weekend

 

[Eleven 38]

And then followed by another flogging the week after against the Blues.

Could really set up our % for the season in the next 2 weeks.

It's not very often middle ranked team go interstate for a percentage boost, and this week won't be any different.