Preview Round 4 Carlton vs Essendon 16/4/11

[KnaveyBlue]

I'm gonna call it early:

First goal: Angus Wantfrees, from a "push in the back".

 

[cookie monster]

I don't understand the fear on this board, if we come to play we will win, and I have to say the attitude from our boys going into games this year has been very positive for mine. They have been much more willing to put their bodies on the line and be first to the ball (Mitch Robinson has been exemplary). If we are first to the ball, and hard at it this week we will win. We are now well placed to match their pace.

If we lose, well, we don't deserve to even talk about top 4. This is a MUST WIN if we are to be contenders this year. A loss will prove we are just not good enough, plain and simple

 

[jj1978]

I agree Watson needs a hard tag.. and for that role I'd consider Russell... with Bower to return, and leaving our Watson in the side we have our 3 defending talls (Jamo, Bower and Watson).. and with Yarran, Scotland and Laidler we have a pretty decent backline... whereby depending on the game we may need to throw a Thornton in and have the ruckman floating back to help cover their ruckman (they may have 3 ruckman in for the game).

We seriously need Waite, Warnock and Hampson to play at their best in this game.. and for our mids and forwards to make each shot on goal count (imagine if Murphy got that running goal in the 2nd quarter to make us 2-0 up against the pies).

 

[pumped]

I don't understand the fear on this board, if we come to play we will win, and I have to say the attitude from our boys going into games this year has been very positive for mine. They have been much more willing to put their bodies on the line and be first to the ball (Mitch Robinson has been exemplary). If we are first to the ball, and hard at it this week we will win. We are now well placed to match their pace.

If we lose, well, we don't deserve to even talk about top 4. This is a MUST WIN if we are to be contenders this year. A loss will prove we are just not good enough, plain and simple

I agree. Think that at our best we have the measure of the dons. However whilst our attitude is better this year still think we go defensive too much at stages. In the secnd quarter we needed to keep getting the ball in quickly yet went into playing safe which was not really safe. Felt this affected Watson too as instead of driving deep with his kicks he more often than not chipped the ball.

 

[Chism]

Okay, who is up next with the reviews. I will copy their preview into the numero uno slot in this thread as I did last week.

That would be me!!

I will have it up by tomorrow night.

 

[Claypigeon]

Carrazzo would be a good run with player for Watson personally. He is the right size, strength and speed to go with him. Watson would kill Ellard in a marking contest if he drifted forward like he's been doing. Was poor against Collingwood, but Essendon seems a good fit.

Normally I would agree but I am not sure Carrots head is in the right place atm . .. Giving away a lot of frees and a majority of the 6 he gave away against the Pies were in one-on-ones. .. Would hate to give Watson free use of the ball. .. Personally I'd rather we just went head to head with him and aimed to beat him to the ball. .. Ellard, Robbo, Murph, Curnow, Gibbs and Judd all tackle well at the stoppages and can get us first use. ..

 

[bluesforlife]

I'm no Carrazzo basher but I think the one man at Essendon who really needs to be stopped is Jobe Watson, he's in some sort of form at the moment and maybe Ellard with his physical style may be a better option, worth a thought anyway. He had nine tackles against them last year.

i absolutely agree that watson needs a tag but i think ellard at 177cm and 78kgs is to small for watson at 190cm and 94kgs, i do think ellard will come in but will be very surprised if he goes to watson especially considering watson has been "resting" forward.

 

[Jellycup_84]

Out: duigan, laidler, collins

In: bower(pending fitness), joseph (good speed-shut down zakharkis) and hendo

 

[Sin City]

The Bombers have got their banter thread up and going, get stuck into 'em fellas

 

[Stamos]

Out: duigan, laidler, collins

In: bower(pending fitness), joseph (good speed-shut down zakharkis) and hendo

They won't drop Laidler. He has been solid all 3 games.
Hendo will come in for Thornton.

 

[inyourcool]

Hendo for Thornton
Bower for Duigan
Lucas for Walker

 

[jonoman89]

A key to winning this match is shutting down Jobe Watson.

For the love of god put a super hard tag on him for the whole game.

The last 8 times we've met them we've put a tag on Watson and he's still destroyed us.

He's the kind of midfielder who chops it up against us, in and under. Our midfield doesn't treat other midfields with respect so we get rolled.

 

[Slattery_20]

It's hard to pick out a stand out running player, very even spread, perhaps Winderlich. Maybe if Carrazzo plays he could completely nulify Jake Melksham as well as racking up the ball a fair bit himself.

Stanton, easily. Melksham has had up weeks and down but Stanton has got the job done thus far.
Winderlich's been forward, and reasonably respectably at that, this year.

Beat us to the hard pill, as Sydney did, you will beat us. We beat them forward, back and through the flanks but they got the hard ball when it counted and that was that. Let Lonergan & Hocking badger away in support of Watson, we win.

 

[Sin City]

Stanton, easily.

I know what you mean but do you reckon with us having Scotland, Simpson etc that we'll be too worried about Stanton? Better off us focusing on other areas, as you say the hard ball is what we have to be winning and shutting down the inside mids is the key.

 

[Slattery_20]

Clearly our standout running player. If you want to pick 2 or more guys to tag/run-with, he'd be #2 on the list. (I've no idea if you will or not)
He's definitely worth thinking about.

 

[Sin City]

Clearly our standout running player. If you want to pick 2 or more guys to tag/run-with, he'd be #2 on the list. (I've no idea if you will or not)
He's definitely worth thinking about.

Fair enough, no doubt they're weighing all that up at the moment.

 

[Silvagnis]

Carrazzo would be a good run with player for Watson personally. He is the right size, strength and speed to go with him. Watson would kill Ellard in a marking contest if he drifted forward like he's been doing. Was poor against Collingwood, but Essendon seems a good fit.

Robinson would be every chance to go to Watson.

Similar pace.

Gibbs needs to be freed up to create and kick inside 50 after he went to Pendlebury last week. The Pies played a part in our delivery inside 50, yet we didn't use it like we did in the first two rounds. We just bombed away and didn't lower our eyes to make our players lead into space. Not enough quality delivery with Gibbs running around after Pendlebury and Thomas.

Walker should be asked to do what Robinson achieved in the last game and play on Fletcher.

In: Armfield Bower Henderson
Out: Duigan Collins Thornton

 

[Kramer1]

Out: duigan, laidler, collins

In: bower(pending fitness), joseph (good speed-shut down zakharkis) and hendo

Can't see any reason that Laidler would make way...think he has been alright and looking more comfortable each week. Only five games into his career which seems to get overlooked a bit.

Duigan had a couple of deer in the headlight moments. With better depth should come better form at VFL level, and Armfield probably has to be first in line, and then Lucas. That said I would be giving Duigan at least another week on account of my Supercoach team.

Hard to know what to do with Collins. Looked like a boy amongst men, though sitting as a sub for three quarters amongst 90,000 people at the G...can be forgiven for nerves getting the better of him.

At this early stage I'd go with Bower, Henderson and Armfield or Lucas for Thornton, Carrazzo & Collins. For Carrazzo not to lay a tackle in such a high intensity match when Collingwood had so much of the play is inexusable, as is the six times he handed C'wood posession via frees against.

 

[blueboy25]

In: Bower, henderson and Armfield
Out: Watson, Collins and Duigan

Watson wont be able to handle Hurley or Ryder and dont see a match up for him. The kid will be a long term player for us but its no shame as a 18yo to play a few games in the magoos.

Big games needed from Murph and Gibbs this week.

 

[IheartCarrots]

It's not just about tackling Watson once he gets the ball. To beat him you need to be able to protect the positions he wants to be in, have the strength to hold those positions while moving to cover his next option and have the turn of pace to catch him & lay a tackle when the ball comes out over your head.

Carrazzo is the most logical choice. Joseph, Ellard, Armfield or Lucas will struggle. Judd & Walker have the strength to beat him in close but it's a waste of their skills. Gibbs or Russell may be able to, but they are better used around the ground.

I'd rather just back ourselves to beat him head to head.

 

[Blue Dimension]

In: Bower, Henderson, Armfield
Out: Duigan, Thornton, Collins.

The club need to stick with Watson and Henderson and take them for the ride now. We need Watson's ability to kick out of the backline. Will be even better playing with Jamo and Bower.

 

[Silvagnis]

In: Bower, henderson and Armfield
Out: Watson, Collins and Duigan

Watson wont be able to handle Hurley or Ryder and dont see a match up for him. The kid will be a long term player for us but its no shame as a 18yo to play a few games in the magoos..

I'd give Watson a crack at Hurley.

I think we need Jamison who is our best spoiler taking Ryder.

Hurley is a better footballer and solid, but he doesn't have the bulk and recovery of a Dawes and Cloke at this very minute...Waite and Henderson have turned Hurley in past games...Didn't have the recovery to stop Hampson playing on and getting it to Waite to slot it on the run.

Bower and Laidler to take their medium forwards.

 

[blues4flag]

People being very harsh on wanting Collins drop. First game of the season in a new team, with only a quarter to adjust against the best team in the competition?

Definitely would give him another go - and not start him as the substitute. From what I saw in the preseason, he's not a ball magnet but a classy player who can get into dangerous positions and hurt the opposition with his disposal. Give him time to work his way into the game and he'll contribute.

 

[Blue since 72]

Army Jamo Jr
Bower Watto Laidler
Gibbs Mr Ed Simmo
White Hendo Lucas
Yaz Waite Jeff

206 Judd Murph

Robo Hammer Scotty sub: Walker

 

[HARKER]

Army Jamo Jr
Bower Watto Laidler
Gibbs Mr Ed Simmo
White Hendo Lucas
Yaz Waite Jeff

206 Judd Murph

Robo Hammer Scotty sub: Walker

Don't let TG see that.

He'll freak..