Rd 2 Preview North v Central @ Prospect

[bayman]

well daniel healy coaching for the first time against his old team adds spice to this game, not sure what to make of it but experience/history says central

[Mic]

Can't wait!

[locky801]

Already counting the days down, North with a new game plan which has looked pretty good in the trials up against the proven doggies, if the weathers fine this game deserves 8 to 9k rolling up, reckon it will be fast and furious, as for a winner, even as a North Supporter can't pick one as yet, hopefully North will have Gill and Thompson available which will add alot to the forward line. And of course any game with people like the Gowans involved always adds to the game. CAn't wait, bring it on, the TAJ will be rocking

[Mickyj]

Be interesting to note how Centrals will cope with North flooding.If they play the same style of game they did against the Eagles in the trial.

[The Apostle]

Central District (Bulldogs) Vs Tryhard Central District (North Adelaide)...

Go the real Central District!!!

[drebin]

Central District (Bulldogs) Vs Tryhard Central District (North Adelaide)...

Go the real Central District!!!

Tryhard? At what do we try hard to do?

The real Central District? Was there an imposter or are you referring to the post or pre crows era CDFC?

[whufc]

Think Centrals will have to step it up a another level from their round 1 victory where the forward line really struggled to get going. Personally i could see a mini upset by a North side out to impress a new coach. Early prediction North by 22 pts.

[Big Phil]

I kind of agree wiht whufc here, I think North might be pretty fired up for their first clash of the year and there were some npot so good signs from the Dogs on Saturday night...

If, as reported in the paper, Callinan misses with a corked thigh, Chad O'Sullivan is the perfect replacement for him and I think the Dogs may lose Griffin to the Crows so they will go back to just 2 recognised ruckman in Giles and Mackenzie. That being the case, they need to have a stronger presence at CHF and I think David Allocca (after BOG in the reserves) should come in or Heath Lawry to striaghten them up at CHF.

Should be a cracker of a game and looking forward to seeing Heals first up as a league coach. I think if Centrals can lift their game in the midfield and have a better functioning forward line they may just get up, but otherwise North in a close one for me.

[Grahaml]

Dogs are the favourites you'd think but North will be an interesting side to see. And it'll be interesting to see how similarly to centrals they try to play.

[o five]

Be interesting to note how Centrals will cope with North flooding.If they play the same style of game they did against the Eagles in the trial.

Maybe your team should have tried the same style a couple of years back when you played the Dogs in the GF when they flogged you by the biggest margin ever.
Personally I could`nt give a rats arse how North play, just as long as we win.

[the joker]

cant wait til the Roosters win, alot of my extended family are Doggies supporters and they have beaten us alot in the last 10 years

[smac]

cant wait til the Roosters win, alot of my extended family are Doggies supporters and they have beaten us alot in the last 10 years

Don't forget your Mum!

[Zorro]

North were the last team to beat the Dogs in a game for keeps in Round 19 last year. Hopefully we can go 'back to back' this week

Not sure what to expect, North will be pumped but will all depend on how quickly we settle and ability to implement the new game plan as per the last couple of trials. Either way can't wait, footy's back.

[Big Phil]

North were the last team to beat the Dogs in a game for keeps in Round 19 last year. Hopefully we can go 'back to back' this week

Not sure what to expect, North will be pumped but will all depend on how quickly we settle and ability to implement the new game plan as per the last couple of trials. Either way can't wait, footy's back.

I don't know that the conditions will be th same as when these 2 sides last clashed. It was a wet and boggy Prospect Oval that saw Nathan Steinberner play his last league game for the club and the Roosters running out convincing winners by 50 points.

Although the forecast is for 21 and possible showers this weekend, I think the conditions will be better for the Dogs who I belive don't play well in the wet. Will be interesting to see North for the first time and what type of game plan Healy has them playing.

Based on what they have seen in trial games and knowing the current player injury situation, how do North Adelaide fans think their side will line up for their first game of the year. Likely to have Gill and Thompson from AFL ranks which will be pretty handy.

[Big Phil]

So after a pretty unconvincing win against the Eagles first up, the Dogs head down Main North Road to face a new look Roosters outfit headed up by one of their all time great captains, Daniel Healy. North have recruited fairly well this year and of course it is expected that Heals will have a game plan similiar to that of our style so it will be interesting to see how that goes against the reigning premiers.

Slow starts to the game, as was the case last week against the Eagles, will be an issue Centrals coach Roy Laird will no doubt want to address and see vast improvement on the weekend. The Dogs players will be put through some goal kicking practice at training during the week as well after some poor goal kicking last week and will hope for a vast improvement there. Ian Callinan came out of the Eagles game with a corked thigh and is in doubt for this game so that could be at least 1 forced change to the Dogs line up.

There could be a few other changes for Centrals that may just be out of their hands with the possibility of losing up to 3 AFL listed players quite strong. After a BOG performance on Saturday night, Jonathon Griffin will certainly be in the mix for the Crows as will fellow Adelaide team mate Brad Symes, who impressed in his first competitive hit out since his preseason mishap, falling off the back of a car.

The other intersting selection issue relates to Jonathon Giles and Port Power. With Dean Brogan being handed a 1 game suspension from the AFL tonight, Joffa may be in line for a call up to make his senior AFL debut. He is now Port's number 1 back up with DeLuca being delisted so it is a very strong chance the Dogs could be without 2 of their 3 big men that took on the Eagles. Buckets Mackenzie may be relied on to pretty much the whole game himself which he is no strnager to off course.

If that was to be the case, you may see the debut of a very talented, but wafer thin Mitch Frail. Other options would be to use Matthew Westhoff as a back up to Buckets and maybe bring in a Heath Lawry or David Allocca (after a BOG effort in the 2's) as an extra target up forward. After making his debut last week, Luke Barmby will be looked at to see if showed enough to keep his spot or do the selection committe give promising Ashley Duncan his opportunity to see who suits that running defender position best.

Based on worst case scenario with AFL selections, here is my Centrals side for their Round 2 clash :

FF: D.Allocca D.Havelberg C.O'Sullivan
HF: E.Sansbury M.Westhoff C.Gowans
C: B.O'Hara J.Gowans L.Spurr
HB: A.Duncan J.Hardy R.Williams
FB: P.Thomas Y.Sibenaler A.Switala

1R: J.Mackenzie S.Dutschke M.Slade

INT: M.Frail, K.Jenner, H.Lawry

IN: D.Allocca, H.Lawry, C.O'Sullivan, A.Duncan, M.Frail

OUT: J.Griffin (Crows), B.Symes (Crows) J.Giles (Power), L.Barmby (omitted), I.Callinan (thigh)

[smac]

Not sure Heater did enough to go up Philly, although I can't actually see which position you had put him in.

[whufc]

So after a pretty unconvincing win against the Eagles first up, the Dogs head down Main North Road to face a new look Roosters outfit headed up by one of their all time great captains, Daniel Healy. North have recruited fairly well this year and of course it is expected that Heals will have a game plan similiar to that of our style so it will be interesting to see how that goes against the reigning premiers.

Slow starts to the game, as was the case last week against the Eagles, will be an issue Centrals coach Roy Laird will no doubt want to address and see vast improvement on the weekend. The Dogs players will be put through some goal kicking practice at training during the week as well after some poor goal kicking last week and will hope for a vast improvement there. Ian Callinan came out of the Eagles game with a corked thigh and is in doubt for this game so that could be at least 1 forced change to the Dogs line up.

There could be a few other changes for Centrals that may just be out of their hands with the possibility of losing up to 3 AFL listed players quite strong. After a BOG performance on Saturday night, Jonathon Griffin will certainly be in the mix for the Crows as will fellow Adelaide team mate Brad Symes, who impressed in his first competitive hit out since his preseason mishap, falling off the back of a car.

The other intersting selection issue relates to Jonathon Giles and Port Power. With Dean Brogan being handed a 1 game suspension from the AFL tonight, Joffa may be in line for a call up to make his senior AFL debut. He is now Port's number 1 back up with DeLuca being delisted so it is a very strong chance the Dogs could be without 2 of their 3 big men that took on the Eagles. Buckets Mackenzie may be relied on to pretty much the whole game himself which he is no strnager to off course.

If that was to be the case, you may see the debut of a very talented, but wafer thin Mitch Frail. Other options would be to use Matthew Westhoff as a back up to Buckets and maybe bring in a Heath Lawry or David Allocca (after a BOG effort in the 2's) as an extra target up forward. After making his debut last week, Luke Barmby will be looked at to see if showed enough to keep his spot or do the selection committe give promising Ashley Duncan his opportunity to see who suits that running defender position best.

Based on worst case scenario with AFL selections, here is my Centrals side for their Round 2 clash :

FF: D.Allocca D.Havelberg C.O'Sullivan
HF: E.Sansbury M.Westhoff C.Gowans
C: B.O'Hara J.Gowans L.Spurr
HB: A.Duncan J.Hardy R.Williams
FB: P.Thomas Y.Sibenaler A.Switala

1R: J.Mackenzie S.Dutschke M.Slade

INT: M.Frail, K.Jenner, L.Westhoff

IN: D.Allocca, H.Lawry, C.O'Sullivan, A.Duncan, L.Westhoff

OUT: J.Griffin (Crows), B.Symes (Crows) J.Giles (Power), L.Barmby (omitted), I.Callinan (thigh)

Pretty much agree with all of that, though i think if Giles plays for the Power they may use McKenzie as the lone ruckmen especially if showers are forecast and on the smallish Prospect Oval. With help from Lawry and M.Westoff, McKenzie would do an honourable job.

Therefore i think they may go with the extra midfielder especially if O'Sullivan who hasn't had much game time plays. Someone like L.Westoff, McShane or L.Hadden might be inline for a call up.

100% agree that Duncan should come in for Barmby. Duncan has the ability to play on a small and slightly tall player. Where as Barmby is an out and out small defender who IMHO lacks that something. he isn't overly quick, isn't overly strong and his disposal and marking ability are average. Don't get me wrong i would love to be proven wrong but at various stages Barmby looks like a boy playing against men. He is a goer though and give his all every contest.

[Big Phil]

Not sure Heater did enough to go up Philly, although I can't actually see which position you had put him in.

Hey smaccer,

Yeah, I realised I didn't have him on the bench, which is where I was having him originally...

From up the back of the stands it looked to me as though Heater's work rate was up, just didn't finish off well with his opportunities in front of goal, kicking 2.4. His hands were as strong as ever and did a couple of nice things that may just see him get the nod this week...

I'd have him on the bench more as a versatile back up, he can play up forward, down back or even in the ruck if young Mithc Frail is like his name and gets injured. Realistically I don't know that Frail will come in so early in the year so maybe a Leigh Westhoff or Louis Hadden comes in the side instead and then Heater would more likely play permanent forward with Matty Westhoff backing Buckets up in the ruck...

[G]

There is NO chance of Symes being picked this week for the Crows.
- Winning team that probably has to fit in Thompson and Johncock
Griffin only a faint hope of being elevated as both big men for the Crows went OK, so unfortunately from a Rooster prospective they will both play for the Doggies this week.

[Grahaml]

And you couldn't see the power picking Giles either IMHO.