Collingwood v Adelaide - Semi Final

[CoverKing]

For mine, one change should be made.

In: Van Berlo
Out: Douglas (unlucky)

To play for the eagles, Shirley and Bock (if fit).

I hear, Bock to play for the eagles, WTF is he on. But looking at it closely Bock has missed 5 weeks of football. Coming into such a big game when the crows are playing so so well i think its a big risk.

Stevens has done more then enough down back to show he can play there against a C'wood forward line that doesnt boast great height. I would say Rutten will probably get ROcca (if fit) and Stevens Anthony. Who would bock play on?

Yes he is probably our best player. But i would rahther see Bock get a game under his belt, (hopefully the crows win) and then look at it next week where Bock will probably have abetter match up....
We will then also have a better idea who to drop, but really Burton is a key IMO. He is the crows X factor come September with his freakish ability and his experience.

Thoughts??

[Gingernuts]

For mine, one change should be made.

In: Van Berlo
Out: Douglas (unlucky)

To play for the eagles, Shirley and Bock (if fit).

I hear, Bock to play for the eagles, WTF is he on. But looking at it closely Bock has missed 5 weeks of football. Coming into such a big game when the crows are playing so so well i think its a big risk.

Stevens has done more then enough down back to show he can play there against a C'wood forward line that doesnt boast great height. I would say Rutten will probably get ROcca (if fit) and Stevens Anthony. Who would bock play on?

Yes he is probably our best player. But i would rahther see Bock get a game under his belt, (hopefully the crows win) and then look at it next week where Bock will probably have abetter match up....
We will then also have a better idea who to drop, but really Burton is a key IMO. He is the crows X factor come September with his freakish ability and his experience.

Thoughts??

Agree on Bock. Shirley, I've just got this feeling that we'll need him this week, I think he's gotta come in.

[CoverKing]

If Shirley is to come in, i think he will replace Symes (unlucky tho). They may use Shirley on Swan, with Doughty or Van Berlo running with Didak.

[Hondo]

Bock is very imporant to us when fit but I am not sold on bringing him straight in for a final after 5 weeks off

I feel he needed to play last week otherwise it becomes too long out and his season is over

I'd just go with Douglas - Van Berlo as the one change.

If Shirley comes in (and I can see why he would) then it would be Symes or Dangerfield and that seems a harsh call on either. I reckon VB, Doughty and Symes could cover the tagging roles. Especially with Pendlebury out as there's one less gun to cover.

[Footy Smart]

IMO i would play Shirley over VB purely to negate Didak or Davis or Swann... we cant allow Didak to run free like last game and swann also requires attention(Doughty or Shirls)

Dunnno its a tricky one but i would go that way

pros and cons for both

[TEX07]

I agree with you there CK, Burton adds that one more dangerous forward that Collingwood will need to watch. In my opinion it is no coincedence that since he and Hentschel have come back we have kicked more goals. You man up on Burton and Hentschel kicks goals swap them over then its Burton. Makes it tough for any back 6 walking back and having to match up on Porps, Tippett, Burton, Knights, Hentschel and then throw in either Dangerfield or McLeod. Tough!

Intersting to note that Riewolt, Kozi and Milne have kicked 165 goals between them for the Saints in 2009. Tippett, Knights and Porps 150 in 2009.

[CoverKing]

IMO i would play Shirley over VB purely to negate Didak or Davis or Swann... we cant allow Didak to run free like last game and swann also requires attention(Doughty or Shirls)

Dunnno its a tricky one but i would go that way

pros and cons for both

I think VB will be 100% certain to play if fit. Neil Craig was talking up his Big game performances last week and for that reason i cant see him missing this week. Plus i think VB can play the negating role just aswell as Shirley if he wants to, but VB likes to get his own ball aswell now.

The selection committee oculd end up winning this game IMO. Some very big decisions to be made.

I also dont think Dangerfield wil be dropped. He is too good with the contested footy, and thats what finals footy is all about

[SCD]

Hard decisions need to be made... If Didak or Swan get loose and Collingwood win by a goal, will we all be saying, why didn't we pick Shirley and to a lesser extent Van Berlo to tag them??

Shirley in for Douglas is a straight swap in the middle and an easy one IMO...
Van Berlo in for... Symes to be the very unlucky one.. he was to be dropped a few weeks ago and Van Berlo gives us the hardness that Symes does, with better skills.

Bock... gee i'm not sure on this one...
He's clearly in our best 3 players.. but 5 weeks is a long time..
If he comes in then either Stevens or Hentshel to make way.. with both being like Symes.. Very Unlucky...

It's the first time we have had a full strength finals squad in years and it's great!!

[NFC]

Hard decisions need to be made... If Didak or Swan get loose and Collingwood win by a goal, will we all be saying, why didn't we pick Shirley and to a lesser extent Van Berlo to tag them??

Shirley in for Douglas is a straight swap in the middle and an easy one IMO...
Van Berlo in for... Symes to be the very unlucky one.. he was to be dropped a few weeks ago and Van Berlo gives us the hardness that Symes does, with better skills.

Bock... gee i'm not sure on this one...
He's clearly in our best 3 players.. but 5 weeks is a long time..
If he comes in then either Stevens or Hentshel to make way.. with both being like Symes.. Very Unlucky...

It's the first time we have had a full strength finals squad in years and it's great!!

You wouldn't drop 2 running players!!

If Shirley and VB both come in, one of Burton/Hentschel will miss.

[Psyber]

There's no way I'd leave Burton or Hentschel out unless one of them was injured,
And in that case it would probably be Stephens moving forward to take the spot with Bock returning to CHB.
A midfielder could come in for Burton if he is injured, perhaps.

[Booney]

There is no way I would play Bock this week. A settled line up that is firing does not need to be changed IMO.

Unless there is an injury I would flog* him to death on the track for two weeks in hope/aticipation of playing again in the Prelim and have him ready for then as that game is make or break more so than this one in my view.

[SCD]

You wouldn't drop 2 running players!!

If Shirley and VB both come in, one of Burton/Hentschel will miss.

We are dropping 2 running players I wouldn't call Symes a running player, a tough hard nut, but not running..

I think Shirley for Douglas is a must because he can clamp down on Swan and you need a defensive midfielder, it can't all be forward of the ball stuff that Douglas gives us. That leaves the half-back line.. there are 3 to fill two spots..
Van Berlo / Doughty / Symes and IMO Van Berlo and Doughty are the better options...
**I Never thought i'd say this about Doughty***

I agree with Booney on Bock, 5 weeks off is too long to risk going into a final..

Either way, it's a good headache for the club to have...

[Psyber]

I too agree with Booney about Bock unless the choice is forced by injuries.
Although it depends on what his training work has been like recently - I don't have access to that information.

[dedja]

Congratulations Booney ... for throwing off the troll tag and being a valuable contibutor to this thread.

Jeez, even I have to agree with your Bock comments.

[JK]

Ive always been a big believer in not playing underdone or injured players.

However, if the Crows have a legitimate belief they can win the flag, then they are going to have to punt on Bock at some stage, because I don't think they can win the flag without him .. And you would be less likely to throw him back in for his first game in a Prelim or even a Granny.

So, if he get's through training and believes he's right, I'd take a punt on him this weekend.

Just my $0.02

[Booney]

Congratulations Booney ... for throwing off the troll tag and being a valuable contibutor to this thread.

Jeez, even I have to agree with your Bock comments.

I hope it keeps everyone happy, whether they post in here or not.

[Footy Smart]

great work Booney

For me i would just bring Shirley in for Douglas

Symes has played well on half back and if it aint broke dont fix it

I just cant see a place for VB

very tough selection pros and cons everywhere for the players in to stay in and the players out to come in

[silicone skyline]

VB announced as missing the match, failed to complete training.

I'm looking at this match like this:

How much would you pay to see the crows win?

Take that money, stick it on Collingwood, and if Crows win, be happy, if they lose, go collect your winnings and drown the sorrows.

[magpie in the 80's]

Correct SS Van Berlo out

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 12,00.html

[Footy Smart]

How much would you pay to see the crows win?

Take that money, stick it on Collingwood, and if Crows win, be happy, if they lose, go collect your winnings and drown the sorrows

Brilliant way of thinking.... i may just do that