Rd 5 2008 Centrals v North @ Adelaide Oval (ANZAC DAY)

[drebin]

I'm with Wedgie on this one - if we get within 10 goals we will be doing well given our injuries and more importantly our luck of drive from our midfield.

D. White, Motlop and Ward all to miss and Jimmy Allan in doubt.

I would like to see young Baulderstone to come up as second ruck, he has to be better than Burdford - certainly a big lump of a lad for 18 and looks like he has some skills around the ground. Kingsley Walker should come up to play at FF and we need some pace in the fwd line and around the ball. I would either bring in Matty Wright or maybe even go with young Wade Thompson. If we don't try some of these kids we will never know!

[Dogwatcher]

If North get within 10 goals it will be a morale victory.

Are you saying it will be a day for the black plastic Wedgie?
Need a lot more to wrap around that whole northern bar area!

[drebin]

Looking at the "official" list of injuries from North in the weekly wash up column on nafc.com.au things are not as bad as first thought:

Daniel Ward (League) – Hamstring – Grade 1 strain, and Daniel will miss between 2 and three weeks.
Damon White (League) – Hamstring – Will be guided by the Power medicos, return date TBA.
Shannon Motlop (League) – Hamstring – Shannon suffered a spasm in his hamstring/back, will be tested on Wednesday. Expected to Play.

Long Term Injuries

Josh Coulter – Thumb – 5 Weeks – Josh had his thumb pinned in an operation on Wednesday.
David Clarke (Back) – 2 Weeks - Ahead of schedule and is running now, really working hard to get into the “Red and White’s”

Looks like we will definately not have White or Ward but Motlop still a chance but regardless he needs to do more when does play.
Allan and Ladhams will both have sore spots too and the shorter break isn't going to help them either.

As I said earlier, I'd drop Brown and Burford and bring in Walker to play upfront, Baulderstone in ruck, Grose or Gallman to play in defence and Matt Wright for some bite around the packs up front.

[Big Phil]

I also think young Power Rookie Daniel Boyle should be considered for a call up on Anzac Day after a couple of solid performances in the twos ???

Roy has been trying out Trent Goodrem off a half back flank. Although I rate Trent, I just think he can be a little slow to react when he has the added responsibilities of playing in defence. He has to be accountable for his opponent, look to runn off, create, be discipline... Where as when you play him up forward, his naturally instinctive agression and good pair of hands can be more beneficial to team balance. I think the way Dan Boyle hits that footy and runs with it, deserves to be tried out at league level for a second time.

I don't know what changes Roy will make all up this week, barring the obvious one of Schell coming back in BUT the rest will be interesting ???

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

[goraw]

not looking forward to this 1. yep if we get near a 10 goal defeat it wont be so bad.

[locky801]

Be very suprised if ALLAN lines up, took another knock to the hip on Sunday and is very very sore to put it quite simply, is not worth the risk

[Aerie]

Will James Gowans play this game? It will be worth paying the entrance fee just to see how that goes. Might get ugly? Always the best game of the year outside finals and with ANZAC Day landing on a Friday this year - should get a huge turnout.

[Dogwatcher]

Roy has been trying out Trent Goodrem off a half back flank. Although I rate Trent, I just think he can be a little slow to react when he has the added responsibilities of playing in defence. He has to be accountable for his opponent, look to runn off, create, be discipline... Where as when you play him up forward, his naturally instinctive agression and good pair of hands can be more beneficial to team balance.

From the limited times I've seen Trent, I agree with this.

[smac]

Trent is an interesting case study, IMO.

The club has recruited him as a long term prospect - a 10 year player, perhaps. His development is seen as one component of the future of the team and his ability to play at both ends of the ground is what his future will be based on. I think he is worth persisting with slightly longer than I would normally believe realistic as he has some special talent that is being nurtured. Whilst he hasn't exactly burst onto the scene, he will (hopefully) develop into a player of great value.

[Big Phil]

I reckon we should go into this game with plenty of confidence and think we will win by about 5 goals. I guess we will also probably start as slight favourites with the bookies now because of North's latest injury toll. But in saying that...

I never like assuming things like this because as I'm sure we are all aware, footy is a weird and funny game at times. Although I think that our players will not underestimate North, we should go into the game (as we probably do every other game no matter who our opposition is) with a view to the match being a tough hard fought contest. No doubt, Roy will have the boys switched on and ready to fire.

I think that we will be too strong across the ground on the day and should be able to take advantage of a slightly undermanned Roosters outfit. From what I've been reading on here, North fans aren't overly confident with their rucking fraternity at the moment. Hopefully with Big Earl Shaw and Buckets both in good touch (prior to the bye last week) in the ruck, we can take control of the centre square. I guess along with all the quality and quantity of our midfielders (including a fresh J.Gowans) we should be able to win enough of the footy to get it down to our potent forward line and kick a winning score. Our defence will hold up well again, no doubt.

We will just have to wait and see for the final result and as to what changes Roy and his selection committee decide upon. I think we will have close to our best team, year to date, for the special Anzac Day game this week. I'm anticipating maybe 4 maybe 5 changes from the team that thrashed the fading Redlegs a fortnight ago. In my opinion, they may be something like this :

INS:
J.Gowans
L.Cowan
D.Schell
E.Ware (?)
D.Boyle (?)

OUTS:
M.Westhoff
L.Spurr
T.Goodrem
C.O'Sullivan (?)
R.Williams (?)

Definately a case for various possible changes and as I've mentioned before, there is certainly going to be a couple of 'unlucky' lads playing in the twos this week. I reckon if it's forecast for a nice, dry day we will go in with a taller line up to try and expose North's undermanned, shorter defence. One thing is for sure, I'm glad I dont have to make the final decision on the team, but I guess it does do one thing and that is to add strength to the squad, meaning there are quality guys in the ressies whilst also creating competition for spots and depth.

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

[whufc]

I reckon we should go into this game with plenty of confidence and think we will win by about 5 goals. I guess we will also probably start as slight favourites with the bookies now because of North's latest injury toll. But in saying that...

I never like assuming things like this because as I'm sure we are all aware, footy is a weird and funny game at times. Although I think that our players will not underestimate North, we should go into the game (as we probably do every other game no matter who our opposition is) with a view to the match being a tough hard fought contest. No doubt, Roy will have the boys switched on and ready to fire.

I think that we will be too strong across the ground on the day and should be able to take advantage of a slightly undermanned Roosters outfit. From what I've been reading on here, North fans aren't overly confident with their rucking fraternity at the moment. Hopefully with Big Earl Shaw and Buckets both in good touch (prior to the bye last week) in the ruck, we can take control of the centre square. I guess along with all the quality and quantity of our midfielders (including a fresh J.Gowans) we should be able to win enough of the footy to get it down to our potent forward line and kick a winning score. Our defence will hold up well again, no doubt.

We will just have to wait and see for the final result and as to what changes Roy and his selection committee decide upon. I think we will have close to our best team, year to date, for the special Anzac Day game this week. I'm anticipating maybe 4 maybe 5 changes from the team that thrashed the fading Redlegs a fortnight ago. In my opinion, they may be something like this :

INS:
J.Gowans
L.Cowan
D.Schell
E.Ware (?)
D.Boyle (?)

OUTS:
M.Westhoff
L.Spurr
T.Goodrem
C.O'Sullivan (?)
R.Williams (?)

Definately a case for various possible changes and as I've mentioned before, there is certainly going to be a couple of 'unlucky' lads playing in the twos this week. I reckon if it's forecast for a nice, dry day we will go in with a taller line up to try and expose North's undermanned, shorter defence. One thing is for sure, I'm glad I dont have to make the final decision on the team, but I guess it does do one thing and that is to add strength to the squad, meaning there are quality guys in the ressies whilst also creating competition for spots and depth.

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

Agree with everything except for there will be no way O'Sullivan will be dropped unless his injured. IMHO he is our second best midfielder behind Callinan. I also think Ware will be made to play a second game in a row in the ressies. From previous experiences i have found Laird never likes to make to many changes to a winning side, therefore some of our 'big name' players will be forced to play extra time in the magoos.

[doggies4eva]

2 out of 3 is not bad but 3 out of 4 is better

[Big Phil]

2 out of 3 is not bad but 3 out of 4 is better

Isn't that a Meat Loaf song... ???

Now don't be sad, 'cause two out of three aint bad...

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

[Mic]

Although I'm sure North wouldn't consider writing a game off, I reckon this game would be a great chance to rest a few players who have niggling injuries (already) and throw some of the younger players in from the reserves and see how they go, as a bit of test against the measuring stick of the competition.

[SnappyTom]

Although I'm sure North wouldn't consider writing a game off, I reckon this game would be a great chance to rest a few players who have niggling injuries (already) and throw some of the younger players in from the reserves and see how they go, as a bit of test against the measuring stick of the competition.

Would certainly set an interesting precedent!

The scheduling of Anzac Day games has been atrocious in the last decade. I know we're fronting up for our eighth in a row, which is a mighty achievement - but FFS, the SANFL knows which two teams will be slotted for this game each year prior to the draw - we've even had Tuesday/Saturday games in recent years, and cases where we've been expected to play about 3 games in 9 or 10 days (break days).

North will certainly not struggle to provide skill and talent at this contest - but I seriously doubt it will have the ability to put the physical side to us when it counts, and most likely run out of a bit of puff after half time.

SANFL, take a closer look at how you schedule Anzac Day games - they matter to all of us who treat the whole day (meaning both the historical and sporting spectacle) with the respect, pride and honour it deserves.

ST...

[Ian]

Well put ST, although I don't think any amount of break will help North in this one.

[CENTURION]

North by 25 goals......we're a bit underdone still!

[bulldogproud]

Plus we always struggle when we come off a bye.

[therisingblues]

Both Gowanses are playing in this one. I think Centrals will resume their usual service of belting teams by 10 goals+ now. Given the strange scheduling it should be a massacre.
Time for the Rooster fans to start praying to the big Cock in the sky to come and deliver them from this impending fate.

[bulldogproud]

I must admit that it has me thinking about how many days it takes a football team to recover from a match. Really, there is no reason why a team should not be able to recover in three or four days. They manage to in most physical sports in other parts of the world. Are our footballers soft?
Cheers