Grahaml wrote:Matt Westhoff MUST come in. We looked up against it with big men before Havelberg went down.
Not sure Glenelg's forwards are that much bigger. Lawry and Sibenaler are a similar size. I'm worried about the lack of athletecism from them though. I think Hayes will have to take a lot of marks as a loose man for us to really contain Glenelg's forward line. I have big question marks over Glenelg's defense. IMHO Rudolph and Sherwood are good honest players, but I think either (or both perhaps) could be dominated by a forward at any given time (as we saw with Rudolph and Schell earlier on this year). This could in fact suit Luke Cowan, who is exactly the sort of guy to play 10 minutes of blinding footy and then 20 of something that doesn't quite polish up so well.
The big test will be the midfield (as always really). We were smashed in the middle at HHO earlier this year in the firt quarter, and with a few guys missing, not to mention some others surely look like they're carrying a niggle or two that would normally see them rested if possible, guys like Thomas, O'Sullivan and Dutschke et al need to have a big influence for 4 quarters. Something Chad has managed of late, but not many others. Griffin will make a huge difference. Should negate Cranston at the stoppages and would be hoping to expose him around the ground. Buckets needs to lift. Had a ripper against Port, but has done little apart from that and is looking like the MacKenzie of 2003, not the McKenzie of 2007. Too often being exposed in the ruck contests and not making much of a contribution around the ground.
I think the dogs are playing WAY below their best. Our depth is a serious worry, and with Schell, Havelberg, Slattery, Leigh Westhoff, James Gowans, Chris Gowans and Ian Callinan all missing, newly returned from injury and/or carrying something some of the "second tier" players need to step up a little perhaps. Everyone knows we've been doing a lot of hard work on the track, so we will start to get more run earlier in the games as we lighten off, but skills and decision making also need to improve.
Beating the dogs at HHO at this stage of the season is a tough, tough ask. And beating Glenelg at all this season is tough. Whichever team wins will take a massive dose of confidence into the finals when these two sides are quite likely to meet at some stage. On form Glenelg are ahead, and should win the game. But the best parts of being a dogs fan at the moment is knowing that if we play our best, we can beat anyone along with the knowledge that finals are OUR playground and we are always going to be in with a chance when September/October comes around this season.
As good as Rudolph and Sherwood are, they can have players kick bags on them...ala Chambers, Warren, Hargreaves, Waterhouse (in recent seasons)...
I think the midfield supply will determine the outcome of this game...against Sturt, I felt the Dogs let the Double Blues midfielders get far too much footy all over the ground, and when you have quality midfielders directing the footy inside 50, the quality of their delivery is going to be good if not placed under enough pressure.
Bays have a massive task ahead of them this week...I hope we're switched on and the game is an absolute cracker.
Big Phil has imploded 
