JMSTEP123

Apt analogy of the week

What a guy. So much passion and love for the game!

Wont be a clean sheet on Sat night

Whilst I am concerned that this will mean Kilkenny wont start (who has earned his stripes above and beyond), I agree with you about why this should happen and I suspect Wazza will be the same.

By Wazzas rhetoric it sounds like he does not discriminate and is aiming for a consistent team first and foremost. If players are scrapped by injury or illness then they will have to fight their way back in. I think we are going to see much the same team over the next few weeks as we did on Fri - if it aint broken, dont fix it. Jakob @ left back worked for Wazza, why drop La Rocca or him or Jamieson. Mauk is a great acquisition because he is energetic, determined and showed good signs on Fri. It will be tough to get in the team for his position. Ultimately it may require a change in our formation. Perhaps a 4411. Brandan and Kilkenny will naturally put pressure on selection, but they are not a given. If fitzy and kamau keep working hard and winning games for us, Brandan will find it hard to be in the starting squad. I have said it before, this push for competition for positions will either destroy morale or exponentialliy improve our players and the squad. I hope the latter, as you see in many of the best clubs in the world. But there are not as many opportunities in Aus for second choices to get game time outside of formal fixtures and to keep fit and focussed. That is my concern

Brattan has a solid first half. Dropped back after a clip on the achilles. He looks the goods

Bort so cool in defence. Physical, strong, quick. So well done it went by under the radar. Promising signs, early days.

I am in Greensborough and generally drive in. If there are any PT closures I am always happy to get people back beyond the works which is either to Heidelberg or from there to beyond. Cant tonight, but generally able!

How so underdone? As in injured, not in physical condition or unable to keep up with the intensity of other players?

Questions to be answered: Who will be between the sticks? Muscat or Bort at RB Which 3 in Midfield? Fitzy, Arzani or Kamoo? Ross or begin? Brandan appearance? Things to watch for: Wazza and Valkanis tension, Maliks leadership, who makes bench and who is omitted. I have a feeling there will be a few surprises Fri night.

Well done fellas

Yeah absolutely. Most consistent of our squad last year. Maybe his authorative characteristics were not inspiring morale?

Interesting read and seeing some explanations for what we have seen pre season. How will Malik take to Kilkennys instruction on field? Too many leaders, too little leadership.

We totally just created the same thread at the same time

Still a better love story than twilight

Not wrong

I would still pick him - Marquee signing, publicity and the probability of a dream start to the season. Seems we are in the fortunate position of having too many good options to choose from. Now we just have to get it right.

Cant argue with that

We all sure it will be 443?

Best ring the club

I was surprised to see him repping the club. A familiar face yes, but I thought Jacobsen or Cahill? Guessing the latter was on tour. But new face to the club is an interesting choice!

Because the formation relies so heavily on attack for City, why not? Its conventional to ease someone in. But we need firepower from the get go. I would be happier seeing him on first half rather than being a sub. I think it will set the tone for the match. If the blokes fit, start him.

I am looking forward to hearing the birds of prey soundtrack having no effect on the number of seagulls making their way to watch Budzinski and Kilkenny have a punch on.

You are right. Probably 15mm instead

Likely yeah! But, as Cahill has noted, this season is about coming in under the radar and taking the league through dominance. So by stripping the team of the pressure to perform via public hype, they can get on with the task of performing. I am tipping 9000. Fri night, Afl over and cricket yet to begin.