Changes for first final

[Biggie]

"The week gives us a chance to recuperate. We've had a big month with travel and big games." Adam Simpson on the bye

"There's still plenty of footy on, with the Women's All Star game, the EJ Whitten game and state finals." -AS

"Lycett has been dealing with that PCL injury since round ten. He is sore, but he will enjoy the week off." -AS on Lycett's knee

"Gilesy rucked a really good game. Scott needs support and we will weigh that up next week." -AS

"We will have to hold some players over, that will be managed." -AS on @EastPerthFC availability

"We have boys that will fly for the All Australian awards today. We're really proud of them." -AS

"@jeremymcgovern_ is one of our best defenders, but there are a lot of good defenders in the league." -AS

"Gov has had two really consistent years. We put him in the backline out of necessity, but he's really grown." -AS

"I'm reluctant to talk about trades. We've got finals footy to play, I'm not going to talk about that right now." -AS

"We'll be looking at the Bulldogs at their best. They've been resilient all year and beat us last time we played." -AS

"We anticipate them to make a few changes for the better. They will throw the kitchen sink at us." -AS on the Bulldogs personnel

"Shuey has had an exceptional year. His leadership has been excellent. He's gone to another level." -AS

"I think across the board our midfielders have improved, especially bringing players into the game." -AS

"Gilesy was pretty excited heading into last week. He likes the pressure and the responsibility. He's not getting carried away." -AS

"Giles is a great story for us. He jumped up and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck which was great for us." -AS

"He knew what we got him over for. But he has made an impact." -AS on Giles

"Nic is in as good a space as can be expected. He will have a role in the finals, he's a part of our group." -AS

"Shannon wouldn't be worried about the fact that it's his 200th. He's the captain of our club and he's handled a lot." -AS on Hurn

"He has been a real asset for me, but more importantly for our players." -AS

"There's more skill in the back half that ever. He has pioneered that." -AS on Hurn's work off the kick in

"We've hit some good form and we're in the right head space, but our priority is the Bulldogs. That's going to be a real challenge." -AS

 

[shumo]

Simpson is dampening things down after we all spent a week blowing smoke up our bums. Good call.

 

[Pablo_Jackson]

"We have boys that will fly for the All Australian awards today. We're really proud of them." -AS

I don't understand why they have to fly over. If the AFL wants all the players at these events they should hold them at the end of the year.

 

[Big_Tony]

Bulldogs play under a roof most weeks. I don't think wet weather footy exactly suits them very much.

Bulldog's main strength is their contested ball winning though. If the rain is heavy it should definitely suit them as it will create more contests around the ground.

In saying that I actually think we have handled rain ok this year in general. I can't remember which games it was, but I distinctly remember a few that had patchy rain and it seemed to really throw the opposition skills more than us. If it's a drenching it will be a different story though.

 

[lmach]

"There's more skill in the back half that ever. He has pioneered that." -AS on Hurn's work off the kick in

Now that Simmo mentions it, this really has been an underrated part of our recent form. It copped one or two mentions on Friday night however. I'd like to know how many of Hurn's kick-ins have led to scores compared to other teams because it's a real weapon.

 

[Biggie]

Bulldog's main strength is their contested ball winning though. If the rain is heavy it should definitely suit them as it will create more contests around the ground.

In saying that I actually think we have handled rain ok this year in general. I can't remember which games it was, but I distinctly remember a few that had patchy rain and it seemed to really throw the opposition skills more than us. If it's a drenching it will be a different story though.

No Wallis and perhaps no Libba nullifies this somewhat.

 

[Evelyn208]

I don't understand why they have to fly over. If the AFL wants all the players at these events they should hold them at the end of the year.

Maybe they want to?

 

[ROC1969]

I don't understand why they have to fly over. If the AFL wants all the players at these events they should hold them at the end of the year.

So bloody Victorian centric! Imagine us telling Luke Hodge or Patrick Dangerfield had to fly to Perth this week for a PR stunt that could be done via video conference. The Herald Sun, AFL 360 etc etc would be demanding Heads roll.

 

[Big_Tony]

No Wallis and perhaps no Libba nullifies this somewhat.

Yep, would be a massive loss for them. We should be expecting them to play until further notice though I would think. Going by the Dog's forum, Libba is back training with the main group (although not at 100% intensity).

 

[DickDunn]

Can't wait for the teams to be named tonight

 

[EagleShore]

I liked how Simmo said with a faint smirk in the presser:

"...we respect the award, the recognition...and the demands."

 

[Doughboy]

Can't wait for the teams to be named tonight

Ha!

Thought, just pop over to BF to look at the teams for the weekend. Yep, nearly 4:25. All good.

Agh that's right, flipping bye

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Thought they might name the AA side at 4.25 instead

 

[Pugz89]

Some secret footage of Bulldogs training has been released showing how they roll in packs, spread into space, and demonstrate swervability

Michael Talia leaking our finals plan again?

 

[Keys]

Good news

http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/west-...t-final-with-knee-injury-20160901-gr6vqu.html

Hagdorn casting doubts on lycetts fitness. So he should be good to go

 

[boondy]

Ha!

Thought, just pop over to BF to look at the teams for the weekend. Yep, nearly 4:25. All good.

Agh that's right, ruddy bye

Who is playing for EP

 

[frenchconnection]

How often have they got the next days forecast right let alone over a week out

I always thought 5 days ahead was the most the BOM could forecast!!

 

[Keys]

I always thought 5 days ahead was the most the BOM could forecast!!

The weather app on my phone goes out to just over a week but I don't know where that info cons from tbh

The BoM website I think only forecasts the next 5 days like you say

 

[Biggie]

Thursday on the BOM site looking good for a flat track lads.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Who is playing for EP

Brown and Nelson have been held over. 14 Eagles named including guys like MacKenzie, Redden, Duggan, McGinnity, McInnes, Karpany.

 

[WCEswift]

Lol at all the dogs poster laughing at simpson for saying Gov and JK flying over isnt ideal. when we travel every 2nd week, Then their soft **** coach complains about travelling 2 weeks after their last game... Could you imagine if teams actually had to leave victoria? Horrendous

 

[frenchconnection]

Good news

http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/west-...t-final-with-knee-injury-20160901-gr6vqu.html

Hagdorn casting doubts on lycetts fitness. So he should be good to go

With no AFL this weekend, Hackdorn has to have something to talk about!!

 

[frenchconnection]

Lol at all the dogs poster laughing at simpson for saying Gov and JK flying over isnt ideal. when we travel every 2nd week, Then their soft **** coach complains about travelling 2 weeks after their last game... Could you imagine if teams actually had to leave victoria? Horrendous

Can't stand the Bulldogs coach - he appears to be a bad loser. Comes across as an arrogant tosser in my opinion! The fact that they will have had to travel to Perth twice in 3 weeks - well I never!! Now they will know the difficulty in having to travel every second week like both Freo and WCE have to.

 

[SpaceClef]

Good news

http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/west-...t-final-with-knee-injury-20160901-gr6vqu.html

Hagdorn casting doubts on lycetts fitness. So he should be good to go

I reckon he should miss. Not worth risking aggravating a PCL tear (thinking about 2017 too) just so we can double team a bloke like Roughead.

Put faith in Giles and don't risk having to carry a limping Slyce in the forward line.

Bring in Lamb as another mobile forward.

 

[Biggie]

Bring in Lamb as another mobile forward.

Not long to go my friend.