The Old Dark Navy's
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Two traditional teams flexing their pride, two modern day heavyweights standing toe to toe. Two last start losers fighting to answer the critics, Essendon to reaffirm their invincible tag, Carlton looking to give their fans some hope. Then there's Craig Bradley ... Braddles ... to the initiated, the epitome of a true football champion, running out for battle for the 350th time. 349 times we have seen he of the thinning curly locks, this marathon marvel, strutting his stuff on the biggest of stages. The Blues have enjoyed a good record in winning the big milestone games, but the seed of doubt was sown when the Blues let down Stephen Silvagni in his 300th game against Richmond earlier this season. The hope is that this will burn deep into the Carlton mindset and they will move heaven and earth to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Both sides lost to 2001 contenders last week. The Bombers were outlasted by Port Adelaide while the Blues were tragically overhauled by Hawthorn. So let's be clear, we are not talking about two sides hopelessly out of form, though it has to be said, the Blues are on the verge.
Matthew Allan made a successful comeback from injury last week and can only get better from here. The Blues depleted forward line would be hoping for the inclusion of Brendan Fevola after his VFL comeback last week but by all accounts he was far from impressive. Nonethess he has been named as a possible interchange player. Lance Whitnall, Mark Porter and Anthony Koutoufides may have also been named in the side but forgive me for thinking we may have some major late withdrawals come Sunday morning. Apparently Lance is the biggest worry but he is the only one of that trio I thought was due back!! I don't think we can trust in anything we hear about injuries these days. Too many mind games being played.
So where to now for Wayne Brittain and his match committee. Roundly criticised by many Blues fans over the lack of height or future planning at the club, the decision has to be taken whether this is a game for the experienced players only, whether the undersized defenders will again have to play tall or whether we are going to see what some of our youngsters can do before we delist them.
Let's look at key areas. Koutoufides has been named at full forward and is being matched up by the dominant Dustin Fletcher assuming the Bomber backman takes his place in the side. At the other end, who is going to stop Matthew Lloyd who promises to throw a paddock full of grass into the MCG breeze on his way to a bag full of goals should the Blues not find somebody to match his speed and marking strength. I'd thought that Ang Christou might get the job if the game dictates that Lloyd has to lead out. He is of similar size, has good speed and great desperation. A body on body contest would be a concern though and it is here where the Blues must watch each other's backs. Ang has been named as an emergency with Silvagni on Lloyd. A late withdrawal of Whitnall and/or Koutoufides though will mean SOS will be thrown up forward and Christou straight into the backline. Carlton could do worse than play young Ian Prendergast across the backline to cut off the Bomber forward thrusts. This would also free up Trent Hotton to go forward from the ruck contests and snare a couple of precious goals.
Expect to see some fireworks, not only around the ground, but especially in midfield as the respective running players try to unsettle their opponents and seize the initiative. The Bombers look well served in this area with the Blues possessing many classy disposal exponents in Camporeale, Ratten, Bradley and Plunkett who will only provide a target for the likes of Jason Johnson to aim up at. Don't forget though that fierce attacks on the ball and/or player with the ball have become a Blues trademark and you will NOT see players like Darren Hulme, Adrian Hickmott or Andy McKay take a back step when the heat is on.
The Blues have an advantage in the ruck with Allan and Hotton (and possibly Porter) taking on Barnes and Alessio and this will prove crucial in giving the Blues first use of the ball and hopefully many centre clearances to a fast moving forward line. The Blues have shown a dislike for the flooding/zone defence employed by the Bombers against them on occasion so they can not afford to over-possess the ball unless they are very sure of themselves. In round 3, the Blues played accountable man-on-man tactics to effectively starve and frustrate the Bombers and players like Kris Massie really came to the fore. The team was undermanned that night and could be as bad or even worse off this week. I don't know, with half the Blues side in doubt, I have no hope of predicting likely matchups.
Absolutely everything is against a Blues win on Sunday but my blood will start pumping harder and that lump in my throat will rise higher as the opening bounce approaches. This game will be huge and there will be no prisoners taken. Forget my concerns about Carlton's attitude in recent weeks. This game DEMANDS respect and the boys will not go missing. Tick...tick...tick... SIREN! CROWD ROAR! GO BRADDLES!! C'ARN THE BLUES!!!
Blues v Bombers
Both sides lost to 2001 contenders last week. The Bombers were outlasted by Port Adelaide while the Blues were tragically overhauled by Hawthorn. So let's be clear, we are not talking about two sides hopelessly out of form, though it has to be said, the Blues are on the verge.
Matthew Allan made a successful comeback from injury last week and can only get better from here. The Blues depleted forward line would be hoping for the inclusion of Brendan Fevola after his VFL comeback last week but by all accounts he was far from impressive. Nonethess he has been named as a possible interchange player. Lance Whitnall, Mark Porter and Anthony Koutoufides may have also been named in the side but forgive me for thinking we may have some major late withdrawals come Sunday morning. Apparently Lance is the biggest worry but he is the only one of that trio I thought was due back!! I don't think we can trust in anything we hear about injuries these days. Too many mind games being played.
So where to now for Wayne Brittain and his match committee. Roundly criticised by many Blues fans over the lack of height or future planning at the club, the decision has to be taken whether this is a game for the experienced players only, whether the undersized defenders will again have to play tall or whether we are going to see what some of our youngsters can do before we delist them.
Let's look at key areas. Koutoufides has been named at full forward and is being matched up by the dominant Dustin Fletcher assuming the Bomber backman takes his place in the side. At the other end, who is going to stop Matthew Lloyd who promises to throw a paddock full of grass into the MCG breeze on his way to a bag full of goals should the Blues not find somebody to match his speed and marking strength. I'd thought that Ang Christou might get the job if the game dictates that Lloyd has to lead out. He is of similar size, has good speed and great desperation. A body on body contest would be a concern though and it is here where the Blues must watch each other's backs. Ang has been named as an emergency with Silvagni on Lloyd. A late withdrawal of Whitnall and/or Koutoufides though will mean SOS will be thrown up forward and Christou straight into the backline. Carlton could do worse than play young Ian Prendergast across the backline to cut off the Bomber forward thrusts. This would also free up Trent Hotton to go forward from the ruck contests and snare a couple of precious goals.
Expect to see some fireworks, not only around the ground, but especially in midfield as the respective running players try to unsettle their opponents and seize the initiative. The Bombers look well served in this area with the Blues possessing many classy disposal exponents in Camporeale, Ratten, Bradley and Plunkett who will only provide a target for the likes of Jason Johnson to aim up at. Don't forget though that fierce attacks on the ball and/or player with the ball have become a Blues trademark and you will NOT see players like Darren Hulme, Adrian Hickmott or Andy McKay take a back step when the heat is on.
The Blues have an advantage in the ruck with Allan and Hotton (and possibly Porter) taking on Barnes and Alessio and this will prove crucial in giving the Blues first use of the ball and hopefully many centre clearances to a fast moving forward line. The Blues have shown a dislike for the flooding/zone defence employed by the Bombers against them on occasion so they can not afford to over-possess the ball unless they are very sure of themselves. In round 3, the Blues played accountable man-on-man tactics to effectively starve and frustrate the Bombers and players like Kris Massie really came to the fore. The team was undermanned that night and could be as bad or even worse off this week. I don't know, with half the Blues side in doubt, I have no hope of predicting likely matchups.
Absolutely everything is against a Blues win on Sunday but my blood will start pumping harder and that lump in my throat will rise higher as the opening bounce approaches. This game will be huge and there will be no prisoners taken. Forget my concerns about Carlton's attitude in recent weeks. This game DEMANDS respect and the boys will not go missing. Tick...tick...tick... SIREN! CROWD ROAR! GO BRADDLES!! C'ARN THE BLUES!!!
Blues v Bombers
