Race Against Time

[Drummond]

The thing with Burton is not so much whether he is aerobically fit, thats never in question, but he is not a narutal footballer and his touch needs time to come to him.

Couple that with a suspect hammy and its a pretty decent risk. If the scans say the hammy has recovered 100%, and if his form on the training track is great, then you would considr it BUT bloody hell its a hell of a risk.

Well I agree it will be a risk. But let’s think about it seriously.

Douglas played 42 minutes on Saturday, and Burton might be the one to replace Douglas. Lets say Burton happens to break down during the game, we will not be losing much. However if Burton plays and makes it through unscathed, it will be a massive boost.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Well I agree it will be a risk. But let’s think about it seriously.

Douglas played 42 minutes on Saturday, and Burton might be the one to replace Douglas. Lets say Burton happens to break down during the game, we will not be losing much. However if Burton plays and makes it through unscathed, it will be a massive boost.

But you also look at it from another angle. Dougie played as a running player but we have hardly used Birdman as the running type this year.

Why I would consider Burton is simply because of his X factor and lets face it our forward line has been mechanical ever since our guns went down. A player of Burton's unpredictability and ability to pull the goals out of his backside would be a great boost but we can't make that call because we don't know what he does on the traning track. Is his touch there or is is miles off.

I still subscribe to the theory that you don't take unfit players into finals, because that comes back to bite you on the backside. One at MOST is how many I would bring in but even that would depend on a LOT of factors.

 

[KUNG FU]

I'm convinced Birdman needs to play the PF. He's impossible match up and hopefully will bring that extra goal-kicking power that we need. I'd rather he played half a game than none. I think with two weeks off, at this end of the season, I'm confident he'll have enough time to find his touch.

Macca & Roo would at best be 50-50 for the GF. Both are excellent athletes, so their come backs shouldn't be too bad. However, I wouldn't rush them in at all. As great as they are and as important as their experience will be, their roles can be covered by other players in the team (Mattner, Stiffy & Welsh, Bock).

 

[glengowan]

If Burton, McLeod and Ricciuto say they are right to play and demonstrate this on the training track, I think all three would get selected for either the PF or GF. I'm not sure that would be the right decision and am glad I'm not making it!

I think Burton is the most important of these three. He has something that no other player in the Crows has (besides maybe Hentschel) and offers so much to the forward line.

Ricciuto's absence hasn't been felt as hard because of the return of Scott Welsh. McLeod is a great player, but Johncock plays his current role superbly and McLeod isn't the tough, hard ball get, one on one player he was 7-8 years ago when he'd get thrown into the midfield.

Of course, Mcleod and Ricciuto both offer class, which is irreplaceable and I'd probably lean towards playing them if they said they were right.

Barring injuries to the current squad, I doubt McGregor or Hart will get back in.