Rocca's IN.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Final 22.

[shawthing09]

I'm seriously hoping Rocca is the late withdrawal. The Zac Dawson will have nightmares is nonsense for a number of reason 1 of which is Zac has beaten similar size fowards this year like Barry Hall etc. His surely got the confidence in his own ability now.

Rocca played first time we played St Kilda.

On the negative side Rocca's played barely any footy over the last 2 years his kicking has been poor when he has played. He doesn't have the ability to apply the defensive pressure required.

As Smiddaz has mentioned if he plays the reasoning is far more sentimental then logical.

 

[PiEs_In_ThE_SkY!!! JA PM]

I like the Rocca In.

Hudghton wasnt named which almost certaintly gives Ross Lyon something to think about in the next few days. They bring Hudghton in and they take maybe one of their on ballers out which may ruin their rotations. Great move mick!

 

[the_fresh]

so much tension in this thread!!!!!

This is the selection - focus on the positives!

Home final in the second week?

 

[The Royal Sampler]

WTF is it with all this BS about its a huge risk playing Rocca? Wasnt it a huge risk to play McCarthy last week? Not to mention Dick? Both were average. Did they cost us the game? Wood was crap did he cost us the game? Fraser was also crap did he cost us the game?

Was playing McCarthy last week a risk? Yes.
Were we risking much by playing him? No. The game was almost meaningless. This match, however, will effectively determine whether we can win the 2009 flag. A double-chance is great, but the likelihood is that this year's premiers won't drop any finals.

 

[PIES 4 LIFE]

He hasn't been worse than fraser. No wonder we can't, as a club, develop ruckmen when we are willing to give them opportunity. Wood has had a fantastic month, plays one average game (where he wasn't alone) and gets dropped. Very stiff IMO.
Rocca's a very very lucky man should he end up playing. I'll be the first to acknowledge him should he play a good game, however should he have no impact watch the knives come out from everyone saying rocca should come in

Look Stkilda are the Best team in the comp, I was not that confident of beating them a day ago. A risk needed to be taken, and in my opinion this is the perfect risk. We are expected to lose this, and only the optimistic Collingwood fan will tell you otherwise.

If Rocca comes in and contributes to a win then its a weeks rest for our team, and most probably a Premiership, if it doesn't work then why should we apologise for believing that he was the change that was needed.

if this works I will be rapt for the team, if it doesn't I will be the last person to bag Malthouse for taking a risk against all odds, and against everyone elses supposed expert opinion, Malthouse and the Collingwood people know more about our club than every other so called expert.

Malthouse is here to deliver, and he doesn't give in to public pressure, he lives and dies by his decisions, Now bring the cup back to Collingwood it has been a long wait.

 

[didaka]

It will be interesting to see what happens.

I guess the one thing I feel we have been missing is a presence up forward.

He will make a contest, that is a given.

Does the fact he is playing for absolutely everything mean he'll lift and play it at 110%.

Will be interesting to see what comes of it, but no guts, no glory I guess.

 

[mattys123]

I'm liking the Rocca inclusion more and more as time goes on.

After seeing him 2 weeks ago live at the VFL, and seeing footage of him at training and at last weeks VFL game, he looks 200% better then he did when he returned in round 6 or 7 this year.

He has no injury worries, looks 100% fit and ready, and has had 3-4 very good hitouts in similar conditions to what we face on Sunday.

I can't see Rocca missing now, so we will all have to just get behind the big fella, and hope he performs on the biggest stage of them all (barring the GF).

I'm behind him, and I hope everyone puts their feelings aside on the day and really get behind him, he is a Collingwood Champ who almost won us a flag once in tandem with the great man Bucks, so I think if anything he deserves one more crack, and our support during that shot.

Go Pebbles, kick some Saints arse.

 

[Pie eyed]

Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Leigh Brown
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tarkyn Lockyer
C: Alan Didak, Shane O’Bree, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Alan Toovey, Travis Cloke, Ben Johnson
F: Paul Medhurst, John Anthony, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Leon Davis
I/C: John McCarthy, Anthony Rocca, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams
Emg: Cameron Wood, Sharrod Wellingham, Brad Dick


That is the squad. The emergencies seem to have been forgotten.

Look for any of that 25 to actually take the field.

Rocca's inclusion a) adds another dimension to the side and b) gives Ross Lyon a lot more to consider when making his selections.

If Rocca does not take the field who does Dawson go to? Jack Anthony?
If he does then what?

Great selections I think if only for the mental havoc it will cause the enemy camp.

A lot on here may be opining Rocca's lack of presence but Lyon won't be.


Go Pies and Good luck to Pebbles.

 

[PIES 4 LIFE]

Good luck havin the big fatty in your side, been useless for a few years.. like Whitnall was, and we got rid of him.

Worry about your ow side you fu***n scum, because no else will have to after this weekend, enjoy getting smashed by an average Brisbane team, who will have their V.F.L defense in. How sweet it will be to watch you cheats lose, I'm almost looking forward to that more than this game.

Perfect second week in Finals will be no Carlton, and a weeks rest for Collingwood.
2nd best outcome a weeks rest for Collingwood and no Carlscum again.
3rd best an easy second week against adelaide, and you guessed it No CARLSCUM.

 

[mattys123]

Good luck havin the big fatty in your side, been useless for a few years.. like Whitnall was, and we got rid of him.

The word "fatty" sums up your post, watched the news lately have we.

Whitnall (at any point of his dull career) makes Rocca of today look very, very skinny.

 

[Skade]

Good luck havin the big fatty in your side, been useless for a few years.. like Whitnall was, and we got rid of him.

F**K off No1 Spew, back to the "can't win a final board" Whitnall couldn't run 13 klm in a month let alone one game.

 

[PiEs_In_ThE_SkY!!! JA PM]

Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Leigh Brown
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tarkyn Lockyer
C: Alan Didak, Shane O’Bree, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Alan Toovey, Travis Cloke, Ben Johnson
F: Paul Medhurst, John Anthony, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Leon Davis
I/C: John McCarthy, Anthony Rocca, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams
Emg: Cameron Wood, Sharrod Wellingham, Brad Dick


That is the squad. The emergencies seem to have been forgotten.

Look for any of that 25 to actually take the field.

Rocca's inclusion a) adds another dimension to the side and b) gives Ross Lyon a lot more to consider when making his selections.

If Rocca does not take the field who does Dawson go to? Jack Anthony?
If he does then what?

Great selections I think if only for the mental havoc it will cause the enemy camp.

A lot on here may be opining Rocca's lack of presence but Lyon won't be.


Go Pies and Good luck to Pebbles.

Exactly what i was trying to say but you worded it perfectly

 

[good4footy]

That side is too slow. We were run off our feet last week and have gone in slower. Not so much the Rocca decision but compounding it by replacing pace with two slower midfielders. Pendles an obvious inclusion but to drop 3 quick players and bring in 2 bigs and two slowish midfielders lacks sense to me.

Hope it rains hard!!

 

[PIES 4 LIFE]

Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Leigh Brown
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tarkyn Lockyer
C: Alan Didak, Shane O’Bree, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Alan Toovey, Travis Cloke, Ben Johnson
F: Paul Medhurst, John Anthony, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Leon Davis
I/C: John McCarthy, Anthony Rocca, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams
Emg: Cameron Wood, Sharrod Wellingham, Brad Dick


That is the squad. The emergencies seem to have been forgotten.

Look for any of that 25 to actually take the field.

Rocca's inclusion a) adds another dimension to the side and b) gives Ross Lyon a lot more to consider when making his selections.

If Rocca does not take the field who does Dawson go to? Jack Anthony?
If he does then what?

Great selections I think if only for the mental havoc it will cause the enemy camp.

A lot on here may be opining Rocca's lack of presence but Lyon won't be.


Go Pies and Good luck to Pebbles.

2nd that

 

[Swooop]

Hmm, not sure about this. As Smiddaz said it reeks of sentimentality, if not a hint of desperation. To me, it looks like Mick is rolling the dice a bit, if it works great! and if it doesn't well we may well have lost anyway, got a second chance. Huge risk playing him, its a mighty step up from the VFL to be pitted against the #1 team in the AFL. As was said "On The Couch" or recently, you beat the Saints zone with quick running, taking risks etc a la Essendon. This team is too slow, I think it's playing into their hands... guess we'll see, happy to be proven wrong

 

[Palmer Stoat]

I expect at least one late change, maybe two. Rocca unlikely to play, for mine. I'd expect either Wellingham or Dick to play.

 

[doppleganger]

Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Leigh Brown
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tarkyn Lockyer
C: Alan Didak, Shane O’Bree, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Alan Toovey, Travis Cloke, Ben Johnson
F: Paul Medhurst, John Anthony, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Leon Davis
I/C: John McCarthy, Anthony Rocca, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams
In: Leigh Brown, Scott Pendlebury, Anthony Rocca, Steele Sidebottom
Out: Brad Dick, Tyson Goldsack, Sharrod Wellingham, Cameron Wood

Good changes IMO

Wood, bit harsh but the saints have two big bodied rucks, Wood seems to struggle against these types as they over-power him. L.Brown can be a pinch hit, but if Gardiner pushes forward he is a much better match up downback, and also can take Kosi if Presti goes to Riewoldt.

Dick for Sidey, love it......Dick not ready for finals, too lightly bodied and very out of form, Sidey will tear it up!

Pendlebury for Wellingham........cant argue really, somebody had to make way for Pendles.

Rocca for Goldie.....a risk, but the saints dont have match up for Goldie, and the saints defenders....Dawson, Hudgton aint really the types to do much damage running off Rocca, and it will mean that Fisher will have to play a much more defensive role on Cloke or Anthony! Rocca can also throw his weight around and is a big physical presence which is needed in finals!!

Happy with the side!

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Rocca? Are you kidding me?

Oh, God.

 

[Shellz]

My thoughts keep changing!!! I don't know if I am happy or not

 

[Smoky]

I'd be surprised if Rocca doesnt play and is a late withdrawel. The guy hasnt had much gametime and if he were a realistic chance of playing finals (which he is) why would MM simply not give him a run in the VFL to pull off a bluff?

He'll play.

He adds a dimension to our game that our small forwards and mids can hugely benefit from (and in turn our scoreboard)... and no one can say he's not fresh! I'm excited.

 

[DThomas]

Jeez, everyone put your own personal feelings about Rocca aside and give him as much support as you can. Bagging him isn't going to do any good.

He will contribute to the team, no doubt about it.

 

[Ron]

Yeah i dunno about this, really hope it doesn't bite us on the arse.

Especially if they are predicting some rain, a three man tall forward line isn't the best idea.

Also this means Leigh brown ill have to play on Kozi 100% of the game, at least if Reid game in, it'd give us a few more options.

 

[derro]

no way rocca will play. hopefully wellingham does tho

 

[targett]

no way rocca will play. hopefully wellingham does tho

What are you people on !!!!!!!!!???????? of course Rocca will play. He wasnt named in the original squad then he was named in 25 after N.Browns injury and then named in the final 22 Friday evening . Not hard to figure out people !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[doppleganger]

Also this means Leigh brown ill have to play on Kozi 100% of the game, at least if Reid game in, it'd give us a few more options.

What???

L.Brown is a mature body, he can pinch hit in the ruck, push forward, play on Kosi, play on Gardiner if he plays forward. L.Brown gives us plenty of options.

Reid simply isn't physically ready yet, especially for a final....pretty much the same reason why Wood has been dropped, Gardiner and King would work him over physically......Reid wouldn't be strong enough to go with Kosi, Gardiner or even Riewoldt if one out.

L.Brown gives plenty more options that Reid at this stage, next year with another off season in the weights room for Reid will change all that.

Finals are about the now, and Reid not ready.

Wood if he gets outmuscled in the ruck, guess MM thinks this will be the case, doesn't offer as much as L.Brown in defence or around the ground.

MM has brought in physical players, and taken out lightly framed players....makes sense for finals footy!