Round three preview?

[Jimmae]

Surprised there wasn't one of these already.

Feelings anyone?

I personally think with a closer check on the Kangaroos midfield the game will become much more competitive. Bannister on Simpson, Clarke or Kenna on Harvey, Wiggins or even Sporn on Shannon Grant.

The battle is in the midfield - we have the better forward line - but if the supply is shut down then it's five goals to Fevola and we lose by 40 points.

If the tags are effective enough, Campo and Stevens will hold off their taggers for long enough to damage with Houlihan, Lappin, Hulme and whoever else can get their hands on the footy.

The midfield needs to be rotated through half-forward and half-back for us to have our best impact.

I cannot for the life of me see North shutting down all our key forward options. Small forwards and CHF are an issue for us with the starting line-up... maybe Prenda can show us he wants to play CHB.

My conclusion: Midfield, won and lost. Carlton to play them closer-checked than in the first two rounds.

Too close to call on this one

(Ask me again five minutes in)

 

[big_sav]

Round three preview

I totally agree

if we can match them in the midfield with stevens and campo along with houlihan, lappin, hulme, scotland and bannister we can possibly win it

we easily beat them in the forward line and the backline is about even with their forwards

we just gotta stop their midfielders getting goals on the run.

shannon grant we have to shut down cause he is the difference in their past two wins.

my tip: Blues by 12 points

CARN THE BLUES

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

The variables for the Blues are much further apart than for the Roos. I feel we have a team that is capable of brilliant games but can also be closed down and made to look ineffective and frustrating like the 1st 1/4 against the Cats.

We definitely have a chance but we need to be bold and have faith in one another to do the appointed jobs. The moment we start over committing to somebody else's opponents is the moment we create confusion amongst ourselves and can get blown away quickly.

The Roos defence might not be superstars but they have played a bit of footy together now and are fairly even and solid. I don't think they have a weak link to exploit so the Blues forwards will have to be on the top of their game.

Really hoping McKernan doesn't have a blinder against us. We don't want questions asked about our trades this early in the season especially as we have to face Allan and Murphy next weeks as well while their trades/replacements McGrath and Mott languish in the VFL.

I hope Stevens gets into the groove early as he hasn't played for 3 weeks and hope also to see strong performances from Diggers and Teaguey. The Blues midfield all have to be doing their bit as Campo and Stevens will find it harder to be matchwinners under too much pressure.

Have to not make the mistake of going to Stevens every time in the midfield and going to Fev every time in the forward line.

Love the fact that we have some class all over the ground with Lappo and Houla running off half back, Stevens and Campo in the midfield and Fev up forward specifically.

I can't gauge the Roos form as preseason they were written off yet again and here they are with two solid wins under their belts. Started very well last season too and faded away. Just hoping their fade starts early.

I too reserve judgement. Think we could win but a loss would not surprise in any way, in fact it's semi expected after the week we have had.

 

[Jimmae]

Now who was more on the money? You or me ODN?

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Dunno, I was deliberately very vague in my post.