Teams vs St. Kilda

[Willis]

Edwards is a massive out

 

[Riggy1]

Edwards is a massive out

so is the 19th man

 

[Vader]

Bad news with Edwards. When was the last time he missed a game? Of our veterans, he's definitely the one we'll miss most.

He's played the last 76 consecutive games, more than any other Crow. Next on the list is VB with 69.

Edwards last time MIA was R9 2006 (he also missed R4 that year).

 

[WALL-e]

What is the Saints side? AFL.com.au isn't showing it for me.

In - Armitage, Gwilt, King, Schneider Out - McEvoy.

 

[jo172]

Interesting to note that Martin has seemingly leapfrogged Cook, Petrenko and Armstrong in the order.

 

[cmndstab]

Interesting to note that Martin has seemingly leapfrogged Cook, Petrenko and Armstrong in the order.

To be fair he's been outperforming all of them bar possibly Armstrong in the past month.

 

[jo172]

To be fair he's been outperforming all of them bar possibly Armstrong in the past month.

I agree, most encouraging however is that all 3 are still playing reasonable to good football. Love the competition for spots

 

[jenny61_99]

I agree, most encouraging however is that all 3 are still playing reasonable to good football. Love the competition for spots

There have not been many occasions under Craig where he's had that luxury!

 

[jo172]

Sellar on the field in a FP are also two things worth noting.

 

[vlbl]

Sellar on the field in a FP are also two things worth noting.

That's what i'm excited about. Hope he can kick a goal or 2 and present well all day and take some good strong contested marks. It's not too much to ask against the best defense in the game is it?

 

[Crows Feet]

Edwards is a big out, but we did alright last week with minimal input from him. I'd expect Douglas to come in as a direct replacement - mid for mid. If Burton comes in, expect Knights or Porps to go into the middle.

McEvoy out (not even on an extended bench) suggests that King is good to go. It'll be a big challenge for Maric. Who's backing him up with Tippett and Sellar in the forward line?

 

[T Rick]

edwards expected to be back next week? any idea? he obviously must be injured to a significant degree to miss a clash against the sainters..

 

[lunacy]

I would think it'll be burton in for edwards. We have heaps of hbf at the moment; Goody, Reilly, VB, Symes, Doughty, Mcleod.

I'd say Goodwin and/or Reilly will simply move into the midfield rotations will Burton slips into the forward line that just keeps getting stronger and stonger.

Big loss, but also a big inclusion.

 

[Alex99]

I would think it'll be burton in for edwards. We have heaps of hbf at the moment; Goody, Reilly, VB, Symes, Doughty, Mcleod.

I'd say Goodwin and/or Reilly will simply move into the midfield rotations will Burton slips into the forward line that just keeps getting stronger and stonger.

Big loss, but also a big inclusion.

Unless Doughty, Shirley and Symes are in some doubt with injury?

Doughty is usually named on the field – any word on his fitness status?

 

[Damp Squarie]

Edwards out? We are fooked.

Not so sure.
He has been a tad down the last 2 games. Someone will step up.

 

[footy4ever]

edwards expected to be back next week? any idea? he obviously must be injured to a significant degree to miss a clash against the sainters..

reported as slight hammy.

Against Saints midfield, this is almost a catastrophic out. But as someone else posted - he had a quiet one last week and crows still deluged down on Freo.

I want Birdman to get a run, but this could upset the structure. Who knows?

Dougy in for Edwards as only change seems more logical...but perhaps something completely different could add some intrigue.

 

[drdave]

Hope its Davis in, Otten into the Midfield.

I can see this happening sometime before finals but i dont think it will be this week.

I think heard somewhere the club thinks it is beneficial for there development to get a taste of AFL. They did it with Otten and Danger last year

 

[drdave]

so is the 19th man

I reckon the 19th man will be making the trip across the border. We always have good support in Melbourne.

The match against the bombers there was huge support for crows.

 

[Elite Crow]

Shirley has to play. Del Santo, Hayes and Montagna can all run amok if unchecked. We have learnt that lesson the hard way in the past.

 

[kirky]

Burton is not playing for the WWTFC Eagles so would probably be the replacement for Edwards. Shirley remains in the AFC side.

 

[adelaide_40]

Edwards is a big out, but we did alright last week with minimal input from him. I'd expect Douglas to come in as a direct replacement - mid for mid. If Burton comes in, expect Knights or Porps to go into the middle.

McEvoy out (not even on an extended bench) suggests that King is good to go. It'll be a big challenge for Maric. Who's backing him up with Tippett and Sellar in the forward line?

True but I think we need Edward's mature body on the field. We are going to miss him.

It's a shock to see him go out, bit of a suprise that Martin was upgraded but still good news.

 

[Drummond]

Congrats to Martin on being upgraded! Thoroughly deserved and I wouldn't mind seeing him play this week although I think the chances are slim. I'd really like to see Davis make his debut. Worth noting that he's the only membr of the 2008 top 10 to have not made his debut, not worth much buut interesting nonetheless.

Let's hope Douglas doesn't come back in as it would well and truly confirm the gold pass fears many of us have. Doesn't he have to prove anything to get straight back into the side?

Not sure whether Burton will play although he looks the most likely inclusion. Shirley maintains his spot in the side, fair enough against the hard, tough bodies of the Saints but lets hope he's out the following week.

 

[smoovy]

I hope that Shirley won't be told that he is in the side just to nullify Dal Santo or Montagna.

With Edwards out now it is imperitive that he wins his own ball.

Make no mistake Edwards is a huge out. Forget that he was quiet last week, he didn't need to do anything. Against the Saints contested ball will be crucial. There won't be much free flowing movement in this game.

 

[Sir Vlado]

Edwards' injury is pretty unfortunate however I guess he won't be out for too long as his strain is minor as I heard. The Birdman is a good replacement if he makes it in, which i'm expecting he does, he seems well enough.

As usual I would've liked the inclusion of Walker, maybe his time will come in a week or two. Overall, pity that Edwards got injured but i'm happy that Burton got in the 25, as well as Martin and Davis.

 

[macca23]

Let's hope Douglas doesn't come back in as it would well and truly confirm the gold pass fears many of us have. Doesn't he have to prove anything to get straight back into the side?

Not sure whether Burton will play although he looks the most likely inclusion. Shirley maintains his spot in the side, fair enough against the hard, tough bodies of the Saints but lets hope he's out the following week.

I presume your use of the word us is similar to the royal "we" Drummond; or have you been declared as the head of the anti Douglas hate team??

As for the 2nd highlighted comment, I think that is a perfect demonstration of the meaning of prejudice. Let's not give a rat's arse even if Shirley is in the best players - toss him out next week..

Back to the real world. With Edwards being out we are down a genuine mid-fielder who rests up forward at times.

Martin is a genuine mid-fielder but IMO this is too big an ask for a first game player to debut in what should be a torrid physical game.

Davis won't be the player to come in IMO as there is no requirement in the position he has been playing,

That leaves Douglas or Burton to be the replacement, with each one presenting some form of problem and some form of plus.

Burton won't be match hardened after a year out and his inclusion leaves us a mid down and slightly disrupts the structure of the side. On the positive side, he is capable at times of freak footy, is flexible in that he can play a variety of positions and can kick goals.

Douglas played a very poor game before he was dropped and is no guarantee to perform at the required level, although he is capable of it. On the plus side his inclusion would be like for like in that he can play mid-field and play up forward which have been Edward's key roles. There would be no change in the structure of the team that has won the last 7 games.

On balance it'll probably be Burton who gets the nod, but don't altogether rule out the inclusion of Douglas to the accompaniment of a wailing and gnashing of teeth by one Drummond.