Will Welsh play this week ?

[The Floodbuster]

Welsh will not play this week, I'd put the house on it. Very Close but not close enough.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Load of bull****.

What has Stevens done, slept with your missus? He has played as well this year as Bock has last year. Bock wasn't beaten only once. He was beaten a number of times last year. Sure he had some great games but he is prone to having an absolute shocker in between. I was at that game, and Pavlich took Bock to cleaners. He kicked a huge bag on him and the only way he was somewhat quietened down was when McGregor was sent back to double team Pavlich.

What about Jay Schulz giving Bock lessons on outmuscling opponents. Should I also mention Troy Simmonds? I think selective memory is playing a big part here. We all seem to remember Bock's good games but forget about his stinkers. Bock in 2005 was no better than Stevens has been this year and that is a fact supported by number of stats and games played to date.

Thankyou

Ive long given up trying to defend Stevens to the same moronic rhetoric thrown against him. Ive consistently asked for any of his so called weaknesses to be qualified, and they arent able to be. I think it boils down to some sort of grudge that alot of crows fans seem to be holding against a man who has played his heart out for the crows his year. The statement that bock MUST play instead of Stevens doesnt make much sense to me, we seem to think that Bock was the CHB of the century , rose coloured glasses perhaps?

 

[lunacy]

Load of bull****.

What has Stevens done, slept with your missus? He has played as well this year as Bock has last year. Bock wasn't beaten only once. He was beaten a number of times last year. Sure he had some great games but he is prone to having an absolute shocker in between. I was at that game, and Pavlich took Bock to cleaners. He kicked a huge bag on him and the only way he was somewhat quietened down was when McGregor was sent back to double team Pavlich.

What about Jay Schulz giving Bock lessons on outmuscling opponents. Should I also mention Troy Simmonds? I think selective memory is playing a big part here. We all seem to remember Bock's good games but forget about his stinkers. Bock in 2005 was no better than Stevens has been this year and that is a fact supported by number of stats and games played to date.

Troy Simmonds killed us this year as well. Again you put the responsibilty on Bock. Bock didn't play. I never had a go at Stevens, I didn't realise you had such an emotional connection with the man (it's emotional isn't is stiffy?). Re Stevens sleeping with my missus - what a joke? I never had a go at Stevens, I just said you can't make that comparison and there are no guarantees that Stevens would have done better. If anything you're the one having a go at Bock.

Remember Bock has only played 35 games and was probably only a season away from AA standard. Stevens has been around for a bit longer than Bock.

Both are good players and answered the critics...

 

[Crow-mo]

Remember Bock has only played 35 games ...

I agree, I think this very point should be remembered

 

[jenny61_99]

Thankyou

Ive long given up trying to defend Stevens to the same moronic rhetoric thrown against him. Ive consistently asked for any of his so called weaknesses to be qualified, and they arent able to be. I think it boils down to some sort of grudge that alot of crows fans seem to be holding against a man who has played his heart out for the crows his year. The statement that bock MUST play instead of Stevens doesnt make much sense to me, we seem to think that Bock was the CHB of the century , rose coloured glasses perhaps?

He might have played his heart out, but that does not make him a great player. In the early part of this season his form did not warrant retaining in the side (IMO). Obviously Craigy thought differently. Stevens is certainly a trier, but he is not a star. He has had maybe 3 games where his form warranted his remaining in the team. The rest have been nothing to talk about. I hold no grudge towards any player. I take them on face value and form. IMO, a fit Bock would ALWAYS start ahead of Stevens.

PS. I think Matty Clarke has played his heart out too ever since Huddo did his knee. He took advantage of the situation and has worked his butt off for the team. However, if Huddo happened to be fit enough to play for the finals, I'd have no hesitation in bringing him in over Clarke any day.

 

[beartoo]

I think Welsh should play against Freo. We need more grunt up forward.
Stevens played well last night. One of our best IMO.

 

[jenny61_99]

I think Welsh should play against Freo. We need more grunt up forward.
Stevens played well last night. One of our best IMO.

We definitely watched a different game

 

[AndrewJo]

We definitely watched a different game

Name your best 6 last night Jenny....

 

[jenny61_99]

Name your best 6 last night Jenny....

My POTY awards went to Edwards, Bassett, Goodwin, Massie and Rutten and I guess I would include the hard work done by Van Berlo. Also enjoyed the efforts by Porplyzia when on the ground. Would like to see more of him.

 

[Southerntakeover]

He might have played his heart out, but that does not make him a great player. In the early part of this season his form did not warrant retaining in the side (IMO). Obviously Craigy thought differently. Stevens is certainly a trier, but he is not a star. He has had maybe 3 games where his form warranted his remaining in the team. The rest have been nothing to talk about. I hold no grudge towards any player. I take them on face value and form. IMO, a fit Bock would ALWAYS start ahead of Stevens.

PS. I think Matty Clarke has played his heart out too ever since Huddo did his knee. He took advantage of the situation and has worked his butt off for the team. However, if Huddo happened to be fit enough to play for the finals, I'd have no hesitation in bringing him in over Clarke any day.

You fail to actually qualify any of these so called weaknesses. Stevens form prior to the richmond game is irrelevant as he was playing a completely different role. I think you are talking pure crap when you say that Stevens has only warranted his selection in 3 games this season. Can you please tell me any of the 8 or 9 games he has apparently deserved to be dropped from, since he has moved to CHB?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I think it boils down to some sort of grudge that alot of crows fans seem to be holding against a man who has played his heart out for the crows his year.

I don't think it's a grudge or anything. Stevens is just so damn skinny! Could someone please give him a key to the weights room? If Pavlich, Tarrant, Riewoldt or any of the others are camped under a high ball in a final I'd rather have Bock next to them.

Stevens' good form at CHB has coincided with a stunning period of Crows form where we have taken defensive pressure to a new level. Look at Rutten. His form isn't quite at the level that is was last season but his goals conceded is lower. How is this possible?

I think this week will be Stevens' finals audition. Pavlich vs Stevens, if he's good enough then he has well and truly earned his stripes in the starting 18.

 

[Super Goalie]

I must say that I am not a huge fan of Stevens, but when all is said and done, more often than not he has perfromed well. But, Bock is a far more valuable asset in defence than Stevens IMHO. Watching the game last night, whenever Collingwood looked like coming into attack, Stevens appeared 5, 10, 15 metres off his direct opponant. He wasn't alone though...


Also, as a (back on topic ) side note, I umpired the Eagles vs Norwood ressies game quite a few weeks ago, and Welshy was the difference. He kicked 9 goals, what the bottom placed Eagles beat the top team Norwood by. Only reserves, but. Freo is the ideal team to ease him back into it.

 

[AndrewJo]

I agree, I think this very point should be remembered

Remember Bock has played 1 AFL game this year and Stevens 13. Bock still needs more game time in the SANFL. Realistically some of our guys need more time returning from injury. Our fitness staff see them every day and will know when they are ready for the rigours of AFL. I know that SANFL form can be misleading but if they are not performing too well there how can you expect them to replace guys doing the job there now?
Have a little faith in our coaching panel, they have given us plenty of satisfaction so far this year.

 

[Crow-mo]

Remember Bock has played 1 AFL game this year and Stevens 13. Bock still needs more game time in the SANFL. Realistically some of our guys need more time returning from injury. Our fitness staff see them every day and will know when they are ready for the rigours of AFL. I know that SANFL form can be misleading but if they are not performing too well there how can you expect them to replace guys doing the job there now?
Have a little faith in our coaching panel, they have given us plenty of satisfaction so far this year.

my point exactly.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Back to the topic, I reckon the answer will be yes, with Burton out injured. Welshy should have had enough match practice to warrant a return this week against Freo.