Would of you played McGrath and Bolton?

[GoEagles]

I know Hird and Mercuri are absolute champions when they are at full strength, but it was very clear today that they could not physically commit themselves 100% to the game because they were injured. Cory McGrath & Mark Bolton may not have the experience, but surely could of contributed something a bit extra to the side.

I would of kept Hird in the side purely on his leadership, but I would of tried to slot in McGrath somewhere.

I'd like to hear what other BigFootyers think on this.

 

[Danny Chook Fan Club]

Bolton is just going at this stage, but McGrath is a bit special, and would have provided more than Mercuri did today.

Wouldn't have made a blind bit of difference to the result though.

Non-gloating question to the Bomber fans - granted Brisbane and Hawthorn are two of the fittest teams in the league, but Essendon's second halves over the last two weeks have been poor, especially considering that they had lost only 1 of 23 third quarters before the Preliminary Final - what has happened to the Bomber fitness?

 

[hawkfan5]

Bolton is a talent but he just hasnt proved it at senior level yet, watch out for him at another club next year

 

[The Hitman]

Moorcroft added bite, but McGrath is all class, and I would have brought him in.

Mercuri was useless - did one good pass, and that was all. You had to play Hird, even though he had another rotten day.

The Hitman

 

[Anton Grbac]

Would've made no difference to the result, but McGrath should've played.

where's wally?

 

[aggels]

Originally posted by Wally
Would've made no difference to the result, but McGrath should've played.

Very true. I still don't understand why McGrath was dropped (I don't think he was injured at all was he?), he seemed to be getting upwards of 20 possies a game, and suddenly he was back in the vfl. I certainly would have played him.

 

[Grendel]

Will join the consensus that McGrath should have played.

The other bloke i think i would have brought in would have been Henneman. Just thought the Dons looked a little short down back.

Wonderful thing, hindsight.

 

[Commissioner X]

McGrath should never have been dropped in the first place- most Don supporters I know were perplexed at this decision.

His inclusion would not have made a difference because he hadn't played a game in a month- not match fit.

As for Henneman, he wouldn't have done any better then any of the defenders, also not strong enough or match fit.

 

[Smokin]

Of course, in hindsight many different things coulda been done.

However, at the time the right decisions were made I still feel. Going into a grand final, you play your champions. Yea, they werent 100%, but you still have to play them.

I remember Dermie saying once in hindsight he shouldnt have played the 87 Grand Final - but at the time there was zero chance he wasnt going to play.

You gotta play your champions in the big one.

If Hawthorn made a GF, and Crawford was at 80%, they would play him guaranteed!

 

[windyhill]

Mcgrath ? absolutely.Bolton,no..a battler.Glad Cory is on contract because i would not have blamed him from leaving Essendon,he was playing excellent football only to be dropped,crazy Essendon,crazy.
However the result would have been the same,the only thing I take out of the G.F is Scotty Lucas`s great game and the fact that Briz didn`t kick straight,could have got very,very ugly on the scoreboard,few posters as well.

 

[kretchy]

Yeah McGrath should have played instead of Mercuri or Moorcroft. Bolton also would have given them an extra tall down back when at times they looked stretched.