Pre Game -Port v Blues R2 (Sat, March 30, 5.10pm)

[DJC]

Clurey 193cm
Jonas 187cm
Burton 191cm
Bonner 190cm
Houston 187cm
Byrne Jones 180cm

I'd be playing Charlie down forward along with Harry and take advantage of the height difference......reckon Port would love seeing Charlie on the wing and away from the goals.
Ports backline is all about rebound and mobility, they want the ball on the deck and not in the air.
Charlie has to lift his game and not be given a easy out by playing on a wing IMO...both he and Harry should dominate their smaller opponents if we give them half decent service.
If he doesnt perform this week its back to the NB's and Kerr can take his place, same with Fasalo, he will have a taller player on him most likely so will need to move around
and work harder.....
No excuses for our forwards this week if the supply is ok......its a inexperienced undersized, no name Port backline that should not present the problems that the taller and more experienced Tiger defense did.

I agree entirely.  Charlie is supposed to be the next big thing in the key forward stakes and that is entirely reasonable based on his form last year.  However, Astbury got hold of him last game - and he's not the only forward to be shut down by Astbury - and it would be folly to try to turn him into a wingman on the basis of being beaten in one game.  For a start it would do wonders for his confidence ... not!

With Astbury having his hands full with Charlie and Rance off the ground, McGovern and Harry should have had an easier time.  Harry was OK but McGovern looked rusty, apart from his brief stint in defence.  I expect a better performance from the Gov this week.

Fasolo looked underdone and it was probably a mistake to play him.  We can't afford to have a bloke in the 22 who doesn't get double figure disposals, unless he is shutting down an opponent or slotting goals with every kick.  I would play Polson, or perhaps SOJ, in preference to Fasolo on the basis of Thursday's effort.