Last Practice Match v Sydney

[Mav]

It’ll be up there in Blacktown at 7.10 pm next Friday.

Probably not ideal playing Sydney as Roos never approached practice matches seriously and Horse has followed his lead. Perhaps that will be less of an issue now that the Sydney list is younger than when it relied on veterans from other clubs. Of course Buddy either won’t play or won’t play much but he’s no longer the superstar that he was.

The good news for us is that there were hardly any injury concerns arising out of the match sims. I guess we’ll see whether there are lingering concerns over Cripps. With our opening game against Richmond less than 2 weeks after this practice match, a full dress rehearsal wouldn’t be a bad idea.

[northernblue]

I’m guessing there’s some doubt about Cripps availability.
Maybe Dow gets a call up.

[Gointocarlton]

I read on here Crippa is skipping this one and heading over to WA to be with family. Has that changed?

[northernblue]

I read Crippa is skipping this one and heading over to WA to be with family.

I understood he’d likely be back, but it’s probably best that he misses

[DJC]

I read on here Crippa is skipping this one and heading over to WA to be with family. Has that changed?

He is supposed to be back on Friday for the game.

He’s going for “personal reasons” so I hope it’s nothing serious.

[Mav]

Unless Pitto’s woefully underdone, bringing him into this match to ruck alongside TdK is a no brainer. After all, our 1st game is almost 2 weeks away.

A rucking dilemma: Blues still weighing up best mix, AFL.com.au

[madbluboy]

With the new sub rule there is no dilemma. Play them all and sub off Pitt for the last term. Fitness and form permitting.

[kruddler]

With the new sub rule there is no dilemma. Play them all and sub off Pitt for the last term. Fitness and form permitting.

Did it work for us last year?

Whats changed?

[tonyo]

Did it work for us last year?

Whats changed?

You can now sub for tactical reasons, so no need to be feigning dodgy hammys......  The sub becomes a legitimate replacement and the tactics behind the use of the 23rd man can be transparent.

[Mav]

Who we want to see: Just how Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning fit in the same forward line has implications on several fronts, not the least De Koning’s contract negotiations. Skipper Patrick Cripps was cleared of a serious ankle injury but may be rested. Chad Warner was one of the few Swans to impress against Brisbane last week. He is elite. Recruit Aaron Francis was quiet last week.

What we want to see: The Blues let the Magpies boot a handful of quick goals last week. That cannot be repeated if they want to be a top-four side. The Swans are without injured frontline ruckman Tom Hickey. Will Peter Ladhams (tendonitis issue) or Hayden McLean play?

Round one implications: The Blues have yet to confirm how they will juggle their ruck combination come round one. Is Jack Silvagni in their best team? For the Swans, is Lance Franklin still their No.1 forward focus? They begin with a road trip against the Suns.

Your guide to the official AFL pre-season games, The Age.

Seems we should rename this the TdK game. Whether it’s to see how he works with Pitto in the ruck or with Charlie and Harry as a forward, the game is just an elaborate experiment with TdK at its centre.

All we need is to see him play as a tall defender as well so all bases are covered.