Semi-Final Preview: Eagles v Blues

I really hope this isn't the last game of the year. It would be distasteful in a few ways. Firstly, to have such a great season and not a win a final is a flat feeling. Secondly, because we felt that feeling back in 07. And finally, Judd. Enough said.

Preparing his ears for the long flight using 'dumbo' power, Brett Ratten has said all the pressure is on us. This coming from the guy that would've been sacked had his team lost last week...Anyway, I don't think that's true. Carlton have been there, done that. Well, mainly 'lost that' over the past couple of seasons. But it's a huge game for both sides. If we lose, it will be disappointing. But upon reflection (in 3 months time after the tears have ceased) we will view the season with great pride and optimism.

In team news Kerr is in and Cox...is still in. For now. Gibbs is out for the Death Eaters and Kreuzer's numb nut foot means he doesn't travel. If Cox and Kerr play it will be a massive bonus for us. With Kreuzer out we should dominate the ruck. Also, Kerr gives us that experience and polish that we seemed to lack a little last week.

We killed them earlier in the year which was very significant for one reason. If we had lost we would've exchanged positions with these bastards. That means this game would have been in Melbourne. That win felt great at the time and even better now.

But I don't think it means much in terms of any psychological edge. They have a very solid team. Their midfield, led by the Dark Lord himself, is superb. We actually did keep Juddas fairly quiet when we met, but one of his horcruxes was just destroyed he was battling a cold. Still, the Selwood's should annoy the hell out of him at least. I'm sure by the end of the night he would've attempted his eye gouge/sleeper hold move. That annoying crazy-eyed ginger freak will play this time. I don't like him, he's rabid and fairly overrated. Yet, like a wild animal he can be dangerous if you don't tranq. him.

Yet, outside of their dynamic midfield, I'm not that worried. Their backline is not strong at all. Our forward line should be looking to bounce back from last week's disappointing outing. Yarran's a decent player, but he has accountability issues. The rest are a hodge-podge of injury-prone scarecrows and uninspiring mature rookies. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but our forward line should do the job on them again.

Their forward line is also less than impressive. Sure Setanta's good at kicking guys in the bollocks, but that's mainly his teammates. He's erratic at best. Betts and Gartlett are dangerous but with Waters, Butler and Schofield we should be able to handle them.

Despite all these positives for us I'm still concerned. I have a bad feeling about this game. Mainly because I don't think I could bare to see the Juddas knock us out at our home ground (stupid name and all).

But we shouldn't let that happen. We have a far more even side. If Cox plays, I will be very confident of the Eagles reaching a prelim. If he doesn't, then it may be a nervous night.

Come one EAGLES!!!