It's funny how a guy plays 1 good game and all of a sudden he's a star. I hate the way the media and fans have lumped Majak Daw and Nic Naitanui together. It's rather insulting to a guy who has played for 4 seasons, including finals, done great things in big games, an All-Australian. Now apparently, they're essentially the same guy.
Anyway, after tonight's game I'm fairly sure there will be no bad puns about the 'Majak Show'. The Eagles backline is just a tad more established than that of the Dogs. Which brings me to Darren Glass and his 250th game. There aren't enough superlatives to describe this guy; champion, legend, leader, Captain, bullet-proof. I ran out of them. But the point is he's the best fullback of his generation. Scarlett was always overrated in my opinion. Interestingly enough though, he had a massive opinion of himself. A notorious self-aggrandising arrogant player. Fletcher's longevity is superb, but I'm not sure his strength was ever in key positional player. Glass is the archetypal full back. He can take the other team's big dog and nullify their influence. He's hardly beaten in a one on one, shows surprising capacity to play on smaller, quicker forwards and above all, he never quits. Even when he only has one good shoulder. It may be his last season, I hope not, but he will forever be an Eagles champion. You can read more about how awesome Glass is here and buy some typically overpriced and unstylish merchandise here.
In terms of the game, it will be tough but we should win. North have played well this season against the best teams (at least in parts), most recently just going down to the Hawks. But they just can't pull off the upset. I can't envision a scenario in which North fly across country, play on the big stage under the bright lights of Friday night and beat us. Of course, we actually have to put in a good performance. No guarantees, but the team is slooooooowwwwwwwly improving. Brisbane was a step up from the Dogs and the Roos are another step up.
They are solid all over the park. Goldstein is a criminally underrated ruckman, whilst the midfield duo of Wells and Swallow are stars. Harvey is also back (this guy's still going?) and I'm sure he'll run around a lot, not pass to teammates, and generally be annoying. Up forward Lindsay Thomas and Petrie are the big threats not to mention the best player that ever lived: the MAJAK MAN!
That being said, we should have too much for them: pretty much everywhere. We're bolstered by the return of Kerr, Waters and to a lesser extent Masten and old Selwood. Understandably Smith, Hutchings and Brown get the flick, whilst Dalziell may consider himself a little unlucky. Although I don't rate him, he has been solid over the past 2 weeks. Still, he's a stop-gap.
West Coast
B: Brennan, Glass, Schofield
HB: Hurn, Mackenzie, Waters
C: Rosa, S Selwood, Gaff
HF: LeCras, Darling, Masten
F: Hill, Kennedy, Kerr
Foll: Naitanui, Priddis, Shuey
I/C: Sheppard, Wellingham, Cox, A Selwood
Emg: Brown, Dalziell, Hutchings
In: Kerr, A. Selwood, Waters, Masten
Out: Brown, Dalziell, Smith, Hutchings
North Melbourne
B: S.McMahon S.Thompson J.Macmillan
HB: D.Wells N.Grima M.Firrito
C: S.Gibson S.Atley R.Bastinac
HF: B.Cunnington D.Petrie B.Harvey
F: L.Thomas M.Daw L.Adams
Foll: T.Goldstein A.Swallow J.Ziebell
Int: L.Hansen S.Wright A.Black A.Mullett
Emerg: K.Harper T.Hine W.Sierakowski
In: Grima
Out: Sierakowski
So how will the night end? Most probably with Scott crying. He likes to cry, carp and complain when his team is bested. He even blames losses on the fact that an AFL game was played outdoors!
We should, must and will win this one. It may be tight but in the end I see a 4-5 goal victory.
Go Eagles!!!
P.S If you're going to the game, buy a scarf or cap to support the Wirrpanda Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment