But regardless of weather, the Eagles have a difficult task on Saturday as they come up against the resurgent Roos, who have won their last 3 games (including the last 2 against the Crow and Saints). Although a trip to Tassie may be rather inconvenient for the Eagles, I can't help but wonder if it's preferable to playing under the Dome in Docklands. For that is where the Roos have looked so slick, quick and aggressive over the past 2 weeks. Outside of those comfortable confines their explosive gameplan may be more difficult to manufacture.
But still, many of their good players are in form (especially the dynamic Wells) and they have a huge fight for 8th spot. For us, the Blues (the navy ones) upset win last night opens the door to top spot. Well, at least temporarily. You'd expect the Swans to beat the Lions and owing to their percentage advantage they would claim Numero Uno. However, we can still move up at least a spot with a win today.We really can't slip up. The league is too tight and the top 5 (-ish) too congested for us to not prevail today. A victory is also important to halt our streak of 3 consecutive losses away from home.
And we should win. Despite the Roos revitalisation, we still have better form and better personnel. The midfield (per usual) is the one area of real contention in my mind. Wells, Harvey, Swallow and Ziebell are a classy quartet. We will need to be on our game to ensure we get the points.
Central to that will be Daniel Kerr who plays his 200th game this week. Although I believed we should have traded him a couple of seasons back, I'm glad we didn't because his return to form has been excellent. Earlier this week he deservedly gained a 2 year contract extension to 2014. A bonafide legend of the club, he could've easily won a Brownlow back in the mid 2000s. He did lose his mind a little in the post-Juddas era, but he's clearly grown. Interestingly (to me at least) I remember thinking back when we had Cousins, Judd and Kerr that he was perhaps the best amongst the three. Mainly because I thought he had the most consistent influence throughout an entire game. He thinks different but he would say that wouldn't he? His hard-work, courage and silky skills are his hallmarks. An overview of his career is here. One of my favourite moments of his career is here...erm below. Congrats Kerry...that's Kerr-y.
We also get the the added inclusions of Butler and Will 'Jesus' Schofield. Waters is a late exclusion, which is a blow, but it's another chance to see what Kobe has to offer.
North Melbourne
B: Luke Delaney, Scott McMahon, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Nathan Grima, Sam Gibson
C: Ryan Bastinac, Daniel Wells, Samuel Wright
HF: Liam Anthony, Robert Tarrant, Brent Harvey
F: Lachlan Hansen, Drew Petrie, Matt Campbell
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Lindsay Thomas, Leigh Adams, Jamie Macmillan, Kieran Harper
No Change
West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Sam Butler
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Ashton Hams, Quinten Lynch, Chris Masten
F: Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling, Daniel Kerr
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
I/C: Patrick McGinnity, Jacob Brennan, Josh Hill, Murray Newman
In: Sam Butler, Will Schofield, Koby(e) Stevens
Out: Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard (Ankle), Beau Waters
....Let's do this thing. I think a 3-4 goal victory is on the cards.
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Other news:
- Mark Nicoski is out for the season. Disappointing but it always seemed a possibility.
- Lecras keeps his improbable comeback chances alive.
- NicNat is the GREATEST! Or can be according to Leigh Matthews.
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