So Round 2 is FINALLY here. It has certainly been a long time coming. Over 2 weeks in fact. Unlike the Hawks who have had a mere 5 day break after another dismal display against the Cats.
Will this difference be critical to the outcome? Maybe. It really shouldn't be given how early it is in the season, but we all know how soft Victorian teams are. They travel about 4 times a season (half of those are to the Etihad) and they act and often perform as if they've traversed the globe.
Still, if it's close in the final quarter it may just give us an extra edge. But of more importance to me is the devilish injury situation which has plagued our side. A backline which had before now escaped unscathed, is now hurt by the injury to E-Mac. Brown comes in, not wearing the Saints' colours, to his disappointment. Seriously though, he's a solid replacement. Just play Glass on Buddy. Brennan is omitted and the often-injured but always steady Butler returns from...something. The Lecras loss is well documented and Daziell is his replacement. I remember Dalziell had an amazing debut for the Lions but has since produced nothing of note. Admittedly, he's had few opportunities but he must surely be running of chances. Which might also be true of Lycett aka The Big Lychee, who again was underwhelming. In comes Callum Sinclair for his first game. I don't know the kid...so...scary. Irritatingly, Luke Hodge returns for the Hawks. He'll get injured after 7 minutes, which is why he'll probably start as the sub.
West Coast
B: Adam Selwood, Darren Glass, Mitchell Brown
HB: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Beau Waters
C: Andrew Embley, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Ashton Hams
FF: Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Josh Hill
Foll: Dean Cox, Luke Shuey, Scott Selwood
I/C: Sam Butler,Brad Sheppard, Callum Sinclair, Bradd Dalziell
Emg: Jacob Brennan, Ashley Smith, Blayne Wilson.
Hawthorn
B: Ryan Schoenmakers, Josh Gibson, Brent Guerra
HB: Grant Birchall, Ben Stratton, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Paul Puopolo
FF: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
Int: Luke Hodge, Liam Shiels, David Hale, Jed Anderson.
These two teams were common picks for a Grand Final playoff. Both lost their first game to hated rivals. We're suffering from heavy injuries, they're suffering from a being well, weak. On paper you'd say they were favourites; full of stars and clearly more talented. But we're at home, they get jelly-legs in big games and we've had a long time to stew after the Derby loss. I'd say that stew is ready for serving.
Massive game, I'm attending (yay!) and I'll think we may just win, by, say 11 points.
Enjoy the game and LET'S GO EAGLES!!!
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