Pre Match. Magpies v. Hawks. All comments please.

[swoop42]

Barring injury Noble will play senior football this season.

I wouldn't be shocked if it was as early as this week.

Pity Quaynor has got injured at the wrong time and Appleby has only recently returned.

If Elliott isn't fit to resume I expect Crocker to replace Reid.

[inxs88]

What is Quaynor's injury and prognosis?

[MatthewBoydFanClub]

[Skids]

The better than 2/1 odds on offer for a hawthorn win is stealing money.
Hawks by 31 points.

[the fuzz]

I expect us to bounce back and beat the Hawks.
Giants play Lions, so one of those lose and we could go 2 games clear of 5th.

[Mr Miyagi]

I reckon Clarkson would still be drooling at how easily we fell over to North’s physicality. Time for our boys to step up (Greenwood, Mayne, Maynard can hold their heads high though. And Sier, who got concussed). Otherwise, expect us to lose to some “unsociable” footy.

[Abdul The Bull]

Like most of us I was bitterly disappointed with the insipid performance on display by our boys on Saturday night against the Kangaroos. I am loathed to make excuses as that breeds poor attitude however, I am wondering if the boys are in the middle of a tough training period in the lead up to the finals campaign? It is a common practice and would explain the lethargic effort on Saturday and even the previous weeks' lackluster effort against the Bulldogs.
What I do know is that this week will be much better and if not, we are in serious trouble. Hawthorn put up a brave fight against West Coast but I feel we will make amends.

[Mr Miyagi]

A few opposition supporting mates watch all the games and have been commenting that we look mentally fatigued and just look flat. They’re also angry we cost them their footy tipping haha.

[Presti35]

POSSIBLE INS:
Returning From Injury:
Jamie Elliott will undergo another fitness tests this week. He's ready to play. I guess the question is, will he come straight back in or will he come back via the VFL? This is an interesting question now with a desperate need for a spark up forward all of a sudden.

James Aish will undergo a fitness test. As we know, he was a late out with hamstring tightness. If passed fit, he'll come straight back in.

Wills will undergo a fitness test, but you'd think will play in the VFL if he's ok to play.

From The VFL:
Ben Crocker was named in the teams bests with 3 goals and being a constant threat up forward. I don't think he had a high possession game, but to kick three in those conditions isn't bad. He's been an emergency basically all season and has been very serviceable in the VFL. This could be his week.

Nobel has now played 2 games in the VFL. And he's been named in the bests both times. He had the most disposals and also kicked a goal. It feels so weird, but he might be considered and I think at worst will be named an emergency.

Tyson Goldsack has been travelling ok in the VFL. Every time I've seen him there, I've felt relieved he is there if needed. He had to pass a fitness test last week, but got through his VFL game a-ok.

Quaynor is almost due for a debut. He's travelling nicely and is deserving of a game, but I believe he sat out the game at Vic Park. That tells me that he'll probably undergo a fitness test and wont be considered for an AFL debut this week.

Bosenavulagi had one of his best games in the VFL. He seemed to enjoy the wet conditions, but I would be very surprised if he was to get a call up.

Broomhead and Madgen had serviceable games again, but will probably need to keep it up in the VFL for possible future selection. Also from what I've read, last weeks emergency, Lynch, had a quiet day.

POSSIBLE OUTS:
We know that Reid is a definite out. And we'll have to wait and see if Sier is passed fit or not.

Daicos did enough to stay in. 22 touched and 4 tackles is not a bad effort. The other popular names for a spell in the VFL are Brown, Varcoe and Thomas. Brown was flat against North, but he has been very good in games prior. I think he is in some danger of omission. Of the three, JT had the least effect on the game and has been quietish in recent weeks.

SO...
Right now, I'd consider Elliott, Aish and Crocker. Goldsack an outside chance. With Nobel amongst the emergencies.

But we'll have to wait on some fitness tests, which will keep us all guessing until Thursday night.

[SteveH67]

Varcoe surely has spent all his tickets now, and deserves to be dropped.

I have seen nothing in recent weeks, to suggest he is important to the team.

[SteveH67]

The sad thing for me right now, is that we were less than a goal away from our 16th flag last season. In a season, where we clearly over-achieved in many ways, given where we had come from since 2013.

I am not seeing a flag challenge this season, Geelong are miles ahead of us.

[Pies2016]

Forget the unsociable Hawks, those were the bad ole days.
They play a possession and territory game. That style isn’t condusive to pressing up on ball carrier and it will suit us fine.
We simply have to win the ball first and then retain it for longer than they do.
Normally that wouldn’t be a big ask but when you are forced to pick players who aren’t even setting the world on fire in the VFL, then winning becomes a bit more problematic.
I reckon we will know our fate within the first ten mins of the game.
Set the tone early and then maintain it.

[LaurieHolden]

Give the engine room some grunt. Crisp will bring tackling hardness to the middle. I'd rotate him with Greenwood. Crispy Pig!

B Maynard, Roughead, Scharenberg
HB Goldsack, Moore, Mayne

C Phillips, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
FOL Grundy, Crisp, Sier

HF Treloar, Mihocek, WHE
F Crocker, JDG, Thomas

I/C Greenwood, Daicos, Cox, C.Brown

IN
Goldsack, Crocker (tackling pressure, goal-kicking)
OUT
Varcoe (omit), Reid (inj) (exit old legs)

This side will win, and win well. Pies to show Jono Brown there's more to the Pies than his vague and amateurish assessment of our playing group.

[PyreneesPie]

[Achilles]