Pre Match: Pies v. Cats - all comments please

[jack_spain]

They have a full side, we dont, just heard Maxy wont play on radio,. this will be a tough one now, but we can do it, and we will do it, as Obama said "Yes we can.!!!"

No they don't have a full side. They're missing Mooney!

[Magpie Jack]

You would always want Maxwell in the team for big ones like this but if Cam Wood can hold his own in the ruck I'm confident we can win by about 6 goals. I'd love to see the Sack back.

[tomoleary]

Mooney being out is more of an advantage than a disadvantage for them in my opinion.

[tomoleary]

I'm missing Beams already. He played a blinder in the corresponding match last year.

[Duff Soviet Union]

I too am concerned about the make up of the side and hope there's a late change or two. I just don't think Leon, Krak, Dick and Blair can play in the same team. I know it worked last week but it won't work long term. Leon can play back, Krak and Blair can split time between the middle and forward line, but I don't see a place for Dick right now, especially considering he was by far the worst of the four last time out. I'd much rather see another hard bodied mid/forward in Beams in there.

Also, what has Beams done to fall out of favour? He finished 6th in the B&F last year and was far from our worst early in the year. Yet now, he's on the outside looking in. I don't get it.

[tomoleary]

^ I don't get it either. I hope it's just a rotations/conditioning thing. But you'd expect our best to line up against our best opponents?

[didick]

^^ And his goal kick accuracy is right up there too this year which was one of his issues last year.

In Mick We Trust I suppose ............

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

I'm really looking forward to the game - Feels like ages since I've been to the footy!

This will be a REAL test tonight.
The cats are quality opposition with individually skilled players that are experienced & strong in body. The contested ball will be more difficult than in previous weeks, particularly in the forecast conditions.

Still, you'd be a brave man to tip against us!
Carn'da pies!!!!!!!!

[Clemo]

If Maxy aint right, the sack will get a crack.

[didick]

^and hopefully he'll unleash a few monster torps!

[Tannin]

Two reasons for having Dick in over Beams:

1: MM wants to have 30 match-hardened players ready for the finals. He wants to play Dick for a couple of sets of ~4 matches so that he is ready to come in at a moment's notice. (Dick isn't match-fit yet, after such a long time out injured, but will be by the time he's done a few weeks in the seniors.) Beams will get the same, and both players are in the mix for final selection.

2: Dick is a far more damaging forward than Beams. MM hasn't played Dick in the midfield much yet (not since before he was injured), and at their present stage of development, Beams is the better midfelder (but watch this space - Dick's supreme talent will blossom as his body matures and he will spend a lot of time in the middle over the next 10 years), but up forward, Dick is much, much better than Beams: Dick is more mobile, has more pace, is a tremendous overhead mark with a huge leap (similar to Daisy in this regard), is a fantastic kick who can do his stuff with either foot, has better vision for the teammate in a dangerous location, is harder to man up on, and has great hands.

Beams is a very good young player with a great future. Dick, if his body holds up, is a future champion. Right now, because of Dick's battle with terrible knee and shoulder injuries, Beams is the better player. But that will change, possibly as early as today, though more likely later on this season. This is NOT to say that Beams has no place in our best side, just that a fully fit Dick is in another class above him. The current thinking at Collingwood seems to be that they want to play Dick back to full strength in the seniors (I would have thought he could do another month or two in the ressies first, but the club obviously thinks otherwise).

[Duff Soviet Union]

Two reasons for having Dick in over Beams:

1: MM wants to have 30 match-hardened players ready for the finals. He wants to play Dick for a couple of sets of ~4 matches so that he is ready to come in at a moment's notice. (Dick isn't match-fit yet, after such a long time out injured, but will be by the time he's done a few weeks in the seniors.) Beams will get the same, and both players are in the mix for final selection.

2: Dick is a far more damaging forward than Beams. MM hasn't played Dick in the midfield much yet (not since before he was injured), and at their present stage of development, Beams is the better midfelder (but watch this space - Dick's supreme talent will blossom as his body matures and he will spend a lot of time in the middle over the next 10 years), but up forward, Dick is much, much better than Beams: Dick is more mobile, has more pace, is a tremendous overhead mark with a huge leap (similar to Daisy in this regard), is a fantastic kick who can do his stuff with either foot, has better vision for the teammate in a dangerous location, is harder to man up on, and has great hands.

Beams is a very good young player with a great future. Dick, if his body holds up, is a future champion. Right now, because of Dick's battle with terrible knee and shoulder injuries, Beams is the better player. But that will change, possibly as early as today, though more likely later on this season. This is NOT to say that Beams has no place in our best side, just that a fully fit Dick is in another class above him. The current thinking at Collingwood seems to be that they want to play Dick back to full strength in the seniors (I would have thought he could do another month or two in the ressies first, but the club obviously thinks otherwise).

Wow, someone loves Dick (sorry couldn't resist). I really think you're overrating him though. I see him as a fringe player, which is a hell of a long way from a future champion (health permitting). I just don't know if he can ever play in the middle and I would heavily dispute your suggestion that he's a "fantastic kick" and "a tremendous overhead mark". I mean, I wish he was those things, but I don't see it. I don't see him as a better player than Beams and I think he'll basically be another Leon Davis (which isn't that bad, but isn't all that great either).

[GoWoodsmen]

What's the weather like in the city? It's friggin horrible down here in Sandringham... gonna be a horrible, wet, windy and cold night. And for that we can be very very thankful that we will have Dicky, Magic, Krak, Dids, Blairy, Heater, Sidey, Daisy all in our team.

I would imagine the inclusion of Beamer is a no-brainer with the weather now and if we're thinking like-for-like replacements then you'd think Golden Balls will be back as well. Not sure who goes out for Beamer unless he replaces Maxy (what's with all the cloak and dagger stuff about him playing anyway - he was never going to play).

Not bloody good for my DT though.. can't see Dawes getting many points tonight!

C'mon Pies... you're gonna have to warm us all up tonight with an fiery performance !!!!

[Daicosesque]

Where do you want me to take it?

Well??

[pietillidie]

Two reasons for having Dick in over Beams:

1: MM wants to have 30 match-hardened players ready for the finals. He wants to play Dick for a couple of sets of ~4 matches so that he is ready to come in at a moment's notice. (Dick isn't match-fit yet, after such a long time out injured, but will be by the time he's done a few weeks in the seniors.) Beams will get the same, and both players are in the mix for final selection.

2: Dick is a far more damaging forward than Beams. MM hasn't played Dick in the midfield much yet (not since before he was injured), and at their present stage of development, Beams is the better midfelder (but watch this space - Dick's supreme talent will blossom as his body matures and he will spend a lot of time in the middle over the next 10 years), but up forward, Dick is much, much better than Beams: Dick is more mobile, has more pace, is a tremendous overhead mark with a huge leap (similar to Daisy in this regard), is a fantastic kick who can do his stuff with either foot, has better vision for the teammate in a dangerous location, is harder to man up on, and has great hands.

Beams is a very good young player with a great future. Dick, if his body holds up, is a future champion. Right now, because of Dick's battle with terrible knee and shoulder injuries, Beams is the better player. But that will change, possibly as early as today, though more likely later on this season. This is NOT to say that Beams has no place in our best side, just that a fully fit Dick is in another class above him. The current thinking at Collingwood seems to be that they want to play Dick back to full strength in the seniors (I would have thought he could do another month or two in the ressies first, but the club obviously thinks otherwise).

Wow, someone loves Dick (sorry couldn't resist). I really think you're overrating him though. I see him as a fringe player, which is a hell of a long way from a future champion (health permitting). I just don't know if he can ever play in the middle and I would heavily dispute your suggestion that he's a "fantastic kick" and "a tremendous overhead mark". I mean, I wish he was those things, but I don't see it. I don't see him as a better player than Beams and I think he'll basically be another Leon Davis (which isn't that bad, but isn't all that great either).

Brad Dick is only like Leon insofar as they both started their careers forward as slight skillful players. But Dicky is clearly a natural wingman, and Leon clearly isn't. The query as we know is if the body can hold up.