TOPIC:

This one is match of the season so far, Souths the only team to beat us since the '17 GF and they did it by playing a really disciplined focused game plan. Closed up our space and didn't let us get any flow in our game. Higgins absolutely monstered us in the ruck giving their mids first use, our mids could not do what we usually do and win the clearences to a beaten ruck.
So what lessons have the team and coaching staff learnt from that game, plenty I hope. Souths have lost a couple to injury but may have Schloithe back after a few weeks off with a knee, he always plays well against us and will probably get a tag from Hoskins but they have a very good midfield group and you cant tag everyone.

I think we are now playing much better more consistent footy that when we met them last time, we were cruising a bit early in the year. The game is down on their paddock and Forecast is for a bit of rain, we proved last game we can play really well in the wet so that should hold no fears and may take a bit away from Higgins ruck dominance.

The winner takes top spot 4 points clear of second.

I heard on the radio that Higgins has unfortunately got a weeks suspension after belting that pest Ballantyne (which should be rewarded not suspended imho)!!

Beasley Hutton wrote: I heard on the radio that Higgins has unfortunately got a weeks suspension after belting that pest Ballantyne (which should be rewarded not suspended imho)!!

It's ok for Subi for breaking collarbones!

Why would Higgins waste his energy and time with someone like Ballantyne?....at least the week will give Brock the time to rest from that injury which resulted in his no show for WA v SA a few weeks back....

Interesting that Curley mentioned Souths had 12 players last week against Freo with less than 25 games....based on that Subi should have the advantage in experience and big bodies around the ball on what looks like being a wet and slippery day. Last time around we were missing Clanger and had Borchet and Marsh coming back in from injury plus the 8 state players returning from running around the previous week on concrete....so we were cherry ripe to get knocked off. This week we're likely to go in with an unchanged line up from the belting we gave Perth although we've lost Deluca and Souths Pickett from last time so after all that, think we'll get up by about 25 points.

On the money BC, i expect a much better showing attitude wise this time with a few players back although we tend not to play well after a bye so will be interesting to see. Rain forecast so as you say expect the same line up and with Higgins out it really evens up the ruck situation, wet or dry Brock is massive at the stoppages and very good around the ground. If our back 6 continue their great form and shut down their dangerous forwards, we should get over the line. While it will be a bit wet it wont be the swim through we had against Perth so the skills of both sides can still be demonstrated.

Apparently Schloithe is very doubtful and hasn't fully recovered from the knock to his knee a couple of weeks ago but at days end, you want to play the oppositions best side to see where you are at so it's a bit disappointing he and Higgins will both miss out....but I guess you can only play the 22 in front to you.

As predicted an unchanged team. I can't see Sutherland coming if they left him out of the Perth game because of the weather and Ben Reid is a bit out of left field. Those two should come out and maybe T E-B and/or Miller to get a berth.

FF 20 Clancy WHEELER 14 Ryan BORCHET 18 Ben SOKOL
HF 28 Kyal HORSLEY 17 Lachlan DELAHUNTY 5 Simon MOORE
C 12 Gregory CLARK 4 Rhys WATERS 11 Benjamin NEWTON
HB 36 Aaron HEAL 23 Ben REID 7 Harrison MARSH
FB 25 Michael BRAUT 21 Jordan LOCKYER 8 Angus LITHERLAND

FOLLOWERS
27 Timothy SUTHERLAND
24 Craig HOSKINS
1 Leigh KITCHIN

INTERCHANGE
15 Jack BEVERLEY
31 Thomas EDWARDS-BALDWIN
3 Hayden KENNEDY
16 Jacob MILLER
6 Rowen POWELL
35 Drew ROHDE
22 Max WALTERS

Yawn

Stand the Test wrote: Yawn

Don't forget the hot Horlicks - it will help you sleep.