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This should be a good game with Subi finding a bit of form last week and the Sharks running hot.  The good news for us and downside for EF is Dixon and Strnadica getting snapped up by WCE but that's the rub of the green I guess.

I look forward to seeing the team announced tomorrow before making predictions but it should be a pretty even contest regardless. 

I think Dixon is the greater loss of the two BC, more so because Goddard is a 90% like for like replacement for Strnadica...EF had no time  allowed to replace Dixon....I think as the season goes on losing those 2 last minute will definitely come back and bite EF ...but for now the club is doing its best to get the wins on board before the wear and tear of injuries and fatigue plays it part...should be a good contest with Subi edging away at the end to win by 30 odd points....more than happy to eat humble pie though 

Cheers Freez. The unknown for Subi is how long it will take for those guys who have copped Covid to recover full strength. According to Wardman, pretty much the entire senior list has had it in the last couple of months and given it affects individuals differently, it'll be interesting to see who runs out of gas and who doesn't.

Agree Freeze, losing players so late in the pre-season is a rediculous situation. We lost two prime mids/forwards in Clark to the main draft and Martin to the train on thing a bit later but had some time to look around for replacements. Giro has been excellent but Snadden is yet to hit some consistent form. They need to put a time limit on making decisions on these late add on drafts, must be at the latest pre-Christmas and get rid of the mid season draft, all AFL clubs have tier 2 teams to draw from in an emergency.

Walters got a 3 week holiday for a late hit, he is a big out

DG was that in the last qtr? Dont recall seeing the Umps pull the book out. 3 weeks means it must have been a serious incident.

It was for a bump on Jarvis Pina in the 2nd quarter, which was reported on match day.  Walters was offered 3 weeks down to 2 with an early guilty plea, but the club chose to contest it and lost so the original 3 week ban stood.

Golding and Alone back in for Max and Matera. Matera was on one leg for most of last week so not unexpected.

FF 53 Benjamin GOLDING 18 Ben SOKOL 41 Kody Eaton
HF 4 Aaron BREMAN 14 Ryan BORCHET 49 Lachlan VANIRSEN
C 26 Chad Harris 6 Stefan GIRO 13 Liam HICKMOTT
HB 2 Kyle STAINSBY 36 Aaron HEAL 15 Wil HICKMOTT
FB 8 Angus DEWAR 21 Jordan LOCKYER 35 Drew ROHDE

INTERCHANGE
39 Jaimon ALONE
23 Noah ASH
5 Jordan SNADDEN
24 Jake STERGIOU

FOLLOWERS
17 Lachlan DELAHUNTY
1 Leigh KITCHIN
7 Harrison MARSH

Ins J. Alone, B. Golding
Outs B. Matera, M. Walters

Maxy is a big loss, but gives Golding a chance after a BOG in the 2's last week. This should be a great contest against the second best performing team in the comp, will show us where we are compared to the top teams. Hard to pick a winner being on neutral territory. I wonder if EF have been allowed to train much on the hallowed turf.

Hopefully the last few fine days will see the pitch area dried out a bit, could still be very shifty under foot.

Yes SS. Jono Marsh is a big in for them as I recall how he towelled us up last year just before the finals. He's a card carrying nutcase but he does give them something. Subi by 10 points but we'll need more out of our rookie forwards if we are to get over the line.