TOPIC:

Big test for the Eagles against Richmond.  WC still missing a couple of top players, but are home.  Richmond building beautifully, so hard to pick a winner for this one.

Not sure Kennedy is an overly important player for the Eagles anymore 58, Certainly when he is not there it gives Ryan the chance to be more of a target which he deserves to be, extremely hard player for any opposition to match up on when he is a spearhead.
I will be absolutely flabbergasted if Simpson plays Bailey Williams again this week, he has been struggling BIG time. Effectively a player short with him in the side, may as well play Vardy if he's determined to play two genuine ruckmen.

Agree with the Bailey selection.  At least you know what you get with Vardy and he can turn it on when on song.

Kennedy is important as he and Darling draw the 2 best defenders that means Ryan gets the 3rd best, Liam has taken a couple of weeks to get back to form, last week was very good but he is carry a bit of an injury and is still not fully match fit. Expect better things from him from here on in. Shame the bye wasn't this week as originally fixtured, WC would have had that extra week to get players back on the paddock.

Yep I reckon by the time we play the Bulldogs or the week after for Sydney game we should be back to close to full strength.
Ryan and Yeo by then should be going full pelt.
I think we are still a bit light on in personal and really miss McGovern down back.
Richmond should win this probably by a few.

Richmond have the toughest draw in 2021.Playing all top 8 sides from 2020 twise.On top of that they are now missing home MCG games with Vic's Covid-19 shutdown.The Tigers midfield will be to strong for West Coast.Where Wce are falling in 2021.
If West Coast win Richmond top 8 position is under threat from GWS who have played two less games..Freo are 9th but have a huge injury count atm.
 

Given they have won 3 of the last 4 flags they should have the toughest draw, and their coach is already bemoaning the fact that they actually have to play away from their MCG home and how hard an unfair it is. Imagine if he coached an interstate team with every second game played away from home and family. These Vicco clubs really dont live in the real world half the time. Their sense of entitlement is mind boggling.

Agree, I think their mid field brigade will be too much for WC who I expect to stay with them for at least a half but with the mids spread thin it will take it's toll later in the match. They also have a forward line every bit as good or better than WC with 2 very good talls and high class smalls. If WC get within 3 goals at the end that would be a result they wont be too disappointed with.

SS without a doubt the Eagles X factor is Liam Ryan.. Richmond would of done there homework...Ryan's opponent will not make eye contact or speak to Ryan during the game..And defently no sledging as that will fire him up.
The Collingwood final last year.Ryan almost won the game for Wce.The more you stir him up the better he plays.Which is opposite to most players. 

Well he didn't have a great game as they did a good shutdown on him but that slick ball pick up and 9.99m pass to JK will haunt the Tigers for some time. JK's game was one for the ages, his run and foot passing along with 4 goals was a game winner, especially important given Darling was also well contained.

Both teams looked gassed in the last but WC made a few less mistakes and showed great determination not to let that 22 point deficit get in their heads. Great spectacle of our great game between 2 quality outfits who have 2 very different game plans. The result now puts the Weags in with a top 4 chance and with the bye next week might allow a couple of key players to return in McGovern and Shoey.

Time will tell but I reckon there might be questions asked in the future as to why the Crows didn't pick Luke Edwards, what a superb game from the young fella.