They're 7-3-1 with Mumford in the side. He doesn't dominate against us and is sore every time he plays now, but his inclusion helps them.
Last time Dusty was the difference and we needed a lucky bounce at the death. Reckon the odds are all wrong on this one.
I dunno, L2.
Our #2 mid on the day was Baker. Nank was giving our depleted midfield plenty of cover. Baker was real good but IMO batting way too high at #2. I would pot any side with Baker as #2 mid. And maybe he played #1 for much of the game.
Last time Hopper had 11 clearances and 7 score involvements. (I think he's a plodder.) Baker had 7 and 7. Hopper 400m gained to Baker 500 odd. Baker more aggressive with the ball. Hopper doesn't worry me. I think Prestia can go ok.
Prestia is our best mid IMO. He's a big inclusion. He's a nett gain on Dusty in some ways. Better clearance player. Just not as good at the other stuff but nobody is.
The big in for this meeting could be D e B o e r. He's no champion but he can beat a good player. And he's busy. Active. He's not a ring a rosy battler. He may get the job on Prestia.
Taryn Thomas got off the leash last week when Cotchin went onto him. Graham destroyed Thomas. Had a party. Cotchin should get an easier task this week. JWK. Slow. Not big. Or Taranto, who is not very inside. He's a link man. And I suppose the old Chimp could find a bit more form. He was trending the right way until late in the North game.
Lambert is a big in for us. Along with Chimp and Dion he pushes Baker into the right part of the batting order. And if we can use Shedda more effectively (defensive lapses!) he will be a big in too. Even if he doesn't run too far defensively he can kick a couple and we are looking for him to ignite our assaults with his handball.
They may have D e B o e r in. But we have Prestia, Lambert, half of Trent Cotchin and half of Shane Edwards. We are fielding something of a midfield. A midfield getting, at last, a little continuity.
We'll be pretty disappointed if we can't get the points here.