In my memory it wasn't that long ago when I had to cover my eyes when Clive was taking a set shot for goal; it wasn't that long ago when I buried my face when Parker was kicking in from the square after a behind; not that long ago when I was mumbling (in my head) 'please, don't give Schammer the ball'.

But, I miss Clive, Parker and (yes) Schammer - I'm not sure whether I've got the nerves to hold it together when he's on the paddock, but I miss him nonetheless. I don't drink nearly as much when he's out of the side; my groans at turnovers not really passionate enough; there hasn't been any punching in my block at Subi; I stay until the siren before lining up for a beer at the break; I don't worry about forgetting all the words except the 'hoi' part of TNT.

So...bugger sentimentality - put Mike Pearce in, he's ready to rock!

Additional thoughts - with the midfield pace of the Cats, what about The Hinkleberry to fill Ibbo's seagull role?

wont matter who comes in we will win anyway

Polly, I think Hinkley missed WAFL last week with an injured shoulder.

Garrick Ibbotson is one of the elite runners - no seagull, if we remember he matched up on Judd in Round 7 last year, got the better of him, and and was a major factor in our win against Carlton.

Out of those three players nominated, Clancee Pearce was the only one that played WAFL league last week. Stephen Dodd (another who played WAFL) has been playing a fair bit on the wing for the Sharks from what i've listened to and read. Byron Schammer or Stephen Dodd would be the best qualified from an experience/running capacity point of view, but Clancee Pearce can get a hold of the ball a lot when he plays.

The forecast is for 27C on Sunday which would suit picking a running team - especially with Geelong having one less day to prepare, and without their bookend key position players they'd be looking to dominate us from the midfield with Ling, Ablett, Bartell, Selwood and Chapman topping up their goals.

Last year @ Subi, Byrnes and Varcoe were also high in their best players. Throw in Corey, Johnson, Kelly, Wojinski, Mackee and Hunt and you can see why they're such a venerated combo - but last week against Hawthorn I reckon they made more skill errors in the second quarter than we did in 4 against Essendon. Put pressure on them and they're human like everyone else.

If Chris Tarrant isn't fit to play, then Kepler Bradley might come in and Michael Johnson may be used to play backward of centre at some stage during the game if Ottens/Hawkings occupy their forward line at the same time.

Tough call this because there's a danger going in without too ruckmen, but on the other hand you wouldn't want to have any less of a running side than last week.

My feeling is that we should need another ruckman as Ottens and Blake are both big blokes who might wear Sandi down on a hot day, but we might still gamble with Michael Johnson because he's like another midfielder when he's on the ball.

Either Schammer or Dodd for Ibbotson; and Pearce for McPhee* or Van Berlo - the latter hasn't done anything wrong, but just to freshen the run and choose someone who's more of a playmaker/possession getter.

It Tarrant doesn't come up, I'd choose either Dodd or Bradley - which would make 3 changes.

*I like McPhee, I'm glad we got him, but shouldn't be picked on form, and if his game is off because he's still recovering from injury, then against Geelong it'll be exposed, even if the need to recruit him was precisely for big games like this.

The first line of this thread says it all:-

The worst has stated that either Schammer, Pearce or Bradley will take his place.

That makes it a given that it will be Fyfe or Hinkley

I'd like to see Suban given Ibbo's role as the defensive forward. His pressure is good and he is dangerous around goal. Would love to see Pearce or Fyfe make their way into the side, but I won't be disappointed if Dodd or Schammer, or even both, find their way into the 22. They both have their limitations, but they are also both players who love to play and love their club. If they get the nod, you can rest assured they will be giving their all. It's worth noting that some players lift when surrounded by better players - maybe Dodd and Schammer will find life a little easier in the 2010 Freo side.

The coach said they would be picking players who maintain defensive pressure.

I'd hardly call Ibbo the defensive forward. Mayne and Ballantyne have those roles secured for now.

Ibbo plays a linking type of role from what I can make out, a sweeping wingman, an extra man. Shame he got hurt as I felt he was showing some form... a long way from my muttered consultation with Wizfan after the Geelong scratchy when we both entertained a dark notion about Ibbo not actually knowing how to errr... play the game.

I think we use his speed to cover a few different types of roles within a game. Talk of who to replace him with fails to address the type of game you want to play. Just adding another young players isn't necessarily going to work, either... Harves has found an exquisite balance between talent, speed and experience and having too much of one thing will bugger up the fundamental laws of the universe, or something. You know, frimmin on the flim flam and all that.

So, I'm keen to see who Harves settles on as his solution to this imbalance in his exquisite thingo.

The silly money, the stuff I always have a lot of, reckons it could be Stompy, for his surprising ability to run and negate. It's silly money, though.

Guy you might be onto something. If I reinterpreted Harvs and said he wanted accountable players I'm sure you'd agree - lets leave it and that and forget the funny business. na can't do that. I think every player - left right and centre has to be accountable these days.

It's settled then, Larks - Mike Pearce in for Ibbo, Stomper for Flinchy.

Hipless is tempting, but McPharlap as the third man (down back) and 1st Johno (up forward) should give Man Mountain enough of a break to go the distance. Stick with the run, Harvs.

As Pearce is yet to be promoted off the rookie list, I doubt he will get a game this week. They are unlikely to promote him unless they decided to list someone for 7 to 10 weeks injured! I cant see that happening.

That means to replace like for like you will be looking at Fyfe (who went close last week), Michael Walters (who had a good game for swan districts on weekend) and maybe Bollenhagen.

As for Tarrant I think he is a better than 50/50 option to play.

That just leaves the ruck issue, it is likely that after Blake and Ottens played well they will promote Kepler to back up 211. He would most likely replace Morabito (who has done well but not being spectacular as yet). the alternative would be Van Berlo and he is a hard nut we need against the Cats!!

If tarrant doesnt come up then they will still promote Kepler and move Johnson into the backline and Kepler can run up forward and provide 211 with backup.

We will just have to wait and see how it pans out.