I'm one who will not be fussed one iota if we lose.
We need to remember that this game means nothing in the scheme of things. Running blokes into form is something that we can do in any old praccy match - like the NAB series. By playing in the NAB series instead of the NAB Cup we escape the media/public stare that has us making Richo, Simmonds, Brown, Bowden back up in Rnd 2 of some televised glorified training run. The Swans do it this way every year - they know what really matters.
I ask will we be in favour of this quartet missing a SF or GF of the NAB Cup just for a rest? Facts are they don't need the extra crash & bash or risk of soft tissue injury at thier ages. But it will be a SF/GF and people will want to see them play. My concern is that our footy dept don't have the stones to rest these blokes adequately - and they are the key to us playing finals - real finals.
Yeah, the heart will want to see us win tonight - hey, we're playing Collingwood. But I'd rather see that happen on the back of our kids instead of in the pursuit of the pseudo glory on offer.
