Casey Scorpions v Coburg Tigers 5/4/09

[Axis of Bob 10,247]

Clint, I disagree with some of your player summaries.

Jurrah is still some time away from playing AFL footy, IMO. He is doing a few good things, but is not getting as involved as he needs to. He definitely looks like he needs more fitness, although he does show a lot of promise. He doesn't seem to play like a key forward as such, but more of a very dangerous mid sized forward. Whatever the case, he makes things happen when he gets the ball.

Meesen played the best game I've seen him play by a massive difference. He was genuinely good against two ruckmen with AFL experience. He palmed the ball well, was aggressive in the ruck contests and was very good around the ground.

Bail was BOG for mine. Would have had the ball about 20 times in the first half and used the ball very well. He played as a defender/midfielder and rran the lines really well, as well as being pooised with the footy. It wouldn't surprise me if he was considered strongly to debut next week.

Dunn was good today. Played midfield and used the ball well.

Newton's chasing and defensive pressure put Robbo to shame. I didn't think Newton was too bad and feel that his defensive pressure has increased 10 fold since his first year. He was a bit stiff with that 50 metre penalty and the tackle came from a good chase.

McKenzie didn't star, but he does some wonderful work with his hands in contests. What may hold him back is his work with his kicking, which is a bit hit and miss.

Maric was quiet early but did his best work in the last half, especially the last quarter. Did everything that you expect of Maric, although maybe didn't kick as well as usual. Is able to cut apart teams with his vision, though, as he did today in patches. Has probably done enough to push for selection next week.

Zomer was good in defence and actually looks far, far more comfortable there than he ever did up forward. It was an easy day to be a tall forward, given the wind and slippery conditions, but he was still very good.

[timD 994]

Bob, it sounds like Meesen has actually improved each week for the last three or four now. We'd have to play him against Port, surely - his erffort and improvement is earning him a place.

Who would you promote out of Dunn or Bail (or both?)?

If Dunn/Bail and Maric are available, who do you drop?

Was Newton today more use than Sylvia yesterday?

Thanks.

[John Dee 438]

I saw the entire gane on a typical Casey day; strong freshening sou-wester, rain squalls and occasional sunshine.

Casey set up the game in the first quarter when they kicked three goals into the wind (one from a Robbo speccy) to Coburg's four with it. Casey hit their straps in the second quarter to lead well by half time. Coburg did well with the wind in the third, but there was only going to be one winner. Valenti BOG for mine; the conditions were made for him.

Robertson - Great return, played the whole first half and portions of both the third and fourth quarters; took a couple of 'Robbos'; kicked one, gave Newton one. All things considered, he couldn't have done any more.

Jurrah - Conditions didn't suit. He ran the game out well, but needs to bulk up a bit more. A serious talent.

Valenti - Always at the bottom of the pack; important link work; BOG.

Maric - Good game. Played through the midfield and on the forward line; coming along well.

Meeson - I am warming to him, best ruckman on the ground and starting to do better around the ground.

McKenzie - An earnest goer. Conditions suited.

Bail - Best game I have seen him play; another that I am warming to. Took a number of good marks, particularly at the defensive end; seems to know where the ball is going to go, a great talent to have.

Newton - Better. It was interesting to see him in the ruck for a few spells.

Zomer - Played in a key defensive pots for most of the game; not disgraced.

Dunn - Has an AFL body. Pleasing game. Kicked a couple of goals and riled up a few Coburg players.. Based purely on the fact that he is fit to play, I would say that he would be the only one that I can see coming into the side to go to Adelaide.

[Axis of Bob 10,247]

I haven't had a chance to see the Dees game yet, so I don't know who I'd drop to bring playeers in. However, from what the illuminated scribes with me at Casey were saying, I'd be pretty confident that Maric would come in for probably Jetta.

Bail deserves a go based on his game today, especially the way Melbourne have been trying to play the game with hard running a good kicking.

In the past I would have been embarrassed to see Meesen at AFL level. But if he does what he did today then I'd be quite comfortable. His follow up work was very good and he linked up well around the ground.

Newton was played much higher than he often does, although conditions didn't suit him at all. I was happy with the defensive effort snd, while he's not perfect, I think people will just persecute him because they're too lazy to think of anything different. That's why I wanted to make sure it's written down.

[Dannyz 2,318]

Its time to unleash the Mees!

[Salems Lot 2,377]

Great to hear that McNamara played in the twos, poor guy must be champing at the bit, any sign of Grimes or is he still a couple of weeks off ? Surely he would come straight back into the ones after a relatively short lay off.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

Did Zomer play on an AFL listed player?

[tez 6]

I haven't had a chance to see the Dees game yet, so I don't know who I'd drop to bring playeers in. However, from what the illuminated scribes with me at Casey were saying, I'd be pretty confident that Maric would come in for probably Jetta.

Bail deserves a go based on his game today, especially the way Melbourne have been trying to play the game with hard running a good kicking.

In the past I would have been embarrassed to see Meesen at AFL level. But if he does what he did today then I'd be quite comfortable. His follow up work was very good and he linked up well around the ground.

Newton was played much higher than he often does, although conditions didn't suit him at all. I was happy with the defensive effort snd, while he's not perfect, I think people will just persecute him because they're too lazy to think of anything different. That's why I wanted to make sure it's written down.

Bob i agree good to see other people get down today and post their own comments both meesen and newton are alot better than the usual lazy posters looking for stuff to stir

[stevenDEMON 0]

Bob i agree good to see other people get down today and post their own comments both meesen and newton are alot better than the usual lazy posters looking for stuff to stir

Pj has been shyt, so put meeson in, i don't care we are so far behind every team its not funny. Even opposition players are starting to say " there young and are improved on last year" I mean what team tries to pump up another side? We were a joke last year and we are a joke this year. Just sad really. I cant believe I'm ready to give this season away already.

[JACKATTACK 17]

Pj has been shyt, so put meeson in, i don't care we are so far behind every team its not funny. Even opposition players are starting to say " there young and are improved on last year" I mean what team tries to pump up another side? We were a joke last year and we are a joke this year. Just sad really. I cant believe I'm ready to give this season away already.

We could use his fitness in the secand half of the game. And as much as I like Jake's attack on the ball he needs to learn to back his own ability like he did in his first game, and I think he coulddo that at Casey.

[dee-luded 2,958]

We could use his fitness in the secand half of the game. And as much as I like Jake's attack on the ball he needs to learn to back his own ability like he did in his first game, and I think he coulddo that at Casey.

When I watched the game on replay, I thought we did better @ the centre clearances when Spencer rucked. I thought PJ was really poor in the middle & around the ground, losing his opponent & just not doing much.

Maybe it should be PJ making way for Meeson.

[tez 6]

Did Zomer play on an AFL listed player?

either played on either cleeve hughes or andrew collins sorry didnt take note

also in there side included thursfield coglan macmahon patterson andrew brown and jarred oakleigh nichols

[Rolling Stone 107]

Meesen played the best game I've seen him play by a massive difference. He was genuinely good against two ruckmen with AFL experience. He palmed the ball well, was aggressive in the ruck contests and was very good around the ground.

If one of those two ruckmen with AFL experience was Browne then his experience was vary limited. He was on the ground in his debut last week for only 30% of the time and his team got flogged.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Newton was played much higher than he often does, although conditions didn't suit him at all. I was happy with the defensive effort snd, while he's not perfect, I think people will just persecute him because they're too lazy to think of anything different. That's why I wanted to make sure it's written down.

Get your hand off it.

I was just calling it like I see it and as someone who used to a be a big Newton fan, I didn't see anything too different from him.

[Mousey 47]

thanks guys for all your reports!

Much appreciated!

[Cards13 9,117]

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106

Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83

Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite

Best Meeson, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews

Liddle is one who seems to be playing some good footy at the moment. He was a standout watching the Casey 2's a few weeks ago and has been good from others reports over the last 2 weeks in the 1's. Might have potential to be picked up in the upcoming draft.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Liddle is one who seems to be playing some good footy at the moment. He was a standout watching the Casey 2's a few weeks ago and has been good from others reports over the last 2 weeks in the 1's. Might have potential to be picked up in the upcoming draft.

'Cards13', he's a nice little player, isn't he. Loved that classy play & goal last week.

[titan_uranus 22,444]

Addam Maric - clever and skilful, he wasn't really suited by the early heavy going but forced his way into the game as conditions improved. Had an excellent final quarter where he set up some great plays and probably worked his way into Melbourne's team for Port Adelaide next weekend.

John Meesen - played the best game I've seen from him last week and was just as good this week. Won the hitouts, marked around the ground and showed out with good hands and was strong in contests. The big question mark is whether he can reproduce that sort of form at a higher level and I think we'll find out in the coming weeks.

Trent Zomer - solid for the second week as a defender. Zomer seems better suited there than in attack but will find it a bit of a struggle to replace any of the existing tall backs at Melbourne.

I didn't know Zomer had moved to defence. I can't see that working out, given who's already playing for us.

Meesen might be in line for a call up this week. His fitness and running could come in handy considering how lazy PJ has been and how Spencer tires out after half time.

Surely Maric plays this week.

[Redleg 37,683]

When I watched the game on replay, I thought we did better @ the centre clearances when Spencer rucked. I thought PJ was really poor in the middle & around the ground, losing his opponent & just not doing much.

Maybe it should be PJ making way for Meeson.

The problem is that PJ is not a ruckman. We all assume he is a ruckman because he is big. He is in the ruck because we have no one else, if we did he would be played elsewhere. He is no star but he adds a lot with his height, pace, kicking and improved marking. With the way our forward line is at the moment he has to get a game. At least he has the pace to get to a contest and the size to contest. I could imagine Aussie and Maric at his feet feeding off him.

The best news for me is that Meesen who I had given up on, is apparently starting to show some form. I hope he keeps improving and becomes a senior player so that our trade for him is not a total disaster. They do say some ruckmen take years to find their feet in the AFL, maybe he is one of them.

[dee-luded 2,958]

I didn't know Zomer had moved to defence. I can't see that working out, given who's already playing for us.

Meesen might be in line for a call up this week. His fitness and running could come in handy considering how lazy PJ has been and how Spencer tires out after half time.

Surely Maric plays this week.

Last week he played quite well in defence, this week OK.

He wasn't doing much up forward, at the least this may build his confidance before a further thrust up forward?

[dee-luded 2,958]

The problem is that PJ is not a ruckman. We all assume he is a ruckman because he is big. He is in the ruck because we have no one else, if we did he would be played elsewhere. He is no star but he adds a lot with his height, pace, kicking and improved marking. With the way our forward line is at the moment he has to get a game. At least he has the pace to get to a contest and the size to contest. I could imagine Aussie and Maric at his feet feeding off him.

The best news for me is that Meesen who I had given up on, is apparently starting to show some form. I hope he keeps improving and becomes a senior player so that our trade for him is not a total disaster. They do say some ruckmen take years to find their feet in the AFL, maybe he is one of them.

Agree with you Redleg, but don't see the point dropping Spencer while he's still having a real crack. He seems more use rucking than PJ. My point is, play meeson ruck with the kid, & if we have to, play PJ permanent forward. Rucks to be interchanged. But leaves us a little inflexible.

[Guest unstable punt]

Its time to unleash the Mees!

Newton needs to be put back in because we have NOTHING up forward and Meeson deserves a run because we have been murdered in the ruck both games this year

[Guest unstable punt]

Agree with you Redleg, but don't see the point dropping Spencer while he's still having a real crack. He seems more use rucking than PJ. My point is, play meeson ruck with the kid, & if we have to, play PJ permanent forward. Rucks to be interchanged. But leaves us a little inflexible.

PJ is too big and slow to be anything but a stay at home FF

[titan_uranus 22,444]

Agree with you Redleg, but don't see the point dropping Spencer while he's still having a real crack. He seems more use rucking than PJ. My point is, play meeson ruck with the kid, & if we have to, play PJ permanent forward. Rucks to be interchanged. But leaves us a little inflexible.

Agree. If a ruckman's going to be dropped, it should be PJ. Spencer's done nothing wrong. There are much higher expectations of PJ, and he hasn't lived up to them so far this year.

[dee-luded 2,958]

PJ is too big and slow to be anything but a stay at home FF

Thats the concern.