given the injury to the Meese, and the fact Spencer didn't play last weekend I asume he won't be selected, my changes...

Out: Bate, Meesen

In: Newton, McNamara

Stef Martin to play as a forward, and relief ruckman...

given the injury to the Meese, and the fact Spencer didn't play last weekend I asume he won't be selected, my changes...

Out: Bate, Meesen

In: Newton, McNamara

Stef Martin to play as a forward, and relief ruckman...

I've said in a previous post that i think Newton should be given more time to build some consistency at VFL, however i believe you may be right with those selections. I would not be surprised at all if he were selected, nor would i be if he weren't.

Wouldn't mind seeing McNamara debut. Very impressed with his form, especially considering his interrupted pre season. Bate looks hopelessly out of touch, is hanging on by the skin of his teeth. Not sure if he'll be dropped, but it would certainly be warranted if he were.

Stef Martin playing 2nd ruck could be interesting. Hasn't rucked (or trained for rucking) at all this season, can anyone who saw him ruck at Sandy comment on this part of his game? Would be a shame to take him out of a key post, either forward or back, but i do tend to be with u in the assumption that Spencer will not play given his lack of recent match fitness.

Who knows, big Stef might even come out and play an absolute blinder a la Paddy Ryder a couple of weeks ago!

I orig posted

IN: Grimes, Whelan

OUT: Bartram, Bennell

For the reason that I want us to be careful at how we manage Bennell for his first season (although I do love him and think he'll be a gun). I still stand by those changes but now with the injury to Meesen I'd add

IN: Spencer (if fit, if not Cheney)

OUT: Meesen

If Spencer weren't fit and Cheney played we could look at Martin playing forward (as previously suggested) pinch hitting in the ruck and Bate possibly going to defence to play as the 4th tall?

In: Grimes

Out: Meesen

Let PJ try and get into form by using his athleticism - try to get as much of the ball as possible. Wouldn't mind to see Bennel get a game in front of the home crowd, possibly add Jetta in for Bate.

If Spencer weren't fit and Cheney played we could look at Martin playing forward (as previously suggested) pinch hitting in the ruck and Bate possibly going to defence to play as the 4th tall?

Bate back? I'm not convinced. I don't think he'd have the pace or agility to play 3rd/4th tall in defence. I'd much prefer to see Bate go back to Casey and regain some form playing in the forward half. If he's good enough, he'll dominate and won't have to spend more than a couple of weeks there before being recalled.

Tom McNamara's form has been very promising at Casey and his ability to play tall as well as on smalls, and also to be an attacking rebound defender, could easily cover that 3rd/4th tall position, freeing Martin to play forward/ruck.

I've said in a previous post that i think Newton should be given more time to build some consistency at VFL, however i believe you may be right with those selections. I would not be surprised at all if he were selected, nor would i be if he weren't.

Wouldn't mind seeing McNamara debut. Very impressed with his form, especially considering his interrupted pre season. Bate looks hopelessly out of touch, is hanging on by the skin of his teeth. Not sure if he'll be dropped, but it would certainly be warranted if he were.

Stef Martin playing 2nd ruck could be interesting. Hasn't rucked (or trained for rucking) at all this season, can anyone who saw him ruck at Sandy comment on this part of his game? Would be a shame to take him out of a key post, either forward or back, but i do tend to be with u in the assumption that Spencer will not play given his lack of recent match fitness.

Who knows, big Stef might even come out and play an absolute blinder a la Paddy Ryder a couple of weeks ago!

I'd disagree that Newton needs to find form with Casey. He's obviously already in form, just needs to work on his goal kicking. In his two games for melbourne he kicked 2.4 and 0.3 (on a shocking night for forwards), he laid 4 tackles in each of those games too. So he's had 9 shots on goal in 2 games, if he keeps that average going in our forward line, he's doing his job... On top of that he went back to Casey, kicked 5.3 with 2 out on the full, so he's had 10 shots at goal in the one game.

I think we can all say without a doubt that he'd offer us more than Bate is currently.

As for Stef, if Spencer isn't up to playing AFL (would be handy for my supercoach team if he is) we really don't have another option to play in the ruck. Bailey has said while they want to develop him as a defender, they'll look at playing him in other parts of the ground. Johnson to ruck the majority of the match, with Stef only rucking while PJ has a rest on the bench... He's got better skills than any of our other ruckman, and has good speed, so could be very dangerous around the ground.

What has Bennell done to be dropped?

I hope he plays 22 games this year, he looks a really good running player for the future

Anyway, now that Meesen is probally gone 3 changes are intact

In- Spencer, Jetta, Cheney

Out- Maric, Meesen, Bate

if u watched the game bennell's first 6 touches were clangers thats why

if u watched the game bennell's first 6 touches were clangers thats why

he did butcher the ball, but it's the first bad game he's had as far as his use of the footy goes... Playing a side like Geelong will tend to do that. If his body is coping, he keeps playing.

At least until Wheels is completely ready anyways, as he's essentially playing in Whelan's spot at the moment...

What has Bennell done to be dropped?

I hope he plays 22 games this year, he looks a really good running player for the future

It'd be pretty unusual for him to play every game in his first season, even if his form holds up.

if u watched the game bennell's first 6 touches were clangers thats why

Its a fair observation but consider the context. It was Geelong in a frenetic game. Thats big stage stuff and he had the fumbles. But just as his earlier efforts were a bit ordianiry his later fforts were more demonstrative of his poise and ability to kick.

fair's fair

a run in the magoos is no punishment for him at this stage of his career, just an opportunity to refine his game and put into practice things he's already learnt from playing big time footy.

What has Bennell done to be dropped? I hope he plays 22 games this year, he looks a really good running player for the future Anyway, now that Meesen is probally gone 3 changes are intact In- Spencer, Jetta, Cheney Out- Maric, Meesen, Bate

Even though Maric had quite a few errors last week i dont think dropping him is the answer. He is better than that. If cheney comes in i would assume it would be for bennell and not bate.

Now that Meesen's out:

In: McNamara, Cheney, Spencer

Out: Dunn, Bate, Meesen

OUT:

MEESE - Injured

BATE - Lazy, lazy, lazy..... slow, slow, slow..... predictable, predictable, predictable

IN:

NEWTON - He did play well for Casey, and he wasn't terrible in his 2 AFL level games this year.... his goal kicking ability is disgraceful!! If he could fix this he will be a good player.

JETTA - A few reasons for this..... The major reason is because Subi is a BIG ground, it's going to be a 27 degree day and we need runners. Stefan Martin can pinch hit in the ruck with PJ, lets face facts, we were never going to beat Dean Cox anyway. We need to run out this game, we need pace and smaller players. Also I think it would do wonders for both Bennell and Jetta to go home to WA for this game, it will be great for them to return home and play AFL footy in front of their friends and family.

Out: Bate & Messen

In: Newton (should never have been dropped ahead of Bate in the first place) and Whelan.

I like to see Whelan in the back pocket and Bartram tag Kerr.

This not meant as a Whelan bash..its a stance I have towards logical development of our list. Can someone/ferris/anyone expalin to me what if any is the point in playing any end of career player with limited time left as against players needing time over the paint.

AM happy to listen

This not meant as a Whelan bash..its a stance I have towards logical development of our list. Can someone/ferris/anyone expalin to me what if any is the point in playing any end of career player with limited time left as against players needing time over the paint.

AM happy to listen

Apart from the fact that DB must be as sick of losing as the supporters are, if he though Whelan was the best player for a particular game and would help get a win he would pick him over youth....I think what he has said....is that out of whoever is available, is fit and in form will get the gig regardless of age...hence he had Jetta and Bennell in from the get go coz everyone else was injured....he has a few alternatives on the way back now but they have to earn it........I would have no problem with Wheels playing this weekend......he has got back and was really good for Casey, so was Cheney, and Bennell has looked good....gives DB a few options which is only good for the club...

Makes Wheels want to try harder, makes Bennell play above where he should be at, and encourages Cheney to do the same, wiish we had that across all the possies in the team at the moment...

Whelan did not look fit on Saturday on Coburg. Proppy but with his cool decision making obvious at that standard.

I dont think its a matter of Matty Whelan trying harder. His body is giving out.

Whelan did not look fit on Saturday on Coburg. Proppy but with his cool decision making obvious at that standard.

I dont think its a matter of Matty Whelan trying harder. His body is giving out.

I think this is the actual concern for me. Its not so much I think as to whether he will unfortunately suffer any more setbacks/injuries but when. ANd if its an inevitable then for mine Irather just rotate some youth through these positions and give them a taste and idea of what they need to do, the level they need to master etc. As ironic as it was it wasnt til Meesen was given a few games at the top level that he actually found his stride. We need to offer others the same opportunity I feel.

This year isnt about winning its about trying to win, that is getting the team into positions of winning via better experience and cohesion.

How many times do we hear from players.. "Im starting to feel like I ought to be here"..that takes time and games

Whelan did not look fit on Saturday on Coburg. Proppy but with his cool decision making obvious at that standard.

I dont think its a matter of Matty Whelan trying harder. His body is giving out.

I think this is sad but true.

Looked a class above with his disposal but whether he is physically up to the challenge of AFL football is the question.

That was the point I was making for the small defender DB has a choice, so it is whoever he thinks is fit and in form, agree Whelan looked a class above and would be a disappointment if he finished off his career in VFL and he looked slightly proppy at times but also agree the young kids deserve a go........if Whelan has had a good week at training that was my point DB has picked him coz he thinks he is fit and in form, same with the other two..........

Out: Meesen

In: Spencer

We have to keep playing Bate and Dunn. I think they are potentiallly good ordinary players for us.

Please keep Martin away from centre bounces!

Please keep Martin away from centre bounces!

Amen to that. I really don't want to see Stef in at the bounce.

robbos been out for 10mnths, is flying him to perth for one game of footy worth it, i thought they mite have shown a little more precaution with him, but i suppose that comes down to our medical staff.

robbos been out for 10mnths, is flying him to perth for one game of footy worth it, i thought they mite have shown a little more precaution with him, but i suppose that comes down to our medical staff.

Not sure what you mean? The club showed great precaution with Robbo by leaving him in the VFL for 4 weeks.... Another team definately would have rushed a player of his calibur back even sooner. Including last weekends game thats 5 weeks of footy under his belt, if he isn't ready now he never will be, and if he isn't ready now he shouldn't have played last week. But he is ready, and as Robbo has said during interviews, he doesn't want to be held back, he doesn't want to think about his injury, he wants to play every game he can as if it was his last.

is a long time for a veteran to sit on a plane then go out and play, especially after the injury hes just had, the guys nearly 31 been out for months, do you think a powerhouse club would do the same thing, or do you think there doctors would say rest this week to far to travel.