With Davey up the ground Petterd has been used for his defensive pressure up forward, a bonus to this is he can take a mark. He has had his injury problems that may effect his ability to run through the midfield. Don't forget our ball delivery into our forwards is still well below par which would make it extremely difficult for a Meduim size player.

Agree completely. Add to this he's a classy user most of the time.

If we can forgive PJ his indifferent start to the year, we can surely forgive this kid. He's played plenty of good footy, and while he might benefit from a week or two with less rpessure at Casey, I back him completely to find form in a few weeks at the most. Maybe Bailey will put the acid on him?

I think being played forward hurts him a little, as he's just not getting enough touches to hurt the opposition. If he could find it 20+ times in a game, I'm sure we'd all be singing a different tune, as he'd likely have at least 3 to his name. Stick fat with him. I have complete confidence he won't make a fool out of us in the long run.

I wouldn't say Petterd has played plenty of good footy. But that's my opinion. He's played 20 games now. Last night he was disappointing and went missing again.

I hope he doesn't make a fool of you.

Petterd is playing forward after always playing as a defender, so I'm not suprised that he is struggling at the moment.

He needs to be played as a defender.

Doesn't look like he'd fit in down back with the current line-up. He's a utility that can be used down back, or he can go forward and kick occassionally the odd checkside goal running in from 10 metres out.

I don't disagree, but at the expense of whom? Once you include the injured Garland, our backline is chockers at the moment.

Agree.

Has done very little in 9 games. Is very unnatural at finding the footy.

Valenti and Cheney got dropped for less.

That said, Garland came back from further back and proved me wrong.

bull crap...what about the game he played against syndey? he racked up the possies and looked very promising, earning himself a rising star nomination...

why arent we playing him where we played him then?

i agree with this one, but i think he may have been over taken in the ranks by the younger players, Bennell, Grimes, Cheney....

i am concerned for this kids future and it would not surprise me if he was poached or even offered the GC17

I wouldn't say Petterd has played plenty of good footy. But that's my opinion. He's played 20 games now. Last night he was disappointing and went missing again.

I hope he doesn't make a fool of you.

Hmmm. You're having trouble with him at the moment aren't you. For me, I saw him play some really sparkling footy in his first ten or so games. Looked like he could do with 20 possessions what Jones does with 30. Loved how he moved. Just looked like a guy who has the genetics to fit in at AFL level. Instead of being a guy who has the heart and footy brain, but not the physique... like Valenti.

I think you may have a point though. I may be a little too overzealous when it comes to supporting him. I might pull my head in for a while, as I think (in the nicest way possible) he's one who could benefit from a spell. I will say though that if he comes out and gets 30 touches next time he plays for the dees it won't take me long to take my rightful place in the drivers seat of that particular bandwagon.

When all's said and one, he potential he's shown so far is pretty considerable, and at 20 games, that will be enough for me to be on his side. If he's not delivering by the end of the year, or worse still next year, then I'll reassess. He has oodles of time.