Wrong?

And Bailey never drops players after a single game in the seniors, particularly if they are returning from injury.

While Bailey's made comments along those lines, and it's generally the case, didn't Valenti get dropped after coming in for one game just a few weeks ago?

While Bailey's made comments along those lines, and it's generally the case, didn't Valenti get dropped after coming in for one game just a few weeks ago?

Correct

While Bailey's made comments along those lines, and it's generally the case, didn't Valenti get dropped after coming in for one game just a few weeks ago?

Valenti wasn't returning from injury.

There are always exceptions, but in general Bailey will play everyone for at least two weeks in a row, particularly if, like Bell, they are being tried in a new position.

Bell showed promise as a midfielder in the pre-season, but missed 6 weeks with a broken thumb. To dump him after one game where he really wasn't too bad, is not going to tell us anything about his future and whether or not he can make it as a midfielder.

We know Valenti, we know what we can do, where he fits into the list and what we'll get from him (give or take improvement/experience).

Bailey doesn't know nearly as much about Bell, and he's been on our list a lot longer. Time to give him a run once and for all and see whether he can deliver the goods in the middle. Otherwise, he'll get cut (no room for him in the backline anymore).

Bailey doesn't know nearly as much about Bell, and he's been on our list a lot longer. Time to give him a run once and for all and see whether he can deliver the goods in the middle. Otherwise, he'll get cut (no room for him in the backline anymore).

That doesn't make sense.

But Bailey is giving him a go to see whether his PS form meant significant improvement.

Both Valenti and Bell will find it difficult to get a contract for 2010, but Bell would be behind Valenti at this stage.

And BTW, Bailey royally screwed Valenti with his one game a few weeks ago.

He's doing a good job IMO, but that was pointless. Give blokes a month to have a look at them in our state. Even Newton.

Disagree Bell will get contracted next year.

Valenti wasn't returning from injury.

Fwiw, you didn't say 'only when they are returing from injury', and it's certainly not the only time someone's just come in for one game.

While - as I said - it's generally correct it's certainly not always the case and a few other people on here have mentioned similar comments to you regarding Bailey giving players extended runs (including the man himself).

I don't think Valenti's the only example - just the most recent - and I don't think he'll be the last either.

I agree on Stef... I'm as big a Stef fan as they come. As soon as I saw him play, I was convinced we had a good player. When he almost won the grand final sprint, I was so excited at the prospects of this guy.

But they obviously want him to learn to play forward, which I hope they do down at Casey. We already know that he can play back. But if he can learn the craft down forward in the VFL, then he will be a very dangerous player.

Keep in mind too, he's played key forward against Hawthorn and St. Kilda. Not exactly easy sides to play well as a deep forward against. Keep the faith, keep teaching the boy, and he'll become a beauty.

COULDNT agree more

AFTER watching the game today

our backline was a JOKE. an embarassment

STEFAN MARTIN should never have been dropped

Disagree Bell will get contracted next year.

sure?

He tried, but he awareness is TERRIBLE.

Disagree Bell will get contracted next year.

no chance... his lack of awareness is going to be his undoing... i think he's the first one to go to be honest...

I actually think we made a few mistakes at the selection table this week (not that those mistakes cost us the game, but nevertheless).

I know Miller was out of form, but we missed him today and again had no solid target to kick to.

Martin should have played instead of PJ (Jamar is the only one who can ruck anyways, and at least Martin can defend and won't turn the ball over consistently), and perhaps Bennell should have played ahead of Whelan.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I actually think we made a few mistakes at the selection table this week (not that those mistakes cost us the game, but nevertheless).

I know Miller was out of form, but we missed him today and again had no solid target to kick to.

Martin should have played instead of PJ (Jamar is the only one who can ruck anyways, and at least Martin can defend and won't turn the ball over consistently), and perhaps Bennell should have played ahead of Whelan.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Totally agree Jaded your ideas sound good-

I actually think we made a few mistakes at the selection table this week (not that those mistakes cost us the game, but nevertheless).

I know Miller was out of form, but we missed him today and again had no solid target to kick to.

Martin should have played instead of PJ (Jamar is the only one who can ruck anyways, and at least Martin can defend and won't turn the ball over consistently), and perhaps Bennell should have played ahead of Whelan.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Hindsight is definitely a wonderful thing. But your suggestions are good anyway. Bennell should have played over Whelan or Bell. Martin should have played over PJ.