In: Miller, Martin, Bennell

Out: Maric, Bell, PJ

Essendon have 0 rucks (1 if Ryder challenges). Martin can help out Jamar.

Maric has given almost nothing to the team since he was included. I think he needs to regain some confidence at Casey.

Watts probably shouldn't play but I think it's fair to give him another week.

AGREE

with PJ out are you sayign JaMAR will be the only Ruck?

POSSIBLY OUT robertson...

Newton is long gone, as the commentators said after his last AFL game - he is merely a good vfl player nothing more

and the commentators know everything... David Schwartz was asked how juice was heading on SEN today... said that he still needs to improve on his 2nd and 3rd efforts... Those of us who've seen him play for Casey know he's definitely rectified this area of his game...

Don't write of Juice, not saying he'll be a star, but I think he'll play another 50 games for the MFC...

IN: Bennell, Martin, Miller

OUT: Bate, Bell, Cheney

He was ok today at best, along with most of the others, and thats probably being generous

I recon cheney can be the next whelan possibly better, at VFL level his shown he can gather alot of the ball.

We should keep playing him, let him string a couple of games together, we havent given much chance so far.

As for Watts, He is a definite part of our future let him play out the year. What number one draft pic gets dropped the next week.

OUT: THE WHOLE [censored] TEAM BLOODY PATHETIC.

B: FRAWLEY, WARNOCK, GRIMES

HB: BENNELL, MARTIN, DAVEY

C: MORTON, JONES, BRUCE

HF: BATE, MILLER, WATTS

F: JETTA, ROBERTSON, JURRAH

FOLL: JAMAR, MOLONEY, SYLVIA

IC: MCLEAN, BARTRAM, DUNN, GREEN

Rivers?

v Essendon

B: FRAWLEY, WARNOCK, GRIMES

HB: BENNELL, RIVERS, CHENEY

C: MORTON, McLEAN, BRUCE

HF: DAVEY, MILLER, SYLVIA

F: MARIC, BATE, WATTS

FOLL: JAMAR, MOLONEY, JONES

IC: ROBERTSON, MARTIN, DUNN, GREEN

5 changes:

OUT: Bell, McDonald, PJ, Whelan, Robertson

IN: Miller, Dunn, Bennell, Martin, Jurrah

Note: Saw Sylvia pull up at the end of the game holding groin after he sprinted just prior to final siren. May be nothing, keep a watch out.

Out: Bell, Whelan, PJ

In: Jurrah, Bennell, Martin

It might take a little shuffling to get everyone in the right places. I'd like to see Jurrah and Watts both playing in the forward 50. Bennell is a straight swap for Whelan. I have no idea where Martin would wind up playing, but it's simply a waste not to have him out there.

Note: Saw Sylvia pull up at the end of the game holding groin after he sprinted just prior to final siren. May be nothing, keep a watch out.

Oh god. :angry:

He was ok today at best, along with most of the others, and thats probably being generous

I recon cheney can be the next whelan possibly better, at VFL level his shown he can gather alot of the ball.

I think Cheney will be our next Peter Walsh, Bennell will be our next Whelan...

and the commentators know everything... David Schwartz was asked how juice was heading on SEN today... said that he still needs to improve on his 2nd and 3rd efforts... Those of us who've seen him play for Casey know he's definitely rectified this area of his game...

Don't write of Juice, not saying he'll be a star, but I think he'll play another 50 games for the MFC...

Agreed, But I think he'll play about another 33 or so games for the DEES, at this point in time.

Also take into consideration we can elevate a rookie...

Even though the game is 2 weeks away we might know some of the changes earlier with casey having a sunday game. I would imagine they wouldnt want players playing sunday then friday night

A major point to consider here is the 5 day turn around between Casey's Sunday game & our Friday night encounter v the Bombers @ the Dome.

Never take pleasure in dropping players, although this week I make an exception to drop Bate and Johnson with absolute glee.

IN: Bennell, Martin, Miller

OUT: Bate, Bell, PJ

If bate was not dropped 4 weeks ago, then he will not be dropped now..

After the initial bitter disappointment and anger i felt earlier has slowly started to settle, i feel i might now be able to talk a bit about the game... I was so upset at the time, and i still am, yet the wild statements i made right after the match (after a few beers) about how i wanted to drop half the side have eased somewhat. That said, if i had my way i'd still make 4 changes.

OUT: Johnson, Bell, Robertson, Whelan (inj).

IN: Martin, Bennell, Miller, Jurrah

PJ is one of my favorites and i've been a strong defender of his for some time. Today his disposal and decision-making was at it's worst- absolutely disgraceful again, and he must be dropped. Apart from one nice assist when the game was over and his 16 hit-outs (Collingwood had a total of 17), he was dreadful, just dreadful. I don't think his ruckwork was bad though, but his lack of decision-making ability in crucial parts of the ground cost the team badly! I'd like to see him go back to Casey and dominate to earn his way back into the team, regardless of our lack of ruck options. Essendon don't have a strong ruck division with just Ryder, so Jamar can mostly ruck alone.

Although Martin wasn't great at Casey, i wouldn't mind seeing him come back in as some 'big-man insurance', in case Jamar goes down, or if he needs a break. Essendon have only Ryder, with Hooker attempting to relieve for Ryder. Jamar will also need a rest, and a good time to let Stef' do the rucking when Hooker swings into the ruck while Ryder and Jamar are benched, probably only 5-8 minutes a quarter.

Bell was very average and Bennell was stiff to miss out for him this week. Jamie is only young, but a future star and we need to get more time and experience into him. He has shown plenty to be excited about. Unfortunately for Bell, his lack of awarness and slow decision-making seems uncorrectable. Grimes and Cheney, whilst beaten by their direct opponents today, have shown plenty of promise in Bell's position, and in the midfield Bell just doesnt get enough of the ball to warrant selection there.

Robbo is another favourite of mine, but his game was completely ineffectual today and his poor set-shot conversion rate is killing us. Was happy that the only goal he scored today was from a free kick he won for holding-the-ball, as tackling has never been his strong suit, but other than that, no good Robbo.

Miller played really well at Casey and should return to provide a strong body in the forward line, but i worry about his ability to kick goals too. Regardless, his form has been better than Robbo's, so Robbo'll have to go back and fight for his spot. Big chance for Miller to show some leadership and kick a few in his absence.

Whelan will likely miss with injury so, my last inclusion is controversial but, i think we should play Jurrah on the friday night against the 'dons. His contribution to the Scorps win on Saturday was massive, 4 goals and numerous assists, was all class. He showed poise, skill and strong marking, and with Robbo out, he can fill that role and support Miller. I know he's just developing and is a long-term project, but judging from what DB said before todays match, he was VERY excited about Jurrah, who is much further advanced than the club had expected and was definitely close to selection. I think (hope) it'll happen.

Out: Bell, Robbo,................................................Whelan.... [censored]

In: Jurrah (maybe a couple of weeks though) T.Mac, Miller, Martin

I'm ringing in the changes

OUT : Maccas (inj) , Robbo , Wheels , Bate , Bruce , PJ , and 1 more underperforming player (McLean?)

IN : Dunn , Newton , Martin , Jurrah , Bennel , Miller , Wheatley

Throw the cat among the pigeons!

The teams been good without winning until this game so i think making massive changes will further erode the groups confidence in themselves and others. Pj made some terrible blunders and needs to either go or be given one more game to prove he can make a decision. Mclean or McDonald are both carrying an injury and we cant afford two slow midfielders not at 100%

Out PJ Mcdonald

In Newton Dunn

Robertson must be dropped.

One swallow does not make a summer and that one tackle will not save him..... he is selfish and not team orientated and for mine, i would rather see bate play out of the square!! how he did not pass the ball to jack watts - well just sums him up!!

how brad miller is not in this side, well... he carved the competition to bits on saturday and msut be in this team. at least he provides a contest and can take an overhead mark!!!

paul johnson - is doing things a ruckman should not even be trying. as the commentators described, as soon as he went across goal, you knew we were in trouble!!

cameron bruce - another shot for goal missed, turned the ball over, etc... nothing n ew from cameron today!!

bailey needs to have a look at the team, the future and where we are headed!!

i hate bagging our players but on the biggest stage of the year, they dish that [censored] up...... embarrassing effort!!

well done to colin sylvia...

Our backs and Forwards aren't the main area of concern our midfield got smashed yesterday, and the worse thing is we don't have any high quality coming through at the moment. Valenti and Dunn are much of the same as Mclean, Moloney, Jones, McDonald and apart from him them we don't have much else ready to play. We can change Robbo/Bate for Miller/Newton but if we can't improve our ball movement and the amount of times we enter our forward 50 these changes would have no effect.

Essendon are quick, if we play a midfield of Jones/Mclean/Moloney/McDonald/Bruce/Green we will get beaten, the problem is we have no speed at Casey either, Bennell is an option down back, Buckley is still injured, Jetta and Jurrah are more forwards. I think we have to bring in Bennell and Jurrah just for their speed and Miller because he at least tries every week.

In Bennell, Jurrah, Miller

Out Robbo, McDonald, Johnson

The Skipper has been very average this year.

Here are my changes

OUT - Mcdonald, Whelan, Robbo, Bell

IN - Bennell, Miller, Jurrah, Jetta

Junior has been a fantastic servant of the club but his time has come, Whelan and Robbo make way for the future of the club(kids) and Bell will be delisted at years end

Am I the only one who thought Maric played like crap? I know he wasn't the only one, but I don't think Maric has shown enough in the time he's been in the team and I think it's time he went back to Casey to regain some confidence.

Am I the only one who thought Maric played like crap? I know he wasn't the only one, but I don't think Maric has shown enough in the time he's been in the team and I think it's time he went back to Casey to regain some confidence.

Leave the kid alone...will be a star and definitely wasn't our worst today. Was playing in a forward line that was given shocking service from the midfield. Not sure why they didn't throw him on the ball for a while to be honest - would love to see him in there to inject some pace and is very good at winning contested possessions as well.

Am I the only one who thought Maric played like crap? I know he wasn't the only one, but I don't think Maric has shown enough in the time he's been in the team and I think it's time he went back to Casey to regain some confidence.

I think he was pipped by Cameron Bruce for 'Most Deplorable Shot at Goal' yesterday.

Vulnerable players (A quiet last month): PJ, Macca, Bell, Morton, and Whelan.

Inconsistent, but good of late: Bate, Jones, McLean, and Maric.

Don't jump down my throat about Morton, he has had a quiet 3 weeks and may need a break or a run for Casey.

OUT: To play for Casey in the bye - PJ and Bell.

Against Essendon

Chances to come in: Miller, Dunn, Jurrah, Newton, Petterd, Jetta, Bennell, Batram, and Martin.

Wholesale changes are unlikely...

My guess 10 days out...

IN: Miller, Dunn,

OUT: PJ, Bell,

Don't jump down my throat about Morton, he has had a quiet 3 weeks and may need a break or a run for Casey.

It's because he's playing as a defender, which on the one hand I understand (as it teaches him accountability), but on the other hand I hate. Robbing us of one of our best playmakers right about now seems odd.

Can't drop a kid who has been asked to play a different role by the coach to learn.

How people can not have Bennell as an inclusion is beyond me. Especially when we're playing a quick side.

Reported on 'ology that Bennell is out for a few weeks. Don't know the source or the injury.

Agree about Maric. Has a bit of class about him I like.

PJ and Bell would be lucky to retain their spot. As would Whelan, McDonald and possibly McLean on current form, but I think it is unlikely that any of those three will be dropped.

Ins - any two of Dunn, Jurrah, Newton, Martin and Petterd. This week's VFL game is basically an audition for the Essendon game.

I doubt that Valenti will play another game for Melbourne. Appears to have his cards stamped as too small and not quick enough for AFL.

Oh god. :angry:

He walked off ok though. It was when he sprinted and chased down Marty Clarke (irishman) - just after that. He was holding his groin, and kneeled down after the siren. Might not be anything, but it was of some concern I thought at the time. Minor strain perhaps?