I really believe our back half has impoved out of sight this year and has the potential to be a very solid foundation with which to build on, the main reasons for this is obviously Frawley, Garland and Grimes' (when there) ability to play on various players. Run and carry coming out of the back half, all three play with a bit of flair, execute well, are good at ground level, as well as in the air. Playing on the dangerous small forwards we have many alternatives. Frawley will do the job if the job is big enough (ie. on Milne), Garland & Grimes are more than capable of doing so, and of course Bartram - as he did on the weekend. As for the talls - Frawley, Rivers, MacDonald and we have Warnock in reserve if and when called upon to take them (if it suits).

The likes of Rivers & MacDonald have had their critics at times, granted. However, they've often shown how valuable and adaptable they can be for the team. The back 6, collectively, can all work out their best suited opponents (in conjunction with Wellman) and identify opposition's weaknesses and where they can exploit opposition sides down back. Signs of good leadership. Both Rivers & MacDonald don't deviate and they attack the ball with vigour. MacDonald is also effective when in possession and tries to provide and release runners with the ball for attack. Rivers IMO has to be one of the most effective spoilers in the game.

Cameron Bruce is another component that has been most effective in stopping key players this season. To date he has arguably had a most consistent season; probably got gradually better as the season has progressed. His job on Ryan O'Keefe was as good as any in neutralising an important player for the Swans.

Other options:

Jamie Bennell can be exciting and can learn to be more accountable. At the moment he is providing for the team elsewhere up forward and through the midfield at times. JB is more than competent in helping out down back I believe, if and when required.

James Strauss is another still taking steps at Casey. Development as always, is the key.

For the moment for K.Cheney, M.Warnock & T.MacNamara have much to work on. Warnock is very handy for the bigger stronger forwards but lacks versatility.

All-Australian:

J.Frawley has thrown his hat in the ring. He is my current tip to be named next to Brian Lake of the Bulldogs as part of the AA Back 6. He is definitely a gun. Improvement will be scary for opposition. But I'll take it.

Areas for Improvement:

Kicking out efficiency.

Current back 6/defence ranking (AFL 2010):

7th

Nice. I've been saying the all the hawks supporters who are wondering how their backline got so good out of nowhere - its what happens when the ball spends most the time down there.

Frawley has had another great season and continues to be our most impressive back but credit has to go to Garland. I was a critic at the start of the year about his position but he has proved me wrong in a big way. I cant wait till next weekend to see him take on Fev and give him a hiding! The other one who has really impressed me this year is Bartram. Im glad he was able to get a lot of the ball this week so people could start noticing the work he has been doing. He always works hard on his opponents and does the team role shutting down one of the key small forwards.

I am really happy with the development of the backline and with pleanty of "back up" it should be a fortress in years to come.

I am really happy with the development of the backline and with pleanty of "back up" it should be a fortress in years to come.

When our midfield is on top (which has been rare) it makes life easier for the backline. But for me, it's the cohesion between the group, quick handball, understanding of one another that strikes me in terms of improvement.

The Brisbane game earlier in the year was terrific down back that night. They clicked that night - but so did our midfield.

When the boys are on (switched on and on top), they're exciting to watch.

Joel is a very important player for us. He will never be a star, but his experience and toughness will be very important for many years, even through our premiership attacks. The big challenge for Joel is consistency, and ensuring he keeps in the team. This is up to Joel. He is probably in the same boat as Bate, Bartram and Dunn in the fact that they have to perform week after week otherwise they may be in danger of losing a spot. As we will see this week, it is getting tougher and tougher for selection, so it is vital that these blokes put in 100% every game. An off day may cost them a month in the reserves - harsh but true.

Warnock is very important this week, and if recalled after a few good Casey performances, will need to do the same job on Brown that he did earlier this year.

But, our backline has had the time to develop and play together during our crappy times. They are ranked #7 (I think) in points against, a fantastic effort, and will only improve as our midfield gets better (due to increased pressure on opposition mids to hopefully reduce the amount of inside 50's the backline have to put up with).

As I have said in a number of other posts, our forward line is at the same stage as our backline was at 2 years ago.

Joel is a very important player for us. He will never be a star, but his experience and toughness will be very important for many years, even through our premiership attacks. The big challenge for Joel is consistency, and ensuring he keeps in the team. This is up to Joel. He is probably in the same boat as Bate, Bartram and Dunn in the fact that they have to perform week after week otherwise they may be in danger of losing a spot. As we will see this week, it is getting tougher and tougher for selection, so it is vital that these blokes put in 100% every game. An off day may cost them a month in the reserves - harsh but true.

Warnock is very important this week, and if recalled after a few good Casey performances, will need to do the same job on Brown that he did earlier this year.

But, our backline has had the time to develop and play together during our crappy times. They are ranked #7 (I think) in points against, a fantastic effort, and will only improve as our midfield gets better (due to increased pressure on opposition mids to hopefully reduce the amount of inside 50's the backline have to put up with).

As I have said in a number of other posts, our forward line is at the same stage as our backline was at 2 years ago.

Earlier in the season Warnock was more on Fev, Frawley was more often on Brown.

Nice.

Frawley has had another great season and continues to be our most impressive back but credit has to go to Garland.

I am really happy with the development of the backline and with pleanty of "back up" it should be a fortress in years to come.

Sure is.

I wathced Garland more than others on the field yesterday and am ashamed to say i never appreciated him before. Long arms are a wonderful thing A defence to build an era on IMO. Grimes is great but belongs midfield.

Sure is.

I wathced Garland more than others on the field yesterday and am ashamed to say i never appreciated him before. Long arms are a wonderful thing A defence to build an era on IMO. Grimes is great but belongs midfield.

Backline coach would disagree entirely. Looks at home down back, but I'm prepared to see more of him in the middle.

Earlier in the season Warnock was more on Fev, Frawley was more often on Brown.

yet rivers drifted from his man and played 3rd man up nearly every time.

I think we still lack the attacking rebound defenders with devastating kicking skills which hopefully strauss, grimes or someone else can become but thats not to say its looking like a dam goo unit already, but that will be the icing on the proverbial cake.