Just thought I'd look back at the Round 1 team & compare it to last weekend's team & was surprised at the number of changes:

Midfield: Sylvia (now) instead of Moloney (then);

Defence: Bail, Garland & Bartram instead of Grimes, Warnock & Strauss;

Forwards: Jurrah, Watts, Wonna & PJ instead of Petterd, Miller, Bate & Spencer.

Some very good players from Round 1 that we're missing, but overall I think we're in better shape to take on the Hawks this week than we were then.

We are indeed and it's great to see.

Don't forget that so are they !

Think about the players they had out in round 1. Wasn't it Franklin, Hodge, Lewis, Brown and Bateman or something?!

Enormous test this Sunday.

Moloney will be available.

Not sure if i missed something but did Cale Morton play for Casey on the weekend or was he injured?

Moloney will not be available, but apparently Grimes is a chance. Hard to see him coming straight back in without a week at Casey...

I sure hope Gysberts' injury isn't anything long term, same goes with Gawn

One lesson from Round 1 is that we went in with 2 rucks, Jamar & Spencer. The next week we dropped Spencer for a mobile small player & rucked with Jamar alone, and started doing much better. If the selectors consider this to have been significant, we'll go in with one ruckman.

If so, do we go with a probably-not-fully-fit Jamar? Or with PJ, who's not as good (though he's certainly done better last few games), but who could probably ruck for more of the game, leaving us less time with Dunn or Sylvia (or Miller???) in the ruck?

One lesson from Round 1 is that we went in with 2 rucks, Jamar & Spencer. The next week we dropped Spencer for a mobile small player & rucked with Jamar alone, and started doing much better. If the selectors consider this to have been significant, we'll go in with one ruckman.

If so, do we go with a probably-not-fully-fit Jamar? Or with PJ, who's not as good (though he's certainly done better last few games), but who could probably ruck for more of the game, leaving us less time with Dunn or Sylvia (or Miller???) in the ruck?

PJ with Miller backup? Oh, the horror . . . the horror!

Think about the players they had out in round 1. Wasn't it Franklin, Hodge, Lewis, Brown and Bateman or something?!

Missing were Franklin, Sewell, Rioli, Burgoyne, Gibson, Bateman... and add to that NO RUCKMEN!!

And we got done by 50+ points...! Hawthorn are a much MUCH classier side and always teach us a lesson. If we can't beat them when they are without those players mentioned above, we never really will - until 2012-13

Missing were Franklin, Sewell, Rioli, Burgoyne, Gibson, Bateman... and add to that NO RUCKMEN!!

And we got done by 50+ points...! Hawthorn are a much MUCH classier side and always teach us a lesson. If we can't beat them when they are without those players mentioned above, we never really will - until 2012-13

Great to see some optimism.

I watched the Hawks last weekend and they were insipid for three quarters. They've not been any good since they drew with St Kilda three weeks ago and on current form, we are more than a good chance of matching them.

Given it's a Sunday match, we'll have 3 players as 'ins' on the extended bench, even though we're likely to have no change.

I'll go with Miller, Morton and Tapscott.

Given it's a Sunday match, we'll have 3 players as 'ins' on the extended bench, even though we're likely to have no change.

I'll go with Miller, Morton and Tapscott.

I'd say Miller, Morton & Grimes.

Still no change though.

my prediction is no changes. Grimes would only be brought in if he is 100% ready to go and the club think he doesn't need a week- that being said, our captain played a game at Casey coming back from a hammy

USUALLY a club rule if you miss more than 2 weeks you come back via the reserves no matter who you are

Bail can't be dropped. The guy was running HARD right up until the final siren and can take a great overhead mark too.

Bail had a crappy 1st half - 1st 3 quarters and when he did get his act together, gave away 3 free kicks to his direct opponent (Newman).

He did some good things, but some bad stuff as well.. needs to keep improving, but deserves another week.

Out: Watts, Scully

"Right now Miller gives more to the team than Watts.."

Wow. Im not quite sure where to start. I rarely post but this one just made me cringe.

As for Dropping the Scull, well, I have no words for you worth typing.

Other thing, Tapscott is ALOT closer than most seem to think, he may be a surprise in this or the next week.

Yep, made me cringe too.

Funny you should mention Tapscott, as he is NOT listed in the Casey team this week!

I just commented in that thread, that i thought he'd hopefully just be sore..(after joking that he may be about to debut)

Sh!t - if he did hey!!

Re: Watts, I think too many people expect him to come out & be Nick Riewoldt Mk II.

It just won't happen; it's just not his game.

Why? Do you have a reason, or do you just think he wont?

I've actually marvelled a lot lately at how much he DOES look like a young Nick Riewoldt.

Watts a high half-forward, obviously born for that position as he already has started to control games and movement across there.

Hes a good mark, a great decision maker already, a great kick, good below his knees for a big fella, unselfish, captain material and he even looks like Riewoldt the way he glides across the ground.

Personally and IMO, by the time wattsy gets to Riewoldts age (and experience) - he'll make Riewoldt look like a class below. Im not just hoping for it, I can already see it.

I wish people would stop suggesting Bartram to be dropped particularly to bring in Cheney. Bartram is by far our best small defender.

Barty has exploded this year. Cheney has progressed nicely, but Bartrams taken all before him. Competing with Jamar as most improved player this year for mine.. (prob a bit behind tho)

Would just have to keep doing what he's doing to keep his spot in the starting 22.

Shame we wont get to see him take on Rioli on the weekend.

EDIT: oh- and no changes this week.. (unless the Tappy thing takes us by surprise - and if so, id guess it would be for an injury/niggle, or bennell.)

UNCHANGED LINE UP FOR SUNDAY's GAME!!