Chris Connolly on SEN

[Bay Riffin 1,508]

Just some notes on an interview by Connolly today ...

He mentioned with Frawley out we need some others to step up. Warnock can play the bigger forwards but we are still looking for some others to step up down back. We are looking to have 7 or 8 defenders who can rotate through. He named 4 players in Tapscott, Strauss, Blease and Bennell who they are looking to step up this year.

On Watts - some think he is 21 but he is 19, currently the quickest in the team, great vision and skills but his best years are 3-4 years away. We look to him to progress his development this year. Speaking to Sean Wellman, Patty Ryder looks ready to take it up a notch after 7 years, so tall blokes can take that long in reality.

Asked by Schwarz if you could wave a magic wand for a type of player, which would it be? He basically said the midfield is key. We feel we have all bases covered for the future (kidding isn't he - big bodied key forward ??) but a gun midfielder or two would be a good start.

On Tom Scully - (straight bat) we have to make sure all players are happy, not just Tom. we have the best training facilities in the AFL and hope all our players buy into our vision for a premiership.

smokey to look out for this year for our dream team players?

First person he thought of on the new players was Lucas Cook. Will add to our forward line although probably won't play a lot of senior footy this year. Fantastic kick.

Jordie McKenzie if healthy, always gets to the right spots. On his injury he said his body hasn't quite held up under the volume of work over the last 2 years. He slid in the draft with injury queries but we are confident he would be ok going forward. Hmmmm...noticeable he didn't give any time frames ???

asked about Robbie Campbell - he said they are confident he will be up and about by round 4.

Asked on Tapscott - he is tough but keeps hurting himself, but if he continues as he is going he could be one of the recruits of the year.

[Grandson of a gun 276]

Just some notes on an interview by Connolly today...

Thanks Bay....

About what you'd expect re Scully.

Again re-iterates how long Watts' development will take and hopefully will make some Demonlanders around here realise that it is nothing but time and games of footy that will help Watts develop. Patience is a virtue.

Re your big bodied forwards comment- Watts and Cook both have big frames and given time will develop into strong blokes who will be able to take strong contested marks- but it will take sweet time...

Yeah the game is all about midfielders- have a look at the two dominant teams of the 2000's:

Brisbane- Voss, Black, Aker, Lappin, Power all top class mids at their best

Geelong- Ablett, Selwood, Bartel, Corey, Chapman, Ling again all top class mids at their best

Yeah if Tappy can get fit my man crush might just extend to two players......

[Bay Riffin 1,508]

interesting when you look at our new players like Tapscott and it's frustrating as well.

How many new recruits in recent years have basically played shortened seasons or no season at all at the Dees in their first year to two?

Gysberts last year, Blease, Tapscott, Grimes missing huge chunks. Jurrah, Bail, even Watts to a lesser degree. Maric, Strauss missing big chunks with shoulders. Compare that to chip Frawley who despite his recent injury has had continuity in his development over 4 years.

Would be nice this year if Cook, Howe and co can play senior Casey football all year at the very least. Already Davis has a thyroid condition seemingly taking months of development away. hopefully that's the worse of it for this years crop as year long injuries to new recruits are getting tiresome.

I know new kids are more susceptible with the massive increase in training loads but geez, we have had a frustrating run in development.

Other side of the coin of course is we have a queue of top recruits barely seen at AFL level yet.

[Keyser Söze 0]

Tapscott? Tapscott in the backline?? Tapscott??

Funny how when I suggested this a year ago, that he could go in the backline and play like a Josh Hunt, I was shouted down by the idiot brigade.

It is an option. (not an option like jcb thinks playing Garland as a mid, a real option)

[dee-luded 2,959]

interesting when you look at our new players like Tapscott and it's frustrating as well.

How many new recruits in recent years have basically played shortened seasons or no season at all at the Dees in their first year to two?

Gysberts last year, Blease, Tapscott, Grimes missing huge chunks. Jurrah, Bail, even Watts to a lesser degree. Maric, Strauss missing big chunks with shoulders. Compare that to chip Frawley who despite his recent injury has had continuity in his development over 4 years.

Would be nice this year if Cook, Howe and co can play senior Casey football all year at the very least. Already Davis has a thyroid condition seemingly taking months of development away. hopefully that's the worse of it for this years crop as year long injuries to new recruits are getting tiresome.

I know new kids are more susceptible with the massive increase in training loads but geez, we have had a frustrating run in development.

Other side of the coin of course is we have a queue of top recruits barely seen at AFL level yet.

Of the young 'Talls', 'Bay Riffin',,, I'd like to see our young defenders come on quick... Davis & Tom McDonald with Howe & Fitzpatrick making a positive impression, would make my year. Big hope looking forwards.

Of the small/mediums,,, Tapscott, Maric, Wonna, Jetta, Bail, would good to see playing a hard brand of footy.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Tapscott? Tapscott in the backline?? Tapscott??

Funny how when I suggested this a year ago, that he could go in the backline and play like a Josh Hunt, I was shouted down by the idiot brigade.

It is an option. (not an option like jcb thinks playing Garland as a mid, a real option)

A bit precious ther Keyser,, a player his size will need to play in many spots.

[Demon Disciple 12,489]

Tapscott? Tapscott in the backline?? Tapscott??

Funny how when I suggested this a year ago, that he could go in the backline and play like a Josh Hunt, I was shouted down by the idiot brigade.

It is an option. (not an option like jcb thinks playing Garland as a mid, a real option)

Could work quite well. Get the ball on a half back flank and then boom..............ball is 40 metres out from goal. Bypass all the midfield traffic. Or, kick-out from a behind and then boom.......... ball is 40 metres out from goal.

[Keyser Söze 0]

With his kicking a toughness he'd be a perfect zone buster from the half back flank.

[Mono 457]

Aren't we getting a bit ahead of our selves with Tapscott?

He hasn't played a game yet.

[H_T 3,049]

Aren't we getting a bit ahead of our selves with Tapscott?

He hasn't played a game yet.

Who is getting ahead of themselves in relation to Tapscott ? He may not of played a game, but some are aware of his attributes. I don't see anyone spruiking him as a B&F or rising star just yet , do you ?

[Fork 'em 7,052]

I'm starting to think Tapscott is a figment of our imagination .

[old dee 24,028]

I'm starting to think Tapscott is a figment of our imagination .

Me too

Current all looks and no action.

Hope I see the real thing on the park soon!

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

I'm starting to think Tapscott is a figment of our imagination .

Good one, Tapscott has be the most mentioned player on this forum who hasn't played a game.

[e25 5]

Good one, Tapscott has be the most mentioned player on this forum who hasn't played a game.

Probably because he's one of the few non-1st year players to have not yet played.

He might even be the only one.

It depends on whether you count the NAB cup games Blease has played.

If you don't, he beats Tapscott hands down.

The kid has been injured and beyond that it has very little meaning.

[The Great One 99 125]

I heard this interview also. It sounded to me like he was pretty exited about Lucas Cook. Rated him very highly. Could even see a bit more of him this year than expected.

[e25 5]

CC just likes to spruik our young kids.

He has done the same with Fitzpatrick, who is still yet to play.

[H_T 3,049]

Good one, Tapscott has be the most mentioned player on this forum who hasn't played a game.

Sam Blease says hello.

[Tony Tea 2,816]

Diamond Jim Tapscott... just kidding. Touch wood. Still kidding.

[hillie 41]

Good one, Tapscott has be the most mentioned player on this forum who hasn't played a game.

yes my boy tapscott.

going have to get out to visy to see his first appearance and the firs time i'll get to wear the number 35 with someone out on the ground representing it.