I am a strong believer that with the 2 LTI's from this week, that it gives us a great opportunity to promote 1 or 2 rookie listed players to give them the chance to have a taste of senior football. However, some on this site don't agree with this, so thought I'd make a poll to get an idea of what others are thinking.

My opinion is that we should promote Michael Evans immediately to replace Grimes (not saying he has to play that role), and I think we leave Spencer's replacement open for the next couple of weeks, with the view of looking at Campbell as his replacement should he start getting some serious game time.

Assuming Trengove is still unavailable, I would like to see Evans debut this week. His Casey form has been high class, and most importantly, consistent.

I would loke to see Nicholson promoted

I am a strong believer that with the 2 LTI's from this week, that it gives us a great opportunity to promote 1 or 2 rookie listed players to give them the chance to have a taste of senior football. However, some on this site don't agree with this ...

I think you're misreading what others have posted. If Rookies are ready, sure, but on current form, and reports from Casey, both Bennel and Jetta would be ahead of Evans (and Nicholson) as mids. (well ... if we can consider Bennel a mid).

Pushing kids into the firsts before they're ready doesn't help anyone, and young players like Gysberts, Bennel, Jetta etc. also need as much AFL game-time as they can get.

But when they've earned their place ... bring it on!

I don't think anyone's against promoting rookies in principle. The only comments I've seen are that it's pointless to make one - or both - upgrades now, if we're not going to use them. This seems entirely reasonable to me. The first thing is to figure out who is in our best 22. If it's one or two rookies, then let's upgrade them*. If not, there's no point.

*The only issue we might have is making sure we were able to upgrade Campbell at a later stage if we thought we might want/need him.

I think you're misreading what others have posted. If Rookies are ready, sure, but on current form, and reports from Casey, both Bennel and Jetta would be ahead of Evans (and Nicholson) as mids. (well ... if we can consider Bennel a mid).

Pushing kids into the firsts before they're ready doesn't help anyone, and young players like Gysberts, Bennel, Jetta etc. also need as much AFL game-time as they can get.

But when they've earned their place ... bring it on!

Agree with bing 181. At this stage, only promote one of the rookies if the Match Committee actually wants to pick them in the side this week.

Agree with bing 181. At this stage, only promote one of the rookies if the Match Committee actually wants to pick them in the side this week.

I don't think anyone is disagreeing on this point

this thread is starting to spin its wheels

I'll back the two mature bodies. Campbell to cover for Jamar when he's fit and Nicholson just ahead of Evans because he's a little more match ready in his body development.

I think you're misreading what others have posted. If Rookies are ready, sure, but on current form, and reports from Casey, both Bennel and Jetta would be ahead of Evans (and Nicholson) as mids. (well ... if we can consider Bennel a mid).

Pushing kids into the firsts before they're ready doesn't help anyone, and young players like Gysberts, Bennel, Jetta etc. also need as much AFL game-time as they can get.

But when they've earned their place ... bring it on!

There comes a time when a young player who has been getting games on talent alone, who has been playing well, and going missing, has to take their horrible medicine, to make them better.

It's been widely recognised, by our own supporters and club,,,, as well as past and present players from the wider AFL community, that we've been "SOFT". We took the 'Bull' by it's horns last week, and had tough one on one training sessions, where some were hurt. Since then we were magnificent in our attack on the contest and the game.

The Casey 'Gotch report', this week, of Morton says he still hasn't started to work on his 'Issues' that he was dropped for. Pressure and contesting! We cannot keep rewarding players who won;t do the team principles of tackling, chasing, and winning contested posession.

To me Bennell is in the same bracket. Highly talented but a bit prescious and very "outside"...

We need hard working inside runners for Edieshat, this week... Especially against a side that prides itself on contested ball and physical play,,, and at the narrow winged Hat.

Evans and Nicholson Both do those values proud.

I think you're misreading what others have posted. If Rookies are ready, sure, but on current form, and reports from Casey, both Bennel and Jetta would be ahead of Evans (and Nicholson) as mids. (well ... if we can consider Bennel a mid).

Pushing kids into the firsts before they're ready doesn't help anyone, and young players like Gysberts, Bennel, Jetta etc. also need as much AFL game-time as they can get.

But when they've earned their place ... bring it on!

maybe Jetta...i think that Bennell has been very disappointing this season, and i want more than one game from him after being dropped...3 minimum. Nicholson has been in ripper form for Casey, many times named in the best, same can be said for Evans.

I'll back the two mature bodies. Campbell to cover for Jamar when he's fit and Nicholson just ahead of Evans because he's a little more match ready in his body development.

+1

Robbie Campbell's next couple of weeks at Casey are going to be pretty important for us in the scheme of things. The Russian's PCL is at this stage a 4-6 week layoff, so he's probably 8 weeks away from getting back to pre-injury 'full flight'; Robbie played his first game back this week at Casey in the 2's, kicked a goal and got through a half unscathed.

Brad Gotch's player review:

Robert Campbell: Rob got through a half, playing his first game for the season, which is really positive. He mightn’t take long to push up. He’s a quality player.

Could Robbie potentially be playing AFL seniors in say, 3 weeks, if he gets through the next 3 VFL games alright? Played a half at Casey ressies this week, will likely play closer to 3 quarters this week in the one's (due to Spencer's ACL and the doubt over Martin). If he can get some continuity in the next few, he'll get the first upgrade you'd think.

Liking the look of Nicholson and think he could be a good replacement for Grimes with his speed, toughness and defensive ability.

Evans and Campbell for me.

To me Bennell is in the same bracket. Highly talented but a bit prescious and very "outside"...

Well, if you're going to quote Gotch, then quote him on Bennel as well: "Jamie was probably our best performer."

You've (also) misrepresented Gotch re Morton. I don't quite see how "his attitude was very good and he’s a genuine class player" becomes "he still hasn't started to work on his 'Issues' ".

Not saying either of them should be in the 22, but if you're going to put on rose-coloured glasses when you look at Evans - who, it must be remembered, hasn't even played a game yet - then put them on for all the players. Equally.

Agree with the other posts re keeping an opening for Campbell - essential I would have thought.

I like the idea of providing a bit of something 'new' for our side, especially in a black week. Nicholson is ready for AFL. Evans is the best of the other new boys, at this stage. If Grimes and Trengove are both to be replaced by similar sized players then I advocate the new blood. Morton is a no-no, Bennell has only played once since being dropped, although I wouldn't object mightily to seeing him play this week, and Jetta doesn't seem to have set Casey afire as much as Evans by the sound of things. I'd rather see a bit of excitement in the form of new players, as I think it might have a positive psychological effect, especially if they shine. I have a feeling one of them might get a guernsey, and I suppose it's more likely to be the more mature of the two.

Well, if you're going to quote Gotch, then quote him on Bennel as well: "Jamie was probably our best performer."

You've (also) misrepresented Gotch re Morton. I don't quite see how "his attitude was very good and he's a genuine class player" becomes "he still hasn't started to work on his 'Issues' ".

Not saying either of them should be in the 22, but if you're going to put on rose-coloured glasses when you look at Evans - who, it must be remembered, hasn't even played a game yet - then put them on for all the players. Equally.

Agree with the other posts re keeping an opening for Campbell - essential I would have thought.

He doesn't deserve to come back into the team yet.. Especially as we've just got a game of G & D into the side. To me, Bennell is off, stinks, and has a lot to prove to the team, before being given another chance.

This is why I didn't Quote the Gotch comment, re Bennell.. He's a liability, until he's prepared to go in hard.

Ps: Cale Morton: Cale still needs to work on the reasons why he’s back for us - building his pressure and playing his position in the right manner. But his attitude was very good and he’s a genuine class player and that showed with plenty of the ball.

Well, if you're going to quote Gotch, then quote him on Bennel as well: "Jamie was probably our best performer."

You've (also) misrepresented Gotch re Morton. I don't quite see how "his attitude was very good and he’s a genuine class player" becomes "he still hasn't started to work on his 'Issues' ".

I thought the comment on Morton was pretty clear - he needs to improve on issues and didn't do so at Casey this week. Sure, there was some fluff about attitude and class, but how many of these comments are ever very critical?

I thought the comment on Morton was pretty clear - he needs to improve on issues and didn't do so at Casey this week. Sure, there was some fluff about attitude and class, but how many of these comments are ever very critical?

yep

Ed: why promote anybody? Campbell is not ready. Why promote a mid - who would they replace?

Howe promoted maybe to release Dunn, but he is not a rookie.

yep

Ed: why promote anybody? Campbell is not ready. Why promote a mid - who would they replace?

Howe promoted maybe to release Dunn, but he is not a rookie.

They need a chance to watch and measure our new crop. They are going really well at present, so the opportunity presents with Grimes gone for the year. McKenzie will be back in 2,, to 3 weeks, then Poss', Scully shortly after... So this may be the best opportubity Now.

* On top of this, I'd hope that Morton, & Bennell would have learnt something by 3 - 4 weeks time, and would be pushing for reinstatement.

A lot will depend on what happens tonight with Trengove. Macdonald will replace Grimes, the ruck issue is a concern if Martin is not fit the only fully match fit ruckman we have is Gawn, Campbell is still three weeks away from even being considered for AFL. If Trengove gets three weeks we need to bring in an inform midfielder, Evans has been in Casey best every week, Jordie is 2-3 weeks away, Morton, Bennell need to work on their games, the other option is Jetta.

A lot will depend on what happens tonight with Trengove. Macdonald will replace Grimes, the ruck issue is a concern if Martin is not fit the only fully match fit ruckman we have is Gawn, Campbell is still three weeks away from even being considered for AFL. If Trengove gets three weeks we need to bring in an inform midfielder, Evans has been in Casey best every week, Jordie is 2-3 weeks away, Morton, Bennell need to work on their games, the other option is Jetta.

As above...clear, concise, logical.

He doesn't deserve to come back into the team yet.. Especially as we've just got a game of G & D into the side. To me, Bennell is off, stinks, and has a lot to prove to the team, before being given another chance.

This is why I didn't Quote the Gotch comment, re Bennell.. He's a liability, until he's prepared to go in hard.

I would have thought Bennell's role is not to "Go in Hard" for the contested ball. Nor is he built for it. We already have a number of players who are built for that and whose role is to bang in/contest/link etc. He's an outside run & carry player (poise, finish/class player when he's on) in a similar vein to Davey...without the mature body.

Not saying he should come straight back in but he wasn't the worst of the worst players against Wet Coke, yet he's paying the price. Not convinced he's suited or needed at the confines of Shiityhed either. Bring him back at the right venue AND opponent/match up...but only once he's shown something in the Magoos for 2 - 3 weeks. Has great potential but needs to work harder and longer at doing what he does best. Not sure that he stinks lol. I have more faith in him and believe he'll become a solid/valuable/consistent contributor for the Demons at some stage going forward. If not you can remind me of this post in a few years lol.

Ps: Cale Morton: Cale still needs to work on the reasons why he’s back for us - building his pressure and playing his position in the right manner. But his attitude was very good and he’s a genuine class player and that showed with plenty of the ball.

Agreed... Cale needs time in Magoos to gain some confidence and improve on a number of aspects of his game before he gets another shot with the big boys. Shows class/looks super in spurts but always appears a little undercooked body/speed/contest wise when the heat is on.

I would have thought Bennell's role is not to "Go in Hard" for the contested ball. Nor is he built for it. We already have a number of players who are built for that and whose role is to bang in/contest/link etc. He's an outside run & carry player (poise, finish/class player when he's on) in a similar vein to Davey...without the mature body.

Agree, but we clearly carried too many outside type players for the early part of the season. I don't think it was any co-incidence that we added some grunt this week and put in our best performance for the year.

Also, Maric probably played Bennell's role on the weekend as an outside mid/forward and TBH did it better than anything I've ever seen from Bennell, albeit without the one moment of excitement that has kept Bennell in the side to date.

Agree with you that he needs to show consistent form at Casey for a few weeks. Would also like to see all our players have a crack at winning their own ball despite whether they are notionally "inside" or "outside" players.

Agree, but we clearly carried too many outside type players for the early part of the season. I don't think it was any co-incidence that we added some grunt this week and put in our best performance for the year.

Also, Maric probably played Bennell's role on the weekend as an outside mid/forward and TBH did it better than anything I've ever seen from Bennell, albeit without the one moment of excitement that has kept Bennell in the side to date.

Agree with you that he needs to show consistent form at Casey for a few weeks. Would also like to see all our players have a crack at winning their own ball despite whether they are notionally "inside" or "outside" players.

All pretty good points Dee

Cheers

B)

I would loke to see Nicholson promoted

Agree. Love his aggression at the ball, and his skill, particular that raking long left foot kick. He is also a mature body which we may need as the other try to push us off our game. Wait for scott's mob to try and intimidate us this weekend.

I would have thought Bennell's role is not to "Go in Hard" for the contested ball. Nor is he built for it. We already have a number of players who are built for that and whose role is to bang in/contest/link etc. He's an outside run & carry player (poise, finish/class player when he's on) in a similar vein to Davey...without the mature body.

Every player has to go when it's there turn. Both bennell and morton need to learn this ASAP if they are to be part of our future.