We can't play Newton again.

Gawn at full-forward, swappin in the ruck with Martin.

Bate needs another spell at Casey.

Howe at half forward/forward pocket.

Personally, I think Gawn is a bit underdone to be put in the senior side. Howe should be given a crack though. Will be an interesting team selection, with Strausse and others' also being mentioned as possible inclusions.

Newton and Bate are concerns, for different reasons. Not sure on how Blease is going with his rehab, I know that they're carefully managing his workload but I'd love to see him get a game

Edited May 24, 201114 yr by Jarka

Has Howe spent any time at HBF at Casey? I'd like to see how he would go back there with Grimes and Tapscott out. I hear his kicking and run are quite good.

I think Blease is a certain starter this week. All comments from Bailey, Rivers and our own thoughts fully understand the importance of pace off the half back line, and with Tapscott out, and Davey questionable, and the fact they want players who have shown form in recent weeks at Casey, all roads lead to Blease.

Thursday night selection will be a big one. As the week gets on, I am doubting that Davey will be dropped, but as a minimum he has to be made sub. That will make a big enough statement for me, and a firm word from the playing group that we don't accept that any more/do it again you're out.

I just came across Rivers and Howe in the car park after playing nine holes of golf. I said to them "don't listen to all the knockers, all the Dees supporters are behind you". I asked Howe if he will get a game this week and he was rally coy about it - looked to me like he couldn't say what he wanted to say. Gave me the feeling that we could see him this week.

As for Gawn: we must at least consider playing him this week. I don't want Dunn in the side, and the less said about Newton the better but we need a second ruckman to give Martin a break. Also, the Blues might spring Kruezer into their side and Martin would be eaten alive.

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Edited May 24, 201114 yr by Maldonboy38

Howe maybe, not keen to see Gawn yet. I don't want to see a young ruckman who hasn't grown into his body and has played almost no senior footy thrown to the wolves. Too much to lose for mine.

We will need to look at some pacy defenders, we don't hav enough to cover Carlton's smalls in the senior side currently.

I just came across Rivers and Howe in the car park after playing nine holes of golf. I said to them "don't listen to all the knockers, all the Dees supporters are behind you". I asked Howe if he will get a game this week and he was rally coy about it - looked to me like he couldn't say what he wanted to say. Gave me the feeling that we could see him this week.

As for Gawn: we must at least consider playing him this week. I don't want Dunn in the side, and the less said about Newton the better but we need a second ruckman to give Martin a break. Also, the Blues might spring Kruezer into their side and Martin would be eaten alive.

Definitely be a few weeks at least until they bring back Kruezer, far too underdone to be considered, he only played a half for the Bullants on the weekend and looked pretty raw. IMO they will think Hampson would be able to cover Martin, will probably bring Henderson in to share the ruck duties.

I would be very surprised if the Blues risked rushing in Kreuzer after just one game in the VFL following a knee reco. That would be a very stupid move I reckon.

Then again they did take McLean off our hands and gift us Gysberts, so stupidity is one thing they're probably used to.

Regardless, i don't think it'd be wise for us to rush Gawn in after he has also only played one senior game at the VFL level. Let him get a couple of consistent games together before bringing him back. Martin should be fine with Newton helping out where required.

Anyway, i think it would be great to see blease and strauss in. One of them to line-up in the backline in place of Tappy, and the other to come off the bench.

If it happened then it would mean that picks 1, 17, 19, 58 and preseason pick 1 and rookie pick 1 from the 08 draft, pick 2 and 11 from the 09 draft would all be lining up to play. Given that a few of our other picks from the drafts of the last 4 years aren't playing because of injury or suspension (Tapscott, Grimes, Scully, Trengove) to me this shows that our recruiting has been solid over this period and should mean good things going forward. Particularly when two other recent draft picks in Gawn and Howe are also in consideration.

Edited May 24, 201114 yr by pm24

I think Blease is a certain starter this week. All comments from Bailey, Rivers and our own thoughts fully understand the importance of pace off the half back line, and with Tapscott out, and Davey questionable, and the fact they want players who have shown form in recent weeks at Casey, all roads lead to Blease.

Thursday night selection will be a big one. As the week gets on, I am doubting that Davey will be dropped, but as a minimum he has to be made sub. That will make a big enough statement for me, and a firm word from the playing group that we don't accept that any more/do it again you're out.

Are you thinking Blease debut, Davey sub. Possible Blease sub-off (unless injury occurs or poor form from another player) ?

Gawn is a way off yet. He may wel lget a run later in the season. I really hope he does as the FD will be combing through the list by then.

Howe for me is certainly in line...as might Blease

Gawn is a way off yet. He may wel lget a run later in the season. I really hope he does as the FD will be combing through the list by then.

Howe for me is certainly in line...as might Blease

Having thought about it... I think it would be unfair to Gawn and to MFC to play Gawn now. If he plays this season he'll be getting single digit disposals and will be monstered by stronger and more experienced players... teenage ruckman VERY rarely impact straight away unless youre a freak (Kruiser?). Let the kid develop for another 1-2 years at Casey

I like the sound of bringing in Howe, Blease and Strauss, these guys need to be tested this season to see if they're up to scratch for when we start our dominance

I'd be thinking Nicholson ahead of Blease at this point. He seems to be in better form at Casey and physically is probably a little better off.

Howe I would love to see in the side. I want them to give him an extended run to get a feel for the pace of the game and see if he can adjust quickly.

Regardless, i don't think it'd be wise for us to rush Gawn in after he has also only played one senior game at the VFL level.

Gawn and Spencer double-teamed at Casey for all of their early games. Gawn dropped down to Casey seconds for one week when Martin dropped back to Casey, so that he could get a full-time go in the ruck. It is the club's call, but I wouldn't rush him in; he is showing too much promise to be used as cannon fodder.

Howe is a real goer, and had a very good game in Casey's last start; a definate chance. Don't discount Blease or Nicholson, either.

I just have a gut feeling Howe could really spark Could wel lbe one of those debuts to remember...He can do anythng Juice can already do...and play footy too

Howe maybe, not keen to see Gawn yet. I don't want to see a young ruckman who hasn't grown into his body and has played almost no senior footy thrown to the wolves. Too much to lose for mine.

We will need to look at some pacy defenders, we don't hav enough to cover Carlton's smalls in the senior side currently.

I doubt we have enough of anything to cover Carlton

Having said that give Howe a go, he has shown a bit and has some experience playing against men.

I agree we would be throwing Gawn to the wolves for no good reason.

At best it might reduce the margin slightly and at worst the kid could get beat up and or end up injured.

There is plenty of time for Gawn

I asked Howe if he will get a game this week and he was rally coy about it - looked to me like he couldn't say what he wanted to say. Gave me the feeling that we could see him this week.

Dunno about that.

Also, the Blues might spring Kruezer into their side and Martin would be eaten alive.

He has had one part time VFL game after 12 months off with a serious knee injury. They would be mad risk him. Martin will do him over 4 quarters because will lack match fitness and mobility.

Having said that give Howe a go, he has shown a bit and has some experience playing against men.

^

This

He wont be over awed.

Might just jump out of the box flying .

Dunno about that.

He has had one part time VFL game after 12 months off with a serious knee injury. They would be mad risk him. Martin will do him over 4 quarters because will lack match fitness and mobility.

Agree RR and why risk him in a game they believe they will win without much trouble.

They have bigger fish to fry.

I still have a feeling Judd will be rested for the same reason.

He wont be over awed.

Might just jump out of the box flying .

We can only hope !!!

So from those in a better position than I to judge, it seems Gawn not yet ready. But does that mean we have to play juice again as a backup ruckman? God help us. Is there any other option do you think?

So from those in a better position than I to judge, it seems Gawn not yet ready. But does that mean we have to play juice again as a backup ruckman? God help us. Is there any other option do you think?

No

Are you thinking Blease debut, Davey sub. Possible Blease sub-off (unless injury occurs or poor form from another player) ?

Would like to see it, and don't think it's unrealistic. Ok, he still needs to improve on a couple of things according to the Casey reports, but the things that he is doing well (running, creating off half back), he seems to be doing these at the right standard. I think he will be the type of player that once given the opportunity in the big league, those little areas of improvement in his game might just come in to line. With that in mind, would like to see him tag Yarran of Garlett.

Would make a great statement, drop a senior/leader to substitute due to poor performance, and replace his starting 18 position with a debutante.

No

I'm not so sure why we are saying Max isn't ready. He has played 5 senior games at Casey this year, and 1 reserves game. The only reason he played the reserves game was becuase they wanted him to have a full game in the ruck, rather than sharing with Pencil.

Max was being picked in the seniors week after week on merit, as he was delivering what was expected of him.

Young ruckmen take longer unless they are freaks. What's to say this kid isn't one?

Would love to see him line up at Full Forward on Friday night, along side of Howe, Jurrah and Watts. (Would mean 3 debuts on the one night if Blease were to play too).

I think one thing is for certain - Carlton will try and intimidate the hell out of us. Would love to see someone try and do that to a 208cm giant!

Bennell (in for Tapscott) to Betts

Frawley to Walker

Bartram to Garlett

Rivers to Waite

Can not see a match up for Warnock unless they bring in Henderson...