Your right he was bloody awful.

How many good games has he played? 2 from my memory.

Just what we need is another outside player.

has not been in one collision this year.

I think you're letting past misgivings cloud your judgment OD. Bennell was lucky to get a run last week on his prior form but he was far from our worst playing as a small defender on a dangerous forward in Garlett. He is likely to get a similar job this week on Jetta or Zaharakis.

Maric is stiff but Bennell doesn't deserve your ire on last week's performance IMO.

Howe and Gawn should be fun to watch.

Sad to see Ricky get dropped. Just can't seem to string 2 good games together.

Howe and Gawn should be fun to watch.

Sad to see Ricky get dropped. Just can't seem to string 2 good games together.

+1

Howe and Gawn should be fun to watch.

Sad to see Ricky get dropped. Just can't seem to string 2 good games together.

Now THAT reeks of a culture of mediocrity.

He is a relatively experienced player who is not performing - straight to Casey with no sympathy from me.

He can sort out his issues there.

Now THAT reeks of a culture of mediocrity.

He is a relatively experienced player who is not performing - straight to Casey with no sympathy from me.

He can sort out his issues there.

"Culture of Mediocrity" is a bit harsh. Yes he is experienced but I wonder how much of Pettard's poor performance is due to poor supply into the forward line? With quick and accurate delivery from the centre he is really hard to defend against.

I think his lack of effort going the other way is more damning.

It does sound a bit harsh, but the sentiment of being really disappointed for a player getting dropped, when he is being dropped because he's not performing, seems to lean towards being accepting of mediocre performances.*

If it was a kid in his 20th game I'd be more understanding.

As it is, I think he has enough experience and the physical maturity where we can demand better of him, and be brutal about it.

(* As opposed to the trademarked "accepting mediocrity" concept)

Pity the Ooze has retired otherwise we could've had Howe, Y and Watt

Your right he was bloody awful.

How many good games has he played? 2 from my memory.

Just what we need is another outside player.

has not been in one collision this year.

Going against your counsel a little on this one O.D.

We're gonna need at least 1 or 2 of that ilk on the big expanses of the G tomorrow night. His ball use/delivery (once he's given it lol) is sublime in comparison to some in our team. His problem is, once he gets it, he generally has very little available (on the lead) when he's looked up forward of late. Not alone i realise.

Hopefully with these "ins" he can also play up forward a bit more and kick a few bonus goals for us (crumbing) which we so desperately need. Hard to expect too much in this regard though on Friday night matches where ball tends to be pretty greasy. But all players have to deal with that aspect so no excuses i guess.

If he ever builds an AFL body, starts laying tackles/putting pressure on his opponent/ball carrrier the other way and we develop the mid field the way the FD is aiming to, watch out. Gonna be one hell of a player IMO, subject to some other developments taking place for him in next season or 2 (see below).

Until then i agree. Has much room for improvement on the defensive side and in many ways is limited to the larger more open grounds in this comp where his outside run and carry should be more valuable/effective (in theory). I'm happy to see other, more attacking/hard ball players in for him on the smaller grounds and where we have better alternative outside crew (or we're trialing them) as deemed appropriate by the FD.

42 games so far. One more pre-season for me is enough to start expecting much improved efforts/outcomes defensively (and offensively), before i'd be writing him off, as many on here do.

Cheers O.D.

B)

you are kidding me

Bennell in!

You know nothing

Great to see Maximum Gawn in the side, he is going to be unstoppable in years to come. Excited to see Howe as well. And thank god we have our top 2 draft picks back this week. I think a lot of Bombers supporters have pencilled this one in and I reckon we might catch them off guard a bit, or here's hoping!!

you are kidding me

Bennell in!

Get of his back FCS! He is one player who is worth persevering with as it will definitely pay off. There are many who are worse at present and he put in a better performance than many last week.

Its worth remember how young Bennell still is...

As for Howe. Saw his interview with Matt Burgan and how big do his arms look?! Certainly a man's body. Hopefully being a Tradie he can bring a bit of mongrel attitude too

Your right he was bloody awful.

How many good games has he played? 2 from my memory.

Just what we need is another outside player.

has not been in one collision this year.

What a rubbish post... seriously. He has taken some very gutsy marks running into the play... and for a player of his size and build, that speaks volumes for him. I think you have simply never forgiven him for shirking that one contest in his first season - he has since made up for that well and truly. And I would say that your moniker "old dee" says it all when it comes to your memory of how many good games he has played.

Pity the Ooze has retired otherwise we could've had Howe, Y and Watt

Good one, Daisy!!!

How exciting to watch 2 debutants in a game that otherwise is unlikely to be fun for us Demon fans.

Wouldn't it be great if big Max had a debut like Carl Ditterich in '63!

Its worth remember how young Bennell still is...

As for Howe. Saw his interview with Matt Burgan and how big do his arms look?! Certainly a man's body. Hopefully being a Tradie he can bring a bit of mongrel attitude too

Just imagine he he could be our full-forward.

I need a full forward

Good one, Daisy!!!

How exciting to watch 2 debutants in a game that otherwise is unlikely to be fun for us Demon fans.

Wouldn't it be great if big Max had a debut like Carl Ditterich in '63!

Yes, I'm really looking forward to it

Not often you see 208cm monsters debuting, and I've been waiting all season to see if Howe has the X factor.

Looking forward to seeing Gawn, Strauss, Howe and Scully along with Trengove back. Such a young team...hope they do well.

Yes, I'm really looking forward to it

Not often you see 208cm monsters debuting, and I've been waiting all season to see if Howe has the X factor.

It always exciting to see kids play, especially ones that are two metres and change...

Bailey, say what you like about his coaching (and we do), but he does not show any tendencies toward self-preservation at the selection table.

No Warnock, Bate, Dunn, Petterd, and Maric.

And Evans, Nicholson, Gawn, and Howe in.

Bailey is determined to give those who will be around when we are contenders a start, during what could be, his end.

Great stuff.

And Bennell was ok last week, had some bold passages of play and Bailey likes that confidence (as do I).

Cant wait to yell He's GAWN,

will be awesome, really hope he lays one tackle haha

Just warmimg up the tonsils HHHHOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!

Four debutants in three weeks. At least we're trying.

A few people have said that they are (excited) by Howe's debut, i think he could be really good, but i hope that he doesnt take the mark of the century etc, i saw one game of his live and one on telly and hope that he can produce the team things.

Im talking pressuring, tackling and chasing

I can really see this guy, fingers crossed being a version of Petterd who is prepared to work hard without the ball etc i dont think he has gone for a heap of spectacular grabs at Casey from what i hear also

Very happy with the changes made. Slightly stiff on Maric, and I do like Petterd when he's up and about, but all in all it will be quite exciting to see Howe and Gawn.

I too am looking forward to seeing Gawn and Howe.

Happy to be wrong about Bennell

but he does zero for me.

Four debutants in three weeks. At least we're trying.

or have no alternatives.

Sorry to be negative

But would they be geting a run if Jamar, Davey, Tapscott and Bartrum were available?