only drawback in playing a gorilla is its negative impact on forward 50 pressure.

both dawes and cloke are unique in this aspect that they are fit and mobile enuff to provide sufficient pressure

No arguments about most of that, great future midfield, HUGE potential up forward, and I love our backline already, however if expecting the distance between our best and worst football to be smaller this year is unrealistic then we are going NOWHERE.

That is a given. Of coarse we all expect and demand improvement, and if we don't improve this year from last then Bailey will get the sack. Last year we won 8.5 games, we're currently on 4.5 wins and i'd suggest that if get don't get to 10 wins Bailey might be out of a job.

BUT... if we win 10 games + get games into, development and improvement from the likes of Scully, Watts, Trengove, Gysberts, McKenzie, Martin, Tapscott, Howe, Strauss, Nicholson and Evans, then the year would definitely not be a step backwards.

I think many of our players have improved from last year, except for a few shockers we've played some good football generally, some senior players have been taught a lesson by being dropped into the vfl, lots of games into youngsters... it is not all doom and gloom

I see little value in recruiting an established KPF when we are not even close to contending and our midfield is still so young.

Getting a KPF from another club is a bonus if it happens. I just hope our most recent draft class is doing extra weights sessions, need them to be big if we are to make the finals in the next 3 years.

How will a KPF help us win stoppages or break a press from the backline?

Not saying we don't need one, but it's not the major problem right now, the problem is we can't get the ball inside 50 very often without the Jamar/Moloney combo from the bounce and some sort of a structure from the back 50.

The even bigger problem is we never have anyone in the forward 50 to take a mark, if you look at the positioning of the players during one of our games you'll see that every player is in the defensive half of the ground except at the starting centre bounce or if a goal is kicked.

If we make a break over the press, the forward they want would have to be fit enough to sprint back to the position he should be in, to attempt to mark the ball.

The even bigger problem is we never have anyone in the forward 50 to take a mark, if you look at the positioning of the players during one of our games you'll see that every player is in the defensive half of the ground except at the starting centre bounce or if a goal is kicked.

If we make a break over the press, the forward they want would have to be fit enough to sprint back to the position he should be in, to attempt to mark the ball.

That's what I was getting at, can't understand the need for a KPF so urgently when we can't get the ball inside 50 to the 0 players who are there...

So, do we hold out for this magical super fit, super fast, super strong, super accurate forward, or do we do something about structuring is such a way that there is someone inside 50 to kick to should we happen to win a contested ball?

Cook would likely be playing on McPharlin and giving away 10 kilos?

I want to se him in the backline. He's an architect, and a great kick.

Stop Watts playing in defence, push Watts back up to the half forwardline with the Rucks rotating deep forward next to Petterd and Maric or a Jurrah if he stays.

If they feel the need, they could push Cook forward for 8 mins' here & there.

Edited June 14, 201114 yr by dee-luded

That's what I was getting at, can't understand the need for a KPF so urgently when we can't get the ball inside 50 to the 0 players who are there...

So, do we hold out for this magical super fit, super fast, super strong, super accurate forward, or do we do something about structuring is such a way that there is someone inside 50 to kick to should we happen to win a contested ball?

That would be far too simple.

I think it's time for Lucas Cook to come in. We could use him either in the forwardline or, as I'm inclined, at the backline. He has a great Brain for making the play and executing great kicks to team mates.

This would allow Watts to play more in the forwardline, where he could use his pace to present, and good kicking to finish.

lucas cook will not be this player. he is a beanpole. jack darling will be- his body is already big and will get even bigger.

not saying cook wont be good, cos i think he'll be incredibly good, but we will still be lacking a crash and bash foward with watts, cook, howe, jurrah, fitzpatrick, petterd

we need someone like crameri.

Tom Hawkins?

No no no, he is rubbish.

What would people think to a Petterd-Mitch Clarke trade at years end?

What would people think to a Petterd-Mitch Clarke trade at years end?

We would have to give more than Pettrd.

Doesn't Clarke want to head home to W.A?

lucas cook will not be this player. he is a beanpole. jack darling will be- his body is already big and will get even bigger.

not saying cook wont be good, cos i think he'll be incredibly good, but we will still be lacking a crash and bash foward with watts, cook, howe, jurrah, fitzpatrick, petterd

we need someone like crameri.

He's not a beanpole. Haven't you been out to see him play. he doesn't lookout of place in anyway in the VFL, in fact to me he looks surprisingly solid in build. I'm pleasently surprised that he's got a good build. I don't expext him to start in the Key positions as Watts didn't... By the way he has a bigger build than watts did, & in fact, I believe he's more solid now.

Cremeri's too small IMO.

Have you been to Casey to watch the boys Play?

Tom McDonald who has been playing back and 2nd ruck for Casey could be tried at FF. He's big for a kid and kicked 14.7 in the TAC comp last year without paying forward all the time. He's game, tough and a good mark.

He's not a beanpole. Haven't you been out to see him play. he doesn't lookout of place in anyway in the VFL, in fact to me he looks surprisingly solid in build. I'm pleasently surprised that he's got a good build. I don't expext him to start in the Key positions as Watts didn't... By the way he has a bigger build than watts did, & in fact, I believe he's more solid now.

Dee-luded is right. Sure Cook isn't as big as a house, yet, but compared to where he was when we first drafted him, he has definitely put on some muscle. It is quite obvious even watching on the TV.

Tom McDonald who has been playing back and 2nd ruck for Casey could be tried at FF. He's big for a kid and kicked 14.7 in the TAC comp last year without paying forward all the time. He's game, tough and a good mark.

I reckon Tom McDonald will eventually become our FB. He'll replace Warnock (which cannot come soon enough), Frawley will be our CHB and Rivers or Garland will be our third tall defender. With the likes of Tapscott, possibly Strauss (who is showing some signs), Grimes (if he fixes his kicking) and one of Bail or even Nicholson as a small running defender. It looks quite good. Our midfield will take time, but will be something to behold (hopefully with Scully in it, don't forget young Viney, either) and our Forward line with the likes of Watts, Cook, Howe, Jurrah, Davey (where he played his best football), Petterd (should he decide to chase), our resting Russian and Sylvia (his presence is un-deeniable), it will hopefully gel into a potent mix.

See what we can get for a Morton or Bate, throw in our first rounder this year (possibly) and who knows what we might get (a higher pick, or quality player to add to our list). Competition for spots can only be a good thing!

We are so frustrating at times, but what's more frustrating is knowing that our best years are still at least 3 years away. Until we mature in bodies and as a group, we will continue to go up and down on the roller-coaster ride. I'm young, impatient, but i have time. I hope for the sake of supporters who went through the 70's and 80's, that our time comes sooner than what i think it will.

Keep the faith. For every extra second we have to wait, the elusive SOB is getting closer and closer. It is inevitable.

Agree with this.Keep Gawn in the side,play Stef as permanent CHF with Jamar in the ruck.

I fully agree

We could snag The Tomahawk for a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick.... Change could be needed.

We could snag The Tomahawk for a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick.... Change could be needed.

The change hasn't done any of the other Geelong rejects any good. Prismall? Gamble? Mumford's about the only one that always had potential but didn't get an opportunity.

Hawkins doesn't have potential, and has had ample opportunity in an amazing side.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mark-jamar-set-for-tall-man-forward-role/story-e6frf9jf-1226075261554

Two quick points:

First, I think we'd go inside 50 more if we had a long option to kick to.

Second, unless we were getting a good option for free/little cost, I wouldn't go for the recycled KPF option - we have prospects on our list, so let's develop them..

JAMAR

Taylor Walker??

Bump...

Are people happy with our KPF's now we have Clark and Sellar?

Both mobile for the high pressure game and both a big get out of trouble, create a contest target.

It's interesting reading back and seeing some good suggestions like Hawkins and Walker hitting their straps this year....

And others like White doing sweet F A.

Thomas Lynch GC17 - no stone left unturned. Playing out of position at GC17 Victorian Boy - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ just do it.

Thomas Lynch GC17 - no stone left unturned. Playing out of position at GC17 Victorian Boy - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ just do it.

Rubbish!

It's all about Development $$$$$$.

And war.

And Richmond is in there somewhere.