List Assessment Post Round 4 (27 - 50, Rookies)

Here are the rest, plus rookies.

· (27) Tom Gillies: When we first picked him up I thought he would be a good addition having come from such a successful side. I’d never seen him play and am still unsure as to how he performed for the Cats but so far he has produced nothing to show that his contract will be extended or anything to justify us grabbing him. However it’s early days into his career at the MFC.

· (28) Joel MacDonald: Harder than nails and would be starter in the side we have at the moment. That doesn’t say much though and Joel has reached his potential as player, but I still love to watch him and the way he goes about it (except for when he kicks the ball) and we need him in the side right now. Will be surplus if the list improves and as he ages (29 this year).

· (30) James Sellar: Like him back, hate him forwards. I think he is a natural backman and did well there last year, particularly after about round 10. It’s agonising watching him trying to mark the ball up forward – he gets to it regularly but holds maybe one contested a game. I hope he goes back again this season if he returns to the side because he is pretty useful there. Probably has a future as a depth player but don’t see him developing into a great player.

· (31) Jack Grimes: Jack is a great captain as he leads from the front each week and you can see the passion when he is revving up the boys as they come up and down the race. He is quite consistent and has developed into a good midfielder/flanker. Has the occasional brain fade and his kicking isn’t the best but works hard and clearly loves the club. I hope he will be captain for a while yet (and I hope at some stage standalone captain).

· (32) Michael Evans: Evans has impressed me so far this year. Hard running, has pace and really positions himself well to find the ball. That last quarter against GWS was fantastic and hope he can keep producing those down the track. Has a future and it’s satisfying to think he came off the rookie list.

· (33) Dom Barry: Haven’t seen anything to suggest he will make it and nothing to suggest he won’t. Can anyone tell me why the indigenous blokes always wear number 33?

· (34) Dean Kent: Kent has been impressive in the seconds and should break into the side a bit later in the year with some consistent performances. Neeld said that he had to work on the defensive side of his game before promotion, but has been good offensively. Runs hard, which is more that can be said for a lot of the senior players.

· (35) Luke Tapscott: I was worried for Tapscott after the last couple of years and thought he wouldn’t make it but he has been good early this year, especially the last two games. The game for Casey where he kicked 6 seems to have done wonders for his confidence (I was saying that he should have been kept at Casey for a couple of games as we shouldn’t reward one great game) and I absolutely love his aggression and physicality. He adds a lot to the team even though he isn’t a big ball winner.

· (36) Aaron Davey: I love flash and he has been a great servant for the club. His last couple of years have been nothing short of terrible but he has played some good footy so far this year, and seems to work well as a sub. 30 this year and out of contract as a restricted free agent. Does he have anything left?

· (37) Max Gawn: Fast becoming my favourite player. He is deceptively athletic, acts like a midfielder and is clearly very passionate about the club. His games this year have been great and it’s unbelievable that he is only 21 (two weeks younger than myself, what am I doing with my life?). I hope to god he stays fit because he is almost our number one ruckman already and should be for the near future.

· (38) Jeremy Howe: Possibly our most talented player. I would love to see him play in the middle and rest one out at full forward though I can’t see this happening under Neeld. It really annoys me when he is put behind the ball. His set shots have improved a lot so far this season and he is very consistent. Hopefully we can hold on to him as there are surely other clubs sniffing around.

· (39) Neville Jetta: I do like Nevilles aggression but he just doesn’t do enough to keep a spot in the side. I feel that he simply isn’t a good enough footballer to make it but I do hope he improves enough to hold down a spot in the side. The kind of player that could be moved on when our list improves.

· (40) Mark Jamar: I had pretty much written off Jamar after last season and his start to this year as he has been pretty poor. With Max in the side he looks much better but still as though he hasn’t got much left in the tank. The three year contract was a poor decision imo, unless Jamar is on as some sort of ruck coach/mentor next season, which might not be so bad.

· (41) Troy Davis: Should be off the list this year. Has not earnt a senior game and this says it all after two seasons. We are simply not good enough to carry passengers on our list.

· (42) Jake Spencer: Spencer is good depth to have on the list and might even be a better option than Jamar right now to pair up with Max. Has a real crack every week and is a good tap ruckman. Not the most athletic and kicking is agonising to watch but he has raw potential and I think he can develop into a decent player.

· (43) Rory Taggert: Gets big wraps and the one game he played last year for Casey before being injured was very good. A big strong midfielder, hopefully he puts in this season and earns a call up. Could be a player for the future but too early to tell.

· (44) Rohan Bail: Runs hard and hits the packs hard. His decision making really lets him down sometimes, the game vs Brisbane a prime example. Not the most talented player but definitely gets a spot in our best 22 at the moment for me. This could change as the list gets better. Regarding concussion, if he suffers another one he should retire (I know it’s not as easy as that) but he really does need to look after his health.

· (45) Matt Jones: I really like what I have seen of Jones so far. Has dash and is willing to run harder than a lot of players. His disposal isn’t bad and he doesn’t shirk a contest. A good pick up later in the draft.

· (46) Dean Terlich: Terlich has been a great pick up. Gets decent numbers and is vying for the award of toughest player in the side. He works his butt off, even when he stuffs up and this attitude is awesome to have.

· (48) Jack Fitzpatrick: Unfairly labelled a dud by many on here. Has dominated at Casey for a while now up forward and in the ruck (kicked 50 plus goals last year I think) and when he got a chance he wasn’t terrible. I am looking forward to seeing him in the team this year and seeing what he can do. His pace is very good for a big man.

Rookies:

· (22) James Magner: I really can’t wait for Magner to come back in. He is a gun at VFL level and probably one of our better midfielders at senior level. His work ethic is excellent and you can tell he really wants to be out there. It was rubbish when Neeld tried to make him a defensive forward last season – he should stick in the guts because he wins the ball.

· (47) Tom Couch: Couch is again tough in and under and works hard. His tackling last year was sensational. However I’m not sure if we could play Magner and Couch in the same side. Will probably be elevated with Magner this year.

· (49) Nathan Stark: Not sure what kind of player he is or whether he has been good at Casey.

· (50) Mitchell Clisby: See above.

So as you can see, our list really isn't close to good enough and we don't have any stars. We will struggle for a while yet.