No Hogan no Casey?

How many goals did dawes finish with?

It was more that he looked betwixt and between and looked completely flummoxed as to what to do.

Port were super disciplined. Great comeback from them.

We couldn't stop a final quarter run. Where have I heard that before?

sounds like Dawes kicked a few goals, more importantly he got through another game

A definite in vs the Suns

Obviously not at the game but I'm guessing his 23 touches to 3 qtr time wouldn't be depressing him too much. Maybe the lack of minutes he's played in the last month have him stuffed at 3 qtr time.

That's fine. He's not ready for a senior call up yet. What I'm liking at the moment is that a lot of our VFL players are having to show a lot of consistent performance before getting a shot in the firsts. Good signs. Keep giving Jimmy a chance to build some confidence and consistency. He's got to play four quarters.

Port are always well-drilled.

Can you give them any credit for pushing the side that's been clearly the best in the comp for the past few years to within a goal at their home ground???

sounds like Dawes kicked a few goals, more importantly he got through another game

A definite in vs the Suns

Maybe fitz too?

That's fine. He's not ready for a senior call up yet. What I'm liking at the moment is that a lot of our VFL players are having to show a lot of consistent performance before getting a shot in the firsts. Good signs. Keep giving Jimmy a chance to build some confidence and consistency. He's got to play four quarters.

I agree. Leave him alone and play him for a good month at casey and then re-evaluate. Will be best for his development

Most draftees aren't ready to play afl in their first year

He's had his taste now let him develop and don't screw him up

Port are always well-drilled.

Can you give them any credit for pushing the side that's been clearly the best in the comp for the past few years to within a goal at their home ground???

always disappointing to lose by less than a kick, but as you say a good positive against a power vfl side on their turf

it was only a few weeks ago that everyone thought casey were stuffed this year, so results so far are very gratifying

now they just need to keep it up week after week

I agree. Leave him alone and play him for a good month at casey and then re-evaluate. Will be best for his development

Most draftees aren't ready to play afl in their first year

He's had his taste now let him develop and don't screw him up

Also agree. Let him play at Casey until his form demands promotion

As others have said, it's good to see some of our up and coming players playing well at Casey. While it is tempting to put them in to see what they can do, I would love to see guys like Fitzpatrick, Taggert and Toumpas string together another 3-4 good games before they play for the Dees. Playing in a successful team and playing well, will give them a lot of confidence once they do make that step up. With our injuries, Fitzpatrick may be a bit closer seeing as he is in great form.

Dawes i would expect to come straight in next week which will really help our structures, and release Howe a bit. It's looking like Magner won't be upgraded at the moment, but he can come in Round 11 i believe. He will take great confidence from his performances so far, and will be a help in the middle, the area we are really lacking. This should also be about the time Mitch comes back, so there are a couple of things to look forward to in a very disappointing season so far.

Also agree. Let him play at Casey until his form demands promotion

Yep. I think the important thing is consistency though. It's all well and good to have a great game, but if you don't back it up the next week, it's pointless.

Sounds like lack of fitness may have cost us in the end. To those who were there, does that sound right? Did we have a younger team than port in the middle of the ground?

Glad for Jim to get some ball in hand, a few games with 25+ possies will be important for his transition, i look forward to hearing a report on his game.

I actually wouldn't mind a lot of our younger boys having a good hard year at Casey, working on their DEVELOPMENT as footballers. Then next season we could see the likes of Hogan, Toumpas, Taggert, Tynan, Fitzpatrick, Kent, Barry, Davis, Blease, Strauss etc pressing for their place in the side.

Get rid of a few that won't make it like Gillies, Pedersen, Rodan, Davey etc and draft a few more mids and maybe trade or bid for one or two and the list looks a whole lot different.

I actually wouldn't mind a lot of our younger boys having a good hard year at Casey, working on their DEVELOPMENT as footballers. Then next season we could see the likes of Hogan, Toumpas, Taggert, Tynan, Fitzpatrick, Kent, Barry, Davis, Blease, Strauss etc pressing for their place in the side.

Get rid of a few that won't make it like Gillies, Pedersen, Rodan, Davey etc and draft a few more mids and maybe trade or bid for one or two and the list looks a whole lot different.

and let the young fellas play in the vfl finals this time. That's a very important part of their development and team bonding

Toumpas' effort today doesn't look all that shabby. To be named in the best and to finish with 26 touches is not bad for a teenager and the drop to just three in the last quarter is understandable given his lack of game time over recent weeks.

As far as the team is concerned, it probably did suffer a bit as a result of a couple of late injuries at Melbourne keeping players out and, of course, a fit Jesse Hogan would have helped as well.

and let the young fellas play in the vfl finals this time. That's a very important part of their development and team bonding

Absolutely agree. Success breeds success.

abit more fitness from Toumpas and he should be dominating VFL games, 26 touches against Port Melbourne is not a bad effort at all

Yep. I think the important thing is consistency though. It's all well and good to have a great game, but if you don't back it up the next week, it's pointless.

Fitzy has been backing it up for 3 weeks now. In for GWS to take Clark's role?

26 touches and a goal for JImmy T

That was the game he needed.

I actually wouldn't mind a lot of our younger boys having a good hard year at Casey, working on their DEVELOPMENT as footballers. Then next season we could see the likes of Hogan, Toumpas, Taggert, Tynan, Fitzpatrick, Kent, Barry, Davis, Blease, Strauss etc pressing for their place in the side.

Get rid of a few that won't make it like Gillies, Pedersen, Rodan, Davey etc and draft a few more mids and maybe trade or bid for one or two and the list looks a whole lot different.

Yeah, I think Casey really has the potential to be a vital key to our development over the next few years. It's good to hear that Casey are implementing Neeld's apparent game plan. The culture seems to be building down there, despite today's loss.

Just back from the game, watched the second half. A very good fierce game of football, Crackers Keenan on the boundary encouraging his Port ruckman to "hit in hard" every few minutes helped! It was a game we shouldn't have lost given the 3 qtr time lead, but at 5min 15sec into the last we trailed by a point without having basically touched it - except for when Couh got mowed down trying to break free after ingnoring Jimmy T as a free handball....

A great level of footy for our young boys to be playing and as the coach said at 3Q time - "they've lost twice in 4 years at home"....we let one slip. Looked like we'd roll over and die but Casey stuck at it. Love the Port song, weird to lose and hear "a grand old flag".

Some thoughts on players I saw today (didn't see Pederson play):

Clisby: had no idea who he was but really liked #70's leg speed, long raking kick and energy at the contest for a "quick small backman". A rich mans Nicho perhaps. Had kick out duties and was well in the game until concussed early in the last. I can see why we picked him.

Fitzpatrick: I know there are many mixed views but from what I saw today he's at least as capable as Pederson and Sellar for a AFL spot. Has really grown into a mans body, can take a big mark and is OK in the ruck. Might be a confidence issue with him. Reckon he's earnt a crack.

Couch and Magner: wow they are similar. The heart and sole of the VFL mid-field, in there all day, no rotating forward for those boys. As has been said ALOT before they are really hard and get heaps of footy....but geez can stuff it occasionally. I thought Couch was BOG but couple that with an awesome turnover Casey ran down the wing in the 3rd Q under plenty of pressure throughout for Couchy to get free at 60 and hit Dawes opponent laces out when Dawesy was 5 metres clear in front....argh! Happy to have one of them in the senior side.

Toumpas: what's all the fuss about him not being a #4 pick etc? The kid can play, got plenty of it, is more outside than inside but can do both, laid some nice tackles and EVERY time he kicked it, whether it be in the clear, under instense pressure, short or long, in pack or whatever he HIT a target. A few more games like that and he'll be back at AFL - I bet Hoges loves the thought of Jimmy T getting the ball.

Davey: serviceable game, kicked a nice pressure goal last qtr, got involved, pretty positive body language etc. Played forward.

Dawes: if he can play HALF as good as he can lead, coach and direct traffic he'll be a gun. I'll bet he coaches one day. Enough to like, kicked 4 I think though not all from BIG pack marks etc. Attacked it hard, is pretty quick. Maybe one more week at Casey pending how we go tomorrow.

Sellar: thought he was pretty average actually. Solid but nothing more at CHB. UNlucky kick against him in last.

Davis: similar views to all others on here, like him better as a footballer than Sellar but.....argh....kicking

Blease: thought he was really good, flashed in and out but did it regularly. A key for the team in gaining 70m every time with run and carry. Still needs a lateral move and some composure kicking...almost kicked the winning goal bursting from a pack on the wing and a point going through from 65m out.

D-Rod: as you'd expect can dominate the contest at this level. Kicked a really nice goal or two bursting from a pack, could have had more. Fierce competitor, actually pretty happy he's on the list and any blokes at Casey have to get past him first for a game, keeps a high standard.

Tynan: solid, tough, has a crack but didnt get heaps of it. Groomed as a back pocket it seems.

Taggert: ripping body for a footballer, could go toe to toe with Col I reckon. Plays half forward, we really need him to become a dominant on baller in VFL then go from there. Something to build on for next week.

All for now, let's hope we pull off the miracle tomorrow.

Fitzy has been backing it up for 3 weeks now. In for GWS to take Clark's role?

If Spencer doesn't get it done against Carlton, he may be the unlucky one. That would push Gawn into the main ruck spot and let Fitzy go to full forward and second ruck.

I actually wouldn't mind a lot of our younger boys having a good hard year at Casey, working on their DEVELOPMENT as footballers. Then next season we could see the likes of Hogan, Toumpas, Taggert, Tynan, Fitzpatrick, Kent, Barry, Davis, Blease, Strauss etc pressing for their place in the side.

Get rid of a few that won't make it like Gillies, Pedersen, Rodan, Davey etc and draft a few more mids and maybe trade or bid for one or two and the list looks a whole lot different.

Should Neeld be in that list?