I thought I'd get this started and while I know a lot of you like saying what does it matter, I always enjoy reading everyone's comments from the ones who want Dunny out every week, to the ones who always want Taggert in.

I'll quickly start this off by saying that based on the VFL player report I reckon there can only be a maximum of five ins this week against Gold Coast.

1) Dawes if fit, would come straight in.

2) The four listed as best in VFL were Magner (who from reports not only tackled by kept Christensen fairly subdued as well), Strauss (who has been in the best for several weeks now), Nicholson (who has been impressive since getting dropped) and Blease (who had 22 touches and seems able to win ball at VFL level but is always the scapegoat when he plays poorly at AFL level).

It should be noted that the last three all provide speed and run - something that I would think would be pretty helpful against Gold Coast which is regarded as super quick.

Magner, whilst not always effective with his kicking, provides grunt and tackling and IMO would be worth using on Ablett in first half with a fresh Nicho to come on as sub at half time and takeover the Ablett duties.

Given Casey lost by 10 goals, it's hard to see how you could consider other inclusions this week, although I'd love to see Taggert, Barry and Tynan get a shot at it before the end of the season.

The only question in my view is who goes out, which is always difficult.

Over to you.

With the structures and style of play we've had the last 3 weeks it really doesn't matter who is brought in or out.

Tynan was named in the bests too. Should get a game. Cant do worse than Byrnes.

Taggert for Davey.

Bring Davis in for someone, down back, and let Pedersen play forward.

Tynan was named in the bests too. Should get a game. Cant do worse than Byrnes.

Taggert for Davey.

Bring Davis in for someone, down back, and let Pedersen play forward at Casey

Out: Davey, Trengove

IN: Strauss tynan

Out- Older players

In - Tynan, Taggert and Strauss

The only game we won early in the year was against Port Adelaide ( and haven't they been good) where we went with a younger side with players that wanted to win and had grown up in a winning culture. I believe half the problem is some of our players have not won on a regular basis for so long they have forgotten how to win. Instead of going out expecting to win they go out to play with no confidence about winning.

Tynan was named in the bests too. Should get a game. Cant do worse than Byrnes.

Taggert for Davey.

Bring Davis in for someone, down back, and let Pedersen play forward at Casey

.....you should have just crossed out Pedersen all together

Ultimately I would like to see Strauss, Dawes, Davis, Blease and Taggert although the latter two probably don't deserve a game.

I think we could do without Pedersen, Davey, Byrnes ...... (I could go on but whats the point it wont make any difference)

Davey should be dropped. Probably Byrnes too.

In something of a slightly radical move, I'd consider dropping Howe - his work ethic is abysmal.

Surely Strauss is deserving of a call up. I think it's also probably time to have a look at at least one of Taggert, Tynan and Davis.

Pedersen stays. As much as most of us here don't like him, he was one of our better players v GWS. He worked a lot harder than many of our 'leaders'.

2) The four listed as best in VFL were Magner (who from reports not only tackled by kept Christensen fairly subdued as well), Strauss (who has been in the best for several weeks now), Nicholson (who has been impressive since getting dropped) and Blease (who had 22 touches and seems able to win ball at VFL level but is always the scapegoat when he plays poorly at AFL level).

Blease is not a scapegoat - he's a chronic lazy underperformer. One good game for Casey shouldn't be enough to get back in.

Out: Gawn, Howe, Watts, Davey

In: Dawes, Strauss, Tynan, Nicholson

FB: Dunn McDonald Garland
HB: Terlich Pedersen Strauss

C: Toumpas Jones M. Jones
HF: Grimes Dawes Tapscott
FF: Byrnes Fitzy Kent
Foll: Spencer Viney Sylvia

Int: Trengove, Nicholson, Clisby, Tynan

Gawn is unlucky but I really don't like playing 3 ruckman I think it leaves you on a hiding to nothing and Spencer has earned a shot right now. Besides that I want to get 3 dead lazy forwards out of the team and put in some fresh faces. Strauss brings skill and deserves another shot and the other 2 couldn't hit the side of a barn between them kicking but at least Nicholson will run and Tynan will rip in around the contest.

My theme this week would be all about pressure and hard footy. The Gold Coast made us look silly against them earlier in the year, they brushed us aside at ease. This week it's time for us to at least make the work to beat us. I don't care about the score I just want to see hard effort footy. 20 tackles a quarter minimum.

Oh as for Garry Ablett I'd send the lovely Col Sylvia to play on him. Sylvia needs an education in work rate and smart football. No better time to start learning than now.

Out: Davey, Trengove

IN: Strauss tynan

D26, they're not going to drop the skipper.....unless he's 'injured.'

Drop HOWE? What?

If Magner doesn't come back in this week, you'd think he's just about done with us.

No big loss, just surprised he hasn't had more of a go, same with Couch.

It's not like we've been killing it.

I reckon Gold Coast would beat us atm even without Ablett jr.

Outs: Davey, Toumpas, Howe, Trengove.

In: Blease, Strauss, Dawes, Tynan.

Blokes like Tynan deserve a chance before the year is out.

Any players we are carrying that haven't got a chance, they need one before the year is out.

We have unearthed Gawn and Fitz, now it's time to give the rest of them a go before next year.

D26, they're not going to drop the skipper.....unless he's 'injured.'

Miotw!

I don't care who is dropped but it's time to have a look at the rest of the list..

Play Tynan, Davis and Barry. As well as blease and Straus..

Daveys is finished.. Brynes won't be around next year.. You can't play Spencer Gawn and Fitzpatrick.. On form Spencer was better than Gawn.. So out Gawn in Dawes..

They have to look forward to next year.. Because the likes above deserve a look to see if they can cut it or be cut.. No point them sitting on the list for another year if know one knows what they can do..

Thoughts?

Edited August 5, 201311 yr by PurpleHaze12

If Magner doesn't come back in this week, you'd think he's just about done with us.

No big loss, just surprised he hasn't had more of a go, same with Couch.

It's not like we've been killing it.

I reckon Gold Coast would beat us atm even without Ablett jr.

Outs: Davey, Toumpas, Howe, Trengove.

In: Blease, Strauss, Dawes, Tynan.

Blokes like Tynan deserve a chance before the year is out.

Any players we are carrying that haven't got a chance, they need one before the year is out.

We have unearthed Gawn and Fitz, now it's time to give the rest of them a go before next year.

The funny thing about Magner and Couch is they're probably two of the hardest working players at the club, but cant get games.

week in week out they both dominate the vfl, theyre hard bodied, often at the top of the list in terms of hard ball gets, tackles, clearances and possessions.

not sure why they cant get a go at afl level where we need a hard body or two to do the in and under work.

I thought I'd get this started and while I know a lot of you like saying what does it matter, I always enjoy reading everyone's comments from the ones who want Dunny out every week, to the ones who always want Taggert in.

I'll quickly start this off by saying that based on the VFL player report I reckon there can only be a maximum of five ins this week against Gold Coast.

1) Dawes if fit, would come straight in.

2) The four listed as best in VFL were Magner (who from reports not only tackled by kept Christensen fairly subdued as well), Strauss (who has been in the best for several weeks now), Nicholson (who has been impressive since getting dropped) and Blease (who had 22 touches and seems able to win ball at VFL level but is always the scapegoat when he plays poorly at AFL level).

It should be noted that the last three all provide speed and run - something that I would think would be pretty helpful against Gold Coast which is regarded as super quick.

Magner, whilst not always effective with his kicking, provides grunt and tackling and IMO would be worth using on Ablett in first half with a fresh Nicho to come on as sub at half time and takeover the Ablett duties.

Given Casey lost by 10 goals, it's hard to see how you could consider other inclusions this week, although I'd love to see Taggert, Barry and Tynan get a shot at it before the end of the season.

The only question in my view is who goes out, which is always difficult.

Over to you.

I like the magner idea and then moving nicho onto him. Nichos disposal isnt the best, but hes work ethic and running ability is very good. Should turn him into our next tagger with jordy. Id like a dominant tagger again, remember godfrey in his prime. good tagger.

The problem we have at the moment is we will remain stagnant and sit on our hands for the rest of the season

There can be no planning on player movements in 2014 without having someone making the decisions beyond 2013

There is no guarantee ANY of the football department staff will be at Melbourne in 2014

Craig has stated he will reward form at Casey and that is all fine and dandy but has he ever considered dropping poor performing players from the senior side

To me its a no brainer but it seems to be a concept that Melbourne hasn't grasped yet

Getting tired of rewarding mediocre performances like its part of normal practice

Culture is earnt and we are earning exactly what we get

The GWS and GCS double would have been the perfect opportunity to play some kids against mostly kids

Craig needs to stop sitting on his hands and start developing kids by giving them senior game time

What is the bet he will miss the boat

It is getting beyond a joke to be honest

Edited August 5, 201311 yr by Swampfox

The funny thing about Magner and Couch is they're probably two of the hardest working players at the club, but cant get games.

week in week out they both dominate the vfl, theyre hard bodied, often at the top of the list in terms of hard ball gets, tackles, clearances and possessions.

not sure why they cant get a go at afl level where we need a hard body or two to do the in and under work.

I agree and I think the club really owes the supporters an explanation.

We are struggling in the midfield and yet the type of players we need are sitting in the VFL.

We all know Magner and Couch aren't superstars, but we know they have a crack and that is what the side desperately needs.

The end of the year can't come quick enough.

The problem we have at the moment is we will remain stagnant and sit on our hands for the rest of the season

There can be no planning on player movements in 2014 without having someone making the decisions beyond 2013

There is no guarantee ANY of the football department staff will be at Melbourne in 2014

Craig has stated he will reward form at Casey and that is all fine and dandy but has he ever considered dropping poor performing players from the senior side

To me its a no brainer but it seems to be a concept that Melbourne hasn't grasped yet

Getting tired of rewarding mediocre performances like its part of normal practice

Culture is earnt and we are earning exactly what we get

The GWS and GCS double would have been the perfect opportunity to play some kids against mostly kids

Craig needs to stop sitting on his hands and start developing kids by giving them senior game time

What is the bet he will miss the boat

It is getting beyond a joke to be honest

Yeah, good post, I agree.

I don't think Neil Craig is an option as coach anyway.

Craig was there under Neeld during some head scratching times.

Why Roos is a good fit, it's because he is well respected and will demand players to play for him.

Craig can't do that, he is too nurturing and surely we are done with blokes nurturing these feminine players.

Bailey nurtured them, Craig and Eade are similar.

IMO, that leaves us with Roos or Choc.

Strauss has to come in and stay in for the rest of the season. Give him at least those four games to settle and show what he can do.

Taggert has put together some pretty decent form over a number of weeks also, so has to be considered.

The rest I don't know about. Dawes presumably would be straight into the side if fit. I'd love to see Davis get a run in defence instead of Pedo while Frawley is out. I wish Craig were a bit bolder in his moves and willing to take risks with his selections rather than playing the same hacks because he thinks they can do what he asks them to. I somehow doubt there will be many changes given his track record.

Out- Older players

In - Tynan, Taggert and Strauss

The only game we won early in the year was against Port Adelaide ( and haven't they been good) where we went with a younger side with players that wanted to win and had grown up in a winning culture. I believe half the problem is some of our players have not won on a regular basis for so long they have forgotten how to win. Instead of going out expecting to win they go out to play with no confidence about winning.

?? Port Adelaide pumped us because our side was filled with squibs like Rodan, Pedersen, Sellar and Gillies. I think Pedersen is the only one of those players with a chance of getting a game this week.

Out: Davey, Byrnes, Tapscott

In: Dawes (if fit), Strauss, Taggert

Out: Davey, Byrnes, Tapscott

In: Dawes (if fit), Strauss, Taggert

Taggert doesn't deserve a game:

"13 disposals as a forward/midfielder is below what he has been delivering in past weeks."

Taggert doesn't deserve a game:

"13 disposals as a forward/midfielder is below what he has been delivering in past weeks."

I haven't seen any Casey games this season, so I'm just going off what I've read. None of Tapscott, Davey or Byrnes deserve a game either, and from many accounts Taggert has had some good form in the last few weeks with this past weekend's performance being the anomaly.

Blease doesn't get a game from me because he always seems to disappear when he makes the firsts. Nicholson is a butcher. Magner is a VFL player. Same goes for Jetta. This season's a lost cause anyway, I want to see what some of these untried players can do when given the opportunity. There's no point wasting games on players like Byrnes and Davey because they won't be around next year.

Gotta give these blokes a go. U would think that they will give it 100% which would be nice.

This from the dees website:

James Magner: Jimmy played a negating role on one of Geelong's key midfielders and was again very effective while accumulating 27 disposals. He led the side with eight tackles and overall defensive acts. His form has been excellent.

Jordie McKenzie: Jordie won a lot of the ball (30 possessions) and had to work very hard for most of these. He led the side for hardball gets and also contributed with some very good

James Strauss: James played another consistent game. His use of the ball combined with his speed to be attacking was a positive in this game. He had 22 disposals and defended well.

Rory Taggert: What Rory did, he did well. He generated a few shots on goal by backing his speed and led the team for the most Inside 50s. However 13 disposals as a forward/midfielder is below what he has been delivering in past weeks.

Josh Tynan: Josh had to compete for a number of hard contested aerial balls and stood his ground with courage on each occasion. He worked to make some good spoils when he was out of position and also won 16 disposals for the game, which was a solid effort./

Edited August 5, 201311 yr by DemonOX

The funny thing about Magner and Couch is they're probably two of the hardest working players at the club, but cant get games.

week in week out they both dominate the vfl, theyre hard bodied, often at the top of the list in terms of hard ball gets, tackles, clearances and possessions.

not sure why they cant get a go at afl level where we need a hard body or two to do the in and under work.

Simple: they are ROOKIES! We had a chance to promote mid-year and went with Clisby who was an inspired choice. Surely you would not want to swap him now for Magner?