WJ, eloquence of the written word aside, I'm not sure that's all that different to what BH is suggesting (no doubt he will correct me if I'm wrong here). I certainly interpreted "hate" to mean "found him very difficult to work with" even if that's not what the dictionary says it means.

That might well be true Nasher, but the connotation behind "hatred" is an emotional one which doesn't properly sum up the feelings of those players with who I had discussions about Neeld. I think that's important when looking at who should coach this playing group and, on the other side of the equation, who of the playing group we should be retaining or putting up for trade and/or delisting. Those who played on to the best of their ability like Nathan Jones should be commended. The softies who want to wait and see who the next coach is are in need of either drastic reeducation or the boot.

WJ, eloquence of the written word aside, I'm not sure that's all that different to what BH is suggesting (no doubt he will correct me if I'm wrong here). I certainly interpreted "hate" to mean "found him very difficult to work with" even if that's not what the dictionary says it means.

I did mean "hate" in a footy sense, not a personal one.

I also like to use a bit of theatre occasionally.

Occasionally? BH you are Demonland's ongoing soliloquy.

wait for it...

Couch has already been told he is not required next year. All the easy decisions like that and MacDonald have been made. Not certain of Magner, I would try and trade him for a pick before letting him go. You can trade rookies now.

This is probably one of the few times in recent memory that we've actually had young players really preforming at VFL level and banging on the door for selection.... But at the same time they have a chance to play finals... IMO Taggert should debut round 23 against the dogs. It would do him the world of good and the players will have some confidence going in, due to beating them earlier this year. The way Gawn has been playing, Spencer would be worrying about his spot... How many times have Melbourne players had to worry about their spot in the team?? The wheels are slowly starting to turn, we are seeing some players develop, some players (Viney) show their passion.... Toumpas is showing why he was so highly rated, all he needs is time and 1 or 2 pre seasons until he has an impact on games on a regular basis.... There are some very bright prospects at Melbourne... the future is there, as supporters all we need to do is hang in there and soon enough, we will reap the rewards for our patience.

5 goal performance by Tags but not in the bests so unsure if deserved of a senior match. However if he is expected to be there next year I can see value in giving a game in one of the last two. I can also see value in letting Toump play out the year at VFL level and build on the confidence I would think 30 possession games would give him going into his first full preseason.

I dont care whether Magner is in our future plans if we lose well today as expected you MUST reward a player who gets 50 touches.

Yeah, highly possible there were a few joe-the-gooses in that lot, or goals from frees.

I'm happy Tags is developing as a half-decent half fwd, but when is he going to start showing something in the midfield?

Max Gawn

59 hitouts, 27 disposals, 14 marks and three goals.

i know it was only against Bendigo Gold but its still awesome

Been reported on Gameday that Hogan has no structural damage and looks like a 2-3 week injury.

Hogan instgrammed a photo of his phone showing alarms set for icing at 1.30am, 3am, 4.30am etc. He's spitting chips about missing out on Saturday night activities haha

He also says in the comments it's not worst case, landed on his knee badly and scans suggest bruised bone and lightly scarred/stretched ligament. Might be able to make finals in 2 weeks.

Gotta love his dedication and enthusiasm for getting back out there.

Good news, too.

Max Gawn

59 hitouts, 27 disposals, 14 marks and three goals.

i know it was only against Bendigo Gold but its still awesome

Shame has isn't playing today, he's cost me my supercoach.

Been reported on Gameday that Hogan has no structural damage and looks like a 2-3 week injury.

Thank god for that, put the kid on in cotton wool.

Thank god for that, put the kid on in cotton wool.

Yeah, good idea.

I don't think we should play him until he is 26, just in case.

Been reported on Gameday that Hogan has no structural damage and looks like a 2-3 week injury.

good news! could have been much worse

Saw Hogan at the cafe cheeky monkey in Richmond an hour ago. Was limping a bit but didn't look anything serious.

Been reported on Gameday that Hogan has no structural damage and looks like a 2-3 week injury.

Question now comes do we let him play VFL finals. It was an easier question when he was fit and full of beans, but now if there is a slight concern about his knee he should not be allowed to play. I'm a big advocate for us strengthening our alliance with Casey by backing them in the finals but we need to make sure this kids good to go for 2014.

Out of interest will Fitzy qualify for Casey finals? He played a lot of games there in the first half of the year, what's the requirement? He should've played last year, I was filthy with the club for pulling him out so this could be the make up.

Question now comes do we let him play VFL finals. It was an easier question when he was fit and full of beans, but now if there is a slight concern about his knee he should not be allowed to play. I'm a big advocate for us strengthening our alliance with Casey by backing them in the finals but we need to make sure this kids good to go for 2014.

Out of interest will Fitzy qualify for Casey finals? He played a lot of games there in the first half of the year, what's the requirement? He should've played last year, I was filthy with the club for pulling him out so this could be the make up.

If he is fit he should play and hopefully enjoy some success with the likes of Max, Fitz, Taggert, Toump and other with whom he may play for the next decade.

The Development League game was there to be won with Casey kicking with the aid of the wind in the last quarter. They scored 1.6.12 to 2.0.12 and lost by 5 points.

CaseyScorpions 2.1.13 5.5.35 5.6.36 6.12.48

PortMelbourne 1.2.8 3.3.21 5.11.41 7.11.53

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fowler Hughes 2 Pollard Riseley

Port Melbourne Johnston 2 McTaggart Muling Pitt Thornton Whelan

Best

Casey Scorpion Lindsay Pollard Troutman Waters P Rosier Riseley

Port Melbourne Burstin Muling Papaleo Gordon Hammond Smith

Has anyone been to see how Westrupp's tracking yet?

On the subject of qualifying for the finals, by my reckoning there's a fair contingent of players already eligible if six games is the required number to qualify.

There are another five who have played five games to date for Casey so it will be interesting to see where the following players are selected next week:-

Jack Fitzpatrick,

Jordie McKenzie,

Cam Pedersen,

Luke Tapscott and

Jimmy Toumpas.

I'd expect Toumpas and pederson to play at casey, and Tapscott and McKenzie could go either way but I'd be very surprised if we drop Fitzpatrick to qualify him.

Yeah, good idea.

I don't think we should play him until he is 26, just in case.

I've witnessed a lot of flogs on these boards, but congrats, I shall call you the king.

Thank god for that, put the kid on in cotton wool.

thats is our problem, 10 years of cotton wool, & no bruises.

this IS where our remaining culture went over the last 10 years. 'sooooft' & softer. our kids have not developed since around 2005, or before. & it wasn't great before that footy admin era...

I'd expect Toumpas and pederson to play at casey, and Tapscott and McKenzie could go either way but I'd be very surprised if we drop Fitzpatrick to qualify him.

We should!!!

this club Needs!,, MOST of All, to have our kids feel the WIN !!! Blood them now! put them all in that finals team, all we can qualify for the side, & smash the opposition thru September.

we need to blood our Kids with big Wins, to give this club & all who follow it some Hope for our future,,, not to mention anyone who is fearful of committing to our cause. Coaches & prospective players.

stuff the Cotton Wool & let our administration grow some,,, & take the chance to grow this club & support base with some 'Take it On Attitude'..

OUR 2014 season starts Now, with decisions taken by PJackson & GBartlett.... come on guys, & stop this playing safe,,, & show how we can from next week @ Casey Scorpions.

.... bring back our integrity.

I heard today while at the ground that Jesse Hogan was OK. No major damage and he will play in the VFL finals.

Nothing official although someone said they saw it in a club tweet.