MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION

[DeeSpencer 26,080]

Shame to see Jimmy T named [not that he doesn't deserve it]. Doesn't this disqualify him from the Casey finals?

Yeah I think it does but then again in a lot of ways he hasn't really been part of the Casey crew all year and averaging 30 touches a game the last 2 weeks he needs AFL experience. He's got VFL covered.

As for Taggert he only had 15 touches last week. 5 goals for sure but I don't think at any other AFL club that would be enough for an AFL game. It's a shame that means Rodan gets a game ahead of him but I do see why they don't want to gift Taggert games.

Pedersen is in ahead of Davis because (apparently) Pedersen can ruck. That's the way I see it anyway. I'd rather Davis but he isn't up to AFL as a forward either and he's much too short to ruck.

[DemonOX 8,800]

This whole season has been a disaster and joke.

This weeks selection only further proves it.

On a brighter note we have TWO games left

Thanks the good lord for that.

[DemonOX 8,800]

Pedersen and Rodan in is absolutely pointless

Not only are they not part of the future but they are both certified spuds

how the hell did Taggert not selected for his debut?

I thought Craig said he was going to give the newbies a go when he took over?

Must have farting dreamed it!

[CHAMP 347]

Blease and Byrnes play half forward with stints on the ball. This is what position Rodan plays. Manger is a congestion player. Craig is going for team balance. I thought Gawn was stiff but maybe they think it best he and Spencer both ruck full games fir their development rather than Gawn sit in the gial square majority of the game.

Quite. He'd not wish to upset the fine-tuning of a side which is taking all before it would he.

[Earl Hood 6,101]

Yeah I think it does but then again in a lot of ways he hasn't really been part of the Casey crew all year and averaging 30 touches a game the last 2 weeks he needs AFL experience. He's got VFL covered.

As for Taggert he only had 15 touches last week. 5 goals for sure but I don't think at any other AFL club that would be enough for an AFL game. It's a shame that means Rodan gets a game ahead of him but I do see why they don't want to gift Taggert games.

Pedersen is in ahead of Davis because (apparently) Pedersen can ruck. That's the way I see it anyway. I'd rather Davis but he isn't up to AFL as a forward either and he's much too short to ruck.

Please tell me this is not true, that this disqualifies Jimmy T from the Casey finals campaign! If true I say we have not got a clue. The best development for JT is some high pressure finals games where he might be challenged physically and expectations on his contribution to the side would be high. The alternative is he plays two non descript games for MFC at the end under no scrutiny. That said Ihope he puts in a blinder tomorrow.

[monoccular 17,573]

After looking at the team od, I doubt I'll be getting up at 5.30am to listen to it.

I wouldn't get up at 2:30 pm to either :-(((((

[Deespicable 2,886]

Please tell me this is not true, that this disqualifies Jimmy T from the Casey finals campaign! If true I say we have not got a clue. The best development for JT is some high pressure finals games where he might be challenged physically and expectations on his contribution to the side would be high. The alternative is he plays two non descript games for MFC at the end under no scrutiny. That said Ihope he puts in a blinder tomorrow.

Actually Hoody it's fare worse than this.

Apart from Jimmy T, Jack Fitzpatrick, Cam Pedersen, Luke Tapscott and Rohan Bail all needed just one more game to qualify for VFL finals with six games. Jordie and Dean Kent also needed one more but they were never in contention to play in VFL this week after strong games last week.

One of Bail or Jetta will be the travelling 23rd backup to Adelaide tomorrow and I'm betting it will be Bail.

The reason is because Melbourne don't give a s.t about Casey and developing players via VFL finals - they think they have a great development program in October and therefore want palyers back from their break early - you can tell how good it is by the results it has achieved the past few years!

[P-man 13,366]

Rodan and Davey are pretty chummy. Might have been a consideration?

Who bloody knows anymore....or cares for that matter. Just make this season end.

Mags is gawn at the end of the year, clearly. We did not get nearly enough out of him. Pity.

[rjay 25,087]

Yeah I think it does but then again in a lot of ways he hasn't really been part of the Casey crew all year and averaging 30 touches a game the last 2 weeks he needs AFL experience. He's got VFL covered.

As for Taggert he only had 15 touches last week. 5 goals for sure but I don't think at any other AFL club that would be enough for an AFL game. It's a shame that means Rodan gets a game ahead of him but I do see why they don't want to gift Taggert games.

Pedersen is in ahead of Davis because (apparently) Pedersen can ruck. That's the way I see it anyway. I'd rather Davis but he isn't up to AFL as a forward either and he's much too short to ruck.

Taggert is being played as a forward, 15 touches is more than any or our forwards have been getting plus he has had good tackle stats plus he marks and kicks goals.

My biggest problem with Taggert is they are not playing him as a mid at Casey, I'm sick of seeing Rodan taking up that space and if they're not going to play Magner or Couch then they shouldn't be holding back development of players like Taggert.

[Deespicable 2,886]

Here's one more for you all to consider.

I always thought that the idea of selectors was to consider the strengths of opposition teams and pick side's that minimise their advantage - particularly when you are a team that's down the bottom and should be trying to limit the mismatch.

So here's what they've done since Craigy's been involved:

Rd 16 v Geelong on a wet day when tackling is important - Out: Rodan (inside mid), In: Blease (oustide mid) - Result: Smashed

Rd 17: v Brisbane at NT where pace is all important - we pick a fast side and surprise, surprise we are not belted.

Rd 18 v North Melb (who love bullying us and have plenty of physical players) - we keep the same fast side and don't include Jordie, Magner, Spencer or any more big-body types - Result: Smashed

Rd 19 v GWS Giants - a light running side - we go three ruckman adding Spencer. Surprise, surprise Gawn is subbed out.

Rd 20 v Gold Coast - regarded as the fastest side in the comp - We pick a big side again but are saved from a major imbalance when Pedo and Howe drop out at last minute for the pace Strauss and Nicho - Yes pace v pace. we are competitive.

Rd 21 v Freo - Plenty of strengths but with two star ruckman in Clarke and Sandilands - we pick just one ruckman and go small in defence leaving out Pedo - Thankfully Sandilands goes down early after looking super dangerous. But Freo's press kills us as we go the boundary and decide to play an extra man back so that our options on the counter attack are even fewer..

Rd 22 v Adelaide - The Crows are injury prone at moment and have a really small, fast side. They have only two talls up forward and they are hardly monsters in Johnston and Lynch. They only have one ruckman. They have a really small defensive line. We go big and bring back Pedo on top of Dawes and Frawley.

Gawn is emergency and given the confidence I have in our selectors at the moment he'll probably be the one to come in as a late inclusion for Garland who is struggling to get up for this game.

[Earl Hood 6,101]

Actually Hoody it's fare worse than this.

Apart from Jimmy T, Jack Fitzpatrick, Cam Pedersen, Luke Tapscott and Rohan Bail all needed just one more game to qualify for VFL finals with six games. Jordie and Dean Kent also needed one more but they were never in contention to play in VFL this week after strong games last week.

One of Bail or Jetta will be the travelling 23rd backup to Adelaide tomorrow and I'm betting it will be Bail.

The reason is because Melbourne don't give a s.t about Casey and developing players via VFL finals - they think they have a great development program in October and therefore want palyers back from their break early - you can tell how good it is by the results it has achieved the past few years!

Interesting post DeeP. I am confused. I mean we all know that our training form has been elite, Neeld stated that numerous times as we were being thumped on game day. But lets make one thing clear that through out the game day carnage, training levels stayed at elite AFL levels. Of course making sure that Jimmy is ready to go in October to pit himself against the witches hats is much more important than facing up against second rate VFL types like Magner and his inferior types makes sense. Why would we want to have a kid playing hat sought of pressure cooker, I mean he could get niggled or even punched by hooligans!

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Toumpas deserves a game, he is an AFL player who has finally earned himself a game of football.

Why would we hold Jimmy back?

That would mean we award him games when he doesn't deserve them and then hold him back when he has earned his games.

I think good on Jimmy and hopefully he'll kick on now he's earned his game, this a big game for Toumpas and let's hope he performs.

I'd rather see Toumpas succeed than any other player we have and I've been critical of him at times, but the kid has emotion and heart.

There are a few numbers I'm considering putting on the young blokes jumper for 2014 and I'd love him to get aboard Toumpas, Viney or Hogan.

[Earl Hood 6,101]

Toumpas deserves a game, he is an AFL player who has finally earned himself a game of football.

Why would we hold Jimmy back?

That would mean we award him games when he doesn't deserve them and then hold him back when he has earned his games.

I think good on Jimmy and hopefully he'll kick on now he's earned his game, this a big game for Toumpas and let's hope he performs.

I'd rather see Toumpas succeed than any other player we have and I've been critical of him at times, but the kid has emotion and heart.

There are a few numbers I'm considering putting on the young blokes jumper for 2014 and I'd love him to get aboard Toumpas, Viney or Hogan.

I would rather see him play some tough, hard, uncompromising VFL finals myself and hopefully enjoy some success and the sought of player bonding that comes from finals success. Got to be better than some witches hat training in October. Gee that must be exciting.

[Mono 455]

Actually Hoody it's fare worse than this.

Apart from Jimmy T, Jack Fitzpatrick, Cam Pedersen, Luke Tapscott and Rohan Bail all needed just one more game to qualify for VFL finals with six games. Jordie and Dean Kent also needed one more but they were never in contention to play in VFL this week after strong games last week.

One of Bail or Jetta will be the travelling 23rd backup to Adelaide tomorrow and I'm betting it will be Bail.

The reason is because Melbourne don't give a s.t about Casey and developing players via VFL finals - they think they have a great development program in October and therefore want palyers back from their break early - you can tell how good it is by the results it has achieved the past few years!

Correct. MFC do not give a [censored] about Casey. For the last 5? years, the MFC have deliberately destroyed Casey's finals chances.

Read that again: DELIBERATELY.

Peter Jackson should call in the FD and beat the be-jesus out of the lot of them

Absolute disgrace. I am ashamed of them....even more than the appalling floggings they have got this year.

[Roger Mellie 4,102]

It's lucky we don't have our own MFC reserves side. We'd probably have to forfeit the finals.

[Earl Hood 6,101]

Correct. MFC do not give a [censored] about Casey. For the last 5? years, the MFC have deliberately destroyed Casey's finals chances.

Read that again: DELIBERATELY.

Peter Jackson should call in the FD and beat the be-jesus out of the lot of them

Absolute disgrace. I am ashamed of them....even more than the appalling floggings they have got this year.

Does anyone know why? I mean I can remember when we were with Sandringham and Peter Walsh imploring our players to give their all in the finals campaign which we duly won, I think three in row fro then on. It may not have set us up for a dynasty of AFL success but gee we were a lot better back then than this lot.

[Snoopy 41]

I am becoming more and more convinced that Craig is not the man for the job. His lacks tactical awareness during games

Yeh, and you do!

Give me a break.

[McQueen 17,867]

Rodan and Davey are pretty chummy. Might have been a consideration?

Who bloody knows anymore....or cares for that matter. Just make this season end.

Mags is gawn at the end of the year, clearly. We did not get nearly enough out of him. Pity.

Rodan is a better stoppage player than Magner at AFL level and has a better understanding of the game which should theoretically provide better leadership on field.

Magner is key to Caseys finals campaign.

I could go on P_man but honestly I'm FIIK.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,088]

Yeh, and you do!

Give me a break.

Yes, I do.

Also, I am more than happy to give you a break, when do you need one?

[DeeSpencer 26,080]

I think some people in here are guilty of the following:

1. Drastically overrating the importance of VFL finals and the standard of the VFL

2. Overrating what possible selection moves a coach could make with this list.

Now the way I see it their aren't too many drastic decisions made this week. By and large 4 injured players have been replaced in a mostly like for like balance to try and keep the basic team structures the same. Whilst the structures haven't been working you have to give some respect to theory that with 2 games left you dont completely throw out the style of football you hope to be successful later on.

So let me take you through the changes:

1. Strauss (inj) - Frawley in. Garland and Dunn go back to playing on shorter opponents and replace Strauss and Frawley comes back in. It's hard to argue that one.

2. Davis (omit) - Dawes in. Again a premiership CHF replacing a 2 gamer who probably isn't going to cut it at AFL as a key forward

The more arguable ones

3. Fitzy (inj) - Pedersen in. We all think Pedersen isn't good but he's got positional flexibility and we all know Dawes hates rucking and Davis just isn't big enough. Considering Pedersen is contracted he's worth a look. He's also 3rd string for this position behind Fitzy and Mitch Clark and there aren't any new faces to try in this role

4. Blease (inj) - Toumpas in. This one is pretty straight forward its just the matter of qualifying Toumpas for VFL finals. But VFL finals could be 2 games and over against only moderate VFL opponents. Despite how meaningless our last 2 games are I'd like to see Toumpas go head to head with some decent quality opposition. Not to mention he gets a game in his home state which is a positive

5. Byrnes (inj) - Rodan in. I know people won't be happy with this one but again Rodan is more suited to AFL at his best than Magner and I just don't quite think Taggert has been consistent enough to demand a spot. Plus we've already got Kent and Tapscott and have had Blease so how many sub par half forwards do we need. I think he's better served getting a debut after a strong preseason showing. Also it's hard to argue we shouldn't have included Toumpas to give him VFL finals but we should've promoted Taggert and taken him away from an important VFL game.

The way I see it is the MFC will likely have the following guys available for VFL: Spencer, Gawn, Sellar, Pedersen, Gillies, Davis, Nicholson, Clisby, Magner, Couch (inj), Hogan (inj), Taggert, Tynan, Jetta, Bail, Barry, Rodan. I understand we could've qualified Kent, Fitzpatrick and Toumpas if we had been a little more creative in selection but I think it's been fair to Casey as well to play the guys who have been their all season and let the VFL guys at Casey have a shot as well.

My philosophy on VFL finals is that if you are fit and you've played at Casey all season then you play and play well. Unfortunately for Casey they've copped a few injuries - Hogan as well as Strauss and Blease which would've given them more to work with but that doesn't mean Melbourne aren't committed to Casey finals this year.

[rjay 25,087]

Don't agree with you on Rodan and if had his best it was many years back, I've always thought him to be in the bottom 1% of AFL footballers.

I would have brought in Taggert, as you call them sub par half forwards have given little. It's time for someone else and see if he can make par at least, plus he is a mid. I know Neeld branded him a forward but what would he know, at least Brett Lovett knew where to play him.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I think some people in here are guilty of the following:

1. Drastically overrating the importance of VFL finals and the standard of the VFL

2. Overrating what possible selection moves a coach could make with this list.

Now the way I see it their aren't too many drastic decisions made this week. By and large 4 injured players have been replaced in a mostly like for like balance to try and keep the basic team structures the same. Whilst the structures haven't been working you have to give some respect to theory that with 2 games left you dont completely throw out the style of football you hope to be successful later on.

So let me take you through the changes:

1. Strauss (inj) - Frawley in. Garland and Dunn go back to playing on shorter opponents and replace Strauss and Frawley comes back in. It's hard to argue that one.

2. Davis (omit) - Dawes in. Again a premiership CHF replacing a 2 gamer who probably isn't going to cut it at AFL as a key forward

The more arguable ones

3. Fitzy (inj) - Pedersen in. We all think Pedersen isn't good but he's got positional flexibility and we all know Dawes hates rucking and Davis just isn't big enough. Considering Pedersen is contracted he's worth a look. He's also 3rd string for this position behind Fitzy and Mitch Clark and there aren't any new faces to try in this role

4. Blease (inj) - Toumpas in. This one is pretty straight forward its just the matter of qualifying Toumpas for VFL finals. But VFL finals could be 2 games and over against only moderate VFL opponents. Despite how meaningless our last 2 games are I'd like to see Toumpas go head to head with some decent quality opposition. Not to mention he gets a game in his home state which is a positive

5. Byrnes (inj) - Rodan in. I know people won't be happy with this one but again Rodan is more suited to AFL at his best than Magner and I just don't quite think Taggert has been consistent enough to demand a spot. Plus we've already got Kent and Tapscott and have had Blease so how many sub par half forwards do we need. I think he's better served getting a debut after a strong preseason showing. Also it's hard to argue we shouldn't have included Toumpas to give him VFL finals but we should've promoted Taggert and taken him away from an important VFL game.

The way I see it is the MFC will likely have the following guys available for VFL: Spencer, Gawn, Sellar, Pedersen, Gillies, Davis, Nicholson, Clisby, Magner, Couch (inj), Hogan (inj), Taggert, Tynan, Jetta, Bail, Barry, Rodan. I understand we could've qualified Kent, Fitzpatrick and Toumpas if we had been a little more creative in selection but I think it's been fair to Casey as well to play the guys who have been their all season and let the VFL guys at Casey have a shot as well.

My philosophy on VFL finals is that if you are fit and you've played at Casey all season then you play and play well. Unfortunately for Casey they've copped a few injuries - Hogan as well as Strauss and Blease which would've given them more to work with but that doesn't mean Melbourne aren't committed to Casey finals this year.

In all likelihood we will have a new coach next year, so with all due respect, I doubt that he would want to stick to the same basic structures that have failed us so miserably this year. The idea of playing Rodan is a strange one as he will be gone at the end of the year and we may as well play someone that may still be there.

Pederson is not a ruck, nor is he a forward, or back, so that experiment just didn't work and I can't see the point in persisting with him; he's just denying someone else a spot. If you are going to drop Davis, then you bring in Gawn who is a ruck not Mr Inbetween.

God I'll be glad when this nightmare is over and Monty Byrnes, Dobie Gillies, Pederson and Rodan are gone; surely they'll pay out Pederson's contract.

[DeeSpencer 26,080]

In all likelihood we will have a new coach next year, so with all due respect, I doubt that he would want to stick to the same basic structures that have failed us so miserably this year. The idea of playing Rodan is a strange one as he will be gone at the end of the year and we may as well play someone that may still be there.

Pederson is not a ruck, nor is he a forward, or back, so that experiment just didn't work and I can't see the point in persisting with him; he's just denying someone else a spot. If you are going to drop Davis, then you bring in Gawn who is a ruck not Mr Inbetween.

God I'll be glad when this nightmare is over and Monty Byrnes, Dobie Gillies, Pederson and Rodan are gone; surely they'll pay out Pederson's contract.

Rodan is the hardest one of these selections to explain I agree with that but I think it serves the duel purpose of leaving kids who aren't up to AFL at this stage in the VFL and fighting for a top 2 spot heading in to the finals and at the same time is a best available selection. As limited as Rodan is and as much as I want to see Taggert I think Rodan is the better footballer as of right now.

As for structures I don't think any AFL coach would be overly keen to play both Spencer and Gawn in the same side. Not with Dawes and Watts as well. Two 204+cm giants in the same team is a recipe for disaster especially coming up against just Jacobs with limited back up. Again Davis can form a vital part of a VFL campaign to save his list spot and Pedersen might just be best available. The reality is we don't have Clark, Fitzpatrick or Hogan available. Take 3 players of that class out of any side and they'll play a journeyman or inexperience kid who likely is along way off.

As for Pedersen's contract I think they'd be hard up it to cut him even if they could, the AFLPA would have a melt down. But I probably wouldn't even do it if we could. There are so many list spots to fill on Melbournes list and only so many decent draft picks. Considering we have weaknesses across the board and have to pay him then 3rd string reserve defender/forward/ruck is so far down on my care factor. That said I'd be the first person setting the time machine for this time last year and saying whatever you do stay clear of Pederesn and Gillies.

Edited August 22, 2013 by the master

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Craig can make whatever moves he likes, our year is beyond shot.

If Toumpas or anyone earns games, let's see them in, it's great.

The end of the year cannot come quick enough.
It feels like year in year out all we have to look forward to at this time of the year is the draft.

Can't remember a time when this wasn't the case, it's sad.

MFC depresses me, I can only imagine how the players feel sometimes, poor blokes.

Let's hope things turn around next year.

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Rodan is the hardest one of these selections to explain I agree with that but I think it serves the duel purpose of leaving kids who aren't up to AFL at this stage in the VFL and fighting for a top 2 spot heading in to the finals and at the same time is a best available selection. As limited as Rodan is and as much as I want to see Taggert I think Rodan is the better footballer as of right now.

As for structures I don't think any AFL coach would be overly keen to play both Spencer and Gawn in the same side. Not with Dawes and Watts as well. Two 204+cm giants in the same team is a recipe for disaster especially coming up against just Jacobs with limited back up. Again Davis can form a vital part of a VFL campaign to save his list spot and Pedersen might just be best available. The reality is we don't have Clark, Fitzpatrick or Hogan available. Take 3 players of that class out of any side and they'll play a journeyman or inexperience kid who likely is along way off.

As for Pedersen's contract I think they'd be hard up it to cut him even if they could, the AFLPA would have a melt down. But I probably wouldn't even do it if we could. There are so many list spots to fill on Melbournes list and only so many decent draft picks. Considering we have weaknesses across the board and have to pay him then 3rd string reserve defender/forward/ruck is so far down on my care factor. That said I'd be the first person setting the time machine for this time last year and saying whatever you do stay clear of Pederesn and Gillies.

Master you make a lot of sense, excellent posts.