Northern Blues v Casey Scorpions

[hardtack 10,861]

Toumpas 15 tackles? Is that a misprint?

If thats correct its bloody awesome

Possibly why he topped the dream team points with 118... why wasn't he listed in the best?

[jnrmac 20,276]

Possibly why he topped the dream team points with 118... why wasn't he listed in the best?

Griffen had similar tackles and they were dribbling over his game on Saturday....

[godees 892]

Griffen had similar tackles and they were dribbling over his game on Saturday....

He got votes in the age

[deeko 952]

VFL accumulates dream team? Since when?

Had a look at the VFL web page and was happy to read Blease had a disposal efficiency at 75% which (considering some of the comments that stated he made a few howlers) isn't to bad.

Very glad to read that he and Tappy are getting some pill. I still have faith.

Also, glad to read about the Toump. Looking forward to him earning his spot back and adding some polish which we need.

I wrote off Strauss a long time ago and can't see him being around past his current contract.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Looks like a few of them will be ready when its their turn, they will also be aware they will need to grab that chance, need to fight hard for it and that they have competitors. Think Roos might know what he's about.

[DeeSpencer 26,301]

Does anyone have any faith at all in Blease as a backman though?

Sure he's fast and can break the lines but what chance that he can

- Lock down on a quality forward

- Be reliable by foot (and mind) when under pressure

I see the backline as a way to get his form up and going at VFL but don't trust him at all as an AFL level defender.

[T-34 409]

Does anyone have any faith at all in Blease as a backman though?

Sure he's fast and can break the lines but what chance that he can

- Lock down on a quality forward

- Be reliable by foot (and mind) when under pressure

I see the backline as a way to get his form up and going at VFL but don't trust him at all as an AFL level defender.

We already have to many defenders who aren't that great at actually defending, the good ones defend first and hurt them going the other way later.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Its totally up to him but I hold out some hope. He's got the speed , skills and footy smarts. Makes a few booboos as players who take the game on tend to do, but if he gets it right he has the capacity to be very damaging for us.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Its totally up to him, but I hold out some hope. He's got the speed , skills and footy smarts. Makes a few booboos as players who take the game on tend to do, but if he gets it right he has the capacity to be very damaging for us.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Its totally up to him, but I hold out some hope. He's got the speed , skills and footy smarts. Makes a few booboos as players who take the game on tend to do, but if he gets it right he has the capacity to be very damaging for us.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Oops the Mount Mary kicked in.

[bing181 9,425]

Some of the numbers in those stats speak volumes about the kind of coaching and development that is now being put into the not-quite-first-22 players, as well as the trust that is developing between coaches and players. 15 tackles for Toumpas, 30+ possessions for Blease etc.

Impressive work by all concerned.

(not that one swallow makes a summer either …)

[Biffen 12,949]

Blease is being forced to work his ring off.

I don't expect Toump to get back in easily .

If Byrnes plays again I will spew.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

That "crystalline" spew of yours would be very dangerous Biff!

[binman 44,533]

Byrnes is in the team until the Toump, Riley, Blease or Tappy force the issue. My tip? Byrnes to make way sooner rather than later for the Toump who no doubt has been asked to improve defensively (as has Blease).

I'm not sure it will be this week though, certainly not Blease as this is the first really top game he has played. Remember Roos has said 5-6 top games in the magoos is the benchmark to go up. Has the Toump put enough together yet?

Unfortunately the scorps have a bye the week after next so no chance for the players noted above (or Gawn for that matter) to press their case when during the dees week off.

[Slartibartfast 18,009]

Oops the Mount Mary kicked in.

Hmmm. Lucky man!

[titan_uranus 25,176]

Great to see Toumpas getting involved with the tackling. Needed to lift in that area. Obviously one game isn't definitive of anything, but it's at least a start. Same for Blease. One game of getting involved isn't much to write home about, but it could be the spark that he needs to get some confidence back. If he can get some consistent form going at Casey, he'll get his shot in the back half of the year.

[Axis of Bob 11,906]

I really like the idea of Toumpas in defence.

We often lack class bringing the ball out of defence and Toumpas is an excellent ball user who has a great tank. He's also good at reading the ball defensively from what I've seen, and decent overhead. If he can develop into a level headed, rebounding, ball using defender in the long term then it certainly fills a big hole for us.

[Machsy 2,858]

Blease is being forced to work his ring off.

I don't expect Toump to get back in easily .

If Byrnes plays again I will spew.

I think it will become increasingly more difficult to actually get dropped, in order for it to become harder to get promoted, making players earn spots.

I don't care if Byrnes plays for the next 12 weeks through hideous form, as long as he's not dropped until someone deserves to come in and take his place. And then he'll probably never make it back in.

I hope this is how Roos & the football dept see it too.

[binman 44,533]

I think it will become increasingly more difficult to actually get dropped, in order for it to become harder to get promoted, making players earn spots.

I don't care if Byrnes plays for the next 12 weeks through hideous form, as long as he's not dropped until someone deserves to come in and take his place. And then he'll probably never make it back in.

I hope this is how Roos & the football dept see it too.

Yep, good call. Roos has made it super clear that players in the twos have to make a compelling case for senior selection with consistency strong performance (that no doubt have to include specific KPI's eg pressure acts, tackles).

Top 10 players returning from injury like Garland and Jamar probably don't have to but for the rest i suspect they are going to have to work super hard to get a spot in the ones. Smart.

[rjay 25,307]

Yep, good call. Roos has made it super clear that players in the twos have to make a compelling case for senior selection with consistency strong performance (that no doubt have to include specific KPI's eg pressure acts, tackles).

Top 10 players returning from injury like Garland and Jamar probably don't have to but for the rest i suspect they are going to have to work super hard to get a spot in the ones. Smart.

Even they had to do some time at Casey were as in the past they would have come straight back in.

[Whispering_Jack 31,144]

I really like the idea of Toumpas in defence.

We often lack class bringing the ball out of defence and Toumpas is an excellent ball user who has a great tank. He's also good at reading the ball defensively from what I've seen, and decent overhead. If he can develop into a level headed, rebounding, ball using defender in the long term then it certainly fills a big hole for us.

AOB - That's exactly where he was played in one of the games I saw him when he was with SA Under 18's in 2012 (perhaps because of the hip problems he was experiencing). He did all of the things you mentioned and was a very effective attacking defender who often followed the play (and his man) out of defence and set up scoring opportunities. If he can do that at AFL level, we have a definite asset.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I really like the idea of Toumpas in defence.

We often lack class bringing the ball out of defence and Toumpas is an excellent ball user who has a great tank. He's also good at reading the ball defensively from what I've seen, and decent overhead. If he can develop into a level headed, rebounding, ball using defender in the long term then it certainly fills a big hole for us.

I agree, its a good idea to make sure he gets the defensive responsibilities right Into his game, before playing forward & getting spoilt, only one way running & recieving. Only wanting to kick goals, & not do the 1%ers. this is where our good players keep falling into the Dees sink hole.

when we get going I see him elsewhere potentially, but for now, it would help.

Is he ready-strong enough, to play one on one at senior level yet?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Even they had to do some time at Casey were as in the past they would have come straight back in.

Good call, rjay. do I recall some players over the last 2 years, refusing to play in the reserves?

I think I recall some refusing to run a time trial?

culture? leadership?

things are on the up..

[Bay Riffin 1,493]

Sounds promising for players like Riley, Michie and McKenzie.

Anyone else get the feeling Strauss has little hope of renewing his contract. Uninspiring reviews and stats week after week.

VFL Player Review - Round Six

Edited May 13, 2014 by Whispering_Jack
Link added and please don't quote the whole article