I think the main short-term purpose to the way that Allison's appraisals are written and presented on the website is to let us know why the Casey players aren't in the firsts and what they have to do to get back there. It does also point out he parts of each player's game that the coaches are pleased with. The overall tone is constructive; it's not just criticism for the sake of criticism. Every one of the 44 on the list wants to play in the firsts - the appraisals are about what those who aren't there have to do to get there.

In the light of this clear evidence before us that each player at Casey should know exactly why they aren't in the firsts, it's a concern if some are complaining to the Casey coach about it. Because these appraisals also show us week to week who's working on what they need to do, and who isn't. And this may well play a part in determining who remains on the list for 2015 and who doesn't.

The appraisals also give us a great insight into what's expected of every player at the club - the famous "non-negotiables". In the games we've been smashed against really good teams (Hawks in pre-season, then WCE) our game just fell apart and it seemed like every player just stopped doing the "non-negotiables". Port will be a big test to see if we can keep the "non-negotiables" going the whole game, even if we can't keep up with them.

Oh, and Saty ... do you really believe that Watts was the main one of a small minority of players who "simply refused to buy in" to whatever it was that Neeld was trying to do? If so, that's a mind-blowingly superficial take on a very complex situation. You really need to be more aware when you're not getting the whole story - or, as in this particular case, anything that even remotely resembles the whole story. Remarks such as Jamar's should give you a clue.

We all know what Neeld tried to do...

He inherited an unfit, inexperienced and talent-less list.

To try and fix this he brought premiership and experienced players like Byrnes, Dawes (who we wouldn't have got without Neeld) and Rodan, not to mention culling the list of poor draft choices like Gysberts (which we traded for Pedersen), Bennell, Bate etc.

In coaching and other aspects like his approach to players he was a complete failure.

People attribute a lot of things to Neeld, but often look past why he made those decisions and what happened in the Bailey era.

Edited: corrected that Neeld did not bring in Misson

Back on topic,

Anyone else noticed that the 1 and a half of the teams we've beaten so far this season were all playing finals last year?

Edited: corrected that Adelaide did not play finals and semantics on Carlton

Akum my quote won't work, I said there were a minority who wouldn't buy in, I only said Watts was the main one, I didn't name other names, but it is obvious Jamar is another one, I will stand by my superficiality, can you come up ith something apart from just saying I am wrong?

Back on topic,

Anyone else noticed that the 3 teams we've beaten so far this season were all playing finals last year?

Adelaide didn't, Carlton technically finished ninth and Richmond lost to said ninth team in the finals.

And they're all playing rubbish this year.

We all know what Neeld tried to do...

He inherited an unfit, inexperienced and talent-less list.

To try and fix this he brought in Misson, premiership and experienced players like Byrnes, Dawes (who we wouldn't have got without Neeld) and Rodan, not to mention culling the list of poor draft choices like Gysberts (which we traded for Pedersen), Bennell, Bate etc.

In coaching and other aspects like his approach to players he was a complete failure.

People attribute a lot of things to Neeld, but often look past why he made those decisions and what happened in the Bailey era.

Mission was signed before Neeld signed...

Adelaide didn't, Carlton technically finished ninth and Richmond lost to said ninth team in the finals.

Mission was signed before Neeld signed...

I stand corrected.

Except for the Carlton comment Clint

Amendments made

And they're all playing rubbish this year.

Adelaide are far from rubbish just because we beat them.

Watching PA tonight we r really going to find out how far behind we r against a top side.

Geez they play well as a team and their pressure is immense.

Watching PA tonight we r really going to find out how far behind we r against a top side.

Geez they play well as a team and their pressure is immense.

It's going to be really interesting to see how or if we can block their run and carry. We've done pretty well at stopping teams play the game on their terms. Can we do it against Port? I guess we will find out.

Cross to Boak, Jones? Bail will probably track Broadbent who is their distributor out of the back half, Pittard is no 2 distributor but he does come unstuck more under pressure.

Adelaide are far from rubbish just because we beat them.

Before the Collingwood game last week, they were playing like a bottom 8 side. As DemonOX says, next week will be the real test.

We will beat Port next week on neutral ground

Theyve struggled at home vs the Hawks who have basically their 5 best players out

Time for the MFC to expose some more South Australian pretenders

Good outcome tonight Port had a tough tussle against the Hawks but got up to win, hopefully they have a let down against us next week. Gee given the Hawks were playing away in the cauldron I reckon they got well looked after by the umpires, not just for the 50 50's they often got but for some obvious ones they were not pinged for, I.e Hodges infringement in the goal square in the first quarter against Wingard, play on! Really.

Good outcome tonight Port had a tough tussle against the Hawks but got up to win, hopefully they have a let down against us next week. Gee given the Hawks were playing away in the cauldron I reckon they got well looked after by the umpires, not just for the 50 50's they often got but for some obvious ones they were not pinged for, I.e Hodges infringement in the goal square in the first quarter against Wingard, play on! Really.

The umpiring is a bit of a raffle at the moment 'Hood', thought there were a few either way that had me scratching the head. To be honest I think the umpiring this year is the most unpredictable I've ever seen. Evans/Campbell/Kennedy have a lot to answer for.

As for next week, it would be a let down after playing to 52,000 this week and around 6,000 next. The top teams do what they do week in week out so let's see how they go about it. For us it's a real test.

Watching PA tonight we r really going to find out how far behind we r against a top side.

Geez they play well as a team and their pressure is immense.

I'm actually really looking forward to next week, which in itself is amazing.

Port are ripe for the picking.

They will relax slightly after the huge win tonight.

Their freestyle attacking brand of footy will really challenge our game style, however, of we can lock them down and stop their run, we are acreal chance. Frawley, jamar and Gawn must be at their best.

If we can beat port, bring on qb.

Fb- Terlich, Garland, Dunn

Hb- grimes, McDonald, Howe

C- Vince, Tyson, Salem

Hf- watts, frawley, Kent

Ff- jkh, Gawn, Pederson

Fol- jamar, jones, viney

Int- mckenzie, bail, cross

Sub- toumpas

any injuries/suspensions pending for PA after tonight? The demon inside me sure hopes so.

I can see Wingard kicking a large bag. He's unstoppable at the moment.

Geez we are going to need to be at our best or this mob will destroy us

Port are ripe for the picking.

They will relax slightly after the huge win tonight.

Their freestyle attacking brand of footy will really challenge our game style, however, of we can lock them down and stop their run, we are acreal chance. Frawley, jamar and Gawn must be at their best.

If we can beat port, bring on qb.

Fb- Terlich, Garland, Dunn

Hb- grimes, McDonald, Howe

C- Vince, Tyson, Salem

Hf- watts, frawley, Kent

Ff- jkh, Gawn, Pederson

Fol- jamar, jones, viney

Int- mckenzie, bail, cross

Sub- toumpas

Why drop Matt Jones and Riley for Kent and McKenzie? If it ain't broke don't fix it!

i dont think toumpas as the sub is workable at this stage.

he seems to take a bit of time to settle into games and barring injuries subs dont have that luxury

Monfries could be a good out for us...

I'm actually really looking forward to next week, which in itself is amazing.

Me also P MAn

It will be a real test of the players and the coach.

The Hawks were definitely down with their injuries but continued to play their style which would have beaten many sides.

Port may have an ease down but I dont think Hinkley will allow that

We have to match up carefully against them and Roos will have to have every player switched on.

If every player plays to their best we can certainly beat them but I think the most important thing will be not to get blown away. A big loss would undo much of the progress that has been made

GO DEES

Looking for Port to be in 'crisis' after they get beaten by the Dees.

Same happened at Adelaide, Carlton, Richmond..

I'm loving it....

i dont think toumpas as the sub is workable at this stage.

he seems to take a bit of time to settle into games and barring injuries subs dont have that luxury

Agreed. I think he should start anyway. Despite what some have said, he was decent last week and had 8 touches in a quarter. He used the ball well.