Casey Scorpions v Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields

[Axis of Bob 11,853]

I was down there from quarter time onwards.

Firstly Brayshaw. Yes he's going to be a very good player. He was the dominant clearance player for Casey. He's deceptively quick and just super strong over the ball. Also tended to use it well. Rotated heavily through the bench, but when he was on the field he was very good. I'd say that, as a first year player, his tank isn't where it needs to be for AFL footy. It's a very common theme through most first year players. It's likely that he'll play some AFL footy as the year goes on, but I think that his tank will limit the amount of game time he sees (like with Salem last year). But he looks to be a lock in 12 year centre square midfielder.

Stretch was good in patches. He looks like he'll be an excellent foot soldier for a long time, Stretch. He's a really hard runner, which makes him valuable. Makes long, end to end efforts and gets on the end of them to set up attacking opportunities. He also manages to find a bit of space and use it neatly. He's a good executor of the skills and seems to be a good old 'doing the common things uncommonly well' type of player.

Kent worked into it well late in the game. When he started motoring he looked a class above the rest. Strong and fast, playing as a half forward. Kicked a couple late, when it looked like we may pinch the game.

Spencil was excellent in the ruck. He worked hard to link up and did well to interrupt the Port players in general play.

McKenzie was solid and did what you expect him to do. Michie worked really hard for the ball and spread hard, which is what it appears he has been asked to do. Pedersen was OK, but looked a higher class of key forward on the ground.

Fitzpatrick played in deep defence. He looks like he's still learning the ropes a bit back there, but his athleticism gets him out of a lot of situations. Took some excellent marks. Oscar McDonald started forward and was moved back to curtail a tough forward. He did reasonably well down back, but not as good up forward. Competed hard and looks a good mover. Needs a few steaks, but the athleticism seems to be there. Harmes played at half back and did reasonably well. Didnt notice heaps of him, TBH, as I was focussing more on some of the new kids. White was another I didn't notice much of. Funny gait. Max King played up forward and did a few nice things, but needs to work on his aggression as a big man. He's still skinny and was playing more like a resting ruckman than as a key forward.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

I was down there from quarter time onwards.

Firstly Brayshaw. Yes he's going to be a very good player. He was the dominant clearance player for Casey. He's deceptively quick and just super strong over the ball. Also tended to use it well. Rotated heavily through the bench, but when he was on the field he was very good. I'd say that, as a first year player, his tank isn't where it needs to be for AFL footy. It's a very common theme through most first year players. It's likely that he'll play some AFL footy as the year goes on, but I think that his tank will limit the amount of game time he sees (like with Salem last year). But he looks to be a lock in 12 year centre square midfielder.

Stretch was good in patches. He looks like he'll be an excellent foot soldier for a long time, Stretch. He's a really hard runner, which makes him valuable. Makes long, end to end efforts and gets on the end of them to set up attacking opportunities. He also manages to find a bit of space and use it neatly. He's a good executor of the skills and seems to be a good old 'doing the common things uncommonly well' type of player.

Kent worked into it well late in the game. When he started motoring he looked a class above the rest. Strong and fast, playing as a half forward. Kicked a couple late, when it looked like we may pinch the game.

Spencil was excellent in the ruck. He worked hard to link up and did well to interrupt the Port players in general play.

McKenzie was solid and did what you expect him to do. Michie worked really hard for the ball and spread hard, which is what it appears he has been asked to do. Pedersen was OK, but looked a higher class of key forward on the ground.

Fitzpatrick played in deep defence. He looks like he's still learning the ropes a bit back there, but his athleticism gets him out of a lot of situations. Took some excellent marks. Oscar McDonald started forward and was moved back to curtail a tough forward. He did reasonably well down back, but not as good up forward. Competed hard and looks a good mover. Needs a few steaks, but the athleticism seems to be there. Harmes played at half back and did reasonably well. Didnt notice heaps of him, TBH, as I was focussing more on some of the new kids. White was another I didn't notice much of. Funny gait. Max King played up forward and did a few nice things, but needs to work on his aggression as a big man. He's still skinny and was playing more like a resting ruckman than as a key forward.

This. Brayshaw hasn't set the world on fire in training reports this year, but clearly once he gets in a real game situation he knows what to do.

[WERRIDEE 5,517]

Brayshaw is not our saviour. Yet. And contrary to popular opinion, he's not better than the other fringe players we have running round in the firsts. Jordie McKenzie was trotting out 30+ possession games at Casey last year.

Kent, JKH, Mitchie etc. would all be ahead of him, and I suspect that Roos and co see Bail and M Jones ahead as well. We also have Vince and Howe to come back.

In the longer term, all this will change, but let Brayshaw, ANB, Stretch and co. find their feet and fitness at a level where they can build skills, experience, and confidence.

Who said he was our saviour? If he plays a game he is suddenly a saviour?

It's usual Melbourne scapegoating, they been made the scapegoats due to our experienced group of players being pathetic.

Our 1st to 3rd year players shouldn't be expected to do anything more than their role, if they can do more then great aren't we lucky.

Our saviours are N.Jones, Dunn, Lumumba, Cross, Grimes, Dawes, Vince and Jamar. Is that a good enough list to save us? Highly unlikely, it's why we are near the bottom.

Tyson, Viney, Watts, Jetta, T.McDonald, Garlett and Howe will have to improve significantly for us to improve, the rest will need to play their role.

I can understand making kids earn it, but you have to make your experienced players earn a game too. We are not Hawthorn competition for spots isn't that high. What confidence will players like Brayshaw get being behind spuds like Bail, M.Jones and McKenzie in the pecking order?

If either or both Hogan and Brayshaw play against the Suns and we get belted and they don't get a kick I won't be looking at them screaming that we played them too early, I will be looking at the real problem which are the players I have already mentioned.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,387]

He's also still a pretty skinny kid. I'd hate to bring him into the senior side because of his Casey form and see him get smashed and put out for the year.

Is he really that skinny Ralphius?

[Bobby McKenzie 2,387]

Who said he was our saviour? If he plays a game he is suddenly a saviour?

It's usual Melbourne scapegoating, they been made the scapegoats due to our experienced group of players being pathetic.

Our 1st to 3rd year players shouldn't be expected to do anything more than their role, if they can do more then great aren't we lucky.

Our saviours are N.Jones, Dunn, Lumumba, Cross, Grimes, Dawes, Vince and Jamar. Is that a good enough list to save us? Highly unlikely, it's why we are near the bottom.

Tyson, Viney, Watts, Jetta, T.McDonald, Garlett and Howe will have to improve significantly for us to improve, the rest will need to play their role.

I can understand making kids earn it, but you have to make your experienced players earn a game too. We are not Hawthorn competition for spots isn't that high. What confidence will players like Brayshaw get being behind spuds like Bail, M.Jones and McKenzie in the pecking order?

If either or both Hogan and Brayshaw play against the Suns and we get belted and they don't get a kick I won't be looking at them screaming that we played them too early, I will be looking at the real problem which are the players I have already mentioned.

Tyson was a revelation last year. just wait until the real season starts before you downgrade him. Strange that you nominate Garlett as needing to improve. He has been pretty impressive so far and Jetta has performed well too. Watts should be placed in your saviour list. He holds the key to our future.

[WERRIDEE 5,517]

Tyson was a revelation last year. just wait until the real season starts before you downgrade him. Strange that you nominate Garlett as needing to improve. He has been pretty impressive so far and Jetta has performed well too. Watts should be placed in your saviour list. He holds the key to our future.

Yeah I made a mistake with Tyson keep on thinking it's his 3rd year when it's actually his 4th so put him in the saviour bracket. Garlett's year last year can't be forgotten, he's started well but that's only pre season, he has to continue that form during the season. Watts hasn't played well enough yet to be a saviour but he's going to have to perform like a saviour if we are going to improve this year just like the rest of the players that I mentioned that need to improve significantly.

[Gator 17,478]

Excellent summation above re Brayshaw, although I dare say his "tank" is not dissimilar to many first year players that have been regulars in their club's 22. His loads will be well managed, but I don't see it as a reason to hold him back.

[Gorgoroth 13,023]

Wouldn't be a bad sub, easily better than a handful.

[bing181 9,328]

Excellent summation above re Brayshaw, although I dare say his "tank" is not dissimilar to many first year players that have been regulars in their club's 22.

How many first year players are regulars in their club's 22?

[Fat Tony 5,272]

How many first year players are regulars in their club's 22?

Most midfielders drafted early on will play games in the first year. And our best 22 is poor, particularly in the midfield.

Brayshaw looked capable of playing AFL last year.

[jnrmac 20,189]

Yeah I made a mistake with Tyson keep on thinking it's his 3rd year when it's actually his 4th so put him in the saviour bracket. Garlett's year last year can't be forgotten, he's started well but that's only pre season, he has to continue that form during the season. Watts hasn't played well enough yet to be a saviour but he's going to have to perform like a saviour if we are going to improve this year just like the rest of the players that I mentioned that need to improve significantly.

What? When he was at Carlton and being hounded by Malthouse?

Are you serious? Garlett has kicked 40 goals or more on 3 occasions. I'd say he has a good record and in the right environment will do really well. I am hoping we are the right environment.

[mo64 5,881]

How many first year players are regulars in their club's 22?

Based on last year, 50% of the top 10 draftees were regulars (Billings, Bontempelli, Kolo, Aish, McDonald). Plus Feeman and Scharenberg had season ending injuries. So yes, many top draftees like Brayshaw are regulars in club's best 22.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Yeah but you also have to look at the amount and type of leaders taking the field with the new draftees.. We have one genuine on field leader. We have no backline general, we have minimal hard bodies and literally no one able to help us re-group when things are tough on the field

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Yeah but you also have to look at the amount and type of leaders taking the field with the new draftees.. We have one genuine on field leader. We have no backline general, we have minimal hard bodies and literally no one able to help us re-group when things are tough on the field

Lynden Dunn being elevated to vice captain is a fair indication he runs things down back

[deanox 9,989]

Well someone has to step up and fill the leadership gap left by Frawley.

[hardtack 10,627]

Wouldn't be a bad sub, easily better than a handful.

Well I would imagine there is a good possibility that is how he will be used at first. After all, and I may well be wrong, that is what Roos did with Salem isn't it?

[dpositive 1,698]

Yeah but you also have to look at the amount and type of leaders taking the field with the new draftees.. We have one genuine on field leader. We have no backline general, we have minimal hard bodies and literally no one able to help us re-group when things are tough on the field

I think you have nailed it .

We have had kids capable of playing( high draft picks)

"Melbourne" players receive no protection from the umpires and "first year" players seem to be more harshly treated no doubt in order to teach them how the umpires wish the game to be played. The combination of being a "first year Melbourne" player is not conducive to good development.

On debut they are left to play by themselves and have had little on field support.

Watts was the worst example of a first year player being thrown to the wolves as not one teammate stood next to him or went to contest against the three Collingwood players who just smashed him. The umpires gave him no support despite several punches to the head

Opposition players have licence to treat Vineys back as a trampoline

our recruits seem to be treated to a higher degree of scrutiny than other teams recruits at matches that I have seen .

Our top picks have also been introduced with game plans which were ineffective

As is often stated it would be interesting to see how Dangerfield or Wines would have coped with the additional load of a Melbourne Recruit.

Thank Goodness Roos seems to have a better game plan and a better introduction strategy

It will be interesting to see how ait pans out

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Lynden Dunn being elevated to vice captain is a fair indication he runs things down back

lol yeah Dunn

[Gorgoroth 13,023]

Well I would imagine there is a good possibility that is how he will be used at first. After all, and I may well be wrong, that is what Roos did with Salem isn't it?

Yep, and I hope Brayshaw will get a run over bail or M Jones even if it means he is the Sub.

[Dee-licious 1,954]

Based on last year, 50% of the top 10 draftees were regulars (Billings, Bontempelli, Kolo, Aish, McDonald). Plus Feeman and Scharenberg had season ending injuries. So yes, many top draftees like Brayshaw are regulars in club's best 22.

On this, Brayshaw is getting game time at Casey at the moment through the middle.

Billings - half forward, pinch hit through midfield

Bont - half forward, pinch hit through midfield

Aish - Honestly cant remember

Kolo - half back, pinch hit through midfield

McDonald - half back, pinch hit through midfield.

It's just the nature of Brayshaw's position that it is better to get some full games in and build that tank. In saying this, I think he should be playing round 1, rotating off half forward to mid (maybe straight swap with Viney) - could be why he is having goal kicking comps....

[Gator 17,478]

How many first year players are regulars in their club's 22?

Recent years...

Aish, Dunstan, L. Taylor, Wines, Mayes, Vlastuin, Couch, Heppell, Macrae, L.McDonald, Brandon Ellis, O'Meara, Wingard, Liberatore, ...

And if we go back beyond the past 4 years we get to Martin, Joel Selwood, Thomas, Judd, Sidebottom, and the list goes on and on and on.

And I avoided GWS for obvious reasons.

Edited March 23, 2015 by ProDee

[CBDees 3,167]

Well someone has to step up and fill the leadership gap left by Frawley.

Dunn was doing that all last year while Frawley was up forward.

[hemingway 7,631]

Well someone has to step up and fill the leadership gap left by Frawley.

To be honest Deano, its more a case of filling the gap he left in the team. Based on last years form when he played up forward I don't think its a major loss. Even when he was down back he had days when he was no more than serviceable. To me a leader is someone that plays his heart out irrespective of the scoreboard, runs and chases all day, can lift his game when required, and can inspire his team mates. The obvious example is N.Jones. Our problem is that Jonesy is our only true leader on the ground. Chip Frawley was never a leader.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

I'd like to see what Newton and Vandenberg have before we rush Brayshaw in.

We've hit the jackpot the past 2 years with Salem and Brayshaw.

[CBDees 3,167]

I'd like to see what Newton and Vandenberg have before we rush Brayshaw in.

We've hit the jackpot the past 2 years with Salem and Brayshaw.

And Tyson and Petracca!