Brayshaw has played 2 games and been in the best both times, does he really need to earn his spot? Just because he is a new draftee doesn't automatically mean he isn't good enough for round 1 debut.

It's a nice theory to have picking experience over kids but when most of the experience are spuds like ours surely you have to go with the kids? Talent should always win out.

Rushing inexperienced kids into the team before they know how to look after themselves might be all right with #1 draft pics, but not #3.

He's only a kid, let him live a bit before we destroy his life

Just let him learn his craft playing with Casey. When he has a couple of BOG's then promote him.

It's not as if he'll make the difference between winning and losing in the seniors.

Trengove played very well in his first year as an 18 year old, Brayshaw is already 19. There's no need for a cotton wool approach. Lewis Taylor, Aish and countless others haven't been disadvantaged by playing.

Brayshaw's first 2 passes today were turnovers, but he worked into it after that. He moves and looks a bit like Cotchin. He's definitely got class and plays with grunt around the stoppages.

Just let him learn his craft playing with Casey. When he has a couple of BOG's then promote him.

It's not as if he'll make the difference between winning and losing in the seniors.

No, it's not a case of him making the difference to the result although it could well have done yesterday and in any event, had we stopped the last two goals and finished up 10 point winners, the game would still have been looked upon as a singular failure on our part.

I would have thought that he earned a place in the NAB Challenge team ahead of at least a few others on the basis of his first hit out for Casey. The opposition played a few 19 year olds and were not at full strength and everyone agreed the result of the game was meaningless. He deserved to be given the test.

Brayshaw will need to work on his conditioning if he is to play AFL, that I can deal with.

Viney and Toumpas need to work on more serious problems - actual skill/game issues.

I hope Roos drops both Viney and Toumpas to Casey. Both will be very good players, but they need to iron out some simple flaws in their game.

Questions to ask.

Is his form better than some of the plebs in the seniors?

Yes, play him.

No. Keep him at Casey until it is.

He is big enough, old enough to hold his own, JKH is half his size and played last year.

You have to wonder how long Roos will remain loyal to his best 22 if the loser mentality continues into the season proper.

That said, just getting Vince, Howe and Kent into the side to replace the usual turnover merchants will help to the tune of a goal or two. Brayshaw I can see getting in without much trouble if he stays consistent.

Would it have done Brayshaw any harm to start the game as a sub, given that McKenzie kept the bench warm all night?

Would it have done Brayshaw any harm to start the game as a sub, given that McKenzie kept the bench warm all night?

You're saying that sitting on the bench all night would have been better than actually getting game time with Casey?

I'm pretty sure that McKenzie was only put on the bench at the last minute, after JKH was injured. He was meant to play at Casey but went to Etihad as insurance. He wasn't needed, and played at Casey in consequence. No point in using Brayshaw as an emergency sub, I'd have thought.

[censored] #Reynolds won a Brownlow at 19.

Men are men and boys are boys.

We picked him because he can play.

#Penis Reynolds.

You're saying that sitting on the bench all night would have been better than actually getting game time with Casey?

Where did I say that he had to sit on the bench all night? He could have played a half, and been given a taste of it.

I'm pretty sure that McKenzie was only put on the bench at the last minute, after JKH was injured. He was meant to play at Casey but went to Etihad as insurance. He wasn't needed, and played at Casey in consequence. No point in using Brayshaw as an emergency sub, I'd have thought.

That makes sense.

Where did I say that he had to sit on the bench all night? He could have played a half, and been given a taste of it.

Yes, but to what effect? He was probably up against a better side in Port anyway.

Yes, but to what effect? He was probably up against a better side in Port anyway.

Based on the scores, Casey plus MFC top ups are on a par with our seniors. Very disturbing.

Fitzy round 1 please

Brayshaw too, hes already better than half the guys that played vs Essendon

Hoping Kent plays too

Yup, Ill take all three

It looks like Roos wants to have just one specialist ruck given the move of playing Frost as second ruck yesterday. In that case I think we could mount a pretty good case for Fitz to be the second ruck/forward while Frost went to the backline. I suspect Pedo would get a call-up before him though.

[censored] #Reynolds won a Brownlow at 19.

Men are men and boys are boys.

We picked him because he can play.

#Penis Reynolds.

Baffling what's sensored and what's not.

Happy to let Brayshaw get some games at Casey. He'll get an opportunity at some point this year. Current best practice is Hawthorn who would probably not rush him into the ones before mid year at the earliest, or perhaps even next year. Of course they can afford to, but it's best practice nonetheless. Mid year sounds good to me.

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.

All over - Casey left its run a bit late going down 7.7.49 to Port's 8.7.55 meaning both games were lost by a single goal.

Goals Kent Smith 2 [Pedersen] Rosier Walmsley

Best Brayshaw Kent Fitzpatrick Michie Spencer Pattison

It was a much better second half with Port winning due to its experience and calmness under pressure. Spencer controlled the ruck and Fitzpatrick did well in defence.

People want to know why I'm so impressed with Brayshaw. He is all class and poise, moves beautifully and kicks well with either foot. A couple of his kicks were intercepted but that was due mainly to the flat footed laziness of the intended recipient. Now to sum up why he impressed - it was in a single piece of play in the second quarter. The ball was kicked towards the wing on the members side, the Casey player in the pack was out of position with two Port players about to raffle the mark between them. It was Brayshaw who had to go for the mark from behind and he rose, plucked it away and played on. Exquisite.

Viv Michie was a solid ball getter as well and set up some nice plays but is not much different to some of the other midfielders who played last night. We have a need for an outside running machine. Billy Stretch could become that player but he he has a way to go. Paul Pattison also impressed.

I think Casey will have a good year. They had a few of their leaders out today and looked very ordinary until the third term when they lifted. Lucas Walmsley with his shock of blond Rasta hair, pace and elusiveness could be a big name at this level and go even further.

Not an MFC player, but how did tommy Muir go out there?

I wouldn't say this about every player, but 2 AFL games are the equivalent of 10 VFL games worth of experience for Brayshaw. He'll develop far quicker at AFL level and he won't be out of place.

Stretch is different. He needs virtually a full season at Casey.

And your thoughts on Fitzpatrick's game? One on my "needs to show a lot more" list this year.

Played at fullback, I was very pleased to see him hold some contested marks. I thought his game was good today. Still needs to improve his work rate a bit more. But one of our better players.

Pedo lifted in the last qtr, to help narrow the margin. Hardly sighted before that. I thought pencil went alright, didnt set the game on fire, but was servicable.

Mitchie also showed a bit in the last qtr, but again, needs to work harder for an entire game.

Uninspiring game, but it had its moments. Port are always hard to beat, Casey went down fighting. Seen worse than todays effort.

I've been wanting to see Fitz play back for a while now...I think it's a good move. Looking forward to see if this continues and how he goes.

Fitzy round 1 please

Brayshaw too, hes already better than half the guys that played vs Essendon

Hoping Kent plays too

Yup, Ill take all three

Did you see Fitzy play round 1 last year, or for the first 3 games last year. I don't think he has improved, he is not up to playing AFL. We have given him opportunity and he is another who was drafted with Blease, Strauss, Tapscott, Gawn who have struggled. He may be a good VFL player because he is versatile, ruck/forward. But against the big men in the AFL he is not so versatile. Casey for the year and then to be delisted.

Brayshaw probably would have had a run in the senior side if it wasn't for his 2 x concussions late in the preseason.