POST MATCH DISCUSSION - ROUND 1, 2015

[WERRIDEE 5,599]

On a side note, Tommy Boy was rated in fantasy points as the 3rd worst player on the ground today. LOL.

He was subbed off too. What a wise investment by GWS! Is he the most disastrous pick of all time?

Your thoughts on Brayshaw? The worst selection of all time or were you wrong?

[Little Richard 6,265]

Watched this at a pub in NY (where I currently am for the next 6 weeks), whilst sitting next to two blokes from Perth who were supporting GC for betting reasons. Fair to say I got the last laugh. Suddenly 8 wins doesn't seem so many.

[Moneider96 1,045]

Watched this at a pub in NY (where I currently am for the next 6 weeks), whilst sitting next to two blokes from Perth who were supporting GC for betting reasons. Fair to say I got the last laugh. Suddenly 8 wins doesn't seem so many.

If we do the same next week as we did against Gold Coast then 8 wins isn't enough.

[Little Richard 6,265]

If we do the same next week as we did against Gold Coast then 8 wins isn't enough.

I'll be very disappointed if we aren't 2 and 0 after GWS but we'll have to beat better teams too if we're to win 8 or more.

[Moneider96 1,045]

I'll be very disappointed if we aren't 2 and 0 after GWS but we'll have to beat better teams too if we're to win 8 or more.

Honestly, how many teams are better than GWS and GC? Hawthorn, Port, Freo, Sydney, Adelaide...and that's it. Throw in Geelong as well.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Your thoughts on Brayshaw? The worst selection of all time or were you wrong?

I never said anything like that and you damn well know it. I suggested that we would be better off picking a more experienced player in order to win the game. That's it. It's perfectly straightforward and reasonable. This type of pathetic baiting is what annoys folks who read this site and should be banworthy. I hate you.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Carnage! Love this photo!

[Moneider96 1,045]

Carnage! Love this photo!

Omg, I was so confused where the extra pair of legs was coming from, then I realised there were actually 2 GC players.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Hoges can do that every quarter for all I care. Spills the ball for our crumbers and knocks out a few opposition players in the process... probably causes a few headaches the morning after as well!

[Nasher 33,617]

I've been bland on the avatar front since 186, but this one is tempting...

I twisted my own arm. Now seems like the time to finally come out of mourning. How do I look?

[the grint 71]

Paul likes it Nash

[DubDee 26,385]

Honestly, how many teams are better than GWS and GC? Hawthorn, Port, Freo, Sydney, Adelaide...and that's it. Throw in Geelong as well.

How many teams better than GWS? I'd say everyone aside from st Kilda.

9 wins from 66 games is not real good. I don't expect the same improvement from them that we saw with GC in the 3rd year.

[Phadraig 760]

I thought our kicking our for behinds was the best I've seen for a long time. Brayshaw laid some cracker tackles for a first gamer! All of our new players had good games, the only change I would make is Vince for Toumpas which is harsh as he was the sub but after watching it at the ground and watching the replay he really didn't have a good game at all.

Vince would definitely add more at this stage and I want to get more wins on the board. I think the Toump lacks a lot of confidence and needs to get it by playing some good footy at Casey. Still have very high hopes for him though

[DubDee 26,385]

I'm wondering whether this game is the best I've seen us play since 2006. Any thoughts?

Sure we had some good wins in 2008-2009 but I don't think I've seen us play as well as a team, tackling, sheparding etc. great balance between attack and defence.

Any thoughts?

Ps Any minute now my kid will stop crying so I can sleep and stop thinking these deep thoughts

[Nasher 33,617]

I'm wondering whether this game is the best I've seen us play since 2006. Any thoughts?

Sure we had some good wins in 2008-2009 but I don't think I've seen us play as well as a team, tackling, sheparding etc. great balance between attack and defence.

Any thoughts?

Ps Any minute now my kid will stop crying so I can sleep and stop thinking these deep thoughts

When Dean Bailey's team smashed Roos' Swans in 2010 was probably the most comprehensive victory in the post-Daniher apocalypse. That was clinical. Hard to believe that only 5 players from that game played on Saturday (Dunn, Garland, Jamar, Jones and Watts), and only another 2 are still on the list (Bail and McKenzie).

This is probably the best game since then though. Definitely the most convincing victory we've had since Bailey was shown the door.

Good luck with the kid stopping crying. Definitely been there done that, have the t-shirt.

[Dees2014 2,377]

A few observations (which may or may not have been mentioned)

• Jamar played an important role and without him, we could have really been towelled up.
• Viney was the real positive to come out of the game and that wasn't predicted either.
• We were hard at the contest and our backing up and 2nd & 3rd efforts were first rate.
• The corridor was our friend - who would have thought?
• We answered every challenge to great effect (the margin should have been larger though)
• All our players seemed to know their role and we displayed great teamwork.
• We put them off their game and they didn't seem to know how to respond.
• Others have made mention of Kent's negating role on Malceski - that's a decent scalp.
• We were far more direct and we played on a lot - without hesitation

The only bit that concerns me is this looks to be very close to our best team (save for Dawes & Vince) We could do with a bit of luck with injuries and we might need that luck if we're to make our mark on the season.

Another plus of sorts are those players looking on who didn't play - they'll now know the required level of intensity and application required (and the skill level)

We do have a fair bit of relative experience in the 2's and we need 3 or 4 of those players to improve their output markedly. The match committee need to see some dominant performances at Casey (both by the team and by individuals - on a consistent basis) That may not happen but we need it to happen.

A terrific win.

Macca, good points all.

One of the pleasing points of today was that Casey also had a significant win with a number of players putting their hand up. I'm thinking particularly of Vince, Gawn, Spence, McKenzie, Grimes, White and Stretch. Then there is Dawes. I think there will also be several more mid fielders coming back from injury in the next month. Our depth is certainly better than any time since Daniher. Our recruiting over the off season has been outstanding. I think we will be ok in that department.

[DubDee 26,385]

When Dean Bailey's team smashed Roos' Swans in 2010 was probably the most comprehensive victory in the post-Daniher apocalypse. That was clinical. Hard to believe that only 5 players from that game played on Saturday (Dunn, Garland, Jamar, Jones and Watts), and only another 2 are still on the list (Bail and McKenzie).

This is probably the best game since then though. Definitely the most convincing victory we've had since Bailey was shown the door.

Good luck with the kid stopping crying. Definitely been there done that, have the t-shirt.

Yeah the Sydney games stands out. I am still wondering whether this was better or maybe I'm still on a high from yesterday. The Sydney game we got on a massive attacking role and we're not challenged. Yesterday was against a good team that challenged us several times. For some reason it feels like we have more substance and we might actually build something. As opposed to 2010.

Agree the list turnover is crazy!

[Dees2014 2,377]

I agree re Toump's poise and graceful (skills) side but today's game requires you to make some very quick decision making in terms of disposal or holding on to the ball and taking on opponents etc. While Toump looks great in space and is def nice by foot when given enough time/space, i feel his decision making and thinking is still a yard or 2 behind what is required at today's super quick level. Opponents also run at break neck speed for most of the match and are capable of closing down space much quicker than at VFL level where Toump has so far played alot of his footy. I also feel this lack of quickness in decision making and movement when in possession makes him a little easier to read than most allowing opponents to intercept or pressure him into turning the ball over a little more.

Time will tell but i feel he will need to speed up his decision making, agility and disposals to make it at this level. I'm not saying he wont or that he can't either. Just think he has limitations at AFL level until this aspect is improved significantly. Maybe it's a chicken an egg thing and he just needs more time in the AFL rather than the VFL to improve in certain aspects although i'm not sure we are strong enough as a team (yet) to afford such a luxury other than against lowly rated opponents.

RN, I certainly agree that he needs time to develop and get his confidence back, which means he may need to spend much of 2015 at Casey, with significant mentoring. Once Vince comes back there are 2 or 3 others I would put in before Toumpas. I'm sure he will be an asset in the future, we just need to put these kids on the right development path.

[Phadraig 760]

King after Kent kicked it out on the full "That's a good result for Melbourne".

[Macca 17,120]

Macca, good points all.

One of the pleasing points of today was that Casey also had a significant win with a number of players putting their hand up. I'm thinking particularly of Vince, Gawn, Spence, McKenzie, White and Stretch. Then there is Dawes. I think there will also be several more mid fielders coming back from injury in the next month. Our depth is certainly better than any time since Daniher. Our recruiting over the off season has been outstanding. I think we will be ok in that department.

Yes D2014, it's good to see Gawn and Spencer do well for Casey but Frost looks like he could be our 2nd ruck for the time being at least. Vince is a good player and McKenzie is a goer like Grimes, Riley, Terlich & M Jones (skill is the issue though with many/most) Not sure we want too many more kids in the senior side but 1 or 2 of them might force their way into the side at some stage. Also, Michie, Bail & Pedersen can all come in for specific purposes but again, there's also some deficiencies there with those players (unfortunately)

For the most part, our depth players aren't the frail types or draftees so I can see a number of those depth players coming into the side and playing a role when needed (and they will be needed - often up to 30-34 players can be used in a season)

For this year at least, us supporters are going to have to wear the fact that not all 22 players picked are going to be good players or better than average players. For the most part, we might have 2 to 4 players in the side who possibly aren't ideal selections. We just don't possess a good enough list yet That's why I haven't been as hard on Toumpas as a few others here - the alternatives (apart from Vince & Dawes) are no great shakes (or they are 1st year draftees)

However, that doesn't mean we can't put in a number of performances like we did yesterday - on the contrary, if Roos can find roles for those 3 or 4 players (if and when they come in) we may not be exposed as we have been in the past.

He's obviously a top line coach so I expect him to find a way.

[Pates 9,686]

Interesting to hear that after losing to us Eade has said that GC are two years "at least" from finals. After McKenna had them on the upward path and pushing for finals last year I wonder how the AFL (and Blight for that matter) feel about hearing that. I thought the idea was the McKenna had built the list but they didn't feel he could take them onwards and upwards, now all of a sudden the don't play finals for two years?

This is probably the product of being a Melbourne fan but I still don't look at next week as a win, I see it as winnable but we must back up our very pleasing performance from this week. When was the last time we did that?

I continue to go into this season with no more expectations than to see improvement. It's a good start but there is a long way to go in this season.

[Moneider96 1,045]

When Dean Bailey's team smashed Roos' Swans in 2010 was probably the most comprehensive victory in the post-Daniher apocalypse. That was clinical. Hard to believe that only 5 players from that game played on Saturday (Dunn, Garland, Jamar, Jones and Watts), and only another 2 are still on the list (Bail and McKenzie).

This is probably the best game since then though. Definitely the most convincing victory we've had since Bailey was shown the door.

Good luck with the kid stopping crying. Definitely been there done that, have the t-shirt.

Here is the highlights

Have a look at the chase from Frawley on Jetta at 3 minutes.

[Moneider96 1,045]

Just found this gold.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

GWS in Canberra is going to be tough. Winnable, but I would assume they would go in slight favourites.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Here is the highlights

Have a look at the chase from Frawley on Jetta at 3 minutes.

I think people underestimate just how important Jurrah was for our forward line structure at this time.