Wanna wager ?

If fit, Oliver will be a staple from the get go, irrespective of my early reactionary views.

I'll bet a buck.

I don't think he does, which is where we disagree. Only time will tell.

Have you seen Wines TAC stats compared with the unfit Oliver ?

I'm always skeptical of teams that have Petracca/Oliver etc in them. Don't get me wrong, Brayshaw is a fine example that can come straight into a team. But at this stage, we are basing their skills off hype and a small highlight package.

Have you seen Wines TAC stats compared with the unfit Oliver ?

No, and I have no interest in comparing them. I'm not knocking Oliver, because in time I think he'll be a decent player. I did see one of the VFL games he played for Richmond, and thought he was impressive without doing a lot. Red hair aside, he reminded me of Gary Rohan.

People have made a big deal of Oliver being a mid/forward based on his 20 goals in 14 games. He kicked 6 in the last game in an 80 point win, and all were shown in his highlights reel. In all seriousness, a C Grade amateur player could have kicked 6 against that opposition.

Oliver has all the traits to be a good AFL player, but I think he needs time.

I'm always skeptical of teams that have Petracca/Oliver etc in them. Don't get me wrong, Brayshaw is a fine example that can come straight into a team. But at this stage, we are basing their skills off hype and a small highlight package.

As opposed to so called senior players/leaders who have been overpaid and gifted games for years.

I remember last year saying that Brayshaw would play round one and all and sundry said he'd spend at least a month at Casey.

Naturally, he played round one and went on to play 20 games.

Oliver and Petracca will play 20 games too, subject to the obvious.

I wouldn't be very confident in Oliver being a regular in 2016 given he has a lot of competition for a spot as an inside mid. He is going against N Jones, Vince, Viney, Tyson, Vandenberg, Brayshaw and Petracca, with others like Michie, Neal-Bullen and Trengove also possibilities.

Patrick Cripps only played 3 games in his first season.

And Petracca should play a good chunk of the season, but he is coming of an ACL, so it is very unlikely he will play 20 given it is his first year.

I remember last year saying that Brayshaw would play round one and all and sundry said he'd spend at least a month at Casey.

Naturally, he played round one and went on to play 20 games.

Oliver and Petracca will play 20 games too, subject to the obvious.

It isn't quite the same it will be harder for 1st yer players next season than in season 2015. The very simple reason for this is that we have not lost any best 22 players (besides Cross, and Melksham probably gets first crack at his role on HBF) but have added a few. Included in this are Brayshaw and Vandenburg who can play a similar role to what Oliver does. So he has to fall in behind all of our regulars plus Brayshaw and Vandenburg which is 2 more than last year. On top of this, there is also Petracca who is regarded as a better prospect generally by the football community. He will have to do what Brayshaw did but with at least 3 additional players who we can assume are ahead of him currently. That is a good thing as it shows we are adding depth where we need to. I'd also add Roos has always prioritised beig fit enough to defend regardless of position, Oliver isn't coming from the greates base fitness wise- even Brayshaw from mid season onwards was barely hanging on.

If any 1 of Harmes, Stretch and ANB have a great preseason they could also find themselves ahead of him come round 1 despite playing a different role. I wouldn't say with any confidence that Oliver will play over 15 games, which would be great for him and great for the team.

Thanks. I'd forgotten.

Oh.

Let me put on record for future bumps that I'll be somewhat shocked if we choose this guy in the top 10. And yes, it's only looking at his style on youtube. Nothing more.

Yes, he has that desperate attack on the footy, but he's so stilted and mechanical in his approach. There's zero polish or class. I'll be really disappointed if we pick this guy.

Sorry, Oli.

He looks like a scrubber.

I see no class whatsoever.

Happy to eat humble pie in 5 years.

That's based on 3 minutes youtube, which supposedly shows his "highlights".

No, it wasn't. I've now watched the footage you mention and haven't changed my mind. He just lacks polish and class. Near the goal square a classy mid would have just slotted it on his left foot, but he went back on his right.

O'Meara is as smooth as you get and this guy is boiled lollies.

Whatever floats your boat I suppose, but this guy looks like a better Mitch Robinson.

As I said, I'm happy to look a fool in 5 years.

Hope that helps.

Dawes PSD?

Casey best 22 for me

As I said old dee my team was picked on them all being healthy and playing at their best, I'm talking Dawes of 2010/11. If he doesn't reach the required standard he's out

Think we have great youth, quailty and balance to the list now. Best outlook in a long time.

Can't believe we are paying $9 to make the 8!

I'm always skeptical of teams that have Petracca/Oliver etc in them. Don't get me wrong, Brayshaw is a fine example that can come straight into a team. But at this stage, we are basing their skills off hype and a small highlight package.

Don't be surprised to see Petracca play every game in 2016 if he's injury free.

Patrick Cripps only played 3 games in his first season.

Didn't Cripps break his leg early in his first season?

Think we have great youth, quailty and balance to the list now. Best outlook in a long time.

Can't believe we are paying $9 to make the 8!

I still think we're a bit of a long shot to make the 8, but I can't remember ever being as optimistic about the future of the MFC as I am now.

Edited November 26, 20159 yr by Good Times Grimes

A few team with no Prince, Watts, Garland(new contract is irrelevant), Dawes, Grimes.

What a difference 12 months makes.

The fact that Garland received a 3 year extension would suggest to me that he's locked in the best 22 for next year.

Had he only received a 1 year deal, then he'd probably just be considered depth like Grimes.

As I said old dee my team was picked on them all being healthy and playing at their best, I'm talking Dawes of 2010/11. If he doesn't reach the required standard he's out

Agree.

Best 22 for the time being...

Oh.

Hope that helps.

You really thought I'd forgotten what I said over that 24 hour period ? That's as long as it lasted. 24 hours. Until I thought I better look into this if the reports are true.

What a flogworthy post of yours.

I wouldn't be very confident in Oliver being a regular in 2016 given he has a lot of competition for a spot as an inside mid. He is going against N Jones, Vince, Viney, Tyson, Vandenberg, Brayshaw and Petracca, with others like Michie, Neal-Bullen and Trengove also possibilities.

Patrick Cripps only played 3 games in his first season.

And Petracca should play a good chunk of the season, but he is coming of an ACL, so it is very unlikely he will play 20 given it is his first year.

Although having grumpy Mick as his coach probably didn't help.

He really came into his own after Mick left and Judd retired...

It isn't quite the same it will be harder for 1st yer players next season than in season 2015. The very simple reason for this is that we have not lost any best 22 players (besides Cross, and Melksham probably gets first crack at his role on HBF) but have added a few. Included in this are Brayshaw and Vandenburg who can play a similar role to what Oliver does. So he has to fall in behind all of our regulars plus Brayshaw and Vandenburg which is 2 more than last year. On top of this, there is also Petracca who is regarded as a better prospect generally by the football community. He will have to do what Brayshaw did but with at least 3 additional players who we can assume are ahead of him currently. That is a good thing as it shows we are adding depth where we need to. I'd also add Roos has always prioritised beig fit enough to defend regardless of position, Oliver isn't coming from the greates base fitness wise- even Brayshaw from mid season onwards was barely hanging on.

If any 1 of Harmes, Stretch and ANB have a great preseason they could also find themselves ahead of him come round 1 despite playing a different role. I wouldn't say with any confidence that Oliver will play over 15 games, which would be great for him and great for the team.

It's a good point and I agree it's finally getting tough to find a spot in the top 22.

You either think he'll make that quick transition to senior company after a solid preseason, or you don't. I do.

Players like Ziebell, Martin, Wines, Viney, Selwood and others, players that are competitive beasts at junior level, always transition that same skill level to the AFL. And it transitions quickly.

I often read that they "got away with it at juniors, but they won't against the bigger bodies in the AFL". But guess what ? They do. If they're good enough. We wouldn't pick him at 4 (and Essendon were going to take him with their next pick) if we didn't think he was an elite talent to develop. Yes, he'll be far better in 4-5 years, but his skillsets will earn him 15+ games in 2016.

I feel like it's groundhog day from 2014.

Don't be surprised to see Petracca play ever game in 2016 if he's injury free.

Didn't Cripps break his leg early in his first season?

I still think we're a bit of a long shot to make the 8, but I can't remember ever being as optimistic about the future of the MFC as I am now.

Cripps played 10 VFL games in 2014.

Cripps played 10 VFL games in 2014.

Just googled it... he broke his leg in May and was out for a month, which no doubt would have impacted his form/fitness for the rest of the season, more so given that he was a first year player at the time. Managed to get back into the side in Round 23. It's impossible to know how many AFL games he would have played had he not had the injury.

Anyway, I get your point...but I see no reason that Oliver won't be able to come in and have a similar impact to that of Brayshaw's 2015.

Edited November 25, 20159 yr by Good Times Grimes

It's a good point and I agree it's finally getting tough to find a spot in the top 22.

You either think he'll make that quick transition to senior company after a solid preseason, or you don't. I do.

Players like Ziebell, Martin, Wines, Viney, Selwood and others, players that are competitive beasts at junior level, always transition that same skill level to the AFL. And it transitions quickly.

I often read that they "got away with it at juniors, but they won't against the bigger bodies in the AFL". But guess what ? They do. If they're good enough. We wouldn't pick him at 4 (and Essendon were going to take him with their next pick) if we didn't think he was an elite talent to develop. Yes, he'll be far better in 4-5 years, but his skillsets will earn him 15+ games in 2016.

I feel like it's groundhog day from 2014.

Yea I get what you are saying and I agree that he should have the ability and be able to adapt quickly. I'm basing my assumptions of perceived fitness bases. Of those you listed above, they all came in more fit than Oliver other than Ziebell and Martin. Ziebell took until his 3rd year to play more than 15 games and Martin is one of the most talented players in the league.

On top of that, Roos has been known to hold young players back a little, dating back to his Sydney years where he did the same with their gun draftees. If Roos believes he doesn't have the fitness to run out an entire AFL season, history tells us he won't hide him in a forward pocket every other week so that he does play 20 games. He would generally look to rest these players or let them play a few weeks here and there in the 2's.

While Hogan already provides little in the forward pressure department, if we have Petracca and Oliver down there for most of the season, it sort of jeopardises what Roos is going for in regards to defensive pressure. If selection somehow came down to Kent or Oliver, I think Roos wouldn't think twice.

If Oliver does become a lot fitter over preseason or he shows Wines 1st year form straight away, that all changes of course. It will be interesting to see.

imo Petracca is right to go, if we were picking round 1's team tomorrow he's in it.

the interchange cap might hurt Olivers chances slightly, even he admits he's got a long way to go in terms of fitness, i think he's ready in most other aspects but we will see what happens

Interesting looking at everyones best 22 makes me think Casey Scorpions will be a fairly strong team next year.

With the added recruits Casey have picked up aswell and hopefully a fairly good injury list throughout the year i could see why Casey can't go deep into finals.

B: Jetta, Dunn, Garland

HB: Lumumba, Frost, Salem

C: Watts, Vandenberg, Melksham

HF: Kent, T McDonald, Viney

F: Garlett, Hogan, Petracca

Fol: Gawn, Vince, N Jones

Int: Brayshaw, Tyson, Pedersen, Kennedy

B: Bugg, O McDonald, White

HB: Grimes, Hulett, Terlich

C: M Jones, Oliver, Stretch

HF: Harmes, Dawes, Kennedy Harris

F: Max King, Weideman, Newton

Fol: Spencer, Michie*, Neal-Bullen

Int: Mitchell King, Rookie 6, Hunt, Trengove

I

Interesting looking at everyones best 22 makes me think Casey Scorpions will be a fairly strong team next year.

With the added recruits Casey have picked up aswell and hopefully a fairly good injury list throughout the year i could see why Casey can't go deep into finals.

I agree dazzle. My MFC seconds side has a lot of players who have played decent AFL football. We need a bit of luck with injury for once.

It isn't quite the same it will be harder for 1st yer players next season than in season 2015. The very simple reason for this is that we have not lost any best 22 players (besides Cross, and Melksham probably gets first crack at his role on HBF) but have added a few. Included in this are Brayshaw and Vandenburg who can play a similar role to what Oliver does. So he has to fall in behind all of our regulars plus Brayshaw and Vandenburg which is 2 more than last year. On top of this, there is also Petracca who is regarded as a better prospect generally by the football community. He will have to do what Brayshaw did but with at least 3 additional players who we can assume are ahead of him currently. That is a good thing as it shows we are adding depth where we need to. I'd also add Roos has always prioritised beig fit enough to defend regardless of position, Oliver isn't coming from the greates base fitness wise- even Brayshaw from mid season onwards was barely hanging on.

If any 1 of Harmes, Stretch and ANB have a great preseason they could also find themselves ahead of him come round 1 despite playing a different role. I wouldn't say with any confidence that Oliver will play over 15 games, which would be great for him and great for the team.

Jeremy Howe is quickly forgotten around here, played every game last year and had a top 10 in our B&F. He would still be in our best 22 Round 1 next year.

FWIW I see Oliver competing with VanDemon, ANB and maybe Petraccca, depends how quickly he applies himself, for the 'fringe' hard onballer role.

Yea I get what you are saying and I agree that he should have the ability and be able to adapt quickly. I'm basing my assumptions of perceived fitness bases. Of those you listed above, they all came in more fit than Oliver other than Ziebell and Martin. Ziebell took until his 3rd year to play more than 15 games and Martin is one of the most talented players in the league.

On top of that, Roos has been known to hold young players back a little, dating back to his Sydney years where he did the same with their gun draftees. If Roos believes he doesn't have the fitness to run out an entire AFL season, history tells us he won't hide him in a forward pocket every other week so that he does play 20 games. He would generally look to rest these players or let them play a few weeks here and there in the 2's.

While Hogan already provides little in the forward pressure department, if we have Petracca and Oliver down there for most of the season, it sort of jeopardises what Roos is going for in regards to defensive pressure. If selection somehow came down to Kent or Oliver, I think Roos wouldn't think twice.

If Oliver does become a lot fitter over preseason or he shows Wines 1st year form straight away, that all changes of course. It will be interesting to see.

Ziebell broke his leg in 2009 (his first year) after earning a RS nomination in round 7. He played the first 10 games and was a staple in the team. He didn't play another match for the year.

His fitness is the key. He has time to get it to an acceptable level. I see him playing close to goal in 2016 with the odd stint on the ball.