Great news, but mainly because he fulfils the role of insurance.

I cannot see him playing a single game this year with Gawn in the side. If Gawn needs a rest or (heaven forbid) gets injured, though, Spencer would slot straight in and take his place. He'd have to play the same role (so I hope his tank is close enough to the level Gawn's is at).

16 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Great news, but mainly because he fulfils the role of insurance.

I cannot see him playing a single game this year with Gawn in the side. If Gawn needs a rest or (heaven forbid) gets injured, though, Spencer would slot straight in and take his place. He'd have to play the same role (so I hope his tank is close enough to the level Gawn's is at).

One of my biggest concerns is that we burn Gawn out, hopefully we can afford to give him a rest along the way.

we loose a lot of momentum when Gawn goes for his rest, in most matches that is when the opposition has hit back hard.  I think Spencer can develop further, I doubt few expected Gawn would turn his career around so quickly, I can see no reason why spencer can not try to do the same. They would be a lethal pair if they can play together.

Uncontracted and a free agent at years end. We should sign him for 2

2 hours ago, Outside fifty said:

Saw the big fella last week at training and he seemed to be moving really well. 

He stayed on after all others had left with a couple of trainers, and ran laps last Wednesday, great to c that sort of hunger in a Melb player whoever it is. 

1 minute ago, Deecisive said:

we loose a lot of momentum when Gawn goes for his rest, in most matches that is when the opposition has hit back hard.  I think Spencer can develop further, I doubt few expected Gawn would turn his career around so quickly, I can see no reason why spencer can not try to do the same. They would be a lethal pair if they can play together.

The interchange restrictions means that Jake will have to work on his forward skills as well as his rucking, and even then there won't be a lot of games when there would be room for a ruck and Hogan  as well as the midsize  and smaller forwards.

3 hours ago, mo64 said:

Spot on. Gawn will play 85% game time as 1st ruck, and Spencer can't play any other position. With fewer interchanges, no team can afford the luxury of a 2nd ruckman who can't fulfill another role.

Our attacking game style makes Spencer's inclusion even more remote.

Spencer is critical to the success of the side. If max goes down then he is an ideal replacement for a few weeks. 

Might even be possible to bring him in for odd games during the season whilst resting max. Gawn will find it difficult to play every game this year. 

Possible unpopular opinion:

If fit, Mitch Clark would be perfect for our current side. Dominant tall forward, perfect back-up ruck, had the fitness to follow around the ground.

Unfortunately I can't see Spencer in this role. He's backup if Gawn goes down, nothing more, despite his huge heart and effort.

We need a proper foward/ruck so we don't lose momentum when Gawn rests forward.

7 minutes ago, Choke said:

Possible unpopular opinion:

If fit, Mitch Clark would be perfect for our current side. Dominant tall forward, perfect back-up ruck, had the fitness to follow around the ground.

A fit Mitch Clark would be one of the best key forwards in the game.

The problem is, he is never fit.

9 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

A fit Mitch Clark would be one of the best key forwards in the game.

The problem is, he is never fit.

True dat.

18 minutes ago, Choke said:

Possible unpopular opinion:

If fit, Mitch Clark would be perfect for our current side. Dominant tall forward, perfect back-up ruck, had the fitness to follow around the ground.

Unfortunately I can't see Spencer in this role. He's backup if Gawn goes down, nothing more, despite his huge heart and effort.

We need a proper foward/ruck so we don't lose momentum when Gawn rests forward.

Interesting article here:

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-04-27/how-do-the-backup-ruckmen-rate

Calling it now: he will be like Mumford. Never minded Jake. He needs to find his way around the ground more and get his hands on the ball more, but I love his ruck work. Very important he is up and healthy.

If Matt Jones,  terlich, gawn, pederson and hunt can all improve to the extent they have over the past 12-24 months, no reason why Spencer can't either. Good luck to him, at the very least he deserves some injury luck and a sustained run.

18 hours ago, Cards13 said:

The big fella is back!!!

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-04-27/spencer-set-to-return-from-injury

Great news. Need the back up just in case. As good as Big Boy or just below. Go Spencil

I hope to see him in Caseys best over the next couple of weeks. I think there could be a permanent spot in 5 or 6 rounds even with Max going well.

What he does well, rucking and bullocking, is worth more than Pedos skills and Frosts speed..

Very relieved with this. Was afraid that this would turn into one of those "out for half a season" injuries that players seem to take forever to get over.

The "I want to be a part of this" comment is everything we want to hear!
We are crying for a genuine second ruckmen that we can trust to take over Maxy IF he comes down with an Injury or IF form does drop off for a few weeks.
Hopefully Spencer saying he wants to be apart of this strives him to be near Gawns level. Such good problems we're having at the moment! Love it!!

On 4/27/2016 at 10:12 PM, Clint Bizkit said:

One of my biggest concerns is that we burn Gawn out, hopefully we can afford to give him a rest along the way.

yup

My concern with Spencer is that he gets injured all the time.

Did his knee in 2011 (i think it was)

Missed most of 2014 after playing a few games early (remember him rag dolling Yarran in his last match that year)

And his foot at the start of this year.

I like what he brings to the squad and hope he can get some continuity in his footy for the remainder of the year. Just seems to be one of those players that whenever it looks like he's about to come into some really good form he gets injured or suspended.

Although i expect he will get a new contract at seasons end, i don't think it's a given yet depending on what ruckman are on the market.

On paper he seems a pure back up for the main ruck spot ie Gawn.

But who knows what the coaches have in mind. He came in and played a lot of the game against Geelong last year as a forward while Gawn was having a field day, and somehow it worked. On that day at least.

Edited April 28, 20169 yr by Forest Demon

I don't rate him as an AFL level ruckman, but it's important for the young players developing at Casey that we have a competitive ruckman at that level. 

2 hours ago, AngryAtCasey said:

My concern with Spencer is that he gets injured all the time.

Did his knee in 2011 (i think it was)

Missed most of 2014 after playing a few games early (remember him rag dolling Yarran in his last match that year)

And his foot at the start of this year.

I like what he brings to the squad and hope he can get some continuity in his footy for the remainder of the year. Just seems to be one of those players that whenever it looks like he's about to come into some really good form he gets injured or suspended.

Although i expect he will get a new contract at seasons end, i don't think it's a given yet depending on what ruckman are on the market.

Jake is probably more likely to be far more available than the Mr Clark you mentioned earlier in the thread, and has much more loyalty and dedication to OUR cause.

Good luck to him.  (I doubt that he will ever be half as good a forward as the aforementioned, but at least he is heading towards getting on the track in the mighty R&B)!

3 hours ago, monoccular said:

Jake is probably more likely to be far more available than the Mr Clark you mentioned earlier in the thread, and has much more loyalty and dedication to OUR cause.

Good luck to him.  (I doubt that he will ever be half as good a forward as the aforementioned, but at least he is heading towards getting on the track in the mighty R&B)!

Not the one who mentioned Mitch Clark.  See below.

On 4/28/2016 at 11:24 AM, Choke said:

Possible unpopular opinion:

If fit, Mitch Clark would be perfect for our current side. Dominant tall forward, perfect back-up ruck, had the fitness to follow around the ground.

Unfortunately I can't see Spencer in this role. He's backup if Gawn goes down, nothing more, despite his huge heart and effort.

We need a proper foward/ruck so we don't lose momentum when Gawn rests forward.