VFL report.

Ruckman Jake Spencer seems the most logical replacement for the injured Max Gawn, who sustained a right hamstring injury against Geelong.

Spencer lined up in Casey's final pre-season practice game and had 30 hit-outs, 12 touches and kicked a goal in the 31-point win.

Casey coach Justin Plapp told AFL.com.au on Sunday that Spencer dominated the hit-outs and "was able to mark the ball really well around the ground".

Plapp said defender Sam Frost looked a lot more comfortable in his second game back from a toe injury, as he continues to build match fitness.

The Casey coach added omitted midfielder Angus Brayshaw (25 disposals) was clean by hand at ground level and "showed signs of what we need him to be doing contest to contest".

1 hour ago, Satyriconhome said:

Demonland is Demonland   if we win we have a team of world beaters, if we lose wholesale changes are called for   apart from the scapegoat who at the moment is Omac   put before I don't care who is in the team  as long as they have a crack   thought everybody put in so apart from Gawn why change   although FD may think differently

Again you haven't specifically addressed which calls you think are "boredering on farcical" 

i disagree with some of the calls by posters but I think if you're going to make strong statements about the quality of posters suggestions you should be prepaired to defend those statements. 

Our team vs. Freo potentially looks a lot like Casey last year...

Spencer, ANB, Hannan (Footscray), oMac, Smith, Stretch, Oliver, etc etc.  

2 observations:  we have come a long way from last year (on one hand)

                          We are facing a bit of a crisis with best 22 a paper based exercise only.

1 hour ago, Abe said:

Again you haven't specifically addressed which calls you think are "boredering on farcical" 

i disagree with some of the calls by posters but I think if you're going to make strong statements about the quality of posters suggestions you should be prepaired to defend those statements. 

Ok posters are saying Hannan needs a rest, why? 

Hunt's goal was created by Hannan not giving up on a fumble and throwing himself full length and affecting Selwood's kick

An MFC player of recent years may have thrown an arm out, let Selwood bust through

Hannan also got goal by not giving up the chase and got a nice handball from a Geelong playet

So no I don't think he needs a rest and I consider the idea farcical

But then again he may not have covered other targets set by the coaches and could be omitted,  who knows,  certainly not the experts on here, including me

21 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

Ok posters are saying Hannan needs a rest, why? 

Hunt's goal was created by Hannan not giving up on a fumble and throwing himself full length and affecting Selwood's kick

An MFC player of recent years may have thrown an arm out, let Selwood bust through

Hannan also got goal by not giving up the chase and got a nice handball from a Geelong playet

So no I don't think he needs a rest and I consider the idea farcical

But then again he may not have covered other targets set by the coaches and could be omitted,  who knows,  certainly not the experts on here, including me

Another dig at the "experts" on here, clearly struggling with the discussion forum idea. 

While I agree that hannan should stay In the team I don't think your wording or response is anything like fair, if someone suggested Clayton Oliver or Jayden hunt be dropped I'd agree it's farcicle but I am not sure hannan is even close to that level yet. 

End of the day it's a discussion forum and if you're going to call posts "farcical" or have digs at the "experts" on demon land you'd want to be able to back up those views and to this point that's something I've never seen you do, simply presenting your opinion as a fact and dissmissing anyone who doesn't agree doesn't cut it in my view. 

Bit of  a danger game for us without a few big guns, but if we show the same intensity, then barring our system being negated by windy conditions, I can't see Freo stopping our run. 

Selection wise we will find out if Goody is a bit like a young Bevo and thinks he knows best. He certainly deserves a lot of brownie points for the improved system that has turned our perennial losing side into one of the most attacking outfits in the league. 

But what worries me is that he will try and make a statement at selection - just as he did with Watts and Jetta pre-season.

The first statement would be to not play a ruckman - a bit like Bevo in his early days. Personally I'd be [censored] off if I was Jake Spencer and I wasn't selected this week, so I'm hoping Goody isn't hatching some plan to ruck Watts all day against Sandi. Sure Watts will beat him on the ground but at what cost in the air. And after how many games will Watts finally succumb to the wear and tear of being a ruckman. He seemed to already be getting a lot of work done on his legs last week. So please play Spencer.

The second statement would be to stand defiant on Sam Weideman and play him again. We all know Weids looks an impressive long-term project, but sometimes young players have to be dropped as part of their development. They go back to the magoos and usually step up as leaders, thereby improving their quality when they return to the seniors. There's no way that his output over three weeks (and pre-season for that matter) warrants selection, even allowing for his youth. He still has a bit of agility work to do before he gets anywhere near the grade required for him to be a star. And please Goody, stop protecting him at training and get him to do some practice ruckwork. How in god's name he wasn't summoned as Watts' backup when Gawn went down is beyond belief. In the meantime, it gets down to selecting either Pedo or Frost. Personally I'd go Frost and send T-Mac forward. O-Mac is off limits because his superb kicking is crucial to our switching, so it has to be Tom. He's shown in the past he can play forward and his athleticism makes him way more damaging than Weids. If Frost is still a week off full fitness, then Pedo deserves the spot.

The final change I hope we are considering is how to get either Bugg or Wagner back in the side. Both have done their time in the VFL and deserve their chance. I have only three possibles for them to replace with the most likely being Vince via injury - he has a slight ankle issue I believe. The only other two who could be pushed out are Hannan and Smith and both did pretty well, although if T-Mac goes forward with Watts, then I'm not sure we need them both. Ultimately though I expect there to be just the two changes.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 20178 yr by Deespicable

11 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

I don't care what the record says.  Frost would have Oscar for breakfast in strength.

Most astute footy observers would draw that conclusion comfortably regardless of the other pros and cons of each player.

Agree wholeheartedly! 

Spencer as a ruckman for the next 10-12 weeks

omg

I'd throw another 1 & a half mil$s to our ex coach to stop advising his bestie !

I would be bringing in Spencer for Gawn, but also bring in Pedersen for either Weideman or Smith to play second ruck. Let Watts play forward, especially after having to ruck all day Saturday.

6 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Spencer as a ruckman for the next 10-12 weeks

omg

Agreed 'jumbo'.  It scares me.

It is a long time since he rucked alone in an AFL game.  His good games since were as second fiddle to Max. 

For mine, Jack Watts is not a ruckman - an excellent back up when push comes to shove like Saturday but not on an ongoing basis.  A ruckman needs to be either tall and lanky (Gawn) or not so tall and solid (Mumford).  Jack has neither the height nor the build. 

And to put Jack in as the ruckman takes away the 'link man' role between the 50m arcs that he played so brilliantly last year.  We will lose both positions if we try and make him a ruckman and risk serious injury to him.

So while it scares me, imv we have no choice but to go with Spencer and pray to the footy gods (with whom we seem to be out of favour) that he doesn't get injured.

9 hours ago, Deespicable said:

Personally I'd be [censored] off if I was Jake Spencer and I wasn't selected this week, so I'm hoping Goody isn't hatching some plan to ruck Watts all day against Sand

Structure over player. We did that on the weekend: 3 like for like changes and it worked perfectly from a gameplan and stucture point of view... well, excluding the missed shots. I expect the same to happen, Spence for Gawn will happen dont stress

Spencer for Gawn is obvious.

I think we have been playing too small in the backline since Smith injured his shoulder because the potential replacements were either injured or short of a run. I would like to see Frost come into the side, with Vince going into the midfield to tag Fyfe. (I think he is too big for Viney.)

On the other hand, I have no problem with playing a relatively short forward line, as the extra pace creates great forward pressure and generates turnovers.

Weideman is a fine prospect but is still a year away IMO and needs to have a bigger impact to hold is spot, so I would go Frost for Weideman.

Tyson needs to lift also because Brayshaw and Bugg are too good to be playing VFL and Lewis will come straight back after suspension. However, I would need to see a glowing VFL report on either Brayshaw and Bugg to advocate this change for this week.

Well I hope Spencer has a big tank.

In my opinion,the ruckman travels the most distance of any player on the field.

In years gone by you had the resting ruckman and resting rovers for a reason,they were stuffed.

Running the length,width,and all over the ground tires you out,wouldn't be surprised if fatigue contributed to Max's injury.

If Spencer does come in,I hope Watts continues to give him a chop out,because we will be right in it,if the  Barbarian Warrior lookalike goes down too.

 

Try:

FB:     Jetta.       T McDonald.    Vince  

HB      Hunt       O McDonald     Salem

CC     Viney           Jones.           Brayshaw.   

HF    Harmes.          Watts          Petracca      

FF     Garlett         Weideman     Smith

FOLL    Spencer        Oliver          Tyson

INTER:    Meltsham.  Stretch  Kent.  Frost

 

IN    Spencer.   Frost    Brayshaw

OUT:   Gawn.   Neale-Bullen.  Hannah

 

still not a bad side I think

3 minutes ago, Dees2014 said:

Try:

FB:     Jetta.       T McDonald.    Vince  

HB      Hunt       O McDonald     Salem

CC     Viney           Jones.           Brayshaw.   

HF    Harmes.          Watts          Petracca      

FF     Garlett         Weideman     Smith

FOLL    Spencer        Oliver          Tyson

INTER:    Meltsham.  Stretch  Kent.  Frost

 

IN    Spencer.   Frost    Brayshaw

OUT:   Gawn.   Neale-Bullen.  Hannah

 

still not a bad side I think

Neal-Bullen has been great, can't drop him.

We don't need wholesale changes, just Spencer to come in for Gawn and possibly Pedo for one of Weideman or Smith.

Anyone imagining Alex Neale-Bullen will get dropped after a 28 disposal, 10 tackle game is simply irrational. 

17 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

While the news about Maxy isn't great I'm thrilled for the big Spencil. I really hope the boys get around him and remind him of the hard work he's done. He hasn't dropped his head when Max surpassed him - instead he puts his hand up very high in the off season and gave the club a lot to think about.

Go big fella. Knock em out of your way!

But please do it legally, Jake. We can't afford to have you suspended.

Spencer has earned the right to fill Max's boots for the next few weeks.  

If this doesn't go well, I would interested to see how an athlete like Frost might go in there.  Let him take the ruck duties and Casey for the next couple of weeks to build his tank as a contingency.  If Spencer goes well, Frost can return to the backline at senior level.

I was looking forward to seeing Max up against "The Monster" but that's sport.

Jake will concede size and experience to Sandilands so I doubt he will beat him outright. But if he makes a hard competitive effort and does not allow Sandilands to dominate, plus a couple of grabs around the ground, he will have done his job.

 

13 hours ago, Abe said:

Another dig at the "experts" on here, clearly struggling with the discussion forum idea. 

While I agree that hannan should stay In the team I don't think your wording or response is anything like fair, if someone suggested Clayton Oliver or Jayden hunt be dropped I'd agree it's farcicle but I am not sure hannan is even close to that level yet. 

End of the day it's a discussion forum and if you're going to call posts "farcical" or have digs at the "experts" on demon land you'd want to be able to back up those views and to this point that's something I've never seen you do, simply presenting your opinion as a fact and dissmissing anyone who doesn't agree doesn't cut it in my view. 

If I present an opinion as a fact I am certainly not alone on here, as long as I present my view without being abusive, as you said it is public forum, I can put what I like

Only change for me is whoever replaces Gawn

Just noticed somebody has now said ANB should be dropped   what would you like me to say in reply to that suggestion ????

 

Edited April 10, 20178 yr by Satyriconhome

Outs: Gawn and Tyson 

Ins: Spencer and Brayshaw

We are lucky Watts has been good in the ruck. He can't sustain it for the whole game but hopefully as a backup for Spence it will work.

Spencil will need to make sure he clunks some marks up forward.

We need to get Frost or Pedo back in to help Jake and release Watts to his normal game. Don't need him being injured in the ruck.

BTW, I thought Watts was terrific. He showed more desire at the contest than I have seen from him before and he ran himself into the ground .

After the game he dropped to the ground exhausted. It was a fantastic effort from a bloke who can look laconic and lazy at times.

If he plays with that intensity and effort, he will be a much better player for us.

Edited April 10, 20178 yr by Redleg

Watts playing as the spare ruckman has helped elevate his game. It's going to be the way of the future for him as a player.

Frustrating that we are not seeing vfl reports anymore but it would appear Pedo is miles off a run.

Can't see that many changes this week other than for injury, as the cupboard is looking pretty bare.