Williamstown v Casey Demons - Round 9

[DV8 2,271]

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

It seems Stretch has been BOG or close 3 times now and surely has to be rewarded.

agree Rl,,, he must be very very close.

2 hours ago, Drunkn167 said:

If i havent replies to enough posts im sorry  i came off a night shift  last night and am quite eniembriated 

Just to tell the story of how much of a dog game williamstown played, Jade Rawlings and the coaching staff said there were 14 off the ball striking incidents, 13 of them initiated by Williamstown 

thanks Drkn167. love your work

I think Dec might get a go. ?

[DV8 2,271]

34 minutes ago, Unleash Hell said:

Last year you were going to get rid of O Mac as well?

I think Pf must be one of our old recruiters.  keeping his hand in I see.

Where would the competition be, with recruiters like Pf.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Sorry but if Stretch gets a game in front of Hunt, Tyson, Ballic, Garlett then we really are in Sheeit

Sorry but he"s no good!

Yeah. I'm very much on last chance with him. The problem is he's on the list, and we have to see what he's got. He's not at the same level that, say, Hulett was last year... where we just knew he was done. He's had good form recently. I wouldn't want the selection committee to give him a go with 3 weeks left in the season and a top 4 spot up for grabs.

I suspect if Melks missed it would end up being Garlett... he was our leading goalkicker last year after all.

[DV8 2,271]

I think Pedo was inline for this match to counter Cox and Grundy. 

We could have played a smaller defence, if we had both Gawn and Pedo bear this week, to guard against their talls going forward ?

[Slartibartfast 17,594]

It was a strange day at Willy today, for the most part it was a benign day but on field it was perhaps the most spiteful game I've seen for a long time.  I just got the impression that the stand alone Williamstown decided to really serve it up to a Casey team peppered with AFL talent.  You would regularly look behind play to see a Casey player doubled over on the ground with the play a good 50 to 100 metres away.  It's not brave to be a thug and Williamstown go the beating they deserved.  Most impressively the Casey players didn't retaliate but played the ball and won the game pretty handsomely.          

When I walked along the beautiful Williamstown foreshore Port Phillip Bay was a mirror, not a ripple on the water and it stayed that way pretty much until the last quarter when a 2 to 3 goal wind sprung up favouring the Williamstown end. Casey held on well but I'll let KC provide his usual excellent summary.  Anyway here is how I thought the Demons went on the day.

Dom Tyson:  Played as an inside mid and did his usual bullocking role and was probably our best at the stoppages.  He didn't seem to find as much of the ball as last week but used it well, particularly by hand.  He's not in ripping form but he's continuing to apply himself and work his way into good form. 

Billy Stretch:  His teammates call him Bill so perhaps I should get up to date but he was pretty good again today.  He again played mainly on the ball and didn't do as well around the stoppages as previous weeks but was good on the outside running to space and providing options to his teammates and doing a lot of link up play.  His disposal was generally good and he had clean hands in contested situations.  He continued his excellent form putting his name before the selectors.  Having said all of that, and I'm a fan, he doesn't present as someone who will impose himself at AFL level.  Reality is I think he's a very nice footballer but doesn't have any tricks or particular skill to hang his hat on to demand a spot in the team.  He'll do a job if he comes in but there will have to be an opening I think.  But his game is developing steadily and he is still young by AFL standards.

Sam Frost:  pretty important game for Sam today and I think he let himself down a bit.  Took a very good mark early in the game but from there he struggled to be clean and made a number of mistake letting the ball go over the back.  His best is very good but there is a variance between his best and worst which is a worry at AFL level.  He finished strongly particularly in the last.  If he gets the nod next week fair enough but whilst you'll appreciate some cameo's you'll have you heart in your mouth at times as well.

Cam Pedersen:  Cam's too good for this level and demonstrated today against VFL opposition he can dominate.  His marking, particularly above his head, is very strong at this level and his work rate and courage were excellent today.  He started to dominate in the second half and kicked a number of very good goals.  Interestingly he started the third and fourth quarters as the senior ruck and played that position for 5 or 10 minutes but he looked so much more dangerous forward.  I thought he was "training" to replace Tim Smith if he doesn't come up but sadly he was knocked out with about 10 minutes to go when his head hit the ground in a marking contest.  I was standing a few metres from the incident and it was pretty upsetting to see him immediately after the incident.  He managed to get to his feet after a few minutes and get to off the ground with the assistance of a couple of trainers but as a layman I'd be stunned if he didn't have concussion and it would be a surprise if he played next game.  A sad end to a really good performance.           

Jay KH:  Busy and effective for most of the game without dominating.  He's a nice player at this level but he's in the queue for a game and he's not at the head of it.  But a good solid game and showed some courage after coming back on after what looked to be a very nasty blow to the groin well behind play.  He was the victim of some of the off the ball thuggery that went on today.

Sam Weideman:  Pretty much unsighted early but worked his way into the game and ended up being a fairly good player.  It was a tight contested game where clean entry into 50 was not common and he did most of his good work up the ground and on the ball. Rucked for periods of the game and competed well but didn't really impose himself at ball ups. 

Harley Balic:  I've been impressed by him since I saw him play against Frankston in the practice match in the preseason and today was another good impactful game.  He was the target of two or three attempts by Williamstown to hurt him off ball and he copped a lot of behind the play attention but keep presenting and played very well.  He's got good skills and knows how to find it but the only query on him is his pace.  He's not slow but he's certainly not fast and he will make it at AFL level if his pace isn't a deal breaker.  He has the knack of finding that ball with time but I just don't know how that will translate itself to AFL level.  It will be interesting to see how he goes if he gets the opportunity.

Jayden Hunt:  Got lots and lots of the ball and it would appear he's been told to take the game on at every opportunity.  As a result he was caught often and turned it over often and you could see the frustration on his face.  He's also been told to lower his eyes I'd imagine and he's still learning when to go long and when to go short.  But I get the sense that he's working his way back into form and that he'll be left at Casey to really "get it right" so that when he comes back into the seniors he's full of confidence.  That's my guess anyway and unless it becomes necessary to promote him early he's got a few more weeks at Casey.  To his credit he's clearly giving it his heart and sole.  Jayden was also the target of two really hasty incidents both by the same player I think.  The first time he was driven into the boundary line when the ball was well out and the second was when he received an elbow to the back of the head in an incident similar to the Rance/Watts one some years ago.  He was particularly groggy after the second and someone mentioned that the player had been reported but I can't confirm that.

Tommy Bugg:  Not a good day for the Buggster today.  He's not impacting when he's forward and not finding heaps of it when he goes on the ball.  His kicking today, which has been pretty good the last few weeks, was back to his worst.  That might have been affected by the fact he was ironed out miles behind the play and had a number of trainers attend to him. 

Oscar Baker:  Another "Oscar" game today.  For those that have read my previous posts he was just the same.  Runs well, gets it a bit, quick without being blistering and a good kick.  Decision making and execution need work.  For all that there is a fair bit to like I think he's got a distance to go and if he can get his weaknesses sorted out he could be a good AFL player.

Mitch King:  Played forward with little effect getting his only goal (I think) from a free and struggling to impose himself in the ruck.  Flipper had a better game than Mitch today and if he wants to survive I think he'll have to lift his game.

Harrison Petty:  I'm a fan but not today.  Was well down on last weeks form and just went.  He did a few nice things but just didn't seem to be able to get into the game.

Jeff Garlett:  Played like an opportunist cat today.  Seemed to continually want to do "will of the whisp" type things and on occasions he did but it's hard to see him fitting into the hard running tackling philosophy of our AFL team. 

Dion Johnstone:  Best game I've seen Dion play.  He was involved, he got a bit of it and he used the ball very well.  Played back again but seemed to have the confidence to provide options for his teammates.  This kid can kick the ball beautifully.  Long and powerful over long distance and precise over shorter distance.  His problem in the past is he hasn't got it enough but he got it a  bit today and we saw what he could do.  I was pretty convinced a few weeks ago he'd struggle to stay on the list but I'm not so sure now.  Not a certainty to make it by any stretch of the imagination but he's got all the qualities Goody will like.  He applies himself, he's tough, he tackles and he applies pressure.

Jost Wagner:  Good solid game from Josh, he's got a lot of good attributes and he's a good size too.  At this level he kicks it pretty well, he's brave and he works hard.  He'll be a foot soldier but there are spots in teams for that.  A few years ago he'd be best 22 but there are a few in front of him now.

Joel Smith:  I thought Joel was clearly one of our best today.  He has a slow start but he worked his way into the game well.  His kicking has really improved from last year and he's clean with his hands and seems to have a bit of poise he lacked last year.  He's quick, has great lateral movement and just a great athlete.  He was involved in an incident in the last quarter on the other side of the ground to me and took a long time to get up and went off the ground.  He came back on about 10 minutes later with a bandage around his head but was soon off again.  I hope he's not hurt as to me he shows clear AFL attributes and is a genuine challenger for a spot in the team at some stage this year.

Lach Filipovic:  Was the best of our rucks today and did a little bit around the ground but our rucks are young and don't impose themselves on the game as yet.  I think he's got a nice skill set but he's a long way from AFL footy.

Dec Keilty:  I always feel uncomfortable commenting on Dec because we all love Drunkn's contribution and as a result Dec is a bit of a favourite.  But I thought he was just okay today doing some useful things but a long way from imposing himself on the game in any way.  As ever he was willing, reliable and committed  but I don't think he's in the conversation to replace Jake.          

 

[Diamond_Jim 12,627]

Wonderful post BB.

How you do it I do not know.

When I watch Casey which I have done about 5 times this year I find that watching around 3-4 players is hard enough and if they are midfielders even harder.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your day by the bay. It's a lovely ground as are many of the old VFA grounds. I have really enjoyed dragging my chair along to these games,sitting on a grassy verge and walking the ground at the breaks.

Can thoroughly recommend it as a great day at the footy.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

3 hours ago, Demons11 said:

I think they will have to replace Lever with either Frost or Keilty.  They will be way to short down back if they don’t. 

Keilty hasn't been in the top 5 best players on the ground once this year. That is not even nearly enough to warrant selection. I understand we need to replace Lever, but whoever replaces him needs to be of AFL standard. Pederson is the logical replacement if he is able to take the field next week. He is in form and we know he is capable of playing at an AFL level. If Pederson doesn't make it then we may need to shift our side around at senior level and swing someone down back for a game.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

18 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

Billy Stretch:  His teammates call him Bill so perhaps I should get up to date but he was pretty good again today.  He again played mainly on the ball and didn't do as well around the stoppages as previous weeks but was  ...

Good to hear Dion Johnstone had his best game. Hopefully that gives him a bit of confidence and he can kick on from that.

As a player, I would prefer Balic to be promoted ahead of Stretch. Balic would offer our senior side a different set of skills - he has a bit of X factor about him and is a classy user of the ball. Hopefully he gets a chance soon.

 

[Deestroy All 14,266]

18 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

Sam Frost:  pretty important game for Sam today and I think he let himself down a bit.  Took a very good mark early in the game but from there he struggled to be clean and made a number of mistake letting the ball go over the back.  His best is very good but there is a variance between his best and worst which is a worry at AFL level.  He finished strongly particularly in the last.  If he gets the nod next week fair enough but whilst you'll appreciate some cameo's you'll have you heart in your mouth at times as well.

Most appreciated BB. 

The part I put in bold is a real killer, it hurt us a lot earlier in the season, and very little since Lever found form. The selectors won’t enjoy seeing that. 

Nice to read Dion is showing something, no better mentor and example to follow than Nev, here’s hoping. 

[Rogue 585]

7 hours ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

Same with T mac tho. Has not trained with backs. T mac has been our path to goal and you reckon we get him out of there ? I really can't believe what I am reading.reading . you have a look at how much our scores have increased since McDonald came back...pulling him back would be ludicrous.

When did I say we should move Tom into defence?

What's ludicrous is suggesting Pedo is a good option there.

(And no, it's not the same - Tom McDonald has played much better footy than Pedo in defence, and has played back more recently).

[Demons11 7,051]

6 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

Keilty hasn't been in the top 5 best players on the ground once this year. That is not even nearly enough to warrant selection. I understand we need to replace Lever, but whoever replaces him needs to be of AFL standard. Pederson is the logical replacement if he is able to take the field next week. He is in form and we know he is capable of playing at an AFL level. If Pederson doesn't make it then we may need to shift our side around at senior level and swing someone down back for a game.

Key backs usually don’t find themselves in the best players, so I wouldn’t be reading to much into that. 

These backs would be matching up against our forwards every day and I dare say anyone they bring in will be AFL ready including Keilty. 

[Demonland 73,139]

AUDITION by KC from Casey

The Casey Demons took second spot on the VFL ladder with a comfortable victory over stand alone side Williamstown on Sunday in an often spiteful game that broke a long drought at Point Gellibrand as the club had not won there since 2007. 

The game opened in calm and sunny conditions on what is an often windswept Williamstown Football Ground but nothing was calm about the tough game that ensued for the participants. The Demons got the upper hand with the opening goal to Harley Balic but the game developed into an arm wrestle with scores close until the visitors drew away late in the second term thanks to some strong play by Cameron Pedersen and the flair of Jeff Garlett who each booted two goals in the first half. 

With injuries opening up at least one and possibly more vacancies for places in the Demons' AFL side for their Queens Birthday blockbuster against the Magpies, the game became an audition for the 18 players eligible for selection in that game with the eye on key defenders likely to take the place of Jake Lever whose ACL injury was confirmed during the afternoon. None of the main contenders in Sam Frost, Joel Smith and rookie Declan Keilty definitively claimed the vacancy but each had their moments and Frost would be the clubhouse leader from my perspective if the Melbourne selectors decide to go with a tall for the position.

Pedersen continued to dominate in the third quarter as the breeze came up a little and  thanks to his strength and marking dominance and the continued good form of Billy Stretch and the recent improvement of Jay Kennedy Harris, the Demons skipped away to a 40-point lead with five goals to one for the term. Sam Weideman stepped his game up after the break to finish with two goals and could easily have finished with more. Dom Tyson was busy but not as influential as last week. 

The game was marred by several behind the play incidents that seemed to increase with the Seagulls' level of frustration as the game slipped away from their hands. The final quarter saw several missed opportunities in front of goal with the only major scored by the home team but an incident in mid term which saw Pedersen's head hit the ground after a marking contest near the boundary took out whatever sting was left in the game. He left the ground seemingly concussed and most likely out of contention for a senior recall after ten goals in his last two games.

Jayden Hunt and Corey Wagner were two other contenders, the former being influential in the first half and receiving some close attention from an opponent. Balic is another who performed well and put his hand up for a possible debut with Melbourne next week.

However, with only a limited number of positions available for the game on the big stage, the game was still a valuable exercise for those who will not make it through the audition for Queens Birthday as it was a perfect dress rehearsal for Saturday's televised game at Casey Fields against Collingwood VFL.

Peter Jackson VFL 2018

Casey Demons 4.4.28 6.8.44 11.12.78 11.18.84

Williamstown 3.3.21 4.7.31 5.8.38 6.10.46

Goals

Casey Demons Pedersen 4 Garlett Weideman 2 Balic Frost King

Williamstown Dorgan Ebinger George  Marcon Masters Schultz

Best

Casey Demons Stretch Pedersen Balic Kennedy Harris J Wagner

Williamstown Greiser Myers Tippett George Dorgan Meese

Statistics -

Oskar Baker 10 kicks 13 handballs 23 disposals 7 marks 77 dream team points
Harley Balic 1 goal 4 behinds 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 83 dream team points
Tomas Bugg 1 behind 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 8 tackles 68 dream team points
Lachlan Filipovic 5 kicks 5 disposals 4 marks 4 hit outs 31 dream team points 
Sam Frost 1 goal 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points 
Jeff Garlett 2 goals 2 behinds 9 kicks 8 handballs 17 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 84 dream team points 
Jayden Hunt 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 61 dream team points
Dion Johnstone 12  kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 75 dream team points
Declan Keilty 5 kicks 6 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 55 dream team points
Jay Kennedy Harris 1 behind 12 kicks 12 handballs 24 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 85 dream team points
Mitchell King 1 goal 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 17 hit outs 58 dream team points
Mitchel Lewis 1 behind 4  kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 43 dream team points
Jay Lockhart 1 behind 8 kicks 10  handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 62 dream team points  
Cameron Pedersen 4 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 11 marks 4 tackles 5 hit outs 122 dream team points
Harrison Petty 9 kicks 6 handballs 15 disposals 4 marks 53 dream team points 
Aidan Quigley 1 behind 1 kick 8 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 28 dream team points 
Angus Scott 12 kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 65 dream team points 
Joel Smith 13 kicks 4 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 82 dream team points 
Billy Stretch 1 behind 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 8 marks 6 tackles 117 dream team points
Dom Tyson 9 kicks 14 handballs 23 disposals 4 marks 8 tackles 97 dream team points 
Corey Wagner 1 behind 14  kicks 10 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 6 tackles 99 dream team points
Josh Wagner 16 kicks 10 handballs 26 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 95 dream team points
Sam Weideman 2 goals 1 behind 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 2 hit outs 71 dream team points

[Drunkn167 5,093]

9 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

Keilty hasn't been in the top 5 best players on the ground once this year. That is not even nearly enough to warrant selection. I understand we need to replace Lever, but whoever replaces him needs to be of AFL standard. Pederson is the logical replacement if he is able to take the field next week. He is in form and we know he is capable of playing at an AFL level. If Pederson doesn't make it then we may need to shift our side around at senior level and swing someone down back for a game.

Ah he was second BOG behind stretch last week 

Look at the best on here http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-28/vfl-team-review-round-eight.mobileapp

Edited June 3, 2018 by Drunkn167

[Drunkn167 5,093]

10 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

Dec Keilty:  I always feel uncomfortable commenting on Dec because we all love Drunkn's contribution and as a result Dec is a bit of a favourite.  But I thought he was just okay today doing some useful things but a long way from imposing himself on the game in any way.  As ever he was willing, reliable and committed  but I don't think he's in the conversation to replace Jake.          

 

Have to (somewhat) agree. He definitely didn't have his best day but he had some few good moments, as did all the defenders though. I still think the senior team need another Key Tall and Frosty will most likely get the job.

[Slartibartfast 17,594]

11 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Wonderful post BB.

How you do it I do not know.

 

 

It's just one man's perspective DJ. DemonDave was on the other side of the ground to me and may have a totally different perspective.  When I make my comments there is alway a voice in the back of my head saying "you're probably making a fool of yourself"!

But I know when I can't get along to a Casey game I'm always grateful to those that give summaries so when I can I do.

[Deespicable 2,886]

Thanks BB - an excellent wrap up again of our Casey boys.

Pleased to hear Dion finally made a good fist of defence - like you I've had him written off as little more than a yapping dog up forward, but sometimes a switch of roles can do wonders.

Maybe Stretcher is also making more headway as the old Bill, rather than the young Billy - he is now a very good kick which should give him a chance to make it yet at AFL level - once an opportunity arises.

[Redleg 41,420]

18 hours ago, Nasher said:

Which midfielder would you drop to give him that reward?

Very difficult to find someone to drop for a player who deserves to come in. Would have said Tyson but he isn’t in the side and ANB has had a couple of good weeks. Harmes is firing. Maybe if Pies went really small up forward he could play hbf but with Mihocek in that won’t happen. 

I am struggling and what a great position it is, to have for us, with most of the 22 doing well. 

Edited June 4, 2018 by Redleg

[Redleg 41,420]

16 hours ago, picket fence said:

Yep, happy to trade! Seen enough!

We wouldn’t have Oscar as I recall if you were our List Manager. 

Lewis and Vince are near the end and that will create spaces. 

I wouldn’t clear Stretch who is good with ball in hand and can set up play. 

[Whispering_Jack 30,633]

Match stats -

Oskar Baker 10 kicks 13 handballs 23 disposals 7 marks 77 dream team points
Harley Balic 1 goal 4 behinds 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 83 dream team points
Tomas Bugg 1 behind 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 8 tackles 68 dream team points
Lachlan Filipovic 5 kicks 5 disposals 4 marks 4 hit outs 31 dream team points 
Sam Frost 1 goal 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points 
Jeff Garlett 2 goals 2 behinds 9 kicks 8 handballs 17 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 84 dream team points 
Jayden Hunt 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 61 dream team points
Dion Johnstone 12  kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 75 dream team points
Declan Keilty 5 kicks 6 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 55 dream team points
Jay Kennedy Harris 1 behind 12 kicks 12 handballs 24 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 85 dream team points
Mitchell King 1 goal 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 17 hit outs 58 dream team points
Mitchel Lewis 1 behind 4  kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 43 dream team points
Jay Lockhart 1 behind 8 kicks 10  handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 62 dream team points  
Cameron Pedersen 4 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 11 marks 4 tackles 5 hit outs 122 dream team points
Harrison Petty 9 kicks 6 handballs 15 disposals 4 marks 53 dream team points 
Aidan Quigley 1 behind 1 kick 8 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 28 dream team points 
Angus Scott 12 kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 65 dream team points 
Joel Smith 13 kicks 4 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 82 dream team points 
Billy Stretch 1 behind 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 8 marks 6 tackles 117 dream team points
Dom Tyson 9 kicks 14 handballs 23 disposals 4 marks 8 tackles 97 dream team points 
Corey Wagner 1 behind 14  kicks 10 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 6 tackles 99 dream team points
Josh Wagner 16 kicks 10 handballs 26 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 95 dream team points
Sam Weideman 2 goals 1 behind 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 2 hit outs 71 dream team points

[Rolling Stone 158]

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Match stats -

 

Based on the stats alone, Pedo would have had to have been considered if not concussed.

Has anyone heard any news on his injury?

[leave it to deever 17,517]

Hope Cam is ok.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,877]

On 6/3/2018 at 6:18 PM, Leoncelli_36 said:

You can't understand why they've given up on a bloke who consistently butchers the ball and has poor awareness that often results in him being caught with the ball and turning it over? 

But the stats don't exactly support what you are saying:

http://m.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro#/Compare?playerIds=CD_I294675,CD_I298281&comparisonTab=h2h

From what I saw of our first four or five games, Lever's disposal was pretty ordanary.  He hacked quite a few of his disposals completely and alot of the ones he didn't were down the line to a 50/50 or worse contest, which resulted in either turnovers or stoppages.  But in fairness I think this was true of alot of our players over the first five weeks, when we were playing without great confidence and system.

I think the manner in which players hack kicks and turn it over influences people opinions of them.  Players that play conservatively and turn it over in more conspicuous ways don't stick in people's heads like ones who try to do too much, get caught and/or turn it over with absolute clangers.  Just look at the career stats of Hibberd Vs Frost if you want an example of this.  I was even suprised myself how good Frosts stats were in this respect.

http://m.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro#/Compare?playerIds=CD_I290160,CD_I293738&comparisonTab=h2h


To be honest, I don't think loosing Lever will make that much difference to our team performance.  From what I've seen, his best is good, but I don't think he has provided that much of his best for us in games this year that we will miss that.  His absence will provide an opportunity for someone else to step up and personally I'm looking forward to see who that is and how they go.  Guys like Frost, Wagner, Hunt and Smith all have some attributes which have the potential to make them a real asset to our side and in some way, I almost think we needed an injury to give one of them a go and keep them motivated to compete, perform and improve at VFL level, it's just a pitty that it's an ACL that puts Lever out for such an extended period.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

....."Cam Pedersen:  Cam's too good for this level and demonstrated today against VFL opposition he can dominate.  His marking, particularly above his head, is very strong at this level and his work rate and courage were excellent today.  He started to dominate in the second half and kicked a number of very good goals.  Interestingly he started the third and fourth quarters as the senior ruck and played that position for 5 or 10 minutes but he looked so much more dangerous forward.  I thought he was "training" to replace Tim Smith if he doesn't come up but sadly he was knocked out with about 10 minutes to go when his head hit the ground in a marking contest.  I was standing a few metres from the incident and it was pretty upsetting to see him immediately after the incident.  He managed to get to his feet after a few minutes and get to off the ground with the assistance of a couple of trainers but as a layman I'd be stunned if he didn't have concussion and it would be a surprise if he played next game.  A sad end to a really good performance"...

Nice update thx BB.  Looks like Pedders was the most likely call up prior to the head smack.  A real pitty as no one else appears to have made the step up in form this game. Frosty didnt appear to be that impressive from what you've reported and would be a lucky selection if he makes it in.