21 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Another great training report Big Kev, interesting about Hannan running around with casey and Smithy joining in the simulations.

Interesting.

I think it has more to do with Hannan playing Casey at the weekend and his load being managed.

He is a definate in for mine for either JKH or Spargo  tough call on who out of those two stays in. 

2 hours ago, GCDee said:

Having smith in allows hibberd to play an intercept role again. 

I wouldn't mind viney, Smith & hannan in for kent, spargo (admitted himself he is buggered) and JKH.

He has had the benefit of jerk Gill's knee-jerk pre finals bye

2 hours ago, Dee-licious said:

Been thinking about this binman. 3 changes is a lot, but if it was Lever, Hogan and Viney we wouldn’t be batting an eye lid over it and I think we need to see the same with Smith. He was best 22 for most of this year and even last year they saw him as best 22 (until injury struck in round 1). So I feel if he is fit they want him in the side. 

In my mind, JKH and Kent are out. Viney is in, and then it’s a question of Hannan or Smith. Does Fritch offer more than Hannan in the forward line? Does Smith offer more in the backline than Fritch? Great conversations we are having now rather than who do we bring in to replace yeh rabble we have playing. 

He [Smith] has played 7 games this year (rounds 12-20) and one quarter last year (maybe he played a couple late too?).

Does that make him best 22 for most of this year?  Just asking.

IMO another year spoiled by injury - may be best 22 next year if he can keep fit and well.

 

9 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Spargo must be exhausted after "needing a rest" for the past 16 weeks!!

he is 100% in the team this week, no doubt.

he impacts each contest he gets to and sets up goals very well. hope he can get some length into his kicking over the preseason and he will be a beauty

I agree with the bit I've underlined and really think he will have a great career, but right now, he also doesn't stick all his tackles, drops some easy marks and struggles to kick set shots.  All those things concern me going into Friday night, especially the missed tackles.  If we did need to drop someone else, I'd prefer to keep JKH in over Spargo right now.

20 minutes ago, S_T said:

I agree with the bit I've underlined and really think he will have a great career, but right now, he also doesn't stick all his tackles, drops some easy marks and struggles to kick set shots.  All those things concern me going into Friday night, especially the missed tackles.  If we did need to drop someone else, I'd prefer to keep JKH in over Spargo right now.

Agree.

Don't think Goody does though.

56 minutes ago, dl4e said:

Only if we beat Geelong on friday night. 

VFL semi that Casey play not this but next weekend.

Joel Smith was applying some very good pressure and winning some crucial HTB decisions before he was injured. His pace and leap will come in handy. His inexperience is my only concern...

10 minutes ago, McQueen said:

VFL semi that Casey play not this but next weekend.

Preliminary final even, semis are this weekend.

May aswell merge this with the changes thread

6 minutes ago, Copuchas said:

Preliminary final even, semis are this weekend.

Thanks mate.

I thought that through well, huh.

17 minutes ago, McQueen said:

VFL semi that Casey play not this but next weekend.

Bernie wouldn't be eligible to play for Casey unless the Dees are playing the same week I assume.

18 minutes ago, McQueen said:

VFL semi that Casey play not this but next weekend.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we're eliminated from the AFL finals then the VFL eligibility rules will come into play for the VFL, meaning Vince won't be able to play?

13 minutes ago, FireInTheBelly said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we're eliminated from the AFL finals then the VFL eligibility rules will come into play for the VFL, meaning Vince won't be able to play?

I thought that rule was scrapped?

 

3 hours ago, FireInTheBelly said:

The problem with playing either or both of Smith and Tyson is the Cats are professionals at gaining any advantage they can, legally or otherwise, and this includes sniping. They'll go after whoever they believe to be our most influential players, but also whoever they think is an easy target. Think back and names like Jetta, Gawn (influential) and Fritsch (young target) come to mind, only in recent times.

Smith's shoulder will be a target, as will Tyson's arm, I guarantee they've already discussed it, in fact they've probably spoken about Viney's foot, but decided the consequences just aren't worth it.

Who are are the hard men, to sort this out. Viney, VDB?

1 hour ago, Earl Hood said:

Hi Kev

interesting comment on J Smith participating in the firsts squad simulations. When they first split out the Casey players I definitely noted that 44 JSmith and Hannan were in the group running laps. Was Smith taken back out of the Casey group to participate after their first lap? Must admit I was diverted by a conversation for half that simulation drill. 

I didn't see the start of their run. When they went passed me Joel wasn't with them. Thought I saw him in simulations. 

Maybe he is the emrgency.

Edited September 4, 20187 yr by 000

19 minutes ago, FireInTheBelly said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we're eliminated from the AFL finals then the VFL eligibility rules will come into play for the VFL, meaning Vince won't be able to play?

Don't think it'd matter, I doubt Vince would play on once the seniors have finished (let's hope that's after the last weekend in Sept), even if he was eligible. 

Edited September 4, 20187 yr by Red and Blue realist

5 minutes ago, McQueen said:

I thought that rule was scrapped?

 

Possibly, I hadn't heard that but you may be right.

Nice to go into a finals campaign with a relatively healthy list, and some selection headaches. 

I just wonder how far we could go if we had Lever. I truly believe we could go all the way if he was fit and firing. His loss hurts more than any other player who has gone down this year. We simply can't cover his role well enough. 

 

55 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Joel Smith was applying some very good pressure and winning some crucial HTB decisions before he was injured. His pace and leap will come in handy. His inexperience is my only concern...

and maybe his inexperience as part of the current group could also stand against him.

1 hour ago, monoccular said:

He [Smith] has played 7 games this year (rounds 12-20) and one quarter last year (maybe he played a couple late too?).

Does that make him best 22 for most of this year?  Just asking.

IMO another year spoiled by injury - may be best 22 next year if he can keep fit and well.

Good point and lets say half of this year or post-Lever year. Last year he was selected before Jetta in round 1 (shock to us all) and was talked up as an important player for us that season. As you said, lasted a quarter, out for 12 weeks, 1 game in the VFL, in the AFL for 2 games, dropped to the VFL and got injured and out for the season. 

I've got him down as 7 games this year in the VFL leading into round 12 / Lever going down. You are right another year spoilt with injury, but based on selection preferences over the last 2 years, the coaches seem to prefer him rather than not. 

18 minutes ago, FireInTheBelly said:

Possibly, I hadn't heard that but you may be right.

(b) A Player who has played in an AFL Home and Away Match after 1 July in the relevant season will be ineligible to play in VFL Senior Grade Finals Series Matches unless that Player has played in a combined total of at least six (6) VFL Senior Grade Home and Away Matches in the same season.

4 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

You would like to think we would make minimal changes.  I think we won't make anymore than 2 to keep the side as stable as possible.  I feel as though the FD rate Hannan and will want to get him in the side, so with Viney also coming back, it makes selection difficult.  Are Spargo and JKH the unlucky ones?  If Tyson trains well today then you would expect him to play as well.

While it will be harsh on a couple of players it's great to have these problems at this time of the year!

This is the kind of problem we have only dreamed of having for over a decade.

Sign me up.

1 hour ago, Kumamoto_Ken said:

Bernie wouldn't be eligible to play for Casey unless the Dees are playing the same week I assume.

That is correct which is why I made the original statement. 

3 hours ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Viney for Kent a given

Interesting on the JKH or Spargo question... For Hannan. If Spargo is (or was) cooked, then I think he is a big risk at being the second out - leaving JKH in.

Looking at the stats of the last 4 weeks. (JKH missed the WCE game, and Spargo played all 4). JKH average stats are clearly better than Spargo in Disposals / Tackles / Pressure Acts. And Spargo only managed goals against Gold Coast. I don't think it's clear cut that Spargo retains his spot.

Spargo plays in the forward pocket JKH spent time in the middle. Different roles with more possessions coming from the midfield. So these stats aren't directly relevant.

Spargo is a very smart footballer has a better knowledge of where to be and where to deliver the ball than JKH. 

JKH has a bigger body although still gets knocked off the ball too easily but is definitely a better tackler. He's also got a better tank at this point although not sure that's relevant if Spargo's in the forward pocket. 

Spargo's had the bye at the perfect time so should be primed. He's been in the team much more consistently than JKH. Would be very harsh to drop him now. I'd be very surprised. 

Can’t for the life of me see why Joel Smith would be rushed back. He’s been ok - just. Would be risky imo.

4 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Can’t for the life of me see why Joel Smith would be rushed back. He’s been ok - just. Would be risky imo.

I can see why they are at least considering it. He would be in a good position to cut across in front of Hawkins allowing Hibberd to continue to rebound out of the back half. I think with Hibberd there it releases some of that pressure off Smith to be a main rebounding defender and focus more on intercepting. 

The other thing he offers is a bigger body with pace to go with the midfielders Geelong use to score. Outside of Hawkins and Menzel (who was mainly very early season), most of their scores come from mids - Danger, Menagola, Kelly & GAJ, I don't see Lewis, Hibberd or Salem or even Fritsch if he plays back as being the ones to apply full stopping roles to these guys. Not saying he will come in but he certainly is due some consideration. 

1 minute ago, Red and Blue realist said:

I can see why they are at least considering it. He would be in a good position to cut across in front of Hawkins allowing Hibberd to continue to rebound out of the back half. I think with Hibberd there it releases some of that pressure off Smith to be a main rebounding defender and focus more on intercepting. 

The other thing he offers is a bigger body with pace to go with the midfielders Geelong use to score. Outside of Hawkins and Menzel (who was mainly very early season), most of their scores come from mids - Danger, Menagola, Kelly & GAJ, I don't see Lewis, Hibberd or Salem or even Fritsch if he plays back as being the ones to apply full stopping roles to these guys. Not saying he will come in but he certainly is due some consideration. 

My main concern are his turnovers.