Casey Practice Match (10/3)

[dazzledavey36 48,642]

Can anyone who went yesterday just give a run down on some of our players? I believe the likes of Osker Baker played their first games back as well?

 

[Slartibartfast 15,724]

I went to the Casey game yesterday as I wanted to have a look at the new blokes.  Conditions were perfect although it was quite humid and the smoke haze and smell were quite strong.

It was a resounding win by Casey who completely outplayed Brisbane around the ball and of course were helped by Viney, Jones and Melksham who were just a class above.  This is how I saw the Demons:-

Kade Chandler:-  Didn't know he was on the ground in the first quarter as I was mainly watching the big three but I certainly noticed him in the second and subsequent quarters.  He's small but he looks strong and quick, not lightening, but quick and he has good hands and a good kick.  He took a good contested mark at one point and kicked a couple of goals in the second.  He covered the ground well and tackled.  He used the ball well with several passes inside forward 50 to teammates and was the most impressive of the new blokes from my point of view.  He looks like he could become a good player.

Nathan Jones:  Often when you see a senior player come back to a lower grade they seem a little at sea and don't dominate the way you'd expect.  Jonesy didn't have that problem.  From the first bounce he just kept getting the ball and managed to find space in tight and continually won the ball at stoppages.  His skills were rusty as he missed several handballs and kicks I'd normally expect him to nail but it was a little like watching a year 12 boy play with the year 10's.  He was just better than the rest.  Seemed to run out the game well and I've no doubt he'll play round1.

Jack Viney:  Was pretty dominant around the stoppages and on occasions used his strength really well just bashing through tackles at stoppages and clearing the ball.  Played quite some time in the forward 50 but doesn't look a natural forward at all.  He got plenty of the ball and used it well.  He looked pretty spent towards the end and appeared to hurt himself when he attempted a spoil from behind and may have jarred his knee/leg on landing.  I watched carefully as he went to the bench where a trainer/physio (I was on the other side of the ground) talked to him for a minute or two.  There didn't appear to be any testing of the leg or any ice used and he walked reasonably comfortably after the game.  Like all, I'm just hoping for the best.

James Jordan:  Looked a class player and while he didn't get a heap of it when he did he used it well and looked confident in what he was doing.  Played off half back and covered a lot of ground.  He is a sure ball handler and a lovely kick and appeared to be in the right place at the right time.  He's still quite slight but showed courage and a willingness to tackle.  I liked what I saw.

Corey Wagner:  Showed some speed and footy smarts at times and if he was a first year player you'd be quite excited but he's not and if he's going to make it needs to find something more.  He certainly has a go and won his fair share in the forward 50.

Jake Melksham:  Didn't really see him in the first quarter but started to play well in the second and was dominant in the last half.  His contested ball work was great, he was strong in the air, he found space and his kicking was fantastic. He was close to BOG for me in the second half and will be a great addition with his kicking skills particularly.

Sam Frost:  Just a game.  Always looks a class above until he fumbles the simple ones or makes a rookie mistake.  He did get better as the game wore on but not one of his better games because of the mistakes.  Also there wasn't a lot to do down back for Casey.

Tom Sparrow:  I was disappointed with his first half and can't say I really noticed him but sometimes when you're watching for the first time you don't notice players so maybe I'm being unfair.  He started to get more involved in the third but I was disappointed with his disposal but as the game wore on he got better and better and displayed some really good clearance work and kicking skills.  He's very much in the mould of an inside mid with a see ball get ball approach and was at the bottom of a lot of packs.  I was much more confident at the end of the day than at half time with him as he definitely has some AFL attributes.

Cory Maynard:  Not a dominant game but maybe was pushed out of his normal role with Viney and Jones doing a lot of the centre clearance work.  Just a game really and not one to get excited about.

Toby Bedford: Now here is an interesting one.  In one sense he's got it all.  He's quick and nimble, he covers a lot of ground, he's a willing tackler and he works hard.  Looks to be a sure ball handler and a good kick but reality about yesterday is he didn't get it enough to make a judgement really  But every time he was around the ball or got it he caught your eye.  I'm glad he's on the list but he's got to learn the best trick in footy - to get the ball.

Braydon Preuss:  Dominant ruck in the first half and gave silver service to the mids while he was on.  As you know, he injured himself in the first minute of the third quarter and wasn't seen again.

Austin Bradtke:  Got Casey's first goal (I think) with a really good contested pack mark in the first few minutes of the game and followed up later in the quarter with another.  He's got good hands and can kick it quite well and found a bit of it around the ground but I don't think he added to his two first quarter goals.  He did quite a bit of rucking when Preuss went off and was monstered.  Lots of time in the gym and a clear project player but looks a good long term prospect and although it's too early to call looks more a forward than a ruck.

Jost Wagner:  Not a lot to do but what he did he did well.  Very brave on occasions particularly in the air and was spoiling the ball very well to the boundary on many occasions.  He's a good VFL player and performs regularly at this level from what I've seen but didn't do enough to push a case for senior selection.

Harry Petty:  I've liked this kid from the first time I've seen him and again he looked very good yesterday.  He reads the play really well, he's a very strong overhead mark and his kicking is very good.  He got to the right place regularly and played a very good game.  Towards the end of the game he had a couple of spells in the ruck which looked quite promising as he was okay with his tap work and agile and mobile enough around the ground to have an impact.  Given our relative glut of KPD I wouldn't be surprised to see him trialled forward at some point.  With his contested marking strength and kicking ability he could be a handful.  I'm very confident this kid will be an excellent AFL footballer.

Oscar Baker:  Clearly needed a run.  Looked rusty and didn't get into the game as you'd have hoped but he's had a long spell on the sidelines.  He loves to get involved and he loves to take people on, not always with the desired outcome.  But he has a go, he's got very good pace and he clearly believes in himself.  Having said that, it wasn't a good game by his standards from my point of view.

[Diamond_Jim 11,676]

Great post B Bob.... up there with the best we see on Demonland

well done

[nosoupforme 3,085]

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Can anyone who went yesterday just give a run down on some of our players? I believe the likes of Osker Baker played their first games back as well?

 

I was at the family day at Yarra park  and had a yarn to Oscar Baker. Played 3 Quarters of the game in the 2s and was happy with the outcome . He pulled up well after the game and he certainly tested his hammies. He was chasing all day but loved being back blew all the cobwebs away. Oscar said that it was good to be back and will be better for the run. He certainly had a gleam in his eye. 

Edited March 10, 2019 by nosoupforme

[dazzledavey36 48,642]

Top report BB. Some great insight.

Thanks to you as well @nosoupforme

[Demons11 6,404]

8 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I went to the Casey game yesterday as I wanted to have a look at the new blokes.  Conditions were perfect although it was quite humid and the smoke haze and smell were quite strong.

It was a resounding win by Casey who completely outplayed Brisbane around the ball and of course were helped by Viney, Jones and Melksham who were just a class above.  This is how I saw the Demons:-

Kade Chandler:-  Didn't know he was on the ground in the first quarter as I was mainly watching the big three but I certainly noticed him in the second and subsequent quarters.  He's small but he looks strong and quick, not lightening, but quick and he has good hands and a good kick.  He took a good contested mark at one point and kicked a couple of goals in the second.  He covered the ground well and tackled.  He used the ball well with several passes inside forward 50 to teammates and was the most impressive of the new blokes from my point of view.  He looks like he could become a good player.

Nathan Jones:  Often when you see a senior player come back to a lower grade they seem a little at sea and don't dominate the way you'd expect.  Jonesy didn't have that problem.  From the first bounce he just kept getting the ball and managed to find space in tight and continually won the ball at stoppages.  His skills were rusty as he missed several handballs and kicks I'd normally expect him to nail but it was a little like watching a year 12 boy play with the year 10's.  He was just better than the rest.  Seemed to run out the game well and I've no doubt he'll play round1.

Jack Viney:  Was pretty dominant around the stoppages and on occasions used his strength really well just bashing through tackles at stoppages and clearing the ball.  Played quite some time in the forward 50 but doesn't look a natural forward at all.  He got plenty of the ball and used it well.  He looked pretty spent towards the end and appeared to hurt himself when he attempted a spoil from behind and may have jarred his knee/leg on landing.  I watched carefully as he went to the bench where a trainer/physio (I was on the other side of the ground) talked to him for a minute or two.  There didn't appear to be any testing of the leg or any ice used and he walked reasonably comfortably after the game.  Like all, I'm just hoping for the best.

James Jordan:  Looked a class player and while he didn't get a heap of it when he did he used it well and looked confident in what he was doing.  Played off half back and covered a lot of ground.  He is a sure ball handler and a lovely kick and appeared to be in the right place at the right time.  He's still quite slight but showed courage and a willingness to tackle.  I liked what I saw.

Corey Wagner:  Showed some speed and footy smarts at times and if he was a first year player you'd be quite excited but he's not and if he's going to make it needs to find something more.  He certainly has a go and won his fair share in the forward 50.

Jake Melksham:  Didn't really see him in the first quarter but started to play well in the second and was dominant in the last half.  His contested ball work was great, he was strong in the air, he found space and his kicking was fantastic. He was close to BOG for me in the second half and will be a great addition with his kicking skills particularly.

Sam Frost:  Just a game.  Always looks a class above until he fumbles the simple ones or makes a rookie mistake.  He did get better as the game wore on but not one of his better games because of the mistakes.  Also there wasn't a lot to do down back for Casey.

Tom Sparrow:  I was disappointed with his first half and can't say I really noticed him but sometimes when you're watching for the first time you don't notice players so maybe I'm being unfair.  He started to get more involved in the third but I was disappointed with his disposal but as the game wore on he got better and better and displayed some really good clearance work and kicking skills.  He's very much in the mould of an inside mid with a see ball get ball approach and was at the bottom of a lot of packs.  I was much more confident at the end of the day than at half time with him as he definitely has some AFL attributes.

Cory Maynard:  Not a dominant game but maybe was pushed out of his normal role with Viney and Jones doing a lot of the centre clearance work.  Just a game really and not one to get excited about.

Toby Bedford: Now here is an interesting one.  In one sense he's got it all.  He's quick and nimble, he covers a lot of ground, he's a willing tackler and he works hard.  Looks to be a sure ball handler and a good kick but reality about yesterday is he didn't get it enough to make a judgement really  But every time he was around the ball or got it he caught your eye.  I'm glad he's on the list but he's got to learn the best trick in footy - to get the ball.

Braydon Preuss:  Dominant ruck in the first half and gave silver service to the mids while he was on.  As you know, he injured himself in the first minute of the third quarter and wasn't seen again.

Austin Bradtke:  Got Casey's first goal (I think) with a really good contested pack mark in the first few minutes of the game and followed up later in the quarter with another.  He's got good hands and can kick it quite well and found a bit of it around the ground but I don't think he added to his two first quarter goals.  He did quite a bit of rucking when Preuss went off and was monstered.  Lots of time in the gym and a clear project player but looks a good long term prospect and although it's too early to call looks more a forward than a ruck.

Jost Wagner:  Not a lot to do but what he did he did well.  Very brave on occasions particularly in the air and was spoiling the ball very well to the boundary on many occasions.  He's a good VFL player and performs regularly at this level from what I've seen but didn't do enough to push a case for senior selection.

Harry Petty:  I've liked this kid from the first time I've seen him and again he looked very good yesterday.  He reads the play really well, he's a very strong overhead mark and his kicking is very good.  He got to the right place regularly and played a very good game.  Towards the end of the game he had a couple of spells in the ruck which looked quite promising as he was okay with his tap work and agile and mobile enough around the ground to have an impact.  Given our relative glut of KPD I wouldn't be surprised to see him trialled forward at some point.  With his contested marking strength and kicking ability he could be a handful.  I'm very confident this kid will be an excellent AFL footballer.

Oscar Baker:  Clearly needed a run.  Looked rusty and didn't get into the game as you'd have hoped but he's had a long spell on the sidelines.  He loves to get involved and he loves to take people on, not always with the desired outcome.  But he has a go, he's got very good pace and he clearly believes in himself.  Having said that, it wasn't a good game by his standards from my point of view.

Thanks mate, brilliant summary. 

I think Bedford will debut first out of all our draftees this year.  I think you have nailed his attributes. 

Edited March 10, 2019 by Demons11

[Moonshadow 16,109]

13 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Thanks mate, brilliant summary. 

I think Bedford will debut first out of all our draftees this year.  I think you have nailed his attributes. 

Interesting, I think Bedford is a long way off. Very slight body, no tank, as such. Watched him closely training last week. Has some skills and much to work with, but IMO would be lost at AFL level until he's spent most of 2019 at Casey. Early call though.

[Willmoy1947 3,760]

Felt as though i was at the ground.........in an official capacity.

[Ethan Tremblay 28,288]

Will Jordan be the perfect replacement for Hibberd in a few seasons time? 

[WERRIDEE 5,198]

Is Jordon a chance for senior selection wasn't impressed with Hore or Oscar in the seniors. Would like to see him get a game is it too soon?

[Demons11 6,404]

8 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Interesting, I think Bedford is a long way off. Very slight body, no tank, as such. Watched him closely training last week. Has some skills and much to work with, but IMO would be lost at AFL level until he's spent most of 2019 at Casey. Early call though.

I think you’ll find he will come to hand quickly.  I think he will be fighting Spargs for his spot. 

We will get some enjoyment out of watching this kid. 

[Laughing Goat 308]

22 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I went to the Casey game yesterday as I wanted to have a look at the new blokes.  Conditions were perfect although it was quite humid and the smoke haze and smell were quite strong.

It was a resounding win by Casey who completely outplayed Brisbane around the ball and of course were helped by Viney, Jones and Melksham who were just a class above.  This is how I saw the Demons:-

Kade Chandler:-  Didn't know he was on the ground in the first quarter as I was mainly watching the big three but I certainly noticed him in the second and subsequent quarters.  He's small but he looks strong and quick, not lightening, but quick and he has good hands and a good kick.  He took a good contested mark at one point and kicked a couple of goals in the second.  He covered the ground well and tackled.  He used the ball well with several passes inside forward 50 to teammates and was the most impressive of the new blokes from my point of view.  He looks like he could become a good player.

Nathan Jones:  Often when you see a senior player come back to a lower grade they seem a little at sea and don't dominate the way you'd expect.  Jonesy didn't have that problem.  From the first bounce he just kept getting the ball and managed to find space in tight and continually won the ball at stoppages.  His skills were rusty as he missed several handballs and kicks I'd normally expect him to nail but it was a little like watching a year 12 boy play with the year 10's.  He was just better than the rest.  Seemed to run out the game well and I've no doubt he'll play round1.

Jack Viney:  Was pretty dominant around the stoppages and on occasions used his strength really well just bashing through tackles at stoppages and clearing the ball.  Played quite some time in the forward 50 but doesn't look a natural forward at all.  He got plenty of the ball and used it well.  He looked pretty spent towards the end and appeared to hurt himself when he attempted a spoil from behind and may have jarred his knee/leg on landing.  I watched carefully as he went to the bench where a trainer/physio (I was on the other side of the ground) talked to him for a minute or two.  There didn't appear to be any testing of the leg or any ice used and he walked reasonably comfortably after the game.  Like all, I'm just hoping for the best.

James Jordan:  Looked a class player and while he didn't get a heap of it when he did he used it well and looked confident in what he was doing.  Played off half back and covered a lot of ground.  He is a sure ball handler and a lovely kick and appeared to be in the right place at the right time.  He's still quite slight but showed courage and a willingness to tackle.  I liked what I saw.

Corey Wagner:  Showed some speed and footy smarts at times and if he was a first year player you'd be quite excited but he's not and if he's going to make it needs to find something more.  He certainly has a go and won his fair share in the forward 50.

Jake Melksham:  Didn't really see him in the first quarter but started to play well in the second and was dominant in the last half.  His contested ball work was great, he was strong in the air, he found space and his kicking was fantastic. He was close to BOG for me in the second half and will be a great addition with his kicking skills particularly.

Sam Frost:  Just a game.  Always looks a class above until he fumbles the simple ones or makes a rookie mistake.  He did get better as the game wore on but not one of his better games because of the mistakes.  Also there wasn't a lot to do down back for Casey.

Tom Sparrow:  I was disappointed with his first half and can't say I really noticed him but sometimes when you're watching for the first time you don't notice players so maybe I'm being unfair.  He started to get more involved in the third but I was disappointed with his disposal but as the game wore on he got better and better and displayed some really good clearance work and kicking skills.  He's very much in the mould of an inside mid with a see ball get ball approach and was at the bottom of a lot of packs.  I was much more confident at the end of the day than at half time with him as he definitely has some AFL attributes.

Cory Maynard:  Not a dominant game but maybe was pushed out of his normal role with Viney and Jones doing a lot of the centre clearance work.  Just a game really and not one to get excited about.

Toby Bedford: Now here is an interesting one.  In one sense he's got it all.  He's quick and nimble, he covers a lot of ground, he's a willing tackler and he works hard.  Looks to be a sure ball handler and a good kick but reality about yesterday is he didn't get it enough to make a judgement really  But every time he was around the ball or got it he caught your eye.  I'm glad he's on the list but he's got to learn the best trick in footy - to get the ball.

Braydon Preuss:  Dominant ruck in the first half and gave silver service to the mids while he was on.  As you know, he injured himself in the first minute of the third quarter and wasn't seen again.

Austin Bradtke:  Got Casey's first goal (I think) with a really good contested pack mark in the first few minutes of the game and followed up later in the quarter with another.  He's got good hands and can kick it quite well and found a bit of it around the ground but I don't think he added to his two first quarter goals.  He did quite a bit of rucking when Preuss went off and was monstered.  Lots of time in the gym and a clear project player but looks a good long term prospect and although it's too early to call looks more a forward than a ruck.

Jost Wagner:  Not a lot to do but what he did he did well.  Very brave on occasions particularly in the air and was spoiling the ball very well to the boundary on many occasions.  He's a good VFL player and performs regularly at this level from what I've seen but didn't do enough to push a case for senior selection.

Harry Petty:  I've liked this kid from the first time I've seen him and again he looked very good yesterday.  He reads the play really well, he's a very strong overhead mark and his kicking is very good.  He got to the right place regularly and played a very good game.  Towards the end of the game he had a couple of spells in the ruck which looked quite promising as he was okay with his tap work and agile and mobile enough around the ground to have an impact.  Given our relative glut of KPD I wouldn't be surprised to see him trialled forward at some point.  With his contested marking strength and kicking ability he could be a handful.  I'm very confident this kid will be an excellent AFL footballer.

Oscar Baker:  Clearly needed a run.  Looked rusty and didn't get into the game as you'd have hoped but he's had a long spell on the sidelines.  He loves to get involved and he loves to take people on, not always with the desired outcome.  But he has a go, he's got very good pace and he clearly believes in himself.  Having said that, it wasn't a good game by his standards from my point of view.

great report BB.....Does Oscar get a round 1 gig ahead of Frosty? is there room for both R1?

[Supermercado 2,609]

Has MFC or Casey posted the quarter by quarter scores and goalkickers anywhere?

[DemonWorshipper 296]

17 minutes ago, Supermercado said:

Has MFC or Casey posted the quarter by quarter scores and goalkickers anywhere?

They were posted on Twitter:

 

To Spare the long thread, 

QT:CAS 3.3 (21) | BRIS 1.0 (6)
HT:CAS 7.7 (49) | BRIS 3.1 (19)
3Q:CAS 9.13 (67) | BRIS 3.2 (20)
FT:CAS 14.17 (101) | BRIS 4.2 (26)

 

[Supermercado 2,609]

55 minutes ago, DemonWorshipper said:

They were posted on Twitter:

 

To Spare the long thread, 

QT:CAS 3.3 (21) | BRIS 1.0 (6)
HT:CAS 7.7 (49) | BRIS 3.1 (19)
3Q:CAS 9.13 (67) | BRIS 3.2 (20)
FT:CAS 14.17 (101) | BRIS 4.2 (26)

 

Thank you. Trawling the tweets for goalkickers still leaves me four short (Bradtke 2, Chandler 2, Melksham 2, Bradford 1, Collis 1, Sparrow 1, Viney 1) but it's a start.

Future generations of insane people who want VFL practice match scores thank you.

Edited March 11, 2019 by Supermercado

[58er 5,590]

14 minutes ago, Supermercado said:

Thank you. Trawling the tweets for goalkickers still leaves me four short (Bradtke 2, Chandler 2, Melksham 2, Bradford 1, Collis 1, Sparrow 1, Viney 1) but it's a start.

Future generations of insane people who want VFL practice match scores thank you.

Maybe go to VFL website or NEAFLE or Casey Demons  websites .

[Supermercado 2,609]

3 minutes ago, 58er said:

Maybe go to VFL website or NEAFLE or Casey Demons  websites .

Nothing on the VFL site (except a full time score with no links) and Casey's website has been wiped out for a half-arsed sub-page on the MFC site. Hadn't considered NEAFL site but nada from them or the Lions either.

Now, I know the interested audience would be limited to single digits but I still need this for the sake of completeness. Have tweeted @ the Casey account to see if they have anything.

[DeeSpencer 23,058]

15 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Is Jordon a chance for senior selection wasn't impressed with Hore or Oscar in the seniors. Would like to see him get a game is it too soon?

Almost certainly too soon, one of the youngest kids in the draft barely draft eligible and doesn't have a strength, fitness or a speed advantage over his opponents. Hore hasn't been good but he's an excellent VFL player, he should be able to adapt more to the pace of the game and play better. He's the type of player who will benefit a lot from better up the ground pressure (like most of our defenders), then he can intercept and use his kicking in more space.

They'll have to make a difficult decision on who to back in out of Hore, Hunt and J Wagner maybe until KK and Lever are back and assuming/hoping for no further injuries. Still expect it will be Hore in round 1.

[Demon Dude 425]

40 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Almost certainly too soon, one of the youngest kids in the draft barely draft eligible and doesn't have a strength, fitness or a speed advantage over his opponents. Hore hasn't been good but he's an excellent VFL player, he should be able to adapt more to the pace of the game and play better. He's the type of player who will benefit a lot from better up the ground pressure (like most of our defenders), then he can intercept and use his kicking in more space.

They'll have to make a difficult decision on who to back in out of Hore, Hunt and J Wagner maybe until KK and Lever are back and assuming/hoping for no further injuries. Still expect it will be Hore in round 1.

For me it has to be Hore. Those other 2 are hopeless in the air.

[george_on_the_outer 6,944]

36 minutes ago, Demon Dude said:

For me it has to be Hore. Those other 2 are hopeless in the air.

None of them, it will be Frost. 

[Demonland 64,398]

 

[Skuit 9,109]

Again, an excellent wrap-up Baghdad Bob, kudos.

So I'm yet to see a pre-season match, but a to-date early summary of our most recent lesser-light recruits (i.e exc. May, Pruess and KK) might perhaps follow as: 

Jordan: showing a lot for an under-ager - composed with the ball.

Chandler: a bolter, loves to fly and playing above his weight.

Bedford: willing and talented if nor wayward, but needs to get more of the ball.

Bradtke: could be anything, but still a long way off.

Sparrow: has the body, but has so far under-performed as might be expected for an albeit spec 27 pick. 

C. Wagner: going okay, nothing sensational and unlikely to crack the big-leagues. 

Hore: in the words of Joeboy, 'nothing to recommend' above VFL level.

Walker/ Nietschke: N/A

Is this a fair summary for those who have been in attendance at the training and practice matches?

[Tough Kent 2,049]

Cory Machaya has done his ACL. That’s a blow for Casey.

[Demon Dude 425]

1 hour ago, Tough Kent said:

Cory Machaya has done his ACL. That’s a blow for Casey.

that's a bummer, he's a good little player from what ive seen of him. no doubt he'll be missed.

[Tim 2,770]

On 3/10/2019 at 1:17 PM, Baghdad Bob said:

I went to the Casey game yesterday as I wanted to have a look at the new blokes. Conditions were perfect although it was quite humid and the smoke haze and smell were quite strong.

Fantastic report, BB. 

I have been a casual dropper-in at training, as I pass through that area from time to time, and see the odd 10-15 minutes. I couldn't get to Casey on Saturday, but your comments on 3 of the youngsters resonated with me in terms of the bits of training I've seen this pre-season.

Toby Bedford and Kade Chandler have impressed me with their intensity and skills, as well as Toby showing some real toe. They are obviously very early in their development, and it's good to see them showing something in a game, even though Toby's was more cameo by your account. I can't get out of my mind the tackle he did on Gawn in a session before Christmas where he hung on with intensity, swinging like clothes on a clothesline on a windy day - I was worried that Gawny would cop an injury so intense was the prolonged tackle!

Young Bradtke looks several pre-seasons away from having a body that can compete at the highest level, but I do like his skill level. Doesn't look like the lumbering tall type, and he moves well and executes neatly. Just shows how tricky it is with ruck types in being able to bring together physical presence with good footy attributes. Hell, Max Gawn's 27, a star of the game, and a 10 season veteran. And he still hasn't played 100 games!