Has there been any confirmation from the club as to how long Salem will miss?

At least Dunstan has seen the example of Ben Brown. Brown had to work hard to get his fitness level up and spend a lot of time at Casey in 2021 before settling in to the senior team. From that experience, Dunstan should understand what he needs to do to have a chance of playing senior footy.

He would also have seen what happened to Hunt. Played all year until injured late and couldn't get back into the side for the GF. That could happen to any of our midfielders, so Dunstan needs to be ready to take his chance should it come his way.

20 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Dunstan or anyone else for that matter deserve nothing unless they are playing very well at Casey 

My understanding is that he was underwhelming and obviously hasn't shown anything so far to deserve a senior game as he wasn't even given a run in the practice games 

Both Harmes and Sparrow have a few credits banked - they would need to put in a couple of shockers for Dunstan to even enter the discussion 

Agree with all of the above. I was at the game on Friday and I love watching off ball what players do and how they position themselves around the ground especially around stoppages. Both Harmes and Sparrow were setting up more defensively regardless of where they were playing, this allows us the forward movement out of stoppages with some insurance behind the ball a lot of the time. The two of them run incredibly hard both ways and their bigger bodies really stand up in contests around the ground. So while they may not do as much around the ball they are great utility guys that also give our best mids a break.

 

1 minute ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

At least Dunstan has seen the example of Ben Brown. Brown had to work hard to get his fitness level up and spend a lot of time at Casey in 2021 before settling in to the senior team. From that experience, Dunstan should understand what he needs to do to have a chance of playing senior footy.

He would also have seen what happened to Hunt. Played all year until injured late and couldn't get back into the side for the GF. That could happen to any of our midfielders, so Dunstan needs to be ready to take his chance should it come his way.

 

I'm a little suss on Dunstan. He was always a bit of a whipping boy down at the Saints mainly due to his average disposal and decision making. The guy can do all the right things then absolutely butcher the ball with lazy execution at times.

He had an interesting year last year at the saints, being on the outer at the start of the season, lacking pre season fitness and form. He worked his way into the side with excellent performances in VFL and ended up playing some consistent AFL footy toward the back end. He even ended up second in St. Kilda's Brownlow votes. Funny he didn't crack the top 10 in St. Kilda's best and fairest. I imagine this is mainly because he only played the 12 senior games but still.... I don't think he was rated very highly internally at St.Kilda. That leaves me wondering a little bit about how much he will be able to impact our side.

I think the conclusion is yes has been brought in for depth. But I think it will take injuries or some consistently poor form in terms of what the coaches want out of players over a number of weeks for Dunstan to get any sort of look in this side. Oh and of course losses as well. 

Hard to replace anyone in comprehensive winning sides on any team when we're playing like this.

 

35 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Dunstan or anyone else for that matter deserve nothing unless they are playing very well at Casey 

My understanding is that he was underwhelming and obviously hasn't shown anything so far to deserve a senior game as he wasn't even given a run in the practice games 

Both Harmes and Sparrow have a few credits banked - they would need to put in a couple of shockers for Dunstan to even enter the discussion 

Underwhelming in what? Are we talking about his pre season in general, or practise game? Reports was he was close to BOG in the Carlton VFL game and was a bit of a ball magnet.

He was also named emergency Wednesday which puts him right in the selection frame. 

My guess is that It would have been a toss of a coin for the sub between him and Bedford.

30 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

Agree with all of the above. I was at the game on Friday and I love watching off ball what players do and how they position themselves around the ground especially around stoppages. Both Harmes and Sparrow were setting up more defensively regardless of where they were playing, this allows us the forward movement out of stoppages with some insurance behind the ball a lot of the time. The two of them run incredibly hard both ways and their bigger bodies really stand up in contests around the ground. So while they may not do as much around the ball they are great utility guys that also give our best mids a break.

 

Great points.

I think someone posted an except from the Mongrel Punt's review of the game where the author spoke about the importance of guys like ANB and Harmes playing their roles. This quote sums it up well:

• "They’re prepared to play defensive roles if necessary, sacrifice their own games, and work as an individual toward a collective goal. That is what makes champion teams."

Being on the ground lets you see all of the off-ball work that we do so well and you really get to appreciate the defensive work that  players like Harmes are putting in, even if they might not seem like they're having a great game when they get the ball.

Edited March 18, 20223 yr by demoncat

49 minutes ago, SPC said:

Has there been any confirmation from the club as to how long Salem will miss?

I've been told 4 weeks but not confirmed by the club yet.

33 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Underwhelming in what? Are we talking about his pre season in general, or practise game? Reports was he was close to BOG in the Carlton VFL game and was a bit of a ball magnet.

He was also named emergency Wednesday which puts him right in the selection frame. 

My guess is that It would have been a toss of a coin for the sub between him and Bedford.

I didn't see the Casey vs Footscray game and have relied solely on Werridee's match report - this was the comment on Dunstan

Dunstan - Went ok but I expected more from him

Not a particularly glowing endorsement - if you have a different view or greater insight that suggests he was much better then that's a positive 

In addition I haven't heard too many glowing reports about his overall preseason - again maybe he has been training the house down - if so great 

 

Goodwin won't change his selection policy from last year.  If we're winning he's unlikely to drop anyone.

On 2 March both Petty and Rivers were listed at 3-4 weeks.

The GCS game is 3 weeks 3 days after 2 March

I suspect they won't be available but who knows.

The sub is interesting at multiple levels. Do you take in a versatile tall (not sure we have one) or a mid such as Dunstan or stick with Bedford

Casey play Sandringham at 1pm the day after the GCS game. Interesting logistics there for emergency players given the GCS game at 8pm.

First flight out of Gold Coast looks to be 8:30am landing Melbourne 11:40am. Then the drive to Casey of at least an hour.

Yet another masterpiece of VFLtiming in evidence (why not a 3pm start)

Edited March 18, 20223 yr by Diamond_Jim

On Channel 7 news last night, in addition to reporting on Salem getting his knee scan, they also mentioned Joel Smith went in for a scan on an injured thumb. Anyone know any more about that?

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

On Channel 7 news last night, in addition to reporting on Salem getting his knee scan, they also mentioned Joel Smith went in for a scan on an injured thumb. Anyone know any more about that?

I thought I saw him spend a lot of time on the bench in the second half talking with the docs and gesturing to his hand. So if I'm right then he played most of the game with it. That's about all I can tell you

I don't think Hibberd is anywhere near an automatic selection, and I reckon he's behind Smith. He was definitely behind Smith up until Smith got injured before the prelim - Hibbo wouldn't have a premiership medallion if it wasn't for that. I don't think that's a change that will be made until forced.

I reckon it's just Lever for Salem. I'm assuming Rivers isn't ready yet. Bedford or Tomlinson to be the medisub.

6 hours ago, 1964_2 said:

How good was that. He basically dismissed Hunter as irrelevant to any pre game planning. 

I didn't read it that way

I thought he was laughing at the whole will he or won't he saga.

2 hours ago, one_demon said:

Goodwin won't change his selection policy from last year.  If we're winning he's unlikely to drop anyone.

Spot on.

Goody will change very little from last year. 

The stars like Salem will always come back in, but Goody will always look to reward players in winning teams. He believes in the incumbency model.

So lets say Lever and Petty come back, Smith might keep Hibbered out (if he is still out injured), even though Hibberd might reasonably be considered a better player.

A positive of some injuries' down back is that allows Goody to stick with the no change other an forced ones philosophy and still get some time not players on the fringe of selection - providing both a much needed reward for all their efforts and excellent match practice time as insurance should we need them come finals 

OUT: Me attending a game at the MCG

IN: Me attending a game on the Gold Coast

On 3/17/2022 at 10:24 AM, Deeman said:

Tom Morris will start on the interchange bench.

Take that to the bank.

On second thoughts ...

On 3/16/2022 at 11:55 PM, WERRIDEE said:

In : Hibberd, Lever, Rivers

Out : Salem, Tomlinson, Hunt

Bedford to sub again.

Tomlinson is a bit stiff, I feel. My preference would be to have him on the wing for his space-making and that could release Gus to many possible roles (wherever there is trouble, basically). Hunt did a reasonable shutdown on Weightman and is still capable of those clearance runs we have come to love ... however, hiccups in his disposals still seem to prevail. Salem - we bloody well miss him and what he brings no matter what the stress he may be under. Just hope that Hibbo and Lever come up hungry for the big game contribution. TMac should be looked at for a start from the bench, leaving forward and backline options where necessary. Bedford needs minutes and made a fair contribution - his next will be better, and he has pace and mobility.

On 3/17/2022 at 8:39 AM, dazzledavey36 said:

I wonder whether if they'll leave Tmac down back until Lever is right? Could that mean Weideman comes in to support Ben Brown?

I'd like to see JSmith up forward to support BBB. 

2 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

I'd like to see JSmith up forward to support BBB. 

Why? He's doing a really good job down back.

You take him out of our backline and it leaves another significant hole.

Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

Why? He's doing a really good job down back.

You take him out of our backline and it leaves another significant hole.

Yeah I'm so over the calls for Smith to play forward.

He's clearly a defender now. We've sunk so much time and training into him being a defender, he got into the side late last year as a defender, he played OK last year before injury, he played well in the pre-season in defence, and he's just played arguably his best ever AFL game in the backline.

We just won a premiership with a Brown, TMac, Fritsch and Jackson/Gawn forward line, and we have Weideman as depth continuing to kick goals at VFL level.

Smith's future at the club is in the backline, and right now he's neck-and-neck with Hibberd, if not in front of him, to be in our first-choice side.

On 3/16/2022 at 9:43 PM, goodwindees said:

Only a stubborn fool continues to knock Joel Smith. Some on this site were so negative, they’re finding it difficult to face up the fact he has turned into a very good, versatile defender that now gets a game in every AFL club.  

Gross exaggeration He is finally starting to look like a AFL defender. Yes he was solid and marked and disposed well but that's what he needs to do every time like     Bowey Hibberd Rivers May Tommo and Lever and Petty and Hunt did last year .

He will gain great confidence as a result as will  all the other parts of our defence that was brilliantly cobbled together ( Tmac and Gus both very good) .

Trac and Clarry and others all did their part to nullify the Dogs  in the "championship quarter" which we were the best in season 2021.

All our players would have gained confidence from last night and our newer ones stood up manfully.

 

 

4 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Yeah I'm so over the calls for Smith to play forward.

He's clearly a defender now. We've sunk so much time and training into him being a defender, he got into the side late last year as a defender, he played OK last year before injury, he played well in the pre-season in defence, and he's just played arguably his best ever AFL game in the backline.

We just won a premiership with a Brown, TMac, Fritsch and Jackson/Gawn forward line, and we have Weideman as depth continuing to kick goals at VFL level.

Smith's future at the club is in the backline, and right now he's neck-and-neck with Hibberd, if not in front of him, to be in our first-choice side.

Not yet in front of Hibbo IMHO until he plays with the ferocity and tackling  and pressure that Hibbo contributes.

But he is on the improve and his ability is evident and if produced  for the team role each week he will be under discussion by selectors for roles during 2022. 

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Why? He's doing a really good job down back.

You take him out of our backline and it leaves another significant hole.

No way you would have even dreamed of saying that last week Daz. I hope he gets an injury free run for once.

Not a single person has seemed to realise that Kozzie put a lot of time into being a defensive forward on Caleb Daniel. 

When the Dogs beat us in round 19 last year, Daniel had 34 possessions, 128 AFL Fantasy Point and kicked one goal. Even in the Grand Final when the Dogs barely touched the ball for 45 minutes, he ended that game having 37 touches and 126 Fantasy Points. 

On Wednesday night he was kept to 26, and they weren't overly effective - only 89 fantasy points. Anyone that didn't see what Koz was doing and the role his was playing needs to watch the game again.