9 hours ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

If the question is who has the most upside it’s Laurie. If the question is who is least ready to play AFL It is also I Laurie.

I am super impressed in the attributes he is showing and really want him to get a full year of VFL mid forward and another big preseason until he is considered in the picture. 

Agree 

9 hours ago, DeeZone said:

Paulo if Van Rooyen is really only 193cm (6.4) then he would be considered medium in todays terms, Howes is 191cm (6.3) could be another not sure who else could fill the bill.

JVR plays more like tall if you watch him.

He has a good degree of competitiveness in one on one and also a good mark if allowed a run at the ball. 
Also a good kick for goal. He has a fine future I believe as he can sldo play at full Back or CHB. 

11 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Out of the three originally mentioned it is still Bailey Laurie who excites me the most.

He had a bit of bad luck in his first year with injuries and COVID-19 lockdowns curtailing his season in 2021.

However, he has the most upside. Just needs to get stronger, fitter and impact games more.

Flashing in and out of games kicking 2 goals isn't enough. He needs to put in consistent 4 quarter efforts.

Once he gains enough experience at VFL level at the Casey Demons he will eventually get his chance at AFL level with the Melbourne Demons.

His side-step, ball use, decision making, pace and kicking skills are excellent. As can be seen in the highlights video from his draft year (shown below). Bailey just needs to get used to playing against bigger bodies in the VFL for a while. Either way, there is no rush on him to play AFL straight away. Let him develop his craft in the VFL for a while.

 

I agree with you on this one, Laurie has a heap of talent and I reckon we will see him play a game or 2 before the season is out.

13 hours ago, Paulo said:

The reason I say we have to many small forwards is because of the lack of medium forwards we have

I understand they all have different skills and roles but they are all small and will mostly play forward if in the team, none of them can cover Fritta if he goes down, how many genuine medium forwards do we have on the list    2 , one who happens to be our best forward in Fritta, and the other being Melksham who will be retired by the end of the year . 

We actually have 3, tracc  but he just happens to be a dominant midfielder aswell

We need another natural medium forward who kicks goals imo 

Howes ? Wing or HF

The club certainly has had some gems over the years, fritta, jarrah, robbo, green, jacko  

Thoughts ?

 

 

 

 

 

Van Rooyen?

10 hours ago, binman said:

Yeah, that's a fair point.

We don't have an obvious replacement for fritter.

I suspect a medium size forward with the skill set of fritter is not an easy player to find.

Back in rhe day there were plenty such players, but the days of such specialisation ate probably largely gone.

I wonder if rosman could be an option?

 

was thinking the same Binman 

SNAP!

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

I agree with you on this one, Laurie has a heap of talent and I reckon we will see him play a game or 2 before the season is out.

I’m pleased a few others can see upside in Laurie because personally Based on what I’ve seen to date I’m struggling to understand why we drafted him

Hopefully he proves me wrong and I finish up with a carton of eggs on my face 

Bedford and Chandler have both been on the list for four years now and both still struggle to get more than 10 touches against even weak VFL opposition, let alone kick goals. I don't see any upside in either as AFL prospects and would have gladly delisted them both by now.

I haven't seen a lot of Laurie, but nothing stands out to date. I always worry when we reach for players in the draft, particularly when the player isn't filling an obvious need.

1 hour ago, Sydee said:

I’m pleased a few others can see upside in Laurie because personally Based on what I’ve seen to date I’m struggling to understand why we drafted him

Hopefully he proves me wrong and I finish up with a carton of eggs on my face 

A fair few were saying the exact same thing with the like of Jayden Hunt and James Jordon as well after their first year.

What they proved was that sometimes players just need a little bit of extra time more then others.

Just to point out a little perspective on Laurie, he has basically missed 2 years of competive footy.

His under 18's year was completely wiped out with covid, and then his first year in the AFL system last year he only managed 3 VFL games due to a severe injury and then covid as well wiping out the VFL competition. 

Right now the way I look at it is that this will be a development year for him and people expecting him to play AFL games need to temper those expectations.

He needs to just have a year of getting use to playing against the bigger bodies and the pace of the game as well and then hopefully with another full pre season under his belt we'll see him come in and start to make an impact in the way that James Jordon did last year after spending his first 2 years just toiling away in the VFL.

4 hours ago, 58er said:

JVR plays more like tall if you watch him.

He has a good degree of competitiveness in one on one and also a good mark if allowed a run at the ball. 
Also a good kick for goal. He has a fine future I believe as he can sldo play at full Back or CHB. 

Who would you compare him to 58er.

Laurie looks like he can attack but Goodwin won't play him till he's satisfied he can defend.
As Kozzie said about the game plan after the Port game.
"It's all defence really." 

Laurie is going to make it - needs a clear run at it (no injuries and covid interruptions) and then with our senior side success will need to bang down the door.

 

I actually rate Chandler highly - he's quick (not as quick as Bedford) and small but has very good disposal and is a tackling machine.  I think he was unlucky not to get more of a chance last year.

30 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Who would you compare him to 58er.

Jesse Hogan from watching him Round 1 of the VFL

Chandler - Looks like he has the tools for AFL level, but has been like a deer in headlights when given the chance.

Bedford - My biggest knock on him is his kicking. Truly awful. Again, he's been underwhelming when given a chance.

Laurie - Too early to make an assessment. Does some nice things at VFL level, but will need time to develop. Hopefully another JJ and Sparrow, who both had to bide their time.

It was interesting that Yze mentioned on the Demonland Podcast that all the mids are expected to play as forwards. I'd prefer to have  Harmes, Sparrow, Trac, Clarry, ANB and Viney resting up forward than elevating either Chandler or Bedford.

So unless Spargo and Kozzie get injured, I don't see either of them as best 22.

10 hours ago, Sydney_Demon said:

50-60 games is 3 seasons (or 5 if you count 2020 - no games - & 2021 - 9 games). Jake Bowey is not the exception. Luke Jackson, Kossie Picket, Trent Rivers, James Jordon, Tom Sparrow... I agree you shouldn't play kids too early but as long as you don't introduce too many at a time and as long as they're integrated into a successful team they don't need 50-60 games, 15-20 is more like it. If they're key forwards of course they're likely to need longer but not 3 seasons!

The 3 boys have been at the club 3-4 years now. 
They need more than 15-20 games

not all players progress at the same rate 

27 minutes ago, mo64 said:

Chandler - Looks like he has the tools for AFL level, but has been like a deer in headlights when given the chance.

Bedford - My biggest knock on him is his kicking. Truly awful. Again, he's been underwhelming when given a chance.

Laurie - Too early to make an assessment. Does some nice things at VFL level, but will need time to develop. Hopefully another JJ and Sparrow, who both had to bide their time.

It was interesting that Yze mentioned on the Demonland Podcast that all the mids are expected to play as forwards. I'd prefer to have  Harmes, Sparrow, Trac, Clarry, ANB and Viney resting up forward than elevating either Chandler or Bedford.

So unless Spargo and Kozzie get injured, I don't see either of them as best 22.

Liked the way Chandler went about it in his first game in 2019, 9 tackles. Hasn't he only gotten on the field twice?

Feel sorry for Bedford/Chandler - they've lost valuable experience and development with COVID. Both seem to be very popular the club and i am happy they are on the list for now. Not sure they'll ever get an extended run in the team where we'll be able to judge them fully though

I like Chandler best of this lot. He is tough and capable in the air and a decent long kick.

Bedford has a good tank but isn't clean enough.

I know he has not had much of a run at it but Laurie has shown very little in his VFL appearances and lacks athleticism. 

While Spargo is a very clever and tough player, small forward is one of the few positions on the ground where we can find an upgrade.

11 hours ago, 12345_54321 said:

What about Rivers, Jackson and Pickett? What about Sparrow and Jordon? What a silly statement. 

No it’s not silly at all. Bowey has come into the side without missing a beat, including a successful Finals Series with a GF Victory. In these early games he has not been carried at all. He has played like a 100 Gamer. 
Rivers Jackson Pickett Sparrow & Jordan didn’t play a Final Series in their first 10 games!!! (and play seriously well)

Bowey IS an exception to the Rule

I think people overlook the uniqueness of the three Western draftees, Jackson Pickett and Rivers debuting so quickly into the senior team.

Until that time we became used to the revolving three or four players in and out. When the boys from the West arrived suddenly the team was more settled week to week.

Will there be one that makes the team this year on a regular basis. Injuries aside I doubt it.

There's little doubt that the Hunt/Hibberd/Smith spot is not settled but no one at VFL level seems to be in that mix.

Can't see us adopting a squad like system simply because the players that one would obviously  rest, Gawn May etc have no obvious replacements at VFL level

Edited April 11, 20222 yr by Diamond_Jim

On 4/10/2022 at 2:03 AM, Paulo said:

Which one of these 3 will make their move.

All 3 have similar stats for Casey this year , its time for one of them to step up? 

I nominate Blake Howes as next in. All 3 of the above also have the game to makw it in the big time too. But Blake Howes looks too shelf to me.

I'm very happy to put cheap picks into our developmental system and ship them off for a profit

Making the Dees 22 is no easy feat and not being able to crack it does not mean they aren't quality players, I guarantee recruiters are looking at cheap options in our 2s to join their 1s. 

People need to check the B+F from last year to see Spargo’s result before looking to replace him on a couple of quiet games.

As I said earlier I’m down on Laurie but I’ve seen reports he’s high character and a hard worker. Sparrow and JJ absolutely underwhelmed me through 2 years before breaking out on the back of huge work rates. 

Did we need to keep both Bedford and Chandler? Maybe not. But there’s other clear choices where we could’ve moved guys out and looked for more medium sized forward/midfield players. 2 young but ready to go depth players covering 3 starters makes sense.

Laurie wasn’t even nearly ready for VFL last year. This year is just a development year for him. To get the best out of himself he needs to be in physically able to cope with the loads placed on his body. He is explosive and nimble, it’s why we drafted him. Last year he looked soft in the body. This year he looks better, but still some way off. I suspect next year we will see the finished product. Injuries in his first year prevented us from seeing that this year. Once ready we will see all the attributes on display. He will be a great addition to our main side when ready.

I also think Bedford looks ready. He has worked very hard, and shown himself capable of massive improvement. Definitely up and about this year. I think he’ll get a game soon. Not sure his ceiling is that of a Laurie, but not much players would have that scope for improvement (that Laurie has). Bedford can improve to be an AFL level player, no doubt. He will just need to find a role. 

6 hours ago, Sydee said:

I’m pleased a few others can see upside in Laurie because personally Based on what I’ve seen to date I’m struggling to understand why we drafted him

Hopefully he proves me wrong and I finish up with a carton of eggs on my face 

A young guy who was drafted in 2020 and played only 2 games last year due to injury, and you are struggling to understand why we drafted him.

Have I got that right?

There aren't enough eggs in the world.

7 hours ago, poita said:

Bedford and Chandler have both been on the list for four years now and both still struggle to get more than 10 touches against even weak VFL opposition, let alone kick goals. I don't see any upside in either as AFL prospects and would have gladly delisted them both by now.

I haven't seen a lot of Laurie, but nothing stands out to date. I always worry when we reach for players in the draft, particularly when the player isn't filling an obvious need.

Quality small forwards with pace and great disposal was identified by JT when we drafted Kossie and are added to his crumbing and goal kicking for the firward line and mids. Bowry has blossomed as a defender and now with Kossie Lsurie is our classy newcomer developing with Casey. 
Yes Bedford snd Chandler will need to grab a spot soon or miss out.

22 hours ago, Wizard of Koz said:

I nominate Blake Howes as next in. All 3 of the above also have the game to makw it in the big time too. But Blake Howes looks too shelf to me.

Agree Wizard of Koz - Blake Howes has something special.  I think we have some really good young talent coming through.  Laurie will be fine - he is getting better with each game