I didn’t watch the game, just following the scores and stats on the AFL website and the stats didn’t reflect the comments on Demonland. I would love to see the actual stats in the last quarter Baker, Chandler, Munro and a few others must have really lifted.!!

I watched the first half yesterday.

Baker looks to be improving. He still makes skill/decision making errors but is looking stronger.

It was good to see Laurie find more of the ball. He needs to get 25+ possessions every week at this level to even have a chance at making the AFL.

Majak is back in form and looks too good for VFL.

I still think Van Rooyen is a defender at AFL level. Our game style is based on kicking down the line to the giants. He could fill out like a Hurley or Weitering but isn't tall enough to be a key forward in this system and isn't nimble enough to be a mid size forward like Fritsch.

8 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

If we get the Covid 5 back to MFC (LJ,kozzzy,sparrow,petty,Anb) then add 

Hibberd

Weideman

Dunstan 

Bedford 

Melksham 

to Casey team next week (Joel smith depending on severity of his injury)  

Southport full of ex afl, marginal afl and strong suburban type player.  Casey should have their measure but tough game ahead   

 

And Woewodin should be back from concussion.

On 5/1/2022 at 7:45 PM, FireInTheBennelly said:

Does he poo and wee all over it?

We pick up: there are people in a dog park on the other Western side of Elgar Road, west of a Secondary College, Kooyong country, who don't...just saying...

Went along mainly to watch Moniz-Wakefield and Van Rooyen.

They are a good team, Casey. Good mix of Casey players, especially Jimmy Munro who never takes a backwards step and was close to BOG and the Captain Mitch White who was also in the votes, and AFL elder back-up players in Majak Daw and Mitch Brown. Majak didn't have much of an opponent so ran riot in the ruck and around the ground. Also the AFL youngsters are a very good bunch and are developing well at this level.

Just on that Laurie and Rosman in their second years have really improved from last year. Laurie was injured for a fair chunk but is having a good season and is almost ready for AFL duties although he probably won't get a go for a while. Rosman is the other who can definitely come up to AFL level. He can play tall enough to mind a mid range forward, or a third tall in the backline, he has fast closing speed and some of his spoils were excellent. He probably isn't far behind Joel Smith, which means there is a chance he could be brought up in the next 12 months. Deserves a go at AFL level.

Moniz-Wakefield is showing great promise for a first year player. He is quick and has a good kick and wins a lot of one on ones. Not much defensive side to his game just yet but has great offensive weapons. Will be good to see him develop, but is another who will have to bide his time as he sits behind Bedford and Chandler in the pecking order. That doesn't matter though this year as he isn't ready for AFL just yet.

Van Rooyen though is definitely in my eyes the pick of the bunch. He has the most upside and can possibly even rise to the heights of becoming a great centre half forward. The first time I saw him I was a bit underwhelmed, down at Willy Oval a few weeks ago. He looked ok but had very little influence on the game and flew in packs where he didn't look likely. But yesterday he showed a lot taking six good marks and kicking a the goal of the day. Four of his six marks were from leading up the ground and taken on the wing. They were mostly uncontested but that was because of his speed to put distance on his opponent and they were still good marks, taken high and at pace. His kicking is a thing of beauty, he is balanced and can kick over 50 metres easy. One of his marks was from a kick out and a good pack mark.

His goal was similar to a young David Schwartz, where he picked up the ball swung around and put it through from 50 metres. It was all class. He is tall enough and big enough for his age and with natural growth over the next couple of years will get to over 100 kg and good strength. He again didn't do much close to goals as he gets jostled out of position and has a lot to learn in this area but once he got out on the lead and up the ground he came into his own where he could time his run.

Already blessed with riches, the recruiting team would be very excited by all the new kids, but Van Rooyen is the ace in the pack.

9 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

I watched the first half yesterday.

Baker looks to be improving. He still makes skill/decision making errors but is looking stronger.

It was good to see Laurie find more of the ball. He needs to get 25+ possessions every week at this level to even have a chance at making the AFL.

Majak is back in form and looks too good for VFL.

I still think Van Rooyen is a defender at AFL level. Our game style is based on kicking down the line to the giants. He could fill out like a Hurley or Weitering but isn't tall enough to be a key forward in this system and isn't nimble enough to be a mid size forward like Fritsch.

Fritta has proved if you have the skills size is not the first thing a forward  needs. 
You are the first person who has said that JVR would be better suited to defence. ( because if his size) 

I suggest you look at his highlights and his body  on body competitiveness looks in good shape. Naturally it's harder ehen an 80 kg  teenager is playing on 95:100 KP players.

But give JVR a full pre season  ( or two) refer Jacko, snd he will be mixing it with most KP Players.

JVR had impressed with his marking straight and long kicking and leading and have all declared his ability as a young protege is beyond doubt. 

In the draft it was well known he can play forward or back and I think  its great the Club have him training as a forward in view of our defensive load of talent with Petty and Turner as stars of the future or now as in Harry's case. 

8 hours ago, 58er said:

Fritta has proved if you have the skills size is not the first thing a forward  needs. 
You are the first person who has said that JVR would be better suited to defence. ( because if his size) 

I suggest you look at his highlights and his body  on body competitiveness looks in good shape. Naturally it's harder ehen an 80 kg  teenager is playing on 95:100 KP players.

But give JVR a full pre season  ( or two) refer Jacko, snd he will be mixing it with most KP Players.

JVR had impressed with his marking straight and long kicking and leading and have all declared his ability as a young protege is beyond doubt. 

In the draft it was well known he can play forward or back and I think  its great the Club have him training as a forward in view of our defensive load of talent with Petty and Turner as stars of the future or now as in Harry's case. 

I like the look of Van Rooyen and I think he will be a good player. I have seen him play 10 quarters of footy at VFL level. Have you actually seen him play 58 or just highlights?

In five games this season, Van Rooyen has 7 goals and is averaging 9.2 disposals and 4.4 marks per game. So, he is going ok as a forward but not dominating.

My argument is that all the best key forwards in the AFL are 198cm+, except for Cameron. I don’t think he is like Fritsch, Cameron or Gunston, who are all quicker, more elusive, better on the ground and more skilful than Van Rooyen.

I just don’t think he would ever get the one-on-one opportunities he would need as a forward at AFL level. Our game plan involves kicking it to massive packs until we break into open space when pace is the key.

By the way, did you know that Steven May was originally recruited to play as a forward and was named full forward in the 2010 Under 18 All Australian side?

 

Van Rooyen’s VFL Statistics

Sandringham	3 goals 2 behinds 11 kicks 1 handball 12 disposals 8 marks 4 tackles 2 hit outs 98 dream team points
Williamstown	2 goals 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackles 46 dream team points
Coburg	5 kicks 8 handballs 13 disposals 3 marks 4 hit outs 41 dream team points
Richmond	1 goal 1 behinds 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 34 dream team points
Box Hill	1 goal 1 behind 7 kicks 2 handballs 9 disposals 6 marks 2 hit outs 52 dream team points

I've said it before, but personally I think Van Rooyen will be a bit of a Cameron Pedersen type who himself was only 193cm and 95kg, but still capable of playing as a key forward or defender and even chopping out in the ruck.

Van Rooyen probably has a few more tricks, but I don't see him being a star. I do however see him being a very solid role player who could certainly hold down CHF while some more dangerous forwards do the bulk of the damage.

Edited May 3, 20222 yr by MadAsHell

A crazy last quarter by the look of it, anyone who watched the game care to elaborate?