20 hours ago, Apocalypse XXXI said:

Joel Smith with a season of health and full fitness at last.

He’s just not a footballer. 

Would love to see Bailey Laurie step up and play AFL games in season 2023.

 

9 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Would love to see Bailey Laurie step up and play AFL games in season 2023.

 

He would definitely want to get some games next year given he was a highish draft pick and it’s year 3 in the system.

Looking forward to seeing what’s he’s capable of offering the side next year.

20 hours ago, DubDee said:

I reckon Pick 13 will come straight in and have a strong year.

He has a lot of potential and we were lucky he slid to us at 13. We got the man we wanted in the end

What about the knee surgeries? Both knees, dislocated shoulder and broken clavicle. Not looking too bright at the moment, I must say - plus, he's been confirmed as a very active 'party boy' who is out on the town most nights. Are we talking about the same fella? The pick number (13) already sums him up pretty well in terms of longer-term potential, does it not?

Edited October 28, 20222 yr by Deemania since 56

19 hours ago, Caligula's cohort said:

Grundy for me. He will shake off his injuries of this year and will have something to prove against Collingwood and show what they are missing when they showed him the door. My guess, he will be an All Australian twice out of the next three years! 

That is all very likely. I'd hope, at the same time, that he quickly adapts to the Red'nBlue, and becomes a stalwart onfield leader, a very loyal teammate and a developer of improving young guns across the team - and at Casey. He has enormous experience and perhaps, some influential characteristics for the betterment of the team. 

18 hours ago, Docs Demons said:

I'm going left field here. Providing he gets fit and stays fit I reckon Big Benny Brown will show us what he can do. 

That would be phantastique!

13 hours ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

My tip for breakout is our pick number 13 in the form of Kozzie. Just needs to develop consistency, but that will come I'm sure. Jake Bowey will show his followers and the selectors just how good he is.Should never have been dropped last season. Far too good to play VFL.

Far too good, agreed.

On 10/28/2022 at 12:58 AM, Demon Jack said:

I feel it's time that Clayton Oliver lived up to expectations.

4 B&F's, 3 All Australians, 2 AFLCA Player of the Year Awards, 1 Premiership Medal.

The guy has clearly been coasting throughout his career to date.

Yes, and at 25 he is running out of time.

21 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

I'd already consider Petty as "broken out", but he's the obvious one who could have an even bigger impact if he's tried up forward and is successful there. Otherwise he could be an AA level KPD on his current trajectory. 

The other I'd put forward is Rivers. His first two seasons were very good for a youngster, but he struggled with managing a knee injury and lacking preseason fitness in 2022. If he's fully fit and gets a full prison, he could very well have a big impact in defense next year. We need to replace Hibberd in the short term, and Rivers looks to have both the defensive and rebounding side to his game to be effective there. Love his booming kick too, which suits our game style transition forward with both Gawn and Grundy as tall marking targets on the wings in transition.

Sparrow really does have some qualities to go up two levels ... the coaches need to take him there. Skilled, keen, toughnut standard. Could be lethal onfield.

On 10/28/2022 at 12:29 AM, Chelly said:

There are many ways for a club to take forward steps from one season to the next. One of them is for a player or players to have breakout seasons and show great improvement in the way they play and their influence on the team’s performance. Who at Melbourne do you think can take the next step up?

Tom Sparrow for me.

17 hours ago, 58er said:

Please outline what improvements Clarry can make to improve himself and us .

If you are mocking this question as I suspect you are not really funny!  

If Clarry could somehow learn how to make the maggots love him instead of hate him (or even be neutral towards him) he would be a runaway Downlow winner.

15 hours ago, FlashInThePan said:

With no evidence whatsoever to back me up, I’m going to suggest that Howe comes in and adds what we have been missing in the high half forward role. 

I presume you mean Blake Howes and not Jeremy making a return 🤯

Schache pips Weid for Coleman glory.

Unlike the season just gone I think we will see a shift in our best 23. Unsurprisingly I expect Bowey will be a mainstay all year and have the biggest increased impact. I expect JVR, Chandler and Turner will be in the team more often than not (may tire as the season goes on). I think Howes is the most likely uncapped with another preseason and game continuity to develop strongly that leads to some games at a point. When you consider Grundy and Hunter additions and hopefully a fit TMac.as givens the competition for spots should be super strong.  

18 hours ago, FlashInThePan said:

With no evidence whatsoever to back me up, I’m going to suggest that Howe comes in and adds what we have been missing in the high half forward role. 

I'm tipping him to potentially be tried on the wing, but I reckon Howes is one to keep an eye on next year too.

Trent Rivers. If he stays fit he will be an absolute weapon 

1 hour ago, DemonWA said:

Trent Rivers. If he stays fit he will be an absolute weapon 

True. To me he looks versatile, strong and smart enough to play defence (maybe even the much vaunted lock down), wing, half forward or midfield.  

In terms of posters, I'm predicting BBO will have a brilliant if somewhat debauched year with several alcohol-soaked but notwithstanding, visionary posts.

1 hour ago, monoccular said:

True. To me he looks versatile, strong and smart enough to play defence (maybe even the much vaunted lock down), wing, half forward or midfield.  

Yeah, I just think because he has some size already people don't cut him any slack as a super young player. Will be an absolute gun I think

On 10/28/2022 at 12:29 AM, Chelly said:

There are many ways for a club to take forward steps from one season to the next. One of them is for a player or players to have breakout seasons and show great improvement in the way they play and their influence on the team’s performance. Who at Melbourne do you think can take the next step up?

Seriously i hope it will be Lachie Hunter and Brodie Grundy 

We are chasing Premiership Victories

On 10/28/2022 at 1:12 PM, Docs Demons said:

I'm going left field here. Providing he gets fit and stays fit I reckon Big Benny Brown will show us what he can do. 

That would be wonderful

TOP 5

van Rooyen

Bowey

J.Smith

Rivers

Sparrow

If Spring has truly sprung here’s a few roughies’ at longer odds. May appeal to those of the mug punter fraternity.

Tommy MacDonald has been somewhat ‘hobbled’ in recent carnivals after a run of decent form was clouded by injury concerns.

Providing the head trainer can work miracles and a decent farrier can be called in (Tommy loves his footy boots).There is always the ‘promise’ of a return to trackside glory.

Deakin Smith seems to have been the forgotten ‘one’ and appears to have been ‘parked’ in the back paddock at Casey fields. Questions may have been asked about bloodlines, but the deep whisper from insiders in the know suggests otherwise. Track watchers report observing some thoroughbred moments, just needs to negotiate the heavy track as he heads to the finishing post.

We can also confirm rumors about apprentice jockey Jake Bowie. Who has ‘apparently’ according to DL reports been ‘seen’ stacking on the kilos off season, with a revolutionary new diet of bananas and stout. In an effort to hurdle the competition for the coveted outside running on the half back flank at Flemington ‘G.

Stewards are expected to be called in to inspect his saddle bags.

Edited October 29, 20222 yr by Tarax Club
On the nose bag!

Bowey to spend time further up the field tagging where his smarts and immaculate disposal with be toxic to the opposition.

It’s hard to define what a ‘breakout year’ constitutes, exactly.

Just being largely improved? Cementing your place in the top 22 for the next few seasons? Or is it “getting the whole league talking” kinda territory?

Kysaiah Pickett is on the precipice of genuine AFL stardom, but his inconsistency is the one thing keeping him from taking the leap. Hoping he starts stitching matches together, then we’ll see a spectacular breakout. 
 

Along with Sparrow, Rivers, Petty and Bowey you have a list of players all with a premiership to their name and all 22 years of age or younger. It’s genuinely exciting to think that all five players could have huge years in ‘23. 

16 hours ago, Return to Glory said:

In terms of posters, I'm predicting BBO will have a brilliant if somewhat debauched year with several alcohol-soaked but notwithstanding, visionary posts.

We have confiscated his wine casks.