The Cats did it with Hawkins acknowledging that he can build his tank in game as opposed to the 2nds or training. 

With the Hawks game this weekend I think we can take the risk and give McVee a well earned rest. We just need to be realistic in expectations and that he won’t repeat his ‘21 GF 1st half. 

10 minutes ago, A F said:

I wonder if they want to get a game under his belt before the important Port game? If so, he could come straight in this week.

I wonder if McVee will get a rest...

They were my immediate thoughts...

I mean this week is after all a glorified practice match 😅

15 minutes ago, A F said:

I wonder if they want to get a game under his belt before the important Port game? If so, he could come straight in this week.

I wonder if McVee will get a rest...

I think it's very risky to play someone straight away in the seniors who has essentially missed 2 seasons of football with a variety of injuries. He never looked right to me last season, and I think it would be pointless to rush him in when the season is still very long. 

For his own confidence if nothing else, I think a few weeks at Casey is needed. I would say not before KB will he play seniors, but what do I know.

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

we have the bye too.

playin the Hawks!

In that case, welcome back Salo!

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

we have the bye too.

playin the Hawks!

This gives me the shivers every time I hear or read it Dub because of my superstitions. Teams don’t get any points when they have a bye.

Edited May 9, 20232 yr by Dee Zephyr

25 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

The Cats did it with Hawkins acknowledging that he can build his tank in game as opposed to the 2nds or training. 

With the Hawks game this weekend I think we can take the risk and give McVee a well earned rest. We just need to be realistic in expectations and that he won’t repeat his ‘21 GF 1st half. 

Hawkins and Salem are completely different. Hawkins can sit in the goal square and still get the best defender.

Goodie has been adamant several times that players will not be selected unless they are 100% fit -lets hope the BT keeps to this & make the same mistakes they made in 2022.

 

The lack of Casey game this week is unfortunate but I think he has to play VFL next week and then could be ready on the back of 1 VFL game and a lot of training to come in after that. He might take 2 or even 3 VFL games…I mean, I doubt it, but let’s let his Casey form determine it.

No way would I be messing around with having him as sub. 

14 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Goodie has been adamant several times that players will not be selected unless they are 100% fit -lets hope the BT keeps to this & make the same mistakes they made in 2022.

 

They may say that, but Ill eat grass if Steven May is actually 100% fit. Looks like hes playing with a dildo up his backside

Could they play him as sub? 

He's let his hair go while he's been out. 😄

Salem, if fully fit and ready to play, should come in for Turner vs Hawks. 

In form he's a top 10 player for us, would we bring Viney or Fritta back via the Magoos?

The Hawks are not much better than VFL standard at the moment so the brains trust might decide to play him for this reason.

I think it's best to give him a couple of games at Casey. It's been a long lay-off for him coming on the back of a disrupted year in 2022. Give him time. A post bye return is plenty of time to have him in tip top fettle for finals.

2 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Two games at Casey you’d reckon 

Longer I reckon BBO,  appeared tentative when he resumed last year, make sure his confidence is back.

49 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

This gives me the shivers every time I hear or read it Dub because of my superstitions. Teams don’t get any points when they have a bye.

believe me, my stupid comments on this forum don't have any impact on the result

 

Or do they???

 

I mean.... what's the worst that could happen?

If (and it's a big if) playing Hawthorn is a VFL-like match, what about playing him this week in the AFL and next week in VFL?  Damn byes.

 

12 minutes ago, adonski said:

Could they play him as sub? 

And what if we sustain an injury 5 minutes in and he has to play a full game? 

It is a very risky strategy, and honestly if our attitude going into this week's game is that it's no more than a practice game, we will get our arses handed to us.

Hawks might be tanking, but the optics of playing really well against us and just losing are not lost on me. It will buy Mitchell a few more weeks without heavy scrutiny. 

Let's not go into this week pretending like the win is in the bag. Not only is it not, but percentage is going to be extremely important given how tight the ladder is. 

7 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

Salem, if fully fit and ready to play, should come in for Turner vs Hawks. 

In form he's a top 10 player for us, would we bring Viney or Fritta back via the Magoos?

If Viney had missed 8 weeks plus preseason with a combination of a medium term injury and serious illness… then absolutely yes, off to Casey.

There’s not a single player on our list that I’d pick for a round 9 game under the circumstances Salem has had.

13 minutes ago, loges said:

Longer I reckon BBO,  appeared tentative when he resumed last year, make sure his confidence is back.

I suppose it will come down to how he performs and pulls up loges.

Edited May 9, 20232 yr by Bitter but optimistic

Don’t forget he still has to train fully this week, but I liked the little smile Griffith gave right after he said Salem will be available for selection this week.

Injury and Suspension List: Round 9

Christian Salem - Knee | Available 
Tom McDonald - Ankle | Test
Jacob van Rooyen - Suspension | 2 Weeks*
Luke Dunstan - Knee | 3 - 5 Weeks 
Kye Turner - Groin | 5 - 6 Weeks 
Will Verrall - Pelvis  | 5 - 6 Weeks

* subject to appeal

43 minutes ago, FearTheBeard said:

They may say that, but Ill eat grass if Steven May is actually 100% fit. Looks like hes playing with a dildo up his backside

Is that performance enhancing? Asking for a friend 😄 

2 weeks at Casey and back in for the Carlton game would be the most sensible option.

McVee will need a rest by then.

That's a very healthy list.  Does Selwyn get the same kudos that Burgess did when things are going well?

Hmmmn probably time that he did get some respect our list and fitness is looking pretty good.!!