PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

[Demonland 73,472]

1 minute ago, Roost it far said:

Where’s it written that Laurie and McVee will debut?

 

[fr_ap 2,542]

Let's just cool it on Laurie. He was a damaging player in U18s around goal and delivering to the forwards.

He has a way to go and I don't expect him to light it up first game - but what separates us from the FD here is they are playing the long game. They seem to think he can make us better long term. Only way that can happen then is to play him - put his feet to the fire, build his experience and his confidence. The knock-on against Richmond I think showed them all they needed to see - smarts, poise, courage to take a hit for the team. They've always known he has the skills to play the game. 

They spoke at the end of last year about being bolder as an FD and giving the Casey talent the promotions they deserve. They're staying true to their word, starting round 1. 

We might lose the game but you never know what it could be the start of. 

[DEE fence 5,045]

2 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

It was our Achilles heel in finals last year, with Reid and Hipwood getting hold of us in those games.

My memory is slightly different, we had utter dominance that we squandered with woeful, TV breaking, kicking for goal. Yes Hipwood had a great game, but we gave the suckers an even break, not what you are supposed to do. Respectfully I repeat, bomb it in at your peril when playing the dees.

[In Harmes Way 7,840]

I don’t rate the doggies at all. Maybe it’s because I’ve watched the 21 granny about 3000 times, but I can’t remember Maysie being the difference in that game and I wouldn’t be surprised if we kick 100 points to 7 again.

and I’m with daz on the new selections/ debutants - I reckon Goody was at his best early on as a coach when he made some bold selection moves and didn’t just play it safe.  It sends a great message to the whole list that they’ll get a chance 

[dee-tox 4,835]

Kind of wonder whether Jimmy Jordon will play, or at least be in the squad. If not, he really has been leap frogged.

[dazzledavey36 55,855]

Just now, dee-tox said:

Kind of wonder whether Jimmy Jordon will play, or at least be in the squad. If not, he really has been leap frogged.

Sub maybe.

[whatwhat say what 23,423]

45 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Not sure if this has already been posted, but Sam McLure’s already stuck the boots in with a snow joke and the season hasn’t even started yet.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-reshuffle-new-boss-makes-his-mark-to-defuse-football-department-tension-20230315-p5csbs.html
 

The context is that apparently the MCC expects our game to draw a lower crowd than Hawthorn v Essendon on Sunday. 

quite frankly, anything around the 50k mark is HUGE for a clash between these two clubs - the average home & away attendance between the pair is less than 30k

[Caligula's cohort 1,014]

If May is out, i'd be interested to see if we brought in both Tomlinson and D.Turner to combat the doggies 4 tall forwards?

Petty takes on Lobb

Tomo on Naughton

Lever on Darcy

Turner on JUH

Brayshaw moves on the ball to cover Viney's absence. 

We still have Rivers, Bowey and McVee for our quick defensive rebound. I think it could work!

Hibberd another option for a player like JUH. If we want to stick with 3 tall backs. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,302]

53 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

We have heard from several different players during pre-season that they will be playing (at times) diff positions. Clarry in the Tigers game played a little at half back. The thinking behind this is of great value especially “in game” that if a player  goes down …multiple players can shift around & cover an injured player. This will be tested on Sat night …we will have 22 fit ..hungry players who if they play their roles we will win. The bulldogs have their own injury problems & their so called “tall 4 “ are just as unproven as the Grundy/ Gawn combo although I have a lot more confidence in our combo. 

Yep we don’t need any individual stars on Saturday night. We need a solid Team effort. We have some top line soldiers unable to contribute 

So it is a perfect time to try out some new blood. 
How many people expected Jake Bowey to hold his spot in the side back in ‘21?

 

[Jjrogan 1,448]

Lobb and Darcy are average to below average forwards.  Juh is athletic so can have a purple patch.   But its not Brown Bradshaw and Lynch out there.  Naughton is the worry. He is a freak, can pull them down from anywhere regardless of 'delivery' or midfield pressure. He doesnt goes nuts on us for 4 quarters cause May has his number. I'm not sure any of the others do.  Id def want someone with experience on him Petty or Tmac. 

[pewpewpew 738]

How do all the teams that don’t have Steven May in them cope without him playing each week?

[Red But Mostly Blue 4,558]

2 hours ago, monoccular said:

This time it isn’t the soft tissue injury issue with Salo, and he has been back running by all accounts so maybe a warm up game or two with Casey then he should be right to go anew. 

MCDonald is so important structurally up forward (see the debacle of second half of 2022)  I would prefer to try Scack back - could switch them if things get bad. 

Hope so! He’s such an important piece for us and when he’s on song, we look so much better!! 

[rpfc 28,902]

2 hours ago, brendan said:

Don’t forget last year guys for the 1st 4 rounds we were without lever and petty, lever returned round 4 and petty round 5 and we were just fine, if our structures hold up then it goes a long way to winning 

plus we lost Salem round 1 aswell 

I bet our back line will look better than what it was last year on paper go check it out 

Check. It. Out.

Do yourselves a favour!

Who is going to check it out?

Or who has excuses?

Note: I have an excuse. But how good is yours?

[DeeSpencer 26,269]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

On the two debutants, I love it! We, including myself were desperate for fresh young talent last year to inject a bit of enthusiasm and spark into the line up. Well I'm glad to see it happen round 1 and regardless of whether Laurie deserves it or not it's a great opportunity to further improve our depth with these two now getting a taste of AFL action.

 

I agree. I’m one of our bigger depth skeptics because most of the players outside our best 22 are break in case of emergency types with specific roles or untried kids.

The best depth is ascending young players who have had a taste and are pushing for more opportunity.

We’re potentially going to expand our depth pool by 3 if one of Turner or JVR replaces May and they all do well. Add the leftover tall and Taj Woey who I think can push his claims and suddenly there’s 5 potential upside guys ready to contribute 

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,959]

1 hour ago, In Harmes Way said:

I don’t rate the doggies at all. Maybe it’s because I’ve watched the 21 granny about 3000 times, but I can’t remember Maysie being the difference in that game and I wouldn’t be surprised if we kick 100 points to 7 again.

Couldn't agree more Harmesy, but at the same time, I think the Buldogs are one of the few teams that I see genuinely challenging us this year.

Been watching that 2021 GF on repeat again a bit myself of late, along with the 2021 prelim.  Can't wait for the contemporary 2023 versions - BRING IT ON I say!!

 

GO THE MIGHTY DEMONS!!

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,959]

Bulldogs with strong power forward lineup.  Best way to combat them without May is to deny them supply.  Bulldogs have also lost Hunter and Dunkley.  Libby jnr is a year older and not that great the past few years anyways.

I'm thinking we have them covered with without Maysy, without even considering our substantial backline depth and capability, but the job still has to be done, so let's get the first 4 points on the board for 2023 Demons.

Teams on paper mean nothing it's the consistency of winning that counts.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I think this will be a game the team will reflect on throughout the year to remind them of the resilience and desire to work together, win or lose. This will not be an easy game but it will be one that has many lessons to help improve us as THE selfless team.

When Max writes his captain dairies for our 2023 premiership year I guarantee this game and the apparent disadvantages we face going into it, will be mentioned.

[Redleg 41,934]

9 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Good top 4 teams still win games regardless if an individual goes down.

Yes but this is 4 individuals who include our best goal kicker, our tough vice captain, our best back flanker and defensive play starter and our back general. 25% nearly of our best starting 18.

But I get the point, adversity brings challenges that if overcome, strengthen the team and improves future depth.

Mentally, a win would be a big boost for our confidence too.

[layzie 34,326]

7 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Couldn't agree more Harmesy, but at the same time, I think the Buldogs are one of the few teams that I see genuinely challenging us this year.

Been watching that 2021 GF on repeat again a bit myself of late, along with the 2021 prelim.  Can't wait for the contemporary 2023 versions - BRING IT ON I say!!

 

GO THE MIGHTY DEMONS!!

Remind me to do this more, can't have this in the rear view mirror yet. 

[Vipercrunch 2,847]

21 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Yes but this is 4 individuals who include our best goal kicker, our tough vice captain, our best back flanker and defensive play starter and our back general. 25% nearly of our best starting 18.

But I get the point, adversity brings challenges that if overcome, strengthen the team and improves future depth.

Mentally, a win would be a big boost for our confidence too.

That's one way to look at it.  Another way is that it's only May coming out of the team that easily accounted for Richmond last week.  Without Salem, Viney and Fritsch our defensive rebound and midfield output was still very good and the team put 121 points on the board on a hot and windy day at Casey.

[Demon Dynasty 17,129]

Have to have faith in the SC but for mine i don't see how Laurie got a call up just yet.

A very nice prospect at VFL level but his best down there is still every other game or sometimes less regular.

I didn't see anything in the two warm ups that jolted me into thinking "hey get this young prospect in pronto".  He looked ok at times but nothing spesh.

Judd on the other hand def stuck his hand up in the two warm ups.

Personally i just don't see Laurie as being ready for the big stage and would rather see him continuing to work on his skills & consistency in bringing them at VFL level for now.

He isn't that far off either but imv more work needed and a nice WIP prospect with a possibility for a call up at some point if/when the opp arose.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Demon Dynasty

[layzie 34,326]

People are underestimating Daniel Turner, I think this guy can seriously play and this could be the perfect chance for him to announce himself. 

[Wodjathefirst 2,667]

A champion team will always beat a team of champions.  It appears to me that this year we have recaptured the culture of being a champion team.  Even with our outs we will be competitive. GO DEES!

[Lefty 412]

The 4 tall forwards are going to be a worry for us and will stretch us without May.

Do not discount Tim English drifting forward either. He has kicked 6.3 in 7 matches against us. We seem to struggle to match up against his height when he's resting in the forward line even with May in the side.

[Percy Beames 71]

12 minutes ago, Lefty said:

The 4 tall forwards are going to be a worry for us and will stretch us without May.

Do not discount Tim English drifting forward either. He has kicked 6.3 in 7 matches against us. We seem to struggle to match up against his height when he's resting in the forward line even with May in the side.

The key to your first point is our mids creating more opportunities for our forwards, which they will probably succeed in doing, and then it's a matter of our efficiency upfront.

Secondly it becomes an issue how much pressure we can apply to their delivery forward and exits from our forward half. We've all seen teams try for the quick breakout as a way of beating us and that will be their Plan A with the four calls up front.