McAdam obviously as a mature player should play from round 1.
 

Woewodin is looking good and a big chance for round 1, likely off the bench.  He looked good in limited opportunities in 2023.
 

Really hoping Blake Howes gets to showcase his talent.  A big pre season to get his body right and fitness to peak standards.  He also loves a goal which could add to our scoring power.  

13 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

A well placed source told me that Blake Howes does some unbelievable things on the training track and is ready to explode. The source compared his fend off and running as looking very similar to Chad Warner. 

Here's hoping.

I hope Blake Howes is the correct answer here, but I think Laurie is the most likely given his reported early form on the track. 

There's scope for him to develop into a version of Brad Close this season, which would be a terrific outcome.

16 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Tom Fullarton!

Good nom.

Now that LJ and Grundy have left there's an important opening for the forward/resting ruck role to give Gawn a spell. That is unless you're happy with T Mac to continue his role from the Carlton final as the back up ruck, or JVR to be thrown to the wolves all year.

I've only seen a 30 second highlights clip and cannot remember his game against us in the 2022 finals so don't have an opinion on whether he has AFL attributes. However, he has an opportunity to make our side better if he can kick a goal a game with a few clunks and provide a 50/50 contest at worst in the ruck.

 

 

On 07/01/2024 at 11:01, demoncat said:

Laurie - from all reports he’s taken a significant step forward with his fitness (coming 3rd in the 2km time trial), which is what Judd credited for his breakthrough into the senior side last year 

We’ve been crying out for classier ball users and if Laurie can hold down a spot averaging 15-20 possessions a game (which an increased fitness base should allow him to do) it will go a long way to addressing one of our biggest areas of weakness

 

On 07/01/2024 at 09:29, samcantstandya said:

Which player or players do you think can step up and make an impact in 24? I reckon of the younger brigade Laurie will step up and I expect McAdam to play a forward role.

It would be great if Laurie makes it after all the past and future investment the club has made in time.

While I know those who have seen him perform at VFL level have some raps on him, however I don't think he can be compared to McVee.  One of the things that stood out to me about Judd, is that he looked at home at AFL level from day dot and hasn't looked back since. 

In my view, Laurie has gone MIA in too many of his appearances to date, to be Judd like.  Even Wowey Jnr had a quietish first outing, but IMHO, then looked pretty comfortable and quickly got involved and looked the part at AFL level - yet to really see that from Laurie.   Maybe Laurie will make that next step this year, after another preseason and the AFL game time exposure he got to last year, but I'll believe it when I see it.

I think people forget that Jake Bowey played in the 2021 premiership team on the HBF which means you know who your opponent is unlike a forward/midfielder.

Judd worked on his fitness in WA and came back a much improved player because he was super fit, maybe Bailey who also worked on his fitness may do a McVee?

I still think AMW will be a surprise packet this year like Bedford?

Edited January 8, 20241 yr by durango

11 hours ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Or they back themselves to trade in/FA a May replacement in the event Petty stays frwd (or leaves) and existing stock doesn’t make it.

The upcoming free agent tall defenders seems a bit limited for the next couple of seasons.

Wait... no... I stand corrected. 2025 is like a big fish special for tall defenders. Harris Andrews, Jacob Weitering, Sam Taylor as the headlines with a few credible mid-tier options and even Oscar McDonald.

There's a bunch of other exciting Free agent possibilities to come in the next couple of years, too. I think we might even be doing a little bit of salary cap stacking to prepare, given how many relatively low-cost players we've got providing depth.

End 2024: Himmelberg, McCluggage, McGrath, English.

End 2025: Fogarty, H. Andrews, Weitering, Charlie Ballard, T De Koning, S Draper, Worpel, Davies-Uniacke, Tristan Xerri, Noah Balta, Oscar Allen, Andrew Brayshaw :) , O McDonald :D

Tholstrup should be pushing for games but I'd imagine the club will try to not overload him and will give make him push hard for a debut and then rest him at times. I'd be surprised if he played more than 10 games. Even 5 games for Windsor would be a good result I'd imagine.

AMW's a complete wildcard if his fitness can take a huge leap with a full preseason, but I expect in a really competitive role he'd do well to debut and just get a taste.

Which leaves Turner, Laurie, Woey and Howes as the 4 who have the strongest cases to become best 22 regulars. They should all play very well at VFL level and get chances but it's a question of opportunity and whether they've rounded out their games enough for the coaches to really stick with them.

If Howes can improve his contested work and defensive game he'll be hard to keep out. For Disco it's his one on one work and staying more involved when he's having a quiet game. Laurie has to be stronger at the contest and given some midfield time IMO, otherwise it's hard to see him not beaten for pace as a pure forward flanker. Woey it's a matter of adding some half forward craft if he's the 3rd winger or overall improvement to beat out one of the established wing options.

I'd probably lean towards Howes from Laurie but I think any of the 4 are worthy choices.

AMW!

Odds on it have to be Laurie as he would be in the starting 23 or close to it in rnd 1.

Taking Petty's injury into account, Smith's suspension into account, and Pickett's suspension. My opening-round lineup would be

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, Tomlinson, Rivers

C: Langdon, Oliver, Hunter

HF: Petracca, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Fritsch, B. Brown, McAdam

FOLL: Gawn, Brayshaw, Viney

IC: Bowey, Sparrow, Billings, Spargo

SUB: Chandler

EMERG: Laurie, Turner, Fullarton

Laurie just misses out. Turner could be another McVee if Tomlinson slips up.

On a bit of a lateral take on the initial question, I’m going with Van Rooyen. I think everyone agrees that he had a great first year but as far as impact on 2024 I feel there’s great scope to improve. 
I feel he had plenty of forgivable first year moments that will slip away as he becomes accustomed to the requirements and we are in for an astounding ride watching the incline ahead. Is it round one yet? Can the afl bring in a round minus 8 next year? Round zero simply isn’t low enough 

Ollie Sestan

On 08/01/2024 at 10:45, spirit of norm smith said:

McAdam obviously as a mature player should play from round 1.
 

Woewodin is looking good and a big chance for round 1, likely off the bench.  He looked good in limited opportunities in 2023.
 

Really hoping Blake Howes gets to showcase his talent.  A big pre season to get his body right and fitness to peak standards.  He also loves a goal which could add to our scoring power.  

Cheers to that SoNS. Would be great to see son of Shane star this year.

Good call on Mcadam. Not like our fwd line doesn't need some help too.

Haven't seen much of Howes but he seems to get a lot of love here.

What about Jefferson....too soon?

Too soon for Jefferson.  Needs 2024 in Casey and development of his physical strength and competitiveness.  He is a prospect but key position forwards need 2-3 years development.  High risk but also potential high reward strategy in drafting key forward in 1st round !!! 

On 07/01/2024 at 09:29, samcantstandya said:

Which player or players do you think can step up and make an impact in 24? I reckon of the younger brigade Laurie will step up and I expect McAdam to play a forward role.

It wont be Laurie, Mc Adams or Billings is my view

I have high hopes for McAdam and Billing’s but they have already proved themselves, Bill is another story will he grasp his opportunities with both hands as all good players do or fade out of the picture. I still expect that it comes down to Woewodin, Bill, Howes and Turner in 2024 but will be watching Sestan, Verrall and Adams with great interest at Casey. There is no rush on Jefferson, Windsor and the Colt but they could surprise.

8 hours ago, picket fence said:

It wont be Laurie, Mc Adams or Billings is my view

PF Your entitled to your view but I  think you are blinkered with Bill. He is showing much more skill running power and maturity for a big tilt at the Seniors. His skills are great and he can finish with a nice goal. 

Open up to his potential please 2024 looks like he can make the grade. 

4 minutes ago, 58er said:

PF Your entitled to your view but I  think you are blinkered with Bill. He is showing much more skill running power and maturity for a big tilt at the Seniors. His skills are great and he can finish with a nice goal. 

Open up to his potential please 2024 looks like he can make the grade. 

Is this based on your training observations?

9 hours ago, picket fence said:

It wont be Laurie, Mc Adams or Billings is my view

What I meant to say was it wonnt be Laurid but more likely Mc Adams and or Billimgs could surprise many!

1 hour ago, 58er said:

I  think you are blinkered with Bill.

Woewodin Minor beaten at the finish line by a chin.

There are probably half a dozen players that could make a big impression this year. Unlikely that they will have a year to rival Judd’s as that doesn’t happen very often. Just looking forward to the young players showing what they can do at Casey first. KB had a few good moments last year. Hopefully he, Kolt and Caleb and the other developing players, give us something to cheer about this year. 

I just looked at the pictures from training on Friday and was amazed at the change in Sestan's body?

If Fullarton can play to his potential could surprise a few on here I know its a stretch 

His highlights show that he does possess the skill What is missing I don't know 

He would play an important back up role and impact when he comes on

 

1 hour ago, Kent said:

If Fullarton can play to his potential could surprise a few on here I know its a stretch 

His highlights show that he does possess the skill What is missing I don't know 

He would play an important back up role and impact when he comes on

 

I really hope he’s up to it because for the sake of Max and JVR getting through the year we need the extra tall body.

The training highlight clips have shown glimpses of his mobility and skills, but if he’s a mobile, skilled tall he’s not getting a game because we can substitute that with Fritsch and McAdam.

He has to either be good enough as a ruck to be worth spelling Max for significant chunks of the game and/or do enough genuine tall forward things up front Ie. Win or halve marking contests. There’s been a few not so great marking efforts in some of the training clips too.