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2024 Opening Round Team


WERRIDEE

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19 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Tomlinson plays we lose. He is that bad. He plays 1 good game out of every ten the rest are rubbish. Haven't given up on T.Mac hopefully he gets a game against Carlton to prove himself. Sick of the rubbish from Tomlinson he's not up to AFL standard.

Someone should tell the selectors that Tomlinson is no good! He's played 177 games of AFL football and apparently "isnt up to AFL standard". In those 177 games he has averaged 15 disposals and 5.5 marks! Perhaps it's your analysis, Werridee, that isn't up to standard! 

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2 hours ago, waynewussell said:

Someone should tell the selectors that Tomlinson is no good! He's played 177 games of AFL football and apparently "isnt up to AFL standard". In those 177 games he has averaged 15 disposals and 5.5 marks! Perhaps it's your analysis, Werridee, that isn't up to standard! 

It just goes to show that you don't have to be talented to play plenty of games of footy. The only thing he's got going for him is he can run all day he's a fitness fanatic, but he's no good at footy. He was ordinary at GWS and has been worse at Melbourne. Hopefully, Goody sees the same thing as I'm seeing and plays McDonald ahead of him against Carlton. We can't play both Tomlinson and McDonald.

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22 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Tomlinson plays we lose. He is that bad. He plays 1 good game out of every ten the rest are rubbish. Haven't given up on T.Mac hopefully he gets a game against Carlton to prove himself. Sick of the rubbish from Tomlinson he's not up to AFL standard.

If you’re pinning your hopes on Tmac playing in our backline. This is going to be a horrible year.

 

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Interestingly, we were 6-3 last year with Tomlinson selected and 2-6 record with Mcdonald (possessions of 6,8,6,7,6 in losses in his last 5 games with the significant game time forward).   I'm not sure I'd want either one on the opposition 2nd tall but it will probably come down to the match up so I dare say we will be having this discussion all year.  Oh, what fun. 

 

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based on 7 terms of practice...

2024 opening round 23:
B: McVee - May - Tomlinson
HB: Rivers - Lever - Bowey
C: Langdon - Petracca - Windsor
HF: ANB - JVR - Billings
F: Pup Brown - Fritsch - Chandler
Foll: Gawn - Salem - Viney
I/c: Howes - Verrall - Sparrow - Woewodin
Sub: Laurie

unavailable: spargo - brayshaw (sob) - hunter - oliver - melksham - mcadam - plugger mac - petty - pickett - sideshow bob

i personally would prefer it if we went smaller and had no tomlinson in the backline, but i suspect the intention is to run with that structure

i also somehow doubt this line-up will happen as it'd mean four debutants to start the season which would be pretty unusual for us; for instance based on @Demonland's latest training report schache is still favoured over verrall

if we ever debut a player as a sub i for one will be really disappointed; hate it when clubs do that

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32 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

based on 7 terms of practice...

2024 opening round 23:
B: McVee - May - Tomlinson
HB: Rivers - Lever - Bowey
C: Langdon - Petracca - Windsor
HF: ANB - JVR - Billings
F: Pup Brown - Fritsch - Chandler
Foll: Gawn - Salem - Viney
I/c: Howes - Verrall - Sparrow - Woewodin
Sub: Laurie

unavailable: spargo - brayshaw (sob) - hunter - oliver - melksham - mcadam - plugger mac - petty - pickett - sideshow bob

i personally would prefer it if we went smaller and had no tomlinson in the backline, but i suspect the intention is to run with that structure

i also somehow doubt this line-up will happen as it'd mean four debutants to start the season which would be pretty unusual for us; for instance based on @Demonland's latest training report schache is still favoured over verrall

if we ever debut a player as a sub i for one will be really disappointed; hate it when clubs do that

I would be very surprised if Verrall is named in Opening Round over Schache. Your team is lacking another tall forward. Whatever one's thoughts are on Schache I doubt we will go into OR with an untried ruck as a backup ruck/forward.

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Why exactly is Josh Schache on the MFC list if he can't get a game in the opening round? Is he not fit?  Is he totally unable to follow any instruction? Is he a massive liability in game to the extent it means an immediate loss?  He played in a grand final less than 10 games ago.  This isn't a matter of 'hunger' or 'appetite' or 'insert your prefered metaphysical football term here'.  He was presumably signed to be a break in case of emergency when he was resigned last year.   Are we waiting for every player to be unavailable and selecting him last? 

We have no back up ruck, under30 3rd tall and he's kicked more goals than JVR and Petty combined, if the FD department can't fashion a role for him why bother even paying him.  He isn't a project player.  

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27 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

Why exactly is Josh Schache on the MFC list if he can't get a game in the opening round? Is he not fit?  Is he totally unable to follow any instruction? Is he a massive liability in game to the extent it means an immediate loss?  He played in a grand final less than 10 games ago.  This isn't a matter of 'hunger' or 'appetite' or 'insert your prefered metaphysical football term here'.  He was presumably signed to be a break in case of emergency when he was resigned last year.   Are we waiting for every player to be unavailable and selecting him last? 

We have no back up ruck, under30 3rd tall and he's kicked more goals than JVR and Petty combined, if the FD department can't fashion a role for him why bother even paying him.  He isn't a project player.  

Time to give him 4 solid weeks in the team, tell him its make or break your career 

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3 hours ago, Demonland said:

I would be very surprised if Verrall is named in Opening Round over Schache. Your team is lacking another tall forward. Whatever one's thoughts are on Schache I doubt we will go into OR with an untried ruck as a backup ruck/forward.

on the scg you really don't need that many talls tho

as i said, i expect schache will get the gig

but based on 7 praccy terms of footy, verrall showed more both in the ruck and up forward for mine

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1 hour ago, Jjrogan said:

Why exactly is Josh Schache on the MFC list if he can't get a game in the opening round? Is he not fit?  Is he totally unable to follow any instruction? Is he a massive liability in game to the extent it means an immediate loss?  He played in a grand final less than 10 games ago.  This isn't a matter of 'hunger' or 'appetite' or 'insert your prefered metaphysical football term here'.  He was presumably signed to be a break in case of emergency when he was resigned last year.   Are we waiting for every player to be unavailable and selecting him last? 

We have no back up ruck, under30 3rd tall and he's kicked more goals than JVR and Petty combined, if the FD department can't fashion a role for him why bother even paying him.  He isn't a project player.  

The quality of cheap depth key forwards across the league is terrible. The Hawks backed the truck up for Mabior Chol for instance.

That said, we didn’t even trial anyone over summer looking for an Anthony Caminiti type. Brisbane pounced in the Gunston deal on Brandon Ryan who I like. Clubs do find gems at times. Heck I’d probably rather have Mykelti Lefau!

Our list management philosophy for the 3rd ruck/5th key forward in recent years has seemingly been ‘meh, whatever just get whoever you can’. Schache’s time now to prove that he’s at least worth a go. 

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If he makes it through a half or so tomorrow and looks even remotely fit and capable I’d expect Fullarton to be given the chance for round 0 or at least round 1.

He’s not much different to Schache but at least has a bit of mobility on the ground and seemingly more confidence 

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18 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

It just goes to show that you don't have to be talented to play plenty of games of footy. The only thing he's got going for him is he can run all day he's a fitness fanatic, but he's no good at footy. He was ordinary at GWS and has been worse at Melbourne. Hopefully, Goody sees the same thing as I'm seeing and plays McDonald ahead of him against Carlton. We can't play both Tomlinson and McDonald.

If you're saying he has no talent in your opinion as a supporter thats perfectly fine. My view is any player that makes the AFL is talented. Some more then others of course. As its been preached for most its about playing a role within a club system. Something Tomlinson has done consistently well since joining us and becoming a full time backman.

To say he's not good at footy is laughable. He's had to play behind or adjacent to three of the best key backs in the comp (Lever, May, Petty). He was playing fantastic football rarely losing a contest in 2021 before the injury. Petty came in and solidified his role which put Tomlinson back in the pecking order. Since then he's been professional, performing consistently as one of Casey's best each week. When he's been recalled to the main playing group its been for short stints which is always difficult to build form. He was fantastic in our KB game last year with his one on one contests and accurate, effective ball use. I think we would have seen him play more games last season with Petty swung forward but Goodwin decided to go with a smaller backline using Hibberd as the third tall for a lot of games.

There is a reason the FD rate him highly and refused any calls to trade him in September.

If you think a 31 year old Tom McDonald playing a role he hasn't played for five years with fitness issues is the better option thats OK to have that opinion but to simply say Tomlinson is 'no good at footy' is rather insulting. 

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2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

If he makes it through a half or so tomorrow and looks even remotely fit and capable I’d expect Fullarton to be given the chance for round 0 or at least round 1.

He’s not much different to Schache but at least has a bit of mobility on the ground and seemingly more confidence 

Fullarton is still a month away based off the original timeline on 29th Jan (8 weeks).

We need to get used to Schache as the back up ruck/fwd for round 0.

Lets just back him in as a demon ay? why not? Go dees?

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1 hour ago, Young Blood said:

Fullarton is still a month away based off the original timeline on 29th Jan (8 weeks).

We need to get used to Schache as the back up ruck/fwd for round 0.

Lets just back him in as a demon ay? why not? Go dees?

Did his hammy on the 26th so it’s nearly 5 weeks, will be just about 6 weeks by round 0. Maybe it was a 6 week hammy not an 8 week hammy?

If he plays 3/4’s or so tomorrow that’s probably enough to declare him match fit. 

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21 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

It just goes to show that you don't have to be talented to play plenty of games of footy. The only thing he's got going for him is he can run all day he's a fitness fanatic, but he's no good at footy. He was ordinary at GWS and has been worse at Melbourne. Hopefully, Goody sees the same thing as I'm seeing and plays McDonald ahead of him against Carlton. We can't play both Tomlinson and McDonald.

Tomlinson was killing it in the backline in 2021 before he did his ACL. Most certainly would of been a premiership player if he didn't get injured.

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11 hours ago, Young Blood said:

If you're saying he has no talent in your opinion as a supporter thats perfectly fine. My view is any player that makes the AFL is talented. Some more then others of course. As its been preached for most its about playing a role within a club system. Something Tomlinson has done consistently well since joining us and becoming a full time backman.

To say he's not good at footy is laughable. He's had to play behind or adjacent to three of the best key backs in the comp (Lever, May, Petty). He was playing fantastic football rarely losing a contest in 2021 before the injury. Petty came in and solidified his role which put Tomlinson back in the pecking order. Since then he's been professional, performing consistently as one of Casey's best each week. When he's been recalled to the main playing group its been for short stints which is always difficult to build form. He was fantastic in our KB game last year with his one on one contests and accurate, effective ball use. I think we would have seen him play more games last season with Petty swung forward but Goodwin decided to go with a smaller backline using Hibberd as the third tall for a lot of games.

There is a reason the FD rate him highly and refused any calls to trade him in September.

If you think a 31 year old Tom McDonald playing a role he hasn't played for five years with fitness issues is the better option thats OK to have that opinion but to simply say Tomlinson is 'no good at footy' is rather insulting. 

I don’t know Werridee where this is coming from. All summer you have MORE THAN OFTEN in your rather frequent teams for this week, month, Aust day, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Dayetc. Placed Tommo at CHB much to my frustration when Disco was fit.  

I don’t agree with your latest tirade and agree with Young Blood’s very balanced post. 

However I believe Disco will possibly be a better bet for our defence based on what I saw vs Swans in Round 24 last season. But he got dropped and neither played vs Pies. Bad move our 3 talls has proved a constructive and consistent safeguard in our success since Round 1 in 2021. 

Naturally if the third tall is considered superfluous it’s ok to change but  Thsts where I think Disco will be a smarter third tall by seasons end. 

Actuall can’t wait for Jed Adams to arrive as well. Maybe later this season might be a chance. He IMO is Stephies long term replacement ( not this season yet) of course. 

But rounding out this opinion is fluid but the 3 talls are rather comforting and successful for us over the journey and Tommo has gone a good/ great job all things considered and was unlucky of course to miss the Flag. 
 

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Seniors

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Bowey, Tomlinson, Rivers

C: Windsor, Salem, Langdon

HF: Billings, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Chandler, Schache, Fritsch

FOLL: Gawn, Petracca, Viney

IC: Howes, Sparrow, Laurie, Oliver

SUB: Fullerton

 

Casey

B: Hore, Adams, Freeman

HB: Connelly, McDoanld, Lual

C: Hunter, Szybkowski, K. Brown

HF: Sestan, Farris-White, Tholstrup

F: Spargo, Jefferson, Moniz-Wakefield

FOLL: Verrall, White, Woewodin

IC: Peters, Shipp, Steele, Lewis, Cross

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14 hours ago, Winners at last said:

Marty Hore can play tall. Not sure why he isn't mentioned in dispatches ....

Marty isn’t quite as tall and robust as Tommo or T Mac. He is more Hibbo’s size and will no doubt be used at some stages in 2024 when medium size is fine or required. 

 Disco will also IMO challenge fiercely once he gets over his injury and it’s also a watch on Jed Adams.  He is a genuine KPDefender for the future. Plenty of upside for our defence with Rivers Juddy Bowser plus Howes who can only get better. In addition Salo can always go back when and if a half forward needs quietening. 

Must admit Mr Versitile Christian took the inside mid job like he had played all his 150 plus in that role. 

The defence was back to near its best after last week’s aberration.

Tmac also seemed to get recognition in his comeback in the early game and brings plenty of experience and solidity if he is fit. He will be all the better also for the run and despite many doubting his disposal I think he has no real concerns on this issue after  defecting forward to guide our premiership tilt kicking goals and providing the smalls with some crumbs along with BBB. 
it’s all about fitness being maintained with the two elder  statesmen but we will be a better outfit if we have both available for the majority of the season. 

All in all a good run for our troops with much of last weeks looseness ironed out and many showing their real ability which is needed to be a legitimate challenger in 2024. 

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