12 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Howes was named as an early emergency in 2022 before his injury. Jason Taylor I believe has been on record stating that had he not been injured that year he would have played senior footy.

I think that's a generous bit of paraphrasing. Howes had a couple of good games on the wing and I believe we had a few midfield injuries at the time. Not sure he would've developed fast enough to get ahead of any of Dunston, Harmes, JJ who were the midfield depth in 22.

Even last year he had taken another step forward with more consistent footy across half back but never really threatened to get a game. Still looked more like a hopeful for this year than a certainty and sounds like he had a big preseason to improve a lot.

JT's always going to pump up his picks in an offseason fan podcast.

Good news on AMW. Happy that Kolt's at least settled in and competing. Keen to see more of a fitter Sestan. 

I have a feeling that Tholstrop is going to be one of those players who will relish playing in the AFL when he gets there. For that reason, I think it might be worthwhile for him to be earmarked for an early debut at the MFC … provided he keeps on performing at the same level as his debut for Casey. I reckon he’s definitely a goer who could play 200 games at Melbourne. 

Please don’t let him become mired playing on a half forward line in an underperforming team.

9 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I think that's a generous bit of paraphrasing. Howes had a couple of good games on the wing and I believe we had a few midfield injuries at the time. Not sure he would've developed fast enough to get ahead of any of Dunston, Harmes, JJ who were the midfield depth in 22.

Even last year he had taken another step forward with more consistent footy across half back but never really threatened to get a game. Still looked more like a hopeful for this year than a certainty and sounds like he had a big preseason to improve a lot.

JT's always going to pump up his picks in an offseason fan podcast.

Good news on AMW. Happy that Kolt's at least settled in and competing. Keen to see more of a fitter Sestan. 

Howes development has been very interesting. Rumoured to be close to selection on many occasions and apparently earmarked for selection the week he broke his wrist last year he’s never really put in a huge game, or “breakout game” at Casey. And yet he’s clearly been highly rated by the club. He was considered at JvR’s pick in his draft year and we were genuinely chuffed when he was still available in the second round. 
He’s always been a clean player by hand and a good kick and decision maker but because he never did anything eye catching at Casey or even appeared to be under pressure the temptation was to think he wasn’t doing enough to be best 22. 
But he’s playing pretty much the same way this year as he did a Casey although he does appear to be more involved in his defensive work and he’s just stepped up to senior footy the same way Juddy did last year.  He’s clean, makes good decisions, is calm and disposes well. But the high quality of his defensive work is what rounds out a really promising player. 
Looks like another JT special to me. Genuine quality at a later pick. 

22 hours ago, Sydee said:

I’m pleasantly surprised how well Howes is going at AFL level because I’ll admit I had my doubts that he had the requisite intensity to play at that level 

This week Casey were blown away in the first 15 mins and then spent the remainder of the match killing any chance of of a comeback through shocking skill errors and costly turnovers 

I was quite impressed by Tholstrup who did some nice things and showed that he was fine competing against stronger more mature bodies - a couple of time he probably did the team things when arguably he could of achieved a better outcome by being a bit more selfish - he has the right attitude though 

of the others 

Tommo - was playing in a backline that was under siege for most of the day and was not helped by some terrible turnovers - he was guilty of a couple of these himself mind you. Serviceable game I think but not screaming pick me imo

Adams - I’d like to be seeing more but he reminds me of a very green Petty so hopefully he keeps improving during the year - he has the tools to be ok 

Jefferson - I’m really not convinced and I can see a lot of Schache and Weed in Matt - his first efforts are passable - his second efforts are non existent. Yes he is young and yes some talks take longer but there are also some that just don’t have what it takes. Hope I’m wrong but he looks like he is going to struggle 

Woey- ok but struggled a bit with disposal. Still think he will be useful as a an AFL player the question is whether or not he is a best 22 player 

Fullarton - like KFW he was monstered in the ruck by Meek who is a very big boy. I think there is a reason he spent his last year at Brisbane VFL team as a forward predominantly - rucking against taller and heavier opponents is tough for him and let’s face it at AFL level that is going to be the norm. We would be better off playing him as a KPF and trying to get him good at that - next season he may be one of our only options for that position 

Laurie - he has ability but his lack of consistency is a bit disappointing. Does some good things and then either goes missing or makes silly mistakes. Still can make it imo 

AMW - feels like he would perform better with more talent around him - not sure where he would get a game at AFL level though - HFF possibly- but replacing who? 
 

Schache - looks ok at VFL but still really doesn’t impose himself enough given his size - I would be surprised if he kept his place on the list next year 

Good summary Sydee. 

23 hours ago, seventyfour said:

Howes is actually a better example of patience. He was drafted in the 2021 draft, so he waited 2 full seasons before getting a chance.

If you ran a regression analysis of AFL team performance and VFL team performance I would expect some relationship but not a strong one.

In total time yes but in number of VFL games and development I think he has bridged the gap as quick as Judd. 
He looks every inch an AFL player in his 3 first games just as Judd did from first practice match in 2023. 

Just now, 58er said:

In total time yes but in number of VFL games and development I think he has bridged the gap as quick as Judd. 
He looks every inch an AFL player in his 3 first games just as Judd did from first practice match in 2023. 

Omitted that Blake had had long injuries layoffs in both 2022 and 2023 so total games in VFL have been reduced hence the fast track similarity to McVee especially. 

Windsor is a highly skilled and smooth fast moving player who will only get better in the environment of our AFL team. 

On 24/03/2024 at 19:31, kev martin said:

I agree, AMW is nearly slated in, heard it on the rumour roundabout.

I just didn't see him in the first half, especially when the ball was in the area he was playing.

Given he is possibly one of next ones to be given an opportunity at AFL level, I was expecting much more.

Though, a bad day for many of them.

 

I would not be surprised if he plays the 2nd SA game on the short turn around. 

14 hours ago, picket fence said:

Yeah well Jeffo certainly did show some signs last year playing forward and lets face it he was recruited pick 15 AS A FORWARD! WTF this decision to play him as a defender has no merit whatsover. Whatever confidence he did have must be gone to the Shizzen! Terrible player management IMV

 

Come on PF these comments make no sense.  It's actually quiet common & generally good for a young player's development to be moved around & played in different positions.

There are hundreds of examples of this being a good development tool.

20 hours ago, Redleg said:

This will make you happy.

IMO Jeffo and Kolt will be regular players for us in the future.

I hopefully agree Redleg.

41 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Come on PF these comments make no sense.  It's actually quiet common & generally good for a young player's development to be moved around & played in different positions.

There are hundreds of examples of this being a good development tool.

Agree CF 

Id say Jefferson has been sent to defence to learn his craft. Let’s face it the chance of him becoming AFL standard is now minuscule. He’s yet to play a really strong game at VFL level. He simply doesn’t have the hunger.

7 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Howes development has been very interesting. Rumoured to be close to selection on many occasions and apparently earmarked for selection the week he broke his wrist last year he’s never really put in a huge game, or “breakout game” at Casey. And yet he’s clearly been highly rated by the club. He was considered at JvR’s pick in his draft year and we were genuinely chuffed when he was still available in the second round. 
He’s always been a clean player by hand and a good kick and decision maker but because he never did anything eye catching at Casey or even appeared to be under pressure the temptation was to think he wasn’t doing enough to be best 22. 
But he’s playing pretty much the same way this year as he did a Casey although he does appear to be more involved in his defensive work and he’s just stepped up to senior footy the same way Juddy did last year.  He’s clean, makes good decisions, is calm and disposes well. But the high quality of his defensive work is what rounds out a really promising player. 
Looks like another JT special to me. Genuine quality at a later pick. 

Howes was rated highly and we stole him as a late 2nd round pick.  Had just needed to get his body right.  We can see him footy iq and skill.