That’s all well n good. Now for the important stuff 😁

Ardu and Kozzie are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl, as yet unnamed. Born last Thursday. Kozzie described the feeling as “unreal” 🥹

Ollie Sestán’s nickname at the Club is Sesto. His surname is pronounced  Chestahn. He’s Croatian/Italian. His parents are (in his own words) Aussie AF.

Melksy’s little boy, Teddy, barracks for the Demons and his favourite player is… Fritta. 😅

According to Chocco, Bowsa is closer to being right to go than we think. He was practicing tackling with one of the trainers and was not holding back. He was going in hard. You wouldn’t know he’d broken his collarbone relatively recently. Chocco was watching on, very pleased.

Clarrie was in a serious frame of mind today. Not unhappy or angry, but super immersed in everything be did. His concentration and focus was unwavering and really impressive.

Back to nicknames… Knuckles McVee LOVES his nickname so it’s here to stay.

 I unwittingly changed JB14’s nickname from ‘Jubba’ to ‘Jibba’ 🤭 (long story).

And while Shane Mc said he doesn’t mind ‘Smacka’’ his demeanour said ‘You know where you can stick your Smacka’ 😁 He’s pumped to be playing tomorrow. This I know for sure because when I said, “Hey how’re ya going, Shane!” He replied, “I’m playing tomorrow!” Then he said, “Great! How are you?” 😂

 

 

11 minutes ago, 12345_54321 said:

Disco made a difference when he went forward in the second half last week. The coaches liked him there last year too. Provides a strong marking contest. 
 

He also played a VFL scratch match the week before the Port Melbourne win. So two full games is enough I’d say. 

It shouldn't be though should it? Shows the current state we're in up forward where a guy possibly gets a game on the back of one good game (half up forward) at VFL level.

Would love to have better forward depth where a player is consistently hitting the scoreboard for a few weeks before coming in with some proper form.

I'm certainly all for bringing Turner in. Just would have liked to get some form and confidence into him first. But our lack of depth means he likely comes in sooner. I wouldn't be expecting much from him based on this, just would like to see him compete well in the air and at the contest.

Edited April 23, 20241 yr by Young Blood

3 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

It shouldn't be though should it? Shows the current state we're in up forward where a guy possibly gets a game on the back of one good game (half up forward).

Would love to have better forward depth where a player is consistently hitting the scoreboard for a few weeks before coming in with some proper form.

I'm certainly all for bringing Turner in. Just would have liked to get some form and confidence into him first. But our lack of depth means he likely comes in sooner. I wouldn't be expecting much from him based on this, just would like to see him compete well in the air and at the contest.

When I mentioned the two full games I more meant that he’s played in two full matches. So it’s not as if he’s underdone. As for the continuity forward of the ball, I guess that’s up to the coaches eye.

12 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Ardu and Kozzie are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl, as yet unnamed. Born last Thursday. Kozzie described the feeling as “unrea

Isn't that great, big load of stress of his shoulders. 

Congratulations to Ardu, Koz, and the family.

Edited April 23, 20241 yr by kev martin

8 minutes ago, 12345_54321 said:

When I mentioned the two full games I more meant that he’s played in two full matches. So it’s not as if he’s underdone. As for the continuity forward of the ball, I guess that’s up to the coaches eye.

Oh of course the coaches have best perspective and he was one of the best trainers over summer. Wasn't commenting on your summation. I just remember a time when we brought in a forward due to consistent form at that position at VFL level across several weeks, especially for someone unproven. This is whats occurring at other clubs like the doggies where they have deep KPF stocks. We're pretty thin in this area unfortunately.

As I said very happy if Disco comes in with his size and ability. Trust the coaches with this one.

 

Laurie is my least favourite players on our list, but if he was ever going to find his feet and confidence, it should be against this young and depleted Richmond side.

My bigger concern is that Billings will have a good game, hiding the fact that he goes missing against tough experienced teams and keeping his spot for Geelong.

11 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

My bigger concern is that Billings will have a good game, hiding the fact that he goes missing against tough experienced teams and keeping his spot for Geelong

I am not as concerned about Billings as others.

He is starting to get confidence in his body and needs that beautiful break out game to show what he can do. 

Hoping it is this week or the next, and he can put to bed that he is on the periphery for selection. 

His skills set, when 'on' is a needed factor in our system.

I hope he still has plenty of improvement and building in his game, as he adjust to his new club.

Edited April 23, 20241 yr by kev martin

We need Turner so play him

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

It strikes me as a square peg in a round hole move. We need a 40 goal plus forward which BBB can be.

Would have preferred this move to be trialled at Casey for a few weeks.

If Oliver is at full strength I can't see much sense in Laurie's inclusion. Unfortunately he may well go the way of Jordon and Bedford at season's end

He won't go the way of Jordan or Bedford, teams wanted those players, no teams would want bill, he has shown nothing, if he doesn't make it at the dees, then he is on the delist list 

Thanks Kev, great day to be down there.

Encouraged by the Turner forward signs, yes it's risky and would prefer a larger VFL sample size but it says a lot about where we are at with depth for that position.

Disappointed if Dirk Tholstrup is dropped it would have been good to let it ride for a week based on his endeavour. Hopefully we'll see him again soon.

Laurie to join the mid rotations by the sounds of it. This is his chance now to step up and will be watching him closely.

i think the coaches have been pretty clear that the players returning from injury get just as much from training and going straight into the afl side as they do getting their 'sea legs' in the vfl

i presume they clearly rate turner and want him in the side as quickly as possible to get up to 'afl speed'

OUT: salem, tholstrup, b brown
IN: laurie, pickett, turner

B: McVee - May - Lever
HB: Rivers - McDonald - Howes
C: Langdon - Petracca - Windsor
HF: Neal-Bullen - Petty - Billings
F: van Rooyen - Fritsch - Pickett
Foll: Gawn - Oliver - Viney
I/c: Sparrow - Chandler - Woewodin - Turner
Sub: Laurie

interesting split of experience vs youth...

• 150+ games: may, mcdonald, gawn, viney, petracca, oliver, lever, langdon, billings, neal-bullen
• 50-149: fritsch, pickett, rivers, sparrow, petty
• 25-49: chandler, mcvee, van rooyen
• under 10: woewodin, howes, laurie, windsor, turner

 

7 minutes ago, Demon trucker said:

He won't go the way of Jordan or Bedford, teams wanted those players, no teams would want bill, he has shown nothing, if he doesn't make it at the dees, then he is on the delist list 

someone would want him.  just never get much in these circumstances.

3 hours ago, Deelectable said:

He might be one game short of a gallop but I would love to see Turner come in for BBB tomorrow night and play forward. He's aggressive,  quick off the mark, can kick for goal, compete and, best of all, versatile. Just needs a reasonable run with injury.

would add bite to forward, but also insurance if someone goes down in defence, to leave Petty as a forward

Thanks Kev Martin another great report thorough and detailed, WCW fantastic player insights and all posters sounds like we are all up on our toes today, augurs well for Wednesday night. Really looking forward to watching the boys tomorrow night unfortunately it will be at home on the telly.!!

Is the babies name Kozette?

Additional: It looked like they were structuring for and executing fast ball movement through the corridors direcrly off half-back, and/or from lateral spread/switches.

Moniz-Wakefield was at training but not participating, had a different coloured top on as compared to the rest of the MFC Casey players.

Edited April 23, 20241 yr by kev martin

3 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Good to hear Bowey running around again. Would love for Turner to get a run at it. Petty replacement perhaps?

No 

3 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Meh, was a one game replacement as the only guy with some pace for Pickett. He’ll get plenty more chances. I worry about continuity for guys in years 3-4 on the fringes, like Laurie and even Taj.

Interested to know if you have much of an opinion on Laurie? I know you get to training so would appreciate your honest opinion.

2 hours ago, daisycutter said:

someone would want him.  just never get much in these circumstances.

The kid no good, his short has no pace, his not a running machine, just a dime a dozen player, no one would trade for him

2 minutes ago, Demon trucker said:

The kid no good, his short has no pace, his not a running machine, just a dime a dozen player, no one would trade for him

21 disposals last week and 20 tackles. Seems he knows what is wanted from him, and he's just been given a 2 year extension from memory, so clearly not on the move.

3 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

21 disposals last week and 20 tackles. Seems he knows what is wanted from him, and he's just been given a 2 year extension from memory, so clearly not on the move.

Did not say he would be delisted, just that no team would trade for him, since he can't find the ball, 5 possessions around 1, and every time he's come in he's shown about the same so far.

5 hours ago, kev martin said:

Sunny, though a touch windy, this morning, 23 of them no emergencies. 

Forwards out first. Petty, JVR, Billings, Chandler, Kossie, Fritsch (6) and coach Stafford. 

The backs join them, May, Lever, Woey, McVee, Howes, TMac, Rivers, Turner (8), and coach Chaplin.

A trainer and Choco are on the fence talking.

The mids are now making their way over. Oliver,Tracc, Laurie,  Langdon, Sparrow, Max, Viney, ANB, Windsor (9).

23 players named there by young Kev so I'd suggest we know the team. The only watch might be if BBB was to be selected ahead of Turner despite not training. 

My read is BBB left out to be fresh for Cats -> Blues five days a part. It gives us a look at Turner as a forward and gets a game into him should we need him back or forward to cover injury or fatigue coming off the short break post the Cats game.   

4 hours ago, Bendigo_Demon said:

I am not a BBB hater, but my issue with Ben is he doesn't really provide us with any other options apart from mark, kick etc. He is too frequently outmarked and unable to bring the ball to ground, his forward pressure, chasing etc is almost non-existent, he can only play one position, and at times, he is diabolical in terms of output. He is yet to kick a bag for us. If Turner gets a go, at the very least he will provide us with an improved contest and increased forward pressure. Yes, BBB has been good at times, but moving forward we need improvement in the areas he is deficient. Lets give Turner a go.

I'd disagree. BBB has done a great job bringing the ball to ground most games this season. The Adelaide game was poor but he was clearly fatigued & probably shouldn't have been selected off the short break. 

None of our forwards got a look in against Brisbane 

5 hours ago, Demonland said:

2 Defenders as key forwards. What could possibly go wrong. 😜

That's still more key forwards than we had last year @Demonland!

1 hour ago, kev martin said:

Additional: It looked like they were structuring for and executing fast ball movement through the corridors direcrly off half-back, and/or from lateral spread/switches.

Moniz-Wakefield was at training but not participating, had a different coloured top on as compared to the rest of the MFC Casey players.

How  often does AMW get injured ?

Really he gets in trouble and can’t put games together.   
 

Hopefully some games in a row soon gives him senior chance. 

5 hours ago, Deelectable said:

He might be one game short of a gallop but I would love to see Turner come in for BBB tomorrow night and play forward. He's aggressive,  quick off the mark, can kick for goal, compete and, best of all, versatile. Just needs a reasonable run with injury.

Harris killed us last game. Focus on stopping Vlaustin this week and Tom Stewart next week? Maybe that’s the role they have in mind.