Rivers will play more midfield minutes than Petracca & Viney in season 2025 

15 minutes ago, adonski said:

Rivers will play more midfield minutes than Petracca & Viney in season 2025 

Agreed but Clarry if fit and back to near best will be 85/90% on ground. 

What a strength our on ball brigade should be when you add Trac JV Riv and Kossie with Sparrow and McVee plus Harvey and XL learning the ropes gradually in cameos. 

Ultimately it’s what they all do with the ball not just driving it Willy Billy into the forward zone.  

37 minutes ago, old55 said:

I'm not sure how you're calculating "only 240 midfield minutes". Are you ignoring time on? If so that's not really correct because midfielders are running pretty hard in those stop-play minutes to make position. I think it's 360 minutes of midfield time for 3 nominal midfielders.

Assuming midfield players play about 75% gametme (it can be a bit more or a bit less), ie 90 of 120 minutes - Oliver can only play midfield so all his 90 minutes are there, Petracca and Viney (cue @Adam The God) can play some forward minutes, but mostly midfield (at least 70 each) minutes, Kossie is slated to play mid-forward too so that's at least another 45 midfield minutes, we've used up 275 of 360 midfield minutes.

As you say, Goodwin is fine with mid-fwd but doesn't play mid-back roles so if Rivers is going to play midfield  all his 90 minutes will be in there - that uses up all the available 360 minutes.

It doesn't leave any for anyone else except cameos, but there’s nothing really too wrong with a core midfield of Oliver, Rivers, Viney, Petracca and Pickett. Like I said we need to change things up from the old troika.

I didn't include time on, but I adjusted the minutes of each player. (It is really the percentages that matter.)

Oliver has historically played 80-90% game time. I am not sure if he will be able to do this as he ages but who knows what a full preseason could yield.

I think Langford will be a centre square midfielder. Hopefully he can play well as a forward and his marking becomes an asset, but it is not easy to win the ball as a forward in the AFL as you are often outnumbered. I look at Ryley Sanders season this year, who showed AFL qualities as a midfielder but got squeezed out by the Dog's midfield depth and could not play another role.

I think Rivers is an A-grade half back and a B-grade midfielder. His ball use was much better at half back this season because he had more time. He will develop his midfield game but I doubt he will ever reach Brownlow contention level. I am also not sure he offers a massive point of difference to Oliver, Petracca and Viney as a midfielder. I am not against the trial of Rivers in the middle, but my expectation is that we will get more from Rivers playing at half back.

4 hours ago, picket fence said:

So you would play him instead of Jeffo??

Until Jeffo proves something he’s just another big guy without the requisite appetite. 

Edited December 28, 2024Dec 28 by Roost it far

5 hours ago, adonski said:

Rivers will play more midfield minutes than Petracca & Viney in season 2025 

Irrespective of Rivers, my guess is that Petracca plays more midfield and less forward than he did last year.

8 minutes ago, Gator said:

Irrespective of Rivers, my guess is that Petracca plays more midfield and less forward than he did last year.

61% CBAS in '23, 56% this year. Would be an interesting if it increased much more with a hopefully healthy Clarry back in the mix plus Riv

32 minutes ago, Gator said:

Irrespective of Rivers, my guess is that Petracca plays more midfield and less forward than he did last year.

I’m guessing he’ll play forward when the game demands it. He’s awesome around the ball but if Rivers and Langford are on top he’s such a damaging presence up forward. He’s too good to not have around the ball especially in tight games. I think if we transition to a more attacking style he’ll be front and centre at clearances. 2025 is likely going to be his best year yet. 

5 hours ago, adonski said:

Rivers will play more midfield minutes than Petracca & Viney in season 2025 

Viney agreed. Petracca, hope not. Seems to be in amazing condition,  want on the ball as much as possible getting 3 brownlow votes.   

Speakiing of head to heads,  Turner or JVR for more goals 🤔 Disco for mine. Marks per game very solid for a first year forward, (essentially thrown up forward last year without a full preseason i believe).  Hopeful for a break out year

4 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

Viney agreed. Petracca, hope not. Seems to be in amazing condition,  want on the ball as much as possible getting 3 brownlow votes.   

Speakiing of head to heads,  Turner or JVR for more goals 🤔 Disco for mine. Marks per game very solid for a first year forward, (essentially thrown up forward last year without a full preseason i believe).  Hopeful for a break out year

Disco is my breakout tip too

16 hours ago, adonski said:

61% CBAS in '23, 56% this year. Would be an interesting if it increased much more with a hopefully healthy Clarry back in the mix plus Riv

He was sent forward more often because we couldn't score. If our forward connection works/improves, he'll spend more time in the middle, getting a chop out from Langford or Tholstrup. That's my guess anyway.

21 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Until Jeffo proves something he’s just another big guy without the requisite appetite. 

What has Jeffo got  to show you if you have not seen him training or in the last half of last season a desperate attitude? He has overcome his lack of confidence and aggression according to the majority of VFL and track watchers and is regarded  by most ( actually Goody had him as an emergency for the last 3 games in 2024) now as a genuine player ready to step up if his attitude and practice form continue in the same vein and also improves.

So really your last para might really be considered as a view that is out of date and almost irrelevant, looking towards 2025 forward planning.

Jeffo is being looked upon as the next big thing in the same way as JVR was 2 years ago before he made his long anticipated debut. Albeit his development has been in a vastly different manner. 

6 minutes ago, 58er said:

What has Jeffo got  to show you if you have not seen him training or in the last half of last season a desperate attitude? He has overcome his lack of confidence and aggression according to the majority of VFL and track watchers and is regarded  by most ( actually Goody had him as an emergency for the last 3 games in 2024) now as a genuine player ready to step up if his attitude and practice form continue in the same vein and also improves.

So really your last para might really be considered as a view that is out of date and almost irrelevant, looking towards 2025 forward planning.

Jeffo is being looked upon as the next big thing in the same way as JVR was 2 years ago before he made his long anticipated debut. Albeit his development has been in a vastly different manner. 

Let’s hope you’re right. My observations from his year at Casey are different to others. 

15 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Let’s hope you’re right. My observations from his year at Casey are different to others. 

Well you differ from the Senior Coach. As I said  you are basically in the wrong and I can’t understand your statements and attitude. What has Jeffo got to do to satisfy you???

7 hours ago, 58er said:

Well you differ from the Senior Coach. As I said  you are basically in the wrong and I can’t understand your statements and attitude. What has Jeffo got to do to satisfy you???

I also differ from the senior coach on McAdam. Jefferson needs to show he’s got what it takes to be a key forward in the AFL. If he can do that I’ll be more than satisfied 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

Jefferson needs to show he’s got what it takes to be a key forward in the AFL. If he can do that I’ll be more than satisfied 

You can only do that if you are playing in the AFL, as in any other competition it is only potential.

The best player in the VFL could be a dud in the AFL.

Edited December 29, 2024Dec 29 by Redleg

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

You can only do that if you are playing in the AFL, as in any other competition it is only potential.

The best player in the VFL could be a dud in the AFL.

And you only get to play AFL if you’re good enough.

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

And you only get to play AFL if you’re good enough.

And then you can prove to be not up to it, even if you get the chance. The best way to know if you are AFL standard, if you are talented, is to be tried at the top level.

 

 

Edited December 30, 2024Dec 30 by Redleg

4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I also differ from the senior coach on McAdam. Jefferson needs to show he’s got what it takes to be a key forward in the AFL. If he can do that I’ll be more than satisfied 

And the ONLY way we will know will be selection round 1 or close to it, give him a run of games and evaluate then!

It's almost the new year and I have finally finalized my 23. It shouldn't change until the first week of practice matches.

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor

C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon

HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler

F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

IC: Bowey, Langford, Lindsay, Tholstrup

SUB: Melksham

EMERG: Jefferson, Sparrow, McDonald

 

Jefferson will have to kick a bag to displace Johnson who can also play second ruck.

Sparrow will have to find form to get back into the team in the practice matches.

I'd love to see how Howes and Moniz-Wakefield go in the practice matches. Could make way for Bowey if Bowey's form doesn't improve.

 

 

Edited December 30, 2024Dec 30 by WERRIDEE

11 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

It's almost the new year and I have finally finalized my 23. It shouldn't change until the first week of practice matches.

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor

C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon

HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler

F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

IC: Bowey, Langford, Lindsay, Tholstrup

SUB: Melksham

EMERG: Jefferson, Sparrow, McDonald

 

Jefferson will have to kick a bag to displace Johnson who can also play second ruck.

Sparrow will have to find form to get back into the team in the practice matches.

I'd love to see how Howes and Moniz-Wakefield go in the practice matches. Could make way for Bowey if Bowey's form doesn't improve.

 

 

Bowey had rained the MCG down so far!!! 

12 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

t's almost the new year and I have finally finalized my 23. It shouldn't change until the first week of practice matches.

Don’t start the new year making false promises!

On 28/12/2024 at 11:36, Roost it far said:

Until Jeffo proves something he’s just another big guy without the requisite appetite. 

Yeah right, so what proof do you require??

2 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Yeah right, so what proof do you require??

More than what has thus far been provided. If he’s not careful a guy picked at 68 will jump ahead of him. 

Edited December 31, 2024Dec 31 by Roost it far

15 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

It's almost the new year and I have finally finalized my 23. It shouldn't change until the first week of practice matches.

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor

C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon

HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler

F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

IC: Bowey, Langford, Lindsay, Tholstrup

SUB: Melksham

EMERG: Jefferson, Sparrow, McDonald

 

Jefferson will have to kick a bag to displace Johnson who can also play second ruck.

Sparrow will have to find form to get back into the team in the practice matches.

I'd love to see how Howes and Moniz-Wakefield go in the practice matches. Could make way for Bowey if Bowey's form doesn't improve.

 

 

I like the look of this team. It seems to be a good blend of old and new against the GWS team on their website. 

Its a question of experience and unknown and GWS is both. Its a good time to test a few of the new boys so the only change I might make is give Jeffo a run. Possibly Tmac who is training the house down in lieu of Lever who may do with an extra week or even Petty.

Need to reward performance with selection.

2 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

More than what has thus far been provided. If he’s not careful a guy picked at 68 will jump ahead of him. 

Can you be more specific? Jeffo kicked 29 goals with shizzen delivery after starting the season in the backline Johnson kicked how many???. Johnson has to show he is a goalkicker, not a spare parts forward, spare parts ruck! I have Tom Campbell in to take a good % of ruck to allow Max some longevity of career, and Jeffo as well as long term forward option. Johnson may be handy but Im backing a pick 15 over a pick 80 Anyday!