37 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. 

This is a pretty bizarre take, Jeffo has a better goal kicking resume at VFL level than AJ

3 minutes ago, adonski said:

This is a pretty bizarre take, Jeffo has a better goal kicking resume at VFL level than AJ

Johnson is ready to go he has the body to match it at AFL level and can play second ruck. Jeffo can't play second ruck and hasn't got the hardness to compete like Johnson. I expect Jeffo will get his chance to prove himself but I expect Johnson to edge him out as another big body. 

I remember when we picked Luker Kentfield mid season and some wanted him put straight in. I see the same thing happening with Johnson. 
I wish the kid luck but he needs many more attributes than a chop out for Max. 

Edited December 31, 2024Dec 31 by Slartibartfast

1 hour ago, WERRIDEE said:

Johnson is ready to go he has the body to match it at AFL level and can play second ruck. Jeffo can't play second ruck and hasn't got the hardness to compete like Johnson. I expect Jeffo will get his chance to prove himself but I expect Johnson to edge him out as another big body. 

I’d rather Petty and TMac as swingman in the fwd and backline. Both have runs on the board whilst Jeffo and Johno are yet to fully dominate at VFL level . Neither are proven at VFL level to be given first shot in round one. 
 

I have high hopes for Jeffo and can see he is a natural fwd. Unless either of them can impact in pre season games, they will be playing for Casey round 1 imo. 
 

Im also hoping Petty rises to his high standards. Last year was right off for him recovering from his foot injury. TMac had a very good season in 2024 after a poor year in 2023 with the same injury. 

Didn’t Johnson play as the best tall Fwd in the VFL premiership team?

rpfc says he’s ahead of Jefferson and co. and if the FD would like to avoid JVR rucking 20 mins he is the best bet to sidle up with Jacob and Turner in a 3 prong attack.

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

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!

Jeffo can’t cover for or let Max have a rest. Jeffo doesn’t attack the ball like his life depends on it. Jeffo is an average VFL player who can’t dominate at that level. One of his coaches commented as such. I’d love him to succeed but what we need is a forward who can attack the pill like his life depends on it, I think Johnson may be ahead on this score and he can pinch hit in the ruck leaving JVR as a permanent forward. Structurally I think he’s a better choice IF he’s good enough.

Edited December 31, 2024Dec 31 by Roost it far

I like Melksham way more than Johnson and Jefferson at this stage. 

33 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

I like Melksham way more than Johnson and Jefferson at this stage. 

Jvr rucking then.

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Jeffo can’t cover for or let Max have a rest. Jeffo doesn’t attack the ball like his life depends on it. Jeffo is an average VFL player who can’t dominate at that level. One of his coaches commented as such. I’d love him to succeed but what we need is a forward who can attack the pill like his life depends on it, I think Johnson may be ahead on this score and he can pinch hit in the ruck leaving JVR as a permanent forward. Structurally I think he’s a better choice IF he’s good enough.

Are you seriously suggesting that one of his coaches said that?? If so he should be SACKED PRONTO!!

8 hours ago, Nietaphart said:

I’d rather Petty and TMac as swingman in the fwd and backline. Both have runs on the board whilst Jeffo and Johno are yet to fully dominate at VFL level . Neither are proven at VFL level to be given first shot in round one. 
 

I have high hopes for Jeffo and can see he is a natural fwd. Unless either of them can impact in pre season games, they will be playing for Casey round 1 imo. 
 

Im also hoping Petty rises to his high standards. Last year was right off for him recovering from his foot injury. TMac had a very good season in 2024 after a poor year in 2023 with the same injury. 

T.Mac has proven he can't play forward so for me it's not an option. He's unfortunate because he has had a great preseason but Petty gets in front of him at CHB every day of the week. 

Johnson is a mature recruit so he's ready round 1 doesn't matter that he was pick 68. Jefferson has to be above his game more than he has showed at VFL thus far. 1 or 2 goals a game won't cut it it will have to be 3 to 5 goals a game in the preseason. Johnson is tough as nails Jefferson isn't quite there yet he is still developing his strength. 

I don't see Johnson getting in front of Jefferson as a slap in Jefferson's face. Johnson is ready to play now while Jefferson is still developing. Jefferson will play senior football this year but I'm not counting on it being round 1.

7 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

I like Melksham way more than Johnson and Jefferson at this stage. 

Melksham can play in the same side with Johnson or Jefferson. Can't see Johnson and Jefferson in the same side.

8 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

I remember when we picked Luker Kentfield mid season and some wanted him put straight in. I see the same thing happening with Johnson. 
I wish the kid luck but he needs many more attributes than a chop out for Max. 

Kentfield was an 18 year old Johnson is 23 big difference. I can't remember anyone wanting Kentfield in he's way behind Johnson and Jefferson in getting a game.

11 hours ago, picket fence said:

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!

What's Campbell gonna do when Gawn is rucking? You have wasted a position. You also have Billings as an emergency he should be the last player picked SPUD! Billings is on the bench in my VFL side.

SENIOR SIDE

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

 

Casey

B: Hore, Adams, Bonner

HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield

C: Sparrow, Laurie, Woewodin

HF: Spargo, Fullerton, Sestan

F: McAdam, Jefferson, Kentfield

FOLL: Campbell, Hardie, Culley

IC: Brown, Billings, Mentha, Verrall, Yze

EMERG: D.Smith, Baldi, George

Edited December 31, 2024Dec 31 by WERRIDEE

27 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

What's Campbell gonna do when Gawn is rucking? You have wasted a position. You also have Billings as an emergency he should be the last player picked SPUD! Billings is on the bench in my VFL side.

SENIOR SIDE

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

 

Casey

B: Hore, Adams, Bonner

HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield

C: Sparrow, Laurie, Woewodin

HF: Spargo, Fullerton, Sestan

F: McAdam, Jefferson, Kentfield

FOLL: Campbell, Hardie, Culley

IC: Brown, Billings, Mentha, Verrall, Yze

EMERG: D.Smith, Baldi, George

I think we go 28 deep I rate the emergencies Howes and Moniz-Wakefield. Spargo and McAdam could be in our depth but are too injury prone to be included.

Campbell could be included as depth but I want to see how he goes first. I'm not sold on Hore and obviously Fullerton and Billings.

Adams, Laurie, Woewodin, Sestan, Kentfield, Brown, Mentha and Verrall are developing.

 

Edited December 31, 2024Dec 31 by WERRIDEE

I see we play Freo in a practice match march 2.

I'm gonna put in a team I'd like to see play in the practice match. I think they have 8 on the bench.

B: McDonald, May, McVee

HB: Moniz-Wakefield, Petty, Windsor

C: Sharp, Rivers, Bowey

HF: Petracca, Johnson, Pickett

F: Jefferson, van Rooyen, Turner

FOLL: Campbell, Oliver, Langford

IC: Howes, Viney, Hore, Tholstrup, Chandler, Laurie, Langdon, Sparrow

Everyone who's had a slight injury comes in the next week.

5 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

T.Mac has proven he can't play forward so for me it's not an option. He's unfortunate because he has had a great preseason but Petty gets in front of him at CHB every day of the week. 

Johnson is a mature recruit so he's ready round 1 doesn't matter that he was pick 68. Jefferson has to be above his game more than he has showed at VFL thus far. 1 or 2 goals a game won't cut it it will have to be 3 to 5 goals a game in the preseason. Johnson is tough as nails Jefferson isn't quite there yet he is still developing his strength. 

I don't see Johnson getting in front of Jefferson as a slap in Jefferson's face. Johnson is ready to play now while Jefferson is still developing. Jefferson will play senior football this year but I'm not counting on it being round 1.

Johnson averages under a goal a game, and does not get enough possessions (rarely gets into double figure stats for kicks) at VFL level to warrant a round one selection. 
 

I get the romanticism of a new playing coming to the club, and the need for a backup Ruck who has a physical presence up fwd, but he was overlooked by 17 other clubs for a reason. I’m hoping being in a professional sport’s environment will turn this around, but a round one selection is unlikely. Tom Campbell is more likely to fill this void than Johnson. 

Calling Billings a "spud" demonstrates ignorance. Enough to make your other team selections non-essential reading for me!

13 hours ago, rpfc said:

Jvr rucking then.

I like JVR in the ruck. He competes hard and is capable in the ruck contests. 

The answer to our forward line functioning is not more targets. It is more pressure, better entries and straight goalkicking. Having JVR in the ruck means we play another player (like Tholstrup or Sparrow) who provide pressure.

 

58 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

I like JVR in the ruck. He competes hard and is capable in the ruck contests. 

The answer to our forward line functioning is not more targets. It is more pressure, better entries and straight goalkicking. Having JVR in the ruck means we play another player (like Tholstrup or Sparrow) who provide pressure.

 

The problem with playing JVR in the ruck is :

1. While he is doing that, it deprives us of our primary forward target. We struggle to score as it is when he is there. 

2. It takes away a "big body" from the forward line, thereby making the defenders job easier. It makes the small forwards jobs harder because they don't have a player to "bring the ball to ground"

3.  He is more likely to suffer injury in the collisions in a rucking role, which isn't his forte.  He is a forward, not a ruck, no matter how good he is at it.

4. Once he finishes his job, he has to go to the bench for a rest, depriving us of him up forward for a further period.  

5. The kid was 20 last year.  How many other clubs are using a player of that age in the ruck?

Edited December 31, 2024Dec 31 by george_on_the_outer

13 hours ago, picket fence said:

Are you seriously suggesting that one of his coaches said that?? If so he should be SACKED PRONTO!!

Sacked for giving his honest opinion? 
I’m not sure that’s ideal. You and I aren’t going to agree on this. What we do agree on is we both want Jeffo to have a great season and help our forward line. Let’s leave it at that. Happy for you to say I told you so in 6 months time. 

It is abundantly clear given the selection discussions, that our depth is better than last year and that is certainly helpful for the coming season.

16 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

The problem with playing JVR in the ruck is :

1. While he is doing that, it deprives us of our primary forward target. We struggle to score as it is when he is there. 

2. It takes away a "big body" from the forward line, thereby making the defenders job easier. It makes the small forwards jobs harder because they don't have a player to "bring the ball to ground"

3.  He is more likely to suffer injury in the collisions in a rucking role, which isn't his forte.  He is a forward, not a ruck, no matter how good he is at it.

4. Once he finishes his job, he has to go to the bench for a rest, depriving us of him up forward for a further period.  

5. The kid was 20 last year.  How many other clubs are using a player of that age in the ruck?

Adding another key position player to the side takes away from our running power and pressure. This is more important because most goals come from turnovers and then finding a free player inside 50, not from big pack marks by key forwards.

JVR is a good player but I don't see him being at top 10 forward in the game. I think his best role is as a forward/ruck.

Max is going to ruck 80-85% of game time.

Fritsch is best used as our closest forward to goal. This makes it difficult to structure our forward line for the other key forwards, who need to be mobile.

Petracca also can be used close to goal as a target.

Jackson was 20 in 2021.

13 hours ago, picket fence said:

Are you seriously suggesting that one of his coaches said that?? If so he should be SACKED PRONTO!!

If the coach has got eyes he would have said it.  I assume he has eyes.

I'll be mildly shocked if Jefferson makes it at AFL level.  He simply doesn't have the physicality or contested ability required.  Naturally, I hope I'm wrong, because wasting pick 15 makes me want to puke.  

8 minutes ago, Gator said:

If the coach has got eyes he would have said it.  I assume he has eyes.

I'll be mildly shocked if Jefferson makes it at AFL level.  He simply doesn't have the physicality or contested ability required.  Naturally, I hope I'm wrong, because wasting pick 15 makes me want to puke.  

I still hold hopes for Jefferson.  I think he's now developing the body to compete and he's got footy smarts but as you say his competitiveness is questionable.

As for "wasting pick 15" it's interesting to look at the 2022 ND.  There are only two players that I'd want ahead of Jeffo at this stage.  Weddle would have been very good and Darcy Jones shows lots of promise but apart from that I can't really see one player that would have added value to our list.  And our needs were clearly KPF's so I'm happy with the pick and my stomach is quite settled.

7 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

I think we go 28 deep I rate the emergencies Howes and Moniz-Wakefield. Spargo and McAdam could be in our depth but are too injury prone to be included.

Campbell could be included as depth but I want to see how he goes first. I'm not sold on Hore and obviously Fullerton and Billings.

Adams, Laurie, Woewodin, Sestan, Kentfield, Brown, Mentha and Verrall are developing.

 

 Brown needs elevating to see how near he is to AFL standard and if he has the stamina for a full game at the highest level.