8 hours ago, layzie said:

Felt on a bit of an island last week when I said his effort was good but he was still a ways off what we needed as a no.2. So what I say will be pretty consistent with last week.

He is not what we are looking for long term. How is Verall tracking?

I’m interested in the Casey track watchers thoughts on Verrall. Johnson tries hard but was only ok playing in a premiership team at Werribee last year. I’m surprised we drafted him. Fullarton doesn’t have the physical game and Jeffo can’t assist Max in the ruck.

Verrall is our long term ruck prospect. Can he play a role in the forward line?

I don’t believe Fullerton is up to AFL, reminds me of Schacke. Positioning is poor, not strong enough, and doesn’t get much of the ball. We can’t seem to find a FF that most teams have. Always seems to elude us.

2 hours ago, Nietaphart said:

I’m interested in the Casey track watchers thoughts on Verrall. Johnson tries hard but was only ok playing in a premiership team at Werribee last year. I’m surprised we drafted him. Fullarton doesn’t have the physical game and Jeffo can’t assist Max in the ruck.

Verrall is our long term ruck prospect. Can he play a role in the forward line?

from what i see of verrall he needs to put on 10kg of pure muscle then he can be in talks for selection the same goes for jeffo

Fullarton played ok last week but not up to scratch last night ... either JVR or AJ should come in but either player will need to work in with the other forwards and do the 2nd ruck duties

We lacked a tall presence up forward last night (Petty was reasonable without standing out) although what was pleasing was that we took 12 marks inside 50. We're finding targets at least

So JVR or AJ can make a difference (not will make a difference)

Edited April 25Apr 25 by Macca

All the craziest online demanding Goodwin being in the latest saviour Fullerton.

Sorry but he looked like a man at sea last night. Unhappy, no impact, weird positioning. Goodwin was of course correct.

Sorry Tom, not good enough for AFL, doesn’t even know how to get into position to mark ball, 2 woeful games in a row, Fullarton out JVR in

3 hours ago, Vineytime said:

I don’t understand why AJ is not in the team. Always creates a contest , has physical presence and is a good back up ruck.

Get him back in.

His skills let him down.

We saw last night how important ruck dominance is. Rest Max for 10-15 minutes at the end of the game and it was one-way traffic (the wrong way!). Campbell has the same sort of impact at Casey (anyone who watched the Casey game at Geelong would have seen how the game changed after half-time when Campbell went off). I get that Campbell is not the long term answer, but he is part of the solution for this year (and maybe next year) at least. Get him into the AFL team and take the pressure off Max. Particularly against teams that have competent second ruck options. Against teams that don't AJ would be my next bet.

14 hours ago, picket fence said:

Rather play an out of form JEFFO

No. Fullarton kicked bags in the seconds before he was considered for AFL team. You need to reward performances. Jeffo needs to find form. JVR before Jeffo.

Jeffo and Fullarton are the same. We've seen players like them before. No physicality as tall = you won't make it.

Ever tall we draft going forward needs to have physicality as a key trait.

At least they gave Fullerton a go. If he does stand a chance at making it longer term, he'll be better for the experience and knows what the level he needs to make looks like.

Was also very happy to rest Max for that last 10-15mins. At least Goodwin seems to be learning the wisdom of resting your aging stars when there is the opportunity to. That said, the percentage we lost in the last 10mins could hurt us if we're in the hunt at some stage. Really need someone who at least breaks even in the ruck. That said, at least one of those was pret much an own goal courtesy of Trent Rivers and there's also 17 other players that should pick up the slack when Max goes off. We really need to lift that part of our game. That also said - junk time is what it is as well to some extent.

Some guys get to AFL just on talent or height with potential. And some who have those attributes just don’t have the passion or desire. Meanwhile it pays better than an ordinary job. I think Tom fits somewhere in that category. Was worth a shot but others should be in front of him now. AJ might just have the passion to keep improving.

I'm putting a line through Fullerton and now await to see if Kentfield can become that player. For now it's AJ until JVR finds form. Turner back to defence and I reckon Petty stays forward for now. Good problems to have considering how well our young recruits of the last few years are travelling.

I really want him to work out. I have a lot of sympathy for his 'journey' and all that. We don't need him to be a star, just a role player. He showed some value last week.

But... at 200cm you should be able to take at least one mark in a whole game of football, even by accident.

Sometimes I worry that in the presence of a hero like Gawn, others in similar roles start to spectate rather than emulate. Most of what makes Gawn the greatest is a matter of choice, not magic.

Ironically after his ruck skills were defamed last year, Fullarton wasn't bad doing that. Unfortunately for him, he's nowhere near it as a forward.

4 hours ago, seventyfour said:

Jeffo and Fullarton are the same. We've seen players like them before. No physicality as tall = you won't make it.

Ever tall we draft going forward needs to have physicality as a key trait.

See also:

Weideman, S & Cook, L.

Sad to say but for mine he is in the Tom Gillies category.

I dont want to say he is one of the worse ruckmen I have seen, but sadly he is up there.

He competed ok in the ruck.

When Gawn went off, too many other players decided they also needed a rest.

Cream did move around and lead, which made space for the other forwards. Should have been used more but our kicking game is still a bit of a mess.

AJ competes hard but has been mauled in the last two games by Madden/Keefe (both 204cm) and Colina/Hayes (208/211cm – Close to 7 foot).

Unfortunately, probably the best thing for Verrall’s development was TC straining a hammy. Verrall has dominated in the last few games, especially when TC went down, getting quite a few hitouts to advantage. Forward craft looks okay. Needs to get more marks around the ground.

On a semi related note, you know, for all of his critics, suggesting he was soft, didn't try etc, I seem to recall one of the best games I saw Jack Watts play was a game he took over ruck duties, when Gawn was out before the game injured, then big Pencile Spencer got injured during the game and we were low on numbers on the bench (coincidentally might also have been against Richmond too) Jack absolutely gutted himself that game trying to play as an undersized ruckman and did a pretty decent job of it too. Would like to see that level of effort and desperation more often from our developing / frindge players.

Edited April 25Apr 25 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

22 hours ago, Nietaphart said:

I’m interested in the Casey track watchers thoughts on Verrall. Johnson tries hard but was only ok playing in a premiership team at Werribee last year. I’m surprised we drafted him. Fullarton doesn’t have the physical game and Jeffo can’t assist Max in the ruck.

Verrall is our long term ruck prospect. Can he play a role in the forward line?

Just going off of Casey, Verrall cant play in the forward line. He’ll make for a very serviceable ruckman in between the max finishing up and (assuming we get him) kalani development years. He kinda reminds me of Riley O’brian.

32 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

On a semi related note, you know, for all of his critics, suggesting he was soft, didn't try etc, I seem to recall one of the best games I saw Jack Watts play was a game he took over ruck duties, when Gawn was out before the game injured, then big Pencile Spencer got injured during the game and we were low on numbers on the bench (coincidentally might also have been against Richmond too) Jack absolutely gutted himself that game trying to play as an undersized ruckman and did a pretty decent job of it too. Would like to see that level of effort and desperation more often from our developing / frindge players.

The difference is that Jack Watts could play... Fullarton cannot! if he plays another game for us again I will be very surprised!

Edited April 25Apr 25 by picket fence

57 minutes ago, LePig said:

Just going off of Casey, Verrall cant play in the forward line. He’ll make for a very serviceable ruckman in between the max finishing up and (assuming we get him) kalani development years. He kinda reminds me of Riley O’brian.

I agree. His ruck work has improved a lot this year - probably due to Jamar's coaching. I was impressed with him in his first practice game in season one and thought we were onto something. Now, not so much. I would be very happy if he reached O'Brien's level. He has no real standout features which you need with an undersized ruckman, other than his follow-up after the ruck contest. If he was fast, agile, had great endurance and/or took a great grab I'd be happy, but he's average or below in all those areas. Has improved a lot this year though and is still a kid.

I think Tom still plays like a basketballer & hasn't been able to transition his athletic traits to football.

You can get away with it at VFL level but get found out in the AFL.

When he jumps at the ball it's not with intent, he seems open (for want of a better word) & he's too easily pushed aside or blocked.

He does some smart things around the ball, little tap ons & the like that come from his previous sport.

...but as a package he's obviously not the answer.

Wonder what LJ's doing.

On 24/04/2025 at 23:16, picket fence said:

Um we did with fullo, riddle me this Dazz..selected round 1 kicked 2 in a losing side, broke his hand and has struggled since, WHERE do you see him??

Gone as soon as contract expires. As DD says no intensidy. You have it or don't, it cannot be taught. Kentland has it in spades. You need skill as well but without it you won't make a Senior level player especially if you are a KPF.