Just to let everyone know, the BASKET CASE that is Smithies VFL Commences about 3 weeks after the AFL commences.. This is shizzen for all AFL clubs. How on earth can players push a case for senior selection?? The sooner the AFL revert back to ressies footy the better for ALL AFL clubs! Who gives a fat rats clacker about Port Melb, Beachport, Werribee and the others, time to revert back!

Re: our opponents, it was great to see the AFL go hard with suspensions on the big names such as Thomas, McMullin, Fonti and Fahey, all household names that will miss our round 1 game. Whilst all these champions of the game didn't play in the semi final Vs Brisbane I'm sure it was due to injury as to why their services were missed.

Meanwhile the no name hacks like Toby Greene, Whitfield and Idun, who were as much complicit as anyone in the ill fated end of season party, escaped with a fine.

40 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Re: our opponents, it was great to see the AFL go hard with suspensions on the big names such as Thomas, McMullin, Fonti and Fahey, all household names that will miss our round 1 game. Whilst all these champions of the game didn't play in the semi final Vs Brisbane I'm sure it was due to injury as to why their services were missed.

Meanwhile the no name hacks like Toby Greene, Whitfield and Idun, who were as much complicit as anyone in the ill fated end of season party, escaped with a fine.

The suspensions were actually additional penalties imposed when the AFL HQ discovered those players already had a long record of dressing up as unimportant people, which the AFL finds offensive. 

This is also why the AFL issued a blanket three week suspension to the entire VFL.

So despite the fact that we have likes of Fullerton, Campbell, Johnson, and Verrall  as back-up ruckmen no one has confidence in them to do the job at this stage of their career?

Are we going to wait for a run of break out games at Casey by one of the aforementioned before selecting them, all the while impeding JvR’s development as a key forward?

IMO the FD needs to take a punt sooner rather than later (than round 2).

I don't see any way Lindsay plays round 1. Limited preseason after a knee injury last year and his first (half) of a preseason at that. Let the kid find his feet at Casey for a while, and yes I mean after round 3 when the VFL actually starts. 

Edited February 20Feb 20 by HBDee

 

30 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

💪💪💪

6 hours ago, HBDee said:

I don't see any way Lindsay plays round 1. Limited preseason after a knee injury last year and his first (half) of a preseason at that. Let the kid find his feet at Casey for a while, and yes I mean after round 3 when the VFL actually starts. 

Done every session post Christmas. Can see him playing and being limited to say 65% game time.
 

That said, Henderson’s addition means Sharp can move to the wing. We’ll see how the practice games go.

Probably a bit premature with a couple practice games still to come but I'll have a crack.

FB: Bowey May Petty

HB: Salem Lever Windsor 

C: Langdon Viney Billings

HF: Chandler Turner Sparrow

FF: Fritsch JvR Petracca

R: Gawn Oliver Rivers

I: Howes Langford Johnson Sharp

Sub: Laurie

E: Jefferson AMW Woewodin

Next in line: T-mac, Hore, Lindsay, Brown, Henderson, Campbell, Adams, Fullarton, Sestan, Verrall, Mentha

Sus: Pickett

Injured/underdone: Tholstrup, McVee, McAdam, Melksham, Spargo, Kentfield

 

Hoping Windsor gets up with his foot infection, has otherwise done the bulk of pre-season and should be good to go when healed.

Wanted to squeeze T-mac but couldn't find a spot for him.

Pickett, McVee, Tholstrup come into the 22 when able, Lindsay debut on the cards later in the year after a delayed start to pre-season.

Opted for Johnson over Jefferson largely to help ruck relieve and take the burden off JvR. Hoping Jefferson can crack the team early.

Henderson may surprise and take that pressure half forward/small fwd role to aid i50 pressure/retention.

 

6 hours ago, M_9 said:

So despite the fact that we have likes of Fullerton, Campbell, Johnson, and Verrall  as back-up ruckmen no one has confidence in them to do the job at this stage of their career?

Are we going to wait for a run of break out games at Casey by one of the aforementioned before selecting them, all the while impeding JvR’s development as a key forward?

IMO the FD needs to take a punt sooner rather than later (than round 2).

No confidence in Fullarton, Campbell or Verrall.

AJ has the practice games to earn his spot.

But I don’t believe the ruck hurts JVR. I’m more keen to play 3 talls to take the load off Max, but I’m ok to go with 2 for fast paced March footy. 

7 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

No confidence in Fullarton, Campbell or Verrall.

AJ has the practice games to earn his spot.

But I don’t believe the ruck hurts JVR. I’m more keen to play 3 talls to take the load off Max, but I’m ok to go with 2 for fast paced March footy. 

If we want yo take a punt on players far better yo do it with Jeffo than AJ Fullarton Verrall.

only possible reason for their preferred place is the Rick assistance quandary. But none of them has Jeffos last season half form  consistency and goal kicking base to elevate yo AFL. 
Jeffo should be punted with as he has a much more solid game than the others either way forward finishing skills top of the list. We need that dearly with Kossie and dare I say it Shane Mac out. 

Be daring and take a chance.  

18 hours ago, M_9 said:

So despite the fact that we have likes of Fullerton, Campbell, Johnson, and Verrall  as back-up ruckmen no one has confidence in them to do the job at this stage of their career?

Are we going to wait for a run of break out games at Casey by one of the aforementioned before selecting them, all the while impeding JvR’s development as a key forward?

IMO the FD needs to take a punt sooner rather than later (than round 2).

The team isn’t suited to 2 ruckman. I’d thought that was clear after the Grundy disaster 

i would hope the coaches have a much better idea than me of how to balance the demand of playing and resting enough that bodies are primed for the significant match ups. This also assumes that the whole squad can be used for injury cover as well.

it also assumes that opposition capabilities are known. Match ups can provide the rest for Max (insert any other player)and a game in the first 22 for Campbell (insert any player).

Im doing my best to look at opposition teams capabilities to get those match ups right but again Im sure others especially coaches have greater time and contacts to gather this information.

I am really confident that we have a great squad with great depth. WE need to both expose our developing players to the intensity of top level and rest players so that they are not over extended.

 

52 minutes ago, Oxdee said:

The team isn’t suited to 2 ruckman. I’d thought that was clear after the Grundy disaster 

It wasn't clear after the '21 Premiership. 

1 hour ago, Oxdee said:

The team isn’t suited to 2 ruckman. I’d thought that was clear after the Grundy disaster 

A number of other teams have a key forward playing in the ruck - Jackson, TDK, English etc - all have teammates with size when they're playing forward. Sean Darcy, Treacy, Curnow, McKay, Sam Darcy,Naughton are all big blokes.

JvR is the key forward we've been crying out for since Neita retired. He needs to gain experience playing as a forward, not rucking (and being knocked about by an opponent 10cm taller and 20kg heavier) or resting on the bench. We have 'big' forwards in Turner and maybe Jefferson, but JvR is our best big forward at present. 

He's never going to be a ruckman, and, heaven forbid, should Max get injured, JvR won't be playing forward. He'll be rucking and resting on the bench.

The team I want to see take us to September: 

B: Bowey May Lever

HB: Windsor Petty Lindsay

C: Sharp Viney Langdon

HF: Langford Turner Fritsch

F: Pickett JVR Johnson

R: Gawn Petracca Oliver

I: Rivers Sparrow TMac Spargo 

S: Melksham 

E: AMW Howes Jefferson Henderson

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

The team I want to see take us to September: 

B: Bowey May Lever

HB: Windsor Petty Lindsay

C: Sharp Viney Langdon

HF: Langford Turner Fritsch

F: Pickett JVR Johnson

R: Gawn Petracca Oliver

I: Rivers Sparrow TMac Spargo 

S: Melksham 

E: AMW Howes Jefferson Henderson

there is no way Tmac plays with that line up. 

Just now, BangBnagBang said:

there is no way Tmac plays with that line up. 

Possibly but plenty disagree

5 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Possibly but plenty disagree

The fwd line is already too tall with JVR Johnson Disco Fritch and Langford starting and your not playing 4 key backs. Do you have him in the wing rotations???

Tmac is key back depth and key back depth only. Will only play if May, Lever or Pets dont.

Edited February 21Feb 21 by BangBnagBang

1 minute ago, BangBnagBang said:

The fwd line is already too tall with JVR Johnson Disco Fritch and Langford starting and your not playing 4 key backs. Do you have him in the wing rotations???

Every time I do a team there’s multiple possible/better options that I haven’t even thought of. TMac in the bench is my defensive backup. 

3 hours ago, M_9 said:

A number of other teams have a key forward playing in the ruck - Jackson, TDK, English etc - all have teammates with size when they're playing forward. Sean Darcy, Treacy, Curnow, McKay, Sam Darcy,Naughton are all big blokes.

JvR is the key forward we've been crying out for since Neita retired. He needs to gain experience playing as a forward, not rucking (and being knocked about by an opponent 10cm taller and 20kg heavier) or resting on the bench. We have 'big' forwards in Turner and maybe Jefferson, but JvR is our best big forward at present. 

He's never going to be a ruckman, and, heaven forbid, should Max get injured, JvR won't be playing forward. He'll be rucking and resting on the bench.

Thats entirely a different discussion. Campbell or AJ would probably be our No 1 and no doubt another would be in the 23. Rooy would then be the FF or CHF for starting and swapping from one to the other position as form and the game demanded. Turner would be our second key player with Jeffo hopefully in demand. 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

Every time I do a team there’s multiple possible/better options that I haven’t even thought of. TMac in the bench is my defensive backup. 

back up for what. you dont carry a 4th tall keyback as a back up. how slow do you want to move the ball.

4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

The team I want to see take us to September: 

B: Bowey May Lever

HB: Windsor Petty Lindsay

C: Sharp Viney Langdon

HF: Langford Turner Fritsch

F: Pickett JVR Johnson

R: Gawn Petracca Oliver

I: Rivers Sparrow TMac Spargo 

S: Melksham 

E: AMW Howes Jefferson Henderson

A Salem denier

May ye burn for eternity

4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

The team I want to see take us to September: 

B: Bowey May Lever

HB: Windsor Petty Lindsay

C: Sharp Viney Langdon

HF: Langford Turner Fritsch

F: Pickett JVR Johnson

R: Gawn Petracca Oliver

I: Rivers Sparrow TMac Spargo 

S: Melksham 

E: AMW Howes Jefferson Henderson

no salem? no mcvee?!? insanity!

i'll take this 23 into the premiership...

B: McVee - May - Lever
HB: Windsor - Petty - Salem
C: Langdon - Rivers - Lindsay
HF: Fritsch - Turner - Petracca
F: van Rooyen - Jefferson - Pickett
Foll: Gawn - Oliver - Viney
I/c: Langford - Chandler - Howes - Sparrow
Sub: Melksham
Emerg: Spargo - Bowey - Campbell

4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

The team I want to see take us to September: 

B: Bowey May Lever

HB: Windsor Petty Lindsay

C: Sharp Viney Langdon

HF: Langford Turner Fritsch

F: Pickett JVR Johnson

R: Gawn Petracca Oliver

I: Rivers Sparrow TMac Spargo 

S: Melksham 

E: AMW Howes Jefferson Henderson

• Johnson, Lindsay, Langford complete unknowns at AFL level
• Sharp and Turner less than 20 games each at AFL level
• Spargo 2 games in the past 20 months

Let's just see how the next few months go. I see Kingy has already written us off