9 hours ago, RedFox said:

You have to wonder if Laurie will ever get another opportunity in the midfield rotation.

I hope not. He has shown every time he has played seniors he can't quite make the transition to the next stage. I would give Sestan a block of games to show what he's capable of first.

50 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Who’s the relief ruck? It can only be Turner. Petty, who on occasion still seems to have foot discomfort, surely wouldn’t be risked outside of the 50. The non selection of JVR or AJ feels like a mistake.

Could be Tmac, he's performed the role capably in the past. It may be Turner provides forward 50 ruck duties, Tmac provides the d50 ruck duties and max doesnt have to run as hard between the ends 🤷‍♂️

5 minutes ago, binman said:

Sure, but that logic didn't apply for fritter who came back into the seniors on the back of one, at best, average game at Casey - a game in which he didn't sem to address his issues with defensive intensity.

And that decision has a cascading effect - he comes in, kicks two goals and who knows perhaps gets somewhere close to the defensive kpis they no doubt gave him. So they don't want to drop him after one game back in (hopefully fritter repays the faith, has a blinder, gets back to his best and is once again a best 22 lock).

As fans we don't have all the information that feeds into selection. For that reason I don't get too worked up about them.

But that doesn't preclude me being perplexed about some decisions.

I don't mind melk's selection - most teams run with a defensive forward who have a focus on negating the opppo's best intercepting tall defender, and he'll likely go to McGovern who is a critical player for them. He is arguably the best kick in the team and provides important leadership in our forward half.

Bur the non selection of JVR, particularly given they dropped fullarton and didn't select a back up ruck, is flat our strange imo.

JVR has had two games now at Casey, the second of which was a cracking five goal game where he was hard at it and was back to leading up to ball carrier. And now Casey have a bye.

As a fan I'd love it goody is asked about the logic behind his non selection.

By the by, I'm tipping JVR will end up coming into the team - perhaps as someone has suggested in place of May.

If this were to happen binnie then I'd be questioning this move - atm we have May, TMac and Disco as the three key defenders and Petty, Fritsch and Melksham as three key forwards. Removing May from the equation leaves us IMO a bit short defensively and congests the forward line - unless we moved Petty back which I'd be loathed to do.

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Anyone care to guess which umpire will be officiating on Saturday night? I’ll give you a clue: his name is NATHAN WILLIAMSON, he wears #22 and he HATES MELBOURNE.

Agreed, it's disturbing. This will make 4 of the last 5 games we've had him as an umpire.

5 minutes ago, Yarra Valley Demon said:

I hope not. He has shown every time he has played seniors he can't quite make the transition to the next stage. I would give Sestan a block of games to show what he's capable of first.

I agree. I know it's slightly different because he's had a career at the Saints already, but it's a bit like Billings. He shows flashes and often gets talked up in preseason, but can't seem to play consistently at the level.

2 minutes ago, In Harmes Way said:

If this were to happen binnie then I'd be questioning this move - atm we have May, TMac and Disco as the three key defenders and Petty, Fritsch and Melksham as three key forwards. Removing May from the equation leaves us IMO a bit short defensively and congests the forward line - unless we moved Petty back which I'd be loathed to do.

Only having two key defenders (Turner and Tmac) as our key defenders would be no different to last week when they ran with only May and Tmac.

5 minutes ago, Yarra Valley Demon said:

Could be Tmac, he's performed the role capably in the past. It may be Turner provides forward 50 ruck duties, Tmac provides the d50 ruck duties and max doesnt have to run as hard between the ends 🤷‍♂️

Why would we take Tmac out of his role where he's pretty been rated one of the best defenders in the league? In fact he and Bowey have been our clear best defenders so far this year. No need to stifle that synergy.

He hasn't rucked for years and won't be anytime soon.

6 minutes ago, binman said:

Sure, but that logic didn't apply for fritter who came back into the seniors on the back of one, at best, average game at Casey - a game in which he didn't sem to address his issues with defensive intensity.

And that decision has a cascading effect - he comes in, kicks two goals and who knows perhaps gets somewhere close to the defensive kpis they no doubt gave him. So they don't want to drop him after one game back in (hopefully fritter repays the faith, has a blinder, gets back to his best and is once again a best 22 lock).

As fans we don't have all the information that feeds into selection. For that reason I don't get too worked up about them.

But that doesn't preclude me being perplexed about some decisions.

I don't mind melk's selection - most teams run with a defensive forward who have a focus on negating the opppo's best intercepting tall defender, and he'll likely go to McGovern who is a critical player for them. He is arguably the best kick in the team and provides important leadership in our forward half.

Bur the non selection of JVR, particularly given they dropped fullarton and didn't select a back up ruck, is flat our strange imo.

JVR has had two games now at Casey, the second of which was a cracking five goal game where he was hard at it and was back to leading up to ball carrier. And now Casey have a bye.

As a fan I'd love it goody is asked about the logic behind his non selection.

By the by, I'm tipping JVR will end up coming into the team - perhaps as someone has suggested in place of May.

I don’t think Fritta should’ve come back into the side last week. I agree that he should remain at Casey until he earns his spot in the seniors. But I don’t think Roo should be in the side, either. They both need a spell at Casey. Fritta was recalled by virtue of a “freak accident” which ruled Melks out (who the hell rips a gash in their leg with their own boot-stud?!?!).

BTW, and this isn’t directed at you, Fritta is just another player at our Club. My close friendship with his mum doesn’t cloud my judgement at all.

8 minutes ago, Yarra Valley Demon said:

Agreed, it's disturbing. This will make 4 of the last 5 games we've had him as an umpire.

Right??!! Dude must look at the fixture at the beginning of the season and clear his calendar for every date that we play. 😭

2 minutes ago, binman said:

Only having two key defenders (Turner and Tmac) as our key defenders would be no different to last week when they ran with only May and Tmac.

Whilst I don't have Disco and May at the "same same" level, and we looked shaky late in the game last week with May on the bench; I guess in some respects you pick the team against the opposition you're facing. Given the eagles only have Waterman and the young Archer Reid as their two key talls, I guess this stacks up as a strategy. Having JVR in as a second ruck option def has merit and good to reward his good form last week in the twos.

Just now, Ghostwriter said:

Right??!! Dude must look at the fixture at the beginning of the season and clear his calendar for every date that we play. 😭

Is the club concerned about him/bias

If so have we formally complained ?

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Anyone care to guess which umpire will be officiating on Saturday night? I’ll give you a clue: his name is NATHAN WILLIAMSON, he wears #22 and he HATES MELBOURNE.

Can you give me another clue?

2 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

Is the club concerned about him/bias

If so have we formally complained ?

Not that I know of. But complaining would be futile. I can’t imagine anything would be done about it.

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Anyone care to guess which umpire will be officiating on Saturday night? I’ll give you a clue: his name is NATHAN WILLIAMSON, he wears #22 and he HATES MELBOURNE.

I know some will say "they're all the same" but they 100% are not.

In my view the worst umpires in the comp (in this order) are 12, 22, 2 & 32.

All the 2's which is weird but makes it easy to remember.

Getting one of them is bad enough, but ANY game (not just ours) that has two or more of the 2's will be a poorly officiated [censored] show.

Eg Free kick Collingwood game vs Bulldogs had 2 & 22

50 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said:

Just thinking out loud (or at least on keyboard..)

I wonder if JVR non selection is actually about teaching and consolidation of ball movement for our mids and HF line.

With JVR a focal point we are in the habit of the long bomb and have no vision of lateral/other options. Making it very easy for the loose sweeper to dominate

We have been way better at this over the past couple of weeks while playing more small ball. When JVR comes back they should be in the habit of finding the best option instead of just heading his way.

keep the thinking noise down,thank you

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Anyone care to guess which umpire will be officiating on Saturday night? I’ll give you a clue: his name is NATHAN WILLIAMSON, he wears #22 and he HATES MELBOURNE.

Oh come on tell us who he is

12 minutes ago, In Harmes Way said:

Whilst I don't have Disco and May at the "same same" level, and we looked shaky late in the game last week with May on the bench; I guess in some respects you pick the team against the opposition you're facing. Given the eagles only have Waterman and the young Archer Reid as their two key talls, I guess this stacks up as a strategy. Having JVR in as a second ruck option def has merit and good to reward his good form last week in the twos.

They have Jack Williams as well who is 198cm.

I'm guessing we will start with May on Waterman, McDonald on Reid and Turner on Williams.

Petty will have to second ruck, unless we really change it up and chuck a Melksham in there which is unlikely.

2 minutes ago, ghost who walks said:

keep the thinking noise down,thank you

Are you trying to get some rest from all the unborn chicken voices in your head?

Apologies to Thom Yorke 🤭

14 minutes ago, ghost who walks said:

keep the thinking noise down,thank you

No

7 hours ago, Go Lordie said:

Cruel, DeeBlood, but fair.

Lol!! True..!!

Not here to win friends, but rather, Games!!!

15 hours ago, Bates Mate said:

Happy with the ins,

Jvr needs another couple good weeks against decent opposition.

Now with mcvee back it frees up rivers or Windsor to shift mid. Id get Caleb to the wing and Langford to play majority clarry minutes in the guts

Except that, thanks to to disgraceful VFL schedule, Casey have yet another bye.

I only just had a better look at their fixture and noticed that many weeks three teams have byes! Why in the world would they not at least make the best of a shocking situation, an odd number of teams, and only schedule one bye per weekend?

13 hours ago, Mouseymoo said:

Sharpe's going to be the sub, what's the point in having a small endurance runner with no damaging weapons as a sub? Feel like we're missing a good opportunity to give Sestan or Laurie another crack.

Maybe Melksham should be the sub, and replace Frittata if he doesn’t deliver.

47 minutes ago, deejammin' said:

With Turner coming in effectively for Oliver I think he definitely goes back, Rivers to replace Oliver’s midfield minutes and play predominantly in the guts this week.

Yes this make sense. Goodwin said he had Rivers back when Turner went down to add some height. Thing is Rivers found top form so probably didnt want to rush him into the midfield. He'll move in for Oliver. So Turner to half back taking their third tall, rivers to the middle, and Melksham and Fritter have to play as talls.

Just now, monoccular said:

Except that, thanks to to disgraceful VFL schedule, Casey have yet another bye.

I only just had a better look at their fixture and noticed that many weeks three teams have byes! Why in the world would they not at least make the best of a shocking situation, an odd number of teams, and only schedule one bye per weekend?

Maybe Melksham should be the sub, and replace Frittata if he doesn’t deliver.

Only takes for an early injury to any of our players to then throw that idea out of the window.

Happy with Turner back in. And Melk. I know these are also Damo's words on his stupid sliding doors garbage, but I think our forward setup is better, and more dynamic with him there. He's still finding his feet, and yeah maybe he could do with a few more minutes in the #2s, but he's such a good, creative, and defensive minded forward, that he'll click quickly.

As for not having backup for Maxy, I can only imagine they listened to Demonlanders here who bemoaned Maxy having a rest last week.

So now, NO REST FOR YOU, MAX! There you go, wish granted.

Finally, Claz. Geez the comments towards him from some in recent months have been poor. He's one of the greatest to wear our colours and while there is always space to make an argument for team selection, and who should be in/out. Those who insist on kicking him to the curb, offloading him to another team like he's some sort of refuse... I hope this is a reminder that he is a human being. Again, one of our greatest to play the game.

All the best to Claz, hope he's feeling better soon. Can't wait to see him out there again soon.

17 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Are you trying to get some rest from all the unborn chicken voices in your head?

Apologies to Thom Yorke 🤭

chirp chirp