3 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

Assuming that Petty is not available, here is my team for this week:

McVee, TMac, Lever

Bowie, Turner, Rivers

Lindsay, Oliver, Langford

Petracca, JVR, Chandler

Jeffo, May, Melksham

Gawn, Viney, Pickett

Bench: Langdon, Windsor, Howes, Laurie, Sparrow.

Out: Fritsch, Salem, Tholstrup, Sharp

Time for May to convert to that big, bustling, leading forward we all know he wants to be, who will crash packs and leaves a path of destruction for all that get in his way. Also gives Jeffo the 3rd tall role, that he needs, and a bit of confidence that someone else will be doing all the heavy work.

Fritsch and Salem out. Both not playing the team role they should be.

Kolt and Sharp out because they are not good enough yet.

I’d almost be inclined to have Verrall as the back up ruckman, as Xeri is always body sapping for Gawn, and he needs a good break - without taking JVR away from his KPF role. Perhaps Verrall for Sparrow or Laurie?

Wow. A fresh look. New roles. North scrambling a little in the coaches box. Players and supporters excited at something different. Wont happen.

21 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Good point. Larkey got a hold of Petty in round 2. And May kept Larkey goaless last year.

It's the small-medium forwards like your Rankines, Zurharrs, Jye Menzies and Dan Butlers of the world that have destroyed us this year, rather than the key forwards (aside from Ben King and Georgiadis).

Yes really miss AMW as a small aggressive defender to take those types

Petty for Jefferson

A lot of love for Jeffo - looked like a boy against men to me, again! Not as good as the Weid!

If ever Campbell was going to play this is the game. Absolutely ragdolled Xerri in the preseason game when Gawn was recovering from the throat injury.

Weather looks shocking. Raining and windy. If anything I'd be looking to remove Jefferson for a smaller player.

6 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

Weather looks shocking. Raining and windy. If anything I'd be looking to remove Jefferson for a smaller player.

spargo if fit should come in - need the #9 out there with the passing of brian dixon

petty isn't right, so he won't be in

howes might be a chance

Could be the All Australian ruck battle with Gawn still ahead in most peoples eyes. Will be interesting what the selectors think if Xerri has a good game on him again like he did earlier this year.

I don't see the point in dropping Tholstrup or Jeffo now. If they're confidence isn't shot (although I fear for Jeffo it may be) we just need to keep playing them and hope they they have some form of break out game - or even a half.

AFL-listed players under-performing all season: Oliver, Petracca, Fritsch.

AFL-listed players past their prime: May, Lever, McDonald, Salem, Viney.

Younger players struggling at AFL level: Van Rooyen, Windsor, Jefferson, Tholstrup, Sharp.

Casey players knocking hard on the selection door: None.

In a nutshell, that's why defeat this week, coupled with a St Kilda win, would drop us into the bottom three.

The Bombers must be looking forward to this year's draft.

Larkey missed training with knee complaint, fair chance he misses the game.

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

spargo if fit should come in - need the #9 out there with the passing of brian dixon

petty isn't right, so he won't be in

howes might be a chance

nup, overated commodity!

1 hour ago, Swooper1987 said:

If ever Campbell was going to play this is the game. Absolutely ragdolled Xerri in the preseason game when Gawn was recovering from the throat injury.

on the money there

I’d expect Windsor for Sharp, and maybe Campbell for Jefferson.

Would still love to see us pull the trigger on dropping Salem. Might happen if we lose this one.

It’s got to the point where I don’t even look forward to the footy now. It’s meant to be enjoyable and I am really struggling to find any enjoyment.

Edited July 10, 2025Jul 10 by DemonOX

Fritsch continuing to be selected is a DISGRACE,!! Burns other players, is extremely selfish, and a very lazy footballer!

Edited July 10, 2025Jul 10 by picket fence

18 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I’d expect Windsor for Sharp, and maybe Campbell for Jefferson.

Would still love to see us pull the trigger on dropping Salem. Might happen if we lose this one.

Salem was solid last week. 23 touches at 91%. set us up pretty well despite a couple of errors

Henderson is one from left field

Laurie’s papers have been stamped it seems. I wonder if any club will take a punt on him as a rookie maybe

2 hours ago, Swooper1987 said:

If ever Campbell was going to play this is the game. Absolutely ragdolled Xerri in the preseason game when Gawn was recovering from the throat injury.

Be interesting changing the rucks at full forward as Dons did a bit last year. Big gulf between top 8 and bottom 8 - over last 5 rounds top 8 30 wins and 10 losses. Bottom 8 the exact opposite.

19 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Salem was solid last week. 23 touches at 91%. set us up pretty well despite a couple of errors

Salem is now something of an enigma. To me he doesn't actually do a lot wrong... but somehow the pizazz he once had has faded. He used to be very good at setting up that 'next' movement. Now .. I'm not really sure , they don't seem to impact as much. 🤷‍♂️

Edited July 10, 2025Jul 10 by beelzebub

9 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Great odds for line bets ;)

Salem is now something of an enigma. To me he doesn't actually do a lot wrong... but somehow the pizazz he once had has faded. He used to be very good at setting up that 'next' movement. Now .. I'm not really sure , they don't seem to impact as much. 🤷‍♂️

Yeah even when he gets it a bit doesn't provide any run, McVee is even worse

Metres gained per possession last game.

McVee 8

Salem 11

Lever 15

Turner 17

May 17

Bowey 20

Windsor is interesting. He was dropped, went to Casey to play midfield.

Playing at HB wasn't working, I hope he comes back to the 1s in a new role.

Edited July 10, 2025Jul 10 by MrFreeze

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

nup, overated commodity!

I would add "grossly" pf.

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Salem was solid last week. 23 touches at 91%. set us up pretty well despite a couple of errors

As has already been commented, those 23 disposals only gave us 266 metres gained. 11th most for us. He should be higher than that given the position he plays.

IMO he’s getting cheap and easy kicks and dishing off cheap and easy kicks. We need our half backs to drive us forward, and I don’t think he’s doing that.

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Salem was solid last week. 23 touches at 91%. set us up pretty well despite a couple of errors

a lot of people have Salo in their crosshairs on here.

Obviously last month haven't been able to really study him in detail, so will keep an eye on him in particular this week.

1 hour ago, DemonOX said:

It’s meant to be enjoyable and I am really struggling to find any enjoyment.

not really. following sports teams involves much more disappointment than enjoyment. its just the nature of it.