4 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

Poor Laurie getting 0 AFL games this year is crazy work. He’s been so so good all year for Casey.

He really deserves to get a chance somewhere else.

Possibly a condemnation of Simon Goodwin.

4 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

Possibly a condemnation of Simon Goodwin.

Even worse is/ was the treatment of Brown and Woey!

10 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

Possibly a condemnation of Simon Goodwin.

Maybe but can you direct me to a few of his AFL games where at least he held his own after coming on? I'd love to think I've missed a couple.

1 hour ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Thought Sesto was fab today.

He's an elite kick and used that asset to cut a swath through the gulls and help us move the ball effectively and efficiently off HB.

He also attacked a number of loose ball contests at ground level aggressively, knocking the ball forward and occasionally breaking up their chains with some good body work.

Surely he's worth persisting with. A possible replacement for Salo at some stage or an alternate look down back when we don't need a third tall or medium tall?

He played really well, his kick off the ground inside 50 was pure class.

The move to half back has done him well, there’s just a question of whether he can cover enough ground and break lines at the afl level.

He’s the kind of player that makes me really wish we still had Burgo, he’d get him sorted.

Poor Charles 😢

1 hour ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

2022 Grand Final says hullo! 😄 (though only Woewodin, Laurie and Baldi from today's side can draw on it...)

And, if Tommy provides what he did today, no probs!

(Your capital 'IF' noted!)

Baldi never played in that grand final. Woey, Laurie and Howes did though.

53 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

I imagine today wouldn’t be compulsory as anyone not eligible for Casey is technically in their off season period and that time is pretty well controlled by the AFLPA. They can’t be made to do anything club related in this time.

So anyone who did turn up did that obligation free which is really nice to see. Especially the older players who I’m sure are very keen for time off and to spend time with their neglected families.

I strongly disagree here. We're not even into September and it's 4 weeks to the GF. While the team might have known they were unlikely to even reach top 4 I bet they wanted to scrape into the 8, finally win a post-premiership final and forego the resultant extra 3 weeks of holidays in this scenario.

Here's Melbourne with the players on notice, team dynamics probably under scrutiny and a new coach with which theyve accumulated none of the brownie points as a buffer. The reserves help showcase the current game plan and give the senior players a chance to watch future players live, including what they do behind the play. Plus it helps form further team bonds and solidarity.

While some players would have valid excuses someone who missed today to play golf or watch Netflix might regret that if the new coach decides he doesn't him/them. If I were a player manager I would have told my charge to just go, sit beside his favourite teammates and maybe listen to music for 3 hours. That may prolong their career.

1 hour ago, Earl Hood said:

Our version of the Hawk version of Brad Guerra playing out of the back pocket with the bullet passes to a team mate running through the corridor?

Yes that sounds about right Earl

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Casey looked a little more balanced without Jeffo.

Not his fault but when TMac was playing down back and we had Jeffo Johnson Fullarton Kentfield and Verrall up forward we were top heavy.

Fullarton could save his spot in the next few weeks if he continues his form down back. At present I'd guess he's on the wrong side of the cusp but not overly much. Saw that he was rucking occasionally. An essential skill as we are well aware

Interesting that a KP defender did any ruck work at all, unless I guess his direct opponent did the same.

Any observations on Pup Brown or Verrell?

37 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

I strongly disagree here. We're not even into September and it's 4 weeks to the GF. While the team might have known they were unlikely to even reach top 4 I bet they wanted to scrape into the 8, finally win a post-premiership final and forego the resultant extra 3 weeks of holidays in this scenario.

Here's Melbourne with the players on notice, team dynamics probably under scrutiny and a new coach with which theyve accumulated none of the brownie points as a buffer. The reserves help showcase the current game plan and give the senior players a chance to watch future players live, including what they do behind the play. Plus it helps form further team bonds and solidarity.

While some players would have valid excuses someone who missed today to play golf or watch Netflix might regret that if the new coach decides he doesn't him/them. If I were a player manager I would have told my charge to just go, sit beside his favourite teammates and maybe listen to music for 3 hours. That may prolong their career.

Honestly, if our new coach is choosing who to retain based on whether they show up to watch the ressies final during the rholiday, then they have their selection criteria wrong.

I can't believe anyone is that much of a line ball decision that it would make a difference.

5 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

To whoever is squeal cheering near the camera, I will find you and I will rip your vocal cords out. Thanks.

3 hours ago, Dingo said:

Charlie Spargo cheer squad!

I kid you not Jaded, she wasn’t near a microphone. True story. She does this at every match and we’re all at the point of not even noticing it anymore. LOL when someone new sits with us for the first time and Charles gets the ball, she lets loose with the shrieking and they’re like WTF was THAT?! 😅

It’s indeed a SpargiPants cheer squad but it’s a one-person cheer squad.

1 hour ago, Go Ds said:

Maybe but can you direct me to a few of his AFL games where at least he held his own after coming on? I'd love to think I've missed a couple.

Always on Hff, never on ball

Thought Woey jnr showed enough to keep going on the list. I hope he’s a keep.

41 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

I strongly disagree here. We're not even into September and it's 4 weeks to the GF. While the team might have known they were unlikely to even reach top 4 I bet they wanted to scrape into the 8, finally win a post-premiership final and forego the resultant extra 3 weeks of holidays in this scenario.

Here's Melbourne with the players on notice, team dynamics probably under scrutiny and a new coach with which theyve accumulated none of the brownie points as a buffer. The reserves help showcase the current game plan and give the senior players a chance to watch future players live, including what they do behind the play. Plus it helps form further team bonds and solidarity.

While some players would have valid excuses someone who missed today to play golf or watch Netflix might regret that if the new coach decides he doesn't him/them. If I were a player manager I would have told my charge to just go, sit beside his favourite teammates and maybe listen to music for 3 hours. That may prolong their career.

I get the sentiment but that's just not how it works.

Under the CBA, the clubs are required to release their players by the Wednesday after their final match of the season (this became a big talking point this week with the Dogs having to get an exemption to hold their players back at the club until the GC v Essendon match, whilst Essendon also had to get the rules changed).

From Thursday onwards, the players are in their CBA-mandated, and tightly regulated, off-season. They're not required to do anything for the club, and the club can't require them to do anything.

Some will want to stay involved and go to things like the Casey games. Some will want to get away from football for as much time as possible. I don't really think we should be casting aspersions against anyone who decided not to go to the game today.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

He played really well, his kick off the ground inside 50 was pure class.

The move to half back has done him well, there’s just a question of whether he can cover enough ground and break lines at the afl level.

He’s the kind of player that makes me really wish we still had Burgo, he’d get him sorted.

If he can play like that after a fair lay off he may not be too far off regardless DS.

A good does of Burgo sure but isn't it partly on the player to push the envelope from his side too?

Edited Saturday at 12:081 day by Demon Dynasty

7 hours ago, Random Task said:

Wow, channel 7 really just missed the first 20 seconds of the game

I was next to the cameramen - they said the players had to tell the umpires to wait for the signal from them before bouncing the ball. Blame the umpires.

11 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Interesting that a KP defender did any ruck work at all, unless I guess his direct opponent did the same.

Any observations on Pup Brown or Verrell?

Fish was nowhere to be seen.

22 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Interesting that a KP defender did any ruck work at all, unless I guess his direct opponent did the same.

Any observations on Pup Brown or Verrell?

Verrall didn't play - late out. Brown was solid, 18 disposals and a goal.

4 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

As in Who's that bloke standing next to Ghosty?

Ghosty looked happy btw

I stood next to Ghosty for the last 3 minutes of the game, and offerred her a lift home, but she said she doesn't take lifts from track-watchers! I know she just wanted to be with Luker.....

5 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

So IF we win next week it's Southport with their man mountain ruck in a PF

… and it’ll be played on the Gold Coast, and not even at Carrara. Boooo!

34 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Under the CBA, the clubs are required to release their players by the Wednesday after their final match of the season.

This makes sense. The Box Hill game two weeks ago was one day after the seniors’ final game of the season and that’s why attending that match was compulsory. Attending today’s match was optional. As Jaded said, it’s nice to see so many of them choosing to attend. And not just attending, but coming out to the quarter and three-quarter time huddles, encouraging the boys. Then in the rooms afterwards.

5 hours ago, hardtack said:

Is viewing the VFL finals on the AFL app restricted to viewers in Victoria? All home and away games were viewable for me in NSW, but when I tried viewing today’s game I kept getting a message saying I can’t view from outside of Australia (maybe they have a shortage of error messages?).

I could still view it on the 7+ app on my TV, but the streaming picture quality was atrocious!!

I was getting the same error message & I’m in Melbourne. Last time I looked that was in Victoria. Maybe fake news & nobody has told me. Lucky it was on 7…

That was the most enjoyable game i've been to (aside from witnessing Spargo's agonising dislocation) since Moose's 150th at Trevor Barker oval back in mid 2023.

And before that the flag at Princes Park against South Port.

The more i think about my time attending Casey games the more i realise how much more i prefer my experience there vs AFL.

I actually no longer enjoy the whole game day nonsense at that level any longer. I truly feel the essence and purity of the great game is significantly lost at that level both on and off the field.

Edited Saturday at 13:151 day by Demon Dynasty

4 hours ago, DeeZone said:

It has been a great read today so many good moments during the game managed to tape it on 7Mate HD, might rewatch the 3rd quarter after dinner. But jeez they are looking very much like a formidable team, so sorry for Charles he looked in so much pain as he came off. Casey have a great forward line midfield and backline.😁👍

Didn't watch the game but by yours and others reports sounds like its worth a watch tomorrow arvo.

👍

56 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I get the sentiment but that's just not how it works.

Under the CBA, the clubs are required to release their players by the Wednesday after their final match of the season (this became a big talking point this week with the Dogs having to get an exemption to hold their players back at the club until the GC v Essendon match, whilst Essendon also had to get the rules changed).

From Thursday onwards, the players are in their CBA-mandated, and tightly regulated, off-season. They're not required to do anything for the club, and the club can't require them to do anything.

Some will want to stay involved and go to things like the Casey games. Some will want to get away from football for as much time as possible. I don't really think we should be casting aspersions against anyone who decided not to go to the game today.

I'm not sure I'd call it aspersions. It would just be highly recommended players go. The general public at times will do extra to bebetter at their job. Of course they can overdo it or their work doesn't reward them. But especially given hardly any of our players will ever earn comparable money after retiring it just makes sense to basically just turn up.