11 hours ago, Greg Schneider said:

That’s not true. He played wing in his first year and almost broke into the seniors in 2022 but went down with a bad foot injury that finished his year. At the end of that year we recruited Lachie Hunter, Howes then spent the summer at half back because there was no spot on a wing for him anymore, and that’s where he’s been ever since, barely been given a shot on the wing

Your memory is probably better than mine, but that's not how I remember it. Which was that it was only when he was moved down back at Casey that he started to put it together.

Even from when he was drafted he was seen as a defender. Jason Taylor at the time:

"He has played behind the ball as a half-back and you speak to his coaches and the people who have been involved with him and they think that is potentially his best position. Having watched him live on the wing on occasions this year, I felt his last two games there he really started to get going. I'd like to think we'd put him on the wing and in the midfield and see him develop there initially." 

22 hours ago, Brenno said:

Hard to say mate as I haven't seen Trelly yet, but from all reports he is looking solid for R1 debut. I think Mentha is still long odds to make it personally but track watchers and a few of the clubs highlight reels show he has improved. Personally, I find the concept of Pickett x 2 and Tom Matthews super exciting!

Unfortunately not mate, just ran today. decent pace though so hopefully not far off.

From todays players that were actually available I think we will line up something like this:

But I also assume a bunch of the "light rehab" blokes should be back before round 1 and makes us a bit stronger on paper.

I would love to see a 23 like this at some point in the season:

Played most of the match sim I believe. Hard to tell in the last qrt as the play was mostly up the far end of the ground. I would be shocked if he isnt playing round 1

What makes you include Matthews in your best side, off such a small sample space? He impress in the sim?

1 hour ago, adonski said:

What makes you include Matthews in your best side, off such a small sample space? He impress in the sim?

Human cannonball skies the limit.

Edited Saturday at 10:523 days by Tarax Club
Nuggety edit

14 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

Human cannonball skies the limit.

Just now, adonski said:

There's a safety net?

On 06/02/2026 at 17:36, GS_1905 said:

For mine, Windsor looks to have really really found something. His break away from the stoppage is just something to marvel at and with Kozzy and CJ to work with, we are going to have some electric ball movement from back-half.
We are clearly going to be out-muscled on the inside game. With no JV and a young Langford, we will not be able to match it with some of the clubs that have some serious power.

This gives some hope that we will be able to bounce back in time and are building a very capable list.

Yes its looking like we are developing more of the outside run, and more skill by foot. Remember though we do have Steele, Rivers, Langford, Culley who are bigger bodies while we wait for Viney to get fit.

Down the track its easier to buy in an inside bullocking type than a classy outside runner. We have to back ourselves to develop Latrelle, Windsor, CJ, Taylor who can turn on the jets and break open the play.

20 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

Yes its looking like we are developing more of the outside run, and more skill by foot. Remember though we do have Steele, Rivers, Langford, Culley who are bigger bodies while we wait for Viney to get fit.

Down the track its easier to buy in an inside bullocking type than a classy outside runner. We have to back ourselves to develop Latrelle, Windsor, CJ, Taylor who can turn on the jets and break open the play.

Viney will struggle with this game plan unless they find him a different role.

16 hours ago, demon3165 said:

Viney will struggle with this game plan unless they find him a different role.

I think sparrow will too although he has improved on his speed. I had viney barely in our best 23 with the addition of steele. We need his leadership though. Hopefully he bounces back

Just watched match sim highlights,

jeez sparrow has slimmed down and is looking very quick please ignore earlier post

18 hours ago, Bay Riffin said:

Yes its looking like we are developing more of the outside run, and more skill by foot. Remember though we do have Steele, Rivers, Langford, Culley who are bigger bodies while we wait for Viney to get fit.

Down the track its easier to buy in an inside bullocking type than a classy outside runner. We have to back ourselves to develop Latrelle, Windsor, CJ, Taylor who can turn on the jets and break open the play.

I forgot about Sparrow. I dont think Rivers can make it as an inside midfielder. Culley and Steele are servicable, but are they the extractor bulls you do still need for centre clearance work? I dont know if the CC's are still are major focus in the modern game, but time will tell.

I dont think Langford will become an inside beast - i dont want him too - i think he has great balance / poise in a similar vein to the Bont.

I had a listen to David King this morning on SEN and he went to Casey last Friday to see us live for the first time this pre season.

I know people on here ridicule him but it's still worthwhile to listen to a neutral who's casting a fresh set of eyes on the club.

He raved on about Windsor. He and Cornes are expecting big things from him this year.

The other player he loved was Jefferson. I found this to be an eye raising comment/observation.

He also gave JVR and Heath some positive feedback.

King said we look completely different from an offensive point of view and the shackles have been taken off.

I hope we can take a few clubs by surprise in the first 6-8 weeks if indeed we play an unrecognisable brand of footy.

On another matter, I've recently watched the first 15 games of 2025 in those 20 minute mini packages. If I had a dollar for every time the commentators would say "Melbourne are up in contest and clearance but haven't capitalised on the scoreboard."

On 06/02/2026 at 17:32, Slartibartfast said:

Thanks @Gator Did Salo play and did you get inside the ground?

If you haven’t seen Trelly yet think Bobby Hill more than Kossie. Always moving and great follow up around the ground.

Also any observation on Kolt?

I hope hes a bit more consistent that Hill. Plays one Q and doesn't touch it for 3 does Bobby. He use to anyway.

On 07/02/2026 at 01:14, MurDoc516 said:

Rivers, Windsor and Langford looking sharp in the guts.

I like it. Windsor = More Outside than inside

Langfrod = more Inside than outside

Rivers = Inside and Outside

On 09/02/2026 at 04:07, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I hope we can take a few clubs by surprise in the first 6-8 weeks if indeed we play an unrecognisable brand of footy.

Every club is looking at doing what we are, hardly going to surprise anyone. Here's Dean Cox recently:

"We want to play with a bit more speed on the ball and I think we've trained really hard this off-season with really high intensity running."

1 hour ago, bing181 said:

Every club is looking at doing what we are, hardly going to surprise anyone. Here's Dean Cox recently:

"We want to play with a bit more speed on the ball and I think we've trained really hard this off-season with really high intensity running."

Jesus @bing181 is it actually impossible for you to see someone say something optimistic about the upcoming season and just leave it alone?

7 hours ago, BangBnagBang said:

I hope hes a bit more consistent that Hill. Plays one Q and doesn't touch it for 3 does Bobby

Comes with the position he plays...

On 06/02/2026 at 16:47, Adam The God said:

I haven't seen any of pre season, but those who have, do we have more bounce than just Caleb up our sleeves?

Don't get me wrong by the way, love Caleb, but he can only do so much.

Kossie?

On 09/02/2026 at 11:43, GS_1905 said:

I forgot about Sparrow. I dont think Rivers can make it as an inside midfielder. Culley and Steele are servicable, but are they the extractor bulls you do still need for centre clearance work? I dont know if the CC's are still are major focus in the modern game, but time will tell.

I dont think Langford will become an inside beast - i dont want him too - i think he has great balance / poise in a similar vein to the Bont.

Is Faicos a contested ball beast, then after him, who else???

On 09/02/2026 at 14:07, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I had a listen to David King this morning on SEN and he went to Casey last Friday to see us live for the first time this pre season.

I know people on here ridicule him but it's still worthwhile to listen to a neutral who's casting a fresh set of eyes on the club.

He raved on about Windsor. He and Cornes are expecting big things from him this year.

The other player he loved was Jefferson. I found this to be an eye raising comment/observation.

He also gave JVR and Heath some positive feedback.

King said we look completely different from an offensive point of view and the shackles have been taken off.

I hope we can take a few clubs by surprise in the first 6-8 weeks if indeed we play an unrecognisable brand of footy.

On another matter, I've recently watched the first 15 games of 2025 in those 20 minute mini packages. If I had a dollar for every time the commentators would say "Melbourne are up in contest and clearance but haven't capitalised on the scoreboard."

Astute comments from King, O,K I'll say this

1 if Jeffo remains injury free he will set up play and kick goals

2 Latrelle P will be an outstanding recruit

3 Langford will take another step to near A Grade

4 Max Heath will form an excellent foil for Max

5 Windsor will Shine

6 Sparrow will show huge improvement

7 Taylor will provide great drive from a HBF

That'll do for a start!

12 hours ago, rjay said:

Comes with the position he plays...

correct but Hill goes missing big time, and when I say missing has zero touches for multiple quarters/halfs consistently. Even his GF game when he won the Norm Smith. Did he do anything apart from a 10 min burst in the second Q. Anyway enough of Hill. sorry to sidetrack