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Greetings All, I called in to training briefly and noted (in term of this weeks game), Sunday's Casey players all trained together except for the following: [Pedersen] and Bail, who both trained with the forward group. Michie trained with the Casey bunch so I would expect the Frost replacement to be one of those two or an outside chance Gawn. Interestingly, Dawes joined the rucks training for a while but not Pedo and Van Demon was with the mids. That's about all I can tell you. Hogan was practising his goal kicking without the stutter. Everyone looked pretty sharp and switched on. White has a very nice kick (first time I've seen it I think). I'm sure others will add their bits and pieces.

WTF does Michie need to do? Rated BOG in the 5 Casey games, Rated top 4 against Dockers. He is played as defensive mid and isn't allowed inside the forward 50 so isn't going to get goals but the one time Casey let him play offensive he kicked 3. Goes at 90+ efficiency and get a truckload which means every possession is worth 2. As for more defensive pressure Viv had 9 tackles plus nearly 30 disposals on the weekend. Check the Dockers stats 7 tackles as I recall. What more can they want from him?

On who comes in, no idea, as noted Bail and Pedersen did a very short drill at the end with the forwards from last game, but as I noted Jayden Hunt did the same with the backs, me I would prefer Michie in with Dawes/Watts/Dunn/Hogan pinch hitting in the ruck, it is only Ben Griffiths, not exactly a mature back up ruckman If Richmond did not have someone watching I would be very surprised, I made a joke that both clubs had people next to each other with binoculars on Richmond station platform, just facing different directions On the injury front, we have finally fixed Jayden Hunt, a week or two away from actually playing a game, and ANB pulled up really well after his first hit out

Agreed. Far too often you read comments on here that have obviously been influenced by the commentary of the game. It is not uncommon to read verbatim quotes being passed off as one's original thoughts. I felt exactly the same as you, he knew there was no chance he was going to be able to get into a position to grab the mark against two opponents who had front position, so he used his best asset, which is his brain, and made the decision to do what he did.. and it worked. 90% of the ppl bashing him would never even noticed had anti-MFC biased blockhead idiot Ricuitto not made a snide, inaccurate comment afterwards. He did the same thing when Watts dropped that mark, yes it cost as a goal, but MR then when on to directly blame Watts for the goal that came after that, despite it having absolutely nothing to do with him. That was obviously absorbed by demonland's finest too. I can't believe Watts was named in the AFL team of the week round 1, he was genuinely 2nd BOG after TMac, yet it apparently earned him precisely zero credits on this board. Most unfairly bashed player in the comp IMO

Paul Roos after the game this Friday: "Richmond played well to their credit, they are a good side who have played finals the past two years. We were unable to apply pressure and execute the basic skills we have been working on for a while now. But I think the main reason we lost is because some peanuts on a fan forum said we would smash Richmond and called them soft. We had no chance as soon as I read that."

It wasn't weak at all. He realised he was up against two players and would be better placed using their momentum against them and bringing the ball to ground. Don't believe everything you hear on Fox Footy telecasts and make up your own bloody mind. Seriously, the ridiculous Watts bashing makes me pretty disgusted to be a melbourne supporter. So he's not the hardest player going around, so what. He's doing his best and he is improving year on year. Almost every time we win the inside 50s, Watts plays well. Why? Because he gets OPPORTUNITIES to play well. It's pretty hard imposing yourself on a game as a forward when the ball's in the back pocket the whole time, which, let's be honest, it has been a lot during his time at the club. Loved Wayne Carey backing him up in the media this week. Yes we all know he has faults, so does every other player on our list. They don't get theirs highlighted in the paper every second week though, otherwise they probably would have retired.

Can we not turn the training thread into the usual whinge fest please Jayden Hunt trained with the backs when they split up, and I can't see him getting a gig on Friday, Pedersen and Bail could have been for the benefit of any Richmond watchers, give them something to think about Dawes went nowhere near the ruck training, I was taking photographs of it, Max King slipped as he jumped in one drill and nearly killed Greg Stafford (pic will be on Twitter) Had a laugh with Viv Michie, told him to bang on the door harder Bernie Vince enjoyed all the talk about his tagging job, looking forward to this week Nathan Jones was very vocal at training today, in one drill told anyone without earshot "you have to [censored] tell him" The drills were the usual ball movement with more or less defenders Jesse Hogan spent 20 minutes at the end with McPherson goalkicking Roos got the group together at one point and did a lot of pointing and talking, then handed over to McCartney who did the same, then back to Roos, good to see Any questiions feell free, pics oo Demonpk Twitter soon

Absolutely agree. Relevantly, it seems Paul Roos and the football committee do as well. The tedious Watts' bashing here is the thing that's soft. And mindlessly predictable.

The title of this thread and posters describing the tiger's crumbling under pressure and being a soft side is very bad karma. I love posters positivity but not having a crack at the tigers lack of intestinal fortitude. This coming from Demon fans is a bit rich. We have had one game where we gave played tough uncompromising footy. Tiger fans have more reason to be happy than we do. Based on wins and form they have more reason to be optimistic about this season. I suspect many Tiger fans will expect their team to smash us. Lets just get across the line for a win. Anything less will be a major disappointment.

A quiet night with only 4 volunteers Monday Tx to Pete, Pete, Geoff n Geoff but a good return of 12 sales. Tuesday with 11 volunteers & 20 renewals Tx to Julian, Pete, Graham, Rosalyn, Lorraine, Matt**, John, Daniel, Geoff and Geoff. Matt** was a first nighter & signed up 3 renewals & rang a mate successfully. The equivalent of kicking 4 goals in u first game!! We are into the group that were past members, but not in 2014, so the numbers drop, but the renewal has more value to the club. We go again next Mon/Tuesday – new comers welcome. About 3 weeks to completion. Geoff

It's "comfortable satisfaction", not "beyond reasonable suspicion" (whatever that is). ASADA don't need WADA to do anything that they didn't do. All that ASADA need is for CAS to correctly apply the law regarding standards of proof. As people continue to point out, the burden of proof that the Tribunal applied is so high, that you could effectively never get a successful prosecution in a non-presence ADRV case.

I'm another who agrees. For context Watts had 3 tackles against the crows (all good strong tackles by the way). That's more than 8 other players including McDonald, Howe, Kent and Hogan (who had 0 tackles).

If it's dry Bail will give away 3 silly free kicks, if it's wet Bail will give away 7 silly free kicks.

Surely Bail won't get a game over Mitchie...

Actually I think you were probably the best Bobby. I would be happy to see you on the flank today or tunna or barrie, but you might have to cut out the smokes, post training beers, hamburgers and do some extra laps of the oval in order to play as a defensive forward and to learn to run both ways. And you would have to learn all about structures and playing your role. And just as importantly learn the new football lingo so you can follow the coaches instructions and those team mates directing traffic. However, I reckon you would tell them all to get stuffed and just go out and carve them up in your own laconic way.

He also massacres the bail and can't kick set shot goals. Mitchie at least is young enough to get better. Bail has had his chance, I'd like to see another player get a go. And going by VFL form, viv is in better form.

Was told today that Brayshaw will play a full game on friday night.

You're right. But in another 13 years I'll be telling people he had 45 and 8.

As a Melbourne fan in his mid 40s with more than a few Carlton supporting friends the Blues descent into mediocrity has been quite enjoyable. If I ever bump into S Kernahan I'd surely buy him a beer to thank him for his 20 years of mediocre service on the Carlton Board.. Reminded one recently that when we met in year 7 in 1983 it was 19 years since the Dees last flag and but a year since the Blues had finished snaffling 3 out of the last 4 flags..and now its 20 years since the Blues last flag. Murphy might have been an All Australian is 2011 but he is a B Grader at best n 2015. Contracted to the Blues until the end of 2018 on big dollars and turns 28 in July. Small, courageous on occasion but not particularly physical and not particularly damaging with his disposal. I'd take N Jones, Tyson, Viney, Braysahw & vandeBerg ahead of him in a heartbeat.

Well based on the weather forecast In - Michie Out - Frost (inj) Dawes can back up ruck, he doesn't call the shots on where he plays.

There's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before I'd be declaring these guys the nucleus of anything. Only one of them has even played yet, and law of averages suggest at least one of them won't make the grade at all. MFC fans of all should be well aware of the dangers of counting chickens before they've hatched when it comes to young players, no matter how sure a thing it seems at the time.

But we can't recruit him until October and by Round 1 next year he'll be three months shy of 29. For me that's too old to be parting with a an early first round pick, which is what Carlton will demand.

I am very upbeat about this season after the first 3 rounds. I think that the game Vince played last week is a very important event in the development of this team. It has set a standard of commitment that others on the team must aspire to. On Friday night I would like to see a couple of others step up and show the same hardness. In the next few weeks I believe we will see some real development in the team structures will to win each contest.

He certainly had "Buckley's and none" in taking the mark. But I disagree that there was genius involved in the choreography. His first instinct was to protect himself. What followed was a fortuitous script.

As I have written here before, there was a WADA global conference in South Africa in December 2014, when John Fehey was still President, which considered drug taking in team sports in detail. It was scheduled to last half a day, but was taken up almost entirely by considering Essendon and Cronulla, mostly Essendon. The consensus of the conference at the time that the issue is incredibly important, and given Australia's power and importance in world sport, if anyone can solve it we can. The result of that though is that the world IS watching the outcomes. We cannot hide behind our perceived backwater status in this. Interesting it is only some of us who consider us a backwater. The rest of the world certainly doesn't when it comes to sport, particularly in governance issues.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/no1-draft-pick-paddy-mccartin-didnt-set-the-world-on-fire-in-his-debut-but-hes-not-alone/story-fnp04d70-1227315566514 The little paper has a comparison of No 1 draft picks and their performance on debut. Nothing world shattering but it interesting that very few in the past few years have really come along. Nor have they copped the scrutiny of you-know-who.... Guys like Swallow, Kruezer, $cully, Patton and Boyd have done SFA really. Whitfield looks like a player but hasn't done much yet...

It does not surprise me at all that ASADA are not appealing. In fact I have been predicting this for over a year now. Why should ASADA spend their very scarce resources appealing to a local sports tribunal when they have been all along biased and highly influenced by the local sports culture, dominated by vested interest publicity machines with unlimited fundsI think it is a really smart move for McDevitt to hand the whole issue over to WADA in Switzerland where he knows he will get an objective hearing. He also knows that WADA tribunals are dominated by Olympic sports officials who take a much tougher line on drugs in sport than commercial team based sports like the AFL. In fact the Chairman of the CAS tribunal is none other than John Coates, the President of the AOC, and Director of the IOC, and he is on record as being appalled at the leniency under which Australian professional team sports have been administered wrt drugs. The Essendon case being the worst of the worst, you would expect them to come down on them like a ton of bricks.

Note the 'Casey' guys are all upbeat, interesting what two good wins do for morale, they are already looking at knocking over Footscray at the weekend

I think he made the usual mistake and was spending it before he had it. I am over it. Hope he plays well this Friday and it will all be forgotten and he will once again be a future superstar.

There is always a herd mentality on these forums, check any of them. Lose a game and player X becomes solely responsible. It works both ways as players suddenly become superstars for one piece of play. I read the threads from round one and last week just to have a look at the changes in opinions about Watts. Interesting comparisons. He is apparently now a mung bean for two bits of poor play but was going to be stellar after round one. There must be a million actions in a game. 2 bits, early in a game cannot be the reason for the loss. I am more annoyed that professional players can't kick goals from 35 out dead in, experienced players turn the ball over even by hand and some players do one thing for the day and are superstars in the making. I guess that's why I enjoy this site.

Probably just their club doctor coming round to do some check ups

I think we've finally got some real talent in the club so another good trade/draft period should set us up for a run at finals in 2016.

Man this club has really done a number on us supporters. There is no reason for anyone to be writing us off for finals NEXT YEAR already, we've only just started this year. Who knows, what if we have a good run in the back end of this season winning 8 or so games (our run homes decent)? Not out of the realms of possibility. Stay positive people we're on the right track now.

Get rid of the "BUT." He's played three games and is looking great. Near or at the top in the league in contested possessions, 6 goals, crashes packs, presents well and loves the contest. No buts.

I might try to drag a few others along to this match, I made sure I was able to go to this match a long way in advance. This will be my first game for the year, really glad it's this one. Sounds like they are really trying to do this in a dignified way. Side note: I'm sure the banner people have already made their plans, but would there be a way of perhaps having all the names of the MFC players who lost their lives in service to be on the banner/honoured in another way.

Good thing we're going to win, then.

Overreacting a little much over one mark. People drop sitters all of the time. If he had taken the mark we all wouldn't even be talking about this. Calling for his head to be dropped to the VFL is just stupid. Michie doesn't seem as up to speed as the rest of the guys. If any mids were to come in it would be one of Grimes/Jones/Bail as they are next in line. One change only: Pederson for Frost.

Have we Dee supporters been downtrodden for that long that we are questioning the technique of a 3 game player! Sheesh!! The following key forwards are getting specialised coaching: Lloyd - Daniher Rocca - Casboult A psychologist - Cloke ??? - Kennedy (WC) Carey - Carlisle (2014) Some seasoned campaigners there, including a premiership FF. Clearly goal kicking is an evolving technique/skill! Roos said this week how underestimated goal kicking is. He will get the right support for Hogan when he thinks it is the right time. In the meantime, just let the kid play, stay injury free and enjoy himself for a while.

I'm with you 'Al', I don't think they will drop Dawes but on form I would and Pedders gives us more flexibility.

That was then, this is now. Salem, Brayshaw and Hogan (and hopefully Petracca) all say hello.

Overrated. It seems like only yesterday that he was 22/23 and full of potential.

Watts for Aish. I think you're having a laugh.

I honestly think it's up to Melbourne who wins. Richmond are a mediocre team with a skillful but not overly quick midfield and one good defender. If we show the intensity we did against Adelaide we're every chance of beating them, but if the round 2 team shows up then we'll get smashed.

Well don't judge him or most of our players yet as none of them bar a couple of the imports have played finals.

It'll sure be interesting to see how Melbourne plays given the contest on Saturday. We could either be absolutely stuffed and get run over, or really rough it up and keep it tight. I can't seeing us 'smashing' them though. I honestly think that this is the type of games for BOTH teams that will determine how far they've come. If Melbourne wins this, they will have performed on a big stage and turned a corner. If Richmond wins, well, they'll have played consistent footy at the start of a season for the first time in a while. Richmond needs to win this if it wants to be a respected finals contender. Melbourne needs to win this to turn a corner. It's going to be epic.

Yes, Dunstall certainly strikes me as the headline seekng type. Come off it. Dunstall was also quick to point out how talented he is, but lets himself down with some of his efforts. Sometimes you just need to take it on the chin. Watts sounds like he has put his hand up and is keen to make amends so good on him.

Haha so Watts is soft and you're ok with it? The play might have worked but it relied heavily upon the Crows defender missing the contest. That's too much risk. His round 1 flick back on the goal line was footy smarts, this play wasn't. Of course you need clever players who bring pace, skill and smarts to the game, just as you need players without perfect skills but with grunt who can win contested ball. But the old rule is when it's your turn to go you have to go and that's the one Watts fails. When you've dropped 2 simple marks and haven't won any physical footy all day it's time to go even harder. I blame Watts and the coaches for never seemingly getting that message across to him. Bernie Vince had a bad game in round 2 and look how he played on the weekend. It's pretty simple stuff.

I've said all along that this is about preserving WADA's anti doping code which took decades to establish and which is of paramount importance to keeping world sport clean of drug cheats. Whether or not people have sympathy for the players, it would be disappointing if WADA did not act in their interests and take it to appeal before CAS. Although the HQ for CAS is Switzerland, I understand that the hearing would most likely take place in Melbourne and I would anticipate the Court would have wider powers to call witnesses and I would also expect the Court to draw the appropriate inferences if witnesses failed to appear or gave unsatisfactory evidence in reaching a decision to its comfortable satisfaction on the facts. I for one, would hope that WADA does not abdicate its responsibility to the clean athletes of the world and lodges an appeal.

Both Dunsatll and Brown singled Watts out on On The Couch tonight. Dunstall's word was "soft", noting that it wasn't a word that he likes to drag out often. Brown said that he could learn a thing or two off Jesse Hogan. A three game player. Do these two men also not know what they're talking about? Are they also just big meanies out to get Jack Watts? This goes far beyond two dropped marks. They showed footage of his efforts to compete throughout and they were even more damning on a second viewing. It's great that Roos is showing faith in him. He deserves another chance to make good. It doesn't warrant a "neener neener Watts is playing all you h8ers" response. Grow up. We all want to see Watts reach his potential. But even Roos himself stated that it is about how the player responds. Jack has his opportunity to respond.

Come on. He didn't plan that. And if he did it's incredibly lucky to have worked. You can't go half assed up at the ball and hope it clears the pack and drops in you lap. Why can't he take that mark? He's 6'4 and 90 odd kgs. It might not be a strong part of his game but he has to attack the ball in the air like any other player and even more so after he's dropped a couple of sitters. He attacked a few balls in the air v GWS and dropped a few. I think it ruined his confidence. But he has to be mentally strong and keep doing it. He's not so quick or skilled as to not be able to take a grab. Publicly Roos has reached for the carrot, but I really hope privately he's gone for the stick. We can't keep waiting for AFL intensity. It should be a starting point for any player getting a game.