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Demons win 10.15.75 to 10.12.72 with a late snap goal. I'm off to work ... report later.

Following Melbourne's win over St Kilda last week, a poster on Saintsational sparked some debate with this offering:- "Petracca is a gun who will be a superstar of the competition for the next dozen years. McCartin is an injury-prone, under-sized key forward who doesn't kick goals. He can take a great grab, but does little else. We are having to try to turn him into a lead-up forward because he isn't good enough in the goalsquare. I know hind sight is a beautiful thing, but there have been few more important decisions that the club has had to make over the last 6-7 years. It was crucial that we picked well at the 2014 draft. With the number one pick it was our biggest opportunity to pick up a star for the next generation: our next Riewoldt, Goddard or (dare I say it) Judd. From the media reports at the time Petracca was the clear number one choice in the lead up to that draft. If we were drafting on ability instead of perceived need it was a no-brainer. I understand our logic - we thought we needed a key forward - but McCartin is no Tony Lockett. I say this with all due respect to McCartin himself who seems a great young guy, and to our recruiting team who has generally done a great job over the last five years, but sometimes mistakes are made, and when they are we have to recognise them, deal with them, and only then can we move on. I think McCartin can and probably will be a really good player for us, but he won't give us what Petracca would have. As ever, I am happy to be proven wrong." I don't think he will be proven wrong but it's far too early to write off McCartin. Key forwards take their time in development. The discussion however, did mirror some of the standard debate generated here whenever we look at failed draft selections from the past.

The small crowd that ventured out to Casey Fields got more than its money worth (admission was free) after a mainly dour, lacklustre performance by the VFL Demons and Hawks ended in a cliffhanger with the home team coming home with a rush and kicking the winning goal late in the final term. Apart from a brief period early in the game, Casey had trailed all day after struggling to find the goals for most of the first half. The Demons notched up nine consecutive behinds (including a couple of posters) to the visitors' seven goals four before their star of the day Yilber “Bella’’ Zijai from the Sandringham Zebras via Noble Park posted the first from a free kick in front of the big sticks. Zijai had a great first up game both in the midfield and up forward and his three goals were crucial in the team's second half comeback. Ed Morris was his partner in crime in a midfield which eventually got on top in a second half in which the Hawks managed just one goal in a second half that provided a stark contrast to each team's first. Sam Frost returned from injury and showed great toe in defence and was rock solid there although he was clearly being held back in terms of game time. The Hawks were in fine fettle in the early going with their talls controlling the air and their strong midfield looking more polished and dominating proceedings. Josh Wagner was another player coming back from injury who worked his way into the game. Pat McKenna showed some good glimpses until injured. Dean Kent showed plenty of pace up forward in another encouraging performance. Tim Smith and Declan Keilty overcame quiet starts to kick three goals between them. Smith was often drawn too far under the ball when leading in the first half but was much better in the second while Keilty moved between the forward line and the ruck where he added mobility later in the game. Jake Spencer worked hard and eventually got on top against the Hawks' big man brigade which included former Melbourne Demon Jack Fitzpatrick who is no stranger to this ground. Tomas Bugg flashed in and out directing the traffic well and Jack Trengove held the midfield together before spending some time in defence later in the game. Bayley Fritsch who is highly thought of at the club but has had his injury woes kicked two goals. The home team missed an experienced pair in skipper Jack Hutchins and James Munro and relied very much on an inexperienced group of VFL listers who worked hard. Two players who were not on the official list were Aloysio Ferreira and Sandringham Dragons' Goy Lok. Both did well and the strongly built Lok booted a goal. It was certainly a game of two halves which mirrored each other in reverse. The Hillmen looked top heavy in the latter stages of the game and appeared to run out of steam as the new look Casey poured on the pressure to achieve what looked impossible in the game's first hour. Casey Demons 0.6.6 2.10.22 7.12.54 10.15.75 Box Hill Hawks 2.2.14 9.6.54 10.8.68 10.12.72 Goals Zijai 3 Fritsch T Smith 2 Bugg Keilty Lok Best Bugg Zijai Morris Kent Frost Spencer

Good post. Somehow get the feeling though that even if McCartin just turns into just a good AFL footballer he'll never cop the same level of criticism as Watts did even though it's a very similar debate.

AFL sells Etihad naming rights to The Trump Organization in 10 year deal Caroline Wilson, The Age April 1, 2017 7:27am "AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has announced the sale of the naming rights to the League's recently acquired Etihad Stadium at the Docklands for 10 years commencing next season as part of an historic deal which could net Australia's premier sporting competition in excess of $A4 billion. "McLachlan's declaration late on Friday morning came in a simple press release which has caused major ripples throughout industry and raised concerns in Parliament House, Canberra. The statement which coincided with the end of the House of Representatives current sitting said that the deal was subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval within 30 days. "There is speculation among AFL insiders that the decision now makes the prospect of a twilight Grand Final next year a near certainty. "The Trump Organization is an American privately owned international conglomerate based in Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It comprises the business ventures and investments of Donald Trump now controlled by the American President's two oldest sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump (both longtime company executive vice presidents)." Read more - AFL sells Etihad naming rights to The Trump Organization in 10 year deal The article goes on to say that part of the deal is believed to involve the purchase by The Trump Organization of unused swampland at the Docklands now owned by the AFL on a 99 year lease. The property is earmarked for the construction of the Melbourne Trump Tower. Trump Junior is quoted as saying, "we will drain the swamp!" Post your 1 April stories here.

Two young, talented players still learning the game. One is fit and ready to explode, the other tall and still sorting his body out. It would be better to review this in another 2-3 years. Whilst the Trac looks ready to star, he doesn't exactly have multiple BOGs that prove he's there yet.

I'm glad the choice was taken out of our hands for once, it couldn't have worked out any better for us

At the time Bruce and Membrey were no names. Riewoldt was supposedly on his last legs and it was a no brainer that they needed a full forward. That came on the back of the Saints throwing huge dollars at Tom Boyd. Hindsight is wonderful but if the draft was on right now the saints would take Petracca in a heart beat knowing Bruce and Membrey are established key forwards. My big worry is McCartin. I thought in the JTL series he looked too overweight and im not surprised he is having hamstribg issues. Overlooking Petracca i think will eventually haunt them like it did with Wines for us. Alan Richardson is close family friends with the Petraccas and like Todd Viney decided against going down the safe option and took the risk. Who knows if it will pay off.

No Dwayne Russell would be a start.

I'm in the Bont is elite camp. Pretty much everything he does is to the Bulldogs advantage. You don't need 30 possessions a game to be elite.

90% of their membership. You watch them disappear if Whorethorn lose games regularly this year

They'll be handing out plush toy cats at the gate, so everyone can grab a pu$$y on the way in.

yes mate . thats my 6 year old brock , this was the JLT game v WB thanks mark

Home sides will no longer have to worry about defensive structures, the opposition will set 'the wall' up for them.

Again last night WB got all the leeway from umpires. Frees 31 to 18. Not only the number but where they were given - 2 or 3 frees in front of goal for Cloke and Boyd were a joke. The commentators thought so as well. The one against Mills was wrong - the criteria are: prior opportunity, distance from goal and pressure. At least 2 of the 3 applied to make the Mills point legit. (One could even make a case the free should have gone against Picken for staging - he stopped running and threw his hands up claiming the free well before Mills who was running at top speed had got near the ball). That is at least 3 goals from frees. Not to mention all the throws (especially Libba) not paid. Also, Sydney were pinned for a lot of holding the ball when they had no prior opportunity, incorrect disposal when the ball fell out on being tackled or high contact. Very few of these, if any were paid against WB. I would simply like each game umpired equally. Same rule interpretation for both clubs within the one game. If the umpires can't do that the AFL should send them back too the umpires equivalent of the VFL. The WB have their premiership, its time the umpires were instructed to stop playing favourites!

Is it true they're going to redesign the dome on the roof so that it resembles Donald's combover?

Funniest thing ever after that campaign was after they got annihilated, someone doing a photoshop with a bunch of downcast Carlton players with the caption, "they knew we were coming". Didn't they also have "can you smell what the Blues are cooking?" Another one open to a spectacular backfire. Someone in the Carlton marketing group was working overtime in the late 00s.

No doubt that helps in the long run, but Oliver had 20+ very good touches and got a rising star nom in his first game as a porky 18 year old. Roos and co are good, but not 4 month miracle workers. Taylor drafted pure talent and it's been on show since. Where the development takes him is even more exciting. As for the the rest of the thread re Trealor, he was easily their best mid the year he left.

He has leukemia. Why you would even want to joke about it, or use it in the manner you have, is beyond me. Poor form.

Saints just needed a Petracca game breaker type.

Hawks finally making Chip feel right at home!

Think I just seen the worst free kick ever

Yes he is certainly as elite as Rance is, who i think is universely over rated for mine

When people reference Petracca's "attitude" I believe it was more maturity than any arrogance. And supposedly he made great gains in this regard in his final year of the TAC, during which time he played a lot more in the midfield. He may not have done well in the psyche test, but from all reports he's loved by his teammates and probably continued to mature. We have some potential superstars on our list. The type of talent that plays in premierships. I've seen enough to be confident it's not a false dawn.

Some people are getting way ahead of themselves with their assessment of what Petracca has done to date. He's hardly been an instant star like Judd and Selwood. At this stage, he's provided some cameos without ever being a top 3 player in any game. McCartin has shown a fair bit, but injuries have cruelled him. He's still a developing key forward who needs to get his body right, so any comparison with Petracca to date is pointless. On pure talent, Petracca has a higher ceiling, but only time will tell as to who has the greater impact at AFL level. If you want to crystal ball, I'd see McCartin as a future Josh Kennedy (WCE) and Petracca as a future Jake Stringer. If we didn't get Weideman, I would say it's a 50/50 call as to who I'd prefer long term.

I reckon Trac is already one of our most important players, his explosiveness and zone busting long kicks into the forward line are real weapons. He's also a brilliant overhead mark, one out he will beat a lot of players in the air this season. Haven't seen enough of McCartin to make a call on him, just hasn't managed to get himself on the park enough....but taking a shortish key position player with diabetes who doesn't display elite fitness and conditioning at #1 is a big risk.

I think he's well balanced. Accepts McCartin injuries aside will probably be a good player. The problem is they saw a massive whole in their list and just plugged it with the number 1 pick who best fitted need rather than chasing need later in the draft or through trade. It is pretty obvious Trac has special traits that you expect with a top pick and only his body or his application wil stop him being elite. The issue is with McCartin he will at best be a meat and potatoes good player. Would be an interesting discussion if they had taken Wright instead.

Trump's dump.

Agree PD on both these points. Great golas kicking instincts and can kick with both feet, which is unusual for a lefty (and i love the fact he is a lefty - we have quite crew of lefties now, something i have no doubt was a delibertate focus in recruiting). I think the long kick in the first quarter that set up Garlett's first goal was right foot. I have watched the two interviews he has done with Burgan and he seems a really switched on, smart fella. It's great to have a good smattering of such players at the club.Also comes across as very level headed. A really interesting selection.

We have been through hell with this club so it is only fitting.

The footy was so good last week the umpires are just trying to remind us they're still here this week.

From every draft there probably is five players that become stars (2003 might be the exception here). This is why I love the Oliver selection so much, in years gone by we would have just taken Parish (who is no Toumpas), but wouldn't have been able to identify genuine freakish talent in Oliver who was outside the square.

Hawkers should’ve traded him...

Yep, I agree with Roosy. That is possibly the worst call I've ever seen. Inexplicable.

I'll be the first today. Thanks KC for being our Casey 'correspondent'. It is so comforting having reliable and 'accurately biased' eyes watching our boys at Casey. I was very pleased when I saw your first post today knowing you were there.

Bigger story about to be announced. Umpires have agreed to stop gifting the Western Bulldogs games with ridiculous free kicks, while at the same time ignoring blatant ones to the opposition. Longmire said it is just too hard for 18 to beat 21.

I think petracca is already as good as jake stringer and we will see this very clearly as the year plays out.

If St Kilda wanted a key forward they should have selected Peter Wright.

i still think mccartin is going to be a very good player - he reads the flight of the ball well and is a terrific mark, but at this stage he simply doesn't look anything like fit enough to play afl-level football. the concussion issue is a massive concern tho. i would ask whether it's worth saints re-tooling him as someone who can learn the trade as a defender first, but his leading patterns and the like are actually pretty good; he doesn't need to follow good forwards around learning where and when to run, cos it seems pretty instinctual to him. so at the moment he's just a bit of an overweight key forward - and make no mistake, i think he'll end up a better forward than bruce or membrey, the latter of whom is a classic undersized third tall and the former who is a hit-and-miss player. fwiw, i am so very, very happy with weideman. once he starts clunking the marks he's getting his hands to - hopefully this week against the blues - he's going to be a really strong aerial threat who is a pearler of a kick both at goal and around the ground. petracca has the arrogance of stringer and neck tatts and hopefully will be better than both.

"It's going to be the most tremendous stadium...sniff....Crowd capacity will be 100,000......1,000,000.......10,000,000......100,000,000..........1 BILLION!!! people" - Donald J Trump

We smelt it alright.

I hate hashtags period #ihatehashtags

The other thing that shits me is that the umpires aren't clamping down on the Bulldogs throwing. That was the whole point of clamping down on that. Libba is one of the big offenders and continues to get away with it.

I don't care that he played one decent game in a Grand Final. Tom Boyd is a spud.

The way I read it is that Kent would be the natural replacement for Neal-Bullen, but as ANB put in a solid shift last week and Kent isn't 100% matchfit anyway, the MC have decided to give ANB another week to see if he can cement his spot. In the meantime, Kent can get some more miles in his legs and put his case forward for selection next week. It's a big week for ANB I reckon. This is his chance, if he doesn't take it, I reckon Kent will come in for him next week (depending on other forced changes).

I'd go Tesla. It screams innovation. Melbourne are the innovators of the men's and women's game. And now under Simon Goodwin, the Melbourne Football Club will continue to evolve and innovate on the footy field. That'd be my pitch anyway.

Tobacco Institute Salem Kent Craig Smoker and Peter Jackson in the box