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Tweet from Jack T: Melbourne FC Retweeted Jack Trengove✔ @jtren9 That's what it's all about! Turning dreams into reality. The big Bull can seriously give out a bruise or two! Well deserved mate. All class from Trengove. Even as he watches his own dreams evaporate he still finds the time and integrity to encourage teammates. Just love Trengrove...so said that injuries have cruelled his career.

I suspect (and hope) that Brayshaw's journey mirrors that of another highly rated top 10 draft pick from 2001, Jimmy Bartel. Bartel showed much promise in his debut year in 2002 earning a RS nomination. He was in and out of the team, but was highly rated within AFL circles, as well as the broader supporter communities. Bartel played 24 games in his first two years compared to Brayshaw's 31. Like Bartel, Brayshaw earned a RS nomination in his inaugural year. I well remember Bartel being dropped in round 3 of his third year (2004), as I was surprised at the time due to the raps on him. Coincidentally, Brayshaw has been dropped for the same round and also in his third year. Bartel played 7 consecutive weeks in the VFL working on what the coaches required. When he made it back in he never looked back. I see the same parallels in Brayshaw. I really like him as a player and see no harm with him playing in the VFL until he bangs the door down and once again reclaims his spot in the senior team.

In his interview with Burgs, Smith gave a pretty heartfelt thanks to Justin Plapp. I made a similar comment last year, but Plapp would appear to be a massive asset to the club and a core element to the recent success of the alignment. The boys in the VFL just seem to love playing for him, and when you read his player reports, he is clearly driven to try and get all his players to the next level, and he's truly part of the journey when they get there. The Tim Smith and Declan Keilty stories show that it isn't just the MFC players he strives for, but all the players under his charge. This would have to give you a lot of confidence if you were a talented footy player hoping to forge an AFL career - it probably makes Casey a destination club for that type of player. I reckon our VFL coach has a big career ahead of him if he wants it.

Some people are being harsh on Brayshaw. After his run of head knocks last year he said it took a while before he stopped being anxious going for the ball. If I recall correctly he worked with the club psychologist to get ok with it again. Fast forward to last weekend. He gets a hit of some sort to the head and a cut on his forehead. While he may not have been concussed it may have been enough to trigger worry about concussion. I think after the knock last week he was distracted which was the more likely cause of him not playing well in the second half. To me that distraction is totally natural for a young guy who has just turned 21 and with his recent history. Folks, give him a break!

So Rowe was fine to play out the game, got "delayed concussion" and is fine to play this week. The only time he was concussed seems to be for the MRP report.

You are right on the money. He is a great bloke and obviously a fantastic coach, I know Melbourne's good recruiting has helped Casey immensely, but Plappy took them from finishing second last in 2014, to minor premiers and runner ups in 2016. He puts so much time and effort into Casey and particularly the Casey listed players, and I believe he was one of the biggest factors in Bull and Dec getting drafted to Melbourne. With what looks like another big year for Casey, as well as his appointment as VFL state coach (which is usually reserved for the most senior coaches of the VFL) his CV keeps on growing and I wouldn't be surpised at all to see him as an AFL Senior coach in the future.

Certainly interesting both players are fine to play this week as i feel the Carlton medical reports played a big part in the length of the bans of our players. Like others I'm not condoning the actions by our players, but I definitely feel they've done a bit of dodgy on us.

'Fell out of a bin' would just about leapfrog Howe's frisbee finger on the bizarro injury leader-board. Ditto a 19y/o Oliver suffering an acute sudden heart attack.

Im playing local footy in Gippsland Saturday morning, but by the time the games finished I should be able to drive down to Etihad just before the first bounce. Super keen to watch my first game for the season, even more so since the Bull is debuting! Cannot wait!

Thanks Sats.

Good post. The good thing about this version of the club, is that it can afford to wait and allow these things to be developed at the right pace - we have enough talent playing well that if someone needs extra time, it can be given, without the need to overplay the player because there's nobody else. I think Brayshaw is clearly going to be a good player, and is a good player when he's on, but I'm happy to wait patiently until he's ready to deliver it on a consistent basis.

I wouldn't expect this... One of Geelong's weaknesses is in the ruck. I expect Gawn to exploit this and give us first use in the middle and around the ground.

Yep 1st Rowe plays the game out. Then gets delayed concussion after the game. And now playing this week. Same BS with Cripps. Forkin' Joke.

I hope not. The competition really has nothing to gain from Brisbane being pillaged every year. Schache is going to be a star and could anchor their forward line for a decade.

Watts can't take a trick on Demonland, Lord T. -Always criticised for lack of aggression. -Gets aggressive, is in a scap and gets criticised. I don't get why people are so upset about Jack not being at the bounce. Anyone had a look lately, at who Richmond, Geelong etc are nominating (not nominating for a bounce/throw in). And the umpires are confused: giving free kicks away for blocking a ruckman who didn't ruck, arbitrarily nominating a player to ruck, bounce/throw in with only one team's ruckman nominating, stopping a player from taking a bounce. Right now the umpires don't know how to manage the 'nominating ruckman'. So they were the cause as much as Jack. Any signs of aggression from Jack is a step forward. We lost nothing from the episode. I'm glad Oliver saw what was happening and took the initiative!

The vfl season set up is ridiculous

You guys have seriously missed your calling as coaches.

Do we still have to line up out the front of Myer waiting for BASS to open?

Good to see Rowe and Cripps have been cleared to play this weekend. Good old Medical reports.

So just because somebody is earning lots of money, money he was actually worth at the time of signing his contract, he is not allowed to be battling off field issues? I didn't see anybody attacking Buddy for his mental health issues because how dare he, when he is making so much cash?! Money doesn't absolve you from shitty situations in life. He is struggling for whatever reason, and I don't think he deserves the sort of vitriol that's been thrown his way this week. You'd think he's the first player in history to be going through a bad patch of form!

I'm less annoyed about the Cripps medical report, because I agree that he might have a small hairline fracture and still be playing. The Rowe one however is a joke. He was ok to play the game out with "concussion" because he wasn't actually concussed until "after the game"??? Yet he is fine to play this week? A late onset of concussion should be treated with great precaution. Seems odd that he's been deemed fit to play.

We have long memories in footy. I can't wait until we play Carlton again. If they even so much lift a finger on one of our players, I hope we put in a medical report to suggest that our player was severely concussed and has a broken bone, but is still such a machine they will play the following week.

I'm spewing it cut out there.

Pranked by ANB... where's he wheelie bin?

Oh come on. People have lost the plot about Ablett. One of the greatest players of all time, would be top 3 in the cats side at worst.

What a great problem to have when Brayshaw is pushed out of the side. I know he will be effing filthy but he is playing a role that he isn't suited to, because of the strength of our midfield. And Kent is a much better player in the role that Brayshaw has been playing so he makes way. I understand it - and the pressure is on ANB and Hannan to perform. What a great problem to have.

Brayshaw is still young - no shame in being dropped back to the VFL to get some touch back. It's development, not punishment.

I love watching these videos.

Brayshaw is going to be a gun. Trading him would be insane. Why this forum needs to descend into cannibalizing our own list constantly is completely beyond me.

Swans midfield in the first 3 rounds has reminded me of us at our worst. Everyone on the inside going for the ball with 4 opposition players waiting on the outside to run off with it.

Plugger semen.

38,554

Agreed. Both Lewis and Hogan were wrong in their actions. Both deserved a week off, but their sanctions were so severe purely on the back of medical reports that appear to be highly fabricated!

Just had a chat with Dr Turf. Reckons we're a huge chance to get up even without Lewis and Hogan. Very optimistic. Go Dees.

Are many people arguing this, TPF39? I think you'll find the angst surrounds the sanctions they got, which were extreme, and the sudden 'improvement' in the health of both Cripps and Rowe, especially the latter who had 'delayed concussion symptoms' but is somehow still playing this week. No one is arguing that what they did was right, as it wasn't. Their actions weren't good, and I think you'll find only a minority think otherwise, but that's not what most are unhappy about.

There is allegedly some rule that the sports "organisation" known as the AFL have in place, whereby a concussed player cannot play or train until they have fully recovered. And this bloke had "severe" concussion. Which would make it equal to or worse than Brayshaw's or Lumumba's. Because the head is sacrosanct, you see. Except for when it isn't.

At least we can no longer be accused of playing 'bruise free' footy. This club has finally re-branded itself. We are hard now. Genuinely.

Both Carlton and the AFL just ooze with integrity, don't they. Gil needs to make a statement - but of course he will have to run a poll first.

Viney's been a bit flat lately. A stopping role on Selwood wouldn't cost us a great deal of output and could go a long way toward our chances of a win. (I think Bernie going to Danger again is a fantasy).

Your questions pretty much answer all that he is capable of manny. Watched him a number of times with Casey and on his day he is a solid all rounder in all those aspects. Hard as nails and strong through body with tackles inside 50 as well as through the middle. Is a natural forward upstairs, reads the play up the field extremely well, knowing when/where to run to get to the drop of the ball and when to present up on the lead. He runs the angles well and is 'usually' super accurate anywhere inside 50. Stepping up to AFL level might take a few weeks though so not expecting a break out game or amazing accuracy in First game or two. Might need 3 to 4 weeks to find his groove. I think if he is given that 3 to 4 weeks he will easily be our most consistent effective forward and will play an important role in shaping our destiny into our first finals series in 11 years. Im predicting he will be our version of Podsiadly and have that sort of impact over the next 4 years or so, assuming he can stay healthy and remain on the park.

An 'autocorrect owning' if I've ever seen one.

On that, a little birdy told me Keilty isn't too far off either

Noted Cripps and Rowe both selected to play this week. If Cripps corps another knock and displaces fracture are Carlton negligent?

Oliver won the tap as I recall. Watts was deep in the scrap with Lewis, the push and shove with Silvagni came on the tail end after Silvagni dragged Watts out of the scrap.. Some people are never happy - Watts too soft, Watts fighting too much.

While I don't disagree with you, didn't his cut to the head come half way through the last quarter?

Carlton have always been sore losers. Now they're not just sore losers, but frequent losers too. Feels great to see them struggle!

Agree, I think we'll make Carlton regret their little games with these medical reports, which were clearly falsified/manipulated to suit their agenda.

Melbourne.

Most commonly uttered phrase in the Casey game threads (and I presume in the crowd too) the last few years "This guy should be playing AFL:". And every time I watched him play I said the exact same thing. Give them hell Bull.

When Weeds took that strong front of the pack overhead mark early in the Blues game I was hoping that that was going to be the breakout game. It's bound to come and I'd love for it to be against the cats.