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Once his footy career is done, which could be this year or the next, he may well return to Adelaide. I know his year to date has been ordinary, but his first few seasons with the club were fantastic and he embraced the club when it was coming out of it's lowest ebb. No matter how this year pans out it won't tarnish what he did for the club in his short time here.

Please - this is a team selection and match preview page. Let's keep it that way thanks.

Well I am surprised that I still get surprised. Why are people still having a go at Saty? I quite enjoy his comments but if you dont like them don't read them the constant attacks on give me the Tom [censored]. Get over it people.

I'm certain you are told nothing significant by the club. You're no doubt treated with respect by the club, as they appreciate the efforts you make to attend training, but an insider you aint.

I said in another thread that Kent escapes a lot of scrutiny on here, but obviously not in the eyes of the football department

It should be Pedersen instead of Smith and Kent instead of Melksham. EDIT: Fixed my mistake.

This is where it's handy to have eyes. Hibberd is a gun, although he was a little down in his last year at Essendon (2015), but he's tough, loves to run, great intercept mark, is a great kick and makes smart decisions.

They do get a fair run don't they FITB. And I may well be the only one who's over the whole 'Bob Murphy the Bohemian' bit. I get it, he's a different cat. Dime a dozen in Yarraville.

I was at jack Vineys place the other day, hiding in the bushes, saty can verify that I was there, anyways turns out jack is carrying an injury, when I asked him he said " who the [censored] are you!? [censored] off!?

Well 26 possies with 13 contested and about 8 tackles, plus a pressure mark and goal to put the team in front is a reasonable afternoons work.

Hibberd is a gun. Can't believe we got him - some people here plainly don't get it. And well done Saty on the Tim Smith prediction. Pedo must be slightly on the outer - personally, I like him in the team. Not happy that Kent's been omitted.

I am allowed to defend myself You, amongst others, keep reminding everybody it is a Public Forum, so as long as there is no abuse, posters can put what they like, again don't read it Back on topic somebody asked about Hibberd, covered this early on, he left the track early, was open with everybody who asked, said he had a bit of a stiff neck and was off for a massage, will be fine for Monday TV cameraman followed him half way to AAMI During the session showed no ill effects at all, has been doing a power of work to get back, bits of his body are grumbling about it

The Casey Demons get their first win for 2017 with the winning margin of 46 points. Casey Demons 3.1.19 9.5.59 14.8.92 19.13.127 North Ballarat 2.5.17 4.7.31 9.8.62 12.9.81 Goals Casey Demons Bugg 5, Fritsch 4 Keilty Pedersen 2 Briggs Ferreira Kent Lok Maynard Scott North Ballarat Cooke-Harrison Hooper 3 Cassidy Johnston Lockyer Payne Thoolen Walters Best Casey Demons Bugg Ferreira Pedersen Trengove Fritsch White North Ballarat George Hooper Simpson Cooke-Harrison Walters Johnston Statistics Angus Brayshaw 3 kicks 6 handballs 9disposals 2 tackles 27 dream team points [injured] Tomas Bugg 5 goals 1 behinds 23 kicks 9 handballs 32 disposals 6 marks 8 tackles 168 dream team points Liam Hulett 6 kicks 5 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 1 tackles 35 dream team points Dion Johnstone 3 behinds 9 kicks 11 handballs 20 disposals 1 marks 7 tackles 75 dream team points Declan Keilty 2 goals 1 behinds 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 8 tackles 12 hit outs 86 dream team points Ben Kennedy 1 behind 15 kicks 6 handballs disposals 9 marks 6 tackles 97 dream team points Dean Kent 1 goals 1 behind 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 57 dream team points Mitch King 2 kicks 5 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 26 hit outs 59 dream team points Oscar McDonald 8 kicks 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackles 38 dream team points Corey Maynard 1 goal 9 kicks 14 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 6 tackles 92 dream team points Cameron Pedersen 2 goals 1 behinds 7 kicks 9 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 8 tackles 10 hit outs 110 dream team points Jack Trengove 9 kicks 9 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 8 tackles 85 dream team points Mitchell White 21 kicks 4 handballs 25 disposals 8 marks 4 tackles 108 dream team points

How much worse does Melksham have to play before he gets dropped? Would have preferred to have given Bugg another game than Melksham.

I was hard on Kent during game day and a few people disagreed with me. What I saw was a bloke who looked to get on the end of easy ball and didn't work hard enough when we didn't have it. The thing that stood out the most though was the time he took when he got the ball at half forward. Maybe it was the lack of Hogan, but 3 times he marked it 60-70 out, walked back slowly, then took too long before kicking inside 50 ineffectually. If he wants to play that position he needs to bring more to the table defensively and needs to move the ball quickly when we are on the attack. I did like that he generated shots on goal, but if he isn't going to get the other things right he needs to convert more of those opportunities.

That 50 was exactly what happened to Watts last week and we got no 50. [censored] the umpire Bulldogs.

I know for a fact Essendon, not its supporters, were pretty cut up about losing Hibberd

I think the majority of posters underestimate what Michael hibberd is going to bring to our team! His ball use off half back is elite, he's a strong defender, good mark and he will release Bernie Vince up the ground into an attacking wingman role

I go on this forum mainly to talk to myself in print, and pick up advice along the way, its fun....

I recall that Bernie became engaged just before Christmas. A search of his instagram shows it is to Abbie Noonan whose instagram shows her location as Henley Beach which is in SA. Like you Ron he is one of my favourite players. He has been sensational for us. As he will be 32 this year and on a one year contract maybe he wants to retire and move back to SA. If that is what he decides I would be very happy for him. We are maturing as a team and his experience is not so critical for us anymore. And an entertaining video from of 2015 of the happy couple...bit of a laugh at Bernie's expense http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-08-11/style-in-2-bernie-vince-and-abbie-noonan

On another note - the AFL website has selected Dusty as our 'bogeyman' for a 24-disposals/0-goals/0-marks match back at the start of 2015. I finally got around to checking the stats and it confirmed what I thought: Melbourne is Dusty's 'bogey-team', with his poorest career averages against us (and Carlton).

Any reason for the pessimism?

Congratulations to one of the Casey Demon young guns Mykelti Lefau who has been chosen to represent his home country of New Zealand against the AFL Academy Australian Under 17s at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Monday April 24. Playing for St Kilda City Under 19s in the Southern Football League late last year Lefau had a match to remember, drilling 25 of his team’s 28 goals in a big victory over Carrum Patterson Lakes. He has already impressed with Casey and we wish him well in his first game for the Kiwis.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke

JKH has played one Casey game and never done much at AFL level. Too often goes missing. Kent may need a ticket but is also far more dangerous up forward, especially with Hogan back in bringing more balls to ground. Bad call in my opinion. Pedersen is not crap, he's not gonna be a game breaker but he is a marking target, runs hard, can kick a goal and most importantly can receive Spencer and allow Watts to stay at home inside 50/across half forward creating scoring opportunities.

Not thrilled with selection this week. Why is Kent dropped? Why is JKH in? Why can't Pedersen get a game? Would be far better for our structure and allow Watts to play a pure forward role.

huge issue for brayshaw going forward you'd think. very sad to see.

Kent annoys me. Despite his miracle goal from the boundary last week his kicking for goal is atrocious. He demands to be picked and when he is picked it is as a goal kicker but then he misses far, far too many simple shots on goal. Every time he plays. I reckon reward goal kickers with a game the following week and fine them when they miss set shots from 30 metres out. That's their job: they are picked in the team and paid to KICK GOALS. It's no good getting heaps of the pill if they cannot do the deed.

What would they know?

Let's just hope it's minor and they're keeping him out to be on the safe side.

HT Stats ?? Disposals - Bugg 17, Maynard 15, Kennedy 15, Ferreira 14. Goals - Fritsch 3, Bugg 2, Pedersen 2, Maynard, Lok.

#%$¥ I want to win this game!

Let's just say I disagree. I rate his attributes highly. This from 2014: Your club's ratings stars for 2014 ESSENDON Best defender: Michael Hibberd (AFL Player Rating: 87, club rating: 5) Hibberd is the man the Bombers want with the ball coming out of defence, because of his run, precise left foot and courage. Defensively, Hibberd is an excellent intercept mark. Happy to leave it there.

See, I'll never understand this sort of comment. While Melksham has been average, he and Kent play in completely different positions. To suggest you want one for the other makes little sense. If you want Melksham out then suggest someone who will play across half back - if you look at how our side is lining up, with Melksham in the side (and the return of Hibberd) allows us more freedom to use Salem, Hunt and even Vince further up the field where they can do more damage.

Plus he brings an experience to a backline that desperately needs it, and I personally expect him to be desperate to prove any doubters wrong and make sure he is remembered as more than a drug cheat

Would rather Kent than Melksham any day of the week

follow the Storm on TV now and then for the same reason. At least they give you a good run for your money unlike a certain AFL team has done over the last several years

It's a bit like the WWE. The fighting has spilled out of the ring and the combatants are now going at each other with chairs in other threads. If only some of our team had the same tenacity and perseverance on game day. Some here could go 4 quarters all day long with minimal provocation.

They didn't smash us every time, just most times. Jakovich kicked 8.8 on our way to a huge Round 1 win over the Cats in 1994. I believe Sean Wight kept Ablett to 2 goals that day as well.

I don't know, but I think I've seen her play.

Love Bernie, but it's no big deal either way. Doubt it's true though, as he seems really happy, is involved in a local real estate agency, and knows he only has a couple of years left. Often an innocent comment is taken out of context and the next thing you know you get rumours like this that grow legs.

Could play for two more years without a problem Hibberd's inclusion will free him to tag or add some more grunt in the midfield...plays his best footy there imo

He stays he stays He goes he goes Not a concern.

Jack is a great bloke. Has always been super friendly when I have taken my young nephews down to mfc events to meet him. Very pleasant character. Good to see some positive press for once. The media loves to hate Jack which always stumps me.

As mentioned, that would take away from the significance of the jumper. No chance.

Me "Bull, are you in on Monday?" Bull "Yes" Also Club may have circumvented this with early call, but Hibberd left the track early with a TV cameraman following him halfway to AAMI.park, nothing in it 'Highlights' from training Nathan Jones and Clarry continually niggling each other during the drills, fun to watch Nev Jetta beating Hogan in a one on one with what seemed to a nice nudge with the foreman, Hogan loudly proclaiming it was hands and being shouted down, much to everybody's amusement And Hogan sliding on his knees in the wet towards the fence and at the very last millisecond putting his hands up and grabbing the fence, there were a few minor heart attacks amongst players, coaches and watchers. He casually got back to his feet Hibberd's left foot Some of the ball movement at speed in the wet, hardly a missed target by hand of foot

Who gave Carlton a Friday night game? what a disgrace.... ...not only that they've made a mockery of it by resting players.

Unfortunately that's the price of having low membership numbers and minimal FTA/prime time exposure Having one of our rare prime time games shunted to 7mate doesn't help