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Attended the pregame function in Canberra today. Brendan McCartney was the guest speaker. He was super impressive. Here are some of the points he made . . . We are getting it right 85 percent of the time – flags are won by teams that get it right 90 percent of the time No team ever operates at 100 percent – that’s a fallacy Often he can tell who’s going to win a grand final within two minutes of the opening bounce based on how many numbers are at the ball and mistakes made Numbers at the connect is what counts – bad teams have players that leave the contest too early or arrive to late You know the side is playing well when you leave a contest and the opponent is on the ground Pressure acts must be executed with the body close to the ball/opponent (i.e. not with the arms out stretched and the body at a distance from the pressure act) The Melbourne game style is based on a ‘physical’, style of game – hard to play but ultimately successful in finals Teams that don’t play a physical style (he said there were six at the moment) will be found out in September Young, low profile coaching group and it’s a deliberate approach to keep media profile low Under pressure, players default to their ‘instinctive’ way of playing (this was in reference to a question about Jack Watts) Players attend around 16 meetings a week Players review clips of their performance Most players are able to provide accurate self-analysis of their performance Videos are made and reviewed of training sessions and more is often learnt from these than game footage His role is one of mentoring and assisting the assistant coaches – often sitting in on their meetings with players Goody’s role is confined as much as possible to the players and game day (90 percent of his time) the other 10 percent is meetings with the board or managers etc. A club is operating well when it can find good players low down in the draft (in reference to Maynard) Priority has been to recruit players “who love the contest” The players are acutely aware of how their performances effect the supporters Many players who were treated poorly by the club a few years ago are now around the club (McDonald was mentioned) Most professionally run club he’s been involved with The club has provided a lot of education about the history of the MFC to the players and they all love the place At any one time a maximum of 90 percent of the players will be buying into the game plan or coaching philosophy and anyone who says they have 100 percent buy in is kidding themselves All players are given full and frank information about their performance and no player can claim to be in any doubt about the standards required from the club (both on and off the field) and how their contribution is measured When asked about why the players do “dump things” he said footy teams are like any other endeavor where people management is involved . . . just because a coach (CEO/manager/parent) directs something to be done (example sighted was kicking long with the wind last week), it doesn’t mean they will/can execute it

So after training as a Key Defender all pre-season, Dec was kinda thrown into the deep end, having to play a Ruck-Forward role for the majority of the first half of the year. He did alright, but nothing spectacular, all while slowing building up is craft. For the past month and a half or so he's been primarily thrown back down as a KPD, with stints in the Forward and Ruck when required. I think now that's he is settled into the position he was originally playing when he got drafted, he's really been able to step up to the plate. Yesterday was probably his best game I've ever seen him play. Under constant duress, he stood up time and time again to take a number of crucial marks in defence, run through and get some good rebound 50's and won the majority of his one-on-one contests. All game, Weideman had 2, 3 or even 4 defenders on him so in the 3rd quarter Plapp threw Keilty forward to try and relieve the pressure Sam was getting, where he took an impressive contested mark about 20m on a 45 degree angle and slotted the goal. I think that ability, to be half way through a game and then go and play in a completely different position and then step up to have an impact is exactly what the MFC saw in him last season and a big reason why he was picked up, as a versatile developing player. But he's recent form has been pretty damn great, he is still pretty sure he needs another pre-season in him before he really starts to get to his best footy, but from what I've seen from the Melbourne Coaching staff is they reward form, and Keilty might just be a chance at a senior game this year if Melbourne need to rest a KPP. Edit: Also yesterday, because Casey were only down to 2 rotations after the first quarter and a half, he ran himself into the ground. I think it finally clicked with him that kind of work effort is what is required to really make it on the big stage

I live near TBO so the Sandringham away game is my best chance to see Casey play. Some observations. With a very strong NW blowing diagonally to the Beach Road pocket at the Sautner end, it was a very scrappy contested game with a continuous rolling maul, a lot of turnovers and skill execution was rare. Sandringham were well on top for the first 2 and half quarters, their extra men back in the first quarter were very effective outnumbering Casey forwards and intercept marking, Marshall and Pierce are big boys who marked well in windy conditions. Casey were 4 goals down at half time - 4 goals to 8, and 3 players down - Smith, Spencer and (I think) James Munro - apologies to James if I'm wrong. The start of the third quarter Casey failed to get on top and when Sandy kicked their second goal for the quarter half way through it was 6 goals to 10 and looking bleak for Casey. Dec kicked a goal midway through the quarter, there is really great spirit and belief at Casey and the boys really got around him and kicked the next 3 goals to be a point behind at 3 quarter time - each of these goals was strongly celebrated and that seems to be a team theme. At 3 quarter time Justin Plapp encouraged the team to write a memorable story and there was general belief among the players (but not me). The focus was on the "money ball" - I'm not sure what that is, but he mentioned it 4 or 5 times. I don't blame Earl for leaving at 3 quarter time, it looked like how far the Zebras - I actually moved to the northern end of the ground to enable a quick getaway myself and was able to enjoy the Casey action there in the final quarter. Sandy seemed to think it was just going to happen and Casey really lifted around the ball. Mitch King had an influence at the stoppages. Weid took two strong contested marks and Scott, Fritsch and Ferriera were dangerous around goal when finally matched up 1:1. Sandy got their noses in front about 20 minutes in but in an incredible effort Casey kicked the final 2 goals to win a great victory. Plapp really has the team playing with belief, spirit and cohesiveness and it's a great credit to him. Melbourne listed players: Gus Brayshaw: Was playing free across a half-back until midway through the 2nd and I thought was ineffective, he didn't get much interception at all but did land one bone crunching tackle on a Sandy player in quarter one. Went onto the ball midway through the second and immediately got his hands on it. He was a ball magnet at the stoppages and I expect his handball numbers to be high. It was hot in the kitchen and he would have gained a lot of confidence concussion-wise from getting through a fierce test. He's an inside/outside midfielder and half-forward and half-back don't suit him. If he comes into the MFC side that's where he needs to play to get involved. Billy Stretch: Got a lot of the ball in the heat and tried to be creative and run the ball up into the wind. He's a smart player who works hard on his game. Dec Keilty: As Drunkn said, he played very well, especially intercept marking and contested marking down back and kicked a nice goal when thrown forward to spark the Casey revival. He's got some ground skills too and is definitely a prospect worth investing in. JKH: He was very busy at the stoppages and got a lot of the ball. He's evasive so can get into some space. He's small so that works against him at AFL level. It's hard to see him permanently in the midfield but I think he's could play the Neville Jetta role and maybe apprentice there. I'd keep him on the list because ANB had a similar year last year and has shown improvement. Ben Kennedy: Also worked hard inside and is genuinely a tough customer. Kicked a superb long goal at the start of the 3rd from the wrong pocket with the wind and for a left footer. We need developing depth players but I have JKH ahead of him. Sam Weideman: It was a very difficult day for marking forwards. Was manned up against 3 or 4 Saints giants when we had the wind and could not get a run at it in the 1st. In the 2nd I think it only went inside our 50 once and Fritsch kicked a goal. Sam was rucking in the back half in this quarter part of the time. He was better in the 3rd and took a couple of marks and kicked a goal. In the last he was instrumental in the win when finally 1 out against the Zebra defenders. He took 2 strong marks, crumbed a Hulett contest to handball off for a nice goal and got a free for holding in a marking contest because he was making the defenders nervous. He missed that shot but he is generally a beautiful kick with the best action since Garry Lyon. It was great that he fought on and didn't drop his head and really contributed on what could have been a dirty day for him. Dion Johnstone: He played in the centre square and wing and got his hands on a few nice clearances. He's an aggressive player and gave away a 50 at one stage, but I like his hardness. He's small too but there's some ball finding quality there to work with. Mich King: Had to shoulder the ruck load when Jake went off injured and struggled up to 3 quarter time. In the last quarter he too was instrumental in the victory, he got his hands on the tap outs or at least broke even. Followed up with a crucial centre clearance which were like gold into the wind and also got forward and took a good contested mark. It's the kind of match that could be the making of his belief. Jack Trengove: He's a leader and was very good at the quarter time huddles with his guidance and advice. But I think unfortunately his AFL career is over, he just doesn't have a point of difference. Joel Smith: Stood on the shoulders of the pack on a kick-in - really right up there like his dad, but landed badly and was in a lot of pain when stretchered off. Hope he makes a good recovery, he has many AFL attributes - size, speed, courage and leap. He'll make it. Liam Hulett: I was bullish about Liam when he joined us last year but he has struggled. He played deep forward and really made a contest but was unable to get his hands on it much. It was tough conditions but unfortunately he seems to lack AFL level class. Jake Spencer: Went off injured in the 2nd and was in the tracksuit - I'm not sure what the injury was. Jake needs to be able to dominate the contest against a player like Jason Holmes and he wasn't able to. I think he'll be at another club next year. There's no clear elevations to the MFC side that will make a huge difference. Gus was very good but he needs to play in the guts to excel and I don't see a slot for him there yet . It will come with Lewis and Vince coming towards the end, or sooner if we have an injury or suspension. As some have posted, I think he needs more confidence building at Casey. Billy was very good too and is a class above VFL level, he'll make it as a player but he's not going to make a huge impact at AFL level yet, he just needs to continue to work hard on his game which no doubt he will. Dec was great but I think he's better playing back and I don't see him forcing his way in there just yet, he can continue to develop and build confidence and really dominate at VFL level. Weid is the most likely elevation IMO even though he had 3 quiet quarters he has some AFL level chops.

I'm a bit over this 'tiring' argument which pops up when we play bog ordinary footy at the back end of the season. We used it last year and now posters are wheeling it out again. Strewth, imagine if we make finals! Eliminated immediately because we'd just be too tired. Ffs.

He`s had 3 really poor games coming back from injury, I think we can all agree on that. Talk of him being traded after 3 poor games, however, is just laughable. Drop him sure, but trade him.....you`ve got to be kidding! His form prior to injury was as good as he`d played in his career.

Out: Terrible suburban local footy ovals In: Home of Footy

If you are looking for someone to blame for that first half - Goodwin is your man. I couldn't believe it when I saw how we were playing Manuka as a local... Just horrendous instruction and the fact we didn't have a loose man in the first quarter lost us the game.

Finals start now. Next week vs saints is an elimination final effectively. Very interested to see which demons stand up with finals on the line. We are good enough to win the next three.

We've actually been handed a dream draw to end the season. Because we folded and couldn't get the job done against North, we have a chance to redeem ourselves with three straight games at the MCG, two against teams that never play there, and all three against teams below us. Pies are playing good footy atm, but we still have it easy compared to Bulldogs, Eagles, Bombers, who we are competing against for a spot in the finals. Let's take a look at a difficulty scale based on current ladder position. 1st place = 18 points, 18th place = 1 point. Western Bulldogs: 37 on difficulty scale Essendon: 27 on difficulty scale Eagles: 37 on difficulty scale Melbourne: 16 on difficulty scale Missing finals from here would be a colossal failure. The stars have aligned for this end to the season -- no travelling, all at the MCG, two 7-day breaks -- and we absolutely need to get it done. The aforementioned teams are all facing teams at the top end of the table, who we've faced in the past 2 months. I said earlier this season that the trifecta of Adelaide-Port-GWS needed to result in 2 wins for us to make finals, but that factored in a win against North. We went 1-2 in that trifecta, and with the North loss that puts us 2 wins off the mark of where we need to be to compete for finals. This means 3 wins to finish the season would net us a finals spot. If we net all three wins, we only need one match to go our way out of the games played by the other three. Also need to factor in performance of Port. Sydney beating Geelong essentially locks them in as they have a dream draw home. If Port lose today they are only a game ahead of us, with Collingwood, WB and GC to come. We are still in as good a spot for a final spot as we've been in for a decade. We'd be looking at one of the all-time great breakdowns in the club's history if we don't make it from here. I know the variables have made it tough and it's been a long season, but if we falter in the test of persistence and the marathon, that's going to linger over the club like a bad stain.

The warning signs were there in the warm up. The boys looked flat, they didn't seem to be enthused by the conditions. I know there was mention last year that they hit the wall towards the back end of the season after a huge preseason and there was talk this would likely happen again this year until they get more miles in the younger legs. I mentioned this to a Tiger supporting mate who was there (who is bullish about us- but still neutral) who was looking at me for an explanation of sorts. I was positioned in front of the defensive transition drill and noticed a couple of concerning issues. Firstly was the lack of intensity it appeared that they were going through the motions on a cold Thursday afternoon rather than preparing to actually play. The second concern was there was that while the drill was ostensibly about getting players radar calibrated for the windy conditions there were a couple of basic issues that weren't addressed. Firstly players failed to adjust the drill when Player A got too close to Player B they still kicked rather than hand balled. Twice in the game (ANB and Vince) chose to kick less than 10 meters when they could have more effectively hand balled. The issue here is the indecision that it creates in the receiving players mind. Anyway the second issue was two players who couldn't adjust their kicking to the conditions and speared low passes past the receiving player. Hibberd and Hunt. One of the commentators on the radio mentioned that Hunt's kicking action makes it almost impossible for any of his team mates to mark the footy and I think Hibberd has the same issue. Over distance the issue isn't as pronounced, but over shorter distances they tend to bullet the ball and it's something that needs to be addressed. I know the game plan emphasises fast movement, but there were so many turnovers created yesterday by trying to spear players rather than putting the ball out in front of them to run onto it. I agree, we really struggle to position ourselves properly for the wind, most notably standing too shallow against the wind and letting it sail over our heads, this was most evident in the first quarter. At least in the third he had Tom Mac go back who I thought was fantastic all day and should have had at least four extra free kicks for the day for being dragged down in the contest or hit in the head. I thought with GWS best three forwards out they would struggle to find an avenue towards goal, but it was us who struggled. So poor was our ball movement that it gave the GWS defenders time to get back and when we did move it in quickly we failed to account for the wind and made their job easy. The other reason they were able to get so many free options going forward was that a lot of their forwards began to 'cheat' by running forward rather than stay near an opponent when we had the ball knowing we would turn it over. You can do that I guess when you have a scoreboard pressure. We failed to move the ball properly and this was exacerbated by a general lack of presence from our forward line. I love having the ball in Jack Watt's hands the trouble is how to get it there. He's simply awful one on one as a KPF. He's been tried on the wing and that hasn't worked. For a side crying out for good ball users how do we get him into the game? I'm not slashing my wrists just yet, but clearly we missed having some outside run that could counter Scully and Kelly. I think Hannan and Stretch must come straight back in as well as Brayshaw if he's ready. Tyson's ability to get his hands on the ball and get through traffic are amazing, but he just torches the ball so often. If James Harmes can learn to work within his limitations he'd also be a much better footballer. A number of times yesterday he tried to do too much when giving the first option would have helped him have a much better game.

I don't agree with this. Footy is more and more like the corporate world these days and world-best organisations will only have around 80-90% engagement of staff, or "buy in". That gap can often be down to what people have happening in their personal life, mental state, personality clash with their colleagues etc. and therefore not something you can realistically resolve. Then try and see if you can achieve thise levels in an AFL level atmosphere with mostly young alpha males with huge egos. In the corporate world there are plenty of followers and passive people who are more easily kept happy, I'd suspect a much smaller ratio of those on AFL lists. On the flip side, lack of strategic clarity and inconsistent messages from coaches absolutely can erode buy in so it's not something you can give up on and say "Oh well, we can't get 100% buy in so why bother trying?". I think McCartney is being realistic.

We were the most tackled team last year and are currently the 2nd-most this year. We've also made the 2nd-most tackles. Compare with the Bombers, who have received some 300 less hits, and laid 200 less, and that's a lot of extra body contact for our young team. While there are no bump stats, the tackle for/against counts are indicative of our inside contested game-style which would similarly see us atop a bump or body-contact ladder. Throw in several other elements of our offensive and defensive set-ups and we're playing the most taxing style of footy in the league. But no, the kids aren't sore or tired - just bloated on bathwater.

You're in a unique position on here and it's a credit to you that you've been balanced in your reports on Dec's performances rather than looking through "bro" coloured glasses. It's good for you (and him) that you can now give him a decent write up. I and I guess many others have appreciated getting your perspective on Casey's efforts this year. Good stuff

ANB is now firmly among the best. His pressure acts are elite and he doesn't go missing like Garlett does, who is either "on" or can't get a kick.

Just a side note about the team that beat us yesterday. I've watched a lot of their games this year and that was the best they've played. Mark Ricciuito said in the commentary that they didn't just kick 8 goals, they strung together the best looking 8 goals you're ever going to see. Everything went their way and our boys just looked completely demoralised. They have more talent in their top 30 players than any other team in the history of the AFL, and not having tall forwards actually made them play to their strengths - skill and speed. All this talk of an even competition is AFL spin to distract from the reality of what's about to happen. GWS have been playing at about 60% capacity. Yesterday Healy said they are under pressure for 'underperforming' - and they are 2nd on the ladder. We are clearly a mile off it, but make no mistake - GWS are a dream list of 22-24 year olds all about to have an incredibly fruitful 5 year period, and the fact it's taking slightly longer than most predicted for them to take the final step is the only thing helping the competition 'feel' balanced.

We are the only side other than perhaps GC or North that are not having a real crack at this late stage of the season. And they have little to gain. We have lost a strong ladder position and shown ourselves up as a shallow team. The next few weeks will be huge and we have set up a hard task to win 3 in a row and regain respectability or else confirm our position as the perennial inept laughing stock irrelevance of the competition. If we don't get back into the 8 we can kiss goodbye yet again to hope of a favourable fixture and premium games next season. This will cost the club plenty and members will drop off.

GWS are second on the ladder and the majority of the coaches in the comp still predict they will win the flag. We're playing like a bunch of tired kids, because for a lot of the guys that's what we are. 3 games left - win them all and we play finals. Win 2 and we're around the mark too. basically If we make it we deserve it, and if we don't then we're a middle of the road team (which is what we are at this stage IMO). Even if we miss out I wont be too disheartened because for a change the kids are showing enough to make me believe we are building towards something special.

This is the fallacy. We've had some of our most capable players in Jones, Gawn, Watts, Hogan, Vince, Lewis et al all out injured or suspended at one time or another. They've had a spell. Given they're 'senior' players it just [censored] with my head that you'd fall out of 'touch' that quickly. During my career (obviously at a lower level) I've never had a problem getting back amongst it. It's just excuse after excuse.

The point made on the AFL site today: we have a midfield stacked with inside ball-getters who have no-one to feed it to when they do.

Also, can I just say, I would hope for a BIG turnout by our members/supporters next week. All well and good for us to sit here put it all on the players whilst wallowing in crapulence ; we ought to get down there and make some bloody noise. We still have a shot at this and I'd be so disappointed if a half-arsed crowd showed up. I read a comment earlier re; the club's poor image - well at the very least we can do our bit to make it hard as possible for the Anits! I'll be there with bells on my balls, knuckle dusters on and a lungful of barracking for one last roll of the dice!

Agree. I don't think Tigers are much but, on a closer look noticed their small forward line ( like GWS yesterday ) loaded with pace, couple of stars in the middle, ( like GWS who of course have more stars ) outside mids who can run and carry ( like GWS again who have more) and all of them have fair disposal. When Garlett and Hunt, our only 2 quicks, have 9 possessions between them, it goes part of the way to explaining the result. We need spread, with pace and good disposal, or we won't improve. End of story.

This is actually a chance to once and for all stop supporters saying "Here we go again". Make finals from here and we gain the respect of the footy world as well as from many wavering supporters. There would also be the undeniable side effect of forcing good players to at least consider us as a viable destination. Fail to make it (especially if we capitulate like we did in the final 2 games last year) and it will reinforce the general football-world view that we are a nothing club represented by a nothing team. Over to the players.

Cant speak for Gus, but his numbers and his massive last quarter where he willed Casey over the line suggest his confidence is going ok. I think if he tells the coaches hes ready, he will play vs the Saints. He is in great form and hes about 10 levels above VFL. Hes an upgrade on at least half a dozen players currently in the Demons side. On talent and determination, hes top 5. And whoever said he was slow, thats not true. In fact he has some pretty nice pace.

This is where I've found it strange that they're trying to turn Stretch into an inside midfielder. I thought he was perfect last year playing that outside wing role. He's stagnated this year due to changing into a role that doesn't suit him. While I think Lever is a good priority, I would hope Josh Kelly is right on top of the list in big bold capital letters. We have zero outside ball winners who can spread hard and break the lines.

Just what we need at this stage. Another slow inside mid fighting his teammates for the ball. Won't give any more than Maynard has given in his first game.

It's great that we play a combative, physical, finals-like game style which causes our players to die in the arse late in the season and not play finals.

I don't want to make excuses but I'd be surprised if the cramming in of the 6-day breaks and all of our travel in recent weeks is taking its toll. Our first 7 games were in Melbourne. Of the 12 since, we've played 6 of them interstate. We've also had four or five 6-day breaks in the same period. That includes three of our last four games (all losses), all being interstate, including Darwin (and another 6-day break). Again, not an excuse, but I'm sure not a coincidence that at the end of these 12 weeks we're tiring.

Should pin this at the beginning of every post match discussion thread ... especially when we lose. Feel like we're in good hands, frustrating though some of these losses are.

That sort of info is gold. Thank you for passing it on QD

Out Watts In Ben Kennedy Kennedy would be the hungriest bastard on our list and will fight tooth and nail.. Would at the worst give effort and Probly enjoy kicking goals!

Really? There are plenty of other fish to fry. Sad that a thread is committed to this.

So? He's been out of form. Surely an improvement in form is noteworthy independently of the scoreboard.

Lifted significantly in the second half.

Well I survived the road trip with Moonie - just! I have to say that these Greenies certainly show their true (un green) colours when out and about. It only took 6 or maybe 8 pots of beer before Moonie starting harassing a group of innocents who were unfortunate enough to be seated in front of us. However, in all generosity I dismissed that anti social behaviour as a reaction to the shitty football result. The best was yet to come. I foolishly took Moonie to a halfway decent restaurant in Kingston. While perusing the menu, Moonie was quaffing reds at a furious rate ...and ... after some time, gave the waitress quite detailed sotto voce instructions. Well the meal that subsequently arrived would have challenged a starving T-Rex. It was a mountainous platter loaded with the remains of just about every unfortunate critter I could imagine. "Vego" Moonie ripped into it while simultaneously pouring down sufficient red to douse a bushfire. Just when I didn't imagine it could get any worse, Moonie decided to join a nearby group who were celebrating a birthday. "Join" is inaccurate - he decided to be MC. He led several renderings of "happy birthday" and gave, some rather "familiar" hugs ( read feel ups) to all present females. I managed to drag him out before the police were called only to have him abuse and vilify an unfortunate taxi driver. It cost me a substantial tip to soothe that matter. I dumped the drunken sot at the hotel and went to visit some respectable associates at Fyshwick. FMD!

I've decided to take a year off football from next season. Unless we win our first 6 games.

Fix our disposal and spread and we are a fair side if we bring effort to the contest.

I just can't believe people want to drop Watts. Yes he is out of form but there are plenty of others that are. He is one of our best players and at least showed some signs of getting some form in the second half. When watts plays well very often we will win and when he is poor well thats the opposite. He has never been a rugged or tough player so we have to accept that. Give him a freaking break.

Agree ANB was good. Certainly only one of about five players who deserved a pay packet. 35 points was flattering in the end. We never got going.

There's no doubt in my mind that the youth of our playing group, long term injuries to key players and a very demanding schedule in the back half of the season, are taking a significant toll. We've reverted to some bad habits, and it seems like playing footy has become a chore. Excuses? Of course they are! ....... but also real and understandable imo.

I remember about 5-6 years ago talking to a couple Geelong fringe 22 players who were left out of a finals side - during this particular final (semi/prelim, can't recall) they were actively barracking for a Cats loss because they didn't want to eventually miss out on a flag by omission. I was surprised by how vocal they were while watching the match. This is from players at a club who at this time was seen to be setting the industry standard for culture & buy-in.

Ben Brown has the same facial expression whether conscious or not.

1. I called for him to be traded 3 seasons ago. 2. the only reason watts has lasted is because of all of the new coaches we've had over the years thought they could put some aggressiveness in him. 3. So many people on this board have defended Watts for years because they defend all melbourne players but Watts plays such a soft brand of football that it probably has an effect on those around him. 4. Also, IF we play finals football, the intensity of finals footy would make watts even more insignificant than he already is. People think im harsh on Watts, which I am, but i'm not as harsh on Melksham and Harmes which cop a lot on this board. both these guys crack in every week!

I'm baffled how we lost to Nth last week .. I'm watching their game tonite & shake my head as to how we could lose to them!

How did we win this? I had to go at 3 quarter time (I had a 20 km bike ride home into the wind) and yes we were a point down but we were kicking into 25 km/hr wind in the last. Extraordinary effort given we had lost Joel Smith and Spenser by half time. And we just hadn't looked good all day, save for 15 minutes in the 3rd. Gus stood out, Stretch and JKH battled hard. What I noted was that players had very little time and space to get ball and execute, not sure whether this was due to a smaller ground or the wind bottling all play to one area? Watching tonight's AFL match on TV and they appear to have twice the space and time to deliver. Totally different games to watch and for players to play I think. A player with some pace and skill but no real physical advantages in height would likely perform better in AFL than VFL. Of the Casey guys I liked Gent, Fritsch and number 22 Lok looks to have some potential.

Stop hijacking the 'it's Jack Watts' fault' thread, please

My sentiments exactly, get sick to [censored] death of 'supporters' singling out one player when at least 12 others were as bad or worse

Let our best team play on a proper AFL ground again. Out: Melksham In: Hannan. Tempted to drop Watts but a) Pedo was worse. B) Petracca, Harmes, Hunt have been equally disappointing the last few weeks. C) we need our best team in our park and he's in it. Dropping him will be conceding no finals this year and giving youth opportunity.

Stupid comment. 1) Picking on the easiest target 2) You are wrong why don't you aim up on some of the "experienced" players who bottled it today.

Hi VP. Barry is my old man and he, together with a few old codgers who used to frequent Beach Road Oval, taught me everything I know. Unfortunately, although he used to enjoy the odd drink (and there was always a plentiful supply flowing from the social club) his medical condition makes drinking even more hazardous for him than back in the day. He and my mum, Mavis, reconciled a few years ago (after the accident he had with the lawn mower) and they upped stumps and retired to the Gold Coast where they live in a nice aged care facility not far from the Yatala prison where mum can visit her brothers. The ground here has lots of memories but it's not like it was in the old days.