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No you don’t. Brisbane had 9 players out from last week due to injury and Covid protocols. Why are Melbourne supporters so keen to kick their own? It’s bizarre. That win against Brisbane was amazing.

We need players with some hunger, too many players are too comfortable.

STORIES by KC from Casey There were more than a few stories about Friday night’s game between the Casey Demons and Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. The first was one of complete domination in the first quarter (six goals to nil), ascendency in the last (five to two) and the second was about the void in between (zero to seven). The third was about how, in the end, the Demons retained their unbeaten record despite the hell of a scare they had on the rainswept spaces of the Cattery. However, the story that folk might be telling somewhere down the track in the future is the one about how a few of the club's young guns approached readiness for higher achievements in the rain and the gloom of Corio Bay where their senior counterparts had met with a humiliating defeat only 24 hours earlier. Casey was so quick off the blocks that they had six goals on the board in the blink of an eye with some fine input from the team’s solid mix of performers including, pleasingly, a few Demon young guns in Bailey Laurie, Jacob Van Rooyen and Taj Woewodin. Then, after something of an arm wrestle for the first half of the second term, the Cats gained the momentum through ruckman Jonathon Ceglar (returning after a long injury lay off) and goal kicking utility Francis Evans to kick the next eight goals of the match over a period that stretched to close on the 10 minute mark of the final quarter when Laurie kicked his second. During the period in which the Cats had the ascendency, the Demons resembled their senior counterparts from the night before as the seemed frozen when it came to their approach to goals. In between Laurie’s first goal late in the opening term and his second, Casey managed nine consecutive behinds and it appeared that it would almost certainly suffer its first loss of the VFL season. However, once the team regained its composure, the goals flowed and the Demons returned to normality to peg back a 12 point deficit to win 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64). Laurie (29 touches) in particular was outstanding and he and Van Rooyen showed that they are approaching readiness for higher glory while Woewodin will almost certainly have to wait for 2023. Trent Rivers and Jayden Hunt put their hands up for their more immediate return and Kade Chandler and Luke Dunstan must also be close. Sam Weideman also had his moments. Casey stalwart Jimmy Munro (24 touches) was also tough in the clinches. In the end, the tired Demons walked off the ground having notched up their 14th win for the season having well earned a rest for next week’s bye but I suspect that some of them will not be resting at all and that rather, they have a long trip to the centre of the country ahead of them. CASEY DEMONS 6.1.37 6.3.39 6.7.43 11.9.75 GEELONG VFL 0.3.3 4.3.27 7.6.48 9.10.64 Goals Casey Demons Laurie 3 Van Rooyen Weideman 2 M Brown Chandler Hunt Woewodin Geelong VFL Evans 5 Neale 2 Chafer Stephens Best Casey Demons Laurie Dunstan Rivers Hunt Woewodin Van Rooyen Chandler Geelong VFL Evans Ceglar Narkle McLaughlan Narkle Byrne Capiron Statistics Oskar Baker 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 62 dream team points Jack Bell 1 behind 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 21 hit outs 53 dream team points Mitch Brown 1 goal 11 kicks 2 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 52 dream team points Matt Buntine 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 39 dream team points Kade Chandler 1 goals 11 kicks 8 handballs 19 disposals 5 marks 70 dream team points George Churchill Grey 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 3 tackles 22 dream team points Luke Dunstan 19 kicks 10 handballs 29 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 91 dream team points Corey Ellison 4 kicks 1 handball 5 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 26 dream team points Kobe George goals 1 handball 1 disposal 2 dream team points Jayden Hunt 1 goals 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 7 marks 3 tackles 82 dream team points Bailey Laurie 3 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 13 handballs 29 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 118 dream team points Judd McVee 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 31 dream team points Jake Melksham 1 behind 11 kicks 9 handballs 20 disposals 2 marks 6 tackles 78 dream team points James Munro 6 kicks 18 handballs 24 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 94 dream team points Trent Rivers 11 kicks 9 handballs 20 disposals 2 marks 51 dream team points Fraser Rosman 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 38 dream team points Deakyn Smith 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 6 tackles 41 dream team points Roan Steele 1 behinds 4 kicks 1 handball 5 disposals 1 tackle 14 dream team points Adam Tomlinson 15 kicks 1 handballs 16 disposals 1 mark 47 dream team points Jacob Van Rooyen 2 goals 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 5 hit outs 80 dream team points Sam Weideman 2 goals 2 behinds 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 1 hit out 57 dream team points Taj Woewodin 1 goal 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles dream team points Mitch White 11 kicks 4 handballs 15 disposals 1 mark 1 tackles 48 dream team points

There's a lot of talk about the players but I think the coaches need to lift. They need to find a way to combat the faster ball movement from the opposition.

I showed this to my wife and she went on a five minute annoyed football rant about predictability and the need for variety even if that is still our '80%' option. It was beautiful. Relationships need these lovely moments and I for one thank Steven May for giving us this to share.

That's our turf

He’s had an interrupted few months. Do we need a new thread for every negative thought everyone has? I really don’t like Pineapple on pizza. Should I start a thread?

We could have taken the lead 2/3rds of the way through the Geelong game despite looking sluggish and fumbly. We were under more physical duress than they were. Geelong said they are running on top of the ground now and felt good. They built their season around this game it seems. It will be interesting to see how the two programs play out come season end. They look good now.

There were more than a few stories about Friday night’s game between the Casey Demons and Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. The first was one of complete domination in the first quarter (six goals to nil), ascendency in the last (five to two) and the second was about the void in between (zero to seven). The third was about how, in the end, the Demons retained their unbeaten record despite the hell of a scare they had on the rainswept spaces of the Cattery. However, the story that folk might be telling somewhere down the track in the future is the one about how a few of the club's young guns approached readiness for higher achievements in the rain and the gloom of Corio Bay where their senior counterparts had met with a humiliating defeat only 24 hours earlier. Casey was so quick off the blocks that they had six goals on the board in the blink of an eye with some fine input from the team’s solid mix of performers including, pleasingly, a few Demon young guns in Bailey Laurie, Jacob Van Rooyen and Taj Woewodin. Then, after something of an arm wrestle for the first half of the second term, the Cats gained the momentum through ruckman Jonathon Ceglar (returning after a long injury lay off) and goal kicking utility Francis Evans to kick the next eight goals of the match over a period that stretched to close on the 10 minute mark of the final quarter when Laurie kicked his second. During the period in which the Cats had the ascendency, the Demons resembled their senior counterparts from the night before as the seemed frozen when it came to their approach to goals. In between Laurie’s first goal late in the opening term and his second, Casey managed nine consecutive behinds and it appeared that it would almost certainly suffer its first loss of the VFL season. However, once the team regained its composure, the goals flowed and the Demons returned to normality to peg back a 12 point deficit to win 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64). Laurie (29 touches) in particular was outstanding and he and Van Rooyen showed that they are approaching readiness for higher glory while Woewodin will almost certainly have to wait for 2023. Trent Rivers and Jayden Hunt put their hands up for their more immediate return and Kade Chandler and Luke Dunstan must also be close. Sam Weideman also had his moments. Casey stalwart Jimmy Munro (24 touches) was also tough in the clinches. In the end, the tired Demons walked off the ground having notched up their 14th win for the season having well earned a rest for next week’s bye but I suspect that some of them will not be resting at all and that rather, they have a long trip to the centre of the country ahead of them. CASEY DEMONS 6.1.37 6.3.39 6.7.43 11.9.75 GEELONG VFL 0.3.3 4.3.27 7.6.48 9.10.64 Goals Casey Demons Laurie 3 Van Rooyen Weideman 2 M Brown Chandler Hunt Woewodin Geelong VFL Evans 5 Neale 2 Chafer Stephens Best Casey Demons Laurie Dunstan Rivers Hunt Woewodin Van Rooyen Chandler Geelong VFL Evans Ceglar Narkle McLaughlan Narkle Byrne Capiron Statistics Oskar Baker 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 62 dream team points Jack Bell 1 behind 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 21 hit outs 53 dream team points Mitch Brown 1 goal 11 kicks 2 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 52 dream team points Matt Buntine 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 39 dream team points Kade Chandler 1 goals 11 kicks 8 handballs 19 disposals 5 marks 70 dream team points George Churchill Grey 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 3 tackles 22 dream team points Luke Dunstan 19 kicks 10 handballs 29 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 91 dream team points Corey Ellison 4 kicks 1 handball 5 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 26 dream team points Kobe George goals 1 handball 1 disposal 2 dream team points Jayden Hunt 1 goals 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 7 marks 3 tackles 82 dream team points Bailey Laurie 3 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 13 handballs 29 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 118 dream team points Judd McVee 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 31 dream team points Jake Melksham 1 behind 11 kicks 9 handballs 20 disposals 2 marks 6 tackles 78 dream team points James Munro 6 kicks 18 handballs 24 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 94 dream team points Trent Rivers 11 kicks 9 handballs 20 disposals 2 marks 51 dream team points Fraser Rosman 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 38 dream team points Deakyn Smith 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 6 tackles 41 dream team points Roan Steele 1 behinds 4 kicks 1 handball 5 disposals 1 tackle 14 dream team points Adam Tomlinson 15 kicks 1 handballs 16 disposals 1 mark 47 dream team points Jacob Van Rooyen 2 goals 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 5 hit outs 80 dream team points Sam Weideman 2 goals 2 behinds 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 1 hit out 57 dream team points Taj Woewodin 1 goal 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles dream team points Mitch White 11 kicks 4 handballs 15 disposals 1 mark 1 tackles 48 dream team points

i can't understand the logic of switching gus out of the position that he's having the best year of his career in to go back into the middle seems like a case of robbing peter to pay paul to me

Well, what a day it was. Jones kicked Ports first goal and the first goal of the match. The crowd went nuts!!! He played very well and geez he’s strong in a tackle. Finished with 2 goals and a stack of possessions. Id say they only got him to ground 2 or 3 times in a tackle all day. The crowd was huge and although Port trailed all day and ended up losing by 74pts they were really into the game. Ports average losing margin would be around 180pts or more this year and earlier in the season they lost to Ocean Grove by about 150pts so this was a really good effort by them. It would have been incredible to be out there playing. It was like a league finals atmosphere. Id say this whole Carlton Draft promotion has achieved exactly what it set out to do for local footy and who ever thought it up and made it all happen needs to be congratulated. Geez, I wish we could have another game next Saturday!!!

Just a thought - Gus into the middle to replace Clarry. Rivers in to back fill half back. Some merit in the “mass changes” mooted in the thread. However, do not think selection carnage is the way to go - one or two would be good to make a statement - and yes JVR or Laurie or both might make the point.

You might be right that Goodwin hasn’t got the balls to make that many changes. But lets look at the facts: - We have won 2 of our last 6 games; - We played one good quarter of football in the games against Freo (2nd Qtr), Swans (1st Qtr), Coll (1st Qtr) and Geelong ok in first half. - Our forward has been ineffective... our mid field when put under a lot of pressure just bomb the ball forward and don’t/can’t look for options leading to lots of easy intercept marks - We have been too one dimensional playing the same old game plan from last year and the good sides have worked us out - Goodwin keeps playing the same “method” and “team” making very few changes during games - A number players are playing selfish football and looking after their own interests (I.e. Fritsch not passing the ball to Petracca and Langdon, etc and attempting to kick the goal himself instead of passing the ball himself) - this is why Fritsch needs to be dropped - Salem’s form since returning from injury has been sub standard - Spargo backing out of a contest when a Geelong player was coming straight at him in a pack that led to a Geelong goal - Sparrow jumping out of the way instead of continuing to chase his Geelong opponent that led to another Geelong goal - Goodwin talks about rewarding good form of players in the VFL. Now is the time to shake up this team and play guys who are playing well and with confidence at Casey. - Despite low possessions Kossie was one of better players against the Cats and was prepared to throw his weight around and kicked a much needed goal in the last qtr. Btw I have picked like for like players in my 7 changes who I think would been more energy to the team and are “team” first players. Enough said!!!

[censored] I HATE the pussie cats as it seems nearly every time will play those [censored] wits we end up with an injured player such as Mayx2, Viney, Oliver etc and of course it’s always ACCIDENTALL which is bull [censored] I HATE THE [censored] wits AND HOPE WE BEAT THEM IN THE FINALS. If we meet them again. GOD I HATE THEM.

Port are a completely different side to what we faced earlier on the year. They're in good form and will see this as their scalp. Drop this game and top 4 could be looking on edge.

My ladder after Round 23: Geelong - 64 Melbourne - 64 Fremantle - 64 Richmond - 60 Carlton - 60 Brisbane - 56 Sydney - 56 Collingwood - 56 I think we'll win 4 of our last 6, one way or another. This would be a reasonable outcome too. Games I think we will 100% win: Bulldogs and Lions Games I think we should win, but could be danger games: Port, Collingwood Games which are probably toss ups, but you'd almost tip against us unless we can fix up our forward 50 entries: Carlton, Fremantle

With the Lions getting done today I have us still making top 4 even if we lose to Freo, one of Carlton/Collingwood and Brisbane. Lose all 4 of those and it drops us to Elimination Finals though. So by my calculations we have to win at least one of those four while getting the job done against Port and Footscray to secure the double chance. If we win 2 of the three Pies/Blues/Lions games we should avoid playing Freo in Perth week 1 and play the Cats at the G.

I’m not sure it puts any pressure on him. If he comes in and has a taste then that’s a great motivator for him to keep working on his craft at VFL level. We can always bring in Weideman if he struggles. Against Port with a small crowd, in a bit of a nothing time slot, I reckon is a good chance to give him a taste. If he performs, well that is amazing, if he doesn’t, then so be it. I don’t think he has to perform for us to beat Port or win the flag, so there really is no pressure. He isn’t coming in to cover a role that was being performed to perfection by someone who is no longer performing it. He’s coming it to hopefully cover an already NQR forwardline.

That it’s humid and everyone drives a Ute?

Are you saying that in respect of the GFC, notwithstanding they have redeeming features - nevertheless , overall, in consideration, in your mind, the negatives outweigh the positives ?

I’ll be happy just to make the final 4 first Luci, give our form and our draw

Second week in a row I feel dirty after a game and need a shower.

Yes, we'll be there when the whips are cracking but we have lost 4 from our last 6 The opposition know full well how good our defence is so by crowding our forward line and disabling our potency up forward, that can effect our all over defence. Retaining the ball inside the forward line is problematical as well And Brown has been double teamed or triple teamed all season. We covered for him for a time but with T-Mac going down, we've now got some issues up forward Play Gawn forward and bring in Van Rooyen or Weideman as the 3rd marking option (Fritsch can play the John Northey role on the flank)

Please stop this Andrew Brayshaw to Melbourne nonsense. Gus said months ago that Andy is happy in WA. His twin brother and oldest brother are there. Plus Freo are in their premiership window now, and Andy B is a big factor. They're not trading him for Jackson.

We where lucky on Thursday that it was one of the better umpired games (except for the last 10 minutes when the Cats got a few cheap free kicks) I have seen in years. The umpires weren’t influenced by the lopsided Geelong crowd, which was pleasing to see.

Genuine chance of happening apparently. Rumour is talks, and potentially offers, have happened.

Make no mistake, the opposition have done their homework on us and they can smell blood. Our forward line has been crowded by the opposition all year for good reason (in terms of that crowded forward line helping the opposition) So we need to counter We could debut Van Rooyen but I'd prefer to see that happen with him being the 3rd tall (not the 2nd tall) Or, if we give Weideman another shot, the same (3rd tall) I've got Ben Brown & Gawn as the 1 & 2. But with all 3 rotating with all 3 having stints at FP, FF & CHF This season, Ben has often worked to the front position only to see an opposition backman cut across in front of him as the ball arrives. That was happening last year as well. They know Ben is the key to our forward line functioning well We've tried replacing T-Mac with Weideman or Mitch Brown but neither player can play that role But Max can so we either do that or we can expect more of the same in terms of dysfunction. Our smalls are highly dependant on our bigs performing Fix the the main issue and the rest can work as a flow-on effect We need to get the structure right and give the opposition something to think about Playing Max forward (predominantly) also means we need Jackson to take the no.1 mantle in the ruck ... and he played that role against the Lions with aplomb. A small sample size but he's capable of playing the role looking ahead (at least in the short term)

I don't. Have a look at the Casey game v Geelong. Dunstan's kicking was atrocious. It's not like he'll be under less pressure at AFL level and I don't think I could cope with all the turnovers. I'd bring in Laurie to take on Harmes' role and Harmes to spend more time in the middle. Harmes is in good midfield form (provided he stops the excruciating fend-offs). Other ins for consideration: JVR - he had a great game v Geelong and I'd like to see him get one AFL game this year to give him a taste and reward his improvement. This game might be that one opportunity. Replace Bedford - I like the concept of our mosquito fleet, pressure forward set-up, but it's not working at the moment. Hunt - Another who played well for Casey and IMO, did enough to replace Bowey, who's wilting a bit. Rivers is another option here. In: Laurie, JVR, Hunt Out: Bedford, Oliver, Bowey Sub: Chandler, Rivers or Bowey

We need another tall marking option up forward so it's either Weideman again or we give Jacob an opportunity. And maybe Gawn in a more permanent role up forward But if we view the other marking options up forward more in terms of structure for team purposes, then needing that type of player to stand out and excel is not necessarily needed What we need is for Ben Brown not to be double teamed or triple teamed (constantly) when we target him ... the other teams are doing that (double teaming) because they know we don't have too many other options (if any) So keep Ben quiet and they keep our forward line quiet. We need to change things up and keep the opposition guessing. Another tall option is imperative and if we can't get multiple goals out of 4 small forwards, then that's having 1 (or 2) small forwards in the team too many F Spargo Ben Brown Van Rooyen HF Kozzie Gawn Fritsch Weideman could play instead of Van Rooyen if the MC believe that Jacob isn't ready. Either way, the 3 tall marking options could rotate (FP, FF & CHF) Neal-Bullen to rotate with the 2 other smalls Jackson to do 60%-70% of the ruck work around the ground (but not in the forward line - that area Max can cover) Our midfielders are good enough to win the ball (and be creative) even if we don't dominate the hit-outs So I've got an extra tall forward in the team as well as Max forward as well September is just around the corner and in the finals, the ball is often booted quickly forward from a stoppage to a one on one. You've got have to marking options within that scenario. Our forwards have to play in front too

I want Dunstan in to replace Clarry

This makes me feel better. That bloke knows nothing about the modern game.

I believe similarly. Being conflicted is to believe in something so that’s fine. I will always believe that he and the Crows woefully managed his apology however, no matter what colours he wear.

We would be bringing him in due to the shortcomings of our forward line structure. We have an additional small there because neither Weid or M Brown could fill T Mac's role. If we go back to our most successful structure, then JVR is our only option. And I don't see him being under any additional pressure to perform. Nowhere have I seen or heard JVR as being the messiah. As for his weight, of course he'll get stronger with time, but doesn't stop him from making an impact now. He played senior WAFL games last year.

Imo it is time for Bailey Laurie and Jacob van Rooyen to debut for the club. Both were fantastic v Geelong in the VFL on Friday night and they both should (imo) play against Port Adelaide next week.

I'll pick him up from the airport

Wouldn't be the first time a business has sprouted empty rhetoric about supporting women, LGBTI people or Indigenous Australians and then acted in complete contradiction to the supposed values it champions. I'd much prefer we chase a Larky, Ben King or a younger guy that won't have a corrosive impact on our culture, make a mockery of our off field values and be around for the next 8 or so years.

All good mate, I understand nothing is set in stone and lots of water to go under the bridge. Thanks for the info. I'm glad we're looking in to the issue of forward half representation. I always knew TMac played a role but wowee have we fallen off a cliff dramatically without him.

Very interesting Nev. I'm actually not against the move. Gives JVR a chance to develop while we use TMac Brown & Walker short term. There is no hiding from it now our forward half is a shambles atm

I don't think personnel changes will make much difference. Teams are playing us better, they're moving the ball quicker and it's disrupting our game plan.

Some scenarios; Jackson stays. In a few years he succeeds Max Gawn in the ruck, supported by some carefully recruited bigger-bodied forwards doing some ruck bashing sessions, and thereby providing a dynamism to our midfield that keeps us in premiership contention for a decade. Jackson goes to Fremantle at the end of this season. Harmes trades out to Gold Coast and Andrew Brayshaw comes to Melbourne. Melbourne wins all the premierships for 4 more years because in the history of the VFL/AFL there has never been a midfield as quality or as balanced as Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw & Viney. Jackson, being the lovable young man he is, realises that Fremantle aren't able to offer a reasonable trade this season so agrees to a one year extension. At the end of 2023 the trade is made successfully, with the draft bonanza being traded for a solid worker ruck and grabbing a top quality kid. Melbourne also use the salary cap space opened up to lure both of the McKay twins as free agents, playing them forward together and ensuring we are never short of a contested marking target for the rest of the decade, going on to win multiple premierships. I keep turning all kinds of scenarios in my head but I can't find one where we drop out of premiership contention, so, it is all fine.

I am keen to see van rooyen in action at AFL level. I have mentioned in another thread that I think having a contested marking beast in the forward 50 might net us another couple of goals per game. I just don’t think this is our real problem right now. If we can’t win contest and at least break even on clearance it really doesn’t matter how awesome our forward line is. This is why defence and contest first wins finals. Our method broke down at the cattery and that is why we lost. i absolutely want to get a good look at van rooyen, but he is not going to fix our current problem

What about Gus into the middle and Rivers/Hunt to cover the back flank. Then throw Toby and Lizzie into the middle for a change up, to add pace from the stoppage. TIO stadium games often have players using space to run and bounce. I think pace is important at this ground. Not saying Dunstan doesn’t come in, only that he turns it over too often.

A few JVR highlights against the Cats... https://fb.watch/e9Nx3nir_O/

Bowey debuted about the same time last year with only so so form in the VFL. I understand they play a very different role and that it’s much easier for a small half back to integrate into a side versus a tall KPF. But I am truly starting to warm to the idea of giving JVR a taste against Port. Our forwardline is not great at the moment and while I don’t expect him to be a quick fix, nor do I think the losses this year have come due to the forwards (all loses were due to poor contested work, losing the midfield battle and injuries), I think he could give us a different look.

Why is this a new thread when there is a thread already opened re CHANGES:

In JVR Laurie Chandler Out Bedford, spargo, oliver We need more goals 19 goals between them in the last 3 vfl games for casey and JVR missed one of those games. A double debut for 2 of our first round selections from last two years is what I would like to see

We have a herd of elephants - Kozzie, Fritsch, BBB and Salem.

100% .... get him in. We have no mobile forward who can drift across packs taking contested marks or just taking contested marks in general under heat aside from the occasional cameo from Fritsch. Apart from the last kick coming inside 50 this is probably one of the most important components that helps retain the ball inside 50 for longer & putting a winning score up.

Yes, it's not that hard.

People thinking Fritsch will be dropped this week are deluded.