Lil_red_fire_engine

I have been critical as to whether Stef can play an 80% forward role but there were some good signs this week. He ran to the right spots (something he has not doen well previously) and actually held some good grabs (something he has not done well previously). A good step in the right direction.

Not condemning him to failure but the performance should be evaluated for what it was. I would play him against Hawthorn as well as the following week as he should be given every opportunity but I would hope for significant improvement if he is to get a round 1 birth.

Would you reward his output from Friday with a senior game round 1? I agree the media highlighted it moreso because of who he is however I would have ranked him in our bottom 3 performers on Friday and if I ranked on perceived effort I would have put him at the bottom. As an example watch Watts pressure a ball carrier then watch the example set by Tom McDonald in the last quarter. Watts made very good headway late last year not suprisingly after he was made a sub. I think he is a massive talent but his performance was not up to scratch and he either needs to perform or work on his craft at Casey. I dont care if he spends the year at Casey playing as the main forward if that is what is best for his development however performances like Friday cannot be rewarded with a senior birth.

No more excuses for Jack. Regardless of where he was picked his performance on the weekend was substandard. That was clear to me at the ground and was clearly commented on by three separate media commentators on three seperate media outlets. Does it deserve the attention it got absolutely not but no more excuses. He needs to work harder when the opposition have the ball and demand the ball when we have it. If he cant do that then he should work on these aspects at Casey like any other 20 year old key position play would. I look forward to seeing how he responds over the coming weeks.

Would not be suprised to see some of the senior players who have played both games get a rest this week. Jamar, Jones and Frawley probably come to mind. Of the group coming back from injury that you mention I would think only Trengove and maybe Strauss would be a chance for round 1. Tapscott has missed serious amounts of the preseason as has Jordie and Jetta. With potentially Moloney, Clark, Bartram and Rivers also returning I would expect they will play at Casey this week.

I was harsh on Bennell last week but did not see much wrong with his game tonight. Would anyone like to highlight the issues? Played tighter. Pressured well. When he got possession used it well. Granted a slipped tackle and low possession count but a back pockets job is not to rack them up. Watts ran himself ragged but needs to play more to his strengths and lead aggressively into space. He needs to learn to demand the ball. There were signs of that last year but they seem to have disappeared. Confidence will come but will struggle for round 1 unless a big showing next week.

Was at the game and without the benefit of watching a replay. Jones, Magner, Petterd and Sellar all excellent. Howe and Sylvia both played good cameos. Promising signs from Davis and I thought Couch was much improved on last week. I see the AFL site has named Garland our best but I thought both he and Joel Mc made some appalling errors. If Neeld is serious at this stage Watts will not play round 1. Effort was there but I just dont think he gets what his role is as yet.

I was unaware at the time that Grimes would hurt a shoulder and we would rest 4 further players with soreness. So pretty much we are saying that no one was actually dropped from the squad. If they had all pulled up well I still believe these guys would have been in the gun. I still have not seen your list of 5 outs. Easy to pick someone off when you dont respond to the query yourself.

That was right for last week (allowed up to 12). This week its 18 starters + 2 interchange + 2 subs. Then at half time you are allowed to swap in 4 new players.

Joel McDonald plays well for 95% of the game but is prone for 5% of the game to have brainfades that cost us a goal or two. Tentative may not be the right word as his attack on the ball and man I think is good however he is definitely prone to being hesitant in his decision making at times.

I have not forgotten what it is. I am just aware that we have to make 5 changes and I expect that the rookies will be given every opportunity to perform. Making way with 5 of them is not easy which I am sure you will find if you actually decided to name 5 players. This preseason is not about giving kids experience it is about ensuring our senior players are finetuned for round 1. It is fair to say that some players cemented in the starting 18 will be rested at some point and this will allow opprtunities for players such as Fitzy and T-Mac but I dont think that will occur this week and more likely against Hawthorn. I am a fan of Bennell but his game was extremely poor and I cannot understand how you would think his performance was acceptable. I dont believe poor games should be rewarded even during practice matches.

Interchange: Teams will have two interchange players and two substitutes in rounds one and two, with the option to replace up to four players at half-time in the full-length second-round matches. The interchange reverts to the premiership season rules (three interchange, one sub) in round four. Assuming the above is correct from the FOX Sports website we will need to go with 26 players next week (18+2+2+4). Of the players that missed last week I believe Trengove and Blease are certainties to return but unsure of the availability of the others. Assuming only Blease and Trengove to return we will need to cut 5 players from the weekend. Which 5 players would you cut from the tri-round squad? I expect that Couch, Magner and Nicho will be given every opportunity to fight for a rookie spot so would think the following would be the ones I would go with on the basis of team balance and performance. Joel Mc (errors and balance) Fitzpatrick (balance) Bennell (poor game) Gysberts (poor game) T-Mac (balance)

Have to agree. Conditions did not suit Jack last night but his attack on the contest was disappointing.

I thought we turned it over enough last night.

Your back up ruckman should be good at the position he primarily plays and then be able to hold his own in the ruck for the 5 minutes he may play there. With Clark, Sellar and potentially T-Mac to play games Martin would want to seriously improve as a forward if he wants to hold that role long term.

Correct. I am amazed more people have not noted this. I saw more true crumbing acts from Davey last night than from our forwardline last year. Crumbing is a skill that cannot be taught and Davey is a natural. I can see this being a good move once his fitness and confidence grows.

Bail, Howe and Blease will be important pushing through our midfield as our main mids are very one paced.

I dont see what all the wrist slitting is about. It is usual when implementing a new style to take it to the extreme. We played half a side against the Suns and lost because our defence got sucked up the ground and left men behind on three occasions. The Brisbane game we would have lost last year by 4-5 goals but defended well and ground out a win. Have not seen the numbers but would expect we won the contested possession count in both games which is probably two more times than we did last year. Those long kicks forward will look alot better when the game is not in a monsoon and when you dont get penalised for putting them out. Bate was exceptional winning the ball but coughed it up too often. Magner is clearly the round 1 rookie. Nicholson did not put in a great showing and Couch looks extremely slow. Some good signs from Mitch Clark on occasion and Davey's involvement at the fall of the ball showed some promising signs. We lacked a bit of polish in the midfield but that will be helped with the addition of Trengove. No major injuries.Some good signs from Magner, Clark and Tynan. A victory against the odds. I dont understand the fuss.

Could not have summed it up better.

Foxtel replayed our game from last season vs Gold Coast this morning. I had completely forgotten how good Bail was early in the year before injury. Great mix of hardness, speed and skill and I think will be well suited to the Neeld game plan. Will be interested to see how he goes.

I will wait a little while before making any judgements. However cannot fault any actions so far.

Thanks Dave. Not much I disagree with in your side. Aside from the inclusion of Bartram and Rivers the only other one I cant see getting games much this year is Petterd. He would be close to my next picked forward, mid and probably back but I find he has deficiencies which put others ahead of him in all spots. He will play games this year and will star in a few but I find those couple of games are not consistent enough for mine.

Whilst they give their all I dont rate either of Rivers or Bartram. I have Bate on the bench in case you missed it. I think at least 2 of the 3 rookies will be on our senior list come round 1. Show me your side so I can provide some constructive feedback.

Based on that squad would love to see this team for the first game Backs Bennell Sellar Garland Half Backs Nicholson Frawley Grimes Centres Gysbert Moloney Jones Half Forw Sylvia Watts Howe Forw Davey Clark Martin Rucks Jamar Bail Magner I/C Bate Couch Subs Tynan McDonald

FOXTEL have confirmed they have 8 out of every 9 games of the full regular season rounds on Xbox.