Lil_red_fire_engine

We seem to forget 15 other clubs overlooked at the time as well.

Am I the only one that has noted the team sheet is short two interchange and two substitutes?

Not that I think we should have taken Jetta but a small forward does not necessarily make a crumber. In fact take Davey and Wonna out of the equation and the others are more opportunist forwards. With Davey expected to play high again this year we are actually light on for crumbing forwards.

He would require someone to be put on the LTI. This has not happended yet to my knowledge. PJ, Meesen and Gawn would all be possible options. I would expect two of those will be moved on their before start of the season to allow both Jordie and jake to be upgraded for round 1.

Petterd won the ball well but his disposal was atrocious.

Good day all round. Skill level was what you expect from a first hit out. Best players for mine were McKenzie,Frawley, Green, Trengove,Bennel,Grimes and Spencer. Aside from the usual offenders the only real disappointments for mine were Petterd and Maric(although he still kicked 2 or 3). Would not suprise if Scully had low 20's possessions but you miss half of them because they come and go so quick. Overall the most important thing - no injuries.

Thanks for your account of the scratch match. Its a bit deflating when its just the usual suspects who you say stood out. I was really hoping that one of the second to fourth year boys had stepped it up a level ie: Strauss, Bennel, Bail, Jetta, McKenzie, Healy etc....Any comments on how they performed? Any match ups that appear different to last year? Did Grimes play midfield?

Knowing how career threatening such injuries can be maybe we are being more proactive at identifying and addressing foot injuries than other clubs. It appears now any sign of a hot spot or soreness we are acrting upon it.

Correct. Bate will play first choice CHF for most of this year

2010 Ladder position and record: 10th / 9wins 13losses B & F Winner: James Frawley Most Brownlow Votes: Colin Sylvia Most Rising Star Votes: Jack Trengove Most Improved: Addam Maric Our 5 most important players at the end of the season will be: Sylvia, Davey, Frawley, Jurrah and Morton. 2010 Premier: Geelong Wooden Spoon: Richmond Brownlow: Bernie Vince Coleman: Jurrah

Roost It if you read the thread in full there has been limited criticism toward Petterd but an expectation that by the end of his fourth year we would hope he has consolidated a permanent position in our starting 22. This is not an unrealistic expectation of any mid sized player. Petterd made some strong inroads in 2009. Based on completing his first full preseason and his increase in body mass over summer he is obviously giving himself every opportunity to advance further in 2010. My concern is where he will fit as he will have likely extra pressure for forward spots from Watts, Tapscott, Maric etc... extra competition for midfield spots with Trengove, Scully, Grimes etc... and limited opportunity with our settled defence and likely inclusion of Joel McDonald and Garland off half back. Competition for spots will only get harder over coming years as our talented list matures. Where do you see him fitting into our current 22 and future setup?

To say a player in his 4th year who you do not see in your starting 22 is "hugely important to keep" seems somewhat of a contradiction. If Ricky has not cemented a starting 18 place by end of year it would raise doubt whether he will be with us in 2011. To be clear I think Petterd is talented but needs to find his niche and own it. I am not sure if that will occur.

You have hit the nail on the head Petterd would not be in my starting 22 but if I was to pick the next forward, back, or midfield inclusion he would likely be that player. He needs to step up this year and own a position and not be the filler player he was last year.

I would have Frawley, Jurrah and Sylvia almost dead heating as our most important players this year.

Backs usually take a few more years to gain the recognition they deserve. I think as above the most likely chances will be Bate or Sylvia. Davey would be dependant on where he played as if that is midfield competition will make that tough.

Too early for ladders for mine but I expect Hawks and the Dees to be the big risers and Sydney and Essendon to have the largest drop.

I think anything less than 7 is a fail this year. 7-9 is my expectation with potential for 10-12 if everything (and I mean everything) fell into place. Anything above that is completely unrealistic expectation.

Correct

I also attended yesterday and wanted to mention four standout points but had not had access to the internet until now. It is good that others have mentioned these earlier so it was not just me that had noticed. 1) Matty Bate is huge and to me has definitely developed his body over the summer with eyes on a true key forward role. 2) Grimes acceleration was exceptional and not something I had noted from last year. 3) Sylvia and Jones appeared to have fined down somewhat but still maintain good size. 4) If anyone had doubts prior, ink Trengove in for round 1 after watching todays match simulation. Based on today's session I would expect Strauss and Maric to be this year's big improvers.

The only defensive players roles that he could play is Warnocks and Frawleys and to think he is even close to either of those two is laughable. You are so adamant that he is dead weight up forward where we have no key options of any maturity. Yet you want to find him a position in our defence where we have so many quality options they will struggle to all get games next year. Here's an idea if he doesn't warrant a game in his legitimate position as a forward why dont we play him at Casey until injury or form forces us to play him. Next thread, Re-inventing Newton as a Ruckman...

Late entry for thread of the year :D

I see him more as Shaun Higgins than Stevie J....Jones has definitely trimmed down, maybe hard to call him Chunk in 2010.

It depends what you define "at the crossroads" to mean. Is there potential that his position on our list will be reviewed at end of year. I would say possible under certain circumstances. Therefore it depends on what you believe those circumstances to be and how likely they are to occur. I would think for a third year small forward in a developing side if he does not play more than 10 senior games in 2010 then there would be reason for review. I would say there is some likelihood of him not meeting that criteria. My concern with Maric is whether other players will go past him in the pecking order. Granted he was bottom age and had injury concerns but he is not a true small forward.To me he actually reminds me more of a mini-Porplyzia in style. I actually rate him but he will be competing with Aussie, Jetta and maybe Tapscott for a position and I believe he lacks the defensive skills, hardness and flexibility that these players may offer. I hope he works on his defensive side and endurance because without improvement in these areas he will struggle to get into the senior side.

Excellent post Sylvinator. I think the concern is that our forwardline Bate aside is all based on potential. The concern is whether that potential will be realised. I think adding another potential KPF increases the likelihood that this will meet expectations. In saying this if our recruiting staff did not rate one at the relevant picks they made the correct decisions.

Maric: Will find it hard get gametime with the return of Wona and the new recruits. Needs to become more than a smart forward. Rivers: The return of Garland, entry of McDonald and maturing of TMac will put pressure on him in the back 6. Petterd: Although provided some good cameo forward roles in 09 needs have more consistent impact and add more strings to his bow to remain in our starting 22.