Lil_red_fire_engine

Brown is clearly our number one tall forward and must come in. It then comes down to do you think it is more likely that TMac can get back to form of 9-12 months ago or Weid can start to more consistently impact contests and the scoreboard. I personally would like us to invest in Weid and feel whilst TMac gives his all has lost any ability to get off the ground and a step to gain separation on the lead. That was my original thoughts on reading between the lines of Goodys comments during the week. However he has a history of preferring team consistency and minimising change. He also talked up Bedfords performance when he played earlier in the year only to omit him. I feel the reinforcement of Weid doing the right things but TMac being known and preferred at least for a while longer is where selection will land tonight.

How good is it that we had a 10 goal quarter but the crowd (and me personally) appeared more amped for May’s two spoiling efforts on the wing as he came off and Sparrows gut run and tap to Fritter. Good to see Picketts and Spargos effort so far this season turn into goals and possessions. Petty back is so important as it frees May to play a higher, more aggressive defensive game.

Let me know where I pick the keys up from. Listen to Goody’s press conference and read between the lines and I suggest Weid stays to partner Benny. That would be the change I would make as well. In BBB Out: TMac

6. May 5. Gawn 4. Trac 3. Spargo 2. Viney 1. Harmes NB: Whilst not in the votes so good to have Harry Petty back in the side and was a big reason for May’s domination.

Petty looked good at Casey last week and played a fair chunk of game time. He is clearly best 22 and you get best 22 in as soon as they have the run in their legs which they must think he has. This is no disrespect to Tomo who has been serviceable in Pettys absence.

Great to see JJ gets some recognition.

If the question is who has the most upside it’s Laurie. If the question is who is least ready to play AFL It is also I Laurie. I am super impressed in the attributes he is showing and really want him to get a full year of VFL mid forward and another big preseason until he is considered in the picture.

Not dimissing him at all. I just think if he is playing mid forward they will want to see him get to more contests, work harder defensively and attract more than single figure possessions before he is considered in what is an area of the ground we have kept most stable over the last 18 months. He has some serious tools but I suggest they are playing him in that role at VFL as this is best for ours and his development for when he is ready. I just dont see it being this season. Another pre season and a year playing mid against mature bodies and he will be well tooled to play high half forward at AFL level.

Assuming no one has to miss for any reason its just Brown in for Weid in my view. Neither TMac or Weid made the second spot their own. Whilst Tmac has not impacted significantly for some, one good game playing the deeper role from Weid does not give him the spot. We know what we get with the Brown and Tmac convo. I would prefer to have the more mature bigger body of Tmac against the Giants defenders. Also he is more proven in the higher tall forward role and I much prefer Brown as the deeper forward (the role Weid played against the Bombers). I thought they may bring in Smith over Tomo or Hunt but from some presser snippets I sense Smith is less in tune with the back 7 dynamic than Tomo or Petty who I sense they may want to give another week at Casey to before consideration.

I agree not many there are showing clear form to push some one out but as others have mentioned a dominant VFL display does not always translate and vice versa. Some of that is quality of opposition and game, the grounds played at as well as likely playing a VFL primary role to elevating to AFL in a supporting position. You are looking for the key attributes, fitness and touch that will translate into the required role at AFL level more so than volume of touches and significant impact. Bowey as some have mentioned is a great case in point. What excites me is whilst getting low touches, our kids in Laurie, Howes, Woewodin, JVR and others are just doing some of those things that are AFL level attributes whether it is one touch moments, speed of decision making or defensive intercept that show that with development they will be quality up a level when their time comes. All going well that time wont need to be in 2022.

Bedford is good next up for Koz, ANB and Spargo but they have him covered at present. I dont rate Chandler highly. Laurie is playing more mid forward than forward. He shows some serious footy iQ and skill and will be a quality future player but needs a full season of development at Casey in 2022.

Not that I can see either getting omitted but Pickett 29 pressure acts and Spargo 10 says to me some may be looking at the wrong one in the gun.

6 Gawn 5 May 4 Harmes 3 Jordon 2 Langdon 1. Fritsch

It’s more than an I think, I suggest the mass of strapping around his knee is the give away. Clearly not moving tonight with his standard power and step through the stoppage. I would not be surprised if he is rested on a short turnaround unless its something that improves with time rather than rest. I am curious to see if any VFL players are not played today due to the short turnaround.

6 Brayshaw 5. Oliver 4. Langdon 3. Weid 2. Smith 1. Bowey

It will be Brown for TMac and Lever for Tomlinson. Kozzie must be on thin ice if Bedford has a quality game tomorrow but playing Thursday night will limit the likelihood of changes for those who play today. For those saying Brown wont play that would go against Goody saying he would be available in the press conference.

Langdon playing a hard running wing role in those conditions and playing 100% game time is not human.

Professional grinding win against an improving side in tough conditions. Jackson and Boweys impact at their age is ridiculous. Our defensive run was not up to normal scratch and our forward talls in Brown and Tmac did not give much,. Take the win and back to the G for round 3.

6 Trac 5 Jackson 4 Bowey 3 May 2 Oliver 1 ANB

I’m not panicked. We should win. I am just a realist that the Suns up there on a slippery night is not a walk in the park.

This is a danger game, particularly early in the season in wet and greasy conditions. They are hard but not slick at the contest and have some forwards with tricks at the fall of the ball that can be tough when on. Our maturity and elite endurance should allow us to come over the top but anyone that thinks this is not a danger game early in the season may end up with a surprise.

I dont have confidence that Lever or Hibberd will be ready or rushed for round 2. However if Lever in it will be Tomlinson out as was round 1 plan. If Hibberd in it will be to cover Salem. If neither ready I suggest Dunstan in to allow Brayshaw back and Jordon/Harmes to cover the wing as required. Bedford to sub again. As has been mentioned Goody much prefers continuity rather than change for changes sake.

What a great way to start the season and back in style at the G. The key positives for me were the continuing best in the comp form of Trac, the development of Benny Brown since this time last year and the work of our makeshift defensive 7,. The limited concerns for me was our inability to own the centre clearance, letting the dogs get on a run and the form of Kozzie. Also Jimmy J showed that he can play a more than capable defensive wing role which may be important if we need Angus back more whilst Salem recovers. That’s it now can bask in being 1-0 and one up on a key rival for the next 10 days. Go Dees.

6. Trac 5. Brown 4. Langdon 3. Oliver 2. Smith 1. ANB

5, Heath 4, Bannan 3. Mithen 2. Paxman 1. Gay