Lil_red_fire_engine

In my opinion Richo inherited a bog ordinary list and culture and then was handed some ordinary draft and list management decisions throughout his tenure. I suspect he is a lot better coach than his record suggests.

From 90’s onwards as memory not the best prior I would take Johnstone, Yze, Davey from a general field kick view. Davey’s skill by foot was heavily undersold.

Lets face it they are all click bait puff pieces to keep us engaged over the break. I just look for the little bits that spark my thought. In this case it was “ They’ve embraced the changes we are going to make to the way we play.” I have not been down to training yet but plan to on Friday and will have this in mind when watching. For those that have though does anything stand out as significantly different in the likely style of play or structure? This feels like more than just a slight adjustment to the 2018 model.

Even in the worst year some one has to finish in the top 5 spots of a B&F, I would suggest the votes they polled in the B&F is a better indication as to their season performance. Oliver polled 464 votes in 2019 compared to 595 in 2018. Harmes similarly 319 (2019) and 468 (2018). Even allowing for additional votes for finals this is a significant reduction in the impact of their season according to those coaches who vote. Time to let it go and concede that as reported everywhere and as shown by our performances our players were significantly impacted by reduced preseasons.

Started his career that way but he has mainly played the defensive side wing for the recent 2.5 seasons up until the second half of 2019 when he played all over the shop.

KK is unproven as a winger. Played his best footy for Suns at half back.

Dunkley’s form was good enough as a 19 year old in the VFL to get drafted mid year and then good enough at Casey VFL to get promoted for AFL games (granted with a very deep injury list). All off the back of no AFL preseason yet people call him guaranteed not to make it and it assumes a yard stick of not getting senior games in 2020. He seemed to lack a yard but naturally knows how to find the ball, connect play and kick a goal. Assuming we are blessed with a more balanced list this year I suspect he will ply his trade in the mid field for Casey and be ready to seriously push in 2021 as you would expect a development curve to look. Rivers has tools we have in shot supply and with Hibberd and Jetta likely to show decline even if fit and Harmes somewhat of an unknown off half back opportunities could be there if he develops ahead of the curve in his first year. I would still anticipate though with a balanced list that a solid year at Casey with maybe a few games if opportunities arise would be the most to consider.

Go you Big Red Fire Engine.

We have good quality depth combined in Brayshaw, Harmes, Petracca and Viney to jointly “cover” his clearance and contested ball winning ability and class. Preuss could do enough to negate at the hitouts but I think you are seriously underestimating Gawns impact around the ground particularly behind the ball.

Not exactly the question that was asked but if you were looking for the 4 players you would most want to be there for 22 games and then some I would say Gawn, Langdon, May and T-Mac. All 4 are high quality and have significant gap to the next up in their role.

This game can be cruel. Great the club will get behind him with an extension of contract. Do the hard yards again Neita, rehab hard and put your head down and learn as much as you can whilst you cant play. Reset and see you for 2021.

Wife is a bombers supporter and I went to numerous games with her last season and watched most others when free of Demons. She is livid they did not offer him another year. Works up and back hard and is clean in hands and by foot. At worst good insurance, at best will have a point to prove and offer a potential quality third foil or push the kids to earn their spot.

Thanks, Whilst I read some of last year and attended/watched all year I gave myself a season off posting once I sensed it may not meet expectations. Back into preseason like the rest of the team. Go Dees.

I was hoping Hore may take an upgrade and 34 would open up for LJ in a nod to a previous strong jawed mobile Dee ruckman.

B: Jetta, May, Lever HB: Harmes, Smith, Salem ? Langdon, Oliver, Tomlinson HF: Fritsch, TMac, Vandenberg F: Melksham, Weid, Pickett Fol: Gawn, Petracca, Viney IC: Brayshaw, Jackson, Jones, Hibberd Em: Petty, Bedford, Dunkley, Kola NB: If Bennell makes it then unfortunately Jones pushes out for mine.

Whilst not Marvel I just purchased and sent 22 of these to MFC headquarters in preparation for round 17 v Bulldogs.

Its far worse than this.

Oliver is the reason when you look back now and old posts that argue we have not had great players or elite players you nod and say "now I get it". He consistently plays the game at a different level to nearly all but the best of the best. Its almost like watching a different sport.

Powell a definite. A short time but a good time.

I am amazed but also not at the consistent MFC for premiers but it really is blind following the following the blind in footy media. Think its a year too early for us to be the expected victor but we will certainly give it a shake. I reckon Malthouse forgot us or I would love to hear/see his justification as to how we go backwards after he thought we would play finals in 2018.

Agree it is bias but it is also based on more than the above for me. A want to play three talls and no less than 2 at a time. I don't think either Smith is much more than planned back up. A want for Weid to further develop by getting a less mature or experienced tall where possible. A preference to minimise any need for TMac or Weid to play second ruck. A belief that the new rules further warrant a true second ruck particularly the ability to grab the ball when locked forward; a want to keep a true tall higher for the longer play from a kick out; and a true tall deeper for the positive centre clearance (and a true one at the centre at all bounces). A want to ensure our number 1 weapon in Gawn is better protected from wear and tear throughout the year. Prefer to see this during game rather than have him rested for games. I am not sold yet but it is my preferred initial set up based on many mounting factors until it proves not to be the case. The concern will be do they get in each others way and do we lose forward pressure and ability to chase out of defence but these are just watchpoints at this time.

Attended Friday and probably more of the same points from me. After the first 8-10 minutes we were as hard, polished and dominant as you can be in February. Pies supporter claimed this was due to the quality missing from their side particular the middle until I reeled off Oliver, Viney, Jones and then started to work my way through the rest of the ground. The rule changes had limited affect however I think they will have a a lot more prominence on a bigger ground. I also feel there was a touch of the coaches keeping their wing positioning and kick out tactics up their sleeve for the real stuff. Preuss will play round 1 at minimum and I suspect a lot of the season. The mobility, stamina and defensive pressure that T-Mac and Weid provide will allow this. I found both Smiths underwhelming other than a highlight or two. A three tall set up of Preuss, T-Mac and Weid is my preferred with Melksham as the fourth. The biggest quandary for me is who to put at their feet. Garlett pressured and offers a natural crumb but still wont take contact and both Spargo and ANB were underwhelming. I am keen to see more of Wagner as he had some nice cameos second half and there are small forward spots for the taking. It was great to see Hunt with confidence, AVB with added stamina and Hore look assured. The three will put even more pressure on the roles to be played of both Lewis and Jones and potentially Hibberd at points who I thought had a shocker. Lewis kicked beautifully but cant keep his feet and had 2-3 of his signature handballs over the shoulder to no one. No disrespect to Jones but he needs to learn a wing or flank as his midfield minutes will be limited by the development of our young core, now including AVB and Harmes and the want for increased minutes for Trac and Salem. In saying that there are wings up for grabs with both JKH and Stretch getting reasonable ball but both butchering it continually. They both in my mind lack the class connection we need through those parts and I cant wait to see whether Fritsch and KK can deliver those missing pieces or whether one of our many mids can adjust. Apologies. A bit of a ramble and nothing really new but probably just a chance to gather my own thoughts...

Back on 'Trac': Gun Demon impresses in match sim “Emerging Demon Christian Petracca shook off a recent knee issue to complete the entirety of Melbourne's bruising session at a wintry Casey Fields on Saturday. Many Demons remain on modified programs after the club's late start to the pre-season, but Petracca was one who managed to take part in everything, including match simulation.” Players who ran laps - Nathan Jones (hamstring/back tightness), Jack Viney (ankle/foot), Steven May (hamstring), Jake Lever (knee), Clayton Oliver (shoulders)* and Jake Melksham (hamstring). Players on limited duties for at least part of training - Aaron vandenBerg*, Oskar Baker (hamstring), Corey Maynard, Joel Smith, Tim Smith and Category B rookie Guy Walker (shoulder). * later joined match simulation. “The heavy and consistent rain made it difficult to assess match simulation, especially for Melbourne's taller players, but forwards Sam Weideman and Tom McDonald still had their moments.”

Maybe its just me but I feel people have short memories on the quality of prior efforts by Burgs. Most of the diaries were filled with garbage over the music on the bus and who chose it and who cooked the best steak the night before for their room mates. There was little of any substance. Aside from no update from Saturday I think our social media and web updates have been much improved this off season in consistency, immediacy and quality. Curious to see how they are during the actual season.

They both look in ripping shape.