Lil_red_fire_engine

6. T-Mac 5. Salem 4. Cross 3. Hogan 2. Garlett 1. Jones

We butchered the ball and our marks in the first 5 minutes and then refused to do anything that was remotely attacking after that point. We tracked them in to the ball and waited to quell them rather than trying to win it ourselves. If it wasn't for T-Mac and Salem we would have been in serious trouble. Our players still don't work hard enough when they dont have the ball. We are basically playing two men down on the spread with with Howe (lack of interest) and Tyson (inability to run). Its frustrating but we are getting better and will learn a lot from the last 2 weeks. Toumpas and Spencer were far from our worst so I don't understand the focus on them. Maybe more discussion on Howe or is he off limits?

If Viney is right he should come straight back in. Assuming Jetta and Viney are possible. In: Viney, Jetta, Jones Out: Howe, JKH, Pederson

Grimes played as Grimes does with a couple of poor ones but overall he was fine for the conditions. Thats why he was named Casey's best.

How amusing that we are surprised a team coming from where we have come from has poor depth quality at VFL level. In saying this I think you are being a tad harsh on some. Matty Jones was excellent for 3 quarters, Gawn after a lazy first quarter I actually thought worked hard after that and started to use his size including 10+ grabs. I agree ANB was superb and I suspect will be in the seniors within the month. Has a bit of the Ollie Wines see ball, get ball attitude about him. Knows how to use iot and also when to just get it forward. Looks to have a bit of mongrel about him as well. Grimes worked hard but lacks polish in his decision making. Michie lacks speed or effort when the ball is not in his immediate vicinity. Both offer reasonable depth for where we are at. Riley and Terlich are very limited footballers for different reasons that I would prefer not return to AFL action. The conditions and quality at this level really means its worthless looking at statistics and explains why Toump and Stretch are better served at the next level if they are showing the right disciplines and playing their role at VFL.

Surprised by Grimes omission and thought Michie deserved more opportunity. Jamar upon reflection toils and Spencer is aggressive and by all reports is in serious VFL form. Jordie should not have been in the side and certainly not as sub, that to me is just righting a wrong. Can't wait to see Billy and hopefully Toump given a good run at making his mark.

I want realism without doubting the players ability. The flipside to what Roos does is to sprout the rubbish Malthouse did pre-season (I cant possibly see how this side will lose) or Hardwick last week (we can beat anybody). They sounded ridiculous. I think Roos last year talked players and team down too much but his balance this year has been realism.

How many good games has he had so far where he has played his role welll offensively and defensively. I know he is young in games but he has been a disappointment so far and probably needs a spell at Casey unless he gets more consistently involved.

He is a mid playing good game time and aside from the odd goal is having little to no impact on the contest.

I must have missed these today and his 80%+ DE doesn't show it out on the stats sheet. Do you have any actual examples from today?

A midfielder who gets 12 touches and places limited defensive pressure. Looks good when he gets it but doesn't find the pill enough.

Out: McKenzie, Watts, Newton In: Riley, Dawes, Jetta

6. T-Mac 5. Garlett 4. Garland 3. Brayshaw 2. Cross 1. Grimes

How many times has Roos said that about the side this year? You seem to be quoting from 12-16 months ago? What should he say about Freo who have demolished all in their path when asked? FWIW take out the the first 10 and the last 20 and we put up a good effort but didn't take our chances. They were too big and classy and showed again we just need more midfield class and maturity. They hit the contest hard at the start and our leaders did not respond. We needed more from Jones and Vince. Tyson is useless on the spread away from the contest and only ok at the stoppage at the minute. He is clearly not fit and needs to get whatever it is sorted. None of McKenzie, Watts or Grimes cost us the game but only one gets a pass mark. McKenzie should not have been sub and should not have been in the team in the first place unless a suitable job was the reason. Watts had the least impact of any player on the ground. Grimes had a good game I thought nullifying his opponent. NB: Fyfe is playing a different game than any other at present. He is a freak and I could watch him all day.

Congrats Jack Watts on reaching 100 games in the red and blue. Your career so far has been a combination of flashes of unbelievable skill and decision making as well as some of the most frustrating moments that have to most symbolised the failure we have been over this period. This is mostly not your fault as you were thrown into the fray too early, made a public face of a club before you had earnt its respect, been through so many coaches, positions, game styles and team mates that you probably didn't know which way you're facing half the time. To get through this period and still be in the red and blue let alone playing AFL at all is amazing in itself and purely because of your god given talent. In my mind from today what you make of your career is all yours and no one else. I will wipe the slate clean of everything before and rate you from this point on. There is no excuses as it is all before you and up to you what you make of it. You now have the mental and physical maturity, a clear role, the best coaching team anyone could hope for and the right people around you to drive the expected standards. I have no doubt you will play 100 more games as you have ability only few could hope for but whether you are remembered as one who coasted through it on skill alone or reach the potential that made us choose you at number 1 will be up to you. All the best Jack. I have faith its in you. Give em Hell.

Gaff is more the player type we need than Selwood but I dont think he is the right target. His form is too inconsistent mainly because as soon as he hits form he loses it via tag. He may be too outside link man rather than line breaking class we need.

The good is we have players coming in who have shown consistent form at Casey. They will know if they don't perform they will be the first ones out of the side. Truthfully if I had a choice of a bad injury patch over the next three weeks against top sides or later on against the sides outside the top 4 I will take it now.

Its always great when we know better than Roos, Goodwin, McCartney and co. Who are our options for Ballantyne and Walters? Who will lock onto a mid if Bernie cant shutdown Fyfe or if someone else gets off the chain? He would have been my third choice but as long as he is not the sub I can see the logic and will back the decision and the player in.

Cripps is a worthy recipient of the nomination as he played a cracking game on the weekend. However Hogan is leading a key statistic of the league after 4 rounds and clearly beat the best defender in the league on the weekend under the spotlight of Friday night football.

How recognised is Clarke as a ruckman? How much more than Griffiths?

Hogan, McCarthy and Cripps are all worthy nominations this round and in most other weeks would be a shoo in. I expect Hogan will get it off the back of media attention of Friday night football and his direct opponent.

I will be focussing for the next three weeks on not whether we win but how we apply our style and application against probably the three best sides in the comp. If we hold it together and crack in 100% we are an outside chance if all goes well but the process is more important than the outcome. Grimes for Jetta is a given. If Tyson plays I would swap Kent for Bail and as far as rucks just work to nullify their ruck stoppage work as best we can do. On our side is the limited recent games Freo have played at the G and the physical and mental toll the Sydney game will have taken on them. They also fell over the line which cannot have them as high on confidence as if they finished off strong. Vince to Fyfe and Cross to Hill and take the rest on man on man.

Disappointing but not surprised by the severity based on how he did it and he grabbed high on his leg which is never a good sign. As others have said opportunity beckons for someone else.

I don't think it's best to bring toump back in against the ultra pressure of Freo. Let him keep plying his trade unless injury means choice is limited. Sounds like Grimes is a given though. You can guarantee he will be hungry and will do everything to stay there.

Did you watch the game. If Brayshaw had the game Cripps had we would be wetting ourselves and wanting both to get it this week. Hogan, McCarthy and Cripps performances are all clearly worthy of the nomination this week and would have it in the bag most other weeks. Expect Hogan to get it as he is so different to other kids as well as Friday night football increased media awareness.