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Deespicable

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  1. 6 T-Mac - too tall and strong in one-on-ones on Scharenberg once sent permanently forward. 5 Oliver - Copped Treloar and others working him over, but our best midfielder on a dirty day for most of them. Really struggled to find votes from here 4 Lewis - Yes I know he was exposed for pace time and time again, but he kicked the ball with precision time and time again - except for his late blunder pass to Jones. Should never have been allowed to play last line at times, but that's not his fault. 3 Fritsch - Smooth mover and I suspect when I watch replay he will come out even more clearly on top on his wing. 2 Jetta - Caught out for pace like all of our defenders and his 18-year-old opponent kicked four goals, but he read play really well again and worked his butt off in defeat. 1 Gawn - I thought it was pretty close in his battle with Grundy and because Cox smashed Pedo when the stars rested, maybe a few of us downplayed his contribution. Apologies Spargo - Our second quarter spark, but unfortunately couldn't keep it going, like most of his mates.
  2. I hear where you are coming from and yes I did notice his lack of chase time and time again and yes in our earlier lossess against Cats and Hawks, he was exposed over the back, as he would have been against the Tigers if he had played. But Jordy's precision is a big reason why we have won the past six games and his distribution, except for his last-quarter clanger was exceptional again today. Take a breath and figure out the other reasons behind the loss today - pace beat precision and what's worse we lost in the hardball area for just the second time this year - both losses. Goody will reconfigure and fix those areas and I reckon he will now know that he must have Hunt playing against the Pies and Tigers, even if he does turn it over.
  3. Pros and cons on this Mickey. I didn't really think Spargo was sensational against the Richmond VFL side the week before he got his call up and he played a blinder against Essendon, but .... Sometimes with youth, you just have to go for it and hope it comes off - either way any debut is usually uplifting for the whole team. Usually younger players form jumps around by the week. An early mark or dropped one can make a huge difference to their mindset - similarly a good spoil. Personally given Frosty is out of favour, I'm surprised Wags didn't get first crack and then, based on named squad, my logic would be to go the more experienced Joel Smith who may lack height to be a long-term CHB intercepter, but is certainly tall enough for Mihocek. Some will try and equate a Petty QB debut with Jack Watts, but really we are a vastly different side to then and the Pies were ultra physical with a chip on their shoulders as well in those days and we didn't have enough strength to help him. We do now. Very pleased that we seem to be going with Pedo for this game - he just provides the extra insurance for Cox and Grundy - if injury befalls one of our bigs. I also like the fact that it forces Dunny back to the goalsquare on him and means Scharenberg and Langdon will have their work cut out stopping Hoges and T-Mac. But I hope Hunt gets in and will be shocked if he's not the carry-over player at least. As I said earlier, they have the pace over us, we have the precision over them. Hunt can balance all that up a bit.
  4. Very exciting Monday ahead - two in form teams with two dominant ruckmen and plenty of other captivating match-ups. They have more pace, we have more precision. You would have to think Smith's omission came partly about because Cox can be damaging as the back-up and logic says Pedo is better insurance, both against Cox and also if O-Mac gets hurt or Mihocek carves up Joel Smith and we have to send someone back. I reckon you'd have to go Joel Smith first before Petty but I may be wrong on this - but Casey reports suggested Petty was quiet last week. There is also a case for Hunt to get a gig before Joel Smith, but I suspect that would mean more of a mismatch on Mihocek, although Hunt's pace on Stephenson would be useful. If Hannan is out (as mooted by some), then don't be surprised if Hunt comes in as it gives Goody more options down back if their pace exposes us. Obviously with zones and switches these match-up will rotate a bit, but I can see the following happening: Jetta - Stephenson Oscar - Cox Vince - the Hyphen Joel Smith - Mihocek Hibberd - De Goey Salem - Thomas Jordy - Wells/Mayne
  5. Deespicable replied to What's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    Agree on your three, although I reckon Melky is in the mix - his standout games on Rance and against Carlton will have won him points and this year there will be no Betts as the small forward. Bruest, Caddy, De Goey and even Walters are challenging for those spots I think. As to Jetta, he was a standout on Saturday - I reckon it was the best game I've seen him play - but even then he only went forward 251m. That's the negative wrap on him - he only hurts sides by stopping players. He also started season poorly. But if he keeps playing like he did Saturday, then he'll firm for a spot. Plenty of options in his role. Laird and Tom Stewart are certs and Hurn and Vlaustin must be close as well.
  6. Deespicable replied to Chelly's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    Really interesting decision for Goody and selectors. I doubt it will be Frost, who is clearly out of favour at the moment. Pies smaller forward set up means that we can get by with a three-quarter tall - but Frost is needed for the clash with Port after the bye - Dixon and Westy and Wattsy are a bigger line-up to contend with. Hunt would also surprise as I reckon he can still be bodied out of contest a bit and his inclusion, while great for run, would mean that we may have to go Harmesy there early. So to me, it's out of our two three-quarter talls. Wags may enjoy the freedom of flying for everything without being told off for being fourth man-up - I imagine he plays on the hyphen. Joel Smith has hit form and adds some real pace to the back seven - not sure if he's quite as natural with the intercept punch though. Big game required from Jordy to marshal newcomer into right spots. Interesting comments about Phillips needing a tag - I had him down as a cert to go to Angus to try and nullify our most damaging midfielder of past four weeks.
  7. Thanks BB - an excellent wrap up again of our Casey boys. Pleased to hear Dion finally made a good fist of defence - like you I've had him written off as little more than a yapping dog up forward, but sometimes a switch of roles can do wonders. Maybe Stretcher is also making more headway as the old Bill, rather than the young Billy - he is now a very good kick which should give him a chance to make it yet at AFL level - once an opportunity arises.
  8. Deespicable replied to Mickey's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    Richmond has twice shown their willingness to drop Jack Higgins for big games despite handy form and a pretty lengthy winning streak ... until yesterday. Personally I'd be taking Jeffy as it's our first major test since being touched up by Richmond and he's mega suited to the ground as he showed last year and the conditions and brings his own army of supporters - they love him up there and stand behind the goals watching his every move as they will be for Eddie as well this week. The umps takes notice as well and having him in is worth a couple of frees in this game - it's a case of horses for courses. Spargo has shown good attack on the footy and is clever with his disposal and should travel with them. He'll get plenty more chances. Our strongest side is with a fit and firing Jeffy working his butt off. I accept he doesn't always bring that but I'd reckon he will this week and he's had what is it - four weeks to think about it in the magoos - and the signs are there that he's getting it.
  9. Deespicable replied to WERRIDEE's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    89 TO PRESENT B: S.FEBEY, WIGHT, WHELAN HB: B.LOVETT, LYON YZE INGERSON, HIBBERD C : TINGAY, OBST OLIVER, T.JOHNSTONE HF: GREEN, SCHWARZ, BRUCE F: ROBBO HOGAN, NEITZ, FARMER FOLL: STYNES, T.VINEY, JONES J.VINEY IC: J McDONALD DAVEY T.MCDONALD, WHITE GAWN, WOEWODIN, G.LOVETT I hate it when we put players who are just starting out in our so-called best sides and I was not a huge Ingo fan - he played five solid seasons as a defensive stopper, but was a shocking kick and contributed very little to offence. So I've cheated by sending Lyon to CHB, he played there quite a bit for Vics and was swung to defence a few times to save games for Northey. Same with Yze to half-back, although his best year was 2000 when he played as a defender. Whelan lucky as Matthew Febel was also worthy in this timeframe. Stretcher, Yater and Grinter's best years were pre-89, hence overlooked. Two more good years and I'll happily add in all of your current day players.
  10. Deespicable replied to Demonland's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    By my reckoning it's 2-0 to Cripps with one wipeout, but that's somewhat expected given young Clayton was taking on a senior footballer. But now that Clayton is a mature young man, he should be able to hold his own at clearances and his superior speed and kicking means he should be more damaging overall. Both great players. Oliver closing in on superstardom. 2016 - MCG: Blues win, 18-year-old Clayton schooled by Cripps who gives Gibbs a birthday treat. 2017 - MCG: Blues about to win with Cripps unstoppable before the elbow of Jordy intervenes. Etihad - Evenly matched until Jayden intervenes to send Cripps on his way.
  11. Deespicable replied to London Demon's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    Gees, give us a break. He'll be back in the side as soon as we start losing our way to the ball over the back again as we did against Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond. We've played and beaten five of the bottom six sides and the precise ball movement down back of Jordan Lewis and Christian Salem has been a feature the past two weeks. But as soon as we are found out for pace, as we will against top sides that move the ball long and quick, then we will all be clamouring for his recall. In the meantime he just needs to work on flattening his kicks - he tends to get under his long roosts Brent Grgic style. Further to that, the coach who encouraged him to kick torpedoes in the off season should take a fine for the team - one of the worst mistakes of all time.
  12. Deespicable replied to WERRIDEE's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    I really like Tyson and feel somewhat aggrieved that he rarely gets to play in the centre square at ball ups these days and even with the penchant of almost all coaches to want to use their wings as additional big-bodied mids, I still view his omission from the square as a sign that he is on the outer with Goody - metaphorically as well. But with Fritsch the flavour of the month and now moving to the wing, I can't really see what other options Goody has for Viney's inclusion, other than to pull the Tyson pin - as he did Rd 1 mind you when his pre-season mindset got the better of him and he punted on a second-gamer to tag Ablett. The anti-ANB and Harmes lobby group has taken a real hit lately. Both continue to apply pressure and added enough clever offence that only a downright niggardly old man would still clamour for their removal. Their argument no doubt is that we've played three bottom sides in a row now (and a fourth awaits) so them finding form is a furphy. But that same logic applies to everyone in the side. We won't know who has taken a genuine step up until we play some tough opponents and player's pros and cons are truly exposed for us all again. That said, I think unless a player has a niggle or we decide to rest an old boy (we have three these days) or a young pup (Spargo) then it's hard not to see Dom being the one for Viney. As for Spargo, Jeffy's form means a change is likely anyway - the only issue is whether Goody waits until the Alice Springs game (Jeffy kicked five there last year) for the switch or pulls the pin to get Jeffy back to play his old dark navy Blue mates. I suspect the latter. There is some logic also in Tim Smith being brought in to replace the Weed, but once again, the Bull may have to wait until we lose again and changes become necessary. The Weed has hardly been a shining light in the ruck, but he has presented well up forward and a couple of his handball gives have been first rate. He is still very much a project player, but with Goody going the three-big forward project at the minute, he's safe this week IMO.
  13. Great report VP - balanced, rational and throwing forward.
  14. Clearly if you are potting VDB like this you never went to training 2-3 years ago - prior to his ankle problems he was the only guy who could take on Jayden over 50m and have a realistic chance of beating him. Sure his kicking lacks a bit of penetration, but I'd love to see you in the same room with him and make your comments to him. A walk up start if he was fit, sadly I suspect his injury is such that he won't be able to crunch the Tigers and Hodgey again.
  15. Deespicable replied to McQueen's post in a topic in Melbourne Demons
    Based on what I saw when I rode past Gosch's training this morning I'm tipping no changes. But hopefully the two ins whom everybody is talking about both show up on Thursday and look fit and fresh and have not had any setbacks.
  16. Obviously a lot will depend on how they pull up and who is mega sore and thankfully the same will apply to Essendon even more after today. From what I saw, I'd be worried about Jonesy being 100% because he copped a nasty blow to the ribs from hitman Townsend. But Jonesy is tough, so he may play a bit hurt. With only one significant training session before Sunday, I can't imagine too many structural changes and that means we will persist with our gung-ho attack from down back and kicking up the line to contests, relying on our ability to win stoppages. Essendon, like Richmond, is a mega-quick side, but they don't have the Tigers physical presence, so hopefully our systems functions better against them. But the last thing I hope we do compromise for this game pace - hence I'd be really disappointed if we rushed back Lewis for this game. The two players who I am sure will come back in are Hannan (he was unlucky to be dropped anyway after Rd 1) and Fritsch - who was 23rd man against Tigers and is the ideal sort of player for Etihad. I'd also like to see Frost recalled - but that won't happen - he's been out of favour with Goody for some time now and basically Wagner has his spot and for the most part (except for when he is fourth man up in a pack like he was in the second quarter) he has been pretty serviceable. Obviously Kent is out and then it's decision time. Does Stretch get another chance or is he made the scapegoat? Does Jeffy's poor form warrant dropping given Etihad suits his style as well? If so we are getting close to career over. Was Angus' stunning third term (after a very poor start) enough to warrant his spot? Does ANB get sent back to find form in the magoos? Did Tyson provide enough run from his wing and will he be exposed by Essendon's speed? Was Salem's poor first-half ball use (unusual for him) enough to get him moved out of the middle? Did Harmes lose his way because he was flipped from position to position on the night or because he's down on confidence? All the above questions have the added caveat that we were up against the premiers at night when the pressure was intense. For me, I'd send ANB back to the VFL for a week or two to get him more involved in link play again. The Jeffy one is tricky and I'd prefer if he gets his final chance before we resort to Spargo or some other small forward option. Dropping Stretch is what I'm sure a lot of you will want, but doesn't he deserve another go against a slightly less physical opponent before we terminate his career (as some of you have)? The only other change to consider is whether Weid recovers quickly enough to go again, especially considering both T-Mac and Pedo are banging down the door for his spot and Tim Smith as well. Weid was handy and it was one of his best games he's played for us, but I'm sure if T-Mac is ruled fit, then he'll replace him. That leaves three changes IMO. In: Fritsch, Hannan and T-Mac (If ready) Out: Kent, ANB and Weid (if T-Mac returns).
  17. We picked Stretch for what we hoped would be to provide outside run and what we hoped would be more defensive pressure and speed getting back. It didn't work, but that says a lot about how quick and tough the Tigers are. Fritsch and Bugg were replaced as our secondary key forward options by Weideman and Harmes (first quarter before being moved) with Melky playing more often than previous weeks from the goalsquare region.
  18. Sorry guys but I have to speak up about the non-selection of Fritsch which a few of you seem to think was another Goody oversight. We were playing the most ferocious, niggardly side at night - the conditions that they have dominated for their past 12 games, the only exception being their game in Adelaide when they got a taste of umpiring bias. I am not sure how and why anyone could think that our classy newcomer, who is still incredibly light, would have fared better than any of our other small forwards. He would have had as much chance as Jeffy last night and we'd all be talking about dropping him this week. The good news is that his skillful play is highly suited to the perfect conditions of Etihad this Sunday and he will be fresh and I'm sure ready to show us a few tricks. Essendon are no where near as physical so it's an ideal chance for him to show us all where he is at. But a night game against Richmond, or Sydney for that matter, forget it. Wait a couple more years when he's got some more grunt about him.
  19. 6 - Hibberd - Hard, brilliant and his courageous attempt to mark going back into Riewoldt gets him across the line for me. 5- Hogan - Really loved his game tonight. Forget what the stats say, used the ball smartly tonight and he even kicked the ball a long way. 4 Melksham - Often played from the goalsquare in the role that Buggy and Fritsch have been doing (poorly). Often against the game's best in Rance. Four goals was a huge return. 3 Lever - Smooth all night and his kicking by and large was impressive. 2 Gawn - How do you not give him votes for us when he again smashes his man. But why can't our players rove him? 1 O.Mac - Huge second term - just don't look at the last term replay.
  20. Exposed for clearance ability and exposed for outside run by Richmond's bevy of small hard-running forwards. It's the first game I've seen this year where we've really missed Viney's influence and hardness around the contest and with Oliver and Petracca unable to win clean clearances it was good night Dees because our advantage was in the ruck and we again got no benefit from it and frustratingly for Gawny, the umps rarely look after him like they used to with Jimmy. Apart from Viney, the one player we really miss is an outside run type - no wonder there are already rumours that we are after Gaff for next season. Stretch came in to try and play that role tonight and sadly he wasn't able to get clean ball - it was slippery and Richmond are the night experts - they pick hardworking, quick players to go with their handful of genuine stars and it's working. It's easy to say in hindsight that in those conditions the last player you want on the field is Jeffy, but his no-show tonight makes it tricky for next week because Etihad will clearly suit him better and he is the first player that should be dropped on tonight's game. You could also easily make a case for rejigging our midfield set up - getting Vince back in there for instance - but Essendon isn't noted for their hardball players - it is more of an outside run team. Despite the loss there were plenty of positives IMO. Hibberd returned to his 2017 form and his courageous fly back into Riewoldt was unbelievable. Hoges showed that he can kick more than 50m on at least two occasions (this has been my main criticism of him) and his second half was brilliant. Lever was impressive, in fact most of our defenders were. It was only in the last term that under siege, the damwall broke. OMac second term was phenomenal and Wagner was great in first half before losing his way a little. Hunt's rabid attack on players was great, although his disposal again let him down. Jetta did a great job on a resting Dusty for much of the night and was another worthy of a pass mark. But he must play again next week. What we learnt tonight is that we are a fair way off the pace of the Tigers and probably a couple of other teams. The pessimists will say we won't make the finals, but there's very little difference between teams 4 and 13 - we just have to bring our best to the table regularly enough and ultimately the return of Jack Viney in Round 8 (hopefully) will determine how far we go.
  21. Sorry Joeboy, but if you don't go to the game (as you obviously didn't), then taking pot shots at players for lack of courage (eg: Salem) is weak as [censored]!
  22. Just hope you say the same thing about Hardwick and Shaun Grigg! They did win a flag with it mind you Febel!
  23. I still think that when Ross Dillon went down with an achilles injury in 1971 after making the state team the previous year it was bigger than Schwarter's knee. Back then nobody even knew what an achilles injury was - it was the turf-toe of today. Speaking of turf-toe, it sounds like T-Mac has succumbed to it - must have something to do with jumping up for the ruck tapouts. Anyway by my reckoning we may now have five first 22 players missing for Rd 1 and there's a few yet to prove their fitnes. 1) Viney. 2) T-Mac. 3) Lewis. 4) ANB (he's still not allowed to do competitive work). 5) VDB (he's a favourite of mine, although like my colleagues above I accept that I'm living in the past). You can also add O.Mac and Oliver, who are racing against time with their niggles, but I suspect will get up.
  24. A great topic Big Carl and you did a superb job. Obviously all of us will differ in our view - but I'm in the lucky boat of being the right vintage for this one, as you may be as well. Almost all of your line-up I agree with, although I did struggle with a few and have made three changes and swapped a couple on the bench. I'm sorry but I can't have Graeme Yeats in this side. He was handy, but occasionally was dropped as a defender, although his superb 1987 year as a wingman helped turn things around for the whole side. But he can't get the wing role for obvious reasons. The tricky thing is deciding whether his spot goes to a tall defender or a small one. Ultimately I suspect Jake Lever or Michael Hibberd will get the spot, but the only good, tall intercepters we have had are Jared Rivers and Clint Biz and whilst they had their days, they weren't quite dominant enough. I think any side of this 50-year era has to consider Laurie Fowler. Dumped by the Tigers, he was as tough as nails, won a few B&Fs and was a long clearing kick. He'd also back into anything - Neil Balme included. He's the only one I feel comfortable enough to propose for the other back pocket besides Alan Johnson, who is a monty. The full-back spot is also a troubling one. Danny Hughes was tough and a great kick, but he was mighty slow - that's why Northey decided against playing him on Dunstall in the 1988 GF. He did have a few cracking QB games on Brian Taylor though. Peter Giles was tight-checking and good enough for Lethal to decide to wipe him out. But I like Sean Wight most of all - he kept Ablett goalless one game and his attack on the footy was inspiring. While our depth came on in 1987 and hence everyone played a part in that revival, it was Wight that turned us into a counter-attacking side - a bit like Alex Rance today. Frawley of 2011 also was worthy but his other years were solid, not amazing. I eventually agreed with your choice of half-backs. Brett Lovett was slow, but did all the fundamentals right and enjoyed playing on Peter Daicos. I think he was probably a tad smarter than Tony Sullivan, though cut from the same cloth. The running half-back spot is a toss up between Steven Febey and Stephen Stretch, although Jayden may go past both of them in time. Stretcher was a better kick and had a bigger leap, but Febel could run all day and kept presenting and with brother Matt and Nathan Brown, gave us the run that propelled Daniher's side to finals. Both lacked the mongrel touch though. Grinter, however, was considered by other fans to be more mongrel than footballer but he was a pretty handy kick on the run plus he could take a hanger, so you could probably forgive him the fact that his hip invariably wound up making contact with opponents. Adem Yze also had a sensational year in 2000 off a back flank but played way more as a forward and a bench spot in this side beckons for him. Gary Hardeman is somewhat lucky. The taxi driver was a wonky kick and probably wouldn't even get drafted today because of it, but he was a good mark, played tight, was pretty quick and also was reliable enough when playing for the Vics. He fared well in the Brownlow, but I reckon even he would say that he wasn't as good as a runner-up and third place suggest. But who has been a better CHB on a regular basis? Wight was good there in 87 but played most of his footy at FB, Lyon was exceptional when switched there and Neiter had that one game on Carey in 1994 that everyone thinks makes him a CHB guru, but he was way better as a forward. Spalding wasn't quite quick or mobile enough, hence got sent to CHF. The centreline is hard to argue with. Alves and Wells were premiership players, albeit it after the skippers left to finish their careers in glory. Flower was a God. But that leaves us with a problem because Willo in 1982 was amazing and he was very good for a few more years, often in the uncanny small forward role, where his big baulking hip-swivel was lethal. But I'll take Willo on the bench. The other hard luck story is Stephen Tingay, who was hard and gave his all, but just missed both our grand finals - too young for 88, too old and injured for 00. I've named him emergency to keep the hard luck theme going. The choice of CHF is a lot harder than most young people realise. Officer Greg Parke was amazing in the early 70s, he had sticky fingers but his errant boot often let us down. I accept Schwarter at CHF as he was the most amazing player I have seen though until his knee and he did fight back bravely to win our B&F. I can just cop Parke's omission - but I think if enough people of my age were online, then I reckon he probably would get the nod. I've gone with Gerard Healy on a flank. He often played that spot for the Vics after his 77-odd goal season as a forward pocket next to Whacko Jacko in 1982. In 84 and 85 he was virtually unstoppable as a ruck rover before heading to to the Swans. Seven years and 130 games for us - yep that's enough I reckon to make this side, even though his first couple of seasons on the wing were very much developmental years. In fact I'd say he's the third best footballer we've seen in this 50-year period behind Robbie and Garry Lyon. Neiter gets the full forward spot hands down. If only Hoges had a thumping kick like David did! And the whiz was Mr Magic for us - also for seven seasons - and his 2000 year was phenomenal. You could make a case for Aaron Davey as a small forward and even though he never kicked a swag of goals, he did change the game with his forward pressure. That's why he's in my 22. Then I get controversial for you Big Carl. I'm sorry but I disagree on Allen Jakovich's inclusion. Sure he was amazing once he got his chance in 1991, but four seasons and 47 games isn't a team of the century stat. I'd be happy for him to be in our most mercurial or talented team of the century, but I don't think that's what this topic is about. It's for that reason that Russell Robertson gets my vote - keep your feet, Robbo. Sure Robbo benefitted from having Neiter next to him, but he did win four club goalkicking awards and played more than 200 games - not bad for a guy spotted taking a nice hanger. Brad Green also goes close, but he spent a lot of time as a winger. The ruck's a given, the ruck-rover is also easy as Todd Viney was bigger than Jack and just as tough, although his kicking let him down. I loved the Obstetrician as a player and Glenn Lovett was clever as well, but neither can match Nathan Jones for workrate or heart nor, as some of you have seen, the kicking skills. Henry Coles and Sugar Healy had their moments and Junior Mac was a great leader ... but Jonesy is a three-time B&F winner for good reason. The last spot on the bench goes to a defender for balance and Grinter just pips Stretch and Hughes, but really I'm splitting hairs now. So here it is In bold are players that you picked that I agreed with Big Carl, although Healy and Viney have swapped positions - Todd was never as good as a forward. B: A Johnson S.Wight D Hughes L.Fowler G Yeats HB: B Lovett G Hardeman S Febey C: S Alves G Wells R Flower HF: G Lyon D Schwarz Gerard Healy F: J Farmer D Neitz R Robertson A Jakovich R: J Stynes T Viney N Jones Int: B Wilson R Grinter, A. Davey A Yze J McDonald, Emerg: S.Tingay G.Parke, S.Stretch A Obst, E Spalding OK, a few other comments on those that other have mentioned but miss out IMO. Gary Baker - A lovely mark, but was usually beaten in hit-outs because he was quite short compared to other tapmen. He also wasn't mobile enough to hold down CHF or CHB - something that Jimmy did a bit of early in his career. We've had a long list of handy ruckmen - Big Carl, Peter Moore, Jeff White and Strawb O'Dwyer, but only one so far can match Jimmy and big Maxy needs to do it for quite a few more years yet to challenge him. Ray Biffin - The problem is he can't get a gig as FF because we have Neiter in that spot and even then, his kicking for goal was sporadic at best. As a FB, he played some handy games, but he wasn't fit enough to be a flying intercept mark or rebounder and hence misses out. Stephen Smith - Ultimately a bit of a tease like Jack Watts. Under Skilton we thought we had a superstar in the making at CHF, but then he was never quite able to nail down the spot, eventually being sent to defence where he was reliable in a very ordinary side. His best game was on Leigh Matthews and we all should know where that ends - just ask Gilesy or Allen Jarrot.
  25. Love the way Lever plays and given we were smashed in the air this year, then it's nice to know we have a guy who has a presence in this area with his leap. Apart from T-Mac going forward, I hope they prepare O.Mac pre-season to play as a forward/back-up ruckmen as well. Unless Frost or Lever is injured, then O-Mac will be required to head forward on occasions and last year for some stupid reason, players like Weid and O-Mac and T-Mac did no work on the back-up ruck role pre-season. It was only when Gawn went down that we started work in that area.