Deespicable

Ok, so if he deems the contest is over when he spills a mark, how did he kick it off the ground so quickly for a goal or snag one from 40m after the ball spilled his way? Jesse is what every club needs - a star - and that means he won't do all the team things all the time and he'll drop the odd mark and be shitted off with himself like he was on Sunday - but you wear this because he can do the miraculous and is arrogant and what great side of the past did not have a healthy does of arrogance. As to his kicking, his stutter run-up was also under the microscope last year and once it was brought to his attention he worked on his routine and fixed it. Jesse is a very accurate kick, he's just not a thumping kick like Neiter. He'll be embarrassed by his set shots on Sunday and will solve it by the time we play GWS.

How good is it that we now have one of the tightest races for selection and quite clearly it's still undecided. The reason for the selection issues is that the three guys who some have had in/out all through this thread - Harmes, Kennedy and Oliver - all had cracking games. Two are key members of our best forward press ever - Kent and Jeffy and Frost and Pedo are all part of this too. Hoges is when he wants to be and even Jack W seems to be a bit more eager to be a part of it. How different is it from the good old Neeld days when he tried to impose a press and didn't have buy in from Col Sylvia and had such a slow side that it didn't really matter anyway. Looking at the changes for Rd 1, Brayshaw and VB would both have to have blinders this week to both get in and even then I'm not sure they get in, although quite obviously they will be in once we have an injury or bad day. Matt Jones' (courtesy of his minor injury) and Michie come out of the 24 from the Saints, Oscar makes room for Dunny and the Prince returns for Wagner but then it gets mega hard for the selectors and for us. The loss of Pedo (if suspended) would make it easier but if that happens VB extra height probably gets him in to play as the high half/fourth tall. But if Pedo is cleared then how tough is it. Frost - Playing against his old side and gives flexibility and coverage in case of a big going down and whilst his detractors may have missed it, he works extremely hard chasing down and applying pressure. And he's bloody quick for a big bloke. I wouldn't want to tell him he's out and I can't really see it happening v the Giants. Grimes - Everyone's favourite to remove but the guy keeps presenting and while he lacks explosive pace, he is mega endurance fit which means with reduced interchange rotations he becomes more important. It would be an extremely hard, almost nasty call, to drop him. Harmes/Kennedy - how could you drop these guys after their press work that was a huge factor in us winning the game. Oliver/Tyson - How good was Oliver and if it gets down to him v VB, it's not easy. The club's spent the pre-season using his excitement for promotion and I just can't see them dropping him. Tyson's penchant for getting caught annoys quite a few of us, but his workrate is huge and his thumping kick is handy. He's also playing against his old side. Both of these guys score goals as midfielders, so why would you flick one of them unless their form warrants it. Bugg - Don't even think about it. He's a lock against his old side. IMO, if Pedo gets off, then only one of Brayshaw or VB will get back in and VB's extra height and speed (even though he's not as classy or as good a kick) means he will get the nod, with Angus having to spend a week in VFL before playing against Essendon. And because Mummy is such a nasty pice of work, I reckon we will stay with Frost so that we are covered in case of injury. And that means Roosy will have to be coming up with all sort of spin doctoring telling Grimes he's the 23rd man. Probably the same script as last year when he told him he was no longer dual captain. My Rd 1 team (assumes Pedo is available): B: Jetta Dunn Garland HB: Lumumba T-Mac Salem C: VB Vince Bugg HF: Harmes Pedo Kent F: Garlett Hogan Watts Int: Kennedy, Tyson, Frost, Oliver Emerg: Grimes, Brayshaw, O.Mac

We are getting closer on this now. I think everyone can see now why Bugg and Kennedy will be in the 22 for Rd 1. Bugg is a tackling machine and it would be criminal not to have him tagging his most favourite ex-teammate in Rd 1. Kennedy adds spark and pace to our forward set up - for the first time we will actually have a forward press worthy of the better teams. Pedo was a big winner on Saturday and with so much pace around him, it seems his one major weakness is no longer a major deterrent. I'm not sure why a few DLs are so dubious about Wagner - he barely played in the first half and looked very handy in the second - so he's one I definitely want to see go around in the next two weeks. But ultimately I suspect Harry O will take that spot for Rd 1 and also probably means Hunt misses. Oliver now is definitely a chance unless Brayshaw makes an incredibly quick recovery and he appears to have beaten Neal-Bullen to a spot in the middle. But will he edge out Grimes or even Stretch for that last spot? I'm tipping he'll still have to wait, unless he has an absolute blinder against the Dogs or Saints. To me the big questions now are: Will Frost be given a go down back in the next two practice games. We all know that's where he used to play at GWS and his flexibility probably gets him across the line. Will Hunt be persevered with when the real stuff begins and Goody is no longer in charge. And will Petracca's sheer brilliance force a rethink up forward before Rd 1. Still plenty of things to assess but at the moment assuming there are no more injuries I'd go with the following side which assumes Angus is out and CP5 is a week short of playing. B: Jetta Garland Dunn HB: Lumumba T-Mac Salem C: Vandenberg N.Jones Bugg HF: Harmes Pederson Kent F: Garland Hogan Kennedy Ru: Gawn Vince Viney Int: Frost (defensive rotation), Tyson (mid rotation), Watts (forward rotation), Stretch (midfield rotation) Emerg: Oliver, Grimes, Hunt

Ok, hopefully the title got you reading, but here's my 50 cents worth as to why we should ditch our policy of playing our best available side this week and rest up Gawn, Hoges and Salem. I think last week Roosy stated how he would be playing his best side each week of the NAB Challenge because he felt we needed the confidence that comes from being competitive. But the Port game just changed that. We now know we are going to be competitive this season, it's just a matter of whether we have most of our star players available each week and are committed on the day/night and our coaches aren't out-thought etc. The three listed above for a rest are, IMO, the three most important to our line-up for Rd 1. Gawn, as we saw on Sat, is clearly now among the best six ruckman in the league - Goldy, Nic Nat, Sandi, Jacobs and Mummy are the others - and realistically, he now should monster any ruckman he's up against - the exception being when he's up against the Fab Five big boys at NM, WC, Freo, Adelaide and GWS. He's mega fit (it's almost like watching Mottram run against the Kenyans in the sprints at the moment) and he's now had two practice matches - one internal against Spencer. So what point is there to take another risk in a game that is not for premiership points against a ruckman like Minson and Campbell, both of whom will try and negate him and potentially hurt him. A rest will help stop the hype about him (at least for a week) and he can still play our last practice match against St Kilda and be perfect for a shot against Mummy in Rd 1. A rest will also allow Spencer (assuming his foot's right) or King (to get a development run). Spencer dominated the Dogs in our MCG win last year and needs a good hit out against a ruckman (Minson) who is more his standard. And our midfield needs to get used to occasionally not winning the tap - it will happen a bit against Mummy, no matter how well Gawny goes against him. We all know without Hoges we don't have a key forward - although Pedo did well against Port. So why again would we risk him. We need to beat St Kilda because it's our last practice match and this week we are heading to Craigieburn where the surface is never going to be as good as an AFL venue. If we beat the Dogs and he gets injured in the process, are we going to say great, we beat the Dogs. There is now just no need for us to pick our best side and this is the last chance we get to rest anybody. It also gives Weed a chance to play - even though he clearly is a while off being ready to dominate at this level. The final player I want rested this week is Salem. He copped a couple of knocks late in the game against Port and he's our key man down back because he can split a defence apart with his kicking - just like Hodgey does at Hawthorn. His absence will allow Wagner, who was a revelation when he got on in the second half against Port, to have a real go. He may even play on Stringer, if our heirarchy wants to test him out to see where he's at. He's got the pace to go with him and he spoils well, we may as well find out if he's ready to play Rd 1 or whether he's someone who will need a handful of VFL games before being promoted. Sure you can make a case for T-Mac being rested too, but he may as well get used to being under seige after the unusual situation of not having to do much in the second half against Port. Viney can also be eased back a bit this week - sharing time with Nat Jones and Vince, assuming they're back. We also need to give Neal-Bullen a rare go in the middle after his omission last week. I guess my overall point of contention is that we got a glimpse of where we are at against Port. We now are one of the quickest sides in the comp - just two years ago we were clearly the slowest - and as a result we can play a forward press that has a chance of working. So just like Hawthorn and the otehr top sides, we can afford to play the safety before Round 1 game properly and save our stars and test out our fringe players and in the Weed's case, our future. The following week against St Kilda, we go back to our best side and we attempt to make sure the Saints know that they no longer have the wood on us. Another week off and then the real stuff begins.

It will be interesting to see who gets left out. I originally (prior to squad announcement) had Michie, Neal-Bullen and Oliver - but that was before Nat Jones was left out and Terlich came back. I'd now bet on Michie being one of the three, then the other two spots are hard to work out. I now think one of them will be either Wagner or Terlich because they already have Hunt, Salem and Jetta in the small defender roles and probably don't want two back-ups (just one). But the one who misses will play against the Dogs next week. Neal-Bullen will probably get a gig on the bench now with Nat Jones out, which leaves it a toss up between Oliver, Matt Jones and if Roosy wants to be nasty, Grimes. I can't see Oscar being left out as he's our only back-up tall in defence while Pedo is the back-up ruckman.

Viney's technique is light years better than his dad's.

Obviously first game against another side is always going to be interesting, but because Port will be fielding a strong side and we are too (the only unavailable players are those that are in rehab), it actually will be a game that gives more signals about the real season than most NAB Challenge games. For me, the key things are: Are we more attacking from defence and does Hunt (and possibly Wagner) help this situation or do they just add more clangers? Will Gawn be able to dominate Lobbe (he has smashed us in the past) and can our midfield win the stoppages minus Vince and Jones - this is the other area Roosy/Goody have spent a lot of the pre-season finetuning? The there's the question of whether our small forwards, with Kent and Kennedy, are more damaging than last year and able to instigate a dangerous press? And will Tom Macs shoulder stand up and, assuming he plays on Westhoff, can we counter him as he normally smashes us as well. Individually I will enjoy watching what they are doing with Grimesy and whether Oliver gets a run. And like everyone I will enjoy watching VB and Angus and Buggy and who they inadvertently hurt via a massive tackle, and finally whether Watts lays a few tackles or just plays offence. And watching Jesse and whether he is petulant or proactive of course. The fact is we are playing away against a side that is tipped to rebound into the top four this year - so a respectable loss would be a very good result. A win will see our odds of about $15 to make the finals drop, although we'd need to also beat the Dogs to have the media take our pre-season seriously.

You realise you are commenting about a side on paper for the pre-season and is based on what has been happening in the pre-season practice games so far? How that makes it creaming their pants over someone and pencilling them in for Round 1 shows that you don't read threads properly or are just being cranky, frankly. As to whether Hunt gets to Rd 1, I have already stated that there seems a push under Goodwin to add more speed out of defence and I suspect Hunt, Terlich and Wagner will belooked at in this role and Hunt will be first cab off the rank pre-season. All three have some kicking limitations and in Hunt's case, I'm yet to see the physical side, apart from his obvious pace. But I'm pleased they are auditioning for this role and also pleased they have decided to inject pace down back. By Rd 1 though, it may be back to the usual suspect - Lumumba.

Further to this, my expected team for this Saturday v Port - subject to injuries this week and assumes Vince or Terlich are not rushed back and Spencer is rested. Note: we can play 26. B: Jetta Dunn Garland HB: Hunt T-Mac Salem C: Brayshaw N.Jones Bugg HF: Kent Frost VB F: Garlett Hogan Harmes Ru: Gawn Tyson Viney Int: Watts, M.Jones, O-Mac, Pedo, Grimes, Stretch, Kennedy, Wagner Emerg (from): Neal-Bullen, Michie, Oliver (love him to play, but expect they won't rush him, but will take him for the trip) Unavailable: Harry O, Dawes, Trenners, Spencer, Vince, Terlich, White, Max King, JKH, Newton, Petracca, (Melky) Not ready: Mitch King, Hulett, Weed

Based on what I've seen at training and the mini intra last week and then Friday's proper intraclub, there seems little chance Grimes will slot in at half-back - although I had hoped he'd be given a shot at the Crossy-style defensive sweeper role. But what we are seeing is that Goodwin appears to have had his way in wanting more run from defence and that means sacrificing someone back there and it won't be Salem and based on his form on Friday, it won't be Jetta either, nor will it be a T-Mac, Dunn or Garland. The player who seems most likely to replace H, at least certainly this week, and then we'll see if he's physical enough, is Hunt. Terlich, when fit, is also a chance to play this role because both have pace and provided they can find targets (dubious I know) then they will be given a shot before Grimes it seems.

Made the 45minute trip down to Casey although was five minutes late because I was trying to figure out if exit 24 or 25 was Clyde Rd - what is wrong with having the road name as well as the No. Ditto it would have been nice to have the names of the Casey boys on their backs today. Name and number is the go. Contest was a bit like Carlton v Hawthorn last night. Apart from Dunn, Kent and Watts playing for the magoos - it was almost our first team versus our second team, so it just took a little bit of time for the extra class to bear fruit (a la Hawthorn). In fact you could even say that once Watts and Kent moved to the seniors forward line at half time, the seniors got on top. Up until then the greasy early conditions meant that there were plenty of skill errors. The two shining beacons in the first half were Dunny - who was absolutely brilliant caralling Hoges and at the same time instructing his young defence. His kicking was precise etc, etc. the fact that he played all game in the twos was clearly to make sure that Jesse was fair dinkum and anyone suggesting he is on the outer is a nuffer. The other clear talent was Salem, who, after quarter-time just dominated everything and his precise kicking was only matched by Watts (after half time) and T-Mac (yes, I kid you not). Harmes scored the first goal that I saw and teams up well with his buddy Hogan, but it was a bit of a point-fest until a brilliant evasive goal by Michie off a Kent outlay. Eventually once Spencer went off at half time and any sense of ruck equilibrium ended, the weight of ball told as Gawn was able to just palm it down to Viney, Tyson or VB. By then Bugg had been sent back up to the seniors, which also meant that poor old Neal-Bullen and Stretch were left to try and dismantle the seniors. As a result Hoges got on the end of a few after half time - I had him down for four goals and Casey's No.8 did likewise on a couple of counters by the magoos. Observations on players: The surprise (to some) non-players today were the skipper, Mitch White (I never read what kept him out last week from training but clearly it's not minor - back-related from lifting too big a weight is my guess), Terlich (ankle didn't come up) and Hulett. Trenners, Vince, Dawes, Harry O did not play as expected. Clearly Roosy/Goody is unclear yet on which are the better forward link men to go with Hoges, Frost and Garlett. Harmes and Kennedy were lively in the first half but ultimately just one goal doesn't read well. I'm sure both will be in the 26-man squad to play Port though, but I though Watts and Kent clearly won on points when they got their chance in the second half. You have to assume that both Stretch and Neal-B will have to work their way into this team and are down the queue. Hunt was given a really good go as the running defender in the seniors and you could tell he's in vogue with coaches at the moment as he chased hard Ben Kennedy and forced him to miss when a goal on the run was begging. Hunt's kicking still lack the quality of Salem, or even Jetta, but I suspect he'll get a really good go in the pre-season comp and you have to think he could be a Rd 1 prospect. The other blondie Wagner is a bit better in the air and could be a chance down the track if Harry O can't get his ankle right. For once when I've attended Oliver was playing and his attack on the ball is superb (No Jimmy T here) and part of the reason why the magoos were competitive, but he still has a bit of work to do on his disposal. He might get a game off the bench in the pre-season comp, but barring injury to our main group, won't be playing AFL Rd 1 - IMO. The Weed was quiet today which is not unexpected - he was playing in the magoos - as delivery was never going to be precise to him. Wanted a cheap kick on the wing a couple of times, so still very much a project player with learning to do. Matt Jones got his chance ahead of Stretch today before being swapped back to twos in second half and was lively at times, but didn't do enough. Bugg probably didn't get many disposals either but it seemed like every time there was a congestion and a tackle - he was involved. Will play v Port and probably Rd 1. Grimes played wing early and then went forward so you can forget him being used in the Crossy type role. His smarts saw him involved quite a bit but I suspect Roosy wants him as back-up, as clearly VB and Brayshaw are ahead of him as the high half-forwards. O-Mac got the gig as full-back in the seniors (because Dunny was required on Hoges) and his kicking is still a little suss - he has however improved massively from last year. Col was more attacking this week, even almost kicked a supergoal from 70m out. Lock him in for Port and most likely Rd 1. Dom T turned it over at times , but on other occasions was exceptional. He just reminds me so much of Hodgey. He has an amazing ability to win the ball from the scrums, it's just whether he can make the right choice to release. The same could be said of VB. He likes to go inboard and his kicking is just not always flat and hard enough - the case in point was when he sent a hospital pass to Salem, who was crushed but got up to set up a Hoges goal. The only other comment is that I don't quite get what is going on with T_Macs shoulder. Sporting the No.5, he at times looked like a young Schwarter charging like a bull out of defence and his kicking was ultra impressive. But then he gets pinged, as he did by Harmesy in the second-half, and calls for the play to stop like a prima donna. I'm assuming he's got an Ablett-style stinger that is causing him a few issues, but only of a minor nature.

I am quite happy for Robbo to have his opinion and the fact that he and other journos keep thinking we are crap, can't recruit, can't develop will actually help how we go as if they think that, so do our opponents. That sort of thinking is just So 2013! I reckon our draw is hard but if we are up early things will fall into place. For instance if we get over GWS in Rd 1, we could actually string about seven of the first nine before we hit the hard stretch - starting with Port. I was bordering on bullish last year when we went after pace and added Garlett, Lumumba, Frost and Vandenberg to overcome what was in 2014 the slowest side in the competition. Sadly Frost, VB and Kent - three of our quickest six - all got injured fairly early in the season and reduced our transition capabilities. This year we are quicker again - Kennedy on top of Frost, VB and Kent back - and maybe later in the season we can see why we went for Oliver and not Parish. We also have a quicker Rd 1 ruckman (Gawn v Jamar) and we may even play Terlich or Hunt (although I suspect that will happen later in year). I also think we have so much more depth than last year that we cannot go backwards. The other positive is that we now have three genuine arrogant stars to go with a very hard-working, tight-marking and strong-tackling midfield. Like every team, our three stars - Gawn, Hogan and CP5 - are crucial to the team and we will need a bit of luck to go our way when they miss. But how many sides have a midfield that flows as deep as ours or as young as ours and how many have six genuine tacklers like Viney, VB, Angus, Vince (when tagging), Bugg, Stretch and that doesn't include Jonesy who is a good tackler but is so heavily tagged these days that he is blocked out of most tackling situations. The key however to our rise is whether Roosy/Goody have been able to institute a more attacking game plan - although that is the same at almost every club except the Eagles, Dogs and maybe the Crows. The Hawks ditched three of their oldies last year because Clarko could see where the game was headed and knew he would have problems in 2016 - hence Hartung will now be a regular defender. North added Anderson for example - although I don't think he can save them becoming an even grumpier bunch of old men. In our case, it's the confidence to take the game on when it becomes available that is lacking. It's what worries me everytime Col gets the ball. Does he always have to go to the 50/50 contest? Melksham would have helped our run, Salem helps our precision and you can see that if Hunt's game was more rounded, he'd add a spark off the backline that's been missing since Allen Johnson retired. In my view, on paper we are now a top 8 side with the most promising bunch of youngsters outside of GWS and maybe the Dogs. But getting that winning confidence (arrogant mentality) into our list, with a gameplan that works, is still the question. If our big three play most weeks, we'll have enough of it up forward to make the eight. If they don't, then we'll have to rely on our ability to frustrate at the stoppages with a rabid bunch of hardworkers.

One more thing, for those trying to pick our team for Port game, the one player missing today that saddened me was Mitch White - anyone know what was wrong with him? The others definitely not ready for first game are: Dawes, Lumumba, Vince, JKH, Trengove, Oliver, CP5, Newton and the older King.

That question is different and the answer to the void is Weideman - but not the Weed this year, I suspect, as he'll be a) not fit enough and b) not big bodied enough. He will play a few games I suspect though, provided he doesn't get injured.

Pedo was Pedo. He played as main tall on B team (CHF) and did nothing wrong and finished off a fastbreak chain at least once that i recall. But he didn't do anything special and significantly Frost and Watts were chosen in the A forwards set-up before him. He remains a very useful back-up player.

I forgot to mention most of the midfield. Nat Jones was his usual reliable self until instructed by Goody and switch the play which required a long kick - about 70m to Salem. He balls up kick massively and you could tell he was a little [censored]. A little later when Ben K was requiring a long kick down the line and Jones turned inboard and was caught in a tackle by Frosty, BK gobbed the skipper. Jones replied, what do you want, you were 80m away. I can't kick that f'n far. VB looked dangerous and has great speed. His kicking still lets him down a bit but gees I wouldn't want to play on him. He manned Dom Tyson and I've got to say that Dom did a great job and a couple of his passes were lace up to forwards on the move. With Vince out, Dom will play in the middle with Viney and Jonesy against Port. Vanders will be next one in the middle and probably Neal-Bullen the next after that. Brayshaw was again forced to bide his time on the wing/high half forward. Him and Stretch had a great duel. Michie was good also but like Angus had to do his time on a wing. Matt Jones provided a lot of dash from his wing. The only other comment is that Gawn looked like a Brownlow Medallist to me - even the trainee ump gave him a couple of frees that he barely deserved. I don't know what his odds are, but I reckon a lazy 10 on big Maxy is a very good speculative Brownlow bet.

I saw all of the match sim - but missed the build-up stuff, but concur with most of what has been said and Terlich was probably BOG - Apart from twice intercepting errant Viney kicks, I think he was involved in almost every early goal for the no-bib side - which included the defensive A team. Grimes may have almost shaded him late in the day for BOG, although I'd reckon Viney was the most prolific - most turnovers too. The green bibs side had basically our forward set-up for Port Adelaide game - subject to no injuries. This was Hogan, Frost, Watts, Kent and Garlett. Only 5 because the sixth played up the ground. For those wondering if Hoges being Hoges meant he was starring, then I'm afraid he was having a day like against Carlton last year. In fact he even had to drift back to defence to get a kick or two after a quiet first but pitted against T-Mac or Dunny. The run and dash from Terls, Hunt and Wagner down back meant our B defense team looked pretty slick. The baulk Weeds did on Oscar was pretty nice and shows he knows what he'd doing. Hulet was very prominent and got on the end of a lot of breaknet speed breaks but in my view there was nothing mega special that stood out - he looks to me a very solid citizen though. Salem was good until rested, Watts laid a really strong tackle at one stage and showed he is over his quad setback. Kent led up ground like a full-forward and agree he might be a real livewire for us. One the down side I actually thought both Col and Oscar were very tentative and out of synch with the more-attack minded style Goody is trying to implement. On the positive side, the tackling and more so the ability to stick tackles was the best I have ever seen. This was a practice session and yet almost everyone of our midfielders laid at least a couple of strong tackles - Stretch and Viney laid about 10 each.

When it comes to breakout years, it's a question of deciding which players have little or no profile in the eyes of other club supporters before the year starts. For example Doggie Easton Wood had a huge breakout year last year, and for us I reckon last year's breakout crew was led by Tom Mac, Viney and Gawn. This year from what I'm seeing at training there's no doubt Kent has impressed and if we are more successful, then all our small forwards will get more of the ball and hence become noticed by others. I also think Kennedy could fall into the same category. And VB is a dangerous unit - both with his speed and his love of tackling - he won't be our best midfielder but I suspect others will spot him more if we string a few wins together. But the one I'm hoping to be the breakout player is Christian Salem - we need him to become a highly-regarded defensive linkman that has to be tagged - a bit like Adem Yze used to be in 2000. The same could apply to Angus if he was played down back in a similar role to Wood, but I can't see that happening yet - he looks to me like he'll have to tread water as a high half forward, wingman this year with the occasional go in the middle when Viney, Jones or Vince are missing. As to most important year for, that's another question entirely. Dom Tyson, for example, has already had his breakout year in 2014. But after second-year Dee blues last year, he has a hugely important year ahead.

Unless you want all defenders to play the entire game, then there will be a one-man rotation through that spot. Against some sides we may only need five genuine defenders (because some side play only five forwards and one as a high midfielder) but you still will require one player swapping with the defenders, just as one forward player will be required to swap. The luxury is that there is now two midfield rotations - last year it is was one and the second was someone who floated in the 6 spot (high half forward) or the spare forward who could ruck (Frost, Pedo, Dawes even T-Mac on occasions last year). What I am saying is I don't want to risk Mummy hurting someone like Frost. I'd rather he plays as a defender.

I'm still not sure anyone is completely ruled out for Rd 1 yet. And so much depends on pre-season form - playing Port away and the Dogs in Craigieburn won't be easy and means that our small forwards will have a tough time before the Saints match, which I'm sure will be like a final rehearsal on March 12. As much as I'd like it to happen, I just can't see CP5 making it back in time. He unfortunately may have to start in the VFL, although he's clearly good enough when fit. I also think that if Mummy plays, we have to take into account what happened last time in Rd 2. The Russian dominated the first term and gave us first use but then tired and once Mummy got on top, their midfield creamed us. As much as i rate Gawn and I've seen how fit he is, I'd also start the season against Mummy with an insurance polciy and that means playing Spencer. Sorry guys but I think he's one of the best back-ups in the VFl and this is one game where I'd play him - horses for course or gorillas for Mummy policy. The other key match-up is that Bugg will be tagging either Ward or Shiels so he will play. And Tom Mc always plays on Cameron - so lock that one in as well. So here's my side - although it will change because injuries and a loss to Port or Dogs will force a change or two. B: Jetta Tom Mc Frost (on Patton) HB: Grimes (Lumumba if fit) Dunn Salem C: Brayshaw Bugg Vince HF: Watts (if OK today) Spencer Vandenburg F: Garland Hogan Kent Ru: Gawn Viney Nat Jones Int: Kennedy (forward rotation), Garland (defensive rotation), Stretch (midfield rotation), Tyson (midfield rotation) Emerg: Dawes, Neal-Bullen, Matt Jones

It was my day off so I lasted the full session - just. DeeSpencer's done a good job on the rehab group. The two surprise rehabbers were Jack Watts and JKH - not sure what they have done - maybe in Jack's case too much golf. They did a few muck around games to start with - one with tennis ball and the other soccer ball - no surprises for guessing that Salem was the best but Angus did a pretty fine Ronaldo move at one stage. Vanders tried to be cute as well, but he would be lucky to get a game at Scunthorpe United. Saddest moment was when Neal Bullen hammered a ball and Angus stupidly decided to head it from less than 10m away and realised soon after that it wasn't a good idea - bt dizzy for a bit. The rest of the drills consisted of either sprints - which they did in pairs, goalshooting and for the most part transition work. The last 30 minutes was using just half the ground and came after a ball-up. Ben Matthews took the drill and at one point after Jack Viney (who had swapped to the defensive team) won his third consecutive clearance thereby rendering the drill useless as a transition exercise, he exclaimed "Who is on the little c..t". Said with a smirk but shows how much they think of him. A run down on players for those of you who are starved like me at this time of year. Kennedy - One of the standouts. His left foot kick is more powerful than I thought and he has a pretty handy leap. I think I'd be willing to say that unless he has some pre-season game howlers, he'll start as a small forward in Rd 1 with Jeffy. Viney - Hard at work as always. Chose to do sprints against Kennedy and probably just shaded. Vandenburg - Wanted to prove a point in sprints with Hunt and very, very close. Also hammered a few when he could in transition and Bugg went off early after copping one of his fend-offs. Kent - Very impressive again. Won his sprint battle with Harmesy and presented well as a forward. If Kennedy plays Rd 1, does he move to a wing? He's fit enough. Angus - Copped quite a few knocks. You almost think the players love getting him because he gives so much cheek. Won his sprint duel with Jeffy most times, although you sensed Jeffy was foxing for a better handicap. No sign of him being turned into a backman (my wish) and no real sign of him being part of the clearance machine - so I suspect wing/half forward is where he'll line up. Harmsey - Was used as a forward in the transition game. Keen and eager as usual. One of a big gang of small forwards battling for three spots in Rd 1. Salem - Hard and classy as usual, although couldn't escape Vanders on the wing one time and did a bit of a Stephen Stretch taking it out. He also copped a knock late in session and was tested for concussion. Seemed right but no risk policy meant he just did light work from then on. A lock for Rd 1. Nat Jonesy - You barely knew he was there most of the time and then a player bobs up with exquisite balance gets it and delivers a pinpoint pass. Bernie - Yep he was back in the thick of the action - copped a knock to the finger at one point but had one quick look cused and went straight back into it. No sign that he missed the pre-season before X-mas. Hit Jeffy one time with a perfect grass-burner. Tyson - Always calling for it and right in the thick of the action but way too many turnovers today. Sometimes it just doesn't work for him when he hangs on to it, especially when you are up against a team full of really good tacklers. But you need players who keep presenting. Matt Jones - Another who worked hard and did nothing majorly wrong but you just wonder if he has the confidence to impose. Viv Michie - A really impressive session from him. Tackled well and kicked beautifully. One of his spot ups to Kent was like watching Nat Jones. Bugg - You can just tell this guy will be playing Rd 1. No fuss and hard, always putting a body on a player. Not a thumping kick but he'll end up tagging Shiel or Ward Rd 1. Garlett - Got on the end of quite a few and lively in transition. No reason to think he won't be standing next to Hoges in Rd 1. Hunt - Got a fair bit of it and provided a fair bit of run at times, but I'm still not sure yet. But he did play as a defender for a lot of it. Most of the bigs didn't do as much because they aren't in the thick of the transition games, but key things were. Sam Frost did almost the whole session and did a lot of it as a backman - maybe he'll line up on Patton Rd 1. No sign of any interest in club trying to get him to do ruckwork. Garland, Grimes, Dunn and Oscar Mc all played done back and did their usual tight checking and switching. Oscar even got the gig on Hoges so maybe they rate him highly or maybe Tom Mac lighter session meant they had no choice. Wagner also played down back and looks lively. Hoges, Pedo and Hulet were the tall forwards. Hard to understand why Hulet is allowed to do more work than Clayton Oliver. Perhaps the club had him earmarked and on a special program late in year. Harmes, Kent, Jeffy and Kennedy rotated as small forwards. Spencer and Gawn battled in the ruck but there was no major intensity from either this time and Spencil started in rehab group before joining in game-simulation. Of those in the lengthy rehab group, I watched Trenners the most - he was out there the longest and clearly he's getting close to resuming. But when he did his run throughs you sensed why he won't be playing in the seniors for a while. He can mark and kick, but he obviously hasn't been able to work yet on his sprinting and given the nature of the injury you can probably understand why - so to answer the question of when he will get back in AFL - I see him as a mid-year prospect. Also I still didn't see him kick a left-footer - assume he's not allowed to yet. Of the rehab group - Dawes seems closest to rejoining. I'm hoping Oliver and Weideman were on light days. Terlich is getting fitter and could also resume soon. Harry did quite a few sprints with Dawes. That surely is enough!

BA, it's interesting your almost pathological hatred of Grimes and his disposal inefficiencies. No mention that invariably he has been slotted on the left side of defence because we don't have many (when Salem's out make that any) left footed defenders. He gets slotted there because he is the most disciplined player and always puts the team first. This year we have brought in another left-foot defender/mid in Bugg and we have White progressing and if our coaches ever decide to send Angus down back, that's where I'd play him because he can kick it 50m either foot. Grimes will never be a long kick, nor will he be an explosively quick runner, but he has been one of the most impressive pre-season and he can play the Crossy-style intercept role and with Melksham out and probably Lumumba initially, I'd be gobsmacked if he didn't get first shot back there in the practice games. Go back and watch videos of the games late in the season and watch for all the kicking errors made by our players and if Grimes ends up at the top, you have to be watching with Bollywood glasses on. Please don't confuse this with me being a huge Grimes fan. I realise he will never be a star, but we now have enough players capable of winning games on our list. We also need a handful to be trusty servants and he's one. Cut him some slack and wait and see how he goes with what we know is now a better team. The good thing is that there are six other guys battling for a couple of mid-sized defensive spots back there (Salem is a lock and if my wish happened Brayshaw would be a lock down there as well). The six are Jetta, White, Lumumba, Garland, Bugg and Terlich. JKH should also be given a crack at it as well as he ain't going to get a game as a small forward.

About 60 per cent of AFL players have a hit of golf quite regularly. Do we outlaw that? Do we stop them from having a swim in the beach or jumping off a pier? And as suggested above, do we stop them from leading a normal life? Get over it, accidents happen! He'll still be right for Round 1 and he will make his debut then.

There are plenty of cases where players have got injured mucking around at other sports - Luc Longley's surfing when Chicago's centre injury springs to mind. But the good thing is that we now have six or seven really exciting youngsters to swoon over, so the loss of one temporarily doesn't bring the walls down like it did three years ago when Jack Viney got injured. Being the small toe (CP5 toe), it sounds like a minor setback - and he's still going to be in the mix for Round 1 - because he is a freak and one practice game as a forward next to Hoges will be enough to make everyone realise why he's favourite for the Rising Star award.

Back to original topic. It is a bit of a worry that he still has been unable to join in full training yet, but he certainly is starting to clock some miles and we still have more than two months and three AFL practice games plus maybe one with reserves for him to get himself right. What's disappointing from my perspective is that I want Angus to play half back (left side), where his ability to tackle, kick long both sides and mark courageously make him perfect in an Easton Wood type role. But I accept that he is running out of time to do all the defensive drills (switch-play practice), so unless he's completely over the hip/OP injury soon, he may have to remain as a wing/half forward early in the season. As a result Bugg or Grimes or even White if he excels early may get the half-back gig for Rd 1. Note: I have Melksham as a dead-set cert for other side (right-footers) half-back. Lumumba now is looking very doubtful to be available for Rd 1 based on his inability to do running drills yet, but you can't completely rule him out yet.