Deespicable

Jetta has been a great member of our defence since Roosy elevated him in 2014 (so 10 years is a stretch)and reached his zenith in 2018 (last time he was in All-Australian mix). Jaded you asked for examples from Sunday's game. I'd have to go back and look at tape but off top of head. Poor tackle in first term - goal Clark? Dropped key intercept mark in last quarter - Hawkins goal. This is on top of a very ordinary start against Greene last week. And he again was unable to provide any drive at all from down back. I can cope with his low possession numbers and low tackle numbers because he usually plays in the back three and the ball often is not down there, but how many great goalsaving bits of play this year can you recite to me Jaded or DubDee. And then there's the issue that Hibberd also generally plays in the back three, is a senior member of our side like Jetta and is a left footer who gets more involved in offence which is something we will miss with May out and Hibbo has had to wait three weeks for a game because we have been winning and the coach finally figured out the importance of loyalty.

Sorry I differ a bit and just loved the way Hunt played yesterday - so much run and pressure and he hit targets. Fritter was great, but it was hard to get over his two first quarter blunders. No votes for him, but also pleased that Tomlinson again showed that he is getting more and more comfortable down back and this time he had to cope with Hawkins from early in 2nd, but he just misses top six. 6 Trac 5 Gawn 4 Hunt 3 Fritsch 2 Viney 1 Langdon

Hard to see many changes and delighted that our coach finally gave his senior men first crack at it last week, rather than blood a youngster because he was excited about there early season form. For example the Pies went down that road with Henry this year and now have to drop him for Rd 2 - great for a kids confidence. But agree Viney, Hibberd and Melky all have to be considered and if fully fit would all get games. With such long games again, clubs are going to have to be very careful making sure a player has major fitness background before selecting them. If deemed fit Viney would come in for Sparrow and Hibberd would come in for Jetta most likely (Rivers and Hunt needed for Butler and Higgins), but really find it difficult choosing who would make room for Melky after that game.

Roy Ward usually does the basketball, so you can imagine why he just looked at stats and names and went with those. Unfortunately the papers are doing it on the cheap these days. The Herald Sun is actually using a former Age writer Ronny Lerner as a freelancer via there newswire service - they no longer use AAP. Ronny is one of the better ones. But the papers now use their handful of regulars to either write colour or do detailed preview features and relying on inexperienced cheaper staff to do games - hence why the votes will be way off open occasions. The Herald Sun's James Mottershead gave Steven May the three and at least had Andrew Brayshaw, who was everywhere, in the votes, but somehow he ignored all of Trac's early errors and gave him two votes.

Just no. Didn't have a shocker. Gawn came up against a junior Sandi in Meek who outjumped him early, but Gawn altered his style and took control of the hitouts. He still marked the ball well on a few occasions in defence, but was unable to get near it up forward partly because he rested up there more into the wind (Ponsford Stand end) and his suppliers couldn't get enough purchase or height on the footy to play to his advantage. So it was a pretty ineffectual game from our big fella and aside from GWS ruckman, most rucks had less influence because there was less ball-ups. Gawny was way better than Meek, although I'm sure Longmuir would have been pleased with his man for stopping Gawny dominating. But why even use the term 'shocker'.

Correct NeverO, it remains our one list spot where we did not solve in the off-season, although Smith was a good attempt. VDB, if fit, would be my choice, but I accept that given he can only train twice a week because of his foot issues, he can't really be used in such a demanding running role. Rosman hopefully develops into that role and he is a left-footer with a tank and he also provides the height balance given Langers is on the small side. All of that makes him on paper the right choice, but he is still a fair way off with his kicking skills and tackling pressure unless we want to rush him along. To me there is only one player on our list who is ready to play that role and would add spark to the position and that is Kossie. I'd also consider a fully fit Viney in that role given he is a leftie and because of our plethora of inside mids. Bit worried about Viney's pace against someone like a Hill or even Hunter but I reckon a few hard tackles by Jack will make any player a little more wary.

It is always pleasing to see a discarded player getting another chance and we all should be wishing Oscar well. Many of you might wonder why we never tried him as a forward (except for two games where he played there out of desperation) and that is an indictment on Goody and the match committee - especially given his brother's switch to CHF in 2018 was a light-bulb moment for our side. Oscar is a superior kick to Tommy and my understanding is that he spent most of his junior career playing up forward. Ultimately however his lack of pace and intensity may have terminated that experiment as well. Those of you who watched his game for Carlton against St Kilda will have seen his strength and limitations on display. They are missing quite a few bigs at moment so he gets his chance and his tank and kicking will make him quite useful and like his brother he has clean hands when marking. But whether he can improve his intensity in the contest will determine how long he stays with the Blue-baggers.

One week ago Goody and our coaches and Gawny were spruiking about how we had finally understood that there was no 'i' in team. Now they would be in the midst of a painful review after a game where we were exposed by a vastly superior midfield - although clearly our absentees were a mitigating factor. It was similar last year when after beating the Pies, we lost to the Dogs midfield and the result was that there were scapegoats - last year it was Lockhart and T.Mac who we didn't see again in 2020. But aside from the changes below, the key will be getting the side back to having the confidence to mix long-bombing attack with the chip kick through the middle that breaks up defences. The chip kick disappeared after half time against the Dogs as their press took hold. Those of us who have watched training have been impressed by the accuracy of our kicks (when it's not blowing a gale at Casey that is), yet many of our forays forward in the second half against the Dogs included pressurised handballs in the chain. To me, the key selection issues are whether Petty comes in as a forward (he has spent the entire pre-season as a defender) at the expense of T.Mac as a forward and our problem left-side wing - do we keep backing in Baker, do we play Petty at CHF and use T.Mac there to allow us a tall marking outlet, do we send Brayshaw there or do we take a huge risk on his fitness and play Kossie there so that we utilise his pace and tackling ability? Or do we go back to VDB's hardness knowing he can't really run out the game. Personally I'd go a mix of VDB (limited game time), Kossie and Angus, but a more rationale approach given fitness and pre-season work ethic probably says Baker should play there first up. In terms of first-gamers, Jordon's spot depends on Viney's availability, while I have Bowey in, unless Hibberd is viewed as fit to play. Virtual newbie Chandler has to wait as Spargo and Jones deserve the first shot as small forwards. Defenders (7): May, Lever, Tomlinson, Rivers, Hunt, Salem and Bowey. Note: Hibberd if fit replaces Bowey for Rd 1. Jetta stays in if Salem is ruled out. Midfield (8): Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Langdon, Harmes, Brayshaw, Viney (Jordon), plus either Baker or Vanders. Forwards (7): Jackson, T.Mac (Petty is too big a call I think given his pre-season training), Fritter, ANB, Spargo, Kossie, Jones.

It's an interesting debate - one of your better posts Werridee, although I feel a team is coming from you! There is now a big four of the post-war era - Barassi, Flower, Garry (two Rs) Lyon and Gawny. I was too young to see Barass play - but his infuence on our ability to win games is undoubted. From the replays I've seen, he certainly wasn't our most skilled player - courage and leadership being his mantra. Flower was skills and poise personified but needed a strong, tough team around him to really bring out those virtues which he never had until his final year of 1987 - he almost always was in the best when he played for the Vics though. People underestimate Garry Lyon. He was such a clever, smooth mover who was thrown into defence late by Swooper Northey to save games and 9 times out of 10 he did just that. He was magic in his early 20s, but dodgy hamstrings cost him when he should have been the most dominant. And now we have Gawny. How do you rate our best mark in history against the other three who were dominant at ground level as well. Is he overrated because he only plays one position and he's the best we've had in it? I think most people now realise Gawny influence is right across the ground. To me he's gone past Dean Cox as the best tap man of the 21st century and I reckon a flag will take him past Simon Madden as the best ruckman ever.

As I said on the game-day thread, what was most pleasing was that Goody, for the first time in his career as coach, did not rush in his first-year men, and stuck with his senior men over raw kids who all showed glimpses pre-season, but are not seasoned footballers yet! The choice of Sparrow, Jordan, Chandler and Baker - all third-year men - over these first year excitement machines was totally appropriate and ensures that they don't get disenchanted with their coach and let's face it, as good as Bowey, Laurie and Rozman have looked at training - these four have done their apprenticeship and deserve a chance. All four may ultimately not be quite good enough, but at least now they will know and we will know. Even better was the decision to give Jones and Jetta a chance before these kids. Both may be too old ... and now too slow, but they still have the smarts and do the team role player things with strong bodies hardened from years of weights. There were heaps missing with at least six players likely to press for Rd 1 selection injury permitting - Brayshaw, Melky, J.Smith, Viney, VDB and Kossie - I think Hibbo, B.Brown and Weid are all confirmed non-Rd 1 starters - but the nucleus of the side is still there and we have at least two more players in the twos who are ready when called - Petty and Lockhart. Both Gale and Balme made mention of our pace in transition. We have been slow in the past and now have a better balance with our outside/inside run. Richmond, of course, is getting older and they were missing Rioli who is mega quick. But the one player who has transformed the pace issue is the move of Jayden Hunt back to defence. He was beaten badly a couple of times over the back by Castagna in the second term, but kept providing line-breaking dash and against Richmond who zone and peel off and block with precision, such players are vital. Rivers also did it a couple of times, his baulk and bounce and 50m kick from a kick-in one of the highlights. The other thing that surprised me was that we played four small up forward crumbing Jackson and T.Mac and Fritta and Gawn (when there) as well as providing the short option which is now more likely under the man on mark rule. All four - Spargo, Jones, Chandler and ANB - pressured hard all game. And our best small forward - Kossie - wasn't out there. The decision for Goody now is whether he continues to back in the four small forward set up or tries to solve his problems when everyone is fit by slotting Trac or Melky and Sparrow into the forward mix to accommodate Viney and Brayshaw. The other pleasing thing is that it looks like we will use Gawn and Jackson as more of a tandem ruck-forward weapon this year which is great. Onwards and upwards.

Yes, but that decision had no impact on game - the Chol one did - he scored a goal from it.

Continuing from previous game-day thread. final term 1) Chandler given the all-clear to return and then snags one with a left-foot banana on the run. Hunt a key part of the transition goal. Chandler's three goals and tackle pressure will probably see him play round 1, subject to a solid effort against Dogs next week. We played four small up front and we still have Kossie to add to that group, so one will likely miss out Rd 1. 2) Tigers started playing kids - fresh legs versus inexperience so hard to say who had the bigger advantage. 3) We got a good run with umps - home game and no Tiger feral influencing decisions. Only bad call was when Chol got free on a highish spoil by Tomlinson. Best three: 3) Gawn (easily), 2 Olly had a huge last quarter to snare this spot. 1) Lever - at least six intercept marks plus plenty of involvement down back. Trac good as well, but had horror 2nd term.

3rd term. 1) Gawn's goal from outside 50m and general play excellent. Easily BOG at this stage but will be required big time to stave off Tigers who have wind this quarter. 2) Highlights: Rivers took one kick-in and dummied, had bounce and with wind sent it the edge of our forward 50m. Oliver's goal from ball-up where he had give-go with Trac and then wobbled it home. Lowlight: Chandler off with what looked a serious wrist injury. 3) Super team goal with Spargo handball over head, ANB deliberate handball under players leg leading to Chandler goal. Tough quarter coming up against the wind.

And one more thing - Harmes everywhere running his [censored] off - he's in our best three so far today - ignore other commentators.

2nd term; 1) We saw the good and bad of Hunt. His opponent Castagna got off leash and is probably Tigers best. But Jayden provided run and dash and his one-two with Jordan and then long kick to T.Mac saw him take us from deep defence to forward line in an instant - Tiger defenders had no chance of switching to stop it. T.Mac missed shot - unusual for him. 2) Trac (our best quarter one) had shocking quarter with terrible disposal, Chandler and Jones running into space as small forwards impressive. 3) Gawn resting forward when Jacko goes on ball is huge and a point of difference that is exploiting Tiger defence.

Early thoughts: 1) It looks like Goody has finally figured out there is no need to rush in new players just because they look good at training - Jones and Jetta get games, while our third year men - Jordan, Sparrow, Chandler and Baker all get game time ahead of younger rivals. 2) Lever strong in air, Spargo vision, Trac brilliance, Baker and Langdon tackling. 3) It seems when Tiger bigs get free kick or mark in middle of ground we will sag off and ignore manning mark - thereby forcing their bigs to make right attacking decision. just one quarter though

With a new signing on display, I decided to drive the 50min (traffic wasn't too bad this morning) down to Casey Fields and get a first-hand glimpse of Majak Daw. Some of you might say, gees don't you have something better to do than watch training, but when I used to go to Gosch's Paddock it was always a great way to get a better appreciation of the idiosyncrasies of certain players - whether it be Lynden Dunn and his booming voice or Trac skylarking or Joel Smith doing speedy run-throughs in the rehab group. As a fan, you can pick up so much more by watching from the sidelines - it's why I'm somewhat bullish in my prediction that Paul Spargo's son has finally developed enough to be a reasonable chance of making it and why I won't be surprised if he lines up in the middle of the park in Rd 1. My fanatical Demon supporter training ritual has been forced to step up a notch this year with the move down to Casey Fields meaning for most of us it's a long drive and an incredible commitment to head out that far. Gawny of course likes it because it's a quicker trip home for him now that he's down on the peninsula, but for many of the players it's also a long haul back to their favourite cafe post-training. Anyway I was excited to see Majak close up. I mean we all see them on the field on game day at other clubs, but it's more fleeting look - "gee he's a big dude" or "wow that guys a great kick or has got amazing speed". I remember watching Majak when he was way younger playing in North's defence in a practice match at Etihad Stadium when we played Jesse Hogan as a 17-year-old because we were so desperate to encourage membership under Mark Neeld. Jesse kicked about five that day and not all of them were on Majak, but apart from thinking Jesse was a freakish teenager, I remember thinking, "Gees, that Majak guy is going to be some player such was his visibly superior strength to most of the other guys. I'd checked the website before I went down to Casey and as has been the case pretty much every week since X-mas, there's no details on when or where the boys are training. But we all have figured out that it's Monday/Wednesday/Friday at around 9.30am. The lack of info on the club website is not a Facebook thing. On the direction of the AFL, the club has just shut up shop to protect the players from any potential intrusion from fans and for some (read a few Richmond boys and their coach) that policy might be a godsend ensuring their media arm doesn't have to ward off enquiries or risk a fan calling out some unwanted remark - pretty few fans actually call out in reality, but the fear that they will is there, just like the fear of COVID, however infinitesimal, is there. The AFL has encouraged our move to Casey for training because there's a fence that means control of fans is easier in the COVID era and there's less chance that their player bubble will be broken, which is totally understandable ... to a point. But it comes at a cost of fans, like me, being caught up and lost in it and therefore attacks your core base of support - which runs contrary to what the club is trying to achieve - membership and passion about the club which in turn leads to advertising which in turn helps paying players. A couple of times recently I've stood behind the fence at the goals end, one of the times in pouring rain, and observed. But today I was hopeful that a bit of sanity had finally been reached about the COVID dynamic at Casey because it was tipped to be hot and I didn't fancy being burnt out in the open, especially as Casey and wind goes hand in hand. What I had expected was that the countless CCB's that the club has around the entry point to Casey that are used on women's games day would have been re-utilised to the far side/shaded area allowing the few avid fans like me to watch from a distance about 25m away from the edge of the ground in fresh air - that's way beyond any COVID-safe requirement, although it would doubtless fall outside the AFL's blanket "no fans at training" policy. But alas our GM or CEO have yet to figure out how to serve both the fans and the club and are yet to get approval for a fresh approach from the AFL. So the fences were locked today and a place outside the fence behind the goals beckoned. At least i knew I'd be able to hear Chocco bellowing instructions and with a bit of luck Majak may be playing as a forward down my end. But alas, there was no-one there. Unbeknownst to me and a vast majority of fans, except for the inner-circle ones with ties with players, the club had given the players four days off this weekend. Thanks Melbourne FC. Please get your website up to speed (don't rely on Facebook) and start having a think about how to manage the handful of fans like me that want to attend training. I'm told they will train on Monday. I am not sure if I want sit in traffic again just in case the club changes their mind and the trip back towards the city is always longer when you've got nothing to dream about.

A clever decision by our brains trust, even if we have to wait a couple of weeks or so for him to be COVID isolated and approved to train. He is a big athletic body and can play any of the tall positions but I am curious to see why he didn't quite make it at North - even in his second coming. But above all else and regardless of whether he plays or not, the best benefit is that given he can be used as a ruckman, he enables Luke Jackson to be trialled as a forward in our scratch matches and ensures Gawny has a physically strong training partner apart from Dogga's athleticism to contend with. And if he gets excited at his new environment, who knows, we may even see some of the Magic Majak he showed at North, albeit sporadically, in our senior team.

No Viney, no Brown, no Pickett (in SA). Hibberd and Vanders on the bikes. Melky, Mitch Brown and Angus (for part of session) in rehab. Trac and Olly off early, while Lever hurt his ankle late (but got back into session so can't be too bad).

Thanks to Picket Fence and Back Pocket and yes I was out there as well today - been doing shopping on way home - hence slow reply. I was told it was a closed session and therefore had to stand outside behind the goals. I never quite understand the "closed session" line ... I mean if anyone can name me more than one revolutionary technique that has been concealed that has transformed the game then please list it. Under Roosy (with Goody's input) we trialled an extra man running through at bounces about five years ago, but with the 6-6-6 that has become obsolete and even when we did use it, it wasn't the panacea for all our ills. But back to the session. Casey's surface is absolutely pristine - it is our main reason for training this far out but as with aths and its Albert Park move mistake, it is not quite the right fit. The problem with Casey is that it is like Waverley - not only is it invariably wet, it is incredibly windy - today was just a snapshot of what will be a regular thing if we continue our move out there, which the club is currently considering. As a result, players such as Langdon and ANB and others were missing targets at will into the wind and Jayden Hunt and sometimes Rivers and Rozman were intercepting and loving the opportunity such conditions present for the quicks. I did wisely buy my coffee on the way out there this week and once again traffic roadworks meant the trip home was close to an hour - unless you are Jordy Lewis and living close by, Casey is like a country venue. For me today was a tale of our gun forwards and two backmen. Pickett, who with Brown out, is now our No.1 weapon up there was missing - apparently headed back to SA for a family issue. Fritter again was our most dangerous man as the third/fourth tall and ANB again was lively pressuring as he does. But there is one small forward you can mark down for Rd 1 as a cert - Paul Spargo's son Charlie. He's no longer a boy - he grew up in the off-season and now is closer in style to Robbie Gray with his lively play a highlight. He spins in and out of trouble and moves with meaning. I have been on record as saying that despite having the football smart's, he is too small, not quick enough and not a longer enough kick to make it. Well this year he may even play in our midfield. He used to run like bambi through a forest waiting to be shot by a hunter, but now he runs like a man about to fool his tackler. He will play alongside Kossie and most likely ANB in Rd 1 and will give us a fleet of crumbers that is dangerous and with the three-tall plus Fritter set up, there should be a few of those. T-Mac seemed to be back with the forwards, although they never actually split into three groups, and he is trying - he always did in my view, just got slower and slower as the injuries mounted. He'll go close in our Rd 1, especially with Ben Brown out. A couple of other pointers I took away: Harrison Petty is in sensational form as a tall defender and is placing pressure on poor Tomlinson. Tommo's done nothing wrong, it's just that Petty looks like he's Tom Jonas providing marking strength and run today. Joel Smith also returned to the track today and was handy and may yet come into our defensive equation for Rd 1. Deakin Smith is worthy of a club number and should be our first supplemental player chosen. He's a classy small defender who ultimately might not make it, but is certainly worth a try at VFL level. As for the kids, Rozman is everywhere and Bowey looked lively. Laurie a bit quieter than last week. Kobe is a fair way off at this stage I think - sorry Farmer fans.

Kobe looked lively at times (more so than Bedford), but missed a really good opportunity early in the game, although made up for it later on with his goal. I was actually more impressed with Deakin Smith, who played small defender for the B side and was clean. Both however are not long kicks which could be problematic in a side with Spargo. And yes, my bad on Sparrow over Swallow - although both flew in and out of the play.

You would have to be a puffin muffin to drive all the way down to Casey (about 45minutes down the freeway from the city and on to Clyde Rd) on a day like today. And yes it certainly wasn't like Gosch's Paddock when I arrived - no coffee shop nearby, no Saty, no guys video recording behind the goals, no bike riders cycling through the park. In fact, aside from coaches, fitness guys, players and physios, it is fair to say no-one attended at all - except of course for a silly old fool like me standing behind a fence in a rainjacket at the Wilson's Prom end like a Mexican in Tijuana trying to cross the border. The roads around Casey have been improved since my last visits there about five years ago for an intraclub practice match that featured a demoted Lynden Dunn playing on Jesse Hogan. It was incredibly windy that day and if you ever watch Casey games on TV or club footage, you will know that wind and Casey Fields go hand-in-hand like Scotland and rain. This morning, however, the constant rain seemed to scare the wind away. We are in the middle of summer and the first thing I saw as players did a circular kicking drill was Trac in a long jumper taking a one-hander and as my gaze followed him, he kept hitting his targets with ease. He wasn't alone in the long sleaves - Gawny, Kossie, Rivers, Salem had them and plenty of others as the morning progressed and the rain got heavier asked for a jumper switch. A quick look at the rehab group saw Bowey, Smith and Mitch Brown doing various leg drills and soon after Angus came wondering around walking laps - most likely a layday for him on his road to recovery from all those onions he ate at Gawny's. Melky was also a late starter for the scratch match, but a trainer told me he was fine. Hibbo wasn't sighted at all. As I'm sure we all do, the first thing I wanted to do was have a look at Ben Brown and yes he's big, but his prominent mop top was lessened because of the rain. His first touch wasn't a good one - he spilled a mark like you or I would and it's fair to say it wasn't his morning - the rain rarely is friendly to the talls and when the scratch match started he was pitted against Steven May. In fact there wasn't much joy for any of our bigs because Lever is mega-disciplined at training and had Weid or Fritter covered while Tomlinson is also aware that he has to perform to stay in ahead of Petty and therefore was staying close to his man. Just before we get to the match, let me make a quick observation. There is one coach who has a loud voice. He's 62 years old and he was out there in shorts while others were rugged up. "Pick easy targets, not long and wide - that sort of thing just doesn't happen" he bellowed to make his point crystal clear. It could have been Tom Hafey reincarnated, such was his vehement passion for the game. You all know who it was. Mark Williams will annoy the [censored] out of Goody and Ooze and our other coaches all year with his comments, but he will inspire the players with his gung-ho spirit and love for the game. I was almost about to jump the fence for him. But let's get to the bit you all want to read - the match practice. Such was the constant rain that it ended up being two 30-minute halves before training was called off early. In terms of matchups our No.1 defenders were pitted against our No.1 attackers while our No.1 mids were up against our Casey-headed mids, so it gave me a clear insight as to Goody's current thinking. A lot can change between now and Rd 1 though. Prior to game starting Olly was sent off with the rehab group to work on the oval across the road - obviously they didn't want to risk him yet, although he did all the other drills - just not the game. Viney also seemed to disappear as well - sorry I am not even sure if he started in match practice game - I somehow missed his departure. The first half was a bit like watching the last quarter of the 1987 preliminary final again - everybody was missing the big sticks. One nice passage of play saw Harmes (who was fairly prominent in the middle) kick long to Trac, but sure enough he missed from about 40m. I think it was 0.5 to 0.3 with the A grade defenders with the B grade forwards and mids ahead. Sparrow, Bedford and Kobe Farmer were among those to miss, while Rivers almost nailed a long bomb early for the A grade mids and forwards team, but eventually the drought broke early in the second half when Neiter (Aaron Neitschke) had a bit too much time and sent a long bomb home from the 50m. Moments later a clearance from Swallow ended with Kobe who got on his left and snapped a clever goal. Both Neiter and Kobe were mobbed. There weren't too many goals though - Spargo snagged one from a good crumb by ANB and T.Mac set up ANB for another, but really the game was a mass of fumbles, tackles and outnumbered forwards at both ends. Jonesy got injured at one point and went off for a check before returning, while Brown was crunched by May a couple of times on the lead. Rivers getting caught by Jackson was another highlight - although I'm sure Trent wouldn't say so. If I was giving Brownlow votes on the game I probably would have 3 Gawn (even though Jacko was also prominent on him), 2 Spargo (yes, he did surprise me and was clever and looked a tad quicker than normal and 1 to either Harmes or Swallow - the two most prominent mids IMO. Honourable mentions also to both May and Petty who were dominant full-backs for their two teams. As to the most interesting duels aside from May on Brown, it was probably the wings. Langdon was up against Rozman and T.Mac (playing for the As) was up against Baker. All four got plenty of it and T.Mac was probably the most influential of the four and gave his team a longer marking outlet. Rosman, sporting the No.19 top, was clearly the most interesting to watch and most of his kicks got a chorus of cheers from the coaches area - I think it was Goody, but given I was 150m away in the dugout, it might have been our man Chocco letting rip with praise. Rosman is an undoubted talent and is a thumping left-foot kick - whether he is another Brent Grgic just bombing it onto his boot is yet to be determined, but at least he will have good coaching. Such was Rosman's game that I reckon, given Goody's previous annual ritual of promoting players way before they are ready at the expense of his senior men, that we might even see him in Rd 1. Bailey Laurie was also quite prominent and clever in his role as a high half-forward for the B team. Based on the side that was picked today, here's your Rd 1 combo (not my team, how the A Teams lined up today). Excluded because they weren't out there at game time are Olly, Angus and Melky. Spargo played more as an onballer today and was lively - hence my votes for him above. Probably my biggest surprise was that Rivers wasn't playing with the A grade defenders side. B: Lockhart May Lever HB: Hunt Tomlinson Salem Centres: T.Mac Trac Langdon HF: ANB Weid Fritsch F: Spargo B.Brown Pickett Ru: Gawn Harmes J.Jordan As the rain strengthened the players split into gps of about 8 and finished with some one-on-one tackling drills and there was one voice bellowing encouragement to his gp - yep that 62yo guy from Port Adelaide. Could be our best recruit of all this year. With my shoes soaked I wondered off through the puddles back to my car. As I threw off my wet gear I noticed the COVID testing centre, which is located 100m from our ground. I then let out a huge sneeze. I think it was from the rain and chill - but maybe I'm coming down with COVID-19 or maybe I was taking away some excitement from our new covert operations No.19 - Goody picking Rosman for Rd 1.

It will be interesting to see which one of the new recruits Goody falls in love with so quickly that he has to play in our Rd 1 side this year. But if he for once stays loyal to his established players to start the season, then I'd predict the following. B: Lockhart (if he has a pre-season like last year then he's in) May Lever HB: Rivers Tomlinson Salem C: Langdon Harmes VDB HF: Melky Weid Fritsch F: Kossie B.Brown Petracca Ru: Gawn Oliver Viney Int: Jackson, Hibberd, Sparrow, Hunt Emerg: T.Mac will be fitter and pressing for selection but it may have come via injury or major form in VFL. I expect Petty to revert to the back-up tall down back and once he gets in, it will be hard to get him out. Spargo will be in the mix Rd 1, but he now also has two new guys pressing for a small forward spot. It sounds like Baker will get first shot at the wing, but I can't leave out VDB. Ultimately it's a spot for a left-footer, which we don't have, although Rosman will be developed for that role. Until then we will try and find the best negater. I left out Brayshaw because I suspect he'll be a late starter because of his injury. Smith should be right in the mix as well, particularly against sides that have mobile mid/forwards like Danger/Dusty and Fyfe.

Love the Dwarfs and yes I was aware 6-feet is effectively 183cm. But I also reckon a player who is 182.5cm or even182.8cm is going to say, 'mark me down as 183cm will you'. I am sure even those who are 182.2cm try and get rounded up to 183cm, although mathematically that's harder to justify. Hence I included all the 183cm listed players in the sub 6-footers - rightly or wrongly. Just in case you think I'm exclusionary based on height, I do think Errol Gulden (at 177cm) is our perfect first choice in this year's draft - a left-foot wingman with good kicking skills, although Sydney have rights to him via their academy. My point is that we have five small forwards basically battling for one spot on the list (two when our coach switches structure to a smaller line up which he does on occasions) and given that we now have one who is a gem (Kossie), I don't get why we need all those back-ups for that possie, especially if they don't have weapons (eg: pace or kicking skills). Spargo, ANB, Bedford and Chandler are all great workers, but don't have the weapons to justify retaining all of them. One should have been delisted.

Very disappointed, although given we are talking about list pozzies 33-37, it is hardly crucial. What annoys me, and I've said this before, is that we have a high number of sub 6-footers (less than 184cm) on our list - 12 in all. Obviously some small guys are necessary and very deserving - Richmond had nine of their premiership 22 under 6 feet. But which of Rioli, Castagna, Bolton, Short and Edwards are regarded as slow or without weapons. Then there's workaholics like Lambert, Baker and Graham and their bull in Prestia. Of our 12, only Viney, Langdon, Kossie and Salem are walk-up starts and I'd add Lockhart to that (although the coach wouldn't). That's seven little guys battling for spots and four of them - Bedford, Chandler, Spargo and ANB - are battling for a small forward spot that isn't even a pre-requisite spot given Kossie has nailed down the main one. As I said, it's not a biggie in the overall scheme of things, but one of that four should have been delisted. Imagine the outcry if we have five ruckmen on our list battling for one spot!