Red and Blue realist

You can't travel to Tassie now with self isolating for 14 days, so that would rule out any games there. I think they should just be playing games at the major grounds now, with just 1 in QLD and NSW

I agree, in a 17 game season everyone will end up with 8 or 9 away games, why not group them together so we only have to travel west once, then next away games we might go to Adel/Syd/Qld but only do the return trip once. I love that the games are being played but they need to get the fixture right to minimise travel exposure.

They might just not allow the young kids into the draft, make it an under 20 comp for them next year and any draft selections have to come from older guys from the state leagues. Realistically you can't move guys off a list if they haven't played either, so this would be more of a top up system for those who retire or are long term injuries.

Unfortunately, I highly doubt that any of our players will suit of for Casey this year, the AFL club have the resources to isolate players and staff much better than at VFL level. So I can't see that even if the AFL season goes ahead that they'd allow any listed players to play alongside those that aren't in the full time environment.

Even if the games go ahead, I can't see any of our player being allowed to play for Casey this year, the AFL clubs have the budgets to quarantine players/staff etc. but the local VFL teams don't have the same measures. Going to make it hard for those trying to break back into the team or returning from injury.

Not wanting people to jump in and have a crack at AFLW, becuase clearly it is still developing - but they've got 16 a side and there's still massive congestion around the ball whenever it's heading into the Fwd50 for any team. Yes the men will have better skills and more powerful kicks but taking players off the field still won't change what coaches are going to focus on. Be better to implement the last touch rule (only for kicks or handballs and in between the 50m - not within them) like in AFLW, that seems to speed the play up, and requires a great emphasis on skills, which then should increase scoring.

I know this is just another shot at OMac, but really May is the one who benefits the most from having OMac in the team, and why IMO they were happier to move Frost on. May has said he plays best knowing there is someone behind him allowing him to play more aggressively (he loved having Thompson in that role at the GC), OMac for all his faults will stick and do what his job is, he won't get caught ball chasing. Really Lever's best role is the floating intercepting defender (or 3rd tall as people like to call it), but that can only happen with a guy like May if you've also got the backstop holding their position.

Let's not get too carried away, I'd be hugely surprised if he spent less than 4 or 5 weeks at VFL level before even being considered for the 1s. He spent a lot of time in the WAFL before getting a game for a poor Freo side

Yeah and I loved it when he did, I still don't see Bedford as having the extreme, run 12/13kms in a game consistently yet, not many really young guys can. But I'm very impressed that he recognised that to make it he needs that in his game, I can see kossie being the real flashy type who impacts the game with a few brilliant touches, while Bedford's impact will come through pressure and harassment, while finishing better than ANB. I think Bedford will still be another season or 2 away from making a major impact at AFL level, but he's doing everything right

I liked what I saw from him as well, not sure he has star potential, more skillful ANB, without the extreme fitness at the moment - clearly he's worked very hard on it though. If he continues Bedford and Kossie will be the perfect pairing for 10 years for us, Kossie withe the flash and scare, while Bedford will create goals through continual pressure and good decisions.

Honestly both sides were probably as strong or as weak as each other. They had virtually none of their top liners, with the exception of Tarrant who was really out their for a run around, while we were similar but with Melk and Brayshaw doing the same. They just had more AFL listed players. What stood out was the game style of both teams, unlike last year where we seemed to go away from any real noticeable game plan, you could see all our players were on the same page, playing the same -quick movement, running support game plan. They got caught so often in our Fwd50, because it seemed like they had no idea where they should be heading. Really good signs for us, the test of course comes against better oppositions who like to run and know what where their teammates are going.

I've been impressed (in little bits I've been able to watch) in general with the overlap play, guys kicking/handballing then following up the immediate play. It hasn't always worked and some of the skills aren't great, but that shows better intent of ball movement even without our best players.

He gone done holding the ball, playing like he would in an AFL game. He got it wrong footed then turned to give the handball back to the guy who should have been running past, but there was no one there. Being fairly harsh with the comparison to Tyson there wwsw

He's going to be in there as a 2nd ruck, the game plan will be for Max to win the tap to Jackson who then will tap it to Tomlinson running in from the wing, who then taps it to Weid at CHF who will finally tap it to one of the waiting forwards to run in unopposed to goal. We want to play a volleyball style game, using 1 possession (a kick) per goal, ensuring our disposal efficiency is the highest it can be - 1 disposal 1 goal.

Yeah Crouch has to go for at least a week for it. He got him with his shoulder but raised his elbow, which is never a good look. Clarrie instant brought up his lunch, then was rubbing his jaw on the way back after the next play.

Not sure if that's too possible DP, doesn't seem like there's too much of the state that's not impacted. I was 3hrs west of Melbourne on Monday and there was thick smoke there, and it'd be even worse today. The trip up north is usually designed to coincide with the Aust Open so it's hard for them to bring that forward as well.

Thanks for the reports all! Might be because running on grass is better than the tan? Both softer and also level? Did all 3 then complete all the craft session? Think Viney could have a big year, with his first decent pre-season in years.

There's a good chance the club wasn't allowed to take him. There's some strict rules they have to go by having someone train who isn't 'officially' on the list. I think he'd be certain as to what his position in the squad is and the club will be doing what they can so he doesn't feel like and outsider, all the training photo's show him smiling and laughing with the others.

Not to derail a great historic thread - but at the end of their first 3 years it was seen that we'd gotten a great pick in Morton and that Danger might not ever come on as a midfielder, by that stage Danger had only 3 or 4 games with more than 20 disposals, while Morton had around 30, and had multiple games where he had over 30 disposals. Of course he had a few injury issues from that point and never got going, while Danger became Danger. You can argue development/injuries/maturity/desire etc. but based on their first 2/3 years and supposed improvement from their you can't blame the recruiters for picking Morton.

The new center bounce game plan revolves around spiking the ball forward, volleyball style, until we get a player in the clear to have a shot on goal. instead of the average disposals per score of around 30 (not sure of the source), we're going to bring it down to less than 5, and really blow score sheets apart!

Yeah agree, just putting out what was in the little paper, and know that the Dogs and us have been spoken about the most in connection to him. I think most clubs will meet with draftees, but having them tour facilities is normally left to a select few.

Weightman who has been mentioned as a connection to us, toured the Doggies HQ today, according to the little paper. Looks like even if we did split to 15 & 20 (GC) or 14 & 17 (Cats), then we'd miss out - if we wanted him anyway. If we did want him and be able to split the pick then maybe we'd talk to the Power, but would they give up 12 & 18 for 10 & 28, I doubt it.

Like the thought, but the AFL wouldn't tick off on it, nor would GWS go anywhere near it. Say if we split 10 into 15 & 20. If we then bid pick 3 on Green, GWS could then use pick 4 and be left with the approx. pick 50 after their discount or alternatively we trade them picks 15 & 20 for 4 and there left with equivalent of pick 50. Either way GWS end up with Green and a pick in the 50s, there's no compelling reason for them to do that, even including pick 28 would be questioned.

I don't watch much of the under age stuff, so have only seen highlights so not the most qualified to offer this up, but Toumpas was rated a phenomenal kick in his draft year, however as we all know with the extra speed and pressure the AFL brings as compared to under 18s, he was found out. I think a few years ago there were stats going around that the best players from the 18s come through with a high % of their stats being contested - not sure how this applies to Young? Most of the best half back flankers have evolved from their draft year, playing mostly as midfielders who then find that position when at AFL level - Hodge was mentioned earlier but he was a mid, then from last years premiership team Vlaustin was hard in and under mid and that's where Houli started too, in our team Salem was a mid turned HBF while Hibberd got a chance as a mature pick up. Not at all saying Young's not a worthwhile pick but he needs to be more than a great kick to make it at AFL level, the speed pressure etc. is so much higher than what he's been playing against. Have people seen that in him, or just the great kick?

Sometimes it can depend on the type of injury though and the players role. Gus has a back injury which while he still managed to play 22 might have meant he was much more restricted than Oliver with his shoulders. An injury set back can effect you're whole body sometimes and others it only impacts 1 area, so running/strength work might still be possible. Hopefully with no set backs this year Gus returns to his 2018 best, but backs are hard to manage.