Samael

FWIW I agree that it seems stupid to bring in players at this stage unless it is to rest others (Cats seem to have done this). I rate Viv but am clearly in the very small minority on this site. He will not be at MFC next season and I think that tomorrow may be an audition for another club. His form in the VFL is outstanding and his selection is reward for that effort. Even Roos rated his form as fantastic.

So dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

The Dogs have a different attitude. They have dropped Stringer back to the VFL.

The club also says that it will be playing those who's form warrants it. Hogan is out of form and hasn't looked good for weeks. He could do with a spell at Casey and I am sure if it were eaarlier in the season he would be in the magoos. He really needs to work on his kicking.

Michie is very good in the wet.

Astounding really and on top of that had two shots on goal marked on the line by his team mates. Has had a great year and will feature in Casey's B&F. I have a few quid on him for the Liston as well. Was paying 50:1.

Given the importance of winning the next two games and a remote "chance" to play finals I don't think JKH would be risked. He would not play out the game IMO and there are a couple of others that would be a better option.

Those commentators on Casey radio are absolutely atrocious. They constantly get names wrong. One game early in the year they were calling Gus as the player with the ball. Meanwhile he was on the bench. Pitiful as Jed Clampett would say. But Dawes marking was not a highlight and as the coach of Werribee said of his 3 goals " Dawes kicked three (goals) but a couple of them were pretty easy ones," Dyer said. IMO Hullett or Weed would have kicked 6.

Was on fairly limited time yesterday, don't think he played the 2nd qtr and was on and off the ground a bit. Not ready in my view and really little point at this stage. But if Garlett does not get up????

Recruited before Roos signed on.

I have noticed that they seem a pretty happy bunch. I reckon it has a lot to do with Plapp who seems a quality coach and individual. In the rooms after the Coburg game they even seem to have learned the club song, but they still hold up the words. I was just wondering if Viv was getting disillusioned. Has been in the best for 9 out of his 10 games but getting no love from the FD. Guess he will be looking elsewhere at the EOS. Pity because I think he is as good as any in his group but seem that because he is not a Roos draftee he does not get a look in despite the stated policy of selecting those whose performance warrants it will get a game.

Did you speak to Michie? He must be getting pizzdorf.

The School kids were from Clontar and are playing against Melbourne High in a memorial game called the Mutes Cup The Mutes Cup is an event in honour of Daniel Eimutis, a respected Old Boy of Melbourne High School who tragically passed away at the age of 19 in 2012. It brings together MHS and Clontarf Foundation boys, using football as a way of forming relationships

Dead right. I have seen all but 1 game at Casey this year. He is not ready, sure he had a good game against Coburg who were pathetic. His previous 4 games were very poor. Hope he plays well but think it is a stupid move.

Plapp seems to think they were pretty good. One of my queries on the MFC game plan is the number of times we have 3 or four in the contest but no one to take the ball when we get possession. Turnover territory. Not everyone can be a contested ball monster and both Newton and Michie were the outlets for many contest. Also Coburg were pretty ordinary on the weekend and only had 18 inside 50 for 3 quarters so not much in the way of contest in the back line.

Michie has been playing on the HBF for the last 4 matches.

I reckon Trengove and Grimes are unlikely to ever return to the AFL (in Melbourne colours). Reading the VFL player review pretty much confirms this. Ben Kennedy: Ben had 40 possessions, including 16 contested possessions. He also had six effective tackles, eight inside 50s and kicked 1.2. Ben has been back at VFL level for the past two weeks and his attitude to compete and play the roles we’ve asked him to have been fantastic. He’s a player that really led by example from contest to contest. He won critical ball and brought teammates into play with his hands and creativity. It was another impressive performance and if an opportunity presents, he’s going to be around the mark at AFL level. Viv Michie: Viv had 31 possessions, including 27 uncontested, plus five inside 50s. He also kicked two goals. Viv’s had a fantastic month and continues to dominate the VFL. He’s a fantastic decision-maker and user of the ball, while he continues to create opportunities for us, when he gets the ball in his hands. He also finishes his work off well. His attention to detail is very good and he continues to play at a high level. He’s another one who is pushing for a call-up to the AFL. Ben Newton: Ben had 34 possessions, including 27 uncontested, plus 11 marks, six tackles and eight inside 50s. There were some pretty impressive numbers there for him and it was the third week in a row that he’s been able to create a lot of opportunities. He’s been in the thick of having a big impact on games, and has been working really hard on his game, particularly his work around the ball. Benny played a number of different roles – half-back, wing and inside – so his flexibility to play several positions is something we really value from him. He’s another one who continues to impress and stake his claim for AFL selection. Clayton Oliver: He was another one with big numbers, winning 37 disposals, including 22 contested. Clayton also had eight tackles and 11 clearances. The most pleasing thing about him on the weekend was his ability to really utilise every possession that he had. We’ve really challenged him over the past few weeks to make sure he uses every possession that he has. He was able to be really creative around the stoppages. Clayton’s a really hard player to play on, so it was his best performance by far at VFL level this year. He’s another player that pushes his name up for AFL selection. Jack Grimes: Jack had 40 disposals, including 15 contested possessions. He also had four tackles and four clearances. Once again, Jack impressed at VFL level. His strength and size around the ball are the highlights for him. He played wing and inside mid. Jack has a great ability to win critical contests. To have the numbers that he did was a credit to himself because he worked very hard defensively and offensively. It was a good all-round performance and he got a lot of reward for effort. Jack Trengove: Jack had 29 possessions, including seven contested. He also had 13 tackles, six clearances and kicked a goal. Jack continues to impress – he continually competes and cracks into the ball with his bigger body. The pleasing thing with Jack on the weekend was his tackling, which was a highlight. Off the back of missing so much football, he continues to play at a high standard. His leadership, organisation and direction on the ground has been a massive bonus for us as well.

Would not have said that a week ago after his game against Sandy. 1 kick, 2 handballs (effective) 1 mark. In fact his past 5 games before Coburg were ordinary producing 3 goals. Over rated because of 1 game against a pathetic opposition. Don't get me wrong he is going to be good but chucking him in against Hawthorn is sheer stupidity.

Stats like the DE% are important in my opinion, because they are measured the same way for all players. It is a valuable comparison, regardless of what they mean. Because they are measured the same way for each player they have meaning. A player with 90% DE is making better use of the ball than a player with 60% or 50%. We can debate the way it is measured but surely the aim would be to get as near 100% and a player approaching that level is more valuable than one who isn't. The emphasis placed on DE% may vary between coaching philosophies but that is another issue. Personally I don't rate tackles because it means your team does not have the ball but I am sure that tackles are important to say a defence coach.

going for a 7 goal win.

Was only thinking this today at Coburg.

Today was not so bad (except the bacon sandwiches were horrible) but last week and the Bulldogs games would have stressed the Concorde.