KingDingAling

That is what Billings should do when dropped back to the VFL. Most AFL players - even those of a lower standard - should be dominating the VFL when dropped back. Confidence booster for Billings. He needed it.

Competition for spots. That a great sign. Not only do players have to be in top VFL form to break into the side, but they have to maintain that form once they are in it. Smith only had one down week, I thought he was great the week before, but it is a good sign to send. It says that at a minimum, players need to contribute at the top level every week. Smith didn't for just one week. He can consider himself stiff, but these are the standards of a top 4 side. He will now go back to the VFL, bust a nut to break back in, be a better player for it and we will be a better team for setting those standards.

There probably isn't a person on this site who doesn't want Kielty to get a game, so its understandable he comes into the equation at this point (as far as poster's discussion Lever's replacement). He does look the type of player who could fill Lever's role. I just question whether Kielty is in the type of form that warrants a promotion right at this moment. The challenge is there for him and personally I hope he eventually is the guy for the job, he would add a lot to our side. Kielty is versatile and can also ruck, so its a plus. He just needs to start really knocking that door down in the VFL.

I disagree entirely. Loyalty means absolutely nothing if you aren't in good enough form to remain in the side - ala Tyson. He can be as loyal as he wants but if he isn't making an impact it means jack sh*t. I am sure many of his teammates at AFL level would prefer if Tyson was putting in more 1% efforts and defensive acts so it makes their job easier. But he isn't, and as a result he is at Casey.

Kielty has barely even got a mention in the Casey best's all year. And that is at VFL level. I am one that believes the gap between VFL and AFL is bigger than most believe. If you aren't going really well at VFL level and aren't consistently in the bests you shouldn't even be spoken of getting a game at AFL level. There was a time when Kielty was regularly getting in the bests, and he got drafted because of it, so I am not suggesting he isn't potentially an AFL level player, but he is hardly in great form to warrant selection at the moment. Its not a kick in the guts to not be handed a promotion when your form doesn't warrant it. In all likelihood whoever fills Lever's position this week probably won't be holding onto it every single week onwards, so those in the VFL need to be pushing themselves to their limits. That means getting in the best every week to warrant promotion.

Billings for Tyson in a heartbeat. If we had to add to that deal we could - and should. I would prefer we traded into Gresham, but if Billings is all we could get I'd be keen on that. Jack Billings is going to be a very good football player, he just looks disinterested and unhappy at times (too many times and most times). I suspect he isn't happy at St Kilda, would probably be a far better player in a better side. We should at least ask the question. Tyson is too slow for our side, he will struggle to even break back into it, plus he isn't versatile, at least we could sit Billings in our forward line and get something out of him.

In other words, if Frost is in form Roos would bring him in. Trouble with many of the guys being speculated to fill the role for Lever (Frost, Smith and Keilty) is that none of them are in good enough form to be promoted. The is a massive gulf in quality between the VFL and the AFL, and the fact of the matter is - if you cannot dominate the VFL then you shouldn't get a game in the AFL. It is a shame Pederson most likely won't be available to fill Lever's role this week. I would be looking to promote Billy Stretch and use Bernie Vince as a key defender for a week. We need to be rewarding players who are dominating VFL, and not giving games to players who can't just because they fill a need.

Howe would be a logical choice as he is an endurance athlete. We may be able to expose Dunn late in the game though (if he is a match up), because there is no way he runs with Hogan and McDonald all day, and if he tries he will be blowing in the last half. That match up looks like something we should be able to expose. Because Dunn is their main key back, even if they rotate him (if he can't keep up) they are then vulnerable in the air.

Good to hear Dion Johnstone had his best game. Hopefully that gives him a bit of confidence and he can kick on from that. As a player, I would prefer Balic to be promoted ahead of Stretch. Balic would offer our senior side a different set of skills - he has a bit of X factor about him and is a classy user of the ball. Hopefully he gets a chance soon.

Keilty hasn't been in the top 5 best players on the ground once this year. That is not even nearly enough to warrant selection. I understand we need to replace Lever, but whoever replaces him needs to be of AFL standard. Pederson is the logical replacement if he is able to take the field next week. He is in form and we know he is capable of playing at an AFL level. If Pederson doesn't make it then we may need to shift our side around at senior level and swing someone down back for a game.

Pederson is the one I would be bringing in and send down back. I remember watching him when he played at North Melbourne. He was predominately down back and I thought he was excellent. Has played down back for us at times with success. But overall, as a backman I think Pederson is seriously underrated. He would step into that role effortlessly, and could also give Max a chop out rucking in the backline, allowing us to use Max as a target in the middle of the ground as he has a breather.

He looks far better evasively in that clip. I know his top end speed probably sticks out in comparison to what we see today, but I see a guy who moved evasively FAR better then than he does now. Also, he looked a bit more desperate to move the ball on. These days Tyson holds onto the pill too much. If we can move Tyson on for anything better than a 3rd round pick we are doing well IMO.

Since our last loss.. We have brought in Fritsch - and played him on the wing. Hannan has come back in, and has been influential. Spargo has replaced Garlett and appears to be making an impact. I look at it and think Fritsch, Spago and Hannan have been huge for us. They give us versatility and all are hard match ups. Its not like Tyson or Bugg where they can be exploited. If Fritsch is given a spare metre he will kill you by foot (he is one of the best kicks in the league). Angus into the middle, Salem more back than middle, Petracca more forward than middle. McDonald more forward than back, Viney back in is absolutely huge. Lever into form allowed more opportunities for Hibberd and Lewis. Goodwin really looking like a genius with all these moves. They have all worked. Be interesting to see how he handles players like Bugg, Tyson, Garlett and Hunt. My guess is they will more than have to earn a game because our balance at the moment is spot on. Its even going to be hard to get Tim Smith out of the side now, as he is playing great football and really provides something up forward.

Everytime I watch Oliver play I am thankful we picked him ahead of Parish. Imagine the uproar if we had've let Oliver slip? It would be crazy. Lyon is right, Oliver is the best kid to emerge in the last 20 years. We would be slitting our wrists if we overlooked him.

He is so clean inside of a contest. Right at the point where players panic, Oliver seems to relish. I don't think I have seen a player so good on close. He is exceptional in tight. For that reason I think he may be one of the greats by the time he is done. Most us probably believe that by now. The media is just catching on because opposition fans don't like Oliver for his incidents in the past.

I noticed on the weekend many of our players were bursting from packs, evading tacklers and holding onto the ball until the right option presented itself. Nath Jones used to be the only one who did this. I wonder if its Jones rubbing off on the younger brigade, or a clear direction from the club to have players do it. Whatever the case its impressive. Jones leads through his actions and others learn.

Maybe. What if the Crows had their best 22. They probably would have did a bit better, maybe even a lot better. But we trounced them today, and they were smashed all over the ground. I have always believed we had a better list than GWS, and we would eventually click. That is happening now. Adelaide would have gotten closer with a full list. But our current list is trending upwards, and rapidly. Brayshaw, Salem, Petracca, Hannan, ANB, Oliver, have all improved this year and its showing. We have added Fritsch and Spargo and its complimenting our side beautifully. The improvement of those lads is down to our coaching staff, and especially our coach. Personally, I have been a knock on Goodwin because I would not touch anyone who has anything to do with James Hird, but that aside, Simon Goodwin is getting the best out of this list. On a day like today I think that stings Crows fans. They are hurting. Throw Lever's last few weeks on top of that and Crows fan's are now in a place where they aren't thinking straight. It is all too much for them IMO.

5. Hogan 4. Brayshaw 3. ANB 2. Viney 1. Hannan

It is a good year to be a top 4 side. Hopefully we continue this run because there is no dominant team this year. We very well may end up being that dominant side heading into finals. Certainly we are playing that way. Viney is a massive IN for us recently.

It is unlikely we will find another of that quality coming out of Casey, but we could find another gem elsewhere.

Brayshaw has overtaken Tyson as a mid. On top of that the inclusion of Viney will make it hard for Tyson to break back in. Salem has been pushed out of the midfield of late (or not given as much time), but given his versatility he is still able to keep his position, and probably even looks better down back. What has killed Tyson is that he is just an inside mid, as is Brayshaw, but the latter brings more of what we need - intensity and defensive efforts.

I don't think McDonald would ask for such a ridiculous amount that it would compromise our future. He is one of our better leaders.

I would have him deep forward and try and isolate him one out. Ideally I would rotate him with Jack Viney when he gets back - with Petracca spending 60% time in the midfield, and gradually decrease that to 40% as Viney improves his fitness and takes the 60%. Petracca is a burst player I think 40% of his on field time in the midfield is about right at the moment. It would also give Viney a rest up forward where he could use his body and strength to contribute in a similar role Petracca would play up forward. When we have players swapping with each other they need to be stepping into their corresponding roles effortlessly as not to confuse things and put our structures out of whack.

Good on Hannan. He is massively underrated on this board. Hannan, Spargo and Fritsch are serious players. They give us versatility.

So does Roos. He just commented as much.