Gator

In this case yes of course. I watched Petracca 'live' 3 weeks ago in a Casey practice match. I watched the first quarter on the club website where he has 9 possessions and two ripping marks. He looks better in just 3 weeks. I've also seen him train recently, Stu. I know the class of player involved and it doesn't take much to realise that Petracca's possessions/minutes/output are superior to Neal-Bullen's possessions/minutes/output, let alone when he has 60 to 55. They've played a somewhat similar role, with Petracca playing plenty of midfield minutes. Getting back to the point, Stu, Clint's inference was that Neal-Bullen had been in better form than Petracca. There's no hope in hell that Neal-Bullen has been in better form in 2 games when he's had less stats than the gun in waiting Petracca.

But I don't.

But it's never just about form. Clearly Petracca is in a different stratosphere when it comes to talent and impact. Who do you think Richmond would rather line up against ? That said... VFL Round 1 CASEY 27.17.179 FRANKSTON 5.5.35 GOAL KICKERS: T. SMITH 5, S. WEIDEMAN 4, D. KEILTY 3, V. MICHIE 2, C. PEDERSEN 2, A. BRAYSHAW 2, C. PETRACCA 2, D. TERLICH, M. WHITE, K. WILSON, J. HUNT, L. HULETT, C. AMBLER, A. SCOTT BEST PLAYERS: A. BRAYSHAW, T. SMITH, A. NEAL-BULLEN, C. PETRACCA, J. MUNRO, C. PEDERSEN Neal-Bullen named in the best with 34 disposals and Petracca named in the best with 31 disposals/2 goals VFL Round 2 CASEY 18.13.121 COLLINGWOOD 10.5.65 GOALS: WEIDEMAN 3, HULETT, NEAL-BULLEN, GRIMES 2, AMBLER, WILSON, SCOTT, TRENGOVE, WHITE, NEWTON, PETRACCA, J. SMITH BEST: D. TERLICH, D. KEILTY, J. GRIMES, V. MICHIE, J. TRENGOVE, P. PATTISON Neither named in the best... Neal-Bullen 21 disposals/2 goals (10 contested); Petracca 29 disposals/1 goal (14 contested and some very strong overhead marks - 10 in total) Two games Neal-Bullen ~ 55 possessions and 2 goals Two games Petracca ~ 60 possessions and 3 goals Conclusion: even if you wanted to use the form argument I'm not sure how you can mount a case that Neal-Bullen has played 2 better games. Unfortunately, I think we'll need to wait at least one more week to see Petracca run out in red and blue (purely on a fitness level). Can't wait for it to happen.

For me he has to play at least 2 seasons with the same output he's shown in this block of 4 games.

You post some good stuff. This is horrible.

Watts has had such a disappointing career it's hardly surprising some want a larger sample size than 4 games. That said Russell is a [censored] of the highest order and has made it clear he has zero respect for the MFC. He grew up in SA and hardly ever saw us on TV such was our lowly profile at the time (70's through to mid 80's). We've done little to change his long-held view. Watts kicked 10 goals from 20 games last year. He's kicked 9 from 4 in 2016. Become consistent, keep hitting the scoreboard and your knockers will shutup. .

Yes, you're probably right. I know why he's playing and what he brings to the table. And I agree re Stretch. Garlett brings an injection of pace and Lumumba has too. Harmes, Viney, Kent and Oliver aren't slow, but we do lack outside speed/class. Jones brings the speed and has used it far better this year. But he's also just about the first I can't wait to get rid of. Agree on Hunt. He needs to be careful with his kicking, but he looks like he could be a player.

Good OP. Importantly, let's look at some key indicators that have previously been letting us down. In 2015 (and the years preceding) we defended too close to the opposition's goal and couldn't get the ball inside 50. And when we got it there we couldn't keep it there. This has changed in 2016. It's a small sample size (4 games), but our new game-plan is starting to work. We're pressing much harder and getting turnovers in much better positions. Average I50's 2015 44.5 (16th) ~ Average 2016 54.3 (8th) Centre clearances, which we've been hopeless at for years is now becoming a strength. This is due to Gawn, Viney, Jones and the emerging Oliver. General clearances are also improving, but not yet a strength (9th). Average centre clearances 2015 10.6 (16th) ~ Average 2016 14.8 (4th) In contested possessions we've gone from 12th in 2015 to 5th. Uncontested possessions are still a work in progress, which means we're still not spreading hard enough with quality outside runners, but we've improved from 17th to 12th. The only stat going backwards is tackles, but I put that down to getting in first to the ball more often. Right now I reckon we're either the 9th or 10th best side in it (along with Gold Coast). But we're trending in the right direction.

I've done a U-turn and agree. As much as I hate first gamers getting dropped the reality is he'll get other chancers and be hungry now he's had a taste. And having watched the replay again Brayshaw did some nice things. He's not playing on the ball much, but that's what an apprenticeship is at a good club. I'd drop Matt Jones. He really is ordinary around a hot ball. Whether it be a 2 foot handball to his namesake, who's already under pressure, running into Harmes as he's trying to clear from D50 (resulting in a goal) or collapsing like a house of cards as soon as he's tackled (Oliver is already hard to take to ground) he just doesn't have the class to play in a quality team. He's OK and I've seen plenty worse, but his outside run isn't enough to be a regular in a good side. Handy depth. OUT: Hunt, M. Jones In: Vince, Garlett

He said, "I spotted all players but Vanders". What needed clarification ?

If that's the case I'm certain this poster's position is valid.

I used to butt heads with Andy Moir back in the day on Demonology. Miss you Andy.

You'll get what you're given and be thankful I'm trying to make you a smarter person. If you weren't so thick it wouldn't have needed explaining.

He's saying that he rates Salem so highly he "pictures" him as being capable of representing Melbourne on GF day, but wouldn't want those types of errors on such a big and important stage. He wouldn't say the same thing about Matt Jones, because he wouldn't "picture" a player like Jones getting to GF day.

Frost doesn't play like a tall in the forward-line. He's a rubbish mark and I suspect the reason he and Pedersen both played was because Frost took over the Garlett role. If Garlett is right to go I do believe Frost will make way.

You do realise that Wagner plays as a defensive sweeper and intercept mark in the backline and that the only reason he'll be dropped is if someone can come in and play his role better ? Brayshaw staying or going has zero to do with Wagner.

What about the way he held off his clearing kick out of the centre square, feigned and then quickly handballed to Hogan (I think). It was all class and just showed his quick thinking and great decision making. It's little things like that that show how good he'll eventually be.

Because he doesn't need a "rest" at round 5. He may by round 12, but not round 5. And if you've been watching you'll note that he has been carefully managed in his 4 games. Most of all, I want him in because he makes us better.

It has nothing to do with "deserve". I'm picking my best team.

This "rest" thing for Oliver is utter craap.

In: Vince, Garlett Out: Brayshaw, Frost I love Angus, but he's not quite right and needs a couple of good games for Casey to get form and confidence back. I wouldn't drop Hunt. I don't think first gamers should ever be dropped after one game. And that rule doubly applies if they acquit themselves well. Petracca and Trengove may need one more game at Casey. But if one or both are deemed ready then Matt Jones or Bugg make way. I know Bugg had a good game, but I'm just not a fan. It would be quite ironic if Trengove had his comeback game against the club that he was nearly traded to and uncovered his true medical condition.

We had 9 players under 30 games (again) and they had 3. And we stuck it right up them.

After quarter time we made a tonne of mistakes mainly due to over-possessing, where those one or two extra handballs were intercepted or astray, but the intensity never dropped. A lot to work on but the foundations are there.

But that's not the issue.

Obviously, I don't know if we're going to win or lose, but I do know that Collingwood are absolute rubbish, so I have a modicum of confidence if our effort is strong.