Harvey Wallbanger

I agree - let's all wait and see. I just hope he contributes to his best on Sunday - I reckon he's a little bit sore, but he loves playing in Alice. 3 or 4 goals and then sub him out.....?

Sharp named in the 18, so not going to happen this week. Maybe a perfect sub for Grand Final day?

Having not played last week - surely better for TMac to get a full game for Casey. He wasn't going to push out May, Lever or Turner after last week.

Bailey is on his way to Alice. Emergencies are Adams, Henderson and JVR (in Sydney?). Vines will train in Alice!

Interesting that the team list on the AFL site just swapped JVR in for Viney into the 18. I suspect at 5 pm we will find that JVR is an emergency, because he is in Sydney ready to play for Casey tomorrow. Vines is flying to Alice and will train (a little like Clayton did a couple of years ago!) and Henderson will come into the 23. Either Hendo or Sharp I expect to be sub. Don't expect Adams to play. Final question is which plane Bailey Laurie is on....?

Interesting that the team list on the AFL site just swapped JVR in for Viney into the 18. I suspect at 5 pm we will find that JVR is an emergency, because he is in Sydney ready to play for Casey tomorrow. Vines is flying to Alice and will train (a little like Clayton did a couple of years ago!) and Henderson will come into the 23. Either Hendo or Sharp I expect to be sub. Final question is which plane Bailey Laurie is on....?

Great draw! We miss North, Adelaide and Hawthorn. Only 3 interstate - Freo, Port and Brisbane. 5 home games at Casey, 1 at Ikon against Essendon. Whitten Oval, Vic Park and GMHBA the local away games.... Bring it on!

It's not cheap - but the actual cost depends on how you approach the travel/accommodation (drive/fly, hotel/Air BnB/friends), but it is a rare opportunity to watch multiple games of football in a great atmosphere (we managed 6 games - 5 at Adelaide Oval and one at Norwood). Much different to the usual febrile atmosphere of, say a standalone Dees/Pies game. Festival atmosphere - great for football lovers, not just those that live in Adelaide. Exactly the sort of initiative designed for AFL supporters who love footy - long overdue.

Thanks Ghosty - noticed that interaction too. Bill hasn't done much wrong and would probably be in the AFL side if we weren't so beautifully healthy. Probably words of encouragement from Richo just "to be ready" when the time comes....

The extended squad all present, together with Marty Hore (presumably Marty not yet ready to play at Casey). The Casey squad is already en-route to Sydney. We speculate that Laurie was present this morning, until it was clear that Viney had completed all his protocols. Laurie did not participate in the match sim (Henderson and Adams did). So we suspect that Laurie may fly to Sydney to play with Casey and Adams and Henderson will travel to Alice as carryovers. Kosi does look a little sore and had his ankle re-strapped - hopefully he "gets up" for an Alice special. After training there was an interesting session with one unknown individual watched (and taped) by our recruiting team. We speculate that it may be an Irish possible. Finally the women appeared for their session. We still await an AFLW fixture......

Have you been to Gather Round?

I attended a function earlier this year at which Laura Kane was the keynote speaker. She was asked about the number of direct reports she had and whilst answering the question accurately and diplomatically, there was a clear suggestion that she simply had too much on her plate. I am not surprised at this announcement, just perplexed as to why it didn't happen before the men's season began.

The other stat mentioned in that clip was that we are No.2 for marks. We see that stat play out in a lot of short kicks (which the punters tend to get a bit frustrated with) but when the time comes to bite off the 45 kick, or give the overlap hand-ball or go long to a contest we are brave and we now have some beautiful kickers - our last goal was a little case study of it - May's kick to Langford (doesn't break stride) hits Melksham who then nails it. Three "works of art". The new game plan was built pre-season on McVee and Windsor (with Salem and Bowey chiming in) providing the drive and accurate delivery off half-back. I still don't think it (the role) has quite clicked for Windsor (who had that infection issue) and McVee had his hammy setback, but as they play this system more and more , it will be a pleasure to watch. Gun kickers on the wings - Langford and Lindsay - provide the luxury of using Langdon's running capacity in a different way - and he provides incredible link-up. Please though Lingers, give it to our gun kickers.... The last piece of the puzzle will be a confident JVR back in the team. We got a nice glimpse of improvement out at Preston on Saturday. JVR now needs to knock the door down - might be a few more weeks....AJ will do just nicely until that time arrives.

There were a total of eleven listed players who did not "do the soccer". Individual programmes apparently....

32 playing soccer today, and having a ball! Initially absent: May, Viney, Lever, Spargo, Turner, Melksham, TMac, Hore, Sparrow, Kosi, Woey and AJ. Later, as a bunch of staff awards were announced, all these absentees arrived, other than May, Spargo, Melksham and Woey. Good to see both Andy M-W and Shane McAdam also in attendance. Apparently Spargo hurt his shoulder in the Mills incident (see Ghosty's note). No indication of any player retirement announcements, so assume we will not be going to the mid-season draft tomorrow. Tuesday is injury report day so we will see how bad Spargo's shoulder is. Nod to the Kolt who was last off the track and picked up the equipment with Wheels.