Harvey Wallbanger

That's correct Redleg - the only thing we absolutely need is access through to our proposed building site, which goes through the freehold land over which Mount Scopus holds an option to purchase from the MRC.

The Chamber has just advised that "they have commenced a selection process for Paul's replacement, with Paul remaining in the role until after 14WCC in September".

If that's all true DJ why did we use the language in teh announcement to members that "he will hit the ground running and Members will have opportunities to hear directly from him very soon". Pure speculation but maybe: He was called after the Board meeting to say he had the job. Caro had broken her story as the Board meeting was occurring - so the Board says: Is it OK Paul if we send out a notice to members? You'll be able to start soon, right? The next day his existing employer says - Hang on a minute, you have a notice period here..... He can still honour the part of doing some media, but he certainly cannot "hit the ground running". Let's all hope that VECCI lets him go early. Messy start though.

I was concerned by the Footy Class interview talking about various different home base options, when the official position of the Club as far as members know is that the Caulfield feasibility study is done and we are now supposed to be working on the business plan, designs, permits etc..before the fund-raising starts. However our CEO designate did say he was not "all over the detail of the Caulfield project". So two possible conclusions - (1) he was not following the party line on Caulfield because he hasn't been briefed or (2) Caulfield may have hit a hurdle and the prospect of other options are being reconsidered?

"Paul will hit the ground running...."

According to the Herald Sun our new CEO will commence in the role in early September.

Board meeting today. Expect news shortly.....

Pure speculation - but Casey have a bye this weekend - we play in Perth, and he is from WA, so maybe time to see family? Yes, Lukar is looking quite comfortable off half-back. Needs game time and an uninterrupted pre-season to be able to put his best foot forward. I don't have any official measurements pre and post his illness - Ghosty?

3 goals 4 behinds actually.

Further to Ghosty's notes: Absent today: May, Lever, Spargo, Pickett and Kentfield Marty Hore continued his rehabbing with a physio. The dreaded soccer ball was out - the boys love it. Petracca and Sestan gave it a miss and had a kick with Marty. AJ was last off the field and was having some goal-kicking tuition with Chocco.

Fair enough - but play a guy out of form and risk ruck domination when he rucks. I would rather that TC "gets a taste" soonish. The day will come (I hope not), and it could be this year, when we need a short term, full time replacement for Max. It has to be a ruck who "can do it all game". Isn't that why we brought TC in? And against West Coast would be a good time to trial it, rather than against Hawthorn, Brisbane, then Sydney.

That's it Adam, but Max doesn't have to sit on the pine when TC is rucking. Max's engine, plus his marking ability means we can keep the relatively short forward line we played last week and Max can push forward. He still needs his 6/7 minutes rest per quarter but if TC is rucking well, Max can spend some more time elsewhere. What we cannot afford is a second string ruck who gets mauled whilst Max rests, leading to momentum for the oppo, a la the last 12 minutes on Thursday night.

We saw last night how important ruck dominance is. Rest Max for 10-15 minutes at the end of the game and it was one-way traffic (the wrong way!). Campbell has the same sort of impact at Casey (anyone who watched the Casey game at Geelong would have seen how the game changed after half-time when Campbell went off). I get that Campbell is not the long term answer, but he is part of the solution for this year (and maybe next year) at least. Get him into the AFL team and take the pressure off Max. Particularly against teams that have competent second ruck options. Against teams that don't AJ would be my next bet.

16 AFL-listed - great to see. I guess one will come out as a carryover for tonight's game?

If you go the second ruck option it can go many ways - when we had Jacko, he could go forward (naturally) or Max can take longer breaks while Jacko rucked. With Petty as a sole tall, Max could go forward whilst Campbell rucks. Plan A was probably adjusted on Saturday because Turner went down - let's see what happens tomorrow night. As I said, I expect Fullarton gets another crack at it.

Fair point - 6 disposals and the lowest individual player rating doesn't really do it for me. Happy to see improvement from Tom in Game 2, if he plays. The other consideration is what they expect from Max - with Turner going down, and Petty staying forward, it was suggested that Max played a more defensive role in the second half than otherwise?

There was no separation as such on the ground. These Captain's Runs are not used as match sims for the 23 who have been selected. Some cues are being taken from the order players came across from AAMI. I do not put much store in that as, for example, Kossie came across early and Culley came across with the main group. Kossie will play AFL and Jai will play Casey I expect.

Just my personal opinion - Campbell is a "fit for purpose" quality ruckman who has performed very well at Casey and he can give us a significant advantage in the middle and at stoppages when Max needs a rest. Of course, we may not always want to play a second ruckman, and it will largely depend upon what we expect from the opposition.

All listed players in attendance today, except Lever (and the LTI's). Marty Hore was doing some running and kicking training with the physio - seems to be progressing well. Turner was going through the "concussion protocols" with some moderate running. May moved well. Likely changes May and McVee in for Turner and Howes. See the other comments re Fritsch perhaps coming back for Melksham, depending on Melksham's condition. Whilst I would prefer Campbell also in for Fullarton, I suspect that that change will not be made. Some consideration probably given as to whether Howes stays as sub, and Sharp has a run at Casey? Trac almost last off the field, doing lots of goal-kicking from 30-40 metres - all drop punts! Fritta and Oliver last to leave....

Having listened to Selwyn's report, I reckon there is a chance Campbell comes in for Fullarton too. Seems Campbell was clearly managed with an eye towards Thursday night.... Could be four changes: IN: May, McVee, Fritsch and Campbell. OUT: Turner, Howes, Melksham and Fullarton.

My interpretation of Goody's presser is that May and McVee will both be in. Turner out (concussion) and I suspect Howes goes out. Given the gash on Melksham's leg I suspect he won't play. Fritsch only played a half at Casey - to me a sign that he will be straight back in (which will create an interesting discussion in these parts).

He may get another chance CF, but if the idea is that two "pure rucks" helps Max excel then Campbell is a better option in my opinion, once he is fit again. Interesting that Campbell was rested from Casey on Saturday - hope his hamstring has recovered fully.

Kossie looked fine - unhindered. May did much less and had a long discussion with Selwyn and Richo. Pure speculation, but he may still be a test tomorrow. I note that Fritsch, Howes and Henderson are the emergencies. (The message there is that JVR needs a full Casey game). If May doesn't get up and we tap only from emergencies, perhaps Fritsch gets a reprieve and Turner may go back for May? Even though selected forward, Turner could still swap with Petty. Freo's back three of Cox, Pearce and Ryan need to be challenged.... If May plays, and given that Casey play tomorrow, perhaps Fritsch plays a half and is back-up for a warm-up injury? Otherwise all 23 selected present today together with the Casey boys. Trigger alert, soccer balls present - but most players did goal-kicking. No rehabbing (Hore, Lever) that I could see. BTW, it's the 18th today - header needs to change.

I agree that Kozzie will not be with us next year. I have no idea what we will get for him though.

I see Lindsay is a "test". If he is OK, my call is just one change - Lindsay in for Sharp. We shouldn't drop Spargo based on one quarter of football, a quarter when our team pressure rating disappeared.