DemonDave

There will be even more of those "1 year proud member" scarves showing up in op shops around the country!

If we were to snag all 3 targets, and subsequently have to trade away this year and next year's 2nd rnd picks and probably a 3rd rounder as well, it leaves our national draft picks all very inconsequentially late in the order. It also raises a list management issue given that we'd be bringing 3 new players in (and i assume 1 out with Dunn to the Lions). We've only chopped 3 players so far in grimes, Jones & terlich, so in order to make the minimum number of draft picks which i believe is 3, we'd still need to cut 2 more players from our primary list.

He might be cheap in trading terms, but Rockliff comes with a $650,000 price tag attached to him next year, that's a heck of a lot of coin, and the reason I suspect most clubs are baulking at a ready-made boost to their playing stocks. It seems we're now starting to mimic US sports trading patterns, in that clubs offload players not for their playing worth, but for salary cap relief.

Hawks are a fascinating case study this trade period. The Lewis to us rumours, lets hope remain just that. You only had to watch the 2nd half of the final against the Bulldogs to see how slow all 3 of Lewis, Hodge and Mitchell looked against the hungry dogs. You could sense that was the end of the era in that half, both Hodge and Mitchell got smashed in contests, and Lewis was sitting on the bench with a battle related injury at the. As for his leadership? All of the cheap whacks behind play, or indeed right in the thick of it, ala on Goldstein etc, is hardly the sort of character building exercise we want to introduce here, he's not providing any leadership when he's suspended. The 2 main hawks targets are also massive risks, Jaeger Bomb hasn't played in 2 years. And Mitchell was the fifth or even sixth banana in the Sydney midfield behind Kennedy, Parker, Hanneberry, Jack and Heeney towards the end of the year. The Swans will have the same ageing issue in a couple more years, and will also be heavily burdened with the 2 'Bondi Billionaires' excessive and long contracts.

Melbourne Victory had some of their games last year at this hell hole with the retractable lower level seats brought it. So they can and do still use this 'feature', albeit sparingly. It still didnt change the atmosphere one iota at these games...

Send Jack Viney around there... a few rugged hip and shoulders to the bar formally known as the Locker Room, and they place will crumple in no time! In all seriousness this place is the very definition of a corporate, profit-driven company rather than a sports stadium. How many games we you been to, and I'm not just talking Melbourne or indeed AFL games, you can also include cricket and A-League in there, where without paying exorbitant sums for a decent seat, you're shunted off up onto level 3..while you gaze longingly at the vast emptiness that is level 2 and all the wing seats on level 1. Wanna park underneath the stadium? Don't expect much change out of $30 Wanna bring your own food in, to avoid the ripoff prices inside the stadium? Sorry you can't do that, we've got catering contract revenues to protect inside. Wanna have a kick of the footy outside the ground? Sorry whatever spare meter-age we once had vacant, we've now sold off to developers to build some much needed apartment complexes out of non fire-retardant cladding. Wanna eat at a nice restaurant by the water just a 5 minute walk from the ground pre-game? Sorry most of those retail spaces are now for lease, all previous tenants drive out by the relentless punishing icy winds that blow across the frozen tundras of Harbortown Drive. Wanna buy some merchandise from the main merch shop? Thanks, the profits go directly to the Essendrugs WADA repayment fund. Will the AFL, now they've shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars that could've been invested in grassroots and womens footy, all of a sudden become a charitable benefactor to the four tenant clubs, one of which desparately wants to move to the MCG now the place isn't run by a former President of theirs? I doubt it Will they also rip up the minimum games per year contract that exists, forcing MCG based clubs to play home games there? I also doubt it. Also kudos to whoever signed the agreeement upon building this festering abhomination banning boutique stadiums being built at a similar capacity for goodness knows how many years, which now means that teams like Victory and the Storm regularly have the issue of their relatively brand new stadium now not being big enough a capacity.

I don't know about lack of resources on match day. At every home and away Casey game this year that I went to, Brendan McCartney has a big influence on matchday proceedings, from chatting to players, assistant coaches, and most importantly, always having a word in Plapps ear before each huddle commences. He can also be seen frequently on the phone to him from the dugout when he's on the boundary. Add in the constant presence of Dan McPherson, Brett Allison and Darren Ogier, as well as the likes of Chris Dawes always giving advice to his fellow forwards when not playing, and I think he's surrounded by a good knowledgeable team. The Bulldogs only had a handful of senior players on the field for that first weeks final, there were no Jong, no Koby Stevens and no Tom Campbell, they were all kept out of the side to be considered for the AFL Dogs senior side, and all 3 were critical yesterday to the outcome.

Paul Roos was the master of nothing answers, but i disagree on Buckley. As much as i hate the collingwood filth, particularly their president, Bucks gives insightful answers, treats Slobbo's long-winded rambling questions with contempt and can see his baiting a mile away. He clearly either doesn't like or respect Robbo, probably both, and is the antithesis of Roos and other cliché filled media experts.

He's a very good mark for his size, but is very much a one-sided lefty as so many are. A Couple of times in the game 2 weeks ago he found himself with little choice but to use his right foot, instead he tried to swing back on the left and either turned it over or sold a teammate into trouble. Having said that, his skills by foot and hand on his left are first class, he has great vision, he found Grimes(I think) in traffic against the Bulldogs deep in the forward line surrounded by 3 opponents with a beautiful bended pass in that game, that not many could execute with such aplomb. And as has been mentioned, like Oscar McInerney, people need to remember both have played only a handful of games at senior level this year, it's a big step up from Under 18s to VFL reserves to VFL seniors, let alone AFL. Just look at Max King for an example of the gulf in quality between VFL seniors and reserves. Casey has been lucky this year to have a number of players show glimpses in the reserves and be rewarded with games, Dyl Collis, Paul Pattison, Dylan Gordon and Tom Baker have all stepped up at times this year and showed good signs. Ferreira and McInerney have been somewhat fortunate with the timing of their elevation, but good luck to them they've both taken their chances well in the last few games...

Good day out at Port yesterday, we were having a celebratory ale in the Railway Club hotel post game, and in walks Plapp, Dan McPherson and a few of the other Casey coaches who were all too happy to have a chat to us. Salem won't get up, but Garland should be fine according to Plapp. A very content bunch they were! Oscar McInerney and Declan Kielty gave their draft chances a big boost. Thought Morris and Munro were also very good of the casey listed players but Angus Scott had a very quiet day compared to 2 weeks ago. Tim Smith is a very good vfl player who's been at the club 4 years now, to those that think he could be drafted i think his chance has passed, his inconsistency is the most frustrating aspect of his game brilliant one week unsighted the next.

On a non-related note, I'd also look at rookie-ing Oscar McInerney for our ruck depth, he certainly looks to have plenty of upside and has forced himself into the Casey seniors at the right time of year for the finals, which certainly puts him in the draft shop window.

Would think he's a very good chance for late round pick or rookie draft. The only thing that might hold him back is his lack of a position (or some may see that as a good attribute). He's spent various times this year up forward, pinch hitting in the ruck, and for the last few weeks has found himself playing as a defender. Has the size, skills are decent and plenty of upside still in fitness levels etc. Took a few big hits this year and gets back up more often than not, so loves the physical stuff too. Would definitely be an upgrade on Max King for our rookie list, but of course we don't get any first crack at him so will be at the mercy of other teams drafting intentions.

Great to see Jack Hutchins, Tim Smith and Declan Keilty in the Team of the Year too!

As mentioned already there's no way that they could charge for people to watch them play at the ground they kicked Athletics Australia out of. If you want real-time updates on how Casey are doing game day, either get to the ground (entry is free with a Melbourne Membership), or follow the Scorps Twitter and/or facebook page for live updates on who's scoring the goals as they happen, and a score/goalscores and stats breakdown at each change. You could also tune into Radio 3SER to listen to a lot of the games live. Not sure how many more outlets to keep informed you'd like...

All Semis and Prelims will be at Port Melbourne

From the tribunal Results 3-4 Sept, here: http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-67835-0&sID=54420&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=47424250 I saw the hit at the ground, think it deserved a week, he got him flush, and it was a needless hit as he'd already disposed of the ball,albeit these things are always a split second kinda thing.

He got a week, as I suspected, sadly.... Although there is an asterisk next to his penalty, and this footnote: (#) One match additional penalty added to base sanction due to previous record So not sure if he now misses the Grand Final, which would be a blow, as he's been having an impact.

Just goes to show the stats sheet can be deceiving. He was outstanding on Saturday, one of the best games I've seen him play. Continually took the risk to leave his man, effect a spoil or get his to the body contest to nullify a forward thrust. His reading of the ball in the air was an eye-opener for me, I hadn't noticed him being as good at it as he was on the weekend. Like a Josh Gibson/Rance type game where he just roamed around punching/intercepting everything in sight, but didnt end up with the stats to reflect his impact. (No, I'm not comparing him to those 2 in any other way yet!)

Best for mine today was Matt Jones. Not only did he have the most touches be would've had the most metres gained out there his run and carry, and the uncanny knack of him and Viv seemingly always finding each other with their kicks. Another great game from the lesser Jones (also good to see Nathan and all the other boys here today). Second best Lynden Dunn, marshals the defence with authority, wasn't beaten all day in the 1 on 1s, his field kicking was superb, constantly hitting long targets with bullet passes. In defence he was ably supported by the skipper who was great, Mitch White whose ability to read the ball in the air and spoil or intercept was a highlight, and Jimmy Munro who had a cracker of a game. Michie was great especially early, Nibbler after a quietish first quarter really worked his was into it with his work rate and also took a couple of great marks. Olivers hands in traffic are unbelievable, he just find time and space in close to give to others in a better position to clear the stoppage. He was fantastic and also appeared hellbent on squaring up with whoever it was that left him on his haunches earlier in the quarter when the last quarter scuffle broke out. Angus Scott had a day out with 4, he's kicked quite a few goals this year now, and 23rd player Ferreira also showed some neat tricks when he swings onto that left foot. Spence was quiet and well beaten by Minson but McInerney provided him a decent chopout. Terlich was very busy, but quite often makes basic skills execution look quick extremely difficult. If he hadve kicked straighter it would've been a great day for him. He may get a week for the late hit he needlessly put on his opponent in the 3rd, he got reported for it. Grimes was pretty industrious on his wing made some great takles and the last term goal a good reward for his day

Yes. Had a negligible impact. Was getting a lot of work done to his right arm at the last change and then had it heavily taped up, not sure if it was hampering him or he just had an off day, i suspect the latter.

Oliver prone on the ground in real trouble got one in the head in a pack

Mitch White's reading of the ball in the air has been a highlight for mine today he's been outstanding

Some of Olivers handball in traffic this quarter oh boy!

Another goal assist to the great man Terlich as weed goals from a good mark

Clutched at his knee straight away on landing in the marking contest doesn't look good at all