DemonDave

And by that question I also meant to say Bruce is a key part of our onfield experience and thus shouldnt be traded. And neither would i think he'd be of interest to GC.

Is he eligible for the veterans list next year, given he's been there since 2000? If so half of his contract can be paid through the veterans list. I guess whoever out of he or Green is paid more would be the one placed on it.

I saw Shaun Smith in a pub 2 weeks ago in the wee small hours while watching the World Cup bending his elbow, talking to a lovely lady, so that'd be his training regime sorted then. So after all these years, Robbos been re-relegated to the Rookie list!

Wasnt there a thread exactly the same as this when Chris Johnson was at this age?

Theyve played 104% of games?

If Jurrah was to be picked, you'd think realistically he wouldnt get any more than ten touches for the game. The way they're playing neither Jetta nor Miller would contribute more possessions than Jurrah. So do you play him hoping his possies would provide more of an intangible 'x factor' than Millers mark and dish offs up the wing, or Jettas cheap handballs around packs on the half forward line?

Agree that noone deserves a callup to the seniors based on that performance of Casey last week. The first time I get to goto a game all year, 1v2 and they put up that sort of a performance? I wouldnt be rewarding anyone after that insipid effort, however given the way the selection cards have fallen at least one player gets a nod (albeit MacDonald did not play so can be excused. Matchups will be a huge decision in selecting the bench. As Jaded mentioned, Bock out is a huge loss for them, still no McLeod or Burton, and three of their ins are relatively inexperienced in Davis, Jaensch and Sellar. Walker and Tippet have found a bit of form of late, and Porpoise on the bench always kicks a couple of cheapies against us. You'd think Warnock would goto Tippet, Rivers to Walker and hopefully that frees Chip up to nominally match up the Porpoise and then create from there. A half backline of Doughty, Davis and Jaensch would hardly be striking fear into most teams, so I hope we keep Watts in and hopefully he can get a bit of confidence up against one of these defenders. On paper, we've never been a better shot at winning this fixture in the last 5 years.

My only concern when they were picking this side was how many of his own clients Pickering was selecting ahead of someone more deserving. Does he manage Chip? He was massively pumping up his tyres. Having said that I take anything, anything, Pickering says about a player and how they're going whether it be commentating for Fox or SEN, with a massive grain of salt as he has a hopelessly, unconscionable conflict of interest.

Its clear from listening to Shaw in his game commentary on our Foxtel games he's done this year that he's a fan of us. Its good to see that others outside of the club are starting to see what an exciting future we have. And as sure as paper writers like Scott Gullan and the like continually still dump on as, in a couple of years time they'll be drooling over the shape of our list. For a glimpse at the future, have a look at the current issue of Inside FOotball in newstands. It has a picture of a 'Confucious' Bailey on the front, and compares our list and its stage of developement with that of Geelong from 6 years ago. Young players with obvious potential (Steve Johnson a young whipper snapper with 20 games under his belt, young midfielders James Kelly etc) coming up against a hardened premiership team in Brisbane, getting smashed on their own dunghill the year before but improving by magnitudes the year after, albeit still getting beaten by a small margin. The analogy is drawn with our performance at the Cattery a few weeks ago in that it was in hindisght quite a good effort which was only slightly marred by 2 or 3 junktime goals. The prospective sides on paper (Stevie J= Jurrah, Mooney=Watts etc) was mouth watering. THe edition may go off shelves in the next day or so but if you can get a copy of it its well worth the read...

Cheney has had no claims to fame so far, he's played half a dozen games and is still learning the caper at AFL level. The analogy with Watts is to show the differing expectations and patience with developement of different players, a lot of it purely based on where they are drafted. When a player in a similar position on the field such as Daniel Bell has been on our list for eight years, I think its safe to say he has deficiencies and will not make it as a league footballer. It is far too early to be ruling a line through Cheney.

Why do Collingwood keep playing Leigh Brown? Why do the dogs keep playing Mitch Hahn? Simple they play a role in their team, they provide a physical presence and every couple of weeks chip in with a goal or two. Neither of these players get 20+ posessions a game, thats not their role. While Miller is not exempt from goalkicking responsibilities, we're not asking or expecting him to kick 3 goals a game. His role is to lead up the ground, provide a mobile and strong target on the wings and flanks, and to also get back in the goalsquare to provide a contest and help some of our younger players learn the game. He's clearly in the leadership group for a reason, and thats not because he's a Nick Riewoldt-esque all-marking/goalkicking superstar, but because he plays a very solid role as a team player.

How can you rule a line through Cheney already? He's only played 12 games FFS. If he was taken at Draft Pick 1, and Jack Watts was taken at pick 53, everyone would be saying give him time to develop and delist Watts as he hasnt shown anything. The Football Department gave him a contract extension, so they obviously see something in him.

I dread the Football Park games every year, as we've been woeful. I've been to two games in the last 5 years over there and it aint pretty. Curiosity got the better of me, so here are our results since that win: 2001 R9 Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) d Melbourne 9.14 (68) 2002 R17 Port Adelaide 17.14 (116) d Melbourne 17.10 (112) 2003 R12 Adelaide 21.12 (138) d Melbourne 10.5 (65) R20 Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) d Melbourne 15.8 (98) 2004 R14 Adelaide 22.13 (145) d Melbourne 10.13 (73) R19 Port Adelaide 18.17 (125) d Melbourne 6.16 (52) 2005 R9 Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) d Melbourne 9.14 (68) R19 Adelaide 13.22 (100) d Melbourne 7.4 (46) 2006 R22 Adelaide 23.14 (152) d Melbourne 14.10 (94) 2007 R17 Port Adelaide 25.13 (163) d Melbourne 11.8 (74) 2008 R8 Adelaide 22.18 (150) d Melbourne 11.8 (74) R21 Port Adelaide 18.21 (129) d Melbourne 7.9 (51) 2009 R3 Port Adelaide 22.15 (147) d Melbourne 14.6 (90) So our last nine games there, since, 2004, have resulted in an average losing margin of 64 points. If you take out the 20 point loss to Port in 05, it goes back upto 69 points. There's clearly a serious psychological issue for our team when they get the bus from the aiport to Westlakes.

I assume this means the end of his phantom drafts on the AFL website? Lets hope they find an able replacement, they were a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Ugh, this episode directly cost us a goal. Miller was more worried about jostling with some of the Carlton defenders, oblivious to the fact Jamar was standing ten metres behind him having a rest at FF in what was clearly a scheduled move. By the time he realised and tried to charge into the square it was too late and luckily he pulled up before the line. But the damage was done, Sylvia vainly tried to win the tap only to see Kreuzer scoop the ball off the ground and dish to a midfielder who hit a carlscum forward lace out for a goal. Damage well and truly done. Pathetic lack of concentration for a veteran player.

Why are some people on here being so precious about criticism of a player who had a measly 3 posessions for the entire game? Does being a high draft pick mean you are allowed to not be held accountable for your performance? Watts was awful today, and does not deserve a game next week based on the past fortnights efforts.

Congratulations to Brian Dixon, elevated to the AFL Hall of Fame tonight: Brian Dixon MFC Wiki Now we need a few more players from our glorious albeit unfortunately non-tv era to be rightfully nominated...

Dustin Martin has taken the Rising Star Nom for this week. No surprises really, he's been due it a few weeks now, and they cant ignore him when they win. Gys' time will come in the next month or so hopefully.

6-Davey 5-Jamar 4-Green 3-Miller 2-Trengove 1-Frawley

Hearts in mouth stuff, a momentous win! Brad Greens two clutch goals were absolutely game-saving, how many times has he done that over the years? Jamar was again colossul. He definitely needs a rest or a partner next week down at the cattery, was absoultely spent in that last quarter. Terrible telecast, so many replays shown after play had restarted, and virtually no post-game show. A huge game for Frawley to hold the dangerous Motlop for so long, and Jones, despite his poor decision making when he had the ball for his stopping job (and a left-field choice by the coaching staff) to completely blanket Pearce.

Any word on whats happened to offseason Casey recruit Scott Simpson from Geelongs VFL side? I know he was injured pre-season but thought he would be back by now. Still no Stefan Martin listed in the side either...

The NFL play a regular season game in London every year now. They do it at the very start of the season, so there's precedent from another major sporting code to play halway across the globe. The EPL seriously looked at the feasibility of playing an additional 39th round in their season exclusively in 'commercially marketable' countries.

I read that article with disbelief as well, sloppy sloppy journalism that has now been rectified. They now have Hamish McIntosh as the ruckman, someone must've pointed out their error.

Where was the Stefan Martin Experience? From all the excellent in depth player reviews I've read here, I cant see him mentioned once?

Is McKenzie also eligible for a Rising Star Nom? I was also wondering the same of Grimes last night, given he played 9 games before the start of the year.