DemonDave

Lions, Eagles and chiefs for me in wk 4. Gutted about Jimmy G, niners season officially back in the toilet. Crowd numbers at Santa Clara already really low due to fans having to stare into the blazing sun all afternoon in that awfully thought out stadium. Now without their marquee name can't see crowds flocking to see CJ start

Busy week last week got swept up in semi finals fever! Week 3: Broncos, patriots, niners

He kicked it once..it bounced off his foot and out on the full right on the grandstand wing, obviously doesn't quantify as a possession. I feel the club may have a very hard call to make at the selection table on Thursday night. It was one of the worst individual games Ive seen by any player, let alone the captain. If they were going to persist with him as a forward, I couldn't understand why they didnt just give him a defensive forward role to stop Francis' intercept marking. Time and time again in that 2nd qtr we bombed it long and indiscriminately to an unmarked Francis. Given the conditions, we appeared to go in too top heavy with Hutchins, Smith and the rotating rucks of Pederson/Lefau up forward, we would've been better suited with Angus Scott in there today. Next week will be perfect conditions under the roof of course. Thought JKHs workrate and hands were outstanding today, some really creative clever handballs, and immense tackling pressure. The usual Casey workhorses in Munro and Gent were both excellent in kickstarting our revival late in the 3rd quarter. Anyone else catch a glimpse of the Port Melbourne Operations Department behind the main grandstand? Its like a throwback to our facilities at the junction oval!

Alright its been a couple of years for me of not competing in this at least! Heres my crack at week 1: Jags, Titans, Rams Week 1 has to be a bit of a crapshoot doesnt it? NFL preseason games are so mickey mouse they make the NAB Cup look like the Olympics!

A woeful spectacle on the tube yesterday, but I have been very impressed with the progression of Jay Lockhart, he's taken a punt to leave Tassie and chase his dream, started the year alternating between back pocket/half back flank and now his eye catching dash and composure from the back half has rewarded him with runs through the middle of the ground, and he just keeps rising to the challenge. He's poise, good balance and footy IQ say to me that he's a certainty to be either drafted or rookied next year. Wagner of the Corey variety is also a good chance to be picked up, although I do wonder if he's one that may struggle with the gulf in class between VFL and AFL as the likes of Bugg, Matt Jones, etc have done and will continue to do. With so many players done for the year with injuries/retirement it's yet again going to be a big ask for Casey in the finals, the return of Pederson and Weideman will be vital for our structure. I think we've got an imbalance in the key position department as we have Hutchins, Keilty, Petty and White, but only Tim Smith as a key forward. Our inexperienced rucks have a long way to go too as has been patently obvious all year.

Wagner. Anyone know why Jimmy Munro isn't playing today? Missing his grunt work. Look well outclassed that qtr after a decent first. Pedo and weeds our only ok players

Still equal top with Richmond, trail them by some 20%. A game clear of geelong who are about to beat sandy. Sets up a massive 2nd vs 3rd curtain raiser at Kardinia park next Saturday arvo!

Stats Tyson 35, Bugg 34, JKH 32, C Wagner 22, Baker 22, Balic 22, Petty 18, Munro 18, J Wagner 17, Lok 15, Scott 15, Hunt 15

Not for mine. He's one of those Viv Michie/Ben Newton/Shane Valenti type of players who will display quite a few tricks at VFL level but inevitably won't bridge that gap to AFL standard

2 last quarter goals from Balic papers over the cracks that he's had a stinker today. Also just the 13 possessions for Hunt. His career really treading water right now

Goal from jkh after a great pass from Frost. Pretty close to big today Kennedy-Harris his field kicking has been superb hes taken risks by foot all day that have opened up the play

Cheap hit on jkh there.

Geez Baker is so frustrating. Can look a million dollars and then his disposal or decision making so often let's him down. Our kicking into the forward 50 was abysmal that half, gave weeds and balic no chance to get into the game.

The old 7 point play!

10-7 their way so far

You must've missed the lace out pass he put to Mitch Lewis earlier. Or the clay game he played last week

Why on earth have we changed all our numbers around all of a sudden?

A very open final quarter and we could only manage behind after behind. Willy took it coast to coast once late and scored a soft cheap goal so they'd be disappointed we didn't put the foot to the throat in that last qtr. Without seeing official stats or bests mine would be Pedo, Jkh and stretch. Of the potential lever replacements they all started slowly but by the end Kielty probably just shaded Frost for his superior workrate in the second half. Not sure either did enough to be honest but there's a slot there if they are deserving of it or not. Until he was concussed late Pedo was easily the most influential man on the ground and they may have even considered bringing him in as a defender, but his head hit the ground hard so he'd have to be in some doubt now. Petty copped the wrath of the coach several times from the box during the game , I don't think they were at all happy with his game and general positioning today. Tyson was industrious but not dominant for mine. Garletts score line flattered him he was very poor again today. Hunt had a bit of it but wasn't influential. Baker was busy but frustrating in that every second good thing he tried to do ended up in a direct turnover, still has to work on his decision making. Weideman after a slow start really was quite busy in the second half. Not enough to get promoted but a promising return. If the young rucks I thought Flip worked very hard today to get involved and ran to a lot of good spots, one of his better efforts. Meese tried to niggle him constantly all day physically but he handled it ok. He shaded King today. Bugg was woeful, more interested in niggle, wasted chip kicks going forward, you'd expect a lot more from him. Smith was ok but just doesn't get involved and use his strengths of leap and agility enough. Johnstone was a bit better in defence than I've seen him as a forward has very precise kicking skills but still like some margin away from making it. Normally reliable Casey small forward Angus Scott was also very poor today The clouds rolled in as did a bit more of a breeze by the end, more like the weather you'd expect at Willy. Good to get a decent sized win but I'm assuming the coaching staff wanted more from this result Edit: I forgot Josh Wagner, thought he was very good off a half back flank today steady and compact with his disposal

Actually Smith back on the ground with head bandaged up good to see

Pedo takes a mark on the wing and Kos the back of his head on landing Sheesh

Joel Smith knocked out in a collision going for the ball bit unlucky there. We're dominating possession this quarter just not converting it to scoreboard pressure

First thing coach mentioned at the huddle was how they've whacked us time and time again today and we've stood up to it. Jkh also got special mention for his efforts

Good quarters from stretch Weids in the tick and Josh Wagner

Rawlings just said in the box that it's not on that they've whacked us 7 times today but at least it's not working. I love being within earshot of the coach

Weid crumbs a goal.