The Panglossian

The Geelong players shake their heads in disbelief, when even the most obvious free is given against them. The crowd wails in disgust.The umps begin to think they’re giving them a rough trot. They feel they’re obliged to show they’re not biased v the Cats, and soon try to prove it with a 50:50 to Geelong. Meanwhile, a Geelong defender deliberately knocks it OOB. Silence from the crowd. If it was the other way round they’d be squealing like banshees. Geelong should win the flag EVERY year with the incredible advantage they’ve got…….no opposition supporters, uniquely shaped ground,training on their home ground, and the oppo having extra travel when they play there. It’s a disgrace if they don’t compete for the flag every year.

You’ve got to had it to the Geelong crowd. Cries of indignation after even the most blatant frees against them. “DELIBERATE!!”, every time it’s out.The umps subconsciously feel they ve been hard on Geelong, so pay them 50 m( goal) for nothing. How I’d love our guys to have that advantage.

It’s old news , but I’m still flabbergasted at Kozzie ‘s three week ban for accidentally brushing Moore’s head in round 23 last season( which has grossly disrupted our 25 season). Compare that to Durham’s brutal assault on Cerra last week … 2 weeks!!! Durham was so lucky he didn’t break Cerra’s neck. (Reminiscent of Long in the 2000 GF, for which he should still be suspended.)

In the third quarter, Quaynor( I think), did the same as Kozzie……left the ball on the ground after being called” holding”. No 50 metres awarded( would have been a shot from 35 m., so an important point!

Max killed Cameron in nearly every ruck contest. Cameron took more marks, but it didn’t compensate for losing consistently in the ruck knock outs.

I think Bluey Adamswas BOG. Incidentally, John Townsend’s sister, married David Ashcroft, and they’re parents of Marcus Ashcroft, and grandparents of Will and Levi. The Townsend skills have been passed on.

I think Adams is a beautiful kick.

With the left foot, too!

I thought JVR did very well in the ruck, and several good tap-ons around the ground. It’s not fair to judge him solely on his forward play. He’s way better than Tom Fullarton.

I fear we’re playing one short with Jefferson. I hope to he’ll I’m wrong. I haven’t seen him play a decent game for Casey even.

Unlikely, since Moore, like his father, studiously avoids getting into vulnerable positions, like being in front of the pack.

Treacy should line up Moore’s back with his knee, the way he did to Max in the practice game.

I agree that Adams is really beginning to show a fair bit for Casey. Tall,a good mark, and a beautiful left foot kick. But there’s no room for him this week.If May isn’t fit, Turner can’t replace him down back.

Have another look.

If Kozzie deserved three weeks for brushing Moore’s head when he dived, Nash should get 10-12 weeks for his brutal assault on Miers. The experts are saying 3-4 weeks. I can’t believe it.

I reckon we made a big error making Langford sub v GWS.If he’d played the whole game, I’m sure we’d have won. He had done well in the practice matches, then dominated for Casey the next week after GWS.We should be won 2, lost 4.

Mihocek was a VFL player. ( so was no. 22 for Essendon)

What about Libby Birch’s comments on Real Footy podcast( quoted in today’s Age). She blames the men’s’ 2022 team for derailing their quest for successive premierships. They should have been inspired by the 2022 performance of the mens’ team.Finished top 4 , and very unlucky not to win both their finals. Same in 2023. They didn’t fail to make the finals after their premiership( unlike Geelong and Collingwood). I suspect she might be a “disgruntled ex-employee”. Her form certainly tailed off before she left the Dees.

Fullerton’s 5 goals didn’t come from contested marks. Good decision not to pick him.

I just rewatched the Cats game v. us. We played much better than I remembered ( for 3 quarters). We lost by 39 points on their dungheap, then they’ve done well against a “ hot” Adelaide in hostile conditions, which makes our effort seem not so bad. Dees by 11 ( pray!)

He played very well in the 2023 finals.

Tom Campbell must come in to help Maxy . He provides good ruckwork (esp. with Langford in the midfield), a bit of grunt,and can take a mark in the forward 50, and kick well for goal. Gosh… he beat Xerri in the practice match, and conventional wisdom says he’ll be all Australian ruck this year. Let Verrall continue to develop in the ruck at Casey, instead of playing him up forward, like against North. We need to see if Verrall is worth persevering with.

I agree about Adams.I watch Casey hoping to see Adams and/or Jefferson play an influential part in a game. So far I’ve seen nothing.They seem to be taking too long to develop. Geez I hope I’m wrong.

We should have tried to get Lloyd Meek Freo when they took Jackson. He wasn’t high value then. Grundy was an error.

It’d be great if Crisp was rubbed out. He’s closing in on Jimma’s 244 record. The AFL should quietly step in to ensure the Stynes legend isn’t diminished!