Rodney (Balls) Grinter

58 minutes ago, M_9 said:

Last year TMac finished 10th in the Bluey Truscott (301 votes). May was 9th with 316 votes.

Petty would have been lucky to place in the top 20. He's overrated IMO. Three good games in last two years.

TMac will play at least 15 games. He may be getting on but he's proud, fit and skilled.

Agreed, but gee we need Petty to return to 2021 form as a backman as our succession plan for Maysie.  I think he's got it in him to step back up and play at the level, not that I'm sure that's quite a full equivalent to what Steve brings though.

The players should be getting this one into T Mac:

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Lachlan McAndrew of the Swans and Thomas McDonald of the Demons compete in a ruck contest during the 2023 VFL Round 02 match between the Casey Demons and the Sydney Swans at Casey Fields on April 2, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Sited in this article on Fox Footy https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-ssp-2025-league-to-reopen-supplemental-selection-period-after-jagga-smith-acl-injury-at-carlton-blues-adelaide-crows-sign-lachlan-mcandrew/news-story/2f031617399ec84d3560ff297181e067

 Perhaps there could be a play on it a bit and start calling him 'The Tank Engine"!

Not sure I've ever seen him refered to a Thomas before.

2 hours ago, bush demon said:

Surely this initiative  would present excellent cost-saving opportunities for our new Admin centre at Caulfield...

A Lego replica might be the closest thing to a new training facility / club hq that we ever get.

Members can have their own Lego avitar go hang out in the Lego social club.

I'm sure the players would rather use it than go out to Casey too!

I haven't been following the pre-season train threads or really watched the match sim Vs North, but is Billings form good enough for a starting spot on the wing?

To be honest, I'm neither for or against his inclusion as I've seen him do some good things at times, but will admit that his season last year was quite disappointing over all as he seemed very frindge depth type, even once our depth got really depleted, I recall him often starting as sub and having minimal impact once he got on.

Perhaps a great pre-season and more oppertunity to learn our systems and maybe better buy-in and ability to play the more attacking game style we are trying to implement?  A big part of me would like to see him do well and really impact as I love a good redemption story and really hate it when we burn list spots with mature/recycled players that go nowhere and just frustrate.

Genuinely interested in others thoughts.

7 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

An excellent article pumping of Jack Henderson. Love it! ❤️💙

Looking forward to seeing "Hendo" get a run against Fremantle this coming weekend.

"JH: I won't die woundering, I can assure you of that."

Great attitude from this bloke.  I feel that if there were questions about our culture, having guys like this around the place helps reinforce good culture.  Had been suggested he's been earmarked for the ANB role - possibly in attitude as well.

Obviously not playing for sheep stations as a team, but I always hope to see signs from those battling for a spot in the starting 22 that they have further developed and give us some good options to pick from.  Particularly looking at a few favourites like Kynan Brown, Woey Jnr, AMW, AJ and perhaps Sharp. 

If Jefferson does walk away with a bag, that could certainly make forwardline selection very interesting.  Will also be good to see all of JvR, Jefferson, Disco and AJ all working in the same forward line in various combinations at times perhaps.

30 minutes ago, dpositive said:

I reckon the defence is settled with May, Lever, Petty Tmac forming the tall base with big base and Hore, AMW, Salo, Bowey who knows as the smalls. Plenty of depth to cover peaks and injuries rest and recovery.

With no May playing in this match, it will be interesting to see what Maxy's breakout boy Jed Adams can do.  Really hope he gets some good gametime and opptunitiy to get a taste at the higher level. 

Not sure what is keeping Maysie from playing in this game, but I'm assuming the fitness department are just keeping him on ice a bit to save him getting banged up before the season proper, which I'd support (noting he also played the indigenous all stars game a week or so ago).  It's not like experienced campaigners like him, Maxy and Vines really need that much match practice to hit their straps.

It's a pity that McVee pulled that hammy, because our defence was starting to look solid as a rock like with the line-up we will play down there this season.  I'd love to see us find a player the equivalent of Hibbo, but I guess some guys are almost one of a kind and hard to replace.

I still recall that Brad Johnson was about the only journo after 2020 that thought we could go anywhere in 2021 and make finals.  IMHO, he's one of the few comentators I can respect from the perspective of being all of a bit of a clown, but doesn't take himself too seriously and have too many tickets on himself, but also seems like a genuine good bloke, who knows a thing or two about footy.

I think it's cheap and easy for comentators these days to predict that we get back up there, because, let's face it, we've been up there as top 4 finishes for 3 seasons in a row previous to a horror season last year.

Personally until we perform again throughout the season like we did in 21, then it's all fugazi https://youtu.be/IiTfnpgNkmI?si=zfIUE8IPN0s15zDh

On 20/02/2025 at 16:39, layzie said:

Not me, I'm actually hoping to go through the whole season not consuming any AFL media and watching games on mute. 

On 20/02/2025 at 16:42, Demonland said:

That is known as the Binman Method and is not for the faint-hearted.

Forget sound proof rooms, let's face it, following this team, we should all probably be watching from a padded cell!

On 20/02/2025 at 16:23, GS_1905 said:

Many have us bouncing back into the top 8 but one i tend to keep my eye is coaches under the pressure valve. Goody along with Voss and Longmuire and Nicks are the consistent theme here.

At first I read Longmuire as Longmire - that blokes valve has already gone pop!

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Good little connection is that Mark Williams coached Henderson in 2019.

Choco is the gift that keeps on giving.

Will be great for Hendo to have that connection already in place at the club, as well as AJ to help his development in taking the next step in his carer.

7 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

I like "The Bull" or "The Bison" for Harvey Langford. Just because he already has quite a physical presence.

Can't wait to see how he goes when he gets his chance the real stuff starts, but going off all indications so far, I recon The Bull would be a great nickname for him.

Just as a side note, yeah the players might have their own nicknames for what they call their team mates, but doesn't mean us supporters can't have our own for them as well.  If the two align, then great, but who's to say if supporters and the media start referring to them as a particular nickname the players wouldn't adopt that themselves too, if it's a good one.

On 21/01/2025 at 06:36, Katrina Dee Fan said:

I did notice yesterday Vines is growing a rather Todd-like mullet himself, I think soon he’ll need the Todd headband! Complete the look of his old man :) 

Has grown to match the metaphorical stature of Todd over the years, so might as well take on the look as well.  I'm not sure it will eventuate, but I'd love to see Jack captain the team in his own right for a season or two.

8 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Small forward/mid with good goal sense, smarts and tackling.

Lacks stand out attributes to be a big difference maker but can come in and do a role from day 1 if he’s had a good summer VFL training at a high enough level.

With Pickett’s suspension, Spargo still injured and Kolt injured there’s going to be opportunity.

4 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Impressive:-

VFL Showreel, GF: Jack Henderson highlights

What a great highlights package.  Numerous things I like:

*  Ability to hold his nerve, perform on the big stage and nail key passes and goals

*  Great range, with numerous goals nailed from the 50m + line

*  Great take takling technique for the modern game

*  Looks the complete package with his range of skills including marking and good decisions by hand and foot

Perhaps it's putting too much pressure and expectations on a guy that's only just got a spot as a supplementary player, but all the above and the way he appears to go about his game actually reminds me alot of Gus.

6 hours ago, Dee Boys said:

Fitness won’t be an issue, he’s an elite runner and has kept himself ticking over in the off-season.

Club have earmarked that ANB high half forward spot as his role. 

I think we've got a good 2 or 3 player earmarked for that ANB role now - might take all three to replace him.

Congrdulations to Jack, what a great oppertunity he's earnt himself and look forward to seeing how he performs if he gets his chance on the big stage.

1 hour ago, monoccular said:

A list really needs top 28-30 so these so called fringe players are vital.  

Yeah, don't disagree with you there Mono.  Having guys like Tomo etc to capably plug holes for us when required was key to us finishing top and winning the flag on 21.

Just that there was a time I think Harmes was probably on the right side of the 22 between best 22 and fringe though and probably played more like 18 - 22 games of the regular season in a premiership team.  That he only played 9 games last year suggests he's probably not quite at that level any more.

4 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Think he only played  9 last year.

 

Understand.  So probably frindge, not best 22 (similar to where he ended up with us).  The thing being, we could have done with a findge mid to provide depth last season, as I'm fairly sure he would have given us way more than Laurie Vs GWS and say maybe a game we lost by a few points against Brisbane etc and might have tipped us into playing finals contention... not that we might have had that much impact with the way our season ended.

In some respects I think it was actually better for us not to make finals last year.  Few better draft picks and extended presason for Oliver and whoever else was carrying injuries and tires from x3 intense seasons running right to the pointy end.

44 minutes ago, Demonised said:

Could help to fill a gap we've had since Harmes left and we lost Angus😪.

Comming through as a rookie / secondary list type player like Harmes too. 

Still dispointed that things went somewhat south between Harmes and the club in the end.  Though I haven't really watched many of his games for the Dogs, he still seems to be getting a senior game there and thought we could have used the depth and his hard edge and attacking dare in our team last season.  All the same, I think it's also good (perhaps for all involved) that we let him go, even just from the perspective if list balance age profile wise.

3 hours ago, BC_1718_DC said:

It’s mystifying to me why Brown hasn’t been injected into the forward line as a pressure small forward considering all our options already on the wing/half forward. 

If I recall right, he was one of the top finishers in the 3km time trial, so perhaps he's in the mix for the ANB type role.

12 hours ago, DubDee said:

Fair enough mate 

So who are our small forwards for the first few weeks

Chandler may play the ANB role. Then…

Laurie, Brown, Mentha, Billings?????

12 hours ago, DubDee said:

We desperately need a small fwd who can at least put in pressure so we would be looking around broadly i’d say

If we are looking for a small forward who puts on pressure, then I'd be looking at Pup Brown.  From the limited times I've seen him play, I think he's also got great goal sense and ability to execute.

Love to see this guy given a good opportunity play at senior level.

15 hours ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

As mentioned in another thread - this is our selection dilemma. It is unlikely that May, Lever, Petty and TMac can play in the same backline - unless we are against a very tall (and hopefully slow) forward line. The only good thing about this dilemma is that we have a ready-made "tall back three" should any one of them be injured. 

Or it gives us the option to be rotating one of those 4 off the bench some of the time.  May and Lever play best when they don't have a lock down role, so always having someone there to take that role frees them up in that sense and we'd never be caught out being short in defence height wise.

Probably want them all playing more than 75% game time, so perhaps the remaining time could be spent in the ruck and up forward for bursts.

Tommy was thrown forward on a few occasions for 5 or 10mins in games we were struggling to take marks in that part of the ground and cluncked some good ones. He's well got the ability to finish it on the scoreboard when he takes them. Would love to see him used more in that sort of capacity.

Particularly if we also have Petty in defence and/or as a similar swing man, I think it gives us a great oppertunity to create a mismatch and catch sides out.  Even if it isn't T Mac or Petty going for the grab directly has the potential to create confusion and doubt for the opposition defenders and maybe its Roo, Disco or Fritta that comes over the top and takes the grab (certainly makes it harder to double or tripple man them to take them out of the contest) Sometimes all it takes is one goal against the flow to break a game open or get you back in it.

Sorry for the mulit post (pardon the pun) - Demonland got glitchy on me.  Appeared not to post a few times, then out spits 3 of the same post.

13 hours ago, Ungarieboy said:

Would be an interesting game if they played a multi-cultural team (parent, grand parent born overseas).

As a start their tall backs look ok with Alir Alir, Mac Andrew, and Leek Alir.

Any other suggestions?

I'm sure a heavy Irish contingent would give it plenty of run!

While I don't think I'm totally sold on the concept, I think you'd have Trac in the mix wouldn't you, maybe Salo and would big Maxy qualify for having some kind of NZ ties?  Roo? Kolt in a few years perhaps.

Indigenous all stars - yes, bring back state of origin - yes, but multicultural game would be just a bridge too far for me.  There's already multicultural Rd and I think the league acknowledges, respects and promotes the game sufficiently to all backgrounds to not require a stand alone game.

22 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

A couple of updates to nicknames (in bold)

 

 

1. Steven May - Maysie
2. Jacob van Rooyen - Rooey
3. Christian Salem - Salo
4. Judd McVee - Knuckles 
5. Christian Petracca - Tracc
6. Caleb Windsor - Leb, Winnie
7. Jack Viney - Vines
8. Jake Lever - Rick
9. Charlie Spargo - Charles
10. Daniel Turner - Disco
11. Max Gawn - Maxy
12. Koltyn Tholstrup - Kolt 
13. Clayton Oliver - Clarry
14. Jack Billings - Jibba
15. Ed Langdon - Langers 
16. Bailey Laurie - Bill
17. Jake Bowey - Bowsa 
18. Jake Melksham - Melky
19. Harvey Langford - Harves 
20. Xavier Lindsay - X
21. Matthew Jefferson - Jeffo
22. Blake Howes - Howesy
23. Shane McAdam - Shane-oh
24. Trent Rivers - Riv
25. Tom McDonald - Tmac
26. Jed Adams - Jed
27. Marty Hore - Marty
28. Will Verrall - Will
29. Tom Campbell - TC
30. Harry Sharp - Sharpie 
31. Bayley Fritsch - Fritta
32. Tom Sparrow - Spaz
33. Tom Fullarton - Cream
34. ——————
35. Harrison Petty - Petts
36. Kysaiah Pickett - Koz
37. Kade Chandler - Chin
38. Oliver Sestan - Sesto
39. Ricky Mentha - Ricky, Tricky
40. Taj Woewodin - Woey
41. Kynan Brown - Pup
42. Aidan Johnson - AJ
43. ———————
44. Luker Kentfield - Luker
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield - Andy     
                                              Roy George - Roy Boy

Wow, there's some highly imaginative ones in there hey!

Mainly thinking of one's like Jed, Will, Marty, Luker.

I had TC as one of my nicknames back in the day and another good mate of nine was an AJ.  Also played with a Spaz and I'm betting there are a few of them getting around.

Must say, I like Tom Fullarton's one and Ricky Mentha's one isn't bad either and love the subtle nod to Kynan's old man.

I did play with a few good ones like Captain Bilko, a couple of Turtles a Dumbo and a bloke we referred to as Car City (had a bit of a lazy eye) a few more like that would be good.