Deemania since 56

Easily said, Matsuo, but not at all accurately said. Take a closer look and analyse it in its current team configuration.

Disagree. Casey is our 'feeder' and 'house paddock' upon which the players re-nourish. Skills taught, honed, adjustments made. It is where the gladiators learn their craft with a view to an AFL future. It is where, under match conditions, injuries and fitness are addressed and overcome.

Sparrow is a little brother of AVB? Sometimes great tacklers can make big inroads into the loss of possession of opponents, so if that is the case with Sparrow's tackling, the team had better back him up - not leave it to Beaver for the clearance, as well.

OMac is too slow for a KPF. He has the kicking skills, he has the ground to play on. He just 'aint got much else.

Ir is a balance thing. Leading directs the kick - to space but that kick must also be read accurately to continue the 'connection'. It takes practice; firstly, to be seen by the ball deliverer and secondly, to know more about that feeder's kicking styles, distances of possible kicks to receive and the identification of the spatial requirements to take an effective possession/mark. It is also a perfect training drill involving all forwards and the midfielders - obviously (but not confirmed) - left largely unpractised at MFC training. Knockout feeds produce knockout goals.

The first year that I disregarded who won the GF. The reason? We were a better team culled by unexpected injuries.

That is true ----- a good method that seems to work for the Hawks. However, I am a little suspect of Patton regarding his fitness since the injury - I'd reckon at first glance that he will be down for some time on a shaky recovery.

Preuss, with a body well-placed up fwd against Whoreform (and an attitude for careful aggression) may make a difference and certainly, should take one or two defenders to control at each engagement. A good scenario for some speedy smalls at his nearside or feet. Might work with Jeffy's return, and Spargs. I'd also consider both Smith and Keilty up in the vicinity to support the Weed - or the Weed to support them.

Yes, we must counter Whorform's spread, both sides. It is good either fwd or back. An assignment for a Wagner and Sparrow, and others?

Smith and Keilty may well assist the Weeds game, show him how it is done. Playing all three up fwd may be a bonus for us.

Twice, daily, just to get the message across.

Now we're talking....

At least the encroaching, blood-sucking competition and rivalry will not draw us asunder. We can concentrate on a short-term future of re-building, re-establishing a capacity for a win or two first, and then lunge into the maelstrom with a little more confidence. After last year regardless of the trade-outs, we needed to take a bitter pill of reality. Almost, but still not quite right. By heavens, Lever and May owe us big time, as do some of our 'talented' footballers of the recent past.

The punt on the younger players is very necessary - it enables some assets that they may have to stick and grow.

Same and I recommend golf as the alternative.

It is noticeable, isn't it? The annual roll of the dice in the selection and allocation of umpiring games cannot be as random as we hoped. We are destined to see it stitch the finals teams yet again and the win/loss ratios of the rest of us.

We enter this intention every year but selections seldom give us longevity related to great skills and pace.

That is correct, Chook. Too many have not come on, given the frequency of 'elite' in an 'elite' selection of 'elite' young players. By all reasonable standards, at least 75% of recruits at such a level should be those whom you may 'want to play due to their skills' the year after recruitment to a club. It seems to work for Hawthorn, Geelong, Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon, to name a few. Whereas for the MFC, the 75% play in the firsts because there is no-one else.

It could be (hyper-hope once again) that this year the draft will be beneficial. By now, those making such decisions on our behalf will have learned a lesson or two about player profiling before the draft dribble begins, as we all know what specifications we would be looking for amongst the offerings.

I reckon, given back the years, that I could make some good footballers, not champions, out of Keilty, TSmith, Spargo, Lockhardt and Chandler - given a sustained exposure. Add to that JSmith when recovered and Baker after some more exposure. Maynard needs attention with speed and teaming, and should get that focus straight away. There is good stuff there - and I wish I was in Viccy to see Casey play often. There's bound to be some additional talent that I am currently unaware of at this point. After all, Casey is a feeder for the big time yet many are languishing at the periphery without roadtests.

Could well be the case, for both players and if so, fairy Nuff. Hope full recoveries are on the way, as soon as possible.

Must be part of Plan B - but it makes sense. Surely we have a Plan B?

Tried that two weeks ago and got hit by criticism. It was a suggestion to break the losses of momentum or disposession from the umpires.

Tick. Correct.

Great analogy ... loved the bit about C + W, and then NQR stocked for a limited time.