Deemania since 56

Spot on, 'Balls! Frost should be our CHB in the new structural order. He is a genetic mirror in the learning of May's game and thus, a great link man for May's game, Jetta's challenge and, run and carry, Lever's intercept, HIbberd's rebound. Better still, Frosty is getting better at almost everything needed and his run and carry is less easily intercepted, interrupted and interpreted. He is a boomer kick for clearances and a quick re-setting of the backline. If he was doing these things pretty well (love the understatement that you have used) then he is going to do these things bloody well in 2019.

With Gawn and Preuss to combine for the ruck duels, I do not see Williams being needed in that role, just yet. I do see Williams developing rapidly into a KPF of some note and as a mobile big fella with attitude within the fwd line, holding those attributes and attitudes within the game that not even Jesse Hogan could muster, as hoped and craved by Dees' supporters. These are the things that I have seen, quoted elsewhere by the media ' judges': 'Making his impact felt for Dandenong in their convincing win over Bendigo, Bailey Williams was the focal point up forward, consolidating his draft stocks as a likely late first or second round choice. The 198cm, 95kg, key position prospect posted 15 disposals, 11 marks (four contested), 12 hit outs, four inside 50s, one goal and four behinds What makes Williams so threatening is his aerial attack on the ball. He reads the drop well and times his run and jumps cleverly. Each time he elevated for marks on the weekend nobody could defend him. His height, reach, elevation and strength to absorb contact in the air made defending Williams an impossible task, even when double teamed in marking contests. His leading patterns are a further strength, something he does to perfection.' If we could give him 5 minutes of goal-kicking practice from the likes of our former greats - such as the 'similarly attributed' David Schwartz - then I truly believe we have a winner on our hands for years to come.

Has he got the 'mongrel factor' that is appearing in the Dees' team for 2019?

This is excellent news, stimulating thoughts that the Dees are getting serious, again. Whilst it has been a very long time for this groundswell to emanate from what has been an agony of doubts year in, year out, it certainly feels that the No.1 pedestal is about to be re-occupied by the Red 'n Blue for a lustful charge at invincibility for some years to come. 58 years of pain, or so, seems to have been vanquished.

Very generalist and seemingly uninformed article. Still, it provokes dreams with reality containment, to some extent.

VERY talented so hope he has a good pre-season of preparation for the season ahead.

This fella is valuable to us - moreso than many, many others and given our training and player development scenario, would most probably be our best pick for 2019, with Bedford in there just below pick 30. These two would take us to some very good places with our current team structures.

A future, tripartite, carrot-top fright machine for the Dees could be taking form: Clarry - so close to the best there is; Ginger Ninja Baker - speed machine flanker with smarts; and Bailey Williams - talents still just underdeveloped but already very obvious as ruck, outside mid, KPF. So let's complete the trio in the draft .... GET WILLIAMS!

Absolute cow tish ... what are the qualifying and preliminaries/semies for if not to lead to the final play-off. This would wreck our traditional, historical and practical finals series. Players at the end of the season whose teams make the GF are not to be expected to endure yet another 'round of finals pressure, both mentally and physically.

With what we have returning from injury and what we know to be short-term form lapses, we do not need another small as urgently as people may suspect. We need a bloody tough pre-season to develop attitudinal mercenaries with mongrel intent.

Williams is No. 1 for me. He can play tall and master rucking or develop into a KPF/D; outside with pace, movement and poise; and in the crush as a key navigator; and, is the owner of two very good hands somewhere up there in the stratosphere with a leap that would make a bullfrog proud. Bedford would be my No.2 who impresses me more than Rankine upon whom the eyes of the hopeful are transfixed. Just my opinions, nothing more.

I'd agree with this, as we do have speed in some young'uns at Casey who are on the verge of senior selection - and in reality we possibly need only two more ... in addition, the further development of a few (of the likes of Hunt, Wagner, Spargo, Stretch) - with the return to form and desire of Garlett - may well be the key as these guys know the brand, code, plays, teammates, set-ups and expectations across the field, already. KK will be a considerable asset, too, in this 'confirming' year of play and training to come. Given that we also have run from the backline now - with Hibberd, Frost, May, Jetta, Salem, et al, we are not going to need an overcooking of pace specialists, just open space finders and receivers with take-off skills and onfield space hogs. The quality of training and development for these bright sparks is perhaps most important to a stirring year of ball possession, delivery and opposition confusion.

My oath! Particularly Williams.

Pretty bloody damn good, Mate! Thank you times six.

Fully agree on all three criteria. Not in the same league and never will be in that league.

Bailey is the goods for us. Come hell or high water - get him.

We plea for Trac to make improvements. Is this fair? Trac is most probably more aware than we are about the directions and milestones of his game and its improvement than we will ever be ... it is rational that this is the case given his superior proximity to the FD and the coaches/players with whom he plies his trade. He needs the drive, determination and opportunity to pull out something consistently, stunningly and expertly and to my mind, these elements have been demonstrated as singularities quite well so far and hopefully, will become augmentations to his game in the future. Opportunity is one of these major factors onfield, alongside communications and analyses with the coaches. We all have confidence in him so just maybe, 2019 will be the year?

Cheney struggled with the Dees at that time, as he was not strong with the ball above his shoulder height, or in a challenge for the ball with a taller player (most). His time at the Hawks and certainly, the Crows seems to have given him alternatives to winning the contest in one grab; he is now a terrific spoiler, a clear punch-away with direction, a bring the ball down to the ground and run on asset with good disposal, solid intent and carry, and mongrel. I think he does have some current hamstring problems but watching him closely against the Crows in ADL, he was impressive across the whole game.

Bailey Williams impresses me as a strong prospect, given that he is also young enough to train into a role that exploits his given talents as these currently stand. We would be lucky to get him, I'd think, due to our picking/pecking schedule.

Fully agree. At best.

That is correct. It really is a matter of keeping up to date across a period to ensure and exploit your outcomes and attributes in equal measure. It is a matter of being reflective across that timeframe. Reflection includes not over-taxing yourself and learning to pace yourself across a whole period of studies. It also develops perspectives and strategies that perhaps you have not had to generate previously. Give it your best shot and best wishes for your aspirations and callings. A full adult life awaits and that may far more enriching and satisfying than merely passing these examinations, including university or college entry.

There is just enough variation between those two 'best 22 teams' to suggest much is going on at Essendrug on a hope and a prayer.

The Dees have just about the correct amount of 'mongrel' to knock off the 'Druggies....'

Possibly a brown paper bag syndrome in effect, again?

Just another example from the AFL of their sectarian interests rendering maximised profits, and underpinning poor decisions and judgement from the past. The whole fixture arrangement represents a chook raffle mentality in a crowded pub.