The end is nigh

Hoping for a solid supporting effort from petty, JVR to kick his highest tally yet and petty to chip in with a couple. Some good blocks and forward line cohesion would be great

This week coming is a breeding ground for rumours. He’s likely to have a few journos trying to get some good set up pics, but with gather round I’m sure the whole town will be abuzz anyways. Wishing him continued good health, a great asset to have on field.

I thought his game was good. In time, higher up the ground we may get some highlights but I’d rather see him clamp down this week. Weightman to 5 touches and no goals would be a great scalp. I’d rather him not be pressured to be a playmaker this early in his career. Keep the focus simple.

I get the feeling that playing 5 talls in the forward line won’t help anybody develop. JVR needs somebody in the forward line with him that knows what they’re doing. Someone to run patterns with, block for him and be a threat of their own. Schache was none of this and offered little in the ruck from what I saw too. Maximum opportunity to the immediate solutions (brown, fullarton) is fine by me. I expect petty to be given clean space to operate on his return too. Jefferson will be 20 this year. If he’s not pressing a good case mid year I’ll join a chorus saying it’s a failed pick. But in a preseason match where we have afl issues to solve, I’d happily have him be ruled out of contention for now.

Curious how much of a pay cut sparrow put on the table after hearing there was a possibility of ending up at the crows

No surprise Carlton has better match coverage, it’s their home ground. Hope they share some footage at some point, would be good to at least see the goals. Main thing is: no injuries, no worries.

Guessing you’re not expecting too many wins for Casey this year

I feel he’s long been a quality straight line runner but don’t think he has the capacity to be 360 in the guts. He is capable of second efforts but I fear he would get danced all over by anyone with skill and left looking silly. If he’s fit and good to go, play him to his strengths as a hit up leading target. Good bulk, strong hands and a decent read of ball in flight. If he’s on the park and we have players like billings and mcadam looking to hit up targets from 50-70 out, let him do what he does best. Rather not try reinvent a guy who’s doing his best to complete the contract he was deservedly offered.

JVR doesn’t seem to just be towing a company line when he talks about rucking. And whilst I hope Fullers pushes his case, I’d rather not see him gifted a place in the side to save JVR when he’s shown no signs of needing it. with Fritsch JVR Pickett and ANB (petty also if fit) as forward line locks, I’d much rather see the remaining forward spots go to whoever is playing the best football. And with mcadam, billings, chandler, spargo, BBB and the draftees all strongly in the mix, competition for spots is too hot to be gifting a position based on the 10-20% game time which has already serviceably been covered.

Forgive my ignorance but when I think BM, my brain gets stuck on Brent Moloney and Bruce McAvaney. No clue who you mean. Surely not Brock McLean either 🤔

On a bit of a lateral take on the initial question, I’m going with Van Rooyen. I think everyone agrees that he had a great first year but as far as impact on 2024 I feel there’s great scope to improve. I feel he had plenty of forgivable first year moments that will slip away as he becomes accustomed to the requirements and we are in for an astounding ride watching the incline ahead. Is it round one yet? Can the afl bring in a round minus 8 next year? Round zero simply isn’t low enough

Would love to see him given his wing back. Let him patrol that outer wing, all day long and grind his opponent out of the game. Far from past his prime, still has a big part to play

Very good accuracy, averaged over 2 tackles a game, one season in and straight into my fave players. I hope the hit on Mcstay in the final is out of his system and the sting of missing the Carlton game has him driven to play clean for his career ahead. Plenty of opportunities for him to tactfully impact with his strength and hardness. Looking forward to watching him build his goal (and assist) tallies and the manner in which he gets it all done.

These guys are all capable of winning spots but each has strong competition and would need to put forth a great preseason to get the crack. Turner has to outperform Tomlinson Hore Tmac and Adams. (Smith too but yknow). Would love to see him be the best option, would mean good things going forward. Melkshams role was not only being a marking option but negating tall interceptors. The thought of Laurie contending against anyone in a marking contest doesn’t fill me with hope. I still fear for Jefferson not being given the space to perform the way he excels, even at Casey level. His junior highlights saw him kicking goals from creating space and working into it. There was marks too but I don’t remember towering pack marks. Hope he gets an opportunity to cook like he owns the kitchen, even if others have seniority.

My father chose the dees in their successful era (in amongst a Richmond supporting family) but I have two older brothers collingwood and Richmond. I grew up without access to a television so would pick between whichever two teams featured on the Saturday radio broadcast each week. After barracking for every team at various points I settled on Carlton early nineties. But their cheating to win a flag burnt me and I didn’t follow a team for a long time after. But when Jimmy put out a plea I jumped on the demon wagon and rode through the lows. Unless they burn me like Carlton (or the Aussie cricket team) I’m here for life.