The end is nigh

Very tall! Hopefully they can take advantage of some mismatches and hit up the best match ups. All six are good marks

He’s just got himself to the level where he can kick 2-3 relatively consistently at vfl. As much as I’d like him to bring this to afl, we saw this year how mcadams ‘form’ translated. If he was banging the door down with bags, I’d join the chorus but I don’t believe he’s there yet.

36 goals for JVR in ‘22, Jefferson tracking close enough to that with 6 games left (and up to 24 for the year after today). Good signs for a 2025 debut

Any chance we actually use the fresh legs of a sub?

Worried for him next week. Harris Andrew’s has him for size and strength. Will need to be a night of playing a role. Any goals a bonus but halving contests all night will be enough of a tick for me.

AMW is getting plenty of ball and is imo great at providing a running option from half back, but when the opposition doesn’t panic and holds defensive structure, he’ still seems like he’s got some learnings on how to create the play. Better off practicing this at Casey 20+ times a game rather than half that at the highest level (even though I believe it would help if he had high calibre mids to create with, something Casey lacks)

May is far from AA form, won’t be in the squad. Not saying he’s finished, but have to acknowledge his decline has begun. Sparrow has a huge opportunity to step up right now. Hoping, but not expecting it at this point. Looking forward to Tholstrop and kynan brown getting games. Some youthful exuberance to light the fires and get some enjoyment back in our game.

During the game, I definitely felt the desire to have the players work Maynard over. But I’ve since settled into some humanity. Petracca (and Gus) played juniors with him and given the man trac is and Maynard’s reported personal issues of the week leading up, it’s not unreasonable that he showed him some compassion outside the sirens. In fact it’s just another layer of respect for trac. Trac is one of the elite few in the AFL who are above the need to manipulate the situation to gain favour. He has the skill to win already. And that is enough. I frequently see trac picking opposition off the ground after tackles and am all for it. He’s a champion and a good man. I’m glad he wears the Melbourne jumper and am content that it doesn’t change the man inside. furthermore, even though the commentators seemed to be calling for it, I see his proven character and standing in the game as reason enough for the filth players not ‘testing’ him off ball after his injury. Had they done anything to him and we not reacted, well that’s too far down the if path for me to fathom.

Jordan left because opportunity was never going to be there. We had viney gus clarry and trac on long term deals. and it a hard to entice anyone to come and be a second stringer, so we are in the same boat. But the time is right to draft a few successors now. would like to see one of our trademark sell the future deals to trade into first rounders this year. 2 mids and yze’s boy and I’ll be happy on draft night. as for this year, anb and Kos need to be bursts at most as to not destroy their primary role. Happy to look at the back line options now. Howes back in and rotate rivers/salem/mcvee in for rotations and give more to whoever handles it best. clarry needs the bye, many probably do. Just cobble together whatever it needs to be to take down the few pies weapons still standing and have a real honest look after the break at what could get it done to win finals if anything.

Kicking the occasional second and third goal as he has this year is far from knocking down the door. Long been an advocate for him to get clear space to work in at the lower level but feel he’s not getting enough looks from our depleted mid stocks. Seston and tholstrop are doing far heavier lifting than I expected (although admirably) and could use a little help. Hoping we address this at next weeks draft and bring in a clearance player to balance the list

Not a one club player, but feel the allegiance is strong and he’ll love handing the reins to Reid. He can always drop back to half back if his body holds up but his speed wains. Would love him to play for us but can’t see a way it eventuates. Would rather see us draft kids with our picks. Mids and Noah Yze.

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.