Deeko2

Thanks Kev, this is great. When the similar project was completed here in Mildura, we were coming into summer with some standard local 40+ degree days forecasted. The sprinklers were on daily keeping it going. I'm pretty sure there was a strict 12 week period where people weren't allowed on it and even after this, it still required a fair bit of top dressing to even it out. 6 months on and our facility is absolutely immaculate. I'm sure that's what they're going to achieve here, make it the best of the best. I said earlier in the thread, I'd be shocked if we were to get on it this year and would rather we didn't. It's just not worth the risk on ankles and knees.

Is it weird I'm actually excited to see how our 'depth' rise to the occasion? Obviously we want our best 22 in every game but I'm happy to persist with Weed and Dunstan for a bit longer and keen to see some fresh faces like Laurie, Bedford, Rosman or Chandler get a guernsey. All this consistent winning football with a similar healthy 22 each week is just foreign to me and it's taking time to get used to it....

Thanks DD, appreciate the link. I noticed this as well Mickey, amazing if true. When we completed ours in Mildura to rolls of turf were gigantic and need a forklift to move them. Not quite like the little 2m x 50cm rolls I personally grab to patch my backyard, these bad boys were massive with a few lads required to roll each one out. Even with these huge rolls laid as close together as possible there was still movement until all the grass roots established. Plus, they had to drop dress with a loam as a few gaps and low points appeared a month or so after using the reel mower. I have only been to Casey Fields once and although it was a pain in backside getting there, I'd rather us finish the year training there on the immaculate oval rather than run the gauntlet at Goschs.

I'd be shocked if its kikuyu. That's very common around the bush leagues and rural locations like where I am in Mildura as its tough and grows back quickly but it goes very dormant in the cooler weather. I don't think any AFL/VFL teams would use kikuyu and for the cost of this project, they'd be wanting the best of the best - and rightfully so. Our town has just spent around $40m on a new sports precinct with a very flash basketball stadium and a few footy ovals. I thought the oval would just be moving some loam around and rolling out some turf but was shocked by the amount of design work, prep, soil decisions, drainage etc were involved. Was amazing (and bloody costly) seeing it all come together. It's great seeing the photos (big thank you) but looking at them I'd be be shocked if we were training on it this year. The turf up here once laid took months to settle and ours was laid coming into summer in the one of the best growing areas in the country with how stupidly hot it gets up here. I don't know if we plan on training on it this season or not but I'd hope we don't risk players training on turf rolled out that hasn't taken yet.

Because I'm bored..... Rd 6 Melb 12 vs Rd 6 Melb 22 FB: Bartram / Hunt Frawley/ May Rivers/Smith HB Garland/Brayshaw McDonald/Petty Grimes/Bowey C Bail/Jordan McKenzie/Petracca Morton/Ed Langdon HF Howe/Spargo Bate/Weid Dunn/ANB FF Davey/Kozz Clarke/Brown Sylvia/Fritsch R Jamar/Gawn Jones/Oliver Moloney/Dunstan I Magner/Harmes Trengove/Sparrow Sellar/Jackson Tapscott/Rivers I find it interesting that there are so many one on one battles here that I believe the 2012 would at least break even with in talent comparisons. I might be on my own here but they really should have been more competitive then they were. Not 100% sure but did they even beat 1 non expansion team for the year? The 2012 coaching and development teams we had at the time were just devastating to the club. One [censored] sandwich after the next with so many good honest role players having there careers ruined.

My old man and bro are mad Saints fans so I have watched them a lot over the years due to a soft spot. Dunstan isn’t necessarily a bad kick, he just makes a couple silly decisions where he bites off more than he can chew. Continually he’d take dangerous options going inwards from a wing or half back that someone with his skill set shouldn’t be taking. I have no idea if that’s the reason the coaches gave him the backside but I felt like it would be close. “If” he plays within his limitations as a good solid foot solider and not try be Petracca like then he’ll actually be a nice pick up. The problem is the “if”

I've always felt that he hasn't been at his best due to a lot of injuries. Being named a leader at such a young age is never a good thing and he continued coming back to early, not at a 100% and it's impacting his game. We are lucky we didn't "Trengove" him and ruin him. This year he clearly tried to remove the quick bomb it long approach at all times and slowed down lowering his eyes. Unfortunately it made him look silly a couple times when he kept getting pinged however it was clear what he was trying to do. His form recently is back to his B & F year and I think a lot here have short memories forgetting how good he was at the earlier stage of his career. What makes Jack look a bit more average is the fact that Clayton and Trac are just on a different level and are genuine stars where Jack is just a bloody good player. Nothing more, nothing less. His two massive hits on Macrae early set the tone (and god they were magic). His selfless blocking for the other mids, in and under work and gut running spread were fantastic to watch. Also, his pressure defensively is elite as he makes sure his tackles stick..... hard. Congratulations Jack. Couldn't be happier

I'm a big fan of this kid but I have never been confident of this happening. I've always thought he would be holding off making his announcement until the new coach of Carlton has been named. Going to a new club without a coach named just reeks of either a fat contract that's too good to be true or a player desperate to get out of his existing club foe certain reasons. So its not something that Fremantle would want or he would want to be seen doing. I'm sure they're both in agreeance here. Now that Voss has been named, I'm just waiting for his confirmation to the press along the usual lines of "I've spoke with Vossy and I'm super excited with his plans for the Carlton Football Club and his vision for the future. It's something I want to be a part of"

The best thing that could have happened to Schache was give him a run behind the ball to get him some easy pill and a bit of confidence up. I often wonder why we have never given Sam some development as a defender. Schache went ok in defence and someone like Liam Jones has found his niche back there so I see no reason why Sam couldn't become a roll player here. It's clearly a tough gig getting the ball bombed on your head and continually getting out numbered as a forward. Weitering tried up forward and looked ordinary, Moore has had his moments good and bad, Harris-Andrews gets lost up there. So maybe going back and being one of those extra numbers would assist him. Plus if he's not confident in the jukes he can just go the almighty fist. I struggle to believe there are a lot of key defenders in the comp with more talent than Sam. I'd like to see the club developing this side of his game as well.

I think Hibberd is a far better defender than both Hunt and Rivers (for now). I can't imagine him making way for Jayden with the couple dangerous Doggies small and mid sized forwards. Plus, historically Hibbo has taken the talented mid who rests forward like a Danger, Dusty etc. I'm thinking he will do the same with the Bont if he has a break up forward. The only reason I'd bring Jayden in would be at the expense of Rivers as I think they play a similar role. I love Rivers and expect him to retain his spot which just makes Jayden another hard luck story. I agree however of him being the sub. Very unlucky for JJ by Hunt provides far more flexibility as a player and although May has been training fine from all accounts, my MFCSS is still lurking at the thought of his hamstring popping.

Obviously no change if possible. However if May is a bit iffy, even 90 percent he'd still play but we have to pick Hunt as sub. Smith has the speed and is better in the air but Jayden has more flexibility playing roles up forward, on the wing and proved himself down back this year as well. Id probably have him as the sub even with no change over JJ who clearly hasn't done anything wrong. I don't envy the selection team next week. Hearts will be broken

This doesn't really relate to Cerra but Jackson and Rivers can now tick off playing a winning "home" final in Perth in front of 60,000 fans. Another reason for them to stay.

10. Gawn. I don't know what I just witnessed but I feel pregnant..... and im a 37 year old male. 6 votes doesnt do his game justice. 5. Trac. Amazing game. Just a brute. 4. Brown. Great hands up forward and got motoring clunking grabs on the wing whilst having a good defender on him. 3. Viney. People writing this bloke off earlier in the year need to have a look at themselves. For once we didn't have t rush him back from injury and eased his way back into it. This bloke when fit is made for finals. 2. Oliver. A standard great Clarry game. 1. Salem. Defended well, one some good groundball 50 / 50s and rebounded well.

I actually think Geelong are at there most dangerous when the game is played quick as it allows Hawkins and Cameron to get one on ones which they rarely lose. Smith has to play next week on Cameron as we'll need his closing speed. Petty to Rata/Stanley.

Geez, it must be hard being a mid for GWS right now looking up and seeing bugger all up forward to go to. Very deflating. Cats are piling numbers back which GWS are matching to prevent intercepts but it just means the Cats forwardline looks empty and its very hard to stop Hawkins and Cameron in one on ones. I hate Geelong more than any team but they're home here. GWS will need to kick at least 6 more goals to win (conservatively) and I just don't think they have the manpower. They'd have to be seething at Toby after crapping the bed again in finals.

In 2018 he was great and he was my smokey for the Brownlow as he was kicking goals while playing in the guts. No idea what's happened but he looks slow and unskilled now. Edit - thanks Lord Travis for the update, completely forgot about his injury

The only people seriously looking into Rhys would be his team mates and coaching staff. His Lions comrades would have to be incredibly embarrassed when reviewing his game. The whack on Kozzie was pathetic by itself. However the charging into Maxy absolutely reeked of a coward footballer. Every AFL footballer would have been watching our game and the fact he didn't have eyes on the pill or even look at the ball at any stage or try turn his body to attempt the spoil was truly humiliating. His team mates, trying to promote a tough brand would genuinely be ashamed for his antics.

I've been very impressed how shrewd we have been over the previous years with our draft and trading. Now that we're at the pointy end of the year and we know roughly how ladder positions will finish (or close enough) we can see how our future draft pick trades from last year look. The trade with Brisbane last year that netted us two late first rounders I wasn't super on at the time (long term MFCSS sufferer) but from a position solely based on draft points, we look to have come out on top. If we end on top (hopefully) and Brisbane end up say fourth, the trade points look as follows: Received: Pick 21 @ 878 points (was 18 before F/S and academy) Pick 22 @ 845 points (was 19 before F/S and academy) 2021 Rd 2 being pick 33 @ 563 points Total points = 2286 Gave up: Pick 30 @ 629 points Pick 68 unused Pick 69 unused 2021 Rd 1 pick say pick 18 @ 985 Total points = 1614 The difference in points works out to about pick 30. So it's going to be a very nice win. The Ben Brown trade which (before academy an F/S) got us Brown, pick 28 (677points) and Norths fourth round pick 55 (207) saw u give up 26 (729), 33 (563) and 69 (49). The difference in points (457) shows that we picked up Brown solely for about pick 39. A very nice win as well imo. Can't imagine us being super active this year with minimal candy available as our first pick is Brisbane's second rounder but looking forward to once again being pleasantly surprised. Wouldn't be surprised to see next years first rounder offered up but it's not as appealing noting it hopefully starts at P18.

This bloke just continues proving me wrong after writing him off big time over the years.... and Nibbler, I love it. Played a cracker last night and has been super important

A lot of umpires i know wouldn't report the player on the spot because of pure intimidation reasons. Toby plays (and lives) on the edge and if he's happy to basically walk through an umpire, who knows what he'd do. The umpire might have felt safer to wait till after the game. Hes my favourite non dees player to watch but I'm expecting at least 6 weeks. A message must be sent. Id be horrified seeing this happen in the bush somewhere where the umpires get minimal support. No wonder there's a shortfall everywhere. They must be supported

I always had a soft spot for Frosty with his effort and aggression (and still do) but christ im happy with May/Lever/Petty down back and not stressing seeing him near the ball. He did everything right in the last contest getting in front to take a game winning intercept mark only for him to fumble it and his man kicks the game drawing goal.

Great win. I agree with the strategy late in the game of going long down the line but I don't agree with it vs the Eagles. They have some of the best contested marks in the comp and the last ten minutes we played directly to these strengths imo. Great games to Harmes being released into the mids. Better than what Viney produces and kicked a great goal. Well done to Melksham as well. A few Bomber supporting mates of mine backed him in this week saying he always plays well when back in like has has something to prove. We need to keep him on the edge it seems. He plays his role as a defensive forward well and in 2018 he did some great jobs on McGovern in Rd 22 and Sicily in semi. He takes his chances around goals as well so he must stay. ANB wonderful game and also LJ. Couldn't believe this kids contested grabs. I haven't always been a fan but it's clear he's going to be special. Trac and Ollie are just wonderful players and we're so lucky to have them. God help us if one goes down.... we'd be shot. No idea what people see in Brayshaw.....

Although it may helps us sneak in a higher ladder position, I just can't cheer on the bombers over the dogs. Along with the cats they remain my most hated team. I'll stick to hoping the Cats keep losing and play the dogs in the first final and we get a gig vs the Power.

I was big on getting him if he was keen but not on big money and obviously only if he was committed. Especially noting be would only cost $$ and not picks. I remember being disappointed when he didn't even take our phone calls. He's a very talented player and has played some great games as a hff which I think is his best spot and where he is playing at the moment for the blues. He's not ever going to rack up big numbers in this role but still, at present hes been very disappointing and looks like he could be wasting his career at the blues. I think he'd look like a rockstar at a decent team. If I was him I'd be filthy with the decision I'd made in going to the Blues over us.

Jack has completed some great tagging roles over his career and although I don't want him to become a full time tagger, I'm very happy for him to be our defensive side midfielder and allow Trac/Olly etc to attack. I thought Jack was ok on Thursday against Wines. The last 4 weeks Wines has been unbelievable for Port and I'm pretty sure he has been rated best on nearly every week. Yes he get some touches on Jack but he was hardly damaging which was a major reason why we got the chocolates after smashing them in the middle. He played an incredibly difficult and selfless role well. He doesn't look fully fit at the moment after a long break. Very happy for him to keep getting minutes and build his fitness in preparation for some September action. If playing a tagging role in the meantime keeps building his fitness base then I'm all for it. To the OP stating to rest Jack and play Toby - I love your passion for a young kid in Toby and suspect some form of personal / family connection as it's a bit of a shocker IMO. I hope Toby becomes a superstar but until he dominates the twos midfield over a period of 6 or so weeks then he can keeping chipping away for Casey. There is a major step up from VFL to AFL (even more at present with COVID) and he needs a big period of absolutely dominating here before he gets some game time with the big boys. Let's hope he gets there!