D Rev

If we are stuck with both these guys for next year, so be it. I can't see TMac getting right but you'd hope he'd be a good influence at Casey with the younger players. He may even teach Schache to compete. BBB is an interesting one. I can't see the selectors picking him unless he is 100%, and why would they with Petty and JVR in front of him? If he is absolutely firing, I can see Petty going into the backline again, but wouldn't bet the house on it. Worst case, we have ~$1.5m invested in two talls that may be fit enough to play for Casey. Best case, we have depth when injuries happen. Not everyone has a Coleman winner in the twos.

I actually think he was good in the first half of 2022 before he got injured. We won ten on the trot with him in the side then it all went the way of his ankle / foot.

you did - I apologise

Quite enjoying this thread, apart from the dunking on current players, but am thinking about possible inclusions for next season. Hayden McLean from the Swans could be a useful tall, although Joel Amartey would be a better fit for what we are looking for. I'm wondering if McStay or Cox could be lured away from the Pies, assuming they will have greater cap pressure after the weekend. Given the way he gets treated by their fans, Silvagni may be open for a fresh start too.

I think it was when he kicked 5 (?) against the Crows (?). He's a good set shot and has kicked over 160 goals for us - that's a pretty good target in the modern era.

I think a bit of calm may be needed here, it's not quite time to throw the baby out with the bathwater and volunteer the whole bathroom to Scotty Cam for a nice Tuscan-style reno. We went into the season with BBB, McDonald, JVR and Petty all as key forward options. Then we had support in Fritta, Melksham and Smith as mid-size. No-one thought that: JVR would play as much as he did, or as well as he did Petty and Melksham would both peak as forwards, then have season-ending injuries BBB and McDonald would make it through the season Smith would have the game of his life, kicking 3 in our final game of the season What you need is depth and cover for an AFL season, as well as the opportunity for new players to get experience and learn. BBB does seem to be well and truly shot, Im not sure if the club can risk him being available for 4-8 games a season. If he can't do more than that, you'd think retirement is on the cards. McDonald does seem past his best, but he does have a full pre season to get match fit and his body right. I do think there is a place for him to provide the depth needed, Im not saying he's in the starting 22, but you need back-ups. He has also done the team thing (salary wise) to help us hold onto our mids etc. Sacrifice goes both ways. We have finished top 4 in the last four seasons, and while bad kicking is bad football, there is still plenty of upside with the majority of the list we have.

I'm disappointed but not surprised at the AFLs decision here. You expect it from a corporate body that will make money, no matter the cost. The two things that worry me most from this are: 1) Filth fans chanting their team name while one of our players is out cold on the ground. I'm all for tribal mentality, but within reason. This is a game people play for fun, entertainment and fulfillment. That sort of carry-on is insensitive at best. Apologies if it has happened, but I would love to see a formal apology from the filth about it and a plea for better behavior. This is the club that caused issues with Goodes, Winmar etc. They need a health check. 2) What happens now. How many kids think this is OK and try and do the same? How many parents dont think this is OK and pull their kids from the sport?

That's absolutely understandable, but you also *should* be taking into consideration the context of success. The league is a very even competition now, with many teams results being dictated by their physical capability (e.g. fitness, body strength and injuries). Geelong is a prime example of this. While our list, on paper, should be getting premierships, it had to build to this point (via the draft and trading) to get to the fitness and body strength needed to play out an entire season, finish top 4 regularly, and then battle to get to the GF. We were very lucky in 2021 with injuries, Tommo being the only real big injury. Last year they caught up with us in a big way after a 10-0 start and finished us off by the time the Finals started. This year we have done really well with big injuries (e.g. Max, BBB, TMac, Melksham etc) largely because of the depth of the squad and its ability to play to our plan. I would certainly trade almost anything for another GF, objective reasoning says that we are doing very well in an even competition where you are judged on your on-field results.

I'd say the last few years have been very good!

He's only 27?! Seems far more mature than that. Jesus, the things I was doing at 27... ...very lucky to have him at the club, embodies everything we want to be. Really hoping we can hold onto him in leadership and growth capacities in the future.

Very excited for this one, will have to watch from home though as my kids have an indoor cricket final. Oh, the glamour... ...I'm sure it's been raised elsewhere, but (as much as I love AFLW) could the fixture have been moved so it didn't conflict with the AFLM season? I "feel" that starting now is taking the attention away from the league that it deserves. Also, can something be done about Princes Park? The ground is fine but the stands are appalling, the ancillary services worse and the toilets are terrifying. Not really family friendly! Crazy as it sounds, I much prefer Victoria Park.

Unfortunate for Casey but they do exist as a feeder club.

Sorry if this is my fault, but I tried to listen this morning and it sounded like it was sped up? Maybe so it would finish sooner? Not sure, and again, could be my fault.

I agree with much of this. I think Tomlinsons card has been pretty-well marked, getting dropped after playing well etc. I suspect Laurie may be in the same boat too, given the way he has been managed. Disco is clearly the future and giving him as much exposure as possible will only help his development (I believe Disco means "to learn" in Latin). This match is potentially a zero-sum game for us. We obviously don't want to play Brisbane up there, but I'm not afraid of the Pies at home, or Port. May be more important to get through it without injuries.

It does seem odd to take Tomlinson as an emergency when he should be playing at Casey.

11/15 - though to my defense, I was living O/S for a lot of that time. Some of the faces did make me smile - hope they are all doing well and cheering us on.

Absolutely - but it works for Soccer and Basketball (sports transition) so it should work for AFL. All entirely hypothetical, but interesting!

I really like this idea. Would be interesting to see if you could deploy it in some of the Rugby playing countries in Europe too; Italy, France, Wales? Not sure who you'd get coming through, but it'd be good for growing the game (at least). Loving this thread!

Bit of a bad call here, the AFLW team has been very active and successful in this space.

I don't think TMac is ready? If Clarry is back, Trac can spend more time up forward with (likely) no impact to our midfield performance. Our mids have been amazing this year. Well, nearly all. It's going to get pretty crowded up forward once Fritta is back too. Reckon we need Grundy back, the Blues have a couple of good rucks and Gawn shouldn't be over-cooked before the finals. Smith as sub, he's built for it.

I really don't like the idea of Schache playing in the ones. He has all the physical presence of wet lettuce. We need to make sure all the players are doing what is being asked of them, or at least trying to. He has shown throughout his career that he's a good kick but no toughness. Nothing personal against him, just don't think he's MFC material. Would have welcomed him into the side 10 years ago, but not now. Similarly, Harmes needs to get out of the ones; his skills are just not up to where they need to be. Get Sparrow in if fit or blood a young player. I don't mind the idea of Grundy starting on the bench and rotating with Gawn, or Gawn resting on the half back line for intercepts. Tomlinson should be given a go to see how he goes with an extended run. We will need another tall down there if Petty is staying forward. That being said, being tested against North isn't a great test for Finals readiness. Spargs for Woey is the only other one that really comes to mind.

Waddagame. Something symbolic in watching the last dominant team in Footy (the toiges) being overcome in the last by what could be the latest dominant team. 3 forwards kicking 14 goals between them, without Fritch. No Clarry, Grundy, Spargs or Hibbo. There are so many options with this team, so many ways in which they can win. Everyone knows the system, whatever it may be that week, and plays to it. Then there are the champion players, I've been saying for a while that Clarry may be the best Melbourne player I've seen, but Max is giving it a nudge. Viney has been a phenom this Season. Still, I'd trade all the All Australian accolades and big bags to see us win a flag live.

Just went back to the Injury page at Melbournefc.com.au and it looks like they've cleaned up the page - maybe they are reading this! Not so concerned about Grundy being out, hopefully Max goes back to dropping into the backline for intercepts, opening up the fwd line for Brown and JVR. What is of concern is Oliver is out for another 4 weeks! It means he will be back for finals, but will he be match or finals fit? I really think we need to get Smith back into the side too for Melksham, we need someone who can apply pressure acts in finals. Or at least tackle.

Just checked our injury report on the MFC website and its pretty poor TBH. Fritsch isn't even listed on there? A lot of the videos go back to the Port game? Surely someone can update the page and keep things categorised in an understandable way. First world problems... ...Friday is a massive danger game. The Lions are looking sharp all over the ground. We are really going to miss Clarry and Fritta. The backline are in good form but we need to work out Grundy and Gawn. Would love for either/both (!) to be more useful up forward but it hasn't happened so far. Also reckon Smith needs to come back in for Melksham, we need another tall target and you can't have zero-tackle passengers against the Lions. Maybe we should hypnotise him so he thinks the MCG is a French Restaurant - then we'll get some aggro?

Work (and life) has been super busy this week so only managed to look at the selections 5 minutes ago. Can't understand why Melksham is still in the team and Smith isn't. Smith gets involved in every contest and applies defensive pressure, something not in Jakes wheelhouse. Absolutely wrapped Woey mkII is getting a go, not just for him, but for all the kids at Casey - gives them a sign of what selection requires. Seeing Clayton still out reminds me of The Angels classic "Am I ever going to see your face again?"