old55

He did have a back injury which significantly hampered his pre-season I believe.

I think you're probably right there, Brayshaw's move out of the centre coincided strongly with Goodwin talking about us improving our defensive play. Inability or unwillingness to run to defend is also a liability on the wing though. This is probably my biggest concern this season - hopefully they can sort this out with Brayshaw.

Yes, I'm not worried. This season is a blip on the radar - there's plenty of reasons, not excuses. I have full confidence in Simon Goodwin and we have a tremendous young list. There'll be some necessary shuffling in the assistant coach ranks over the summer and we'll be back with a vengeance in 2020.

Votes from both coaches again

Dec to debut! Congrats to @Drunkn167 Enjoy the day!

People have extremely short memories. Nathan Jones carried our midfield along with Oliver for the first third of last year while Viney was out injured and before Brayshaw and Harmes emerged. He's still 5th best starting midfield option and won 4 clearances and 11 contested possessions against the Swans. One in game injury to any of those first 4 and he's in there full-time.

They'll have a good idea of the possible candidates after tonight's match outcome so can plan from there.

Interesting to see that the MFC listed players appear with their MFC list jumper numbers - I think if that actually happens on the field it's a good change.

Indeed - boringly familiar contribution from you.

"Well the season is already two rounds gone and we weren’t ready to go. " That's a quote from renowned wrist-slasher ADC and not Goodwin.

Jones is 5th in the starting midfield pecking order behind Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw and Harmes. Those top 4 can all play 75% gametime and that gives us 3x100% coverage in the square. That means unless there's injuries to that top 4 he's not going to spend major minutes in there and like at the end of last year will have to make his mark in another role. But it's easy to forget that along with Oliver, Jones carried our midfield for a considerable period at the start of 2018 when Viney was injured and Brayshaw and Harmes yet to emerge - it only takes one injury and he's back in the main frame. There's not exactly a stampede of proven alternatives.

would struggle to make the current 22

Like Carlton's?

ITK - "influencer"

He is General Manager - List and Strategy. If I worked there I would expect him to lead on draft night.

Don't agree with that at all. He looks like a pro who is on top of the deals to me. They picked McLennan because he wants to go there! Loves surfing, dad from Brisbane.

For a team that prizes the contest we we woeful at the aerial contest in 2017, particularly with Max out injured or out of form. Any kick down the line was a mark against us. We made some big improvements in that area in 2018 and I think we can make further improvements in 2019.

Good to see Lewis has a similar attitude to Bernie's from last year.

Casey needs to recruit a ruckman IMO. If plan A is to play Gawn and Preuss in the 1s, who is going to ruck at Casey? For the record I am not an advocate of another ruckman on the MFC list.

That's why you have a solicitor.

This is the gold I am looking for, thanks!

I don't think that's correct - I believe there's still 6 clubs with picks ... AFAIK, three of the 6 clubs had 2 vacancies but have committed to one player each, so 6 clubs have one slot left.

"bit of a nasty surprise" alright

That article sounds misguided to me. To participate in the mid season draft you need one rookie spot free. I reckon a number of the 6 clubs, including hopefully us, go "one short" so we can have a pick then. The "one short" wont hurt - we've already got 45 listed players including Cat B and are likely to use only about 30. Having a mid season pick would allow us to potentially take a Tim Kelly type who emerges at a lower level during the season. If all 6 clubs fill their lists by 1 March then there is no mid season draft AFAIK.

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