Whispering_Jack

Some random observations: Seems to me that Hogan and Barry will both have a development year at Casey. Likewise, the two new rookies Clisby and Stark. After just two weeks of NAB Cup, every able bodied player on the list has already had a crack at showing his wares. This has been generally pleasing but a couple aren't coming up to expectations. I don't see why we were in such a lather to get Pedersen. I have a really good feeling about Nev Jetta and James Strauss. Would it be asking too much for these two players whose careers have been marred so much by injury to have break out years? Our injury list might not be deep but it's hitting us in the worst areas. Needless to say, we need Clark, Trengove, Blease and Bail back on deck asap and, given the less than pleasing efforts of our ruckmen to date, Max Gawn's fortunes now that he is returning to full training will be watched closely. I hope he gets a run of some sort in the next couple of weeks, even if its at VFL level. I just can't see Spencer, Fitzpatrick or Pedersen filling in that vital back up role in the ruck. Perhaps, Sellar will find his niche there?

The news I'm hearing is that the prosecution in the Darwin Supreme Court case is considering dropping some of the charges against Liam. I don't know if the idea is to shorten the case or to draw out a plea bargain but irrespective, I hope this turns out well for Liam and that he has the strength to face and overcome all of the issues that have surfaced in his life over the past twelve months. I'm not sure however, that it's in his interest for him to talk to journos at this stage when he's facing so many legal trials in which one of the recurring issues appears to be his drinking.

Please leave your personal feuds at home and concentrate on the thread, otherwise a well earned rest might be in order. Thank you.

An interesting article and, if true, then it's a good thing for the club that the football department and a number of associated personnel including welfare officers have been moved on and we have an almost completely different group of people in charge of the players.As for Scully, if I remember correctly, the timeframe coincides with his father's reported signing on with GWS as a recruiting officer. Funny how these things work out.

Damn ... had we kept our 25 point lead we could have been close to the eight by the end of the game.

Go for percentage lads.

Lunch at the cricket and back to the game at Renmark. These commentators are strange. The only Melbourne name they know, and they keep repeating it often, is ... Trengove and I'm certain Jack's not even playing.

Sorry but I can't listen to this garbage any more. I'm watching the cricket.

Sellar gets his second goal after 15 Port Adelaide players in a row touch the ball.

Do the commentators know the names of any Melbourne players?

Was wondering why he wasn't opening the bowling in Hyderabad.

For starters, CC's joke was funny.

Port Adelaide v Melbourne preview In terms of how the season will pan out, this game is unlikely to be a pointer to anything but for the individuals on both sides not on the "missing" lists it means a great deal because a good performance today could be helpful in enhancing their prospects for the remaining NAB Cup matches and ultimately, team selection. The result is the least of all considerations. If we win, the result gets downplayed because, after all, Port Adelaide didn't play their full side ... and if we lose, we're hopeless because we lost to a lowly opponent that was undermanned on the day. I'm tipping a draw.

Based on all of the hype surrounding him at the moment, that might not be a surprise. However, given that the Liston Trophy is usually won by an undersized midfielder, I think it would be unlikely for him to win the silverware, especially if his workload is modified and he only ends up playing a limited number of games for the Scorpions.

Slightly off topic but by way of demonstrating the decline in standards at Fairfax Media is the Real Footy Poll currently running in the Age: There are two options given - yes and no. To date, 53 people have voted and the yes vote is currently trailing the no vote by 26% to 74%. Thankfully, there is a disclaimer which tells us that these "polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate". Almost on a par with Wilson's opinion that Melbourne had a good legal case against tanking but should be punished heavily anyway.

We shouldn't complain too much. We had a good run last year with coverage in the first three NAB Cup games and only missed out on the last one which was a fairly meaningless filler in the week of the grand final which was the only game telecast. Tomorrow's game is more Mickey Mouse stuff and, unless someone puts their hand up, even Demonland isn't sending a correspondent to cover the game.

Thanks.

OK, it's on the AFL website but for those who have the Tune In Radio application, will you get the game by tuning in to 5AA?

NAB CUP ROUND TWO: Renmark (Sunday, March 3) Port Adelaide v Melbourne (4pm CDT) PORT ADELAIDE 3. Campbell Heath, 5. Matthew Broadbent, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 12. Jackson Trengove, 13. Cameron OShea, 14. Paul Stewart, 15. Lewis Stevenson, 16. Oliver Wines, 17. Tom Clurey, 20. Chad Wingard, 21. Matt Thomas, 22. Mason Shaw, 23. Matthew Lobbe, 24. Nathan Blee, 26. Andrew Moore, 30. Sam Colquhoun, 31. Darren Pfeiffer, 32. Jake Neade, 34. Jarrad Redden, 37. Kane Mitchell, 38. Ben Newton, 40. Aaron Young, 41. Brendon Ah Chee, 42. Tom Jonas, 43. Daniel Stewart, 45. Danny Butcher, 46. Justin Hoskin MELBOURNE 1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 6. Chris Dawes, 7. Jack Viney, 8. James Frawley, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Colin Sylvia, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. David Rodan, 17. Sam Blease, 19. James Strauss, 20. Colin Garland, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. James Magner, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 27. Tom Gillies, 28. Joel Macdonald, 30. James Sellar, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Michael Evans, 34. Dean Kent, 36. Aaron Davey, 38. Jeremy Howe, 39. Neville Jetta, 40. Mark Jamar, 42. Jake Spencer, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 47. Tom Couch, 48. Jack Fitzpatrick Remarkable comebacks by Sam Blease and James Frawley.

The only thing I can say about this article is - Carlton angry salary cap dispensation allowed Sydney to snare Kurt Tippett Chris Judd.

I'm now prepared to concede to you that this amounts to tanking.Can I get a bet on this game?

Posters should be aware that anyone seeking to respond to Ms. Wilson's work are liable to be attacked for being "childish" and "sexist". It's one way in which people who are too lazy (or simply unable) to respond to genuine criticism of her work deflect the real issues involved with the shoddy agenda based journalism we get from Caro these days.

The second game of the NAB Cup campaign v Port Adelaide promises to be a hot one with temperatures in the low 30's predicted for the picturesque Murray River town of Renmark, just a two hour drive away from Mildura. The squad should be announced some time today or tomorrow.

No. She was in Singapore last week. Hopefully, if she's back this week, Garry will take her up on that offer from a fortnight ago to reveal her sources.

Interesting tweet from Paul Amy to the effect that Casey South Melb Premier District cricket skipper Jake Best has been offered a contract by the Casey Scorpions to play in the VFL.