Elwood 3184

He could hardly complain about the umpires, could he?

Lachie Hunter apparently not selected for the Dogs. He was an important player for them two years ago. A bit of a surprise that he’s lost favour with the selectors.

They looked really good in their last game albeit against mediocre opponents. But much better than us against Gold Coast a week or so before.

Hickey and Naitanui are elite and Max isn’t - well, well. I must have been dreaming during 2021.

“At least eight Geelong players took varying degrees of illness into the match … “ Why doesn’t the media investigate the failure of Geelong’s doctors to properly diagnose the illnesses and to act accordingly? This is a terrible no no!

Then there’s Jeremy Cameron at 196cm and Jack Riewoldt at 193cm and many others in the mid 190s who can all mark the pill. It looks as if JVR can hold his own in that department and isn’t going to be pushed off the contest. However, there’s a lot more to being a well rounded KPP. Time’s on his side.

Surely, it would be in the club’s interests to draw from a pool of players at their affiliates if the situation arises? Coaches at those clubs should be able to train their VFL players in roles so they could fit into their AFL team if necessary. The top up pool concept should only be a last resort eg if you need a ruckman or other more specialist position.

I’m wondering whether the club updates player statistics at the start of every season. Luke Jackson definitely looks bigger than when he first came to the club both in terms of weight and height. I would be surprised if JVR isn’t bigger than the 194cm he’s credited for which was his height at the start of 2020.

Don’t underestimate Paxy’s experience.

Hence the mystery surrounding KM’s harsh judgement about this player. Or does he just have a thing about Melbourne?

Paddy Mills says hi.

I didn’t think Conca was brought in to play at Casey but if Covid19 makes it necessary for clubs to temporarily list add on players from second tier affiliates, this trio could prove handy.

Makes too much sense.

The two brothers are Harley Balic and Shane Yarran - both tragically no longer with us.

No jumper numbers yet?

He’s pretty much the same height and weight as Aaron Naughton who slipped into the Bulldogs team and was almost immediately a regular in defence before establishing himself in attack after a couple of seasons. I’m not suggesting that will happen with Van Rooyen at Melbourne because, as reigning premier, we’ll be a hard team to break into but he does have senior WAFL experience and performed well for the Colts and WA State Under 19s when he returned from glandular fever. We’re lucky to be in a position to give such players a good grounding at Casey first.

Don’t know. Too busy watching out for the space where the gasometer used to be.

Watching North v Geelong and wondering what did they put up in the place of the gasometer?

Son got a Demons jumper for Christmas (I know it’s not an original gift). Question is whether Van Rooyen has his number yet so he can have his first fan.

Agreed. Let’s not forget that he wasn’t rated by most of the draft experts and nobody expected his drafting to be challenged by other clubs. It wouldn’t hurt him to be given a number in the 40s along with Judd McVee, Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Daniel Turner. They can work their way up from there.

Will Elliott is the son of former Aussie opening bat Matthew Elliott.

Meanwhile, the Age reports that about 5000 of the 11,500 eligible Collingwood members voted at their election which decided their next president after more than a year of upheaval. They boast they have an actual membership of more than 80,000 and yet, such a low number are able to vote and a much lower number actually bother to do so.

I think I’ll ask Jake Lever what he’s focusing on at the moment.

I’m a hell’s bells supporter. If people are concerned about the segue to Its a Grand Old Flag then it could be handled by having a pause between the two.

My tips #2 - keep it vacant for 2022 #21 - Jacob Van Rooyen #22 - Taj Woewodin (some players want to make their own way. Others want to pay tribute to their fathers. I think Taj’s story is so much like his dad’s that 22 will suit. Still Woewodin) #27 - Luke Dunstan #39 - Deakyn Smith changes number (Neville’s understudy) #40 - #41 - #43 - Judd McVee (always liked Guy Rigoni #45 - Andy Moniz-Wakefield (tribute to Matty Whelan) #46