demoniac

Lewis has reached the stage where the best use of his footy IQ is off field. In every game he'll have to try and beat an opponent to the ball. How many Top 8 teams have forwards he can beat to the ball?

And yes Lewis is cooked. If he does not want to retire immediately then he can mentor kids at Casey till end of this season, or end of season 2019 if he want s to play on. Treacle slow, goes to ground and kicking is unreliable. Top 8 teams just don't seem to play treacle slow half forwards in 2018 for some reason so he just will never have a match up.

Weid is much more effective than Hogan close to goal. Jumps better when flat footed and actually puts 2 arms up in the air towards the ball. Also a more effective Gawn reliever than Harmes, Pederson, Smith. Weid at full forward and Hogan to roaming always on the move Centre Half Forward role.

Petty can read the play and take an intercept mark. Frost just too prone too brain fades when he gets the ball. Would make a great rugby union forward. If the choice is between Vince and Lewis then Lewis is dropped. Treacle slow, goes to ground and his kicking has deteriorated. There just aint any forwards slow enough for Lewis to play on.

Outs: Lewis, Tyson, Neal-Bullen, Smith, Petracca Ins: Petty, Baker/Stretch, Spargo, Weidemann, Garlett We're carrying too many one paced inside mids so out go Lewis, Tyson and Neal-Bullen. Petty comes into play Lever role and provide support to O Mac. Baker/Stretch and Spargo come in to provide some much needed run. Petracca is out of form and has lost confidence in his kicking. Garlett gets his chance to use his pace both ways and kick goals. We're also going to focus on having players off the contest to be target for a handball out of a contest. This replaces our current tactic of having all our players gathered at the contest and releasing to each other but not releasing the pressure. And in a tactical innovation if the opposition are flooding out forward 50 we're actually going to try and draw them out by switching the ball rather than just repeatedly banging it long to the flood. Finally we thank Jordan Lewis for his service to the Melbourne Football Club, and recognise his outstanding career at Hawthorn. The club has advised Jordan that he will not be considered for senior selection going forward. We look forward to Jordan mentoring our developing players at Casey through to expiration of his contract at end of 2019 season.

Jesse Hogan is simply not competitive in the air when the ball comes in high and he is flat footed. At his best when on the move which makes in a Centre Half Forward for mine. Weidemann in for Pederson to play Full Forward and give Gawny a rest. Hogan to Centre Half Forward . Tommy Mac roaming the forward half.

How would you rate his defensive pressure and his rebound? Both fundamental for a medium defender in 2018.

If you are not a key defender, and probably even if you are, if you are playing in defence you need to be able to run and rebound. Lewis provides neither. Vince is not much better. Media types drool over their kicking but both are now prone to regular turnovers by foot. every opponent Lewis lines up on will beat him to a contest or run away from him. I'd be happy to see both dropped with Petty and Hunt (if fit, was on crutches at the G) in. Petty allows Hibberd to play a more attacking role. Hunt to provide run and carry.

Too often holds on to the ball too long and either rushes his disposal or gets caught with the ball. Not a reliable kick. An obvious out for Viney given Neal-Bullen's improved form on the weekend.

We need speed on every line. Defence - If you are playing Oscar Mac and Frost as key talls and you have Hibberd and Lever as tall flankers then there is no role in the team for another tall flanker in Wagner. There is also no roles available for plodding ex midfielders ie Lewis and Vince. The role available is for a nimble and/or quick player. Mids - You can't play plodding ex midfielders like Lewis and Vince on the wing. You can't even play Jones on the wing. Reality in 2018 tells us you have play ball carrying runners on the wing. Forwards - Hogan is much better when on the move. Playing deep he is a non threat if the ball comes in high and he is flatfooted. Belongs at CHF. Bring Pederson in to improve our structure by giving us a competitive target deep and relieve Gawn in the ruck. If Goodwin does not realise that we've got to pick a quicker team - epsecially for Richmond - then my doubts will be chrystalising.

Strangely the Tigers don't play slow inside mids on the wing or half back.

We are slow. Hawks have some speedy smalls. Gawn needs some ruck relief and we need a tall up forward if Hogan is up the ground. If we bring in speed and Pederson who goes out? Wagner - no match up? One of our one paced mids?

Lewis and Vince get a free pass from commentators vis a vis and re disposal errors. Lewis apparently going at 100% despite putting a pass on the bounce to a player inboard which led to a turnover. I think team balance will be a challenge at selection this year particularly how many players who are natural inside mids get selected each week. Given the need for speed in the game there is a limit to the number of one paced inside mids we can park on the wing or half back. Same may apply to medium utilities. We may need to bring in more run and speed or risk being outrun and run over.

I hope the AFLW Dees coaching and playing staff ignore the paternalism from Steve Hocking and the AFL and are prepared to win ugly when required. The skill level and physical condition has pretty obviously improved from season 1 to season 2. The depth of talent will improve each year as girls who have played footy from Auskick on through TAC Cup pathway get drafted. Already some of the stars of the old state women's league are struggling to compete with the athletic and skillful players either emerging from development pathways or swapping to AFLW from other sports. Yep. The Blues v Pies game was crap but there are crap AFLM games most weeks. Steve Hocking and the AFL sure do know how to trash the AFLW brand. Mindless incompetence.

How many dollars has the AFL used propping up the Dees over the years. It may be that a 2nd Brisbane team would have been a better option though Brisbane and the Gold Coast get closer every year to being one merged metropolis.

It does seem to be an own goal. Club presumably has a significant reason for the change.

Medical retirements generally result in a settlement of future contract moneys owed. Is this outside the cap? Pragmatically its great news for the Swans in getting an overpayed underperfoming player off their books. Disappointing for Tippet to have to retire because of injury at his age.

The Dees are a broad church indeed...

I consider meself to be a long term sponsor!

The case for substantial investment in Casey Fields is made by the fast growing population and use by mens and womens teams.

Good that Casey is becoming more professional, and more integrated with the Dees. Casey does have one large factor in its favor, rapidly growing population of young families. Over time there will hopefully be more investment in Casey Fields in terms of surface, player facilities and grandstands. More grandstands and taller trees should assist with reducing impact of the breeze.

They way he moves reminds me of Hoppy. Hopefully an improved Hoppy. He is pint sized but the game has evolved in the favour of sub 180 players over the last 2 years.

Watch any AFL Grand Finals over the last 2 years?

No Ginger Baker/Cream gags. Disappointing.

Dom Barry. Game has evolved towards his strengths in his time away from AFL level. Played at SANFL level this year.