Deeoldfart

My 'glass half full' attitude copped a major crack around the rim against the Saints. If we can't beat Freo I'll be writing-off the year , and my glass will be deposited in the nearest recycling bin.

Here: Media Conference: Simon Goodwin 4/7

Makes sense Trav, and goes a fair way towards accounting for Max's absence from the top 10.

Of course what Lewis said is merely 'talk', and needs to be backed up in Darwin ........ that's just stating the bleeding obvious! But is there anything else people would have had him say to make them feel better? I found it somewhat reassuring.

................... but what would be worse for his confidence, demoting him after a very poor game where he looked completely 'at sea', or dropping him after a second poor performance? Of course I don't know that he will have another 'shocker' if he is selected for next round, but I suspect the odds would be pretty high, after what must have been a demoralising debut experience for the young fella. I expect the MC will consider this later in the week. They know him better than we do!

???

With apologies to Max, I hope!

Out Petty. Was promoted too early and seemed lost / overawed all day. It will smash his confidence even further if he is 'thrown to the wolves' again next week; Hannan has done little more than kick a few cheap goals all season; Tyson continues to be slow and indecisive. In Frost. At least we know what we will get from him. I'm prepared to take some bad with the good. Garlett. I'm generally in favour of the mantra that players need to find form at Casey before being elevated, but not having a crumbing forward as part of the current structure is killing us. Enough is enough! Stretch has more than earned a call up through repeated, high level performances at Casey. I'd like to make a couple more based on today's performance, but three is enough for one week.

6. Gawn 5. Fritsch 4. Harmes 3. Viney 2. Hibberd 1. Oliver

............ because nothing ever changes for its supporters.

Completely outplayed, and dare I say it, out-coached. I'm completely shattered.

I'm feeling (first-half) broken! We need 22 contributors. Is that too much to ask?

I hope the result will be the perfect remedy 'forever' ........... and that the rest of us won't be putting out a call for painkillers.

A win, and preferably a big one, will see us secure for another week. A loss, and it will be time to lock up the cutlery drawer. Dees by a mile

I noticed that Pedo Bear lined up for Casey this afternoon, so it's probably reasonable to assume that Tom Mac got through his fitness test this morning, and will play against the Saints tomorrow. Edit: unless they go with only two talls and Charlie Spargo .

I'm just as concerned about the week after Darwin vs Bulldogs.

My reading: Pert was the 'fall guy' at Collingwood; Caro is a sniper, and a headline grabber.

I really like the bit of 'tinkering' that sees Harry Petty making his debut. My gut tells me that he will be a very able replacement for Jake, and a long term mainstay of our backline.

Hard to go past 'Froggy' Crompton's match winning goal in 1964: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Iy6A3uDEYs

There's always one in a crowd!

Perfect selection and timing, I reckon. I always feel that there's something special about a youngster making his debut for the MFC. The reports from Casey watchers, and the article posted above by Bates Mate only increase my excitement. I hope he has a rippa game and quickly becomes a regular.

Good on him. He has earned a bit of luck!

I understand exactly where you are coming from LH, but TMac. has been cleared by a specialist, and if he gets through a training run on Saturday morning, I want him to play. We need to keep working on our forward half synergy and Tom is the linchpin in that part of the ground. Further, every part of a % point that we can muster at this point might be critical as the season rolls on.

Thoroughly enjoyable guys. Great to reminisce with Flash, and to hear about his ongoing love and respect for the Dees and his four prospective father sons. He seems like an absolute gentleman.

Hibberd isn't too bad!