Go the Biff

It was Bate

Got to see him working with the defensive group a few times at Casey, mainly in pre-seasons. Close enough to hear what he was saying. Pretty impressive, particularly with one on one stuff. Things like positioning yourself in relation to your opponent, how to turn a contest into an intercept, how to prevent your opponent getting goal side of you. Really interesting. I think he's done a great job with some good cattle. That said, I also agree that you need to turn over your assistants to gain fresh perspectives. Defense these days is heavily slanted to zoning, defending space & transition. I'd think Milburn would have a lot to offer from that perspective. While I can't wish Wellman good luck - he's going to Essendon FFS - I can understand why he's going & thank him for his contribution to our rebuild. He should leave Melbourne very proud of what he's done here.

It appears Fat Eddie has turned Scull's supposed date with our Miss Universe contestant Jasinta Campbell into something of a competition. He is running second to that kid from Sydney so go here MMM poll and vote to get Tom over the line

I read in one of those "ladders with the lot" that we've used 38 players this season which I think is the equal highest

Again the folly of using stats as a sole basis of comparison. Jordie plays in the midfield. Davis is a young key defender - and is doing a pretty good job

Quick, go back & do them again when this quarter starts

Matt Burgan has certainly invigorated that site. There is a Q&A with Luke after his return with Casey magoos, plus a picture of the young fella. He is built like a brick shithouse Link thingy

Agreed, I'm not too happy with the papers at the moment. They are turning this into a statement game for Essendon. Good to see you on the board Ash !

I'm just going to echo the thoughts of a few earlier posters such as Axis of Bob & Jaded. I also think Spencer is ahead of Jamar at the same stage of their careers. His ruckwork is good to watch - he is not just a bash it forward type, he tries to spoon feed his midfielders with directed taps. His kicking is inconsistent but more than once I have seen him hit a leading player lace out on the [censored]. He has an awkward looking low ball drop (not unlike Frawley) but when he gets it right, it's very effective. That said, I've also seen him miss the ball completely. He's also brave & relishes body contact, something that Jolly could never have been accused of at the same age. He will make mistakes (e.g. spilled chest mark on the wing), he is probably a liability at the moment in that he costs us a running mid when he's in the side but for a 19-20 yo ruckman, I think he shows a bit. And as I recall he lost a chunk of the season along with a bit of weight when he was crook earlier on.

Doubt it will happen but it's an interesting choice. If only because Grimes is pretty much the type of player that I'd hoped a young Bell would develop into. Alas I fear that ship has long sailed - Bell lost too much of his "development time" to injury.

Jaded I also have my misgivings about Dunn but to say he will never be good enough to be a premiership player is not a great argument. Our own Stevie Armstrong is not good enough to be a premiership player but guess what, he is one ! Clay Sampson - who'd a thunk it ! Footy history is littered with 'em. Sometimes it's about playing a role & being in the right place at the right time. Mario Bortolotto from Carlton can write a thesis on the subject. Go your hardest on Dunn but give us something a bit more tangible.

Let's have a go. Ins : McDonald, Sylvia, Warnock (assuming Gumbleton & Hurley are up forward), Bail (reckon we need his run). Jurrah would be a chance as I'm not sure who Essendon would have to match up on him but I've left him at Casey for another week or two. Out : Grimes (inj), Cheney (susp or omitted), Spencer, Jetta. Bartram, who's form has tapered off, hangs on by the skin of his teeth as cover for Essendon's small forwards Davey, Melksham/Zaka etc. Jetta just doesn't do enough yet. Dunn to resume pinch-hitting in the ruck to relieve Jamar. B : Bartram, Frawley, Garland HB : Bruce, Warnock, Rivers C : Bail, Trengove, Green HF : Sylvia, Bate, Dunn F : Davey, Watts, Bennell FOLL : Jamar, Moloney, McDonald I/C : MacDonald, McKenzie, Scully, Jones

I believe Strauss and Grimes will be going rehab on their hamstring injuries together

Not a bad wishlist Jaded. I wouldn't mind a decent scalp in one of those wins. Maybe St Kilda or Hawthorn if they are getting busy towards the end of the year.

I'm too slack to give your post the attention it (and the subject) deserves but briefly : I would have GAJ ahead of Flower in three categories - straight-line speed, goal kicking & physical strength. Ablett is phenomenally strong through the core & upper legs & has a capacity to break tackles seemingly at will. Flower was more evasive & avoided or slipped tackles so the need to break them wasn't there. Flower was quick but not an out & out lawnburner. I think another of Ablett Jr's great strengths is his acceleration. Has a great gear change. I give Flower the nod in your basic hand & foot skills, particularly field kicking. Ablett has more strings to his bow in kicking for goal but Flower played in an era when banana kicks were rare, let alone the dribble & bounce goals kicked today. I've no doubt he could have mastered the art though. Flower would kill Ablett Jnr in the air. I once watched him take 17 marks in a game against Richmond. Almost all overhead & contested. Most in packs as he was being used as the go-to option from kick-outs. The Tiges were awake-up to it but still couldn't stop him. The question as to whether Flower would have done more when surrounded by good team-mates was answered, I believe, in his performances for Victoria. I can't begin to think what he would have done in the current Geelong side. The man played at a time when there were a lot of fantastic wingers including Greig, Schimma, Mickey Turner, Bryan Wood, Ricky Barham, Dennis Collins, Joffa Cunningham just to name a few. He could make good players look like first-gamers. It's a great pity he played in rubbish teams who were rarely on TV. That, as much as anything, has diminished his reputation as Hannabal suggests. If you're ever fortunate enough to speak with another great Melbourne winger Alan Johnson (terrific bloke BTW) ask him about Flower. No idea how old you are Dappa so I'm not sure who I can give as a comparison for you. If you saw Peter Matera at his best, that's getting close to what Flower produced most weeks.

Better. By some margin.

As usual when this topic comes up posters are focussing on who does the kicking as opposed to who is offering something to kick to. You could have Bernie Quinlan kicking in but if you don't get your leads & structure up the ground right, it will turn over & come back.

Thanks Prof. I enjoyed the read & the memories. Fair side you've put together. You mention you saw Big Carl's first game. Did you see his last as well ? Don't think I've ever laughed as much at the footy - there were 'Pies players ducking for cover left, right & centre.

Eventually Strauss but that's dependent on him getting a game for reasons other than kicking in. Garland in the interim. Would prefer Frawley & Grimes to be targets who can use the ball to set up an attack.

Nah, Kelly O'Donnell has the development job Dazzler. May have been Williams last year

Well you just wrecked a potential 4 page thread full of wild speculation, baseless innuendo & absolutely no substance. Killjoy !!!!

Chris Judd, Matthew Pavlich or Cyril Rioli could sign for GWS today & it would barely create a ripple in Sydney, particularly the west Folau creates a bloody great splash The AFL are already getting a return on their investment in him A thousand Auskick clinics won't do that

Goes very well in the wet. Gets over the ground beautifully

Pass - we don't need another ruckman with dodgy feet If you could get in that time machine again & get us a Michael Jordan with 20 or so years wiped off the clock, that'd probably do

Gilligan & the Skipper ? You said light-hearted !