Doggo

Frawley for me. Just looks so much stronger and has exceptional balance now. Was always going to ground in body contests in previous years. This year his balance has been a feature of his game.

Sylvia also deserves a mention. Prior to his turnaround, people were writing him off as a lazy, no-talent hack. I think it's fair to say he far from that, and if he can continue to improve and stay consistent, he'll be one of our best in years to come.

Edit: Don't know how anyone has missed it, myself included, but how about Aaron Davey's improvement this year?!

Has gone from a flashy, inconsistent small forward/occasional wingman, who many wanted to trade, to a reliable running utility capable of playing a number of roles, and arguably our best player. Definitely our most skilled.

If we were a better team, he'd be a monty for AA selection.

I was also thinking about Moloney, but i believe his form prior to doing his shoulder last year was pretty good (would've been close to leading the b&f at that stage), so he hasn't so much improved other than in terms of fitness/staying on the park. IMO he's showing now what i've always believed he was capable of, but couldn't do because of injury.

Any injury concerns regarding Grimes and his back is really bad news. The coaching staff would want him to play as many games this year as possible. I am worried.

Hope he's alright and the club is just being extra cautious with him.

Grimes out though, not so good for my SuperCoach team...

IT'S NOT CHANGING ALLEGIANCES.

IT'S WAKING UP AND SMELLING WHAT THE WIZARD IS COOKING!

:D Call of the day!

I'm happy because it gives PJ another crack at it.

I'd like to see the following play in the last 6 rounds:

Valenti - Give him 4 or 5 games to prove himself before delisting

Newton - Even if it's just more entertainment value

McKenzie - Give him a taste like Grimes last year

Cheney - Deserves a spot with his consistent performances

Watts - Obvious choice

Spencer - Depending on form coming back from injury

McNamara - See Spencer

Not a big wrap for Hughes Jarka? He's had a super consistent year, and has been on the rookie list for 3 of the last 4 years... The time to play him is now, otherwise re-drafting him was just a big mstake and we should have picked up a raw young tall with that pick instead.

To me, the ABSOLUTE best thing of all about Liam Jurrah is that it seems to me that he could never ever be tempted away to another club, a la Chris Johnson or Chris Judd, by the lure of more money or better facilities.

Having young indegenous guys like Davey, Wona, Jetta and Bennell would also play a big factor in that you'd think. Would make adjusting to the big smoke that much easier for Liam. You'd think it would be a lot harder for him if he didn't have those boys at the club, especially Aaron as a 'big-brother' figure.

And in terms of career context, especially with the latter three, all being around the same age, it's fair to say that if all goes to plan, they'll be developing and playing the majority of their AFL careers together.

For me, inside and outside is merely a way of labeling or classifying midfielders for the purpose of simplicity. I understand what you're saying, ideally you want mids to do both, but i think it's fair to say, for example, Cale Morton is an outside midfielder or type, whereas a Brock or Jones is an insider type.

It's semantics more than anything.

I'd love to see Hughes crack a game soon, as well as McKenzie, and Cheney more than one game at a time.

Ideally, changes this week for me would be:

OUT: Robertson, McLean, McDonald

IN: Hughes, McKenzie, Cheney

Out with the old, in with the young.

Ditto. Have been impressed with young Buckshot so far and have been shocked when he was dropped after what I saw of him.

I've found it especially disappointing as i've got him in my SuperCoach team and he's been performing well there. I like the bloodnut, and hope he gets a chance to have an extended run in the seniors before the year is out.

Here's a link to the thread i mentioned earlier, and to the article about Daw from the Age a couple of months back, if anyone's interested.

'Out of Africa, Into the Team' article from the Age

'Out of Africa' thread

Can He kick Straight & long?

From what i've seen (mind you i've only seen him play once), he looks to have the mechanics of kicking down pat. Didn't see him drill any long ones, but has a nice kicking action with his field kick. He doesn't look unco at all. He's a real "power athlete", so i'd imagine with those strong legs he'd have it in him to be a 50m+ kick. Looks to have an uncomplicated, relaxed kicking style, so he's obviously been coached in the fundamentals very well early in his career, given that he hasn't picked up any bad habits of kicking naturally with an awkward action (like guys like Frawley or Bate, for example).

I saw him play last year and thought he was a bit rough around the edges, but with real potential. My mate says he's improved out of sight this year, so i'd imagine his skills will definitely be better than when i saw him. Like Naitanui, he's seen as a real 'project-player', athelte first, footballer second. But unlike NN, whoever picks him up will be getting him at a bargain-basement price of probably a ND 4th rounder or a rookie-draft pick, unless one club suspects another will be going after him and want to get in first.

And in terms of marketing value and in community involvement and asymilation, it would be so fantastic for the Sudanese community to have representation in the AFL. He'd be a hero for all the young Sudanese kids to aspire to become, much in the way Liam is back home in Yuendumu. Not to mention the thousands of new members he'd attract to the club.

Make it happen BP!

Thanks for that KC.

i believe that was jurrah who hit up petterd. anyway, i was just curious as to why he was in the votes.

Sorry, my mistake.

I remember the Jurrah pass you're referring to. I think the Jetta hit up was either a shot on goal for Bate or Robbo, or maybe even Jurrah. I'll have a look at the replay and get back to you.

Personally I didn't have him in my votes, but i thought his first half was pretty good, though he faded in the 2nd half.

EDIT: Just checked it up, it was actually a pass that setup Bate's first goal in the 2nd term. Was a beauty that threaded the eye of the needle and hit Bate among 3 Geelong defenders.

I agree Jarka. In fact I think they'll help each other by taking the pressure off each other. If you know what I mean...... Did that make sense? LOL.

LOL. No worries HT, it made perfect sense...

sorry if this is off topic but i don't wanna start a new one. a few people were impressed with jetta today. I thought he looked sub par and failed to make an impact.

How about his classy spearing pass to Petterd for a shot on goal? Perfectly weighted and just pure instinct. He dropped a mark on forward flank, recovered quickly, took one step inside and hit him on the [censored] beautifully. Last week his delivery inside 50 was exceptional again, and unlike some of his earlier games this year, is no longer wasting his disposal and blazing away. Is getting a lot of assists since his return to the side.

YM makes a good point though, it's only his first year. At the moment, he looks to me to have a lot of raw talent, just needs to refine his skills a bit and build his engine up. Not super quick, but certainly not slow, looks to have improved his pace since earlier in the season too. Loves a chase and a tackle.

Got a bright future ahead of him, as long as he keeps improving. Will benefit from a full pre-season.

CB, not sure really. You'd think he'll probably go early in the rookie draft, or perhaps a club who's had their eyes on him might take a punt with a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Honestly, I think he'll be lucky to get drafted at all, although recently, according a mate who sees quite a bit of the Jets, he hasn't done his chances any harm, and his absolute freakish athletic ability is stuff that recruiters and footy clubs dream of.

Is he the young guy Davey convinced to come and play with us?

What are the odds of him coming to us in one of the drafts?

Yep. I'm also interested to know how he's been going this year, from anyone a bit more informed regarding Casey??

Aaron Davey for 3 years and then hand it over to the Warlpiri Wizard. At 18yrs of age, Liam Jurrah was captain of the Yuendumu Football club, leading guys 10-12 yrs older than himself. I know I'm biased when it comes to Liam, but few believed me when I described him 2 yrs ago as potentially the next Buddy Franklin. Liam is the complete package, and strong leadership is something which comes naturally to him. In his debut game I was not surprised at all to see him directing senior Demon players around him where to go and who to pick up. Don't get fooled by his apparent shyness off the field. It's actually a reflection of his inner strength. He speaks when he needs to.

That would be a great story. Plucked from the remote outback to lead the world's oldest footy club to a premiership!

I don't doubt you either, RudeBoy. I reckon LJ could do just about anything!

Think we should take a punt on this kid from the Western Jets U/18 side, Majak Daw. Some will remember there was an article in the paper about him a few weeks ago that was posted here. He's an 18 year-old Sudanese forward/ruckman, around 197cm with HUGE leap and exceptional pace. Smokey with unlimited potential. People who know him rate him as just as good a chance to make it as Nick Naitanui. Serious athletic ability and the boy can play too.

Have seen him play live for the Jets once last year and in that match saw him take a big pack mark and make some great run-downs. This year he has consolidated his spot in the Jets team and has been improving rapidly. Along with his great leap and speed, has got pretty good skills too. Huge pack marking ability. X-factor written all over him... Long-term project player, definitely worth a punt with a late pick.

I wasn't able to see much of the game, but isn't great to see all young players in the votes. Looks like the only senior player that played well was Green, then we have a mixture of Moloney, Grimes, Bennell, Morton, Bate, Frawley, Petterd, Jurrah and Bartram

Are you basing that on stats alone? Green got a lot of the ball, but his disposal was very un-Green-like for most of the day. Made a lot of errors that u don't normally see from him.

Moloney was far and away our best senior on the day, and the votes indicate that clearly. Not one voter gave him less than 6 votes. It's as unanimous a result as there's been all year.

Personally i hope the Eagles win and lose their PP. It would make that bitter pill all the more easy to swallow should we also (heaven forbid) lose our PP.

14.7-91 Coburg Tigers

def.

13.12-90 Casey Scorpions

Coburg Tigers

Goal Kickers: A. Gilligan 4, J. De Sousa 3, T. Abdallah 2, D. Putt, J. Bassi, J. Saville, J. Kandilakis, C. McErlain

Best Players: R. Jordon, T. Abdallah, N. Wood, L. McQuilken, A. Gilligan, J. Kandilakis

Casey Scorpions

Goal Kickers: W. Lees 3, J. Dean 3, T. Zomer 2, B. Waite, J. Terry, C. Clay, A. Hillberge, S. McLeod

Best Players: P. Liddle, J. Dean, G. Snow, J. Costigan, W. Lees, S. McLeod

Buckley, Spencer, Zomer and T Mac all listed as played.

1 point margin, looks like a thriller.

Good to see Pierce Liddle back and in the bests. Anyone in the know at Casey have an update on him?

FFS, you sit here and tell us that Dunn has aggression, Newton should be ahead of Watts and that Grimes and Morton can't kick, and you think I have no idea about judging talent?

That you've seen Watts and Newton in action so much, and that you still make the calls that you do, is a perfect summary of why most of what you say turns out to be false.

LOL. Owned.

if you mix up a tall redheaded centre half forward with a small skinny brown haired midfielder-half back and make no effort to correct it, there are problems.

How about her call of "Mortram" on the wing... Talk about problems. LOL

Nice write up Jack. Sounds like a great night was had by all, and what a fantastic initiative by the club.

Thanks heaps to RudeBoy, Japajarri and nangala as well. It's wonderful to have people who know Liam personally come on here personally and share their thoughts.

Whilst, Aaron may never lay the big bump, he's the only guy I would put my life on, to be chasing week in, week out. Nobody else does it as consistently as he does and has done. That's leadership too. He does need to learn how to shrug a tag and cope with the niggle, without his constant chasing and offensive and defensive pressure we would be far worse off. The tackle comparison between he and Moloney is rather misleading, as Moloney is playing in a tight, in close position, whereas Aaron is having to do more chasing and arugably applying far more pressure than someone from our midfield. Particularly, one that gets regularly beaten in the clearances. I suppose I wouldn't mind Moloney being captain for a couple of years, but I'd replace him when a few of the younger guys mature (ie Grimes, Watts etc).

Agree on Davey's defensive pressure and chasing. He and brother Alwyn are the best in the business at chasing players down from behind. Good point regarding the tackle count. I guess I only added those stats out of interest more than anything, knowing the differences in the roles they play and the type of player they are.

Back on topic, to be honest i just hope our next captain comes from one of Moloney, Green or Davey.

With Davey, i could see our young indigenous brigade standing that little bit taller with him as their skipper. Might fast-track their development somewhat. He'd also be a fantastic marketing tool, very popular with the kids and media-friendly. Does need to learn to deal with tags and control his temper though.

Green's got the runs on the board, and would be good as a short term-option. His record speaks for itself, and if he doesn't win a B&F before the end of his career, he will just about be the best player to have never won one.

With Moloney, I a huge wrap for Beamer, always have been, and would love to see him lead us to the top once again. His form this year has been 1st class in a midfield that has floundered, and he looks to finally have got his body right. While McLean has gone backwards, Jones stagnated, Bruce much-maligned and McDonald just old, Moloney has stood up as the leader of that division.