Tim

Sadly, silver medals have been our 1 wood this year. 17 of the suckers.

Sure. I crave in my "team" the spirit that lot showed yesterday and over a number of years. The "mighty buck" can't buy that. And speaking about the mighty buck, we'd be up that creek without a paddle if we hadn't had significant injections of that commodity from the same place that the Giants get it. They've used it well, better than we have, and have built something that has respect from many. But you stick with your narrative, I'm sure you enjoy it.

My thinking also. I like the resilience they’ve shown over a number of years now; Saturday’s performance was a good example - overcoming adversity in an exceedingly hostile environment. They are a real football team despite their small nominal support. I salute them.

Our hit out dominance together with what follows it has had me scratching my head for a while, with my thoughts being along the lines of 55 and DJ. Re Bradtke: I think one of his qualities is his capacity below his knees, for one who is so giraffe-like, given his young age. As is well appreciated, he's some years away from being a fully formed unit, but if the other elements of strength and ambition come together, there is something to work with apart from mere height.

He was suspended for a week recently - was that the one?

She's a beauty, and good to see her back in such good nick. However it was sad to see the death of Sea the Class after illness; she gave Enable a big run for her money in the last Arc as a 3yo, and the rematch was going to be something to savour.

Also throw in the Trac (he “threw himself in” over the boundary line in front of the Members Stand)....

One player not mentioned (I don’t think) would be the first picked for mine. Alistair Clarkson (position: captain coach). Don’t worry about the stats count, will do his best work on the bench.

Is that the same brand that beat WCE in Perth at the 2 previous outings, and got hold of Adelaide the last 2 times at Adelaide Oval? Tough and memorable wins all of them. No doubt WCE were just foxing....

Played well, building a body of work. The back line was a well-organised unit and he was a key part of that.

Congrats, Big Fella! Enjoy, and have a great one!

If that’s the case, why was it that our best wins over the previous 2 seasons were when Hogan was out injured?

Gawn Oliver Jones Petracca Fritsch Salem

Nail on head!

Agree, and they’re an interesting pair. As I posted in the Casey thread they have some nice attributes, incl. competitiveness, skills and speed (esp Bedford). Looking forward to watching their development, and they will bring some needed qualities if they can proof up at AFL level.

Thought Stretch was good. Liked Declan Keilty’s game, also. Both looked like they could handle a call up if needed. The 2 smalls were interesting - Chandler and Bedford. Perhaps a little slow to start, but both showed quite a bit as the game progressed. Kade’s got a competitive, hard-working approach to the game and Toby has pace and intensity. Works in progress, but I like their skills sets. Kade likes to fly at times, and will snag a ripper at some point if he’s allowed the license to fly from time to time. It was good to see Oskar Baker getting through the game after the soft tissue issues he’s been having. He was probably even showing a fraction more toe today - his hair stylist has given him a ‘do with less air resistance (and a slightly different colour?). Took me a while to realise who it was in the #56! KK worked into the game, and agree with Drunken that he looks not far off. Can’t wait to see him in the seniors. Wonder if it’s a question of match fitness and conditioning as to when he plays for MFC. (Although the lack of such didn’t seem to stop several getting games yesterday!?) Preuss was a mixed bag. Was quite good in the ruck, didn’t offer much around the ground and was not bad using his strength in clearances after ball ups - although I’m not sure how well he’d get away with that in the AFL. Amid calls to get him in to give assistance to Max, I’m not quite sure how well the twin towers strategy would work. James Jordon was effective in the backline, and took the kick-ins. A beautiful user of the ball.

Reckon it was Tim Mohr, fwiw.

The blond-haired one wearing #9? You’ve gotta be kidding!

Just listening to Jade Rawlings on SEN, and he mentioned the new recruits who’ll be stepping out for Casey on Sunday. If I heard correctly Tom Sparrow’s name wasn’t one of them, suggesting he’ll play against Port. Or Twig had a moment of forgetfulness...

Currently on now.

Fantastic report, BB. I have been a casual dropper-in at training, as I pass through that area from time to time, and see the odd 10-15 minutes. I couldn't get to Casey on Saturday, but your comments on 3 of the youngsters resonated with me in terms of the bits of training I've seen this pre-season. Toby Bedford and Kade Chandler have impressed me with their intensity and skills, as well as Toby showing some real toe. They are obviously very early in their development, and it's good to see them showing something in a game, even though Toby's was more cameo by your account. I can't get out of my mind the tackle he did on Gawn in a session before Christmas where he hung on with intensity, swinging like clothes on a clothesline on a windy day - I was worried that Gawny would cop an injury so intense was the prolonged tackle! Young Bradtke looks several pre-seasons away from having a body that can compete at the highest level, but I do like his skill level. Doesn't look like the lumbering tall type, and he moves well and executes neatly. Just shows how tricky it is with ruck types in being able to bring together physical presence with good footy attributes. Hell, Max Gawn's 27, a star of the game, and a 10 season veteran. And he still hasn't played 100 games!

Agree. Can't believe what some other posters are talking about here.

Isn’t it played on the Sunday of the October long weekend?

Track watchers might say our form lines are starting to take a bit of an uptick atm, given the 2-0 shellacking Sri Lanka’s just handed out to the home team in the Test series in South Africa.

Apparently after 11 this morning, Zeph.