Fat Tony

Hawthorn have won a lot of close games this season and they aren't the force of previous years. They have only the sixth best percentage in the competition and Carlton were in the game against them last week. I am not saying we should expect to win, but we shouldn't fear playing a first gamer.

I think he plays a bit like Kennedy too. Hopefully he can be anywhere near as good.

Good selection IMO. We cannot make finals, so it is time to give our untried kids a taste. He won't be ready, but he will be better for it next year.

Rebuilding through the draft is very difficult (as we all know) and Prestia is still young enough for Richmond. I don't think he suits our needs, but he will be well worth the trade for the Tigers if he can get on the park.

I think Trengove needs a good finish to the season, even if it is just in the VFL.

Let's not get carried away with Dawes' game. He had 8 possessions and zero contested marks according to the stats sheet. http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/C/Chris_Dawes.html (He did take two clean marks in the hands which drew Bronx cheers from the crowd.) Dawes is a key forward who is poor both in the air and on the ground and is not going to be part of the future. We should give Weideman the last four games of the season now that we cannot make finals.

Although Vickery is a free agent, it is a no for me. Rationale: I understand he is not a traditional second ruck/forward, but I think we already have the best player for Vickery's position in the AFL in Jack Watts. Watts has averaged 17.9 disposals, 7.0 marks, 1.7 goals, 3.2 hit outs and 93.8 Supercoach points since round 9 (when Pedersen was out of the team). While Watts is often beaten in the hit outs, he is very good at wining the clearances when the ball hits the deck and offers a more mobile option around the ground.

Dawes, Harmes and Garlett were poor yesterday and should be omitted. Oliver and Kennedy looked the best players for Casey in the half I saw. And it will be beneficial for the long term to give an in form Weideman a taste at AFL level. Garlett gets a reprieve if Hogan doesn't get up. (I actually prefer the team balance when we go smaller in the forward line.)

We are averaging 96.5 points per game this season. Our forward line is not a problem IMO.

We are averaging 96.5 points per game this season. Our forward line is not a problem IMO.

IMO we would be better off playing another midfielder and relying on the small forwards. Occasionally you get out marked, but players like Petracca, Vandenberg and Brayshaw can provide a decent contest and are much better when the ball hits the deck and provide more pressure.

Garland for O Mac, who just doesn't have the intensity required at present. Brayshaw for Dawes. Dawes looks finished IMO and we would be better off with another runner, particularly in Darwin give the dew. I'd like to see Grimes come in, but there isn't a spot.

Oscar is way off the pace and a liability. He might make it, but we shouldn't be gifting him games. And Grimes for Wagner is a bit of deck chair shuffling, but we need reward his good form at Casey.

At this stage I would be looking at: Garland for Oscar McDonald (soft, lacking intensity, 18 months away) Matt Jones for Vince (suspended) Grimes for Wagner (makes too many dumb decisions) Lucky: Trengove, Stretch, Vandenberg, Dawes, Kennedy

Hopefully Michie comes in for Dawes or Oscar given the weather.

CASEY SCORPIONS Goal Kickers: J. Spencer 4, L. Hulett 4, J. Harmes 3, A. Brayshaw 2, A. Scott 2, T. Smith, J. Garlett, M. King, B. Newton Best Players: J. Harmes, M. Jones, A. Brayshaw, A. Neal-Bullen, J. Spencer, C. Garland

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-18/demon-finds-form-on-road-back-from-concussions

Great to hear that Brayshaw got through unscathed.

I am guessing, but Grimes may have been the second emergency and the club might have been worried about Viney and then another player pulling out at the last minute.

The weather forecast is for 15-40mm of rain on Sunday. With that in mind, I would look at resting Dawes and bringing in another wet tracker like Michie.

After a game where we played just OK but won easily and everyone contributed, I would like to see one change: Garland for Oscar McDonald. Oscar played his best game yesterday, but he is not in our best 22 IMO and Garland is ahead of him at this point. We may get away with it in Sydney on the small SCG, but I don’t think we can get away with playing all three of Tyson, Trengove and Oliver in the same midfield over the long term. I think the balance of our side would look better with Matt Jones, Harmes or Grimes coming in for Trengove or Oliver. I would also like to bring Garlett back in, but he needs a good game in the VFL before this can happen.

The Pies side includes Grundy, Witts, Cox and White. And they will still lose the ruck.

Dawes?

I think the third fine is a week.

How many fines is that for N Jones this year? Is he on his last warning?