MadAsHell

No Jordon named for Casey, so looks like he's the 23rd man. Just a question of who else from Melksham, Tomlinson and Dunstan travel to Perth?

Cricket news may be pretty quiet until the World Test Championship and Ashes later in the year, but I just realised this year marks 10 years since our fascinating World Cricket draft. Should we do another 10 years on? Can now also have the option of including players from Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland?? What do we think @Rogue @Biffen @Macca @H_T @titan_uranus @45HG @Scipio ?

Don't recall saying I wanted to drop him. In fact I seem to remember saying he would be really stiff. Spots are at a premium and it's one of him, Nibbler or Spargo to make way as the most like for likes. Whoever loses their spot is stiff.

Confused as to people calling for Disco Turner to come into the side, given he's missed the first two rounds of the VFL. So I think there's zero chance of that happening. IN: McDonald, Pickett OUT: Brown (managed), Chandler (unlucky) I'd take Chandler over as a 24th player in case there's any late injuries/outs, but I just see him as the most likelt and like for like to give way to Kozzi. Though if there are some issues around Hibberd's health, then I'd rest him and have Brayshaw and potentially even Jordon (spent 2019 at Casey playing half back) playing more half back. Considered bringing Howes in, but I'd like to see him bang the door down a bit more. So Howes and Tomlinson the other two emergencies named with Melksham and Chandler outside the main 22.

Was an interesting match today. Considering the Swans kicked a couple of junk time goals and Casey still won by 7 goals, one would think they completely dominated the match, however at stages it felt like Sydney could have easily won the match. Sydney dominated the first quarter and large portions of the 3rd term, however they missed some gettable shots and Casey were very good at getting goals when required against the grain which was the difference between the two sides. I was more impressed with Casey's win this week then I was last week. Last week we pretty much dominated the game and it was only as close as it was because we kicked 1.9 to start the match. This week Sydney were right in the match and dominated sections of the match. We also only had 11 senior listed players in the team this week compared to 16 last week I think it was. A great team effort in the circumstances. A few things of note today; 1. Both Tom McDonald and Adam Tomlinson played like men desperate to get back in the seniors. McDonald marked everything that came his way and was a constant presence, while Tomlinson was a real general down back. Tomlinson had his hands full at times, as the battle between he and Hayden McLean was a good contest to watch with them out-bodying each other on different occasions, but if you had to award the points one way or the other, you'd have to give them to Tomlinson. Also their leadership and instructions to team-mates and where to go was top notch. 26 minutes into the final term and 7 goals up and Tomlinson was still telling the midfielders off for giving up 4 clearances in a row. Was great to see. 2. Both Sestan and Moniz-Wakefield have real x-factor about them. Sestan didn't get much of it, but he kicked 2 and created plenty of opportunities for others. He's a natural goal kicker by the looks of things and I can see him keeping the pressure on someone like Fritsch as a mid sized forward. While Moniz-Wakefield looks really clean and dangerous whenever he's around. He also looks pretty good in the air. Just needs to get a left foot IMO. 3. Matt Jefferson has sticky hands. Love his marking ability and I expect that he'll have a strong year at Casey before getting a bit more muscle on his frame before he can put his hand up in 2024 and beyond for a senior chance. 4. I like Hayden McLean from Sydney. A few years ago I'd suggest we target him as a potential target. Though with Van Rooyen and Jefferson coming through the ranks and Setan a good mid-sized developing player as well, he probably isn't on our radar. One to keep an eye on though. 5. The egg and bacon rolls were back!

Interesting quarter that one. Sydney got the game on their terms being a contested slog, but missed a few opportunities and as such it was 2 goals to nil to Casey for the quarter. Tomlinson had a great quarter as did McDonald with some real nice work from both Dunstan and Howes. For those curious, Jefferson got his 3rd by taking a nice contested mark in the goal square after a shot for goal (from McDonald I think) fell short.

Probably because Footscray are a Western Bulldogs reserves team entered into the VFL competition while Casey/old Springvale are a VFL team we have an alignment with.

Much better 2nd term by Casey as far as general play goes, though I'm still nervous with Sydney's superiority in the air. McLean is giving Tomlinson a good battle and with Disco Turner out of the team and Adams still finding his feet, it means our defence is a bit more suspect then normal. Loving the glimpses of something both Sestan and Moniz-Wakefield have shown.

One quarter down and the Dees lead by a goal despite Swans dominating general play. They also look to be giving us trouble aerialy as well. Let's hope Casey can get more of the ball this quarter and get a bit more separation on the score board.

Went along to the game yesterday and was quite an enjoyable one to watch. Was happy for my concerns about their pre-season form to be put to bed. Once the real stuff started and they were playing at home, it was back to regular viewing. Given the games are now streamed and everyone can watch them I don't really feel the need to do one of my old break downs of all the Melbourne listed players, but just a couple of observations from the day. 1. I think Casey have found themselves a player in Miles Shepherd. I know he debuted back in 2021, but this is the first time I've ever really noticed him and I thought both he along with Kye Turner and Hibberd gave Casey plenty of run and rebound off half back. 2. Bacon & Egg rolls were gone from the menu. Well they were on the menu, but not available. I hope this never happens again! 3. Based off today, I hold some hope for Josh Schache that he can still have value at AFL level. Won't ever be a star, but he showed some real signs today. Shame he got concussed. 4. They need to find a way to get Van Rooyen games at Senior level this year. I really like what I saw from him today. The way he launches himself at the football and an ability to just hang in the air when at the height of his jump. Kid will be something!

6. Grundy 12. Hunter 19. Schache 26. Jefferson 28. Sestan 33. Verrall (saw him wearing it in U18 footage) 38. Adams (saw him wearing it in U18 footage) 47. Farris-White (seems done already) 39 available for a potential pre season rookie selection. 2 & 29 remain available of all numbers between 1-42. 2 out of respect for Jones until a worthy recipient comes along. 29 just because.

Reckon the Dolphins will provide stiff competition for his services.

I like the fact that Verrall is already 95kg, meaning physically he doesn't require as much development as Farris-White. Having Grundy as a mentor for Verrall (both drafted out of SA) and Gawn mentor Farris-White works well. Both kids get to learn off one of the games best rucks, and neither of our senior rucks are stretched too thin.

I agree with your opening point, which is why I said with our 1st pick we should target Teal or Gilbee. Talls numbers wise are fine, but broadly speaking has its issues which is why I think Walker is a good temporary option. T. Mc and B Brown could well have used up all their petrol tickets, Grundy has struggled to get on the park the last 2 years while May and Gawn are now both over 30 where injuries can start to mount up. I agree Van Rooyen is ready for more responsibility, however whether Turner will make it is still an unknown and I don't know how much confidence I have in someone like Schache. Walker can play at either end and in the ruck. And at the very least for the cost of a 3rd Round Rookie pick he provides some protection to the likes of Farris-White, Jefferson and Adams at Casey.

Well we lost Mitch Brown, Daw and Weideman from last session and so far replaced them with Grundy and Schache plus two kids who aren't ready to play. Throw in the fact there's major question marks over both Ben Brown and McDonald's bodies, I'd say one more mature tall doesn't hurt.

With our first pick I'd be keen on Luke Teal or Jason Gilbee. Second pick I'd love to see us take a punt on Archie Lovelock. Third pick the mature age Josh Walker I think would be worth a go as I don't suspect Jefferson or Adams will be ready for a senior call up anytime soon. Luke Teal: Jason Gilbee: Archie Lovelock: Josh Walker:

I certainly agree with this point. If you were to have a team based in Northern Australia, they'd probably need about 3 home grounds to be commercially sustainable. 4 home games in Darwin, another 4 in Cairns and maybe 3 out of Townsville?

I'm glad it looks like Tassie will finally get a team in the AFL and its well and truly overdue. I share the concerns of some others with the unevenness a 19 team competition creates with the bye and and also the lack of talent to support 19 teams. The solution IMO, is three fold. 1. Reduce list sizes to approx 35 and have clubs able to play anyone on their VFL/SANFL/WAFL teams in the seniors if they have too many injuries. 2. Bring in a 20th team. Whether one based in Northern Australia, a third team out of Perth or maybe somewhere like Canberra or Newcastle are the best potential options I'm not sure. But 20 teams would be best. 3. Two divisions, whether you want to call them premier division and secondary division or premier and national? The premier could be 12 teams where everyone plays eachother twice. Top 6 make the finals for a 4 week finals series like they had from 91-93. While national could be 8 teams where everyone plays eachother three times (21 times) meaning the AFL can do their stupid magic round with that competition. Finals for this competition can be top 4 in a three week finals series which means it would likely conclude Semi Final weekend of the Premier division. Every year the wooden spooner of premier division is relegated while the premier from National is promoted. This could IMO be the best way to combat an uneven competition and the uncompetitiveness of some teams.

That is true. But he's played 2 games in the last 5 years and can only play as a ruckman. Could get in the way of the development of Farris-White.

Because of the way our list is looking we won't pick up anyone as a DFA, but might look to rookie list someone. For mine, if we're looking for some back up in the ruck, but also someone who won't impede the development of our Category B rookie, then Josh Walker is our best bet. Can play ruck, forward or back, so we can play him wherever needed at Casey. Low cost, max value rookie selection in a shallow draft pool.

If Hollands is gone by the time our pick comes around, then I'd be happy to take a punt on George.

FB: Lever, May, Bowey HB: Hibberd, Petty, Salem C: Langdon, Petracca, Hunter HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Spargo FF: Fritsch, Brown, Pickett FOLL: Gawn, Viney, Oliver INT: Brayshaw, Grundy, Harmes, Sparrow EMERG: Jordon, Rivers, Turner, Van Rooyen Pressure on the likes of Brown, Neal-Bullen and Spargo to hold their spots with the emergencies as well as Laurie, Howes, Dunstan and Pick 13 (Hollands??) keeping the pressure on for spots.

Is that so? I haven't heard/seen that? Personally I wouldn't be shocked to see them draft another tall like they did with Mac Andrew last year. They have mids coming out of their ears, where as their tall stocks aren't quite that. Especially factoring in an ageing Casboult and NQR Sam Day. Time will tell I guess.

True, however Binns is also a noted half forward. Hollands I see as our long term wingman opposite Lingers. Hunter will be 28 at the start of next year and there will be some question marks if he can get back to his best. Also FWIW I'd really like us to get Teal at Pick 37 as a Hibberd replacement. But reckon Port will be all over him the pick before.

Yes we had Ben Holland, however believe it or not there was also a Ben Hollands around the same time who played a few games at Richmond. He's the old man of this kid.