MadAsHell

Yep. Garland, Frost, Vandenberg, Tengove, Kent, Salem, Petracca Throw in Dawes & Kennedy-Harris not fit for AFL selection & then Jamar (who on form is still best 22) into the mix and we're one short of half the team!

From a personal point of view I'd of thought it'd be Harmes, but that's just me. Main thing we lack is midfield depth as well as run & spread. This is something that Harmes has an ability to bring. In weeks previously with Neal-Bullen, Michie, Riley, McKenzie etc in Casey's team, Harmes was more often then not playing half forward or wing and not getting much time in the middle. His form in those positions was quite solid without being spectacular, however he's one of those players that even though he may only get 15 touches in those positions, he stands out. Case in point was our game against Richmond VFL on a Saturday Night, where he only had 14 or 15 touches, but got some really vital ones in the final term, putting the ball inside 50. The weekend gone was his first real chance to play pure inside and he had close to 30 touches, while doing a number on Uysal from Coburg who is one of their best players. His pace is very good and he's also strong overhead. So he's a player who's shown an ability to play inside & out while also at half forward, has an ability to hit the score board also. Think he's kicked maybe about 5 goals this year including 2 v Essendon. King could be everything we're looking for, however he's certainly a work in progress. Not long ago I thought he'd be gone at seasons end, so he's certainly shown me up. That forward/ruck role in a really important slot, and he's showing a potential to be the man to fill that role for us, but we shouldn't try and fast track him as he's coming from a long way back from a development point of view. He also had a bad injury last year, so giving him that 3rd year on the rookie list is no harm. Then there's Mitch White who plays another vital role we need filling as a half back with a beautiful left foot penetrating kick. Like Harmes, he seems strong overhead and although he has an awkward running style, his pace seems ok as he's normally playing on one of the opposition's small forwards. From memory he would often play on talls in the TAC Cup with Stingrays, so he could become a real valuable versatile defender. Given it's his first year this year though, I'd expect he'll get a 2nd year on the list like Harmes & King did last year. So yeah coming into this years draft which is pretty weak, it wouldn't suprise me to see us only take maybe 2 live picks in while upgrading Vandenberg & one other. In my opinion that other would be Harmes, however depending on who we get in through trades/free agency it may be more appropriate to upgrade one of the others. So the good news is for the first time ever in my memory, I think all of the rookies on our rookie list could become good players for us. But there's still a lot of water to pass under the bridge yet.

Surely not!?? And I'd rather keep Col then let him walk. Don't have an issue with any of your other suggestions, although I believe all of M. Jones, Michie and Terlich are contracted...

We lacked speed and spread. My changes: IN: Dawes, Fitzpatrick, Harmes OUT: Pedersen (inj), Michie (omit), Neal-Bullen (omit) FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Jetta HB: Cross, T. McDonald, Grimes C: Lumumba, Vince, Tyson HF: Watts, Dawes, Harmes FF: Howe, Hogan, Garlett FOLL: Gawn, Brayshaw, N. Jones INT: Riley, Toumpas, Viney SUB: Stretch EMERG: M. Jones, Neal-Bullen, Terlich I'm concerned about both Hogan & Brayshaw, as they both looked to be on one leg by the end of the game, but hopefully they'll come up. Neal-Bullen a bit unlucky, but just think we need a few more runners and Harmes provides that with his pace as well as ability to play forward. Think Alex is still pretty much just an inside mid at this stage. Billy Stretch on the other hand I thought showed a bit last night, so happy for him to stay in as the sub. So match ups in defence, I'd expect T. Mac on Hawkins, Fitzpatrick to follow Walker around, including when he goes into the ruck and Dunn on Kersten. Looks like Blicvas will have to ruck for Geelong, given the injuries to Stanley, Clark, Vardy, McIntosh and I think Simpson also? Which helps us, as if Blicvas was allowed to just play as a midfielder again, we'd struggle for match ups. Was thinking we'd need to move Dunn into the midfield to run with Blicvas and get Grimes or Lumumba to cover Kersten which is always an option. Anyway, expecting a flogging, especially if Hogan & Brayshaw don't get up, but hoping we can bounce back and score a famous win! I have no doubt we have the ability to do it. Just a question of beating our own Demons in order to do it. Just shattered we couldn't do it last night. Edit: Wrong player name.

I was at the game and personaly i would of had him in my top half dozen for Casey at least. Thought Morris, Harmes, Hutchins and Bail were best and would probably been a flip of the coin as to who to name next between King, White & Jamar.As i mentioned earlier i'm amazed Newton was named in the best and although Matt Jones got a bit of the ball, i didn't think he had much of an impact.

Got home from the game and drank half a bottle of red to try and forget about it. Woke up at 4:15am still spewing! Slowly getting over it now, but it still hurts! We were poor bar the final 5min of the 2nd term, i put this as our worst performance of the year after the Hawthorn game and that actually helps. If we can play that badly with 9 of our 22 out, loosing Pedersen and having both Hogan and Brayshaw on one leg and be in a position where we should have been able to close out a win against a team that only has 3 on the injury list. Well, then i guess we must be on the right track! Last night still really sucked though! I've been with my st kilda supporting wife now since 2008, and am still yet to notch a win over her.

Would explain his demeanor at the 3/4 time huddle then.

Ventured down today and was good to see them get the win while not playing their best. Credit has to go to Coburg for turning it into an arm wrestle, but Casey certainly missed Neal-Bullen and Michie as they were smashed out of the middle. Here's my thoughts on Melbourne's players: Chris Dawes: Competed hard all day and laid a lot of hard tackles which was good to see. Didn't really clunk any big contested marks, but kicked the sealing goal late. Needs another week at VFL level baring injury to Hogan or Pedersen. Jordie McKenzie: Was busy and kicked a goal in the final term. No major blunders, so not a huge amount to say about Jordie today. Ben Newton: Was very suprised to see Newton listed in the best. I barley sighted him today, especially after half time. Not saying he was, but at the 3/4 time huddle he almost looked disinterested with his arms crossed. That just could be him though, so i stand to be corrected. Oscar McDonald: Solid game without being spectacular. Spoilt well and is starting to back his pace at running off his opponent a bit more which is good to see. Mark Jamar: Was very good today i thought. Dominated his opponent in the ruck and took a few marks and got more of the ball around the ground. Missed a shot at goal in the third term he should have kicked, but i reckon we'll see him back in the team for Darwin Mitch White: Very good today defensively and offensively! Reads the play well and constantly peeled off his man and set up a number of offensive plays. Was quieter in the 2nd half, but another encouraging display. Jake Spencer: Solid game from Jake. Managed to take a few marks around the ground and kick 2 goals which was good. Wasn't as dominant in the ruck as Russian was, but he's kept his name up there. James Harmes: If it weren't for Max's bag of 5, this is the guy we would have been talking about. Was BOG to half time in my book, winning plenty of clearances and getting it on the outside also. Seemed to drift out of the game in the 3rd term and early part of the 4th, howevet when the game was in the balance he came back late winning some clearances out of the middle and driving the ball forward. Was the guy who set up McKenzie's mark and goal for Casey's 2nd last. Another thing i liked about his game was when he did make the odd mistake, he fought to win the ball back and make sure any error wasn't costly. Rohan Bail: Probably the best game i've seen him play. Was a real link man providing plenty of run and actually used it pretty well. I wouldn't love the odds of that translating into AFL form though. Matt Jones: Got plenty of it and ran hard, but he didn't seem to have the impact that Harmes & Bail had for me. Seemed reluctant to move the ball quickly and i thought stifled a few potential quick entries in the 3rd term. Max King: What can you say. A month ago i had this guy penciled in to be delisted. Now he could be anything! Played stay at home forward, but he's agile and kicks it beautifully. Don't think we'll see him lining up for the Dees anytime soon, but he's certainly one to watch. Also i should mention i though Morris from Casey was great and most consistent over the 4 quarters. Very creative and was our best when Coburg were on top in the 3rd. Hutchins was also great. Was a one man wall across half back, cutting off several forward thrusts from Coburg. End of the day Casey probably should have won by more. Were 7.0 at one stage, and from there kicked another 7.13, while Coburg kicked straight all day. Thought they were in trouble at 3/4 time, so did really well to fight out the 4 points and end of the day, that's all that matters. I'll also say for those worried, don't be concerned about Viney withdrawing tomorrow. Goodwin said Fitz has pulled up with a niggle, so Terlich is the carry over player.

Jordie McKenzie Viv Michie Jack Grimes Mark Jamar Rohan Bail Dean Terlich Have to be the main suspects. Matt Jones has been in the side recently while Riley & Gawn's back in so doubt it would have been either of them.

And that every player on it is in our best 22!

Well certainly still think Tyson & Grimes are certain to come in. For me it then becomes a question of one of Michie/Neal-Bullen to come in as an inside midfielder and one of Harmes/Stretch to come in and play half forward to provide some run, spread and forward pressure.

Will also be a battle for Grimes to get to 100 this year. Sits out more then two more games and he'll likely be doing it with someone else next year.

Poor skipper having to play game number 200 over in the west!

Must have missed that. Don't recall ANB even being referenced in the presser.

Only reason being that I think it showed that Stretch probably wasn't quite ready. Harmes has had an extra pre-season under his belt and is a bit more physically developed. Can also play inside if needed, although wouldn't be likely. Could just as easily go with Stretch to, but I suspect they may try and avoid playing him at senior level again this year unless he's absolutely banging the door down. I reckon he'll be a player though.

Given the news today about Col. IN: Grimes, Harmes (need to speed/spread), Neal-Bullen, Tyson OUT: Garland (inj), Vandenberg (inj), M. Jones, Newton FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Jetta HB: Cross, T. McDonald, Grimes C: Lumumba, Vince, Tyson HF: Watts, Pedersen, Harmes FF: Howe, Hogan, Garlett FOLL: Gawn, Brayshaw, N. Jones INT: Neal-Bullen, Toumpas, Viney SUB: Riley EMERG: Jamar, Michie (non playing ermergency), Stretch Michie cover for Viney's cork.

Well according to the stats for their careers so far, and keeping in mind that Gawn is the youngest: Gawn averages: More Kicks More Handballs More Disposals More Marks More Behinds Less Free Kicks against then both Jamar & Spencer per game Is equal with Jamar for goals per game also/ Jamar & Spencer are equal for hotouts per game. Spencer averages more tackles per game Gives away more free kicks and that's it. So personally I'd be going with Gawn. Play Jamar in Darwin as you need someone who you know will run out the game there and a farewell game in Round 23, but for the other 10 games it's time to get miles into Gawn for me.

Just thought he's struggled the last two weeks. Certainly dropped as far as score board impact goes. Dawes has had a good period of time t get himself right now. He and Hogan could dwarf the St Kilda backs this weekend.

IN: Dawes, Grimes, Harmes, Tyson OUT: Vandenberg (inj), M. Jones, Newton, Pedersen FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Jetta HB: Garland, T. McDonald, Lumumba C: Toumpas, Vince, Tyson HF: Watts, Hogan, Harmes FF: Howe, Dawes, Garlett FOLL: Gawn, Cross, N. Jones INT: Brayshaw, Grimes, Viney SUB: Riley EMERG: Bail, Jamar, Michie Grimes in for Vanders and move to half back allowing Cross to take Vanders spot in the midfield as a big bodied midfielder. Dawes for Pedersen is like for like. Tyson for Matt Jones makes obvious sense. Would bring in Harmes for Newton. Suspect Roos was talking about Ben when he mentioned new players/players from other clubs not listening and that he was the one suppose to manup on Oxley. Harmes will add some pace and can hopefully provide some forward pressure. Pace being the reason I'd play him ahead of ANB. Michie to be the non playing emergency as I want ANB to get the game time at Casey rather then be the emergency.

To young to ever go to Waverley?

While i agree with what many posters have said in here about the talent on our list in 1994, it has to be conceded that we did finish 7th after the home & away season. So considering no one has won the premiership from lower then 5th, it's a stretch to say we could/should have won it. 1990 & 1998 for mine. Arguably 2004 also with a loss to the wooden spoon blues knocking us out of the top 4 after being on top after round 18. Edit: Loss to blues.

If you were to freeze the ladder where it is now our first pick in the draft will be pick 4. So: Howe, Grimes, Pick 4 & 22 to Gold Coast for Prestia, Dixon, Gorringe & Pick 56. Fitzpatrick to Port Adelaide Port trade Mason Shaw to Fremantle Freo trade us Hayden Crozier Watts & Pick 40 to Brisbane Pick 21 back to us. Picks 56 & 58 to Adelaide They could be willing to send Pick 48 back given their draft sanctions previously. So Prestia (midfielder), Crozier (medium forward/mid), Dixon (key forward/relief ruck), Gorringe (ruck) come in along with picks 21 & 48. OUT: Watts, Howe, Grimes, Fitzpatrick, Picks 4, 22, 40 & 58. I can dream can't I!

Would the Dees look to move into Waverley to finally have the whole club in the one venue?

For me 1998 is still the year that got away. Had the perfect balance of youth and experience. Were on an absolute role heading into the Prelim having beaten the previous years Grand Finalists in the first two weeks of the finals by 40+ points. Yet we get drawn to play the equally hot North Melbourne while Adelaide who we thumped in the first week get the 2nd ranked Bulldogs! We also let ourselves down in the Prelim. Had all the play for the first 10-15min to register 1.3 early I think it was and then let North outmuscle us. Your commentary about 1990 does bring back some childhood memories though. Thanks for the trip! Edit: Spelling