MadAsHell

So Todd Viney was a great player! Favourite memory would have to be his first half dozen games of the 98' season where he seemed to win every clearance he was involved in!

James Aish, Zak Jones & Daniel Gorringe will be our targets I reckon.

So it seems the question marks will be around Dawes, Jetta & Salem's availability. In an ideal world I'd be going with IN: Dawes, Jetta OUT: McKenzie, Watts FB: Garland, Dunn, Jetta HB: Howe, T. McDonald, Salem C: Lumumba, Vince, Tyson HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris FF: Pedersen, Dawes, Garlett FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones INT: Brayshaw, Grimes, Michie SUB: Newton Emergencies I'd select as the cover for the three with question marks over them. Watts would have to be cover for Dawes as we don't have any other tall forward options. I'd then look at Bail & Reilly as cover for Salem & Jetta, but giving Bail first dibs given his superior running ability. EMERG: Bail, Reilly, Watts No offence to McKenzie, but I hope he doesn't play again. His disposal is shocking and at least Reilly has better ball winning ability to Jordie

What Clint Bizkit said!

Reckon that at least three wont play. Casey play at noon and Melbourne just after 1pm. Reckon one of the emergencies will stay at the G at least until the bounce in case of an injury in the warm up. Has happened before.

I'd go with: FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Salem HB: Garland, T. McDonald, Grimes C: Lumumba, Vince, Tyson HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris FF: Watts, Dawes, Garlett FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones INT: Brayshaw, Howe, Michie SUB: Newton EMERG: Harmes, Reilly, Spencer If tyson doesn't get up i'd start newton and give harmes a debut as the sub. Fitz to play on the resting ruckman and can give jamar a chop out.

Is that you Alex?

If Tyson doesn't get up for the Freo match I actually reckon Harmes could be a smokey to make his debut. Has pace, is a bigger body then Stretch and has continued to improve. Justin Plapp seems to talk him up everytime he mentions Harmes. Can play inside and outside Harmes, so ticks a lot of boxes. Think they'll be reluctant to play Stretch this year given his frame. He'll need to blast the door down to get a game or have the club really hit hard with injuries.

Good to see both Stretch & Harmes continue to get a bit of the ball.

According to the law what Clarkson did does equal assault, but having said that it can also be that the drunkn moron did to. If Clarkson & co can actually argue that he was in fear of being assaulted then a decent soli will be able to get them off. In my line of work I've seen someone glass another person and get off on self defence despite the fact they were never physically touched. Fair end result from the AFL point of view is Clarkson has a suspended fine & makes a donation to the One Punch charity, think the name is Step Back Think. The fan is banned from attending AFL matches for a year with an apology & completion of alcohol awarness course or life if he refuses the course + apology.

This is why I think Fitzpatrick would be a good one to come into the team. Can play down back on the resting ruck and when they go into the ruck so does Fitzy. Pretty much play him as a tagger in a way. Frees up Lumumba or Howe to spend more time on a wing.

While the team was a rabble last year it must be said, he did manage to win a VFL B&F with only playing I think it was 6 of 18 games. He's got huge upside. I agree that it hasn't translated into his AFL career yet. I'd love it if Gawn had Spencer's determination. Hopefully that will come.

After today's VFL game and the news about Tyson, I reckon the three changes should be: Fitzpatrick for Kent Grimes for Jetta M. Jones for Tyson FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Salem HB: Garland, McDonald, Lumumba C: Howe, Vince, Newton HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris FF: Watts, Dawes, Garlett FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones INT: Brayshaw, Grimes, Michie SUB: M. Jones With Fitzy going back to run around with Zac Clarke, I'd move Howe onto a wing so we can use his speed. Salem can cover Walters and I'd get the experienced Lumumba or maybe Grimes to mind Ballantyne. McDonald gets Pav, Dunn onto Taberet or whatever his name is and Garland to take Fyfe when he drifts forward. Matt Jones as sub to provide some run when he comes on.

Wasn't there today, but wondering how Harmes went? Given there's a cloud over Tyson and the limitations we know about some of our other players, wondering if there's any chance of a call up for him? He's been talked up highly by Plapp on a few occasions and did pretty well in Round 1. Good pace and can play inside & outside mid and as a half forward. So peoples thoughts and a run down on how he went would be great?

Reckon he'll still get overlooked for the rising star nomination this week. They'll give it to Cripps of Carlton. 33 touches and a goal!

Michie was great and as mentioned, has all the attributes to become an important foot soldier in our midfield rotation. Also agree with the remarks re: Cross. He's been great since he's come across, but expect by the end of the year he should be struggling to hold a spot. Wouldn't be against giving him 1 more year, as long as it's mainly just to play at Casey and be available to call upon if we have a bad run with injuries. Would be nice to help him get to 250 AFL games.

Given our next three games are against teams that play two ruckmen, I think a 2nd ruck is something that needs to be looked at. So changes I'd make are: OUT: Jetta (conc) Kent (inj) IN: Fitzpatrick & one of Bail, M. Jones, Toumpas I'd bring Fitzy in and effectively use him as a tall defender/tagger. Get him to follow Zac Clarke arounf all day, so when Clarke's forward, Fitz is on him, and when Clarke goes into the ruck so does Fitz. Can then do the same against Ceglar & Tippett. Having Fitz in the back 6 would allow Howe to play as more of a utility to wherever he's needed. I'd let tomorrow dictate who I'd bring in for Kent, but I'd be looking at one of Bail, M. Jones or Toumpas to play as the sub who can come on to add some run. Only thing they all lack that Kent has though is Kent's toughness at the contest. FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Salem HB: Garland, McDonald, Lumumbaa C: Michie, Vince, Tyson HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris FF: Watts, Dawes, Garlett FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones INT: Brayshaw, Howe, Newton SUB: Bail/M. Jones/Toumpas???

Anyone know if there is anywhere you can watch what was shown on TV? Was there also and was fantastic, but would love to see how it looked from the other perspective.

Hope he stays, but in all honesty it wouldn't bother me to much as I'm expecting one of him or Watts to be traded out at years end. Two flankers who can swing to either end of the ground but neither capable of playing in the heart of the midfield is probably one to many.

Clinton Grybas was my favourite (RIP) If I could hand pick a line up to commentate every game I'd just go with: Anthony Hudson & Tim Lane for the main call. Two of the few professionals still in the game. Michael Voss for Special comments. Loved his work in the media when he was doing that. Tiffany Cherry Boundary Rider: Doesn't try and make it all about her which nearly every boundary rider is guilty of! Knows her sports medicine to!

Frost definatly out. Kent & Vince in doubt with potential suspension. Michie, Pedersen & Toumpas would have to be the three in line as replacements. Pedersen in for Frost if we're going like for like, but if we're after more run then Michie's form deserves a call up. Availability of Kent & Vince to determine you'd suspect.

Pedersen to get an opportuniy you'd think. Or possibly Michie and Dawes forced to play as back up ruckman?

This is where the development of Toumpas & Stretch going forward is going to be important. I expect in the offseason our recruiting team will focus mainly on Rucks and outside mids/half backs. Also wouldn't suprise me to see them look for another tall forward option from the state leagues as back up.

Took the 5 minute walk from home to Casey Fields yesterday. Got there about 20min into the 2nd term of the reserves match. Meant to post my thoughts on all the players earlier, but pregnant wife & two year old at home meant I had to delay things to today sorry. The Seniors: Rohan Bail: Provided plenty of forward pressure and was good to see him get on the back of some of our forward plays by booting 3 Goals, which he has failed to do much before. Played mainly half forward, and hes kept his name in contention if someone like Vandenberg were to cop an injury or loose form. Jack Fitzpatrick: One of our best all day. Controlled the play across halfback, by taking several marks and running the ball out himself rather then looking to free up someone else to distribute. Dropped a couple of marks he possibly should have taken, but played well and used it reasonably well also that was nice to see. Max Gawn: Provided a huge target up forward, taking several strong marks and also provided the ruck work in the forward half of the ground as well as chopping out for Spencil occasionally. If he kicked straight hed be in contention for Frosts spot. The website said he kicked 1.4, but I had him down as 1.6. Should have kicked at least 4, but he moved well and really did dominate. If only he could sort out that kicking. Jack Grimes: Dont really know what to say about Grimey. He didnt do anything wrong or have any shockers that I could see, but struggled to stamp his authority on the game. A couple of really strong tackles, and played his role well, but for some reason I was just left wanting more. Cant fault anything he did though. James Harmes: Didnt sight him much in the first half, apart from getting pinged holding the ball in the 2nd term that gave Frankston their only goal for the half. He did have a much stronger 2nd half though. Provided quite a bit of run and showed his pace by out running a few Frankston defenders in the final term to run onto a loose ball and kick a goal. Was hard to always pick him out, as one of the Casey players (Pattinson) looks quite similar. However, he looks to be a really good size now Harmes and I think there could be something there for the future. Matt Jones: Ran hard, moved well and put in day. Disposal was pretty scratchy at times, but you cant question his endeavour. Dont know how often well spot him n the seniors this year Matty Jones, but will be a good player for Casey. Jordie McKenzie: Typical Jordie game. Bottom of every pack, tackled hard and again gave it his all. Sadly for Jordie hes a few rungs down the pecking order at the moment, so hes probably in a similar position to Matt Jones. Viv Michie: Played well Viv. Looks to have developed that ability to play both inside and outside which is obviously important. Got several hard balls, but also saw him running clear of packs on more then one occasion. Hes sure to get a call up at some point. Just a question of when. Cameron Pedersen: I will open up by saying that although he didnt dominate or anything, Pedo would have to have put himself ahead of Gawn to come in for Frost next week. Presented well all day, took several strong & clean marks and kicked a lovely torp goal from outside 50 into a Gail in the 2nd term. Even though it was VFL, it was still nice to see him recapture some of his early season form from last year. Aiden Reilly: Bit of a forgotten man, but played a good game. Hard at it, on the bottom of a lot of packs. Kicked two goals in the 2nd term within a minute of each other to give Casey their initial break on the game. Hes put himself ahead of Jordie in the pecking order, but Michie would still have to be ahead of him. Jake Spencer: Dominated the ruck with some really nice taps to advantage Spencil. Having said that though, outside his tap work, and 1%s which are always important, he is still one of the worst kicks on an AFL list and just doesnt get enough of the ball around the ground. This is where Gawn has a massive advantage over Spencil. Billy Stretch: First time Ive ever seen Billy play live and I must say I was very impressed. Moved really well, provided plenty of run and chases the other way also. Used the ball well and Id have to say despite his small stature, hed have to be a chance to debut this year if he keeps showing the form he showed yesterday. Dean Terlich: Similar to Harmes, started really slowly, in fact I barely noticed him in the first half. But really got into the game in the 2nd half. Started to show some signs of that run & dash we saw from him in his first year, and used the ball reasonably well. Kicked a nice long goal off his left in the final quarter. Is really important he regains some form as we really lack depth off halfback. Some good signs there. Jimmy Toumpas: Similar to Billy, was good to see Jimmy provide a heap of run and use the ball well also. Has certainly put himself in contention for a recall. Along with Fitzpatrick, I thought Jimmy was one of our best in the 1st term when kicking against the breeze when it was at its strongest and played well all day. There was one contest early in the last where I wouldnt say he pulled out, but think he thought Jordie was going to lay a tackle, so didnt go for one himself. End result, neither player laid one and the Frankston player ran between them. Small sore point, but only one I really have. Was happy to see him play well. Reserves: Max King: Ended up kicking three. I only saw one of them, but he just seems to lack an ability to impact some contests that at times it looks like he should get to. Obviously a big year for him and hope he does well. But my early prediction would have to be that he wont be with the club next year. Oscar McDonald: Plays just like his brother, but at this stage he seems to suffer a case of the fumbles, which means by the time he had it cleanly, he had to get rid of it quick because the opposition had closed him down by then. Defended well and is a good size. Took a nice contested grab over Waylon Manson in the 2nd term in trying conditions and showed he should be a player. Alex Neal-Bullen: Saw in the scorecard that he kicked a goal, but was unsighted by me. Not sure if he only played the 1st half, or if there was an injury, but I cant make any comment sorry. Mitchell White: Thought he looked quite good. Used the ball well, provided plenty of run and he also looked very comfortable in the air. Should play VFL firsts before to long Id expect. Happy for any questions.

Pedersen, Reilly, Toumpas and Gawn all having nice outings!