MadAsHell

Fingers crossed McKenzie has now done enough to earn himself a nomination for this round, was very pleased with his in & under game.

For me IN: Maric, McDonald, Trengove OUT: Bennell, Johnson, MacDonald McDonald & Trengove are automatics for mine, and I believe Maric has done enough to earn a spot in the team, and those of you who saw him play with Casey on saturday would probably agree. All 3 who I have omitted are unlucky but I saw them as the 3 best suited to miss out. Bennell kicked a few but just doesn't do enough IMO. Johnson had his best game for the season but I've seen him do this several times before and not follow it up. Also with Mike Pyke as Sydney's 2nd ruckman, I believe Jamar will be able to mainly ruck with Dunn providing some support. As for Joel MacDonald he's unlucky as he played a decent game but with Rivers, Frawley, Garland and Bruce already playing down there they will be able to cover Sydney's talls/medium sized forwards. FB: Garland, Frawley, Bartram HB: Bruce, Rivers, Bail C: Morton, McKenzie, Davey HF: Sylvia, Bate, Maric FF: Watts, Jurrah, Green FOLL: Jamar, Moloney, McDonald INT: Dunn, Jones, Scully, Trengove EMERG: Bennell, Johnson, MacDonald Edit: Clarify Johnson omission.

It's good to see from him isn't it? I also noticed that for such a lightly built who appears to be outside midfielder, he seemed more then comfortable in amongst the packs and stoppages which is good to see. I'd like to think that by the start od 2012 he'd of made himself a permanant part of the demons team, a lot to like about his progression since the broken leg.

I was at the coldest place on earth (Casey Fields) today and here's my take on the Melbourne listed players: CASEY RESERVES: Sam Blease: Only saw the last quarter of the two's and Blease looked allright; didn't get a heap of it but he looks really quick and had plenty of penetration in his kicking, seemed to be their designated kicker as they were trying to feed him the ball as much as possible. Still needs another week at least with Casey two's probably before playing seniors IMO. Max Gawn: Didn't play the final quarter, can't make any judgement. CASEY SENIORS: Daniel Bell: Unfortunately I didn't notice Daniel do too much today at all, think they had him doing a running job on Bentick who would of been one of Port's best. On a day where Casey were smashed in the midfield his presence was sorely lacking IMO. Jack Fitzpatrick: Did a few nice things but didn't get a lot of it. Was up against 2 ex AFL ruckmen in McLaren & Fanning in the centre and it did look a bit of man v boy out there, he still got some nice touches but didn't seem to drift forward to much which I was expecting. Neville Jetta: Was quiet, tried hard but nothing seemed to come off for him today. Seems down on confidence and needs to continue to work hard to turn his lack of form around. Addam Maric: Was probably Casey's best today IMO and looked very good especially in the first half. Kicked 3 goals playing in the midfield and across half forward and was the best game I've seen him play. But as he seems to do, fell out of the game late and I didn't spot him too often in the final quarter when the game was up for grabs. Tom McNamara: Played very well in defence and after Maric I thought he was the next best for Casey. I still think he could become a very good player, however it will be tough for him to get a game with out large number of tall defenders. Brad Miller: Presented well and worked hard considering the limited opportunities he received as the ball was often down Port Melbourne's end for the majority of the match. Think he ended up with 2 but as Miller often does missed out on some opportunities to end up with 4 or 5. Missed a crucial shot 10min into the last quarter which would have put Casey back to 13 points up from 35m. Luke Tapscott: Battled well and looks a player, uses it very nicely by foot. Think he'll be best served playing out the season in the VFL and pushing for AFL selection after a solid pre-season next year IMO. Matthew Warnock: Played a decent game but made a few crucial turnovers. Starting to suspect his turnovers may be the reason as to why Rivers is prefered over him at the moment. Austin Wonaemirri: Worked hard and kicked a few goals Aussie, set up a great goal to Maric in the 2nd quarter through a very smart kick around the body on centre wing. Hasn't had a break out game yet but I'd like to see him come in next week personally, it's good to see him get through another game unscathed. Disappointing loss today but they're probably lucky they didn't loose by more as Port's midfield was all over Casey today. No need to panic as there's several Melbourne listed players to return in the coming weeks. The loss does make a top 2 and home final in the first week very difficult to achieve now however.

Stockdale from Casey, very good little tough running defender, I'd be very keen to get. Maybe Myles Sewell from North Ballarat, he's a ball magnet but then again we're developing a pretty decent midfield as is. Key position forwards and maybe a mature age ruckman who can play forward I'd say is also on the cards.

It would be runner up to Matthew Bate's goal against Richmond in round 4 when Petterd knocked it back from the boundary line for him.

1. Hannebrey 2. Trengove 3. Scully Honerable mentions to Rockliff and Stratton.

Last year I saw one of my old favourites, Ricky Jackson at two of Melbourne's games.

Jeff Farmer kicking 7 against the Eagles at Docklands in about round 7 was great to watch. kicked one off the ground from about 35m out that he should have picked up, but put it straight through the middle. Also Woewodin winning the brownlow by picking up 2 votes in round 22 against the Eagles in a game you probably wouldn't of expected him to pick up votes in. 20 possesions and a goal was a fair game but don't know about 2 votes?

I like the way Inner Demon thinks!

In my defence I only talked about trading Jamar if he wanted out, which clearly he didn't. Amazing how good he's ben this season.

If they want to become a popular club they should call themselves the Gold Coast Thunder. Then Thunderstruck by ACDC can be their theme song?

Can't find who mentioned him earlier but if Melbourne were to go after a young key position forward I'd be more then happy to target Aaron Cornelius from Brisbane. The young Tassie kid is a good mark and a pretty good shot at goal. Has only played the 3 senior games and is obviously behind Fevola and Brown for the next 3 years. He was taken pick 57 is the 2008 draft I think it was mentioned so wouldn't cost the world but Brisbane may ask for someone like Bail or Maric in return as they lack pace through the midfield. Sorry to whoever mentioned Cornelius earlier but I couldn't find your post to quote.

Maybe to help get the Gary Ablett deal over the line they can call themselves: Gold Coast Ablett's Or if they've already promised Karmichael Hunt part of the naming rights they can be: Gold Coast Hunt Ablett

I have mentioned a few times that I'm a really big wrap for Fitzpatrick. Only seen him on a handful of occassions, he's very raw and needs some work but potentially could become a very good player IMO. He could definatly become that missing link Melbourne are looking for as a 2nd ruckman who plays forward. As I said obviously a long way to go for Fitzpatrick but I look forward to potentially seeing him play a few games next year, especially if Martin's progress continues to stall.

They are good points you raise. I feel the only issue is that the only other sporting team knows as the suns (at least that I know of anyway) is the Phoenix Suns, so I automatically thins NBA, may just take awhile to get used to, should give it a chance I guess. But if GWS call themselves the Patriots or something like that or Greater Western Sydney United then I wont be happy!

Gold Coast Stingrays Gold Coast Dolphins Gold Coast Sharks The bloody Gold Coast Rollers would of even been betetr then Gold Coast Suns!!!

Any news on whether or not Casey are going to be able to play their remaining home games at Casey Fields? Very keen to get to the Casey-v-Gold Coast match in a few weeks and the loss of home ground advantage could really hurt their chances of a top 2 finish.

If Gysberts is heading North to an expansiion club it would have to be GWS. Gysberts is on the standard 2 year contract all rookie players drafted in the national draft are on, so he's contracted for next season.

I'll just call for the one change myself. IN: Bail OUT: MacDonald I know PJ has been far from great, but I really do feel we need to have a 2nd ruck option in the team, and until Martin has discovered some form with Casey then PJ's the most mobile option. FB: Garland, Frawley, Bartram HB: Bruce, Rivers, Cheney C: Dunn, McKenzie, Davey HF: Sylvia, Bate, Green FF: Watts, Jurrah, Bennell FOLL: Jamar, Moloney, Scully INT: Bail, Johnson, Jones, Trengove EMERG: Jetta, Morton, Warnock

I would of thought McKenzie may have got the nod this week for his consistent form or Watts for his improved form? Still 7 round to go I guess.

B. Miller - delist P. Johnson - delist D. Bell - delist J. McDonald - retire ROOKIES: J. McKenzie - promote J. Meesen - delist M. Newton - delist D. Hughes - delist J. Spencer - delist (look to redraft in national draft 3rd round, late 40's pick) R. Healy - delist After the 4 senior listed players departing and McKenzie's promotion that gives us our required 3 picks for the national draft. Personaly I'd look to re-draft Spencer with our 3rd pick and use our first 2 picks on the best young kids in the draft and then draft 6 fresh players for the rookie draft.

Stefan Martin might get a call up to Casey seniors with Miller out. Important game for Casey today to have a big win and get their percentage back up to a reasonable position.

Bartram is a good negator but you're right about his lack of drive and poor disposal. I get the impression he is just warming a position for the time being. Some of the potential players to take over his role from next year on will be Kyle Cheney (needs to work on disposal), James Strauss (needs to work on defensive skills 1 on 1), Jamie Bennell (see James Strauss), Luke Tapscott (could play the role well I'd imagine, but could be of more value elsewhere) and if we rookie list him Casey's Michael Stockdale (Big wrap for this guy and think he'd be the most suited to the role). So we definatly have options there, it will just be a matter of who it is that can grasp the opportunity when it comes up for them.

Very good read and it's good to see many of Casey's VFL players feel the same way about the Scorpions that many of Melbourne's players feel about the Demons. I've seen a few of Casey's games this year and have been very impressed with Wall & Stockdale in particular. Thanks for posting the article KC.