MadAsHell

The AFL are now considering setting up a conference system once GWS the 18th team comes into the competition. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/96547/default.aspx What's everyone's thoughts? I'm not a big fan but if they were to do one I'd say the three conferences and then maybe the top 2 from each conference make up a finals series? Could be something like Southern Conference: Carlton Collingwood Hawthorn Melbourne Richmond St. Kilda South Western Conference: Adelaide Essendon Geelong North Melbourne Port Adelaide Western Bulldogs Greater Australian Conference: Brisbane Fremantle Gold Coast Greater Western Sydney Sydney West Coast What do we all think?

Suprised to see Hughes named as he's down as being out for 1 week with an ankle on Melbourne's website. Also suprised that there's no McNamara, MacDonald, Healey & Martin. Anyone know why they aren't playing?

Yeah that's right he's played 5. So we need him to play at least 2 more with Casey and no more then 7 more with Melbourne. Then fingers crossed he can experience winning a flag (VFL)in his 2nd year at the club!

Thanks for the update KC, much appreciated.

I agree, good times are ahead, just think. If we'd of won rounds 2 and 12 against the Pies and the round 7 match v Bulldogs, then throw in the matches against Kangaroos and Eagles who are two sides we should of beat then we'd of been 9-3 and in 3rd position after having won consecutive wooden spoons in the previous years. While I think we'll make finals next year I have no doubt we'll have one or two bad games in 2011 still, from 2012 onwards though is when the Demons era will begin for at least 5-6 years. Only sides that will be able to challenge us will be the new expansion sides that wont get near us at our G, an ageing Geelong in the first few years and I would have said Carlton if it weren't for their recruting blunders in obtaining Judd, Warnock & McLean and letting Kennedy and top draft picks go.

Agree, Strauss will be given this role in time and will do it extremely well.

Green's shot at goal late in the 3rd happened right in front of me and he got far to close to the man on the mark so I suspected it would pull up short. As for his poster in the last I to thought it was home. Shattered also we've let the pies off twice now, along with the Bulldogs once. Throw in losses against West Coast and Kangaroos who we should have beaten and we could be 9-3 and in the top 4. So a lot to look forward to next year and beyond as we learn how to win these matches.

Great win by Hewitt over night in Halle, any win over Federer is a good win and it reminded me of his famous Davis Cup win over Federer in Melbourne back in 2003. Question is how far can he go at Wimbledon? While I don't think he can beat Federer there I don't think there's anyone else on tour that he isn't capable of beating on grass. Other peoples thoughts?

Didn't realise Rhys wasn't playing today, someone else was wearing his no and I assumed it was him.

Was at the game today and I must say I was very impressed with Casey's win. Wasn't a very attractive game as it was played in very heavy/muddy conditions but Casey pulled through to win a real danger game where only 9 Melbourne listed players were playing and were without the likes of Miller, Newton, Watts, Dunn & Martin who have all been rotated through Casey's forward line this season so far as their key position players go. Here's my take on the Melbourne boys. Paul Johnson - Played well in the ruck up against Steven King, broke even at best in ruck hit outs, but did a lot more around the ground then King. Can't see him getting back into Melbourne's team however unless Jamar is injured. Addam Maric - Like his last few games started very well but faded as the game went on, think Sandringham paid him a lot more attention after quarter time. Kicked a nice goal and was involved in a few other. Played mainly across half forward and looked Casey's most dangerous forward and was quite creative. Needs to work on decission making but I would think he'll probably get a chance with Melbourne before the seasons out. Daniel Bell - Good solid game in the midfield without being outstanding. Did some nice buluking work in the middle in the heavy conditions and seems to be the main component in Casey's engine room. Kyle Cheney - Another very good game in defence and was probably the pick of the Melbourne listed players. Saved a couple of goals and wasn't beaten in a one on one challenge. It would have to be a matter of time before he's given a run with Melbourne, he's been very stiff. Joel MacDonald - Very good game across half back and provided Casey with a lot of run. Kicked 2 beautiful goals in the 2nd quarter and did his chances of a recall no harm. Tom McNamara - Very solid in the back line without getting a lot of the ball. Along with Cheney, Tommy was just a solid wall in the back line and as I've posted previously, he seems to have a very good understanding with Kyle. Don't know if he'll get a call up any time soon but I suspect he's definatly part of Melbourne's long term plan. Austin Wonaemirri - I thought Aussie was very good today without kicking a goal or getting a lot of the ball. He provided a lot of forward line pressure and was probably the cleanest player out there as far as handling the ball went. Could possibly be back in the Melbourne team after the break. Daniel Hughes - Didn't do a lot today but presented all day in difficult conditions and was hard at it. Can't see him getting a game with Melbourne again this year unless there are lots of injuries. James Strauss - After Cheney I thought he was the next best of the Melbourne players. Every time he kicks the ball I drool and he's definatly in the mix for a recall. On form alone Cheney would have to be ahead but Strauss's kicking may help him out. Does need to tighten up a little defensivly IMO. RESERVES: Jack Fitzpatrck - Only saw the final 2 min of the reserves but Jack was out there. No idea how he went but it is good to know he got through another game. Wouldn't have been his conditions but I have no doubt he'll make it long term.

Anyone know why Martin is missing? His versatility will be a loss to Casey. Makes me think Fitzpatrick is a big chance to play his first VFL game.

Personally I think Martin's the man for the job at the moment. He should play at CHB for the majority of the match and play in the ruck when Jamar needs a spell. Having Martin play at CHB would require Rivers to go back to Casey but if it's for the good of the teams structure then so be it. PJ wont be there beyond this year, next year if Jamar was to miss through injury then the FD would use the opportunity the throw Spencer in as our no 1 ruck. As far as the future goes though Fitzpatrck will be the man to play at FF and then go into the ruck to relieve Jamar, Spencer or Gawn or whoever our no 1 ruck is at the time.

I've actually spent this afternoon watching one of my 'Name a Game' matches that I purchased recently. Funnily enough it's the round 6 2006 match Melbourne-v-Geelong on a friday Night at the MCG and it features a young Melbourne player playing his first match, Lyndon Dunn! Gee for a first gamer he looked good, didn't get a heap of it but kicked 2 goals, set up another, played across half forward and presented really well, especially for a second year youngster. The sad thing is I reckon this is still one of the best matches I've seen him play, I have no doubt he has a lot of talent but I don't know if it's the FD moving him all over the ground or if it's a lack of confidence but he hasn't really developed as a player that much since this first game. Fingers crossed his 8 goals last week with Casey can be the ignition for his career that he and us so desperatly need.

Personally I'd hold onto the pick, I'd contemplate trading for Rhys Stanley (can play ruck and forward), but I'm not a huge fan of trading for players, only draft picks. This poll has been started in reference to Stuie's thread from yesterday. Edit: Reference Stuie.

Not sure just how serious McDonald, Jones, Sylvia and Frawley all are but assuming they all get up then I'd go with IN: Dunn, Frawley, McKenzie, Strauss OUT: Bartram, Bennell, Rivers, Watts FB: Frawley, Warnock, Strauss HB: Garland, Miller, Grimes C: Morton, McKenzie, Scully HF: Sylvia, Bate, Davey FF: Green, Dunn, Jetta FOLL: Jamar, Moloney, McDonald INT: Bruce, Gysberts, Jones, Trengove EMERG: Bartram, Bennell, Cheney All the emergencies would be a chnace to play depending on the fitness of Frawley, Jones, McDonald & Sylvia as would Maric if all 4 don't get up. Keeping Miller in ahead of Watts only because of his ability to play at either end and pinch hit in the ruck when Jamar needs a spell. As soon as Martin finds some form in the VFL or the FD decide it's time to blood Fitzpatrick (don't think this will happen this year personally) then I'd have one of them fill that role. Watts I have no doubt will play all matches subject to fitness next year and will play more games again this year. Have to award Dunn for his 8 goal effort though and Watts' spot is the obvious one for him to take.

Got to be Strauss, bring him in for Bartram who would be stiff and let him develop.

We're quoting Kevin Sheedy on demonland now? Jesus!

Max Gawn - Developing ruckman, expect him to be our long term no 1 ruck once Jamar retires. I don't expect to see much of him till around 2012 (at least in Melbourne's side) but from 2013/2014 onwards once he's got the mantle of no 1 I think we could have the next Aaron Sandilands on our cards. Paul Johnson - To be delisted at seasons end, will only play again this year if Jamar and Spencer are both injured at the same time and will only be kept on the list if Jamar picks up a 12 month injury late in the season. Jack Fitzpatrick - Developing tall forward/pinch hit ruckman, I've seen a bit of him and he moves very well for a big man, makes Josh Fraser (allegedly a mobile ruckman) look very slow. He could debut with Melbourne as early as next year IMO and I have no doubt will make his Casey seniors debut in the coming weeks. Stefan Martin - I feel that the FD may be dropping the ball with Stef by their insistance of playing Rivers at CHB. Martin should be in the senior side at CHB and pinch hitting in the ruck when Jamar needs a spell, trying to play him as a forward may be doing him more harm then good. I still think he has a lot of promise but long term will be battling with Fitzpatrick for the no 2 ruck spot. Hope to see him in the side shortly. Mark Jamar - Current no 1 ruck who is in All Australian form. Think he will be our no 1 ruck till at least the end of 2013 before his age and Gawn's development start to challenge this. Jack Watts - Long term FF/CHF in the making. Will be a good Drew Petrie type player at worst or a dominant Nick Riewoldt type player at best. Just needs time and by 2012 I think he'll really start to come into his own. Brad Miller - Very good VFL CHF/FF but just can't cut the mustard at AFL level. Has had ample opportunities over the years, may play the odd game before the seasons end depending on form/injuries but will be either with Gold Coast or VFl next year. Michael Newton - FF who I can't see playing another game unless we are ravaged with injuries or he kicks consecutive bags of 7 goals plus with Casey. Delisted at seasons end. James Frawley - Key defender who is already one of the premier defenders in the competition. Can play tall and small, unlike Matthew Scarlett he always plays on the oppositions most dangerous forward and could become the best defender in the comp since Stephen Silvagni. Matthew Warnock - Solid and reliable FB who will get the job on the oppositions gorillas each week. Will be given this role for the next 5 years. Jarred Rivers - My favourite player but even I will say he needs to add another string to his bow if he's going to survive long term. Injuries have stalled what was looking like a stellar career, but the Melbourne's side structure looks better with Martin at CHB then Rivers. Rivers needs to learn to be able to play forward also, Glenn Archer type or he may find himself on the trading block at seasons end. Cale Morton - Versatile running wingman who can also play forward and back. Adds flexability to the Melbourne side and will be a part of the team for another 10 years. Lynden Dunn - Half forward seems to be his best position but has failed to demand a spot in the side in his 6 years at the club. Can't see him surviving beyond next year. Matthew Bate - Current CHF and very valuable to the MFC structure. Think he will keep this role for several more years and will be our premiership CHF. Colin Garland - Like Frawley a very versatile defender who can play tall and small. Will be in our best 22 for years to come. John Meesen - I know you didn't list him but he does fit into this category. Injuries have cruelled the young man (former top 10 draft pick) who I think has shown a bit. Will be delisted at seasons end but if he does a season in the VFL at a club like Frankston where he would demand the no 1 ruck role then he may be a chance to be re-drafted in the future by another club. Jake Spencer - Again wasn't listed but IMO young developing ruckman who will be given another few years but will be battling with Gawn long term for the future no 1 ruck role. Edit: Added Jake Spencer.

8 goals with Casey deserves a recall and Dunn certainly deserves it. I'm all for playing him at FF with Green as a roaming pocket and Jetta to play at his feet. Having said this he's been in the system 6 years now, if he gives us nothing in 3 or 4 games then his papers are stamped.

It will be as succesful as our attempted match with Sydney every ANZAC day.

Well McKenzie was named in Casey's best yesterday so that is a good starting point.

While I agree Maric hasn't stared in the VFL his form has been solid and Bennell hasn't had a touch since Darwin.

IN: Dunn, Frawley, Maric, Martin, McKenzie, Strauss OUT: Jones (inj), McDonald (says inj hamstring in todays Age, might need a week), Bennell, Miller, Rivers, Watts TEAM: FB: Frawley, Warnock, Strauss HB: Garland, Martin, Grimes C: Morton, McKenzie, Davey HF: Sylvia, Bate, Maric FF: Green, Dunn, Jetta FOLL: Jamar, Moloney, Scully INT: Bartram, Bruce, Gysberts, Trengove EMERG: Bennell, Cheney, Miller

The good thing for this match also is that Hawthorn are playing on the sunday so there's 4 players to probably come out of the Box Hill side, most likely Ellis, Ladson, Skipper and Schoenmakers. Also a lot of clubs will have a none playing emergency each week if their AFL club is playing on the sunday and the VFL plays on the saturday in case of any late changes, I know Melbourne do this. So one of Muston, Moss or Shiels will be likely to miss also. Fingers crossed for a cruching win to Casey!

Maybe the reason he can't get a game is because he's one of the players already signed by Gold Coast and the coach knows???? In that case we wouldn't even have the option of going after him.