Adam The God

They weren't too bad yesterday, IMO. It's not saying much, but Johnson probably played his best game for the season and unlike the last few weeks, he actually attacked the ball. As for Newton, his defensive pressure and kicking at times, was good.

Yeah, Bate-a was good again today. He demonstrated he can win the ball in the midfield, up forward and even across half back. Bailey is developing a very flexible squad, which may well pay off some day. Sylvia was also solid for the majority of the game. How was his 50-55 metre pass on the outside of his foot, hitting his team mate lace out on the chest? Except for his one memorable turn over, Morton was also exciting. His link up play with Colin, a couple of times was a glimpse into the future.

If they don't sign him up now, you never know, GC might well lure him away. Particulary, when some player agents are more concerned about getting the best investment for themselves, rather than getting a deal in their clients best interests. If we offer him a long term contract, that's saying, 'we value your services, Cale'. If we don't, it's saying, 'well, we don't want to committ to you just yet'. Under normal circumstances, I'd say leave it another year, before offering him a big contract, but with the spectre of GC looming, I'm getting a little touchy underneath the collar.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned (probably in the matchday thread), but I thought for the first time today, Martin actually looked like a full forward. It looked as though someone had taught him how to kick properly. Admittedly, he didn't kick them all beautifully, but his first shot on goal, was easily the nicest kick I've seen from him. He looked promising today. Throw, Jurrah, Watts and Aussie at his feet and who knows. I was hoping with today's side, Bailey would push everyone up to the 50 and flanks and clear out the 50, leaving Martin one out. Unfortunately, not to be. Perhaps, next week?

What I meant was he might slip through to the PSD. You never know, more of a pipe dream, but if it did we could make him captain and get him for basically nothing.

So if McMahon had missed on the siren last week, we wouldn't have been tanking?

That's a good thing, IMO. Gambling is going to become an even greater social issue come 2020, with the way the gamble money has snuck into the AFL over the past year. Every club seems to be sponsored by a betting agency. I find it intolerable.

I'd take Hawthorn over Essendon. I couldn't think of a nicer bunch of supporters having to suffer...As Jimmy Hird said, they haven't made the finals since '04. Was that the year they knocked us out in the elimination final? Since then, nothing. We've been there twice sionce '04...Essendon=the new Richmond? The jumpers are similar. St Kilda were completely entitled to rest players, funny they won too.

Freo aren't that good. I watched their game...they just encountered a Port side, similar to the one we encountered. Today we were playing without our future forwardline (Watts, Jurrah and Aussie) and without 3 of our top 4 best defenders. Our backline instead was chocked full of midfielders and our forwardline included Miller and Newton, two which may not make it. If we play players in their more traditional positions next week, which I don't think we will necessarily, we'll be a far superior side to the one we fielded today. I wouldn't put it past us to beat Freo. Still, I'd rather beat Carlton...my Carlton mate is giving me the shits. About time someone put them back in their box.

To tell you the truth, I didn't watch much of it, but what I saw he seemed to be playing across half forward? Like I said, I didn't see a lot of it, so perhaps someone who watched it all could help out?

It could prove vital. It depends who's in the PSD, but this year, I wouldn't mind predicting that with GC on the cards, there might be a few shock names to join the PSD, so having the first pick is brilliant.

Luke Hodge?

We have to re-sign him first. It's ridiculous that we haven't given him a four year deal. If that's the asking rate, he's worth it. Sure him up, with GC and WS coming into it.

Just on Zomer, I was suprised by his size and athleticism for Casey, today. He may still have a future.

The thing about Moloney this season, in comparison to others, is that to me, it seems he's actually playing smarter footy. It past seasons, he'd just bomb away, using his long kick to slam it 55, but to no one in particular. This year, he seems to have lowered his vision and instead of worrying about just kicking it longer, has sumed up the situation a little better. In other words, I'd agree he has improved, but like you say, he's not an elite deliverer of the ball and that's what we need a lot of, IMO.

Come to think of it, he did look a bit ginger during and following a few contests, right in front of us, on the wing/forward flank.

Actually, if you look back over the past 3 seasons, we've been consistently hit with injuries. Hopefully, we'll get things right when we start pushing for the big one.

True. I'd really like to see Bate play across half forward and even Watts and Jurrah on occasion.

The aspect I really like about this team is the potential for fantastic delivery into our forwardline from that midfield...with the exception of Moloney. Green and Davey are arguably the best kicks in our side, Grimes is no bunny and Sylvia can do it all. Add Scully and Trengove and you'll see our efficiency inside forward 50 sky rocket, as the delivery will be quick and accurate.

Make sure we get the picks. Not worth the risk...unless the only team we beat is Carlton.

I heard about this. Are we not paying the school fees for a school in another state? If so, it'll be Jack Viney, as he's attending private school over in SA.

Spencer excites me. He's raw, but he has a lot of upside. I don't think we lack depth in our backline. That is the one area of the ground that we do have depth. The beauty of guys like Frawley and Garland is their ability to play on smalls, as well as the bigger guys.

A number of people seem to be addressing the idea of having a stay at home full forward, who basically does nothing else but provide a target inside 50 and kick 4 to 5 goals a game. Is Butcher not that player then? It's funny, because people have knocked Butcher for being one dimensional, yet a lot of supporters seem to want a stay at home full forward. Which do we want?

I still believe Bennell is the quickest player I've ever seen. He could easily develop into that player and rotate through the middle. You've also got Jurrah who can do it all. In the air, on the lead and on the ground. Versitility is what we need. Makes you very hard to match up on. It's certainly what Bailey is promoting. Furthermore, with a bit of confidence and when he feels he belongs, Watts will be able to get the ball on the deck too.

I stand corrected.