The Chazz

I'm not blaming anyone, and obviously the Club were optomistic that he would be back with the initial 6 weeks. It doesn't stop me from being a bit disappointed about the fact that the injury is going to end up taking more than 10 wekks, which in that time we could have been playing a rookie should one put his hand up (ie Michael Evans). Fitzpatrick has been reported to be out for 6-8 weeks. If it is 8 weeks, we have the ability to replace him don't we? I don't know what more Michael Evans can do to be a genuine chance of being called up. From all reports, and I am only going by reports, he has done a lot more than any of our senior-listed midfielders, and consistently has been in Casey's best for well over a month. When 2 weeks ago some were whinging about our midfield, and calling for players to be dropped, I would've thought that Evans would have to be a huge chance of getting a call up. And now we have Grimes and Trengove out, our midfield is missing 2 players, who is going to replace them? The ruck stocks is a different story. According to your theory, Robbie Campbell WILL NOT be promoted, as he has only played 1 half of a game for the Casey reserves. Even though we have Jamar, Spencer and Fitzpatrick out for extended periods, I'm thinking that based on your logic, Campbell wont be considered to replace any of these guys. Gawn has played some excellent games at Casey/Casey reserves, and is on the Primary list, so that would count RC out? What about when it comes Round 12 when every club can elevate 1 rookie. Do we not participate in this because, according to you, none of them would have been selected in the seniors? I'm confused by your thoughts, sorry!

In 2 weeks time, will there be gretaer risk in playing Campbell, who retired due to chronic knee issues, or Gawn, who has been almost 12 months since his knee reco?

I fully understand that, but I think some people may have forgotten he's "only" a rookie - hence why I posted that comment. As soon as our rookie elevations have been announced, it will paint a clearer picture as to what we can expect to see for the remainder of the season. A couple of interesting decisions will be made. Anyone know when we will announce these? My guess will be tomorrow at about 5:01pm.

Isn't that the risk(?) you take with promoting rookies? Do we have to pay them more just because they have been promoted? I know that they receive a higher match payment, but we would be paying that to 22 players regardless. So, based on your logic, we're best not to replace Grimes, Fitzpatrick or Spencer with a rookie (which includes Robbie Campbell), because we have senior-listed players playing at Casey that can't get a game in the seniors? Interesting theory! Melbourne have a history of promoting rookie players and finding they are more than worthy of senior selection ahead of senior-listed players competing for a similar spot. I think Jordie Mc fits this category doesn't he?

No, because of how the AFL have that points system thing in place. He was suspended the maximum amount possible for that charge. In theory, we had nothing to lose, except the $$$ that we put up (and the $$$ that half the team lost through their Twitter remarks!).

For me, the disappointing factor out of all this is the length of time it has taken to recover. What I mean by this is the fact that we could've placed him on the LTI list, and promoted Evans, who for weeks on end has been tearing it up at Casey. To some degree, we have missed the opportunity for his kid to have a taste of AFL level football, and while it wont hinder his development, it could have fasttracked it somewhat. If think this proves just how unusual this injury of Scully's is, as they haven't been able to committ one way or another. Bailey & co wouldn't frig around with missing the opportunity to develop another youngster (Evans), who has justifiably deserved a call up to the seniors. I would like to think that if in 2 weeks there is an update and Tom is another 4 weeks away (which has happened so far), I'd like to think the Club will make the big call and declare season over, and promote someone else. I couldn't see the point in pushing Tom, just to get a handful of games out of him this year, when he, like Grimes, will be much more valuable to our finals aspirations next year and beyond. If the medico's are 100% sure that he is right to go in the mentioned 3-4 week period, that's fine (will give him around 10 or so games for the season). If there is still the slightest doubt after 3 weeks, it's not worth it. The positive is that Tom has put off contract talks until the end of the season. Maybe we can get him on a technicality and tell him tha this season is over so let's sign!

Were you there? I'll ask it (at the risk of being shot down!)...did Jamar train?

We would have to elevate Campbell from the rookie list for him to play. What odds is Jordie Mc making a comeback this week, similar to how the Eagles used Le Cras (in terms of game time). Adds grunt to the guts, and if we can get a solid 2 1/2 quarters out of him and then sub him off, would it be better than nothing? I have absolutely no idea what changes are going to be made now that Jamar is out. I still believe that Evans will be promoted and get a game this week (as per my earlier post). Out: Jamar, Trengove, Grimes In: Gawn or Newton or Campbell, Evans or McKenzie, MacDonald or Bennell or Rivers. Any of these inclusions wouldn't surprise! Honestly think it will be Newton, MacDonald and Bennell.

The Player Review from Casey's games is now up on the MFC home page. The reason for Gawn dropping down to the Casey reserves was due to the fact that, as some have stated on here, they wanted him to play a full game rather than come on. As a result, he was one of the best (against average opposition I'm assuming). Does this mean the Club think that he's ready for a greater workload? Ironic how they wanted both Spencer and Gawn to play more football this week, then all of a sudden, our number 1 ruck goes down (and so did Spencer). Do they think the Gawn may be closer than what some in here are thinking, which with the recent chain of events, might see him take on the caretaker number 1 ruck position this week?

I too am assuming Martin isn't going to play. I think that Newton will get a call up regardless - has been on the cusp for a few weeks now. Just wondering if we can get Juice and Gawn rotating between Full Forward & Ruck, then have Warnock ruck in defense? We all have our own theories, and some will call for player A to play a role, while others will call for player B to do it differently. The one thing I am really looking forward to the most is how Dean Bailey will respond. People on here whinge about how he doesn't make changes during a game, well folks, sit back and watch this Saturday because it's going to show what his decision making is like. I'll call it now - 3 wins out of our next 4 games will secure Bailey's future for the next 2 years.

Doubt we will make that mistake again. I actually heard that he went to the 2011 World Handball Championships in Sweden. He met with Ulrik Wilbek, the Danish Coach, and I'm to believe research is still being conducted in regards to the Scully family tree/any Danish connections. It is believed he is considering this sport due to the many issues/concerns surrounding Australian sport, and in particular, the recent form of the GWS in the Foxtel Cup, as well as the uncertainty of if Black Caviar can make it 13 from 13 this weekend. As a result, the Scully family have ordered an inquest in to the Australian Government's handling of all sports related issues, especially considering how much they publicise Australia as being an obese nation, and yet, are seen to be doing nothing about cleaning up the act of the professional leagues in the Country. They feel a move to a foreign country, where initially he will not be a household name, so he can concentrate on this change of code. Word is he has all the attributes to make a successful transition to the sport of Handball, and it will be expected that he leads Denmark in the 2013 World Championships. Source: As reliable as anyone else's has been!

Totally disagree. I'd be playing Gawn as centre ruck, and as he is a bit raw, get him to drop back and play loose man while Dunn plays the Goodes/Nik Nat role of Utility/Ruck Rover. Gawn will help our defenders who will be playing against a fairly tall forward line. Worse case would be that we have to sub Gawn off mid 3rd Quarter. I continue to say it - Carlton player Kreuzer virtually from day one; where is this rule about giving young ruckmen x amount of years to develop in the reserves? At Casey, he has been playing against men, in the AFL, he will be playing against men. We drafted him to play ruck (albeit in a couple of years), we have no other designate ruckmen available, his time has come. On the other hand, any team that plays against Freo in effect go in with a weaker ruck division, yet Freo don't win every game. This week's events could be a blessing in disguise for the Club. We had to lift last week and did, this week we are basically expected to lose becuase of injuries/suspension to our key players. It's another week for players to make a name for themselves.

Sorry mate! Normally my sarcasim alarm is very accurate!

You've seen him 3 times on telly, hats off to you. So would you rather during those 3 times that he is ripping shreds off players during the game??? And at what stage did you move away from your telly and find yourself in the post-match address, the one where the coach talks and the players listen? And the review meetings they have, I would love to see the minutes you took of those as you have obviously been in them many times to know how soft Bailey is. I refuse to believe ANY coach in the AFL isn't giving their players a spray when required. It's just that some need to do it more than others. I'm of the opinion from what I, like you, have witnessed on the telly, that Bailey would be very direct and honest in his assessments. Maybe we need to get RDB back and start punching a few blokes in the guts at the 3/4 time huddle, just to satisfy some of our supporters.

Our biggest weakness for the past few years is that fact that the other team has been scoring more than what we have. We made an improvement in this area against Adelaide and got the desired outcome. If we can continue achieving this KPI, we should see a few more wins before the end of the season. <<Sarcastic post>>

I remember the game last year at Etihad. I flew down from Qld to watch it as I thought it was out best chance of victory - how wrong I was! In the return match in Round 22, we showed that we can beat them. The biggest positive out of that match is the fact that Cam Bruce is no longer on our list. With that in mind, I'm tipping a 26 point turnaround on that result (based on Bruce not playing for us this week), so think we should win by 3 goals or so.

I've played footy for a few different coaches. Some of them can get you so pumped up before a game, you're willing to run through a brick wall. But then, for some reason the first siren sounds, and it's all forgotten. It has a lot to do with a players attiude, and sadly, Dean can't control this. This may be the reason that he spends so much time on the ground, gives him a chance to get to the players as soon as they come off rather than having to wait until the breaks to relay a message. He can also monitor how a player reacts in certain situations. However, maybe on Sunday he decided that a lot of the responisbility needs to fall back on to the players. He pumped them up all week at training, and he may have in the minutes leading up to running out. Might have given him a good opportunity to sit back and watch the attitude of every player on the ground right from the start. Unless you are in the inner sanctum, you will never know what goes on.

Just read last weeks, or the week before, or the week before that, or even one from last year. They are a carbon copy of each week!

Out: Grimes, Trengove In: MacDonald, Evans

He may not have an option, but let's hope that we do. Surely Evans will get the call up, from all reports he has been playing great footy at Casey. We have 2 LTI's (Grimes and Spencer), possibly 3 if they announce Beaker Fitzpatrick as one too, so Evans will get a call up (you would think) and I wouldn't be surprised if Campbell gets the other spot.

I think it was last year that I was calling for him to be moved in to the rotate ruck position for a few games, just to get him around the ball and copping a few bumps here and there. Of course, most on here disagreed, but like you, I noticed the impressive ruck work he did in small patches. Someone mentioned earlier that he had a quiet 2nd half. I challenge those to watch the replay of the second half and count how many 1% things that Jack did that they wont find on their little stats card. His knock-ons, little kicks along the ground, his sheppards, just great! I loved how he played deep too. I admit, I'm a big Watts fan, and often wear my heart on my sleeve for him, but there was a stage on Sunday where every time we were going forward, I was hoping they would kick it to Watts, not because he deserved it, but in the kind of way that St Kilda supporters wished the ball was always kicked to Riewoldt when they go forward - know what I mean???!!! I think by year end he will have his face proudly pictured in the Demonland banner at the top of this page!

I wouldn't say that it's our biggest issue, well up there, but it is not greater issue than our Inside 50 count (both for and against), as well as our Tackles Inside F50, and our Contested Possession tally. I'm quite sure if we win each of those KPI's, the issue of kicking out will be a lot less. Also the KPI about us winning more quarters! Some are going to have a field day on that statement!

I would pick based on current form and would have Gysberts out before Jones. NJ would be in out Top 3 in the B&F so far this year. I would also question Bate's inclusion, so if those 2 boys (Scull and Jordie) were fit, they'd be my replacement. As I said, I would pick on form rather than my personal disliking for a player.

Happy for people to disagree! My opinion of Dunn is one that I have of Rivers. They would be irritating players to play against, as they always have an opinion on how their opponents are playing. While I agree that the jumper-punching isn't the same toughness like that shown by Trengove in the last(?) quarter, they are the first to jump in to any rough stuff. I think it is important that our team, which does have a lot of kids, know thre is that protection if required.

Neither have done "enough" so far (harsh on Bate considering he has only played one game), but I still think Dunn is a very important player for us at the moment. He showed in the 2nd half of last season that he can contribute, and hopefully he finds that form sooner rather than later. However, he doesn't really have anyone at Casey that plays the same role that is putting pressure on his spot. BUT, if J Howe continues to improve, and if Dunn doesn't, I'm tipping that a swap of that nature could be on the cards. I find it funny how we are crying out for tough/hardend players, and Dunn for mine fots that description well, but now there are question marks over his place in the team!