DeeSpencer

The future of football is probably not going back to how teams played in the 1990’s. Teams will likely incorporate certain man on man systems in parts of the ground or on certain opponents. But if you’re not zoning you’re effectively playing with less opponents in your backline and the corridor.

10 pressure acts both of the last 2 weeks for Jeffo. 9 and 3 for Morris. When he commits to chasing he has the smarts and lateral movement to pressure (unlike JVR who I’d be able to step around). Jeffo’s also a really smart handballer and field kick and has kicked some excellent snaps at Casey. He’s got a lot of work to do to get anywhere near Morris, who I believe played some senior footy as a kid and walked straight in to that third tall role at Brisbane and keeps improving. Talent isn’t the issue with Jeffo, it’s purely a question of how much they can turn traits in to results.

Feed them some crumbs and you keep them on side for the big stuff. Lindsay didn’t play at either level, someone’s going to ask questions and Lindsay’s groin was already mentioned on Demonland.

We swapped Howe for Melksham (funnily enough because Howe refused to play back and Goody thought Melksham could do it), far from a great result but not the end of the world. We had to get a 2nd rounder back in to trade up with the GC for Oliver. Whatever we lost in that trade we made up with by a whole lot more swapping Cal Ah Chee for Clarry. We traded Toumpas for Ben Kennedy.

I just don’t think his decision making will ever hold up at afl level, nor his defensive positioning. Forwards who don’t know where to go or use the ball poorly are a worry too but it’s potentially less costly than the other end. And he’d make some opposition defenders earn their kicks

I really think he’s playing at the wrong end. Just let him cause havoc with tackling forward.

Will wait and see how the Casey boys go tomorrow but: Culley (inj). Heath or perhaps Jeffo (just don’t need the extra tall). Xavier Taylor (took a step forward second but he’s super raw). Laurie (just very limited). Are potential outs. T Mc, Cross, Henderson the 3 in the frame to come in assuming Lindsay isn’t right and there’s no miraculous Salem or Rivers recovery. Agree to give Bowser a second Casey game, no need to rush.

We had to put Disco on King because he was the only tall back to have the athleticism to go with him. Lynch does most of his damage these days with body work and clever short leading patterns. If there's a weakness to Disco's game it's that he gets caught ball watching at times, which is hardly a surprise when a natural intercepting defender is getting developed as a lock down guy. Lynch could take advantage in those moments. I'm also not sure Howes can really play tall. I promise I'm not hating. It's just a half against Amiss isn't a big sample size. Plus if you do make him one of the tall defenders you can't put him on the most dangerous small forward, he can't be two places at once. If Howes is playing tall then you're asking CJ, Kolt or Taylor to play as a lockdown defender. There's no perfect answer tho. We either give up a bit in the air but are solid on the ground or go the other way and cover the air but get a bit slow and clunky at ground level.

Right now he’s competing with guys like Laurie, Sharp and Latrelle (wouldn’t shock me if they gave him a rest at some stage) for the high half forward role. Can rotate on to the wing although King seems to prefer big wingers. Could play on ball but more likely to swap on ball post centre bounce. They seem to be using Matthews more on ball and higher up at Casey than I expected. That might be purely for needs or for his development. I suspect he plays a bit closer to goal if he cracks a debut any time soon. The aggressive pressure, crumbing and flying for marks is better suited close to goal.

Played a half in the last VFL practice match. Played more of a game in round 1 of the VFL season. 18 disposals. I believe he just played a half and was carry over Emergency against Hawks in round 3, 14 disposals, received a positive review from the coach. Played in the match sim vs Essendon. Played against Brisbane in the VFL on Sunday and was judged our second best player on the website. Coaches review: Jack Henderson (25 disposals, 6 clearances, 8 tackles) “Jack battled really hard through the midfield. His running patterns and power were strong, and he led the way at the contest. “He’s had an interrupted pre-season, but he’s building nicely and looks close to putting himself in the frame.” I wouldn't expect much from him first up, but he's starting to build back to the player he was before injury at gather round last year which is a guy who's excellent at VFL and a chance to impact as a high half forward if he can handle the step up in grade.

Most likely our psychologist, David Stiff. 205cm former NBL basketballer

Lindsay, CJ and perhaps Hendo (lower) intensity of VFL) and Cross are the available fresh legs. Perhaps Petty, X Taylor and Laurie could come out for CJ, Lindsay and Hendo and we manage Gawn and Mihocek in game.

I suspect the plan is to give Moose the game time they expected to give him last week before that game got too tight to risk it. But if that isn't the case with Lindsay potentially back in either he or Langdon could go on to a wing for at least part of the game and we could have a look at Culley as the back up ruck for some of the game.

He wasn't moving with anything like the same freedom as preseason, wouldn't surprise me at all if they give him a week off to really freshen up. Big AJ seems a mystery injury/illness. Would love to have him back at Casey.

He was good. The question is was he so good that we have to pick him or can we back in CJ or X Taylor (or both) as the third tall. Xavier probably didn’t quite impact enough in the air and CJ (if fit) is a bit hit and miss aerially. In theory they get a little help with height from Howes and Kolt, but there’s probably not a standout aerialist from that group.