DeeSpencer

In to the breeze, should’ve hit up Kos who should’ve given him a better initial lead

Correct

Half back Clarry???

22 and 2 subs resume; no change yet

Compression bandage on J Adams knee. Walking around just fine on the ground. More Casey guys so 18 warming up for the next game so far. Haven’t seen Verrell or Schache. Have to think JVR and Jj get a run soon in the main stuff

View from the top of the stand is excellent if you can find room

Kyah, Sestan, Taj, Jeffo, AMW and I think Howes, Deak, K Turner, Trent B and Tommo out kick to kick edit and Laurie

That’s illegal

Grundy stinks. Lumumba and Dawes level pick up. Give JvR a run

Umps found a bookie to back the saints here

Early returns on Pickett mid and Rivers having a rotation are both promising without being spectacular. ANB also took a wing rotation that I assumed might be Spargo or Harmes

Few too many 40 out chances when you’d want them inside 30 but we’re getting decent enough shots. our game plan just isn’t tear it up free running footy. It’s controlled kicking and burst from congestion runner But a rivers kick to Chandler that set up a scoring shot was indicative of a willingness to attack more.

Midfield Riv activated

Personally I blame Grundy for that one for those playing at home. Ordinary turnover from Bowser too

First up contest wasn’t great but after that early returns on McVee are strong

A lot of the ground is protected but it’s going left to right for our guys infront of the sticks

Hibbo, Melk, Howes, Woey, Salem, Fritsch in the crowd. Assuming Hibbo, Howes and Woey late scratchings

McVee for hibbo only logical best 22 change missed spoil from McVee, poor ground ball contest from petty and bad midfield defending gives the saints an early one

JJ Jvr emer Bowey, Grundy, Sparrow, ANB bench

His kicking, lack of burst speed and just ok ability in aerial contests would all be found out down back. Pretty much all the downside of Gus at half back without the elite overhead marking and passable left foot to bail him out. There’s a big difference between folding back to fill space or receive the ball at half back and actually playing half back. If JJ slips behind Hunter in the pecking order - which we are presuming, we don’t know for sure - then I expect he’ll be outside the best 22 waiting for a wing or on ball opportunity. Langdon and Hunter are both big minutes wingers so any 3rd winger will need to impact forward and that’s not JJ’s go. Going to Casey and starring on ball isn’t necessarily a bad thing either, he skipped the stage in his development. Having 30 a week at Casey for a while would be good for him. He’ll up his contested possession game and practice more aggressive decision making and ball use.

Yes, will be full contact. My guess is they’ll go best 22 for 2 periods, then sit the veterans. Go with a solid side for the next 2 periods making sure everyone who’s in contention for round 1 is getting a fair look in. Then finish the last 2 periods by replacing everyone who started the game with the kids and Casey players. Or they could just go 3 and 3 if it’s super hot.

Knew I’d miss one.

FB: Hibberd May Petty HB: Bowey Lever Brayshaw C; Langdon Oliver Hunter HF: ANB McDonald Viney FF: Chandler BBB Spargo Foll: Gawn Petracca Pickett Int: Rivers, Grundy, Harmes, Sparrow FB: K. Turner Tomlinson D. Smith HB: Woey D. Turner McVee C: Howes Laurie Buntine HF: AMW JVR Burgoyne FF: Sestan Schache Jefferson Foll: KFW JJ Munro Int: Verrell, Goonan, Edwards, Baldi, Gregory, Macrae Missing: Salem, Fritsch, Dunstan, J. Smith, Adams

I think with defensive efforts we wouldn’t be too worse off. Fritsch was looking better this summer, and JVR seems really strong at that. Not sure if he can repeat effort for 4 quarters but early in games he’ll be elite for a tall when pressuring and tackling. But there’s another aspect of why smalls get picked over talls and it’s mobility and fitness to create space in attack as well. Fritter is a good cumber and he’s excellent at creating space by strong leads and off ball running. In that respect and without the need for more aerial support I think the first choice to replace Fritsch would be adding another mid sized player.

Obviously it's rough for anyone who has reserve seats in the Ponsford. But largely I do like the idea of keeping most of the ferals in the same spot. Ideally just wall off the Ponsford stand and AFL members for Melb v Coll games and don't let any of them in the rest of the ground.