DeeSpencer

I expect the inclusions of Higgins and Smith who have more to give, plus Cameron who is best running to space will take the load off Selwood, Hawkins and missing Ablett. Combine that with home ground average and it’s a finals team. But their game plan is very labour intensive. Id have West Coast as the old team most likely to struggle. They weren’t anything like a finals side when not at home last year. The key forwards are ageing and the backline is too. Yeo still out. One or two key injuries (Nic Nat, McGovern, Shuey) and Freo can flip the power balance in the west.

We’ve had 3 gaps for a while now though, and surely they’ve had a read on Farmer and Smith for a fair period of that time. I understand bringing Majak in as a flexible tall to cover the key forward injuries. I’m more surprised that they want to give an ok VFL player a look for 1 week - not long enough to really evaluate - on the back of an injury to a guy who was unlikely to play seniors anyway.

I’d give Goody an allowance for 2019, we shouldn’t have finished 17th nor won so few games. He contributed to mistakes that made us fall back to earth after 2018 - lack of run and skills - but the size of that drop isn’t really a fair indication of his coaching. The way I see it is he took over a rebuilding below 50% team, got them up the ladder and is now rejigging that side for another climb. His win percentage is lower than other coaches because we didn’t stay up for long because the list was really flawed. If he gets back in to the top 8 this year then he’s back on track

Was there some kind of hotdog eating contest to measure this hunger? Or is it a special sense that you have? How would you have measured Port’s hunger before last season?

Forget the AFL clubs, they aren’t all that important, it’s the AFL’s relationship with the MCC and their relationships as owners of Marvel with the companies they deal with that matter. When combined with the egg on face on fixing a problem that shouldn’t have happened to begin with the games were never going to be swapped. There’s still time to find other ways to move Essendon and Hawthorn if they really want. Swapping it with North v Port the next day and moving it to the G is the obvious one. Just have to give 7 a slight IOU for moving their Saturday night game to Bris-Sydney.

I’m trying to understand the logic behind this move at such a late stage. I’m assuming in December they were comfortable with the list composition and just wanted to give the young guys a look. Then the 2 big forwards, an intercepting 3rd tall defender and a flanker/wing type went down. Maybe Nietschke’s spot will be filled by Deakyn Smith in a like for like role, thus meaning they can be more specific with the other additions? Which means they are now targeting tall depth to replace Hore and/or cover the key forwards? Majak, Petty and possibly Tomlinson can play both ends so they might be thinking another versatile tall completes the depth options? Or are they not impressed by Majak and looking further down the list of tall depth? Im just struggling to see how Nietschke going down suddenly opens the door for a guy who they probably need a lot more time to evaluate even half decently. Unless they aren’t so worried about positional depth and he’s just the next best option.

Anyone else heard Kye Declase invited to train?

Game time when underdone is the fastest way to get injured too! A solid block of training before his first hit out helps prevent injury

There must be salary cap or other financial implications. We’ve got 2 spots on the rookie list that shouldn’t impact the salary cap, but using a 3rd spot to replace an injured player might. And how much money do we want to spend on someone if they won’t play and have limited potential?

No he didn’t

Not sure I'd call that a block on Cotchin, who works him in to the contest, first legally and then gives him a big shove in the back. Harmes does well to turn that in to an assist on Oliver but it could have easily turned in to the same problems of last year with players converging on the ball and giving the player who wins the ball no room to move. The big change up here is Oliver being prepared to take back spot and not always been so desperate to be first to the ball. Then the way he uses his legs to clear away from traffic Less of a focus on first to the ball and more of a focus on keeping good spacing around a contest is what our midfield need.

Pretty sure it's all members (assuming tickets still available). Your code is the number above the barcode on your card. The emails are for people who haven't received their cards and membership packs.

He won’t have a secret angiogram on his leg without it becoming news. Your first point is correct. If it’s true then either the press hasn’t got wind of it yet or they are waiting for health reasons.

Whilst operating under the 50% capacity rule: If all Vic v Vic games were at the MCG with a prearranged split of members. AND All Vic v interstate team games were at Marvel That would work out to a fair distribution of games at both venues wouldn’t it? It would harm our home ground and set a dangerous precedent, and I hate to agree with the SENers but it would be the right thing to do to maximise attendance. It’s too late to do now but shouldn’t the AFL have arranged this?

They weren’t the only team doing it! The kickers, Gawn and Tommy did a poor job in the last quarter as they tired of getting separation for the long down the line kicks. If we can’t get one on ones we need to get separation so one tall can stand under it and the other fly over to stop the intercept marks

I’m sure he’s right in contention but it very much adds to the strain on an undersized and/or not strong defensive group of small/medium players. As it stands Salem mostly gets the defensive forward and Rivers, Hunt and Jetta share the 3rd tall duties when a big is off as well as the lockdown roles. If Bowey comes in then one of him or Salem will spend more time defending good forwards and the other two have to cover the bigger/more dangerous opponents. Maybe we throw him in and work the rest out later, but it wouldn’t shock me if the first priority is getting the defensive ability sorted if Hunt, Rivers and Jetta/Hibberd can do that

Awful news for him. The new list rules do provide some relief for all involved. We can replace him for this year, and next year we can possibly invite him to train with the group until he’s fully rehabbed and beyond. It’s too early for those decisions but we can do the right thing by him.

Try again Picket

3 is too many but 2 unfilled spots wouldn’t be unreasonable. That gives us 1 for a needs based pick at mid year if required ie. Majak or similar. And 1 for the best junior who was overlooked last year. There’s going to be quality juniors who didn’t get to show their stuff last season. If he’s a way off AFL footy then he’s had a great preseason and should make progress at Casey with or without being a full time footballer. As long as the coaching and physical development is good he really isn’t missing much once it’s in season, especially if he has heaps of room for improvement.

Missing an entire year and several other stints with injury when he was late to the elite pathway was probably the biggest killer, but with super athletic guys it can all come together. Frosty really took years to find it then it clicked for him. Stef Martin similar. Odds aren't looking good especially as he's had another niggle and missed the practice game but Smith could go from bad to good in a hurry if he can just get continuity of games at a decent standard (VFL then AFL). Brayshaw didn't do a lot of the preseason though, so even though he's in full training now he has to still be behind, I hope they hold him back. Melksham's done plenty and just had a niggle, but as you said it's form that he needs to show to get his place. Viney did a lot too so he should be a solid chance but it's more his role that should be adapted. I doubt they'll even predict too much with Pickett until he's back, I'd say 50/50 right now but if he's physically and mentally healthy I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

Melksham and Brayshaw's injuries and Pickett being away have opened up a chance for Jones but so far it's just a chance. The one thing I find hard to rate with Jones is that his disposal can be shaky but he does still find the ball. We've had guys at half forward go quarters on end without touching it. Obviously can't turn it over if you don't have it to begin with. I really hope he's truly on board with the possibility of missing 300 and his desire is to see the team succeed. The team having success and Jones sacrificing a milestone to ensure that would really enhance his legacy more than 300 IMO. To stay loyal through the dark years, captain the club and then put the club first at the end would be a career fans would remember for a long time.

Melksham’s an option but his lack of tackling makes him more of a midfielder. Vanders has only ever been a midfielder. Jones and ANB can’t mark. Harmes can rotate in to that role. Theres a spot on the list for a guy who’s 183-188 and can kick a goal, half an aerial contest and ideally has decent pressure. After Fritsch we have no back up, it would be nice to have someone even if they are at Casey.

Who?

I think fans need to understand that to play the zone defence and keep May at home we need to live with key forward vs back pocket on a flank at times. It’s why Geelong have all 190cm defenders. It’s also why Hibberd and Joel Smith took Nev’s spot last year and why they are his real competition this year. Possibly Rivers too. But yeah, Lynch marks on a flank, good luck to him, we’ve got May in the hot spot. Yep. But remember Petty loves flying for marks and also struggles one on one. He has more agility but also isn’t quick and his disposal is a little shakier than Tommo even if he has more upside. But mostly he doesn’t have the same tank and again, the zone is predicated on work rate. I’d give Petty some chance at round 1 but he’s underdone and Tommo is cherry ripe. We might be better being patient even if it hurts short term. I only watched the first quarter but I was disappointed he wasn’t rucking. He’ll get more physical and learn the game faster in the ruck. His movement for his size is still excellent, but he has to be given the chance to compete. We can’t stunt his development behind Casey guys. Reading between the lines and from what I’ve heard has been the same. We should be doing an Essendon to Essendon and chasing Waterman for the second spot to go with Deakyn. Sign Maj to Casey. Nuggety mid sized marking forward is more of a need than another small anyway.

1. A best 22 is a bit pointless given there will always be injuries and out of form players. A round 1 team is more realistic. 2. There’s no way we have both Jacko and Tom on the bench. Take out one of the key forwards for Pickett or Spargo, a team needs more than 1 small forward. I’m a Chandler fan but both of those guys are ahead of him still as well 3. If Hunt’s the 7th defender then you need a wing, otherwise you need a 7th defender. Harmes or Baker for Jones to start on the wing