DeeSpencer

You can run it across that corner of land and pretty much fit it in without losing many trees. The trees that would be lost could be replaced with native varieties. It would stop an area being used as a car park (a dying trend anyway) and replace it with an oval that can be used for a functional purpose whilst still maintaining a park feel. Pretty much all you are doing is levelling an area of grass, fencing it and painting a few lines. With the right approach it should be allowed to happen. Getting the funding, planning and design of the building over the train line should be the harder part of the project!

Given the game can afford it I have no issue with 4 umpires, heck make it 5, but a trial for a few weeks isn't going to lead to useful data based upon the free kicks paid. The umpires will be used to how they worked in a 3 umpire system and probably a normal flow for how many free kicks per quarter/per contest they like to pay. This trial is really more interested in working out where each umpire stands, what kind of view of each contest they are getting and the impact 4 umpires make on their running and work load. Also, whilst there would be a rise in the number of free kicks paid that's not necessarily a bad thing, even if it does mean more mistakes as well. Sometimes you have to clamp down and get the players away from repeatedly infringing. More umpires could mean they start seeing all the off ball holding and throwing that we often see in the stands on on tv that should be cut right down. This trial also falls in the middle of a clamp down in illegal contact in a marking contest which is a shame because I think half of those free kicks are either guesses or wrong so that's going to skew the figures quite a bit.

I agree, although the unfortunate thing is Roos couldn't find reliable outside mids so we're using Tommy to give the younger guys a chop out on the wing, whilst also making sure the forward line isn't top heavy. I'm not against the idea, I'd just do it with Hogan instead. And up against Port it's a nice way to counter the damage that Westhoff can do as a mobile tall on the wing.

Restricted free agent, I can't see how we wouldn't have to trade for him. Eagles would match the deal, or do what Adelaide did with Danger and threaten to match whilst they worked on a trade. The only exception to the Eagles matching - It's the perfect situation to rort the system. They take the first round pick compo. We trade them a bunch of stuff at cents on the dollar to make up the rest of what's needed - ie. a couple of 2nd round picks they can package up to move up the draft and a nice depth player (Tyson, Kent, both?) for a guy they are about to delist and a 4th rounder. We just have to sing the praises of how much we love unwanted Eagle (ie. back up ruck Fraser McInness) and get the AFL Integrity department to tick it off.

The speed, smarts and discipline of those Tiger forwards create their great pressure, but it's back up by a midfield that spread hard and cover the outlets. I think at some stage we'd be wise to give Petracca that midfield spreading lesson. Also watching Richmond today I couldn't help but think Spargo is outperforming Jack Higgins and would be excellent in that role for Richmond, yet they also have Castagna, Rioli and Butler. We have ANB (who's more up the ground anyway), Petracca and Hannan. And the Cats had Parfitt, Gregson, McCarthy and Parson's all in the team to chase and pressure. We need a heap more defensively from our smalls so we can lock it in forward against the good teams.

I don't care about 1-3 and 5-6 Saty but on point 4 Gaff has been an ultra consistent and very solid wingman for years. His increase in form this year I'd put down to: 1. The return of Nic Nat meaning he can play inside mid and get spoon fed the ball from clearances. Nic's hit outs and ground level pressure makes the job of his midfielders so much easier. Gawn would provide the hit outs, if not the follow up. 2. Confidence - the increase in West Coast's form in general - confidence is infectious 3. Maturity - he's just turned 26, we expect too much from AFL players too early, a player should keep improving on weaknesses through their mid 20's. 4. West Coast's general skill level improving meaning Gaff's unrewarded running becomes rewarded running I've really liked Gaff since his draft year but his Grand Final in 2015 stood out to me, not because of the result or how well he played, but the style in which he played. I was superbly impressed that under the weight of massive Hawthorn pressure he kept going contest to contest and willing his side on. If he came to us his work rate - either on the wing, on ball or maybe one day even at half back as he ages - would make the team better and make the other mids better. He'd run hard to provide an option which makes ball movement so much easier and he'd work back hard to block off options or help the backline. At this stage I actually think the contract and trade will both be too much for us to get Gaff, but I certainly hope we are trying.

Watching Wallis this year I don't think he would. Struggling big time to get contest to contest as a half forward, and for all his faults ANB is constantly moving. Obviously the Dogs aren't moving the ball at all well but I'm not impressed. Remember how nasty his leg injury was. If we were to get Wallis I'd play him as a tagger and make the other mids rotate more forward or outside. I think that's his best role. Given other teams like Essendon are interested I'm not sure how much money I'd commit towards a tagger. Might not be too may other Tim Kelly's out there but there's surely some state league or delisted players who could do a tagging role.

You'd think Murphy would play very well in a good side and he could be managed more conservatively to peak at the right time. My concern is what role does he play? High half forward? I fancy Jones to move in to that role (not back) and compete with ANB and Spargo. Wouldn't be sold on him playing wing, not sure his body is up to running the kms. So maybe midfield with stints forward? He'd give us more skill and good burst speed in the middle but I'm still keen on getting more a more games for Oliver, Viney, Braysh, Petracca through the guts. I don't mind the idea of a veteran but I'd prefer a pure winger, a key defender or half back or legit small forward.

Interesting idea with Frost. I don't completely hate it, but I also think it's not a long term option compared to settling a backline group with quality talent. Which to me is getting Petty in there and given Joel Smith more games to settle and really establishing a consistent group. Oscar will go to Dixon and I'm not sure there's a great match up for Frost. I can't see why Tommy Mc has to play wing to shrink the forward line if they go back to Tim Smith who provides the forward pressure. I also think Hogan should have a go on the wing not on the ball. When Westhoff is on the wing Hogan would be a good match up. I can't see Lewis playing midfield again. His pace on the wing was shredded far worse than at was at half back when the right match up is there for him. And he doesn't have the explosiveness or desire to go in the guts any more. Half back is his best spot against the oppositions worst forward. Garlett was something like AA form based on a number of good matches in the first half of last year. Hasn't played more than 1 or 2 good games since and hasn't done anything of note at Casey. I'd be giving Spargo a chance to bounce back after the bye. If there was a player to drop for Garlett it would be Hannan.

Does his strings on cold nights. Which reminds me of Cyril Rioli, who does his strings in Tasmania so they stopped playing him there! Kent's not to the same level, but the reality is we don't have anyone really who's closer.

Who would you trust to build a training base at Gosch's? Josh Mahoney - jointly in charge (with list management committee) of allocating a salary cap amongst the 44 players and doing some trade deals, as well as resourcing the coaches and players Or: Gary Pert - overseen a club that turns over maybe 77 mil in revenue and has built the Holden Centre with all the same stakeholders to deal with. If we are smart and rate Mahoney so highly then the succession will actually be from Pert to Mahoney after Pert has built us a training base.

Apologies to Perty. Pub deal was before his team. https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/how-pies-lost-8-million/news-story/54631eb7122cea71af64e81327cdecb1?nk=c5c3f57ae8e15e99b04955486daba99f-1528976623

Pros: - Knows how to get a facility built, especially in the Olympic Park precicnt - Experienced in football - Experienced in media relations Cons: - The Balme/Gubby Allen/Buckley etc fiasco. Collingwood's footy department has been a mess the last few years - Very prominent in the media on a range of issues including on drugs where I thought his attitude and understanding was limited - Losing money on the pub deals

Sign immediately: Brayshaw, Jetta, Oscar, Harmes Probably stay: T Smith, Balic Could go either way: Kent, Keilty, Wagner, Vanders, Flippers, King, Johnstone, McKenna Probably go: Bugg, Vince, JKH, Pedersen As far as contracted players: Frost, Stretch and Tyson the three most likely to seek trades I would've thought, unsure there will be much interest for any of them. And we might want to investigate moving Garlett.

Lucifer's contract template

I was a Kent fan from his debut up until 2016. Last year was shocking. But in a very small sample size his 2018 games looked vastly improved. - Nailed his shots on goal - kept his feet - laid some tackles - held his marks As for the rest of our small/medium smalls: I love Spargo but he is just a kid. I'm still very sceptical on ANB who works super hard but makes terrible decisions under pressure and isn't quick enough to get out of trouble or to run down good defenders. Garlett is pretty well done unless he proves otherwise. Hannan is just floating through games and isn't a proven tackler either. Bugg has the right work rate but his skills are just too far below the standard. Vanders is a hope that he can get back. Balic is yet to prove anything. Pretty much what I'm saying is I have little faith in any of our small forwards and I really could see Kent coming back in and making the team better and I'd like to see him rotated up to the wing for short bursts as well. I wouldn't bet on it happening or working, but there's a lot of people putting faith in some players who haven't done anything really. If Kent does come back in and isn't picked then yeah both he and club would be better off parting ways. But there's still a lot of time left in the year.

I'm actually not all that negative about Monday or where the club is at. I just think we need to keep making some big strides. Climbing back out of the dungeon we were in has been a mighty effort but if we don't keep making big progress things will stall. I get what Goodwin was doing but I didn't like it. The best thing he can do to represent the club is bring up a bad stereotype? There's nothing else he could find? I fear there's still an absence of solid Melbourne people in and around the team. Goodwin is very keen on a new era to distance the team from the failures of the recent past, I get that, but the best clubs are supported by their history. Roos manufactured the 'bloods' culture for the Swans, who hadn't been at South Melbourne for decades. Against good teams this year we have been a very passive team. No aggression against Hawthorn, Rich or Collingwood. Collingwood were certainly playing for the fireman. You can't manufacture those kinds of stories but they are what footy clubs should be about. I'm not convinced by any part of our defensive set ups. Our forward pressure has been lousy all year. Look at the number of forward 50 tackles we have every week. Bugg had a good game, Garlett one good game in Brisbane, otherwise it's a lot of ordinary pressure. Lazy kick in defending as well. The midfield spread still isn't up to scratch, it was better than the first month but took a step backwards on the weekend. And Lever wouldn't have done anything against the Pies. He would've been a deer in the headlights with the way the ball was coming in. Unfortunately none of the defenders could do much at all under pressure.

There were some things that troubled me deeply about Monday. I've done my spiel on Lewis. I'll add a few others: - Daniher's speech to the players going public, I didn't like that, I would like to see that kept behind closed doors - Goodwin's ski clothes - mocking his own members - Collingwood playing for a guy with MND far more than we were playing for Neale - Good players unable to deal with big game pressure - A team built for one particular style and light on for defensive substance across all 3 areas of the field I still think we have a long way to go in building the club and team that has an identity to draw on. Maybe the team finds it's identity and the club then swings in to gear. That seemed to happen with Richmond and the Dogs, from almost nowhere the team is winning and the club has a great feel to it. The Dogs have now completely lost that by the way. Nath Jones' 250th was a nice club moment, we need to keep that stuff rolling. I'd like to see Goodwin be less clinical and more emotional and I'd like to see a bit less 'brand' and bit more 'club'.

Back on changes: Todd Marshall in for Port makes me even more keen for Petty to get a run. 2nd year key forward (and a handy one at that) is a fair match up for a first year key defender.

Sure but his give offs are often short little get out of trouble handballs. I'd like to see him work on the Sam Mitchell style that almost invites the tackler in but can still get a strong handball away. Richmond last year, Hawthorn and Collingwood this year, teams are pushing us back because we are inviting it. I think the coaches are too blame as much as anyone but Clarry should get the ball going forward more.

The best way to get Tyson in would be to drop Hannan, keep Tommy Mc and Hogan forward all game, move Petracca deeper when forward and rotate a mix of Jones, Viney, Brayshaw, Harmes and Fritsch all through the forward line. Tyson could play about a 50/50 mix of on ball (with Oliver, Jones, Viney, Gus and Tracc) and wing (with Fritsch, Harmes and Gus). Tyson certainly isn't a natural wingmen but it's not like he's the worst of all time in that role. Positioning and defensively he's ok and he moves to get the ball as a wingmen pretty well. The lack of pace and poor footskills certainly hurts but if the minutes are minimised it might not be a critical problem. I'm not convinced we should pick him nor do I think he's going to suddenly change the clearance count, but if we do pick him I think he could help. My favourite Tyson attribute might be his safe hands overhead after a short/medium kick in traffic comes his way. Combined with his good work rate he could unlock the ball movement that went missing on Monday. The midfield all looked so flat against the Pies. None of them were looking for the switch or 45 in to the corridor. Tyson is often working hard to make that happen.

Oliver isn't without blame. His handballs can be too hot potato and too short. Little 1m gives that don't achieve much. There's been a bit of that since he broke his hand. Viney tries too much but Oliver probably tries too little! I'd like to see him draw opponents a bit better so the guy who he's giving it to has more time, and of course he does need to kick more in some situations. A ruckman who is better at ground level would help as well but that's the reality of Gawn. He's never going to be amazing after the hit outs, so you have to maximise your return from the hits. Grundy's ability to bear hug him before the ball was thrown up certainly didn't help his cause. And the game plan was a factor as well. 5 forwards and a man off the square failed badly. It didn't seem to provide any protection to halt their clearances and it put us on the backfoot either over handballing or kicking it to a spare defender. If we are to use this tactic again I think we need to change the personnel. ANB doesn't have the smarts, speed or skills to be the off the back of the square guy. I'd probably use Nath Jones in that role and have Petracca in at more centre bounces that way. After the bounce Jones goes on ball and Tracc forward. Or use Brayshaw off the square and maybe Hannan or ANB on a wing until they swap at the next stoppage.

Very keen for him to stay forward and if possible not even go on the wing for the next little while, but if we do come up against a team with 2 genuine rucks he has a fair bit to offer in that role. Certainly a lot depends on the match ups. Collingwood are a threat because Grundy's work rate means Gawn probably needs a decent break each quarter. Against lesser first rucks we can leave Max out for longer. And against teams without a legitimate 2nd ruck it's not issue at all.

Strangely I actually think this could be good for both Jayden and us. He just hasn't looked like himself this year. After every drill in preseason he'd labour back to the group hands on hips. The brilliance of his speed was that he could sprint to get the ball, gather and burst again, there was little of that this year. Lots of fumbles instead. He didn't seem to be coming good at Casey. So some time off and a rest for his body might do him some good. I wouldn't rush him either. Give him a good amount of time to get healthy and get him back at Casey hopefully with a few VFL and AFL games left and there's always plenty of time for him to come in to the team.

They had in the centre square: Wines - Viney Rockliff - Jones SPP - Oliver Wingard - Brayshaw/Harmes/Petracca Wings: Polec - Fritsch Ebert - Brayshaw/Harmes Westhoff/Motlop - Tommy Mc/Brayshaw/Harmes And forward: Dixon - Oscar R Gray - Jetta Westhoff/Motlop, Watts, Boak, S Gray, Neade - J Smith, Hibberd, Lewis, Salem, Vince Could play Petty and use him on Westhoff/Watts and to provide aerial support infront of Dixon, but it might not be the week to bring him in looking at Port's structure. I'd do it because I'm not convinced there's the right match ups for Vince and Lewis. The Wines to Wingard combination caused Richmond a heap of trouble. We have to stop that. And we have to be prepared to help Clarry deal with SPP. They use a lot of variety on the wings. Polec is silk, Ebert is just a good solid contributor. Certainly important to get on top at the coal face. Their young backline is very underrated. No chance of winning unless we are getting one on ones and far better forward pressure.