DeeSpencer

What are they? 24 and 26, with 100 and 80 games experience respectively. They'd increase the average but hardly send it sky rocketing. The youth thing does get overplayed but in some regards it's right. The midfield starting to get some continuity with Gawn, Jones, Viney, Tyson, despite a young average age/games they are entering/in their prime. But up forward it was often Hogan, Petracca, Brayshaw, Kent with only Watts and Garlett/Pedda as experience and those last two aren't exactly Luke Hodge style leaders. Then down back it was Tommy Mc, Jetta and a bunch of kids. To have Frost, Oscar, Hunt, Harmes, Wagner all with 30 games and under 22 or whatever they are in the same side there's definitely an inexperience factor there. Especially if trying to play a zone defensive system that relies on players making aggressive decisions on when to come up, when to drop back, when to fly for marks etc. It might take some time to mesh but I'm sure the hope is that a couple of experienced players being added to the backline group solidifies the unit.

I tipped the Lions. Indy have some bad injuries and suspensions, so I thought Stafford could make plenty of plays. They tried to lose it with the missed extra point at the end but got the job done. I don't think either of those teams will be good, but I like the Lions more because they were bad last year and got better, where as Indy are a mess outside of Luck. It seems the Bears were good for a half, but against a decent Houston defense the offense just ground to a halt. They double teamed Jeffery and with no Forte or Bennett there's no one else to make a play. The defense dug in for a half but with a weak secondary they can't get too creative and get after the QB. The Texans rookie WR Fuller was great and scorched the Bears. And if the Bears can't run the ball this year they won't win many games. If they do establish the run then they have enough in other places to test teams

Fantastic burn from Del Rio. I know they might've had some momentum but with Drew Brees at home I think the Raiders win < 50 % in overtime. If you lose the coin toss then it's probably < 40%. By going for it you put the other team on the back foot and have a controlled situation. Given the Saints defensive weakness I think it was an inspired decision.

Oh cool, probably before my time in being an NFL fan, either way I think it's a fun topic. I don't like pumping huge hours in to fantasy sports each week, although I probably would in America given the NFL is mostly consigned to Sunday which is half the appeal. Looking at Simmons + friends groupings probability says at least a couple if not a few of the teams in the 2nd and 3rd column of picks end up winning 8 or even 10 games and making play offs. And maybe someone in the first 10 teams falls off a cliff and finishes with 6 wins.

Cincinnati Green Bay Detroit

It might be too late to organise, maybe sometime next week before the 2nd round of games? But I wonder if we could get either 5 or 10 people to do this NFL wins pool that Bill Simmons has done. Could make it worth a point in the tipping Macca? Or just do it for fun. What do you think?

As a Bears fan I thought he was great as well. Quick and accurate release. Might only be a game manager but that's all you need with Denver's defense and their running game looked very good.

He's been unfortunate not to get a longer run at it but has had a few chances this year and simply isn't quick or skilled enough to play half back (or half forward) at AFL level. Given that he hasn't been picked as a midfielder for a while now and there's no sign that will change I think he's high up on the list of guys to go. I just don't see it with Grimes either but I guess time will tell.

Tempted to tip the Panthers but I think I'll just enjoy watching the first game. From a better point of view the Pats with a 6 point spread seems generous even with Jimmy G. A fired up Belichick after a full offseason of preparation can work some magic there and at least keep it close.

I think 55's delistings/FA were all pretty reasonable. Which of the following do you have a problem with: Possibly delistable depending on who comes in: Pedersen, M.Jones, White (R) Tradeable: Dunn, Garland, Kennedy-Harris, Neal-Bullen, Harmes, Wagner (R) I'd say Pedersen and Matt Jones are just depth, if we had someone for free who was better to fill the same positions we'd move them on. Mitch White probably gets another year but with Hibberd and Melksham back if we were to find another back flanker he'd go. Trading one of Dunn and Garland makes sense. I expect Wagner gets promoted to the senior list with a 1-2 year deal or at least retained as a rookie, he's not going anywhere. I doubt the other 3 in Harmes, ANB and JKH are going anywhere, but they are the type of players who you'd listen to trade offers for. The latter 2 might even seek trades although we've heard little from them and I hope they stay. Yes Grimes, Michie, Newton probably go from Casey, but Spencer, Matt Jones, ANB, JKH, Harmes, Trengove, Kennedy probably form the basis of Casey's midfield next year. Weideman, Hulett and both King's played a lot for Casey this year. They'll be a year older next year. So you might lose a little from the midfield but gain in other spots. The Trengove contract told me that the footy club is certainly interested in keeping leadership, culture and strong VFL performances.

Teddy: 65.3% 3231 yards, 14TD, 9 INT, 44 sacks, 88.7 Rtg Bradford: 65% 3725 yards 19 TD, 14 INT, 28 sacks, 86.4 Rtg I think Bradford can play as well as Teddy did last year and in a similar style. Obviously a run heavy offense takes down his number of attempts,, but with more weapons this year the Vikings might open things up a bit. The big questions will be whether he can stay healthy and whether he's good enough to do what's needed to win big games. Teddy last year was good but probably needed to improve to win play off games. That's probably the same level Bradford is at unless the Vikings defense goes to the next level or two.

After watching Hard Knocks I've got a bit more respect for Fisher. Or at least let me put it this way, I understand why he keeps his job and finishes with 7 or 8 wins. He seems competent and certainly isn't Mark Neeld level of crud. That said he must surely be running out of time very soon. Goff's preseason was rough and I think he was overdrafted by going number 1. I remember watching him against a decent Utah defense last year and they picked him off at will and he didn't play in a pro style offense. That said, I'm still a fan of his. He makes all the throws. He's got the temperament. He's physically gifted. I don't think sitting him for a few games/few months/the whole year even will do him any harm.

Welcoming myself back for a new season. And the Vikings go bang and trade something decent for Sam Bradford. Big move. Seems like they don't want to waste the year. Probably good news for the Eagles as well. Bradford made no sense on that roster.

Out: Terlich, Grimes, Dawes, Newton, Michie (r), Max King (r) Possible: Matt Jones, Mitch White (r) Trade out: 1 of Garland or Dunn (take your pick) Rookie promotion: Wagner Trade in: Hibberd Main list spots: 4 - 3rd round pick, 4th round pick, delisted free agent, PSD/extra rookie Rookie list spots: 3 Train on: Matt Jones - depending on draft/free agents we might need an experienced outside runner. Could be rookied or go on the main list depending on list space Mitch White - needs to do a lot of speed work, could stay on but cutting him might give us flexibility Max King - if he got fit he's got a lot of talent, worth keeping him training if he came back in shape in November could be re rookied

I'm split on him, but does the age of a list clogger matter? I mean if you're a list clogger by definition you probably won't get better, almost certainly you'll be 23+, if you're 24 or 29 who cares? In fact I'd probably rather the 29 year old for some life experience and leadership.

I like him, but not convinced he's clearly better than Kennedy or Kennedy-Harris. Agree with Chaser, in that if someone went out he could come in. Otherwise for the price to get him - mid to late 2nd or early 3rd I think we'll have other priorities.

Ross Lyon doesn't take crap from anybody. It's why he's a great coach but also a potential weakness. Players take after their coaches. So Mundy is the captain as he's the senior player and leader. Fyfe is the superstar with a superstar attitude and wasn't the right choice for captain. Who knows if that's upset him, I doubt it. Plenty of time for him to captain the side later. Freo right now are rubbish. Freo next year will likely be far better. But they still need a tactical improvement and a lot more talent. Fyfe, Bennell, Johnson, McCarthy, pick 3, Sandilands (for 1 more year), that's an improvement but to rebuild it's going to take some sustained drafts and trades. I'm about 90% sure Freo will improve to at least an 7-10 win team next year and Fyfe will sign on and probably captain them in 2018. The 10% chance is that Fyfe gets injured again or Freo get a lot of injuries or Ross Lyon can't adapt at all and Freo struggle along to 5 or 6 wins and Fyfe says stuff this I'm off to join a contender.

Worry about it then. There's 3 games left + whatever else of VFL finals. Terlich is probably the only sure thing. The rest of the names have all played at least 1 game this year. They might only have to show they are the best of 2 options to keep a spot. I really think Dawes and Pedda have between now and the end of the year to fight for 1 spot I'm hoping for a year in which we don't have anyone we want to keep leave. That will be a big step forward for the list and culture.

I saw it as just letting him get an extra step on him and then missing a tackle. But it's possible as well. Although Chaplin, Vickery and Riewoldt would've been the 3 players Dunn studied on tape prior to the game. Should be easy enough to remember which is the left footer. Dunn last year often played the goal keeper role too much. Trying to get back in case kicks fell short instead of pushing up and stopping a man. So if that's part of his style it might explain some resistance to embracing a zone role. His foot skills and strength in the air and on the ground are really exciting when he's an attacking player, so I hope he starts to get involved more. The way he weaved out of trouble deep in the back pocket early in the first quarter was as classy as any tall defender in the comp.

Maybe. But he's 28. Should be plenty of time left if his body is right. Which is key for both him and Garland. I don't think Garland's body has been right for a long time and I also don't think he suits modern footy. He's a man on man 3rd tall who's lost his rebound. I can imagine this new zone system takes a fair bit to get confident in for senior players used to different methods. Frawley and Lake both took a long time at Hawthorn. Dunn's a little shorter and not as good overall but I think he can do the Lake role pretty well, just needs time in the system and to build match fitness.

Once he gets back to Casey I expect Oscar will push for more games. In weeks we have to play 3 talls they might give him chances. It will be interesting to see what they do with Weideman, Hulett and Frost. Any of them could be reassigned as defenders if they aren't great ruck options and Hogan/Watts hold down the key forward spots. I know he just kicked 4 on the weekend but for list balance when Dawes comes in to the Casey side I'd be tempted to play Hulett at CHB to see how he goes there. Isn't finding a heap of the footy forward and is a very nice kick. He could be a key defensive option.

Beautiful long kick to break open zones, can run and carry the ball as well, can intercept mark. He's not exactly Zac Dawson old fashioned. I can see why they left him out at the start of the year. I'm not convinced he's at top fitness and he's certainly not in peak form. Top form Lynden Dunn doesn't get turned by Troy Chaplin. But I've got no issue with his game style adapting to the change in the game. He might not be used to the zone positioning and needs to improve that, but I think he can. He's certainly the best full back on our list and 2nd best tall defender.

Smart players never trust umpires. Plus you never know if someone's cheating and yelling out touched anyway. Spoil the ball through and worry about the call later. If the goal umpire called the touch 30m away then review it, but if a field umpire thought it was touched then unless they were hallucinating then I agree, just get on with the game.

He's 27, had a career best of 46 goals in an attacking side, he'll cost a lot of money and a high draft pick for a team that's traded away it's first pick already, he seems very happy at the Crows and we've invested heavily in Weideman, want to keep Hogan on a big deal and Watts is coming out of contract soon as well. Yes he'd fill a big hole. But I can't see it happening.

I was pleased to here Roos talk about the room for development but also how Clarry has won over his team mates by playing the right way. That would make me feel pretty chuffed as a young fella. You can see why Roos is well known as a players coach, he's been frustrated over the last two years but think his care for his players in genuine.