DeeSpencer

No Dawes in round 1. Frost could be a smokey option instead of Pedersen, or just be training with the forwards in case Pedo (or Jamar) go down before round 1.Long term I hope he's back with the defenders, but if he's not first choice as a defender for round 1 then they can experiment a bit.

Yep. He seems to crouch down to get in a more powerful position, but then he seems to lose his height advantage. Maybe he needs more weight in the lower body, but I'm sure they don't want to overload him. His mobility is one of his strengths around the ground when he can play like another midfielder and means he can provide options on the lead and also defend better than most 208cm types when forward. But it counts for nothing if he doesn't pluck a few or at least bring them to ground for the crumbers. So far I love the role McCartney is doing just telling it how it is. Gawn's had troubles using his height in marking contests for years and I'm sure previous coaches have attempted to teach him, but there's nothing better than straight up real time correction.

I think he can play tall midfield as well. Wouldn't surprise me if he's one Melbourne keep a close eye on and have some interest in a second chance at AFL level.

Harmes (and also someone like Aidan Riley) are in a pretty heavy logjam of inside midfield/half forward types. Without Watts and Vince the numbers of outside running types are pretty low. Maybe Lumumba, Toumpas and Matt Jones as wing types. I think there's enough difference in the roles to justify the selection, not to mention that Stretch has looked very good.

I don't like the 'purple' or more accurately 'maroon' colour. But I certainly don't like orange style light tomato colour or the Sydney Swans style pink. In the OP I think the branding is certainly much too maroon, but the jumper on Jonesy is just a slight too orange. The polo shirt Roosy is wearing seems just about perfectly red. A rich, strong, deep red that is still 100% red. Like a beautiful classic ferrari. I think the club knows what colour it wants, but getting that on to the jumper might not be as easy as it sounds. Fixing the branding is probably an issue, but I'd rather we spend money on football than worry about the website being a bit off colour.

Wandered passed at about 10 for an hour. Focus today was all about attacking spread from a stoppage and moving the ball quickly forward. Which made me very happy! The switch kicking across half back (not under much pressure) was very good. The last kick in to the forward line needed a bit more improvement but not terrible. And it wasn't really a full drill so some quick kicks in were spoiled but hopefully come match day they are cleaned up by crumbers. I'd rather the ball in quickly and forwards given a chance than too much stuffing around. Watts trained strongly for probably the first time I've seen this summer. Bit of a reminder he's got pace and skill and not to discount him. Keen to see him in NAB 2 or 3 now. Brayshaw probably had his best session as well. Very clean by foot and kept getting to the right areas. Bail was solid. JKH impressed me with his run, but did probably bight of a bit more than he could chew running in to trouble a bit. Roos and co encouraging players to run when in open space though. Toumpy had some impressive patches, nice to see him running with the ball, that's the key to his game being successful. Dom Tyson found plenty of it as usual in any drill that involves spreading. At one stage he didn't have the perfect option from a forward so just loaded up a left foot bomb from 50+ which impressed the crowd. Sam Frost trained a lot with the forwards. Might have been just to get the numbers for the drills, at least I hope so. Not that I don't rate him forward, just we need key defensive depth. More towards the start of the session it looked a fair bit like players who were very keen to get on a plane and get ready for a game. But they switched on as it went. White has a suckling (or other strange) style kicking action but wow he kicks it low and firm. Waddles a bit. A little fumbly still as well. But if we can make an adequate defender out of him and he can find the footy in games then he can really use it. I'm glad TDI got the news on Viney, was worried it might be a quad or groin. A whack in the nuts should be ok!

Never the same 22. But in a 26 they can all fit. 2 on the bench most of the time. Pedersen comes on forward when Dawes, Hogan or Gawn need a rest. Jamar and Spencer swap in the ruck. Then sub one of them out at half time as well. If it was me I wouldn't even play Jamar in this match. But if they are going to play him then I want him having plenty of rest.

Yep. Although I'm not sure if it's all 3 games and coaches are given the option of scaling it down. Hawthorn played without the subs as they wanted to give 24 a full hit out instead of mixing the 26, although they promptly had a guy off injured so ended up with 23. Geel and Gold Coast had a heat rule invoked and played with all 8 available on the bench but I don't think we will get that on Thursday at this stage.

FB: Jetta Dunn Garland HB: Grimes McDonald Salem C: Lumumba Jones Newton HF: Kent Hogan JKH FF: Gawn Dawes Garlett Foll: Jamar Tyson Cross Int: Spencer, Pedersen, Frost (need extra talls), Viney, Michie, Toumpas S: Matt Jones, Bail Emer: Stretch, McKenzie, vandenBerg That's a guess at a team. Although I'd like to see Stretch and vandenBerg play. Could leave out Spencer or have him as the sub and swap him with Jamar at half time, but I think they are keen to see Gawn play as much key forward as possible before round 1 and therefore I'd have Spencer and Jamar swapping in the ruck.

If he isn't sure then play on is the right call. He made one terrible mistake in not being comfortably behind the line, anything after that is just part of the original bad decision.

Both will only be promoted if they are due to play games. Giving them money for nothing if they haven't earnt a debut. But I expect both to go close if they stay fit for the year.

Ideally we'd probably have 2 goal umpires. Each hiding safely behind each post and therefore away from players and the ball. Plus then they'd only have to rule on one goal post (and one point post) plus share the goal line between them. Goal umpiring isn't quite as easy as it looks, I've done it a few times in local footy. It's certainly easier this time of year without a boggy goal square. But really the umps have to stand a good metre or so back behind the line, keep out of players and the balls way but also have the ability to rush up and slot in front of a goal post to then look across the goal line to determine if the ball has crossed. You have to be on the ball with your movements to get to the right spots. Either way, be thankful this happened now and the good goal umpires will be picked for big games, the rest will have learned from this and be in the right spots this week!

No one. They admitted he was in the wrong spot. Tbh I'm probably in favour of the rule staying the same because what happens if the ball hits the goal umpire on the line but the ball has taken a big high bounce and might just have spun backwards or even at a crazy sideways angle. I probably prefer rules that are clean cut and equal for all sides than rules that are 'fair' so to speak. If Eddie Betts wants a reason that he had bad luck then call it karma for drilling the ball at a goal umpire. Anyway, it's another reason preseason footy is important, they umps need preseasons as well and this goal umpire has to shape up or be dropped.

Richmond were missing Brandon Ellis as well. Miles played and was good. But after that top 5 (Cochin, Martin, Deledio plus the aforementioned) their midfield depth just becomes a bunch of battlers - Grigg, Petterd, Conca etc. They put up an ok effort for missing probably more than 12 of their best 18 but I was disappointed they didn't seem to find anyone new of note. Lambert and Taylor Hunt are just more numbers to add to their pile of battlers I think. Chris Knights would be nice to have back and I do like Lennon their first pick last year. He seemed to be playing half back, similar to Salem for us. Like us they need more class from half back. Agree with you on Shuey and Gaff. They would fit so perfectly in our midfield with guys like Jones, Viney, Tyson and Vince. Just chuck a few of the others in and we'd have a top 8 midfield! I guess we hope on someone from the Newton/Michie/Riley/Matt Jones/Toumpas back log steps up or we wait for Brayshaw/Petracca/Stretch.

Whilst 90 dollars a season for just AFL is a better investment the $50 a month for foxtel is at least now somewhat reasonably priced. By the time you've brought the counter meal, bottle of red etc you've spent most of the $50. Now you have to get value for the rest of the year as well so it helps if you like the international cricket, NFL/baseball/NBA and A league they show but it's at least not a horrendous rip off any longer. On the couch and AFL 360 are pretty nice as well, but I'd put the value of them at about 5-10 dollars a month really max.

The problem for Brisbane is without Hanley they probably need Rich at half back and the majority of Beams, Rockliff, Christensen (if he's not injured) Redden, Aish, Taylor, Zorko, Mitch Robertson etc in the midfield so for the time being will be sloppy in front of goal where they are really Josh Green and a bunch of talls under 21. It might take a couple of years to really round out the midfield depth as well as having the tall forwards develop. If/when that happens they can have the luxury of Rockliff, Taylor and Zorko spending time deep. They'll win games this year if they get on top and establish their running fast moving style. They'll lose if teams control the pace of the game. I do love the way they play though and wish we could develop midfield talent and ball movement like they have.

5-10 maybe up to 15. He just doesn't look ready to mix it out in the middle and I don't think Paul Roos has any intention of finding out. He'll be in line for a flank, either back or forward depending on injuries and form. I expect he'll get more midfield opportunities at VFL and impress. His work rate impresses me as does how he cracks in, plus his kicking is a bit inconsistent but adequate, it's not poor, just like most players he's better with time and space than under pressure. Brayshaw was compared to Boak pre draft. And Boak was a really good case of a pretty standard start for a top 5 player who then steadily improved for 3 years. http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-port-adelaide-power--travis-boak If you look at his stats he averaged 16 touches in his first year (way before any sub rule), then 20 touches, then 23. He wasn't a beast at the contest like his draft rival Selwood. He wasn't dominating on the outside with speed. Nor was he fitter than everyone so racking up the ball. Or out marking them and kicking heaps of goals. So it took him a lot of development in building his body and game. That's what I expect from Brayshaw.

So? JKH played often as the sub and as a nippy little small forward. Brayshaw's talent is for winning the ball inside as well as accumulating around the ground. I imagine he will get a few chances this year, on one of the flanks or a wing and do pretty well. I was just pointing out there's no shame in him looking thin and that the combination of more muscle and experience will have him much more protected very quickly

He is thin, he's 18! He didn't seem to cop any big huge hits on in the scratch match, but certainly got cleaned up a couple of times. He's not afraid of the contest and will risk his body to get or use the ball. More time in the gym plus more experience will certainly help him. He's just probably going to need a while as Casey getting used to bigger bodies before mixing it in the AFL. I'm not too concerned. So I agree with the rest that you've said and aren't concerned by him looking and playing like a youngster.

Probably smells a bit fishy

29 in the squad. Up to 26 to play I believe. No Trengove, Petracca, Howe, Vince, Neal-Bullen and unlikely King. That means 38 left on the list. 12 of whom will miss. I'd suggest Watts probably misses as well, that takes it back to 11. Best 26 at the moment is probably: FB: Jetta Frost Dunn HB: Garland McDonald Salem C: Lumumba Jones Jones HF: Kent Dawes JKH FF: Garlett Hogan Pedersen Foll: Jamar Tyson Cross Int: Gawn Viney Grimes Michie Newton Toumpas S: Stretch Riley Unlucky: McKenzie, Brayshaw, Terlich, Fitzy, Spencer, White, Vandenberg, Harmes, Hunt, Oscar Mc, Bail From that list I'd be keen to see Fitzy, Vandenberg and Bail play as they might be round 1 options, so if there are other injuries or senior players rested then get them in.

What end of the ground? I moved around a bit and mainly was on the Punt road wing so not really surprised I missed it. Seems strange Dawes would whack someone and even stranger Jetta. Dawes' suspensions last year were more silly and crude than down right blatant. Both would've been fines under the new system this year.

Forgot to mention Vandenberg. He seems to present well enough. Like his size and how he moves. If he's got the work ethic he'll be even fitter next year. In the early match sim with smaller teams he got right up the ground from half forward and helped out the backs and also had to chase Lumumba around a bit, which is not an enviable task. I would be keen to see him in the guts but I don't think he's been wasted or disrespected by playing half forward at all. It's his way in to the side and he seemed to have a session of near misses from making an impact. He'd have a kick sail over his head or be open for split second and ignored. Cracks in and looks like a footballer (both in size and by having a classic footballers mug). My dream of him being the next Barlow might be a bit unrealistic, but I'm still hoping he gets a shot in the NAB challenge. Also didn't mention Aidan Riley. The pig was involved a fair bit. Ran the lines much better (and faster) than last year and used it well enough. Goes wear others fear to tread as well. Don't rule him out of round 1 contention. I think injury free he's got a bit more speed that most fans probably thought after seeing him last year.

You have to remember they are playing against each other, so including a lot of younger and fringe players and they also know each others strengths and weaknesses. From the forwards I'm confident Hogan and Garlett will add skills. Kent and JKH impressed today. I know what Dawes will deliver. Either Gawn or Pedersen should offer something. Not much from Watts today but obviously if he can get the damn footy he uses it well. Jones, Tyson, Viney stood out today. Crossy is Crossy. Lumumba makes the team better even though his foot skills will up and down. Toumpy should be improved and Matt Jones showed that whilst he'll miss a target here and there he's got the ability to get the ball moving. Bernie Vince would be a nice addition but so be it. Newton can kick a footy. In the backline Salem uses it really well. I'd still like Howe back there too for more run and skill. Garland and Dunn are steady, they'll have moments but mostly they don't burn it and they defend well. Garland's turnover (whilst unnecessarily opening a window) would've been marked by a stronger more experienced player. Jetta is very solid if unspectacular with the ball. Grimes is Grimes, but he didn't muck up today and his run and defensive work was solid. Frost isn't highly skilled but not terrible. Tom McDonald is dreadful by foot, but hopefully can defend well. Overall Hawthorn (that skill masters) got out pressured and soundly beaten by Collingwood, with both teams missing plenty last night because Collingwood won the physicality, pressure and defensive set up battle and used the ball well enough to good enough forwards who got some score on the board.

As far as the match sim went it had its moments of positive play and others not so much. To be honest I was probably as disappointed in the coaches as much as the players. The focus again seems to be on possession retention, with Goodwin calling for calm and slow steady play at half back. Seems a strong desire to get the ball to running players by foot trying to pick through zones instead of attacking run from the backline and long kicks to half forwards presenting which is what I'd love to see. The best patches of play did involve a more attacking kick towards the corridor and then some flowing handball and run. Frost actually straightened the team up a bit with an attacking play. One went from the Northern end in to the middle for a series of handballs (I think Salem, Viney, Kent) who then pumped it in forward. The slower play around half back was ok at times. It certainly wasn't terrible. But when you switch it around half back against any good defensive team (and both sides defended pretty well) at some stage you're going to need to do 1 of 3 things to get out - 1. kick to a contest. 2. thread the needle on a difficult kick or 3. run and link up and break through a zone. There were too many times where I would've liked to see us try the kick to the ruck/CHF option OR try the handball and run through the middle early on in the rebound. Individual wise (bearing in mind the teams were pretty balanced and so you had to look both ends) Backs: Dunn made it hard for Gawn by out bodying him. Grimes was more solid. Salem defended well, took a great mark backing in to a pack and used the ball really well. Garland had one moment where he dangled a kick out for young White who probably could've held it with strong hands but was picked off. Hunt had a big long run (during the earlier match simulation stuff). Tommy McDonald continues to be a liability with ball in hand. Shank central. He has a very slow steady and release on his kicks. White kicks really well and looks up for the contest, just is a bit awkward defending and around the packs. Frost provided a bit of burst and was otherwise ok. Jetta was very comfortable for the time he played. Sat Hogan on his backside I believe at the far end. A number of others - Michie, Newton, Lumumba, McKenzie filled in on the flanks. Mids: Tyson is still probably our best on the spread, just gets to the right spots to get the ball. Viney found plenty as well. Jones was Jones. Lumumba breaks the game open with his run but we'll have to cop some turnovers or poor kicks. Matty Jones found lots of space, he's good at getting a handball and getting to the edge of a pack, unfortunately he just isn't smooth by foot when running full pace. Lively is a good word for Stretch. Newton pulls off the occasional lovely left foot kick, but I'm concerned about how he's going to find the ball. Michie has moments of clever play but then can be walking around a pack instead of busting for that handball receive. Toumpy found a bit of it and used it well. He's up for the contest but I'm not sure he's figured out just how he'll win them yet. Spencer did manage to handball the ball along the ground at one stage in his excitement to dish off a handball to a running player. He missed a lot of footy last year and training, so I'll give him time. But it's hard to watch at times. I think he'll only ever be of use if he plays angry and plays like a big strong bugger. That's not ideal for a scratch match, but he if rucks in games like he did v Pedersen at centre bounces he wont contribute much. Anyway, too much time for our 3rd string ruck already. Fwds: Hogan very solid. Dawes 2 grabbing but did take a few. Gawn got at least one goal when in more space but Dunn does give him trouble one on one. Garlett was buzzing around. JKH as usual finds a way to get to space, he's got a good work ethic. Kent was involved in lots and was very physical. Didn't see much of Fitzy besides on nice grab. Anyway, good players played well, ordinary players not so much. Defensive set ups were pretty sound. Physical effort seemed willing. Ball use was safe around half back. Forwards stayed at home pretty well. Mainly it's time to play against an actual opponent and to get our better players in the same team.