DeeSpencer

And North. So much North. Ridiculous how we could put up such a streak of losses against them. The saints are very old at the top and young at the bottom with only a few - Armitage, Steven maybe Dempster in their prime years. Same with the Dogs. We now have a bit of maturity especially after bringing in Lumumba and Garlett. In fact we can field pretty much a full side and not much off our best 22 with guys who have now done 3 preseasons and played more than 20 games. That doesn't really sound amazing but if we are actually fit for once there's no more excuses of being a young team. Ie: FB: Jetta Dunn Garland HB: Grimes McDonald Howe C: Vince Jones Lumumba HF: Kent Hogan Watts FF: Pedersen Dawes Garlett Foll: Jamar Tyson Cross Int: Viney M Jones Terlich Bail So besides Hogan who hasn't made his debut but has done the 3 preseasons everyone else has at least 20 games experience as well as the 3 preseasons. And there's others like Spencer, Fitzpatrick, Newton, Michie, Frost, McKenzie, Gawn, Riley who have done the time at lower level and have to consider themselves ready to perform, not to mention the highly rated youngsters whom I hope we see. But there's no reason we should go in to any game next year thinking we can't compete. And when we come up against the Saints or Dogs most players on the field should say they are either more experienced than their opponents or fresher and in their prime.

I'm sorry but Casey fields isn't just not close to the city it shouldn't even be classified as in Melbourne. It's passed Cranbourne which is a country town, same as Pakenham. Governments in their wisdom/hunger for cash have decided to allow Melbourne to sprawl so far as to stretch out there (and further) but it's still miles away. It's our regional base and if we chose to use the facility then I'm fine with that. I'm glad you and others will be there. It should be marketed as an intraclub for our regional supporters and those in the middle to outer Eastern suburbs. Plenty of open trainings at Gosch's and the NAB challenge (one in Melbourne, one in Ballarat) then real games to come for the majority of our city supporters. I enjoy the NAB challenge games at Casey (besides us always getting flogged) and without one this year I'm glad we are taking the intraclub out there as long as there's a realisation that it's probably not catering to the maximum attendance it could get at a closer venue. I guess I'm pretty much agreeing with what you say in that you're valid dees supporters and it's good for us to get out there.

It's for the first 2 practice games. Let them strike if they want to. When it gets to our NAB challenge game and the regular season is about to start then I think the players will need to out themselves as not taking part so that they can get on with preparing for the season. The first 2 games will actually have more interest now as I get to watch Clisby, Magner and several others hopefully getting smashed by the Saints and Giants. Sounds fun.

I didn't mind Clisby. Neil Craig was obviously a fan. Got him in as soon as he took control and kept him in. Clisby is a little small to defend medium forwards and lacks a bit of penetration on his kicks but his short to medium kicking is solid and he added some rebound to our team when he came in. I was surprised Roos didn't give him a shot.

Depends if it's just the NAB challenge or part of the regular season. If it's just practice matches maybe he takes a couple of weeks off and plays at a higher level for more coin and to put his name forward. Otherwise I agree. Comes down to whether 3 nab challenge matches and then a full season at SANFL would be enough to get him on to a primary list which I'm sure he'd have to consider compared to the rookie list which probably doesn't interest him.

Came here because this is what interests me. I'd like to see Georgiou get another chance and considering Panos and Baulderstone were both names we were somewhat linked to around draft time I'd be keen to see them play.

Oh come on. You think criminals are really going to start rolling up to AFL clubs handing out drugs on the basis of Essendon's penalties? Has Dank or any of the chemists involved turned a profit it all of this? I doubt it, not unless they end up winning all their legal cases with fat settlements. The AFL now have there own rules in place where all supplements have to be approved by the AFL. Yet alone the ASADA/WADA rules that still have the catch all claim. AFL players will also now be way more careful regardless of the outcome to the Essendon players. Even if the Essendon players get cleared there's no way any players will be signing up for anything remotely questionable. The lesson in all of this is for the AFL and players to be more suspicious and vigilant. There's no need for Essendon to cop some huge punishment as a deterrent.

That is good news. Typical from Ed though. Even if you've sold your story to a TV network I believe you still retain the right to disclose your health information as you see fit.

He ran top 5 in the time trial, uses the ball smartly, has shown an ability to find it and find the big sticks. Petracca might be out of the forward line mix but yes I do hope JKH, Garlett, Kent and others can add some speed, excitement and goal kicking power

Or he could've been Ollie Wines or he could've been Christian Salem (showed a fair bit of promise in limited games) or he could've been Brad Green -lead us in to finals in his first year. I understand being upset at the time and I get that people should now have calmed down a bit but it's amazing how we've swung from putting too much expectation on our draftees to completely the opposite direction and seemingly putting limits on them.

President Bartlett will be on to this

Not necessarily a bad thing. Presumably he went through Auskick and learnt how to kick a footy with his old man. Probably got to high school age and was sick of everyone expecting him to be a gun at footy so turned to rugby. If he has the natural skills he could quickly play well at school or local level and make a shot at TAC for his under 18 year. With the new father son bidding proposal we don't really gain anything from a draft steal basis, but it's nice for the club and heritage to have father sons. With player movement becoming more common I think fans will appreciate the familiar names we hopefully run out with over the next few years.

Obviously it's easy to be cynical, but I wonder if the injuries to Petracca and possibly Frost have seen the club wind back the intensity from a full intra club to a mix of training and match simulation.

I guess they could have it as a Saturday, but that might throw off the preparation for the first NAB challenge game as well as throw out the regular training schedule. 4pm was a pretty good time for kids and school pick ups out in the Casey area to attend. Obviously not the majority of people, but a somewhat decent time. The change back to 2 and 3 is less ideal but it still is possible for some of the 3pm finishers to make it.

Whilst I agree, the disappointment is increased a bit because we just don't know how good Petracca's year could've been. Probability says you get enough talented high draft picks in and one of them has a fantastic break out year that inspires fans and team mates alike. But yes, at least it's not of those 3 and the reality is we have to improve with or without whatever Petracca's contribution may have been.

Fisted forever. We get through Friday the 13th and get screwed the next week. Frost hammy as well. Fark

Doubt I'll make it all the way out there just for an intraclub, but I'm sure we will have some good reports. Having it at Casey is a good idea because they are limited with what they can do at Gosch's I think in terms of all the other stuff. The BBQ and kids activities should be good at Casey, just hope a fair few can attend.

Dawes is obviously suspended in round 1, but I'd still go with 2 rucks and 2 key forwards. Jamar and Gawn/Pedersen and Hogan and Dawes/Pedersen/Fitzy. After that there's probably room for 3 other forwards, maybe with another as sub. A lot depends on their ability to provide midfield minutes. Garlett figures as the best crumber, likely to get a lock down small defender. The competition for the other 2 spots (plus sub) probably comes from Kent, Watts, Salem (if not playing back), JKH, Petracca and Bail. Plus any number of midfielders. All forwards should be judged for their defensive work as well as attacking work. If we play Pedersen as the 2nd ruck he gives us better defensive work forward than most back up rucks. Gawn tries hard but lumbers. Dawes is very good. Defensive pressure was a feature of Hogan's form at Casey, but it might be hard for him to run both ways early at AFL level. Garlett has the very handy speed, but defensive work rate probably hasn't been a strength of his. JKH had some good moments, he's very smart as is Salem but his tank wasn't up for it last year. Petracca has some burst and physicality. Watts doesn't have a defensive bone in his body. If we really want a forward to lock down then Bail is probably still our best go. But I'm hoping really good form from more skillful players at least puts the heat on his spot.

Left foot kick. Looked set for a goal but dropped down. Petterd was actually un manned by had Heath Shaw sprinting back towards him. He did the right thing in attacking the ball to prevent Heath Shaw having a play on it, but in turn ran under the ball a bit and dropped the mark. Ricky was good on the day, Bail I believe had just come in to the side and made a difference as well. It was an unfortunate play with maybe both a little to blame, but they both did good things just didn't work out. Ancient history these days. On that note, Bail did tidy up his set shots now. He has a consistent routine and whilst he kicks the ball a little low and without penetrating he's somewhat reliable for goal. Still a bit floaty around the ground.

Too right. His shonky kicking is less than ideal as well. And yeah it would be nice if he had more strength in the contest or was taller with a bigger leap, but really his pace is an absolute weapon and he seems to lead better than we probably give him credit. If he could hold more marks he'd probably make it or at least be better than average depth. With Dawes suspended in round 1 it should be a fair battle in the nab challenge for the 2nd key forward as well as back up ruck spots. Let the best man win.

I think you've answered your own question. In order to protect the image of the club and the theory that the players were led in to following a rogue individual they continue to lump all players from 2012 in together. Once you realise that only 34 have been charged you then know 10 didn't partake. Or from current numbers at the club it's 18 and 8 or whatever it is. The confidentiality is a huge myth being used to try to avoid playing useless practice matches with half a team and fill ins, whilst also protecting the narrative above. The hope for the Melbourne game being on comes from 2 things: 1. The case SHOULD be decided by then 2. Even if it's not, the proposed round 1 team that Essendon plan to field (whoever it includes) really does need a practice match by then. That's not true when it comes to the Giants and Saints games v Essendon.

Fev plays a season at Casey. 5 years later:

I don't think it will happen! You'll be safely able to go watch Freo's B team beat us. Freo Oval, should be nice. But I'm still keen for the extra 3rd practice game for us, partly so we don't need to send all our best players over to Freo when our season doesn't start for a month!

If we lose the Essendon game then we should skip the Freo trip and play the Saints in Morewell instead. Much better deal for our Victorian fans. And Essendon can pay Freo compensation. We should enquire as to whether Hawthorn want to play us on Thursday the 26th of March. The Hawks play their last NAB challenge on Thursday the 19th of March. Yet don't start the season until Monday April 6 (we start on Saturday the 4th). 18 days is a long time between your final warm up and first game. 11 days is long enough to get over soreness for the Hawks and we can probably survive on 9 days. You wouldn't play a full game anyway. 15 minute quarters would cut it. Out at Casey on a Thursday afternoon would be perfect. Or even better - at Goschs!

Got have Howe in. More than any other of those names (maybe besides Dunn) he intercepts, runs and moves the ball forward quickly. Lumumba might help with that, but the more the better. Jetta, Dunn and Howe are my starters. Lumumba makes the perfect 7th defender who plays 60% back whilst each defender has their 10% rest and 30% on the wing. Leaves 3 spots for McDonald (who's very likely), Frost, Garland and Grimes. Of course everything changes if Garland and Grimes can recapture their best form. And the option for Salem, Toumpas, Brayshaw, Terlich or even something fancier like Cross, Vince or Michie. If our outside running midfielders (Matt Jones, Toumpas etc) don't step up and Lumumba is more use in the midfield then I'm all in favour of picking 7 defenders outright. Particularly if 3 big boys are needed in the side and Frost comes in. In that case Howe would be a definite swing man option, particularly when games open up late and he finds more space forward. Would coincide nicely with a ruckman being subbed in the last quarter. Throw a key forward in to the back up ruck and swing Howe forward. Frost as a 4th quarter 5 minute chop out ruckman would be another option. I'm all for Roosy throwing the side around a bit more this year if we get more consistent even performance and need to make some moves to change the outcome of games.