DeeSpencer

His 08 and 09 were fine. Some how after his best preseason his VFL form was rubbish and he couldn't get in the team. Obviously the team was stronger and it was harder to get a game, but his VFL form just didn't show any progression. I feel we will no very early next year whether he has any chance or not, because for a player of his height and skill set if you can't play consistent good VFL footy in your 4th year what hope do you have.

Surely in the days of bigger lists and reserves Newton would have lasted plenty of years. But these days its more of a miracle - except its not a miracle just an indication of our lack of key position stocks over the last few years.

Has all the attributes to be......a complete spud. Seriously if we are down to Newton or no one he could do an ok job, he has some speed and a good leap to spoil. But what would happen if the ball hit the deck. I've seen little agility and can't imagine him hitting the targets under pressure required. I think Juice is best served trying to establish himself as a forward/ruck prospect. If Leigh Brown can do it he must stand some chance.

Agree on both points. Rivers kicking in the second half of this year was impressive. I think the amount of footy he missed was only just been caught up. If we are to be successful then Rivers will be in the Maxwell role, he needs to improve in it - give more rebound, kill more contests etc, but the Maxwell role is his role.

Spencer seems to save up his best kicking for obscure practice/nab cup games.How has he played?

Well Cheney and Scully for 2 but that was before the game.

I think the only game you watched this year is Melbourne v West Coast.Garland isn't slow. His biggest problem is when he plays on smalls who are elusive and dangerously agile he can be grabby and give away holding the mans. He doesn't have that great ability to know exactly where a man is like Bartram and Frawley seem to. I agree on Rivers though, he lacks a yard and can be unaccountable at times, but really we want him to play the Maxwell role so its ok.

SEN reporting Scott. The fact that the players wanted Sanderson might be enough for Sanderson to walk as him staying may cause problems for Scott getting hold of the playing group.

Apparently was very good in the bits of Casey reserves he played which is a good sign. Then he did a medial didn't he? Hopefully his knee comes good and then he can break into a few Casey senior games. From the tweets he seems to be well regarded as a fun bloke around the club which is a good thing probably.

2007 21 - Maric 2008 17 - Blease 19 - Strauss 2009 11 - Gysberts 18 - Tapscott There's a fab 5 for you. I've got a feeling that getting success out of these 5 will either make or break Bailey.

All the highlights video did was remind me how much I'd like Day, Gorringe, Lycett, Polec and Wingard. I'd take Smith as well. He would break my rule on drafting anyone by the name of Brodie though, so I'd be reluctant at pick 12.

Sandilands is the only ruck who dominates regularly, and Cox was the only one before that. I'd love a ruckman to dominate most weeks but just because he doesn't has nothing to do with how good or important they are. Jolly had a slow start to the year, dominated a few games and then really stood up in the finals That's all I'd want for Jamar. I think ruck is now like full back it's hard to be very influential, but that doesn't make you very good.

You have to teach defenders both defence and attack. That's what I liked about Wellman. I'd worry that Presti would just teach stoppers and we'd end up with a backline free of run.

I agree we should use 4 picks in the ND.So for that to happen we need to drop 2 more players. I'd say it could be any of PJ, McNamara, Maric or Martin. Whichever 2 it is I'd put them on the rookie list (obviously if they are contracted they have to be put there). The first 2 would be my preference. Meesen I believe has retired. I'd delist Healey and Hughes. They both have some level of talent but can't bring it consistently to VFL level yet alone AFL. Then I'd keep Newton on the rookie list and add the 2 delisted guys. That will give us 3 "live" picks in the rookie draft. Obviously best available but I'd be keen for one mature ager.

4 year deal last year. Freo came in big late, forced us into 4 year deal and if you believe the rumours putting the captaincy in the contract (which I think is pure bs).Alwyn was reported as very close to leaving, then committed to staying, everyone probably just decided that meant Aaron was going there. If Aaron really wanted to go I'd be absolutely shocked.

Watts - He needs the games Morton - If he's played 22 games it shows he's most likely got a position and played good footy. It's not fair to be concerned about Morton, but I think its fair to say if he's going to be a very good player he'd need a strong year next year Blease - I was going to go Davey here, and for the teams purposes Davey is more important, but if we are going to make it as a really top team we need more Davey's. Blease is our best chance of doing that. Maybe he doesn't need 22 games at AFL level, but 22 games with some being at AFL level and strong improvement would be very nice. Sylvia - To show he can, and can play them well Grimes - To show he can Jamar - Because we will need him to Next 6: Davey, Frawley, Jurrah, Moloney, Scully, Green.

Things I like about our game plan: 1. Defensive first 2. Quick ball movement 3. Down the guts Things I don't like: Not enough forward pressure. We don't seem to have an effective tight zone, and so we give up I50's and lose that stat more weeks than we should. In this was we are StKilda like. How the saints played the pies in GF 1 was very like how we've played them this year. Interestingly though you have to concede something whilst you are losing games (ie. there is a hidden aspect of a game plan that only comes together when you win). StKilda are a low scoring side atm, but really they do score, remember when Lyon first took them over - they could barely score. Geelong were different, they were regarded as too handball happy. Collingwood were written off as never been able to win a flag as they went via the boundary. Hawthorn - well no one really had a clue what they were doing until it worked.

We ended 4-18 for the year in 2009. We lost a game to Richmond after the siren from Jordie McMahon, late in the season where Frawley played CHF and Warnock FF. We tanked. But hey Hawthorn did it, they won a flag. Collingwood did it, they won a flag. StKilda did it, they've lost in a drawn GF and by a Matthew Scarlett toe poke.

What did Jones do, and what does he do now?

I heard ages ago that Wellman was going to be a part of Hird's team, but I thought when he signed a new deal with us that would be the end of it. It's bad because Wellman has got the best results out of any of our assistant coaches, but good because I think we needed some change in the assistants. Collingwood and the Saints seem to change them pretty regularly and have no problems. I'll be interested to see who we can get. I like the suggestion of Maxy Hudghton.

I know he finally got to spend more time forward this year which resulted in a career best season, but I still worry if there is a spot for him up forward when everyone is fit. Watts and Jurrah are the talls, Green the 3rd tall, Petterd takes his defensive forward role and then we need a couple of smalls - Wona and Bennell. Without one of the smalls I'm concerned we lack the forward pressure that seems to be a vital part of footy these days. Personally I think he might be forced to go back to tagging again. With the retirement of the skipper he becomes the player on our list with the best physical attributes to tag. He's strong, a good tackler and has the speed. His problem with tagging in the past was probably not getting enough of his own ball but I think his time forward will have improved that, he's also a nice kick around the ground and we saw he can kick a goal.

Milburn, Darren - Andrew Mackie Scarlett, Matthew - Jeremy Laidlaw Mooney, Cameron - Mitch Brown Ottens, Brad - Dawson Simpson Wojcinski, David - Taylor Hunt Ling, Cameron - Simon Hogan Podsiadly, James - Tom Hawkins Enright, Corey - Daniel Menzel Chapman, Paul - Steven Motlop Rooke, Max - didn't play anyway Corey, Joel - Mitch Duncan Hunt, Josh - who cares Ablett, Gary - Big whole, but good picks if he goes Personally if Gary leaves I'd try and implement these changes over the next 2 years. They will stay competitive in that time anyway. Some of these kids are a bit speculative but they will still develop in a good side and should come on quickly. Guys like Laidler, Menzel, Duncan and Hunt have shown they can play at AFL level already. In fact I think Geelong went in with a side that was too slow and at least T. Hunt should have been playing. Mackie and Hogan are experienced players. The big question for Geelong is do you throw the coach out as well after next year. Bomber is looking tired and his philosophy and hand crafted side is looking out dated.

Joel Corey, Scott Pendlebury etc.Tall midfielder who will eventually add bulk to his frame so he can be a strong clearance midfielder Positives - racks up the ball - shown a liking for getting in and under and winning clearances - good mark for a midfield - obviously size helps here - very clever handball Negatives - tackling -if you are going to be an inside midfielder you need to get 5+ tackles a game. Gysberts isn't McKenzie-like but with some added muscle and time at AFL level he should improve. - kicking. A lot has been said, obviously he doesn't have the most fluent ball drop or action, and I haven't see enough to say if he's a really bad kick. But I think every player besides Davey and Green on our list should be working very hard on their kicking, and Gysberts looks like he could use some help.

I wonder if Liam is up there. If he is then I certainly hope he is safe, and also hope that regardless of where he is he can help resolve some of the tension.

Even though I do agree that he is most likely best suited to a step down from AFL I think its stupid to ever write someone off completely. I'd like to see Valenti go to GWS and play a similar role as others have at GC.