bing181

This.

Oh they'll make the 8. Only question is how high they are in the 8 and how deep into Sept they go. They're better than last year through natural progression of the younger players, and then adding Barrass and Battle shores up their backline and leaves Sicily to play where they need him. Impressive and will be hard to stop once they get their tails up.

Yes and no. 3 of those changes have been forced through the unavailability of Kozzie, McVee and Thostrup, all of whom would have certainly been playing, plus probably Turner. Not to mention the departure of ANB, without even considering Melksham and Spargo, both injured/not ready. Not quite the radical shakeup, we actually have a lot of injuries and are just covering them. Not complaining either, but not sure how many of these debutantes will be able to hold their spots once the regulars are available.

But Goodwin is stubborn and won't give players a go ...

Of the Interchange, you would imagine Billings and Sharp have done enough. Then it's a toss up between Jefferson and Johnson (surprise surprise) and a fourth spot to ... god knows.

He had 2 years at Casey playing in his "natural position" or variations of (wing?), and he did the opposite of thrive. The move down back was a last resort.

Exactly. Not part of the old boys' club, she's there on merit.

Not sure what I feel about this - Twomey stirring the pot? Would have thought that Johnson was ahead of Jeffo, who they didn't even take to the Fremantle match. Maybe he's been setting the house on fire in training or in the Casey match that no-one saw, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't Johnson.

They doubled the Pies score with the outs they have. And a decent chance Tom Green is back against us.

Don't see how we win this. Maybe Pickett in would have been enough to tip the scales, but I just don't see that we have the speed to go with them - either speed in the legs or with ball movement.

The carrot. Keeps him motivated. But ...

Yes. Our problem is though that there's currently a big step down to the next player in line for that dominant forward role. Perhaps with a decent support cast (AJ, Turner ...?) one is enough, but feels kind of thin to me, especially if JVR gets injured.

Disagree. Both teams have some pretty handy players in their forward lines.

Very good. It enables Sicily to go forward, and that should have alarm bells ringing across the AFL.

Isn't this at odds with the medical prognosis? - though I'm lost with it, I understood it was bone stress in his foot, but on the AFL site they refer to his back.

Quite a few positives, but JVR is head and shoulders above any alternatives and we really missed him. Similar story at the other end, we missed either Petty or TMac as big bodied defenders. And up forward, hoping Mentha or Henderson or Sharp can step up, Chandler just doesn’t seem to be able to take that next step and if they’re going to play Kozzie further up the ground …

No matter how many pre-seasons he does, Viney' disposal never improves!

Another goal against Adams ... nothing against him, still learning etc., but bizarre for me that Tom Mac or someone else wasn't included.

Not sure why we wouldn't have taken Tom Mac if Petty wasn't playing? Adams out of his depth at this level, Treacy running rings around him.

Also to provide a chop out to JVR providing a chop out to Max.

Demonland myth. Last year we used 36 players, which is around the AFL average (37).

At the very least, Culley will keep players like Sparrow (and Langford) honest. Pressure on spots is never a bad thing.

Every year there are one or two dumped players who resurrect their careers and become successful at a new club. Hoping that at least one of Henderson or Culley falls into that bracket.

Not what you said 15 months ago though is it. In fact, you were quite enthusiastic about both McAdam and using our future 2nd: and: and:

Odd that you didn't mention most of that when we were looking at him: