Oliver Hill

Good team. Strauss, Bennell and Cheney will battle it out for a spot on the back flank and Petterd has earnt his place in the forward-line. So the only change I'd make to your team is - In: Petterd Out: Warnock Hawthorn struggle in the ruck dept, but it's asking a lot for Jamar to carry the load all day, so Martin gets the nod ahead of Warnock. With Franklin out suspended I don't see the need for Warnock, Rivers and Frawley in the backline. They may throw Schoenmakers forward, or possibly select Jordan Lisle in place of Franklin, but in reality we don't want to be top heavy in the back-line. Martin has the versatility to go back if need be, can give Jamar a spell in the ruck, or be that bigger body in the forward-line. So he gets the nod over Warnock. Footy is all about matchups, so this needs to be taken into account against a Franklinless Hawthorn. Also, every side should include Scully and Trengove. Firstly, they're our future and need as many games as possible and secondly they're good enough. Anyone disappointed with their progress ought not be. They've had a couple of games now to get the feel of the pace and tempo and will blossom very quickly - especially with more games.

I reckon that they'll have much more of the impact you were hoping for in the season proper. They'll now not what to expect and these games will hold them in good stead. Their class is evident and they'll quickly find the tempo.

Were your expectations inflated? What former top 2 picks have led you to believe that Scully, or Trengove, aren't as advanced as you'd hoped? And you do realise that they're 2 games into their career? Daniel Rich, who had a stellar first year, averaged 39 and 42 DT points in his two Nab Cup games last year. He went on to average 75 for the season proper. The year before Palmer had scores in the 40's for both Nab games and went on to average 87 in the season proper - both rising star winners. So I wouldn't rule out a bigger impact in 2010 based on the two glimpses you've seen thus far. It's more about how they move and whether they show class. The accumulation of ball will come - and quickly. But getting back to "expectations". Gibbs averaged 13 possessions per game in his first year; Deledio 15; Cooney 11; Hodge 15; Judd 15 (and he was considered a star); Griffen 13; Luke Ball 15 (his second listed year); and Cotchin 16. Marc Murphy was probably the stand-out ball winner with 18 (average disposal). I'll be very surprised if Trengove and Scully don't match the output of those that went before them. I think at this stage your 'expectations' are a little skewed.

This from a Geelong supporter who attended today: "On a positive note, i thought Scully was very impressive and although its obvious he needs to put on at least 5 kgs this year, looked as though he belonged and almost looked a leader within your side already." It's funny how views vary. As for not being "starting 22" ? I wasn't there today, but have seen enough to think he's starting 22. Also, Bailey wants as many games as possible into his better young players. He'll be starting come round 1.

His approach doesn't overly concern me as there's probably not a lot he wants to give way, but I simply make the point, he's not worth listening to and if one expects any revelations they'll be disappointed. But hey, those supporters that hang on every last insignicant word, go for it. I'm all for enlightening the average supporter.

Has anyone ever learnt anything from a Dean Bailey interview? It's not worth tuning in.

Watts' back problem is nothing structural whatsoever. He has a minor sore which subsequently became infected. Mind you, it's rather amusing how he came about this wound. His only genuine footy injury is the slight quad strain. The "back injury" won't have any effect on his football moving forward and wasn't footy related.

I agree with everything in that paragraph. We're on the same page. I try to be somewhat dispassionate about our past when judging fledgling talent, otherwise I'll end up on the "woe is me" path that is so typical of Melbourne supporters. Have a look at Demonology. The "woe is me" brigade is in full force. They remind me of one of Dave Allen's old characters. I'm not happy about the last 40 years, but it is what it is and I have to have faith in the current direction because it's the right one. And I can't judge every present injury, or hurdle along the way by what has gone on previously, because they are separate entities governed by circumstance which has long evaporated.

I'm very happy to go out on a limb when it comes to Trengove. I saw Flower's career and a young Gerard Healy. I saw Lyon, Schwarz, Neitz, Stynes and Viney all kick things off. I saw Trengove only get 15 possessions at the u/18 championships last year at the Dome, but knew I was watching a star in the making. I've since seen him train, as well as last Saturday's intraclub. I also watched him (whilst streaming the net) in the PF and GF for Sturt last year. Despite your protestations, I'm not prone to exageration. Trengove is the best young talent I've seen at the club since Flower. Now you can think I'm "jumping the gun", "going early", talking "piffle", or any other suggestion, especially in your overly excited way of posting, I don't care. I'm happy to make the judgment and let history decide.

Without wanting to delve too much into his private life, it had to do with a family bereavement.

Yes, it was an unusual decision. Thankfully, I'm capable of understanding anomalies.

You weren't at the game yet you comment ? ITYAFBCSS Jurrah was very ordinary. He kicked a couple late, but was off his game today. Sylvia had a poor first half, but worked his way into it. Morton was a disaster until half time, dropping sitters, terrible foot disposal, and fumbling ground balls in front of oncoming traffic, but improved immeasurably in the second half. He looked like a different player. Scully was rusty. Lots of his work will go unnoticed. Played well. Bennell is going to have a great year. He'll make the odd error under pressure, but I'm about to draft him in to my DT. Green will kick 40-50 goals this year. Joel MacDonald is a good pick up. Just a solid player who'll take many kickouts. Frawley was second best on ground. He'll become the premier full back of the league and AA. Rivers was solid and looked confident again. I thought Strauss was better than most posting here. Grimes was very good and got a lot of it. He made a couple of skill errors, but makes up for it shortly after. Let's note that a lot of the mistakes were from the Casey listed players. I've seen intra-club matches for years and this was better than the last few. I thought the standard was very good. ## Oh yes, Trengove. No hyperbole, no hubris, etc. Make no mistake, this guy is the best player at the football club. He's the best midfielder I've seen since Flower - I'm happy to go early. For some of the older supporters - he's better than a young Gerard Healy.

Scully, which doesn't mean I have less love for Trengove. Trengove is a smooth mover with great balance and skills, plus he's exceptional overhead for a midfielder, but Scully has the best hands I've seen (already), doesn't stop running, is driven, gets to contest after contest, is tough and leads on the field in a way that makes others follow. Thank Jordan we have both.

Good God man. Your Father would be gobsmacked if he's still alive. Davey would be lucky to spit and polish Flower's boots. Flower had courage, grace like has rarely been seen, was as good a mark as you'll ever see from a midfielder, and at his peak was the best player in the competition. In state games he outshone the very best players in the league. Think a shorter, leaner, faster and more agile James Hird. He should have been named on the wing in the AFL's TOC ahead of Greig. It cuts me to the quick to this day that he wasn't. But alas, he played in [censored] sides. Davey will never be in the same stratosphere.

Your signature is apt. I've too little time to educate you on the social meaning of prima donnas.

It tends to be the prima donnas that automatically jump to conclusions, or worst case scenarios. They then get very narky when called to account. When I first heard that Sylvia walked off with a "lower leg injury", I immediately thought 'ankle' or 'calf strain'. OP never crossed my mind. Mind you I'm a little unusual. I tend to comprehend what I read.

Whilst I'm not convinced that Bate is a CHF I suspect you're right. Miller was retained on a one year deal to provide a big body in the forward line, so, subject to form, he'll get his opportunities. From my limited viewing of training's match simulation Miller was playing deeper in the forward line. It won't surprise me to see Miller and Jurrah both lining up close to the goal square.

Those coaches were terminated during the final year of their contract, which is quite different to what you're advocating. You wrote "i don't think a club should go into a season with the coach's contract finishing at the end of that season". Perhaps you can explain to me how coaches would ever be sacked without a year, or more, running on their contracts under your scenario. In essence, you're advocating that coaches never come out of contract, which is quite different to the poor examples you provided above.

So I take it that every coach that doesn't have his contract renewed should be paid out with time remaining?

Despite not being overly interested in nicknames I did hear "Trenners" a number of times during drills.

Jmac isn't a KPP.

It's funny how two people can have such a different opinion. I thought Scully had filled out considerably since I last saw him in July at the Dome in the Championships.

Jack looks great when he has space and he's moving to the ball, but presently he's still poor in one-on-one contests due to strength issues. It's his only achilles heel and should be rectified in time.

Morton did have a white cap on. His hair has grown and he wore no. 33 (blue and red jumper) during the match simulations.