Red Sox

Why don't we get inside 50 enough? I reckon it's we don't have confidence in anyone in particular enough and loose more confidence taking it through the middle as the game goes on. Seem to fall around far too often around half forward. Jurrah needs to return. Watts is starting to do some better things. Dunn working hard. Bennell was fairly decent for the opportunities he had, he would've kicked 5 if he had the supply Milne has. Feel we let ourselves down with disposal around the half forward line in particular. Reckon the backline do a fairly decent job each week considering the amount of ball they see. The midfield is getting there, Trengove was fantastic today, need a few more that can find the ball as well as he can as well as the sheperds, blocks and smothers he puts on. He is a star Trengove! Overall thought we pushed fairly well today, started better which was nice. I was a little surprised we didn't run the game out a bit better but were probably just worn down by that game style which we played head on.

6. Trengove. Super game....remember, he has only played 13 games of AFL football! Looked like he'd played 103 today. Bit more strength and depth in the kicking, a damn fine player he will be. No doubt has been the better of the two between he and Scully without taking anything away from skull. 5. McKenzie - back to his early season form 4. Bruce - better use of the ball today 3. Dunn - pretty effective considering we just can't get it inside 50 enough 2. Frawley - had the better of Milne though let him slip away a couple of times 2. Watts - encouraging and I'm giving him one. Just doing some better things each week. At times should go a bit harder at it but is getting that slowly. The kick from 50 in the second was all class really.

The amount that bag him here are astounding. Always been a good demon Riv.....anyway off too see his 100th and a win? Well, it would be bloody great!!! Unlikely is my word of the day!

Essendon just as bad as us on the road.

Hard to take the All-Australian team with a 'grain of salt'...fairly good indicator for the most part. Am surprised to see Darling not included. As suggested seems to be destined to slip down a bit like Butcher which likely sees us around the mark should we go for him. Comment without too much substance but feel the club may go for him given the chance. He would be a good chance to slot straight in and add something without a WHOLE heap of development. We'll see. Interesting times this draft as we will most likely be towards the bottom of the ladder and in the past expect to be taking note of the best 5 kids in the land, but this year we are looking at around the 11th best rated kids due to GC17. Unless a tall is an absolute standout it is usually these types that slip a bit which would be good for us.

Blease will be a star and the final ingredient to that brew. Hopefully he has his worst injuries behind because once on a park he will kill em!! Hopefully more updates on the Casey two's. Some nice signs from the Casey game...Jurrah, will be back against Ess? Surely!

Thanks for the update on the story...I was about to suggest that there are two ovals and couldn't understand the confusion. Lukey Beveridge trying to come home is he!!

Good call - would certainly seem to be the case. Happy with Spence having a crack...he will soon have Gawn & Fitzy on his tail so needs to be given some time. I saw him similar to Jacobs at Carlton last year, Jacobs has bulked up a bit more & would be good if Spence could put on a bit more, he has some athleticism but can look awkward at times. Hope he goes well. Saints Footy...damn I hate that term. It is horrible footy to watch. Yeah, yeah I know they can sing when they're winning though.

http://www.sen.com.au/audioplayer/Audio/Tom-Scully/638 Love how he made mention of the fact that 4.5 wins out of 13 means that we have under achieved. Good that the old cliches not trotted out, even some senior boys fallen into the trap.

Our tackling and intensity is no where near what it was for the first 6 rounds.....this is obvious and IMO really has little to do with having kids, developing etc etc, its all a mindset. We didn't exactly beat up Port...all heart to get over the line after we nearly blew it so credit to the boys there. Russian especially in both that game and the Pies game. The pies game should have been away from us really but bad kicking is bad football and yes our attack on the ball was better but tackling was still well below the pies on the day....can be misleading this stat at times I will add though. The eagles game and crows game were serious low points. No intensity at the ball or the tackle for the majority of the day. The eagles game, that last qtr I am sure I'm not alone in having sat there and just waited for someone, anyone to take it on...was very disappointing and gave me shivers of years past. I can stay satisfied with a solid effort but there is no doubt that the intensity at the ball has dropped away. Our first quarters pretty much are a result of this drop off. We are just at a pass mark so far for this year which is fine, I wasn't expecting too much more yet. Happy for experimentation through the remaining games also but just really want to see that intensity return that was such a highlight early on. A bit of us against them mentality that Swooper Northey bought to the club. Does Bailey drive this...not sure.

What time will the Casey seconds play? Might do the trip to Gosch's and see the demons train at 10am....see who is/isn't there. Then head over to Chirnside.

Thorp has attitude problems too Rhino? Have heard this. Yeah and well aware that the Hawk trade mentioned is wishful thinking....did mention above that if it were the other way around I wouldn't touch it but no harm in hypothesising. A good mate of mine is a hawk fan and he suggests Riv or Warnock for Dowler....they would take a tall backman but not for Rough.

Always preferable to win but have to be realistic also. Our list still needs some additions. I think the consensus here would be through the draft thus the discussions.

Nice work WJ.....can this be included within the voting each week? We have a great record of players that go missing.

It is wishful thinking Boss....no doubt. Plenty on demonland would love it though.....even if only to get rid of Rivers. I am not one of those. Mitch Thorp anyone? Not that I have paid much attention but I had heard he was going ok at Werribee? Injury free for the most part is that right? Up until the collision with Polak last week of course....would've been handy to have caught a glimpse of him tomorrow against Casey

Some of your points have merit. Wona should not be included within that, yes he lacked intensity but this is due to the bloke not playing for the best part of 2 years so surely some time afford him...at Casey of course until he is ready. His fitness is the main issue and still needs some work. Will be good if Wona can simply play out the year injury free.

Our trading of late has been quite good as pointed out. I like your suggestion of Roughead and don't think it's all together crazy. Not sure that we should be deviating off the drafting path just yet but in this case giving Hawthorn our first pick and possibly one of Warnock & Rivers? Hawks are crying out for a key defender and they are playing for premierships now. Look, if that was the other way around I don't think I would go for it......but damn they already have Buddy Franklin surely we could plead with them on the grounds of fairness that they have two great key forwards at once

Both Blease and Tapscott are playing in the two's...fantastic news! From vision seen if these two get fit & healthy won't be too far down the track before seen in demon red & blue. That Casey forward line....almost looks stronger than the Dees!

Cheers KC.....I assume this is the same Chirnside Park?

Good discussions happening here. One point I'll add on Carey. Growing up my aunt lived in a court opposite a young Wayne Carey in Ascot Vale, around the time North were dominating reserves/u-19 football. He was certainly very brash, cocky and he knew exactly where he was going from day one and the qualities he possessed. He wasn't the king as he became to be known obviously and I was welcomed around them anytime. When he did become king I was then frequenting the same bar (Turf Club in Flem) that the majority of Nth players attended and Wayne was the same guy as the years previous, just that his bullet proof mentality had expanded from not just his exploits on the field but off the field. He still had the same time for me and knew who I was, which as younger bloke I appreciated but it was obvious that he knew he was special and could be treated as such. Which I guess comes back to proving your point Rhino that Carey's issues did evolve because he let it all get to his head and became affected by who he was. Nathan Buckley for instance would have had similar traits to Carey at a similar age but did not allow himself to evolve in the same manner away from his football.

Let WCE worry about Nic Nat and Lions about Rich.....I've never mentioned them as am not interested in their development at all. Maybe I am too biased. Good that you have a strong opinion Steve but surely you can see the upside of Cale in someway. You have to know every little detail to be that scathing I would've thought. His pre-season was kicking nicely until the knee problem and this set him back again. I find it frustrating that he doesn't go harder at marking contests due to his height but hopefully this will improve. Cale has many good attributes similar to Brendon Goddard......Goddard was a marked man at St Kilda for 5 whole years before they started to see the light and he is now arguably in the top 5 players in the comp. All my in-laws are St Kilda supporters (yay me for Sunday!) and they were merciless toward Goddard. As much as there would be bias here and I am one too often, surely you can find some middle ground when so scathing. On a positive for everyone: Luke Tapscott is due to play at Casey....can't wait to see him out there. Not sure yet whether 1's or 2's...likely 2's. Sam Blease is also likely to play in the 2's. Great news!

Go and watch the Collingwood game again. Slow down when you write some of those scathing remarks because they could be applied to many many players right now. Way way way over the top.

Sounds like you know something PJ?

Another bad week at the selection table Melbourne.....terrible. Cale Morton could've learned some valuble lessons playing against Goddard. Played well against Collingwood but becomes the scapegoat for the annual shocker in Adelaide. I was at Willy to see Casey hammered by 20 goals. Bennell was awful as was Cheney. Happy that Cheney gets a chance as has credits from previous games. Bennell, accounting for his bad game at Willy still ok with him back in but not together with Jetta who has done very little other than some flashes. Maric has done nothing what so ever to warrant selection. Sorry to be harsh but nothing at all. And if you join the Chat over at melbournefc.com.....no Cale is not injured he has bee dropped. Crazy!

You can take the boy out Narre Warren but......cheers E