Slartibartfast

I used to be a regular attendee at Casey games and really enjoyed them. But for one reason and another I haven't attended for a year or two until Saturday. It was a perfect day for footy. Sunny, still, ground in good nick. The ground allows good viewing access unlike Casey which is the worst viewing ground I've ever been to. It promised to be a good day with Casey fielding a large number of MFC players. But I nearly left at half time because the game was a little like watching a bunch of 7 year olds playing footy in the school yard at recess. The standard of football was atrocious. Terrible. Boring. I'd love to know how many stoppages there were. In the second quarter it took about 3 minutes to move the ball 40 yards with stoppage after stoppage. 20 to 30 players continually around the ball where it was just stacks on the mill time after time. I reckon that part of the reason is that both team bought effort and a desire to compete. I reckon at VFL level you can bring effort even if you can't bring skill. That means footy is ruined as a spectacle because the tackling is strong but the skill is weak. The game yesterday was similar but the skill level of a few mids does allow the ball to get free of stoppages and a few possession chains to evolve and a few scores. A few observations from the game which I saw until the end because of Hunt's goal followed by a great contested pack mark from Spence both just before half time. That convinced me to stay. Jamar was a class above and clear BOG. Won every tap easily and did enough around the ground to be useful. But it was like looking at a 9 year old playing against 6 year olds. Given Max's form the Russian will stay at Casey. Newton had a good first half but was unsighted in the second half and could have been off for all I noticed. I was disappointed in Michie who didn't impose himself at all. Jordie was very strong in the second half when he moved into the centre (from half back where he played the first half) winning numerous clearances with the help of the Russian. I liked White's game. Got a touch of the Jordan Lewis's about him in the way he moves and is a lovely kick. He's clean with the ball and good overhead. Doesn't get enough of it yet but you'd love his kicking off half back if he could get to AFL standard. King was very quiet and at least a couple of years away from AFL for mine. Can't see the point in delisting him at years end because it was obvious he'd take time when we drafted him so why do that if you're going to delist him after 2. Grimes was a cut above and will surely come in for one of the young kids who are struggling at AFL level. Toump tried to be involved but couldn't get free of the scrums to show his class. He's hardly knocking the door down but would be an improvement on Stretch, ANB, Harmes, JKH and Brayshaw who are all not quite there at the moment. Bail, Terlich and Matt Jones all did some things but are yesterday's men. Oscar McDonald was ok but a long way off AFL form. Spence won his position easily, did well in the ruck when in there and took strong marks forward. But Jamar was better so Spence rotted in a forward line that didn't function. He would be getting very frustrated with his lack of opportunity because when he gets it he does well. Now Hunt. His goal at the end of the second was class in a game devoid of highlights. He ran on to a loose ball and made 2 or 3 Bullant's look second rate. He got a couple of others on the outside. He's got good pace but doesn't get involved enough and doesn't have a strong body. IMO he'd be a waste of space at AFL level where he wouldn't have such a pace advantage on his opponents and where he doesn't look strong enough to win his own ball. His 4 goals flattered his performance and I doubt he'd come into any consideration for a spot this week. I think he will undoubtedly get another contract as he's got attributes that are elite and like King has shown enough to get the second offer. But I'd be very surprised if he got a game this year. For regular watches of Casey was Saturday's game representative of their footy. It was a poor standard of what the seniors produced. Are the young players tired? Is it the game plan? I watched the showdown in Adelaide that was a celebration of what Aussi rules is about. I also watched a game at the G and at Princes Park and neither bore any relation to what was played in Adelaide.

Don't think I'll bother posting seeing what's going on in this thread.

Quarter time Casey lead 22 to 8

King our third

Byrne our second.

Jake our first.

I've not read any of the thread as I fear it involved a lot of emotion and some less than logical thinking. Understandable because I would have been the same shortly after the performance. I'm disappointed at the loss but not our progress. We have "held up" against all teams in our "zone" this year. We have beaten two in the top 8 and Geelong at Geelong. Our progress is clear but we have a young team subject to significant differences in output from week to week as well as the vagaries of form which all teams suffer from. We have had two really disappointing losses. Essendon and Saints. They were disappointing because we had chances to win and should have taken them. But from where I sit whether we won by 2 points against the Saints or lost by 2 doesn't matter. I went hoping to win by 40 points to show we had moves out of the "bottom" bracket. Same principle with Essendon. But we are still there with a group of about 6 other teams. But against Essendon we controlled the majority of the game, we had 25 scoring shots (our average last year was 17.5 per game and this year is 20.5) and whilst we lost we were clearly the better team. The number of scores against Essendon were more than our best scoring shot number in 2014. Whilst I would have preferred to win more games I'm happy with how we are tracking as a whole. We have clear improvers on the list and those that need to go are becoming more apparent. Whilst I'm far from agreeing with all Roos does there is no doubt our best is good, the club is no longer an undesirable destination (that isn't saying we are "first choice") and we are generally competitive with teams other than the top 4 or 5. And I think we have a depth of talented youngsters not many others have and that under the guidance of the best development group we've ever had we can look forward to some joy in the next few years. Having said that I'm sick to death of losing and the longer it goes the more difficult it becomes.

I only post here now on special occasions and this is certainly one. I had dinner with Ro last night and told him of your commitment. He thought it was very funny but said in the spirit of generosity after such a great win he'd let you off putting it on your forehead and let you put it on your butt. He's very happy to meet you at a convenient tattooist so the signature is accurate. He has a bit of time over the bye period and is happy to get it done immediately. Let me know if you're interested or not, I'll let him know either way. This is genuine. Goin' to keep your promise?

Thanks.

If you see Matt Burgan could you ask him why they have stopped putting up the Casey games in their entirety on the website? They were very good I thought. Thanks and thanks for ignoring the dopes.

I was disappointed this aspect of his experience was not followed up and that his reference to the fractured club not expanded although the comment itself was chilling. I wondered if there was more in the interview that was edited out. But the show was about Todd and his journey and to be honest it was one of the less interesting Mike interviews of which there have been some absolute rippers. But I'd be fascinated with an insiders view of the role of Jimmy, Don, Garry, Chris, Barry, Cameron, Neale, Paul and Bails on our sad history over the last 10 years or so and Todd would tell it as straight as anyone would I reckon.

Great stuff from McPherson: We’re pretty confident in our ability to compete and beat anyone – if we play to the game plan that we put in place,” he told Dee TV. “We think it stands up and the boys have shown on two or three occasions this year that we can be competitive against anyone. “We’ll go in pretty confident that provided we all play our role and stick to our game plan, we’re a really good chance to beat the Swans. If we don’t, we’ll get a result like we did on the weekend.”

Well I presume you mean one of the real positives because he brings so much more than that. He brings credibility, hope, dignity, professionalism and I reckon he's paid for his salary in increased sponsorship and membership. He's probably singlehandedly attracted players and staff - particularly footy staff - Stone and McCartney for starters. Lumumba and Tyson are probably only there because of Roos. But IMO the greatest thing he has been responsible for is retaining players - Hogan and TMac to name two who may well have considered leaving unless the club got its shyte together very quickly and if they had left then our club was almost dead. Having said that I don't believe he's immune from evaluation in other areas and I think it's folly to dismiss what others are doing and doing very successfully simply because Roos is Roos. I think most would agree that Hinkley has done exceptionally well at PA and his philosophy is different to Roos. Are we to dismiss it because any evaluation is purely conjecture? Very very early days but should we dismiss what Beverage is doing at Footscray purely because we've no proof it will work at Melbourne? It goes without saying that Roos has been fantastic for us but if you sit on your laurels I reckon you'd be foolish indeed. I think we have improved from last year but TBH I find it hard to identify anyone who is playing much better other than TMac and perhaps Garland; I've been disappointed with Lumumba. Hogan and Garlett are the difference I suppose but of our players from last year the improvement I hoped for has not been evident. That's disappointing and I don't think we should stifle the discussion and what role the coaching staff have played.

Right on both counts.

Shame he doesn't post here any more because I'm sure he'd give you an explanation.

More than you and he's only posted 5 times. And I haven't seen the other 4.

Shhhhhhh........

I'm saying "court of public opinion". It's not that hard.

And who says Essendon are on their own?

That's sad because the "court of public opinion" said we tanked. Be careful what you wish for.

Listen to his after match presser BR, he continually says we can't compete with Freo and he's said that (about the top teams) on numerous occasions partly in an effort to manage supporter expectations. On one hand it might be good but I think it's questionable because the players hear it as well. Compare that to T Mc's response. I understand the "internal v external" message differential but I haven't heard Beverage or Hinkley (when he initially took over PA) continually say their teams can't compete. Personally I'd rather hear Roos say that we can beat anyone if we play to our potential. I know it's stretching the envelope but at least I know he believes in the team and what he's doing. I want McDonald's message not Roos. I didn't say I saw it coming Goodvibes, I said that Roos told me it was coming so I wasn't surprised. And what do I really want to say? I want to be able to critique Roos and have a debate about the issue rather than an avalanche of posts telling me I have an agenda or "I'm a bit rich". It seems anything "Roos" is off the table for discussion. I don't go along with that. Some here say Roos was out coached on the weekend and that maybe so but given our team and theirs I find that very difficult to assess and frankly I don't have the knowledge to comment so I don't. But I don't think it's unreasonable to identify points of different with other coaches in the AFL and discuss them. I posted this some time ago and it hardly got a reply. http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38249-post-match-discussion-round-3/?p=1077083 I'll let people debate day to day matters. Heavens ProDee seems to think I've run out of ideas while he's busy posting the same thing 18 times in yet another Jack Watts bashing thread. Talk about a vacant space, he's obviously working on the theory that if he says it enough he must be right. At least he's convinced himself. I'm more interested in other issues but all I get is "agenda" accusations with no discussion. I don't care if people aren't interested in what I'm interested in but it would be good if posters, including you, played the ball. TBH I was surprised by your response but there you go.

Which one of his 12 possessions at 66% efficiency in 83% game time. But of course McKenzie, with 9 in 42% game time and 78% disposal efficiency is definitely out. Don't let the facts get in the way of your bias. Reality is we are embarrassed with options for those to drop. Newton was found wanting today and has been disappointing so far this season.

I find it tiresome, boring, misplaced, dumb, pathetic etc etc that the same posters use any loss or mistake to criticize and blame the same players who in reality have very little to do with our situation. I try not to come on here and repeat what has already been written. When I post I try to add something new. Roos message to the players for some time is that we are still a poor team who can't expect to compete with the elite. He's right but I criticize him for saying it publicly. His job is to instil confidence, not sap it out of players but telling them the opposition is better. Am I only able to question him I've praised him somewhere else. Give me a break. If you don't like my posts don't read them. Roos has done a good job since he came to the club along with Jackson but he's done some questionable things. This is one of them. And I'll question him on a public forum if I feel like it.

I'm not surprised at this loss. Roos has been telling me for ages now that we were hopeless ("the worse it got the more interested I became") and although we have made some progress we still had miles to go to be a good team. He's also been telling me good teams like Freo and Hawks are. Personally I believe him as I'm sure the players took it on board as well. I went along today expecting to be thrashed as I'm sure the players did. He was right of course and I thank him for warning me. I haven't read this thread but I'm sure McKenzie, Watts and Grimes have been mentioned but our leaders were dreadful and were the reason we finished as poorly as we did.

It depends who I'm speaking to. I don't "dialogues" with Bub.