Dee-licious

He wasn’t the only key forward for Melbourne who didn’t turn up this week. And probably contributed more to goals than others we had. I get the frustration that he’s not involved more and that he has a timid nature off the field. I also get the frustration from people who have seen his good games and go “far out, the ceiling is so high on this kid”. We have 44 spots on the list and his ceiling is as high as any of them. What does it matter that we are giving him a base wage, getting him up to speed with the game, and see what he can do. For those “draft bust” people, we did all we could in that draft to move up. Maybe you are Josh Weddle fans, but there is no one picked after Jeffo that screams we made a mistake. Even with revisionist history. Let’s enjoy the ride and see where we are in 2026. Till then, we should have enough key forwards that are meant to be in that spot.

"Coach, I don't need to play midfield minutes today, put me at half back" - Hunter, Seaston, Laurie and Brown say in unison while AMW pencils his name in there..... Yep, we are not batting experienced this year at Casey, but there is a lot of young talent. We still have enough good players to be winning games in the 1s and the 2s are just going to struggle sadly.

It reminded me of Petty's debut against the Saints. You could see that he has all the AFL qualities, but a little too small against a top-tier opponent and he was required to be a match winner every time he went near the ball, rather than play a role, which Windsor / Howes got to do at the start of this year, and McVee last year. I have no worries about him long term. It's much easier to fend and run when you have lots to kick to and support around you. We didn't have that at all last night. We might not get a chance to persist with him because with Kozzie back and Salem then out, we probably need a full time mid (Hunter or Laurie) or a half back (if Riv goes in there). None of which is on Kolt. He'll be right.

You are correct - he had a bit of injury trouble, but he was U16 All Australian and one of WAs best players. He went to half back in his under 18 year and went into the year in 2nd round conversations. It’s not so much a out of nowhere pick, as a player who had dominated at times at the state level and at colts who had a bad under 18 year. and I also think it suits the narrative of our backline being unheralded or low picks. Howes was predicted to be 1st round, Rivers predicted first round (including as high as 10), Bowey went first round, same with Salem. And May and Lever. They just dropped a little lower than expected but there was no question on their talent or application.

And I like that when Selwood gets something wrong, he goes back and corrects himself rather than shrugging it off. What made him a good player - wants to work hard and get better each time.

On a positive note, 8/12 players today are eligible for the rising star award, so we are very young. The four that aren’t - Laurie (still young), Scache, Tomlinson and Fullerton are back ups. But, that was pretty ordinary. It could be a long year at Casey if we don’t get on top of our injuries. Tomlinson is fine to come in and do his thing. Fullerton can come in and add something. There is enough to like about the 8 youngsters that they can develop into AFL players. Most role players though based on today. But they’ve got time. worrying for Casey is that Hustwaite and our young players seem to be what we’ve got and not much else. Steele and Freeman were fine, White not well sighted, but not much else on any line. if I was giving votes, Hustwaite, and then maybe Tomlinson, and then Kolt. Laurie did well, AMW had 1, 9, 1, 8 in his possessions across quarters and Woey and Brown ok.

The inside 50s this quarter have been horrid and haven’t helped any of the forwards. And we don’t seem to be kicking it to anyone. Just kicking…. At least when we didn’t have the ball we were under pressure and it was understandable.

Jeffo forward this quater.

3rd quarter. Urgh. there was a thread at some point called “it’s the midfield stupid” and that’s what it looks like. Glad we got Hustwaite because I don’t know who else would be going through there. We are being beaten at the contest and it’s not clear who is going to step up in there. Defence: Much better quarter by Jefferson and Adams but that’s because they are getting so many opportunities. I’m not sure what Tomlinson was doing that quarter, but he did himself no favours. The rucks aren’t helping back there, nor the mids. AMW and Woey went missing so there was nothing coming off the half back. Mids: Kolt looks a player, Laurie is trying. That’s all I’ve got. They are in there for every CB and they are not defending the front of the contest. Rucks: we get more around the ground with Fullerton but he’s being beaten in the air. Verrell developing, but getting a lesson from a much stronger opponent. forwards: K Brown grabbing and running but no one to send it to. Schache is doing well with no opportunities. But helped if he kicked straight.

It was Fullerton.

Yep. I want us to keep trying things with him this year. I wonder if small defender next?

Verrell to Laurie goal. But I want to talk about how Fullerton has changed the look around the ball. He’s not a contested mark beast, but his follow up work has been great.

Noticed Windsor does the same thing. It’s not always about the possessions with both of them. Their blocking, Shepard, Knock ons and tackles show great team work.

Ill Give Jefferson a rev up as he’s shown aggression, positioning and poise to start the third. Need much more of it but I was glad to see he can do it.

He played with Howes at Sandy.

He played with Howes at Sandy.

Is love to hear from someone at the game. From the tv, I wonder if they are zoning and playing the system like we’ve taught them? So that’s why Jefferson goes for some contests and others he runs back to the goal line. Adams comes forward to attack a contest and then runs back. Whatever Goody said to them at quarter time, they’ve changed something in the set up and he’s got AMW much more involved.

A “better” quarter. the defence is holding up in a tough game. Tomlinson + Jefferson + Adams are getting to contests and not being beaten. But it’s a lot of inside 50s and each time we rebound it’s a turnover or spoil. AMW had a great quarter and looks very good behind the ball. mids are being smashed. Clearance work is terrible and they don’t really know how to play together by the looks of it. Kolt is having a good first game and is playing the role he is being asked, but it would be good to see him to be a bit more selfish. Woey playing better but needs more runners. K Brown again ok for his first season but again needs more forwards to kick to. Laurie is ok but not sure what he is offering as a mid. forwards are not seeing much of it but Lewis looks a player. Schache doing what he does at this level and looks good. verrell being beaten by someone bigger in Meek but working hard. KFW still a while away. Fullerton has been ok, but I thought he’d be more involved around the ball. Tomlinson best on for me, followed by Kolt, then Woey. I’m feeling better about Jefferson after that quarter.

AMW sets up a goal for Schache. But Tomlinson is the one who put on the pressure, kept it in and got it out.

And again - Id love to see him just go for the snap inside 50.

Kolt - looks the goods and would be better if he had some players around him. If he had Viney in there (or Moose) he’d have a little more support. Woey - needs more help around him for outlet kicks. But he’s done a few silly things himself and not really concentrating on the moment. playing like he is the senior player and he has to bring us back into it. Fullerton - looks nice. Marks and runs well. Tomlinson - this is too easy for him. jefferson and Laurie - they are first round picks and I’d hope they would take a bit more responsibility. They more seem like they are waiting for others to do the hard part. They both have the skills, but maybe the injuries are good for them so they have to really be the men. AMW - love him, but not sure where he is. Verrall - good in the ruck, needs a little more body work but that should come. Looks like a player. K brown - running well but he’s got not much around him and seems to be looking up and seeing nothing. melbourne players there - Gawn, Lever, JVR, Sparrow,

Nope - not high, and he got up and had a shot for goal later, so low impact and not high.

For those not watching, you are not missing much. Tomlinson looks great, but when you’ve got that many inside 50s against you, he’s seeing a lot of the ball. woey is playing back and is doing ok. Doesn’t help he’s got nothing to kick to. im not sure where AMW is playing. Kolt looking good but he’s getting no help in the midfield. Brown a cherry on top player so isn’t useful at Casey.

I liked this post - it’s a good reminder of how far we have come. Remember when Scully and Trenners were setting the standard in their first pre-season? It’s great that our very high draft picks aren’t the best 2 out there, unlike at the other clubs with top 10 picks 😀

It is a gulf between 11 and 14 so I’m not too mad in that sense - does seem a lot to give, but they have plans. glad that we are holding firm on Grundy and if we end up with 6 and 11 that’s still a good hand.