Dee-licious

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.

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.

Worst case we are driving up his price and hurting Geelong’s salary cap.

Can’t imagine it’s more than potato chips. Out of contract, is their 4th string ruck and their 4th string key forward.

Paul Connors was on Getable podcast a couple of weeks back talking about this. Worth a listen. From memory, the clubs don’t want to make massive changes, security in contracts, and the bargaining agreement that’s just been finalised. Mid season trading might change that, but he is saying it’s going to be the most boring trade period he’s seen.

It’s ok, this is a place where you can get your anger out (and remember to put your anger here and not at home). we will be angry, we will be disappointed, but we will be back. We get up tomorrow and start thinking about next year and how we build and go again. We have a forward line for next year of Petty, JVR, Smith, Fritch, Kozzie and Spargo. If we get a McAdam or a Watson, things look better. there is enough to like about what we are and what we will be. just get your anger out here and let’s get to the G in 2024