Dee-licious

So how good is this McDonald kid..... Nothing else worth mentioning.

And he's up there in the age player of the year. Might miss out in a 3,2,1 system in the loses.

Watch the replay because I remember thinking Toump is getting to the contests and helping out as a junior player should. After the replay I have no idea what game people have been watching. It is the Sydney game right? He ran to contests, held tackles, ran back and manned up when others have up running. You can criticise some of his disposal (like any player) but he runs. He gets into posission and he is trying to learn his craft. Let the kid learn like we are letting our other boys learn.

Anyone remember it being this one sided this early in the year?

And he can only play a certain amount of games as the 23rd player (10 I think). The idea is to bring the younger guys up and see how they adapt. Younger Heppell was 23rd a lot last year.

I know Strech is good but I thought he'd end up fourth next to Alex NB =p

So finished it off on the way to work this morning - wow we turned off. Bail - Breaks the lines, bursts through packs and looks like a really good VFL player. However, looking at some of the other players for Casey, he does not have enough strings to the bow. He is fast and now, to his credit, he has a hardness to his game. Disposal is not there. I was for delisting him at the end of the year but can see him getting a contract extension (1 year) or a rookie contract. He is good enough to be on the bottom end of an AFL list. Jones - Unlike Bail, he seems to get more of the ball on the outside. Again great speed and can see why he stood out at this level and we wanted to draft him. Offers a bit around the ground but with Jones, Viney and Tyson I think he doenst have a place in the Dees team at the moment. Riley - I just wonder. Got plenty of it, was at the bottom of packs and worked himself into the game. It is such a scrappy style which will often be overlooked because he is not the one breaking away with the ball (he fed it to the runner). I like him and I like him on the list, but with Viney on the way back and Brayshaw in the team, I just dont think there is a position for him in the 22. We missed speed and run and the other 3 experienced mids offered this. Toumpas - Great first half and if he played 4 quarters like that he would be back next week. The first half was characterised with run and linking up. His teammates went to him much more and he was in more of the clearances. In the second half he was around the ball but couldn't keep his hands on it. He'd drop a mark, or be the man who was handballed to when a tackle was immanent or tracked the ball to the boundary. A lot of wing work and ran all day (he is getting miles in his legs). Another 2 games in the VFL at least for my mind. There is no need to bring him up just yet. Fitzy - Cannot believe it was Fitzy. He looked like a full back. He read it well in flight, he was too strong for the Don's forwards and his kicking wasn't terrible. He will be offered a contract - he has shown too much not too. Commands the backline a little like Dunn does. Very vocal and very clear. The benefits of having a 200cm, quick man down back who can also relief ruck is too tempting to say goodbye too. He might not get to 100 games, but he'll be a dee for a few more years. Gawn - If he could take more contested marks he would be playing from the square in the AFL. Dominated the ruck and showed a lot around the ground. Hope they are working him hard in training out of the square. Kicking wasnt bad for a big man, really good physical pressure, but he should be taking more marks inside 50. Better delivery might help but Hogan did it (I know thats not a fair comparison). Spencer - Humble Pie this guy. His start of the season in the VFL has been mosterous. He is doing everything to be in line for a recall, however - kicking and marking are still issues. Nothing you dont already know - tap work he is in front of Gawn, but behind in his work around the ground. Terlich - Spoiled well, husseled, but disposal was terrible and beaten by his man on the day. White and Harmes - Yeah they played but I didnt really notice them that much but when they were involved they were strong. Developing players and the jury is still out. Will continue to support and hope. Now to my 2 new favourite players Disclaimer. Thank you Western Bulldogs. You handed us a great development coach who is having a great influence on our club. You are taking a lot of headlines at the moment and meaning we can slip under the radar. But my favourite part is that you took McLean, Webb, Hamilton, Dale and Daniel when the "draft-perts" said you needed to take a tall in McDonald. Even when you went small you didnt take Neal-Bullen. Neal-Bullen was rated pick #21 by both Cal Twomey and Knightmare and #23 by Paige; Oscar rated 22 (Knightmare), 25 (Twomey) and 27 (Paige). We got them at 40 and 53 and we have McCarrtney developing them. Neal-Bullen - Feel like he will play AFL this year. Tackles like Brayshaw and goes hard at in (like Brayshaw). In the first half he ran from contest to contest to get himself involved. Picked up a few touches but found himself at the bottom of packs either tackling or being tackled. In the second half he was moved into the centre square and was able to get first hands on the ball. His decision making needs a bit of work, but generally his disposal is good. Watching him, it is reflective of what Cal Twomey was saying about the draft. After the top 4, the rest of the draft is quite even and teams will be drafting for needs, rather than best player as they all have their strengths and weaknesses. I dont think there was much difference in terms of skill between him and Laverde, although Laverde's height is a big plus. Rather him then Boekhorst and Ellis so far. Lonie (St Kilda, pick 41) and Nel-Bullen may be the steals of this draft. I'll make a call, round 16 will be his first game v Brisbane. Will compete with Michie and Cross for their positions. Probably will need to wait till Cross retires to get a solid run at seniors. McDonald - If I told you he read the ball really well, left his man when he needed to to help out others, tackles strongly and tracks the ball well, comes out of defence with great speed and takes intercept marks coming out of our 50 and sends it back in, but still needs to but on strength as he is still a bean pole - does he remind you of anyone we drafted with pick #53 a few years back? The difference is his kicking. He can send some bullet passes down the ground that hit the middle of the chest - however at the moment they are being delivered to the opposition. One that stands out is when he went to ANB on a 2 on 1 and ignored Bail and Jones. Needs to lower the eyes a little more. Considering he never played under 18 championships, he wont be used to the speed and pressure of VFL so assume this will come in time. Dont expect him to play this year unless there are some serious injuries. He is behind Fitz in a call up and doesnt have the size to play on AFL forwards yet - maybe a rangy half forward with his speed, but will get pushed off the ball too easily at the moment. If he stays injury free I'm looking forward to seeing him in Demon colours for a little next year before cementing a spot in 2017/2018. If you read his Knightmare draft profile watching him play is like reading this. Reads the flight, rebounds well, versatile, can shut down an opponent. Looks like we have worked on his 2nd and 3rd efforts because these were much better today. Best on for me was Fitz and Gawn. Bail and Jone got in the possessions but when the game was close Gawn, Fitz and Toump were the ones driving it. When we got on top, Jones and Bail took over and dominated the game and then disappeared when the Dons had their come back. At this point, Gawn stood up in the centre and down forward and Fitz was great in the last line of defence and rebounding from the back half. For the changes thread, I wouldnt be rushing anyone in due to our lack of intensity in the final quarter. Roos was talking about selfish football and at the VFL level we saw this a lot with the mids. Blazing and kicking without thinking how can I help a mate out to help the team. If Roos was not happy with the Dees, he wont be happy watching the Casey replay. Depending on the outs will dictate who comes in as no one hammered down the door. If it is Salem then Jones or Bail for some speed, if you are dropping an in and under then Riley. If you want another tall then Gawn. A poster in the other thread suggested Fitz in to take on Tippet. Although I'd like to see this match up - he's not there yet. Essendon's lack of talented tall forwards is a very different assignment than the Bondi Billionaires. Give the Casey boys another few weeks and really break the door down - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at who will be coming in.

Toump - almost finished the 3rd. Yes he's gone missing. Went to half back for a little but it's like the Essendon game in the pre season. He's always on the opposite wing to the play and of there was an option to handball to Toump or another player, in the first half it always went to Toump - second half to the other guy. The other thing is that they gave Riley and jones and ANB more time in the centre in the second half. Toump has continued to run but he needs to get his hands on the ball much more and work out how he can get into the game again. Blocked well but he needs to distribute much more. Another couple of weeks but I'm not worried now. He has a bright future - runs all day and presents an option.

Harmes is playing pocket / outside man. He's being used as a link up and we're just not using him. It's going through bail, Jones much more

Through the first half. Could get used to watching ANB to Toump. Working really well together. Worried about the second half - how did Toump disappear. He is having a blinder. Fitz looks great as well. The closing speed he has and the reach is fantastic. Oscar Mac looks like he'll be a player. Spence and Gawn are going well. I like out big man depth.

Thank you. My bad! Good work Melbourne getting it up there

I've tried looking for it and can't find it either. Apparently we are on TV next week which is good!

6- McDonald (anyone see Llyod's rolling AA? Assume he is in there) 5- Brayshaw (how sweet it is to have a kid like you) 4- Garlett 3- Grimes 2- Dunn 1- Cross

Sylvia retires after parting ways with Fremantle Does this tip the scales of what is the best trade Melbourne has done? Only ended up playing 6 games, where Vince has had at least 6 best ons for us so far Tom Scully (55 games and counting) = Hogan (4+) and Dawes (33+) (and Barry (5)) or Colin Sylvia (6 games) = Bernie Vince (25 games and counting)

3.8.26 to 6.4. 40. We have the wind this quarter and it is not going well. Bail contested mark from the kick-in but the quarter ends. Best for me so far are the usual suspects - Toump, Pedo, Spence, Gawn. Stretch is tagging Goodes now and hopefully quell his impact in the second half. Pedo has 2, Bail has 1 Toump 15; Spence 12; Grimes 11; Harmes 10; Riley 9

What do you think Wayne - do we have any chance? They just seem too quick. Stretch kicks another behind. 25 -7 free kicks and we are really giving them away. I guess we followed Plapp's instructions

8! It is now 8! Goodes is killing us. Kelly is doing well and we really dont have an answer for Redpath as the mids arent putting enough pressue on the kicks coming in. 21 frees to 7. Sound familiar? 22 to 8 now Stretch kicks a behind.

Bullies get one back - 4.4 to 3.4 McKenzie and Toump spending plenty of time in the middle. Havent heard much from Jones (but is that the commentators?). Toump clears from the 50 - to McKenzie and another inside 50 but a bad one (by a Casey mid - not McKenzie). Better defence by us this quarter. And apparently Gawn has lost his beard!!! If it is Toumpas that they keep calling Toumpas he is being recalled this week. Sounds like 15-20 touches so far. Brett Goodes now has 7 free kicks. 7! To Redpath and he goals. 5.4 to 3.4 - we are doing well out of the back 50 lead by Toump but we are doing going well inside 50.

Kick out gets knocked out of bounds. 30m from the Casey goal. Pedo snaps for his second and it is now even. Pedo, Grimes and Toump are putting their hands up. Gawn and Spence are also doing well. An issue that these 2 are having is that by sharing the role (which they are doing wel) they are counteing each others effectivness.

Some disposal issues are holding Toump back at the moment. Getting plenty of it but it needs to be better with the ball use. McKenzie and Bail getting more of it. Bail ignores a Gawn lead and takes the goal himself. 3.4 to 2.3 Follows with another centre clearance into the forward 50. After some argy bargy in the forward line Kelly (Dogs) hacks it out to a marking Toump. 50m out and it fades left for 3.4 to 2.4. Much better so far by the Scorps.

Much better start for the quarter. Terlcih run and carry, long kick to Pedo mark inside 50 and goals.

Plapp: not hard enough at the moment. Stoppages +6. Lower our eyes and look for the hit ups. Grimes / Terlich will play loose defender this quarter. Dont go to ground. Being strong in the contest and hold your feet. 2 hands on the ball. I'd prefer you to give a free kick away then let them mark the footy. Get a little c*&t about you (on live radio). Move quick but not reckless.

Quarter Time: 19 point margin to the Bulldogs and considering how bad we've played we are lucky to be in the game. 3.4.22 to 0.3.3 From the radio I cant really say who has been the best because those who have had it have had terrible disposal. From the commentators: 50/50 ruck duel, Free kicks the way of the Dogs

3.2.20 to 0.3.3 - Not going well so far by the sounds of it. Love someone at the ground to tell me but it sounds as if Spencer and Gawn have the upper hand of Minson. Hearing Toumpas a lot - Stretch was amongst it early. But the dogs seem to have the ball a lot.

Redpath goals to take the bullies lead to 2 goals. Jordan Kelly getting plenty of it for the Dogs. Wind is 3-4 goal wind.