binman

Yep, that's my sense too. And i also wonder if Schcahe is one of those athletes that finds hard to put muscle on as even with nearly 10 years in the AFL system his arms are still a bit noodly.

I concur. Both have bulked up considerably - particularly KFW. I think it's harder to assess young rucks in training situations, particularly on a day when there weren't any ruck drills. But Verell certainly looked the more natural footballer, which of course is not surprising given their backgrounds. But KFW had one big advantage over Verell - he is taller. And he will get bigger still too. Verell will too of course but nowhere as big (ie in terms of height and muscle) as KFW who will be a monster if he stays in the AFL system. A year at Casey will give us a clear idea if KFW will make it I think. On a semi related note, Schache was standing only 25 metres away from me at one point. He was next to Max and there wasn't much between them height or size wise. It made me wonder why they haven't tried him as a second ruck option - perhaps they have and it wasn't his go?

Happy to have other clubs on for something to watch, but i hate dees games on Thursday night - particularly ones in Melbourne (because I'll almost always go). Friday night games are so much better. Still stand alone, the week is done so after a win you can waych the replay. And you get the benefit of the footy shows on radio on sat morning all discussing the game.

Bloody AI.

George went fishing i suspect. I was happy to oblige. Bit of fun. But leaving that aside, I don't mind posters or fans knocking the skills of players, assuming it aint needlessly rude or insulting (eg the puerile use of spud). Hell, kicking skills is my thing and I'm happy to pot poor kicks. What really frustrates me is when the criticism is unfounded, or when it might have been fair at some point but is no longer accurate. Even more frustrating when some players get held to some ridiculous standard (ALL players turn the ball over and make poor decisions) and others consistently get a free pass (tracc says hi). Some posters seemingly refuse to change their view, even when the evidence flatly contradicts it. Nibbla's supposedly poor kicking and decision making is the perfect example. I've posted at length on the data at seasons end that completely contradicts that view (one being he was our best kick inside 50 last season). So won't bother doing so again. It won't matter for some anyway because they will poo poo the data and pick out specific examples to generalise from - the exception to prove the rule school of analysis. Perhaps the go is to use that same approach, but in reverse. I'll learn how to video edit and put together a package from last season of all nibblas brilliant kicks that set up goals and examples of elite decision making. And then claim it as evidence he is the best kick and decision maker in the AFL.

Bit of a worry for the rest of the team then given he was number one last season for average kick to score ratio with kicks inside 50; ie hitting targets. By the by, the bottom three? Maxy, Tracc and Clarry. #nibblamthys #sonochangethere #confrimationbiashardtoshake

Yeah, you're probably right (re: bowser as a mid). If he is not an elite endurance runner he can't play Nibbler's High Half Forward role (being an elite endurance runner is the number one criteria for that role). But following Kev's lead that he loves to kick a goal, played forward as a junior and is an elite kick i could see him as a dangerous small forward. But there is a bit of competition down forward for smalls with Koz a lock, Spargs and Laurie scrapping for a spot and the Kolt and Sestan also vying for that role. Half back it is then Bowser.

They don't. And if it was my call i would leave Bowey back. But if as you suggest Howes goes back one the regular defenders has to come out, particularly if Gus also goes back.

k

That would make sense too. Howes is similar size to Riv and with his athleticism and depth on his kick would be be good replacement for Riv's run and carry role of HBF. And as you say Riv's strength and physicality is perfect for the middle, particularly given Gus might not play as a mid and Clarry might not be avaibalie for a chunk of the season. Having a bull like Riv in the middle will also give them more flexibility to use Tracc forward. With Gus out of action for most of the Pies final and all of the Blues final, they needed tracc's grunt in the midfield, reducing their ability to throw him forward. We saw how influential tracc was playing as a 50 50 mid/ forward and after losing Melk, and then JVR for the blues game i think not being able to have trac play the same mix in the finals was big factor in our losses.

I like this, as as i noted yesterday if Howes playing in defence he could take Mcvee's spot at HB allowing judd to move onto the ball, or perhaps onto the wing. But i could also see both playing in defence, with Howes playing the lock down role Judd played last year (he's tall enough to cover the tricky medium forwards like McCarthy). This would free up McVee to play a more aggressive, offensive role higher up the ground in the mould of kitty Coleman or Nick Daicos. Wherer that would leave Bowser and Salo i'm not too sure - one would have to come out of the back half in that scenario you'd think. I know there has been some talk of Salo moving on ball, but personally i cant see it. He is hard at it and strong enough to play an inside mid role, particularly with his fast hands and ability to hit short targets by foot under pressure. But i agree with Fat Tony that his lack of pace would be an issue as a mid. It wouldn't have been an issue a few years ago but teams with slow midfields can get caught out now, particularly defensively - the Lions being an example I wonder if Bowser could be an on ball option? He also could be an inside mid option as like salo he is hard at it and an excllent kick. But unlike salo he quick of the mark. Bowser wasn't a defender as a junior, but i can't recall what his main role/position was. Was he a mid?

Could a premiership player who finishes 6th in a a club's best and fairest, after being top ten the previous year, and who has barely mised a game in five seasons, reasonably be considered a whipping boy?

Agree. I think the wing is his best shot, which means getting past Langers or Hunter (or one them moving to a different role). And Howes is also probably in competition for the wing spot, though he could also play at HBF (perhaps taking Mcvee's spot at HB allowing judd to move onto the ball). On whipping boys status i think the front runners are (in order) Spargs, TMac and Benny Brown - with a watch on Fullerton if he finds his way into the ones. Maybe Laurie too if he keeps getting games when he makes little impact.

True nuff.

Nah, can't see him becoming a whipping boy. As self appointed DL defender of whipping boys, i don't think he is made of the right stuff to be be a fully fledged whipping boy. For a start he has to get a regular spot in the ones so he can be accused of taking the spot of a player deemed more worthy. And he is the son of a gun, so there is too much good will for him to cop it. But on a serious note, I hope you prove to be correct Webber but i'm a bit more ambivalent about his chances of taking his game to another level and being a regular in the ones. I agree he is super professional (which i think can be a really underrated attribute - though not by coaches and teammates), but i'm not sure he has 'all the tricks' or the x factor. That said i think what he does has is an excellent tank, covers the ground well and is developing into a terrific athlete - attributes that have never been more important and will only continue to grow in importance. And maybe i under value his skills because he is so disciplined and eschews flair. I think his preparedness to work hard means he will further build his tank and become an even better athlete, which will give him an edge over many teammates and an excellent chance of cementing a best 22 spot. And as Gator noted, and as you imply, he is super coachable and we know Goody rewards players who play their assigned role and follow instructions.

That surprises me a bit i have to admit. But only in the sense that he is quick over the first 20 meters as i've always thought his cruising speed is pretty quick. Good combo. Do you see Woey making it Gator? Or perhaps a better question is do you think he has good upside? (i'm not sure myself).

I like Gus back. I'm not sure about Rivers going into he middle, in large part because as you note he doesn't have much experience there. But if they are thinking about Rivers playing some time in the middle (or perhaps even Mcvee), Gus as a sweeper down back gives them some flexibility to pull that rein.

Laurie is training predominantly as a forward. That's interesting. Makes sense i guess. But with Spargs looking to cement his spot and the Kolt and Sestan (and to a lesser extent McAdam, who i see vying for melk's role) both hoping to come into the forward line as smalls/mediums there's a bit of competition for a spot. I would see him as a mid, as he works very well in congested areas. Agree. I reckon inside mid is his go. As you note, good in congestion, has a low centre of gravity, good hands in tight and good kicking skills.

Perhaps i'm misremembering, but my recollection is Laurie predominantly played as a mid at Casey last season. As i wrote on DL at the time i was really, really surprised he came in to play half forward late in the season instead of Spargs. Maybe he ends up fighting with Spargs for a spot in the forward line. But whilst his kicking skills would be handy up forward in terms of hitting leading targets etc he doesn't look a natural forward to me. Kev, if Laurie cements a spot in the ones what position do you see him playing?

If this was one of those old school caption this photo competitions i'm not sure this would be the winner.

Salo looks in ripping nick. A fit and firing Salem will be a huge fillip.

He's a different cat.

This is good, and i think well over due - ie the club coming out and putting Clarry 'on extended leave to deal with his ongoing health issues'. Without getting into the specifics of his issues and what is happening for Clarry the absolute right approach by the club is taking a health focused approach - for Clarry, the team and fans. Making it clear he is on extended leave takes some of the pressure off, allows fans to recalibrate and come to terms with the likelihood we won't see him in the team for a while. But perhaps even more importantly it means the rest of the team can focus on their own preparation without some of the fugazi. Easy to forget i reckon how stressful and unhelpful this has all been on his teammates, particularly those who have been long term mates such as tracc and Salo. Personally i'm approaching the situation like Clarry had an ACL last season. He's out, he's not coming anytime soon and it's not clear how long it will be before he does come back. I'm sending positive vibes Clarry's way and wish him nothing but the best.

Goody has track record of some left field selection of young, unheralded players. Bowser and Mcveee being two such examples (none other immediately come to mind, but i feel like i'm missing some). So, Sestan will know that if he does the work he has shot. And personally i think a good one because we could really do with his kicking skills an general smarts. Probably not really left field but i reckon Howes and Woey are both massive chances to be in the round one team.

I reckon he could. Sestan has some real x factor about him and like Mcvee, who is another Taylor special, his point of different is his foot skills. But like Mcvee needs an AFL tank and body - which he looks like he is working on. Sestan has the ability to kick those across the body on the 45 kicks that players like Daniel, Miers, Guthrie, Crisp and Nick Daicos are so good at hitting. With all teams employing zones and and all team defence having players with that skill has become increasingly important to cut through congestion and find free players.