Demon Dynasty

Finally managed to do a major overall of Rounds 6, 7 and 8 that i missed when i was OS. The following comparative rankings include all players who have played 2 or more games this year. And before anyone hammers me on Big Maxy, i don't have access to the 'hit outs to advantage stat' which would no doubt push Maxy into the top 5 or therabouts (just my view) if i could somehow account for it. This is not intended to be a slight on anyone, especially Big M, who is no doubt one of the major keys to our improvement since his break out match against the Cats last year. I have included the top 22 as i figure we need the best possible (stat based) 'fielded team' of 22 as a highlight, rather than the entire list that has played 2 or more matches (32) so far. And yes, believe it or not Jeffy misses the cut at 27! And yes i realise it would be highly unlikely he would miss the actual 22 in reality (edit: although after this week's match i'm not so sure ). Although having said that he does go missing at times during some matches so maybe the stats are also giving a rough indicator of this factor (edit: on reflection this was spot on....yesterdays game blah). The biggest (but nonetheless pleasing) surprise for me was where Billy, Harmes and Tracc are sitting. Young fellas on the rise! Top 22 rated players from a weighted average of stats up to & inclusive of Rnd 11, 2016 (weighted score in parentheses) 1. N Jones (4.54) 2. J Viney (4.29) 3. D Tyson (4.18) 4. B Vince (4.06) 5. B Stretch (3.73) 6. T Bugg (3.34) 7. C Oliver (3.29) 8. M Jones (3.21) 9. C Petracca (3.16) 10. T McDonald (3.14) 11. J Watts (3.07) 12. J Hogan (3.05) 13. C Salem (2.98) 14. B Kennedy (2.940) 15. L Dunn (2.938) 16. N Jetta (2.89) 17. J Harmes (2.88) 18. B Newton (2.80) 19. J Wagner (2.76) 20. H Lumumba (2.75) 21. C Pedersen (2.65) 22. D Kent (2.48) Stats: Courtesy of footywire.com

I don't know about first pick defender but Matt has picked up his game on last season for sure. Had him ranked 29th to Round 18 last season. This year (to Rnd 10) ranked 11th. A fair jump. I wouldn't put him in the class of Terlich or Michie this season.

Wise, as with Axis, are you aware of the role and what he hasn't done to be overlooked or pushed out of favour by any chance?

Axis are you aware of what the role was that he was expected to play but didn't?

I have no doubt that is the case behind the scenes with all players Lucifer and would be very surprised if this isn't the case. I was under the impression (maybe a false one) that the club writes a review of the player's and their progress at Casey. What the club is expecting and how they are progressing sort of thing.

There's a fine line between blooding the youngsters and playing more experienced (but maybe in Roos' the Fds eyes...a player that doesn't fit into the grand scheme going forward) players Steve. I just hope we aren't cutting off our nose to spite our possible finals chances in favour of the experimental/blooding side. Personally not that fussed at what Roos says or doesn't in the pressers, especially if we're winning I don't think asking for some sort of "what's required fro him to get back" is unreasonable guys. The fact that we don't see/hear it for Dunny would again appear to add weight to the theory that his papers are signed.

Or play Dunn until Pedo is ready to return?

Axis i'm pretty sure if Omac/Frost are up to playing their role down back (many would say poorly outcome wise) in a zone situation then Dunny is capable of, and more than likely, doing the same. I tend to think it's more to do with the way we want to transition out of defence once we have the ball that may have sealed Dunny's fate. He is the lowest hand baller of all the key defenders (Garland/Tmac/Omac) and relies heavily on medium to long up the line kicks or kicks to advantage. May be seen by the FD as a little old school for the "nouveau" attack off HB style that the modern day game is seeing now with heavy use of handball to cut through the opposition's press as well as short precision passing by foot. As Dunny tends to go more medium/long in his kicking he also presents the Coaching dept with another conundrum. That of intercept marks by our opponents and one in which they would be trying to minimise wherever possible. The longer the ball carries through the air the better chance an opponent has of intercepting. Short precision passing, handballing through the press is (so i've heard said) critical in today's slingshot style of defence. My only concern, aside from the handball part, is that the other key defenders here (see above) are also not that adept at short precision passing, albeit some are using handball much more than Dunny, especially Tmac & Omac. How effectively they are handballing however, who knows. Dunny is also a little 'one paced' and the coaching staff might also be looking to increase the speed at which we move the ball with run and carry across the ground. Not sure whether the other 3 are any faster in a sprint though. Maybe OMac. That's just my take on the matter. I may be totally incorrect and barking (mad) up the wrong tree of course.

Lynden Dunn - Season Stat Averages 2015 / 2016 Games 22 / 4 Eff Disp 13.3 / 12 ED% 81.1 / 87 Tackles 2.5 / 2.5 Clangers 1.8 / 2.8 R50s 4.3 / 5.8 1%s 4.6 / 5.6 Stats: Courtesy of footywire.com Would seem to be fairly similar. 6 rounds or so would be a better sample though and stats alone never tell the full story as we know.

Compare the Pairs - 2016 season averages (to & inclusive of Rnd 10) Key (Tall) defenders. Rank in parentheses Dunn / Garland / Tmac / Omac Games 4 / 6 / 10 / 3 Eff Disp 12 (2) / 9 (4) / 14.4 (1) / 10.3 (3) ED% 87 (1) / 80 (3) / 83.7 (2) / 70.1 (4) Tackles 2.5 (2) / 3.2 (1) / 1.1 (3) / 0.7 (4) 1%s 6.5 (2) / 4.0 (4) / 8.0 (1) / 4.3 (3) i50s 1.5 (1) / 0.5 (3) / 0.5 (3) / 1.0 (2) R50s 5.8 (1) / 1.8 (4) / 3.9 (2) / 2.7 (3) Kicks 10.5 / 6.0 / 10.4 / 4.3 H'balls 3.2 / 5.2 / 6.8 / 10.3 Bounces 0.5 / 0.0 / 0.6 / 0.0 Stats: Courtesy of footywire.com

How is Kent still in this team

Didn't see the game Jnr and stats are always fraught with danger on their own but my weighted rankings had them fairly close on the day with Tmac slightly ahead. The rankings include allowance for clangers. Also these particular rankings/weightings are fairly accurate in terms of comparatives as they are both playing down back, rather than completely diff areas of the field. Although you mentioned Dunn playing up forward at some point. Not sure how much TOG he spent the direct comparison might be a little out. Tmac - 14th (2.40*) Dunn - 16th (2.15*) Both were ahead of the other 2 regular defenders on the day in Lumumba 18th (2.05*) and Jetta 19th (1.93*), however all those scores are relatively low and a bit sub par in terms of being a decent game (statistically anyway) which is probably to be expected in a losing team. In his only other two matches after this i had him ranked 9th overall against the Sons (3.95*) and 9th again the following week against the Doggies (3.95). Again, i didn't see either of those matches but he couldn't have been too bad if he was in the top 10 statistically. *Denotes weighted score

If he cant make It In ahead of Omac after that last performance I would suggest his papers are now signed Hellfish

Dunn something wrong Abe?

Mine also

If you saw my stat rankings you would probably change your view SS. Ranked stone cold bottom last week. Really stunk It up.

You would think we had just won or something.... hold on, we did! Ty Dee bloody brilliant

Good question. Not even sure the Diamond is responsible for Saturday's bleeding Jack. Could be some other standard zoning that's responsible or just a few not following instructions or not working hard enough etc etc. Would need to watch replay but doubt the angles would reveal the whole story either. Only those who have access to behind the goal (or birdseye view if available) footage would be able to truly answer (& obviously the inner sanctum). If you were at the ground you might get a bit more of an idea but even then, the game's so quick now and so much happening across the park you would still need some footage for a more accurate 'total reveal' story. I don't necessarily think the Diamond is all bad though. As you said if the + 2 who push into the mid are able to assist then it should result in some quick entries and scoring opps and probably has done so at times. Personally i think a +1 is less risky and means we are only one down in our back half if the opponent gets first use or we turn it over somewhere horrid and/or our forwards don't apply the pressure needed to avoid a slingshot rebound. We don't know how often the FD is using it either so it may be just a random surprise strat to try and unsettle the opponent and give them a diff look plus add a quick goal or 2 as a bonus if it comes off. Then the team reverts back to 'standard' zone/press set ups for X amount of time. Back to diamond again at a specific center bounce etc. All speculation of course. Maybe some players are having trouble adjusting/learning to change up from one option back to the other. Like you i'm very curious to know why we had so many 'out the back' scored against us. Might take another look at the replay if i can find the time and ignore the scoreboard! Probably a waste of time though.

Pls tell Mr Vince, kid gloves only on our future champ!

Just got back from there. What county In UK Schneider?

A great story. All the best for a solid return. Hopefully this will lift the team a little for something special on Sat. Go Jack!

Did IT fix the problem with typing any letter after I as the first letter In a word Nash.... oh wait dw I have the answer to that :-)

His 1st rnd game wld also be close chook. Doesn't seem to do so well In return/1st up games. Maybe a week In the magoos might be a better option next time before he returns

If Dawes AND frost come In I wld rathersee Watts play a bigger role there than Frost picket. Frost looks like a potential future forward but more like a dog with fleas down back

I can see how u saw It like that. Gave me a good chuckle, 'thx Man'.