Young Blood

So there's some kind of chance he's gettable because another team inquired about him and Carlton shut it down? I keep opening threads thinking we've actually been linked to a player but its all just hypothetical, none of which have come to fruition. It's bumming me out! If it's Melbourne keeping tight lips on who they're interested in that's good I guess but its driving the demonland faithful a bit mad.

That's some promising feedback for a young player who was drafted based on potential to develop as a small forward. I only saw a few Casey games towards the end of the year but he had some good moments. Definitely needs to develop his body as he gets pushed off the ball too easily but is a competitive little bugger and loves the pressure, tackling part of the game.

I don't think he's worth signing at his age. I've watched him really slow down the last few years. He used to have decent 20-50m pace with leads and obviously has the strength in one on one contests but I don't think he's going to come back to the form he showed a few years back. However it is interesting to see if Melbourne will look to sign another tall forward for depth now that Smith and Keilty are gone. With Frost leaving Petty will move back as a defender. We have some depth with medium sized marking options in Fritsch, Trac, Melk and Hannan. But in terms of tall forwards it's pretty much McDonald and Weid.... The forward line was our weakest position last year and is looking worse pre trades this year. Tomlinson can float forward in bursts but hasn't shown any consistency there nor is that the position we signed him for. Hopefully we can make at least one move and Joel Smith + Vanders can get healthy to add to that list.

Second year blues. Kids still 19 and showed potential in his first year. Seems a lot of us really forget that we have teenagers or early 20 yr olds who need time to develop. We're still a young side. Its just a fact.

have we been linked with Jenkins? Did I miss something?

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So some of you are writing off a guy who was drafted as a Category B rookie previously playing semi pro basketball. He was always a development project. Add that to the fact that he missed a large chunk of his first year with a groin injury, dislocated his shoulder the next year in his first game in the seniors wiping out his 2017 season. He was able to play as a third tall backman (alonside Oscar and Frost... yep) through the back end of 2018. Then gets ruled out for 2019 with the groin issues. Talk about having an awful run at it. But feel free to write the 23 yr old off. Each to their own.

Yeah sorry I was actually in agreeance with you re gus only leaving if he wanted out and was highlighting to others that this clearly isn't the case.

It's sounding like Carlton are the club to get involved to help the Kelly deal to West coast. Carlton has pick 9 which you wouldn't think would work as a straight swap for Gaff but maybe with a bunch of other players/picks involved who knows. I'd imagine it might help Carlton get Papley to them as well.... Regardless it's sounding like it could maybe even end up a similar situation to the three to four team trade last year involving Melb/Freo/GC/Bris where Hogan, May, Neale and pick 3 were used to get players to clubs.

Yeah and he clearly doesn't. Anyone who's been within an inch of the club would know how much Angus enjoys playing with this group. He has many close mates and is part of a young midfield with loads of potential. I don't understand why these rumours pop up and linger even after Freo have said theirs no interested (you assume they mean currently or aren't willing to give up whats required for him). But also the club displayed any desire to trade him either. Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver and Harmes are our midfield group all 25 or under yet to hit their prime. You would be stupid to make a rash supposed "bold" or "ruthless" trade to break up a group that has developed with loads of potential just because they had one off season overall.

this ? Not sure if he's officially nominated Carlton but when a player wants to get somewhere he pretty much always gets there especially if interest is mutual. Maybe we should wait until we're in a conversation to sign/trade for a player before all the hypothetical's? Maybe thats a silly thought. Side note: The Jamie Elliot thread got to almost 2000 posts to no avail...

Why are we talking about Salem in a Sam Frost thread? Are you joking about Salem? Had a very consistent year. I definitely wouldn't say his form fell away poorly. The team lost 7 straight to end the season. I don't think we're in a position to start nitpicking at our best players. If so we may as well start discussing Clayton's incredible ability to win the ball but do little with his possession...

I think Tomlinson's kicking is above average but I really fear for Langdon's disposal. Has a similar kicking style to Hunt/Frost. Hopefully it's not too late for him to change/improve it.

You sound liked you're pretty convinced the club isn't going after a 'gun small forward'. Do you have inside knowledge or are you just writing off the idea because of what you have heard in media/rumor reports pre trading period? Richmond have drafted well with their small forwards like Bolton and Rioli but they've also been lucky in drafting players who started in other positions and developed into other roles like Castagna (originally a backman). We on the other hand have been unlucky but with quite a few players who we drafted to play as small forwards not working out. Bedford is very raw I would give him a few seasons to mature. Chandler and Spargo are also 19 yr olds who will need a bit of time to develop surely. I get that you want to recruit 3 'gun small forwards' but it just isn't going to happen. We're looking at Jamie Elliot and I'm sure we are or have inquired about guys like Papley but we have other positions we need to fill. Tomlinson (tall marking wingman/HF) and Langdon (fast outside mid/wingman) are a good start.

Where I think he will be most valuable is his ability to mark and compete in the air from the wing position. We have a fairly small midfield and certainly no one that can consistently compete in marking contests. it's a luxury many clubs have with midfielders like Danger, Fyfe, Yeo etc. Our options down the line this year were pretty much Max or bringing a key forward up to the wing leaving us with one less marking option in the forward line. Tomlinson doesn't take a lot of contested marks but I've seen a lot of his games and he will generally half the contest and bring the ball to ground. Like I've mentioned before he might not have burst speed but his ability to run and spread in a system that thrives on this has been evident. His engine allows him to work his man and present well on the wings hence his consistent uncontested marking numbers. Finished 30th last year and 14th this year for marks across the league.

Unless we were in with a chance to land someone like Papley we should absolutely take the risk with Elliot. Was at the game on Saturday watching him closely. He reads the play and presents incredibly well. He's slippery and constantly puts himself in dangerous positions. Strong mark for his size and when the ball is turned over he puts pressure on the opposition. He would fit into our best 22 nicely.

I really don't understand all this moaning about Preuss. He's a 24 yr old developing ruckman who started footy at a late age. He's got a huge frame and comes from a rugby background. It might take a bit of time for him to work out the body and whats required of him. From all accounts he played an above average season for Casey. It was always going to be difficult fitting him into the side considering we have the best ruckman in the comp and he's not a natural forward by any means so that along with matchups and his injuries meant he wasn't able to play much AFL. Thats fine. Like most big men especially ruckman it takes longer to develop. I hate to be mean but if you've heard him talk and watched him at training you'll find he's not very intelligent and learning would be a bit slower for him. Thats OK! I'd say all thats been asked of him this season is to continue improving his ruck craft which he has and when he came in to the senior side to mostly bring the ball to ground. His next phase is improving his marking and leading I would assume which this harmless puff piece highlights. Still better then having Dom Tyson floating around.

Yeah so true. If Dangerfield has another poor game by his standards then I don't rate his as a footballer. What he's done in finals in previous years means nothing ey SWYL..

Same thing? He's played finals the last four years and performed well...

It's really not the end of the world if we lose Frost. - He might be asking for just too much than we're willing or able to pay him - He's a turnover king and while other aspects of his game have improved I can't see his composure or decision making getting that much better - We have Petty who I think will eventually become a much more well rounded key back - There's still a chance we're looking at other backs from other clubs like Alex Keath

Yeah no mention of Hawks so he must be going to North.

Last night was easily his worst game for the season. His best position is on a wing where his running capacity and marking are a feature. It has been stated by many that this is where he will most likely play with a faster type like Langdon occupying the other wing.

Glad he made a clear statement around the players and the pre season. This team wasn't anywhere near the level of fitness from the very start and thats as a group. We know a large majority of our core players had interupted pre seasons but I don't doubt that after a late finals run meant many of our younger players didn't come back at the level of fitness required. It's not a blanket excuse for everything but it does make implementing or changing game plan/style very difficult when the bulk of players aren't fit. It was an uphill battle from the very beginning. Looking forward indeed to a big summer. Don't know if there will be another team more under the microscope then ours.

This is so key. As a backman its so important to hit targets. Turning the ball over from the back half just hurts you so much in todays game. He has improved his kicking somewhat but it does little for you if your decision making and timing is still poor. I'm not saying this can't improve but I think its going to be difficult for him to find the balance of when to use his pace and when to slow up and hit up the right option accurately. His rebound 50 numbers were good but clangers were high. Frost regularly kicks or handballs directly back to the opposition. I just had a look at leaders in Clangers this season and he's sixth among defenders with 64 for the year. The previous year he was averaging about the same with 34 across 13 games for the season. It's definitely a concern with him. If he does stay its an area of his game that he will need to continue to tidy up. Don't get me wrong I think he's still important especially as he can play on smalls and talls it will definitely effect our backline depth if he departs.

OK maybe the number of people is fewer then I thought you're right but just read a few posts like ''needs to RETIRE' or 'time to retire'. If it was written more like 'I hope he is really considering his future and health as I am concerned for the young lad long term' maybe I'd understand more. Totally agree. My best mate had two knee reco's and had to finish his senior footy days early as he worked a trade and had a young family. Of course its important to consider your future especially with serious injuries such as this. It's an area we're still learning about and the long term effects are definitely of concern. All I am saying is that we respect KK's decision whatever it is and if it means him continuing his footy then back him in like we did with Brayshaw. If its too difficult for him to come back then absolutely consider finishing up. Retirement is an option but doesn't seem like he is there just yet.