Young Blood

Any one of Frost, Pederson or Watts I guess

I doubt they sacrifice T-Mac with him being the best option still on Daniher. I can see them bringing Weiderman back in as the other tall down fwd.

Not realistic unfortunately. The club clearly likes Watts in the Ruck over Frost so I think he will share it with Pederson. Wouldnt be surprised if Weiderman comes back in to allow Watt's and Pederson more freedom to lead up the ground or visa versa. Frost might pinch hit but I think they need his pace and height to drop back if Essendon get out like Richmond did last game.

I'm glad its at Etihad instead of the G. Means we can afford to go a bit smaller and faster. A forward line of: Harmes Watts Garlett Trac Pederson JKH Still looks like it could kick a few. Mids tend to do well kicking goals at Etihad too.

With bad injuries this early in the season its going to be a really tough run. Might have to be half full for most of the season if we can just continue to battle.

He had a partial dislocation of his patella tendon pre Christmas. Could still be feeling that knee. He didn't play any JLT and missed round one so kinda rushed in a bit. I wouldn't be surprised

It's round 6. Keen to revisit this thread when we're past the halfway mark. I do think he's had an interrupted pre-season and looks a tad off. That alone is a good reason for him to either rest or get some form back at Casey. Thought he was pretty decent against Freo and one of few that played well against Carlton. But jeez we're talking about a guy who is 23! I personally think he's got some more time to develop and improve his fitness and decision making.

I agree Soidee but I think there are a few others like McDonald and Jetta who could show better maturity and leadership as well. I wouldn't heap all the blame on Jones. He just looked stuffed in that last qtr last night. I hope the club isn't in strife if we don't have Lewis playing. Also he's only played two games. He was great in one and ok in the other. Not sure if he alone is the answer to our leadership problems.

Terrific post! Shows how far we have come! Of course i would rather be winning these games but boy we have been playing some great football. I think Goodwin really summed it up well when he said in the post match that the great teams find a way to win. We are young and we are now competing in games at the highest level. The next stage will be maturing to the point where we can win close games or sustain a lead in the final quarter

I think the club will be reluctant to rush either of King or Filipovic in. King has only just come back from a season ending injury from last year with one game under his bealt. Not sure how much of a pre-season he had. Lachlan is only 19 and also not entirely fit having an interrupted pre-season from memory. i might be wrong but doesn't it usually take two or three seasons for ruckman this young to build up the fitness and craft to be able to ruck in the AFL? Unless of course they're a top 10 pick maybe... I can see Goodwin going with Pederson this week to rotate with Frost and Watts

I really liked Petracca's intensity around the ball early on when the game was hot. I thought we was tough, creative and made things happen for us. A big reason we got so many forward 50 entries in the first half. Obviously the knee knock slowed him down after that.

He is definitely playing better but I think Tyson, Lewis and Viney are OK too. In terms of clearances yes at the moment a class above but we have good contributors around him like ANB, Strech and Salem.

Richmond did a good job of this last night. They always had a player on the corridor side. Even when the ball was hanballed or taped forward their mids were looking to get the ball back to the corridor side even if it meant going diagonally backwards to a runner. I think this was Melbourne's game plan as well to link up with runners through the middle but Richmond executed it better down the stretch and if one team muffed it (mostly Melbourne) then Richmond capitalised with players already in position to complete the play. On a side note loving how much more positivity there is today. I had non MFC supporters telling me for most of last nights game and against Geelong that Melbourne are playing a lot like the Bulldogs ie. at a very high standard of football. Just need to bring it for four quarters.

The handball to Watts off the ground before Watts turned and kicked it into Salem for the mark and goal was incredible. Had Richmond supporters around me noting they had not seen quicker handballing before.

I know MFC doesn't have the amount of supporters as Richmond but it was as if we were playing an interstate match last night. Felt like 90% richmond crowd who were deafening at times. Felt for our players when the game was close.

Yeah wrecker I like it when Vince kicks short to another good long kick. Really opens up the options and gives us a chance to get it out the back and jump the opposition. Don't really mind Vince kicking in. I think the problem for him last night wasn't so much when kicking in. It was more his ball use across half back. He is rushing with the ball more this year and making quicker decisions like chipping back where there might have been a better option forward of the ball.

we genuinely ran out of legs. Poor disposal and decision making was due to fatigue a number of times. Notice how many players were falling as they hand balled? With fatigue, our concentration really dropped while Richmond were able to keep composure. this is not a pure excuse for losing. But I think it played a really large factor. Plus just dominating the ruck that last quarter from Richmond. I was really proud of our team tonight regardless.

I think you're right about Bugg. I think in a heated game (which it always is) we need really tough players who will play on the edge and I think at this stage Bugg wins out over Trengove. I would like to see Trengove really build up over a few weeks and come in with more confidence then he did last year. I think Harmes stays in for his toughness around the ball. He contests really well especially in the air for someone his size. I like that Goodwin has kept Weeds in so long to give him every chance to compete. I think not having Hogan has hurt Sam the most in that he hasn't had as much opportunity to lead up the ground which is where he has played his best in spurts so far and gets him involved in the game. But watching Pederson on the weekend reminded me how good he is as that lead up role plucking marks on the wings and crashing marking contests, creating space up forward. Hopefully he can play that role against Richmond which we desperately need.

If we can get through unscathed this weekend and get a win I will feel good about Hogan coming back and now possibly Hibbert against Richmond. That game was my favourite last year. Love watching Hogan vs. Rance.

That being said Angus is probably my favourite player and I think if he was fit and played a required role against Freo I think he's always worth adding.

You would have to ask Plapp.. From afl.com The Casey coach added omitted midfielder Angus Brayshaw (25 disposals) was clean by hand at ground level and "showed signs of what we need him to be doing contest to contest" 'Showed signs' doesn't sound to me like he is a must add this week. My Dad was at the game and said in his opinion he did OK and worked hard around the contest but didn't stick out.

Yeah I think especially for someone his size and the player that jumps more then any other position I'm worried that he might need longer.

I don't think Brayshaw will come in this week. By all accounts he did the right things on the weekend for Casey but they want to see him do it consistantly. I think you could be right. If he is unable to train this week we might see Vince out again. Petraccattack has got it pretty right I think

Agreed. Who care's whether or not Cripps has a fractured jaw. Is it going to change anything? nup. Hogan and Lewis need to sit and suck it up like their supporters. We're sounding like collingwood/carlton/richmond supporters right now with the whinging.

Another frustrating thing to come out of this is that Lewis' track record is worse off once again. Lewis is at his best when he is playing on the edge, getting underneath the oppositions skin. It just adds that extra caution for him when he returns and moving forward. But then he's also a pro and has dealt with that a for while. Both very dumb acts from both. Hope they both come back and really make an impact to make up for their stupidity.