Young Blood

Why do we always judge players before they've had a chance to prove themselves? For starters his stats across his 28 games are average on paper yes. But from what I remember he was developing nicely as a third tall option who could also provide good pressure on the opposition backline. He's an above average tackler with solid inside 50 numbers. He's not too quick but like a few of our talls can run all day with midfield experience. He's a solid mark with good size and I can't see why he couldn't add to our depth. Yes Spargo, Fritsch and Hannan are ahead of him. Because those three have played football and proven themselves this year. If Vanders built some form in the VFL why wouldn't you contemplate it for next year? It's how Pederson and Tim Smith were able to break into the side. Two very similarly average footballers to begin with who worked on their games and found a role. I think its a step backwards to write off players without seeing them have a go after some awful luck with injuries.

I'm expecting there to be an emphasis on low direct kicks inside forward 50 and across half forward to limit Jeremy's marking.

I definitely think Hibberd will be the loose man. He predominantly played that role last year no? He commits to each contest better then any other player on the team and impacts pretty much every contest in the air when he gets to it. It won't be the same intercepting style as Lever, it will look a littler more different and perhaps a bit more frantic but it should do alright. Need someone to play this role well so not to expose Oscar or whoever else takes a tall forward.

Like: Dees home game on QB Dislike: Eddie (Gross Human being) McGuire That is all I have to say about that.

Give him three years? He'll be 31 and by that stage and if his body is still holding up (boy its taken a beating) he'll sign on for however many he can play after that. I want Nev to play forever!

I'm really glad a lot of posters on here are keeping a level head in valuing Dom as a player for MFC. Yes he's out of the team, his form has been down and the teams standards have certainly lifted. The current Midfield core of Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw and Jones are ahead of him in form and performing what he does best, better. I think its obvious the FD are trying to develop Dom into a more dynamic player. We know he can play really well as an inside or link up mid. He didn't perform well when he was played further off the ball on a wing. I really hope he can develop into a rebounding half back. At the moment his disposal would not have him well placed to replace a Vince or Lewis type role. But that doesn't mean he can't work his way into that role. Some examples off the top of my head: ANB - Drafted as an inside mid. Battled away for Casey until he changed to a pressure forward Nev - Obviously couldn't perform as a half forward/wing so Roos developed him into the best small backman in the comp Other less distinctive examples would be: Melksham and bugg as players with clear talent that weren't performing as mids but developed into definitive roles as forwards. Definitely think Dom is a talented player who not only gives us midfield depth but the opportunity to add to depth in other areas as we've done with other players.

I still think it will be Wagner. It seems like the coaching staff have more trust in him then Frost and Smith. Wagner had a pretty solid start to the season but was squeezed out due to midfield depth pushing the likes of Bernie and Lewis back. At 189cm he competes well in the air and I think we'll continue to be valuing ball use across the back line which we have done so well in the last 5-6 games. He kicks really well and his pressure across most of the first games of the season was great (good tackle numbers also). Frost can break the lines but its that first kick out to the corridor or halfback that has been opening games up for us which Wagner has the ability to do. Oscar to look after Cox, Hibberd to play loose role with Nev and Wagner pressure/rebounding defenders.

Yeah I remember him comment on the podcast maybe that he's not a very long kick. You don't see him kick from 50m often. Hopefully something that he can work on now that he seems to have his action more consistent.

Gus doesn't register a single vote in todays Age.....

Nah i think we just forgot how quick he is. Over 20m he just burns.

A great opportunity to really appreciate the man over the course of the week. He's certainly not slowing down. Having a another really consistent season. Boys will be pumped to get a win for him.

He's definitely our most explosive midfielder. He showed that today. He just bullies opposition. His strength to get himself free from congestion is remarkable. He can only make the game easier for Oliver too. Boy oh Boy our midfield is good. Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Jones, Petracca etc.

i dare say he has the best timing and reading of the ball in our side right now.

Hasn't had the chance to prove himself at senior level after getting a punctured lung in his debut last year. Thought this was his best. He rarely gets beaten in the air bringing the ball to ground and loves the contested ball. Apparently been doing it for quite a while down at Casey so forced Dees to pick him up. Nice stuff. Our tall forward depth is pretty great at the moment.

6. Brayshaw 5. Hogan 4. Hibberd 3. ANB 2. Viney 1. Lever

If Spargo were to be rested it would be so nice to see Garlett replace him and really fire like he did last year up in Alice. Be great to see him run our in the jumper designed by his auntie.

You referring to Tyson? He was the carry over emergency last week so couldn't play for Casey. I'd imagine he's been named as insurance if a mid was to go down up there. He'll be named as emergency again. Could be for his morale too who knows.

Gawny then pats Viney on the head.

Dang was hoping for a Crouchless Adelaide midfield. Hope we can keep Matt's influence down as much as possible. Hopefully he might be a bit rusty first game back.

Also going by the stats on that page looks like we're second behind Collingood for total team distance. Team distance: 2613.1 km

Really goes to show we are definitely a forward half team. Oscar would be running from deep full back right up to almost half forward most games. He also does play on the best lead up forwards who would be leading further up the ground often as well. Would love to know how Jesse compares to other forward his size over a 50m sprint. Shows his work ethic in preseason really paid off being in our top three runners. He also wouldn't be too far off in our top 'distant kings' as I've noticed him leading all players for distanced covered quite a few games this season.

Will be interesting if he goes back to the Saints after they traded him for what? Pick 37 was it? Ouch

Hopefully it might just mean that we are more of a destination club then we use to be. With success we might be mentioned more along with the usual Richmond and Collingwood's. It's probably more likely we've been mentioned as I'm fairly sure we had strong interest in him in the past so would naturally put us in the conversation. But then guys like Tmac, Hoges and Petracca arrived!

I don't know if Harmes is quick enough. You need someone who can burn off opposition with ball in hand when they need to.

Gee would love to see AVB play some football this year. Has had an awful run with injuries. You would think they would probably bring him on slowly and it would be predominantly VFL football for the back half of the season. Missons's comments on his tank and that he's still got all his attributes is really promising. On a side note I was thinking if Vander's does eventually come back for AFL call up at some point our tall forward depth is pretty strong in: Hogan, TMac, Weid, T-Smith and Pederson. If Lever and/or Oscar were to get injured our tall backline depth is a little thinner and certainly less proven. Keilty, J-Smith and Petty would be the backups with Wagner being a tad undersized but decent in the air. I wonder if worst came to worst whether they would swing Tom Mcdonald back if they had to. I think the ruck and key back development at Casey is going to be crucial this season for added depth in the near future down back.