dpositive

Well my selection comments are still based on little knowledge so Ill take the coaches and selectors team as a winner.

Im going over invited by my Bombers supporting mate, he's actually the husband of my friend, but has endeared himself to me despite that. He does love his footy and has again prepared a weekend of football fever, with multiple matches including in the box and special events. His wife doesnt really care for footy and is happy that I can distract him for the weekend.

BUT I really want the Dees to continue his misery, although in his defence he is more frustrated than miserable criticising many of the actions his club has taken.

Still I would like to see a few rested with Jeffo, Kentfield, Heath and anyone else who played well at Casey given a run. Id include Laurie even though he didnt excell.. Petty provided a really good role through back and forward and does ruck well but we know what he can deliver. Id still like to see some work into JVR as full time forward only NO RUCK. Rest any player who may have a niggle and get em cherry ripe for Brisbane.

But given I didnt think Milky would play given his Casey appearance and how well he played Im prepared for anything.

It does make the trip more interesting but gee winning is way better than losing.

GO DEES

my only concern arises from the vision of Melksham against the doggies.

I do like ghosties scenario of the 150 lead up and am now going to scour the training reports,

19 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Matthews got a chance for swap with Lattrelle?

19 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Matthews got a chance for swap with Lattrelle?

19 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

MYeatthews got a chance for swap with Lattrelle?

Yes thats a good get in line with exposing the next generation resting them back to work on specific features of their game

Sorry about the multiple quote seems auto generated.

14 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Kentfield was going to debut before he hurt his knee. Can't see why he can't debut now. A month is not a long time out. Petty has been out of form.

Yeah agree Petty has been out of form which is why I think he gets last chance as burst impact replacement, a role which he needs to be coached positively to do.

As i said in other post Im just a bit concerned that Lukar had a significant injury which might affect his confidence and impact which I would like to see built and evidenced in the lower level.

Both these thoughts are deeper coaching and development matters which I really will leave to the coach who is closer to the players.

15 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Give Luker a go.

Just a bit worried that the significant injury he sustained may affect his confidence and impact which I would rather see built and evidenced at Casey.

We do not need a white silver or grey border

Just a few changes Werridee

B: Lever, McDonald, Salem

HB: Tholstrup, Turner, Howes

C: Langford, Sparrow, Windsor

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, Culley

F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Heath

FOLL: Gawn, Steele, K.Pickett

IC: Lindsay, Langdon, Sharp, Petty, Moniz-Wakefield

EMERG: , L.Pickett, Kentfield prefer both to play limited time at Casey

Petty the ultimate emergency can pinch hit for Turner if he is short of a run or can cut out for max in the ruck and JVR who must be played fulltime forward and Heath who may need exposure to AFL..

Mw can replace Tholstrup if he is needed to tag or cut out Salem

Heath played well at Casey last match and can provide support for Max and an xtra tall to create space

Latrell is exciting but I reckon can have run at Casey to build up his presence not just impact. Use his pace at that level to cut them apart and force his way into the team against Essendon.

Rivers may need an extra week recovery same as Kentfield

We do need to see how player perform at Casey Jefferson and Kentfield l

Not sure that Melkie will make it, the way he looked last week.

I would leave Petty in ones as the ultimate replacement forward or back. Hes not slow and can ply tall. seems to play better when he is a burst player. He makes and creates space and can tackle pretty well.

23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.

They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.

23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.

They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.

23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.

They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.

Youll get 2 weeks for that, Sidey would get nothing and Kozzie would get life.

I am a redleg member which I consider a donation to the club as I dont get down to enjoy the games with my melbiourne based mates who are all also redleg members. I get to sit with them and enjoy the pre and post match events.

Its easy to do as I just pay a fortnightly amount on automatic instalment.

It is fortunately supported by the really friendly membership staff who also assist me on match days when I bring friends along (usually at the last minute)

15 hours ago, Kev said:

Most of the game involved us holding the boundary line, with little looking inside for a central corridor, or spread to find space. If you can't get the ball it is difficult to manage the tempo/momentum. Freo sat on us waiting for our errors as we guarded the grass. It looked like we were hoping to get turnovers and then swarm the contest. We started fumbly and they were just too good, and our confidence fell.

There was no plan to change tempo or momentum. Would have liked us to chip it round a bit, get each other into it without the opposition rushing us. Need to make space and time, and that inability affected our ability to play to our plan.

Where was our change of strategy change up, when it would have made a difference?

Where was our handball game?

We couldn't create, didn't swarm or make overlaps. Looked like more fun in the last, where we seem to have a licence to take it on. Hopefully that fits us well, more of that as we take on the Blue.

We seemed to be too far off our opponent when they had the ball and didnt create space when we had the ball, Both of those features were noticeable last week.

We burnt ourselves when all going forward when turnover happened with poor handball or missed target

Possible Team

B: Howes McDonald, Salem

HB: Rivers, Lever, Jiath

C: Windsor, Langford, Langdon,

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, K.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Sharp

FOLL: Gawn, Steele, Tholstrup

IC: Petty, Lindsay L.Pickett, Culley, Heath

EMERG: Moniz-Wakefield, Taylor, Sparrow

Windsor Langford takes centre clearance Windsor Langford outside Tholstrup tagging

K Pickett also run through centre for burst swap with Tholstrup

LIndsay chop out Windsor Langdon THolstrup Chandler Sharp Salem ( lets see what hes got)

L Pickett burst swap with Chandler, Sharp

Culley swap with Mihocek, Van Rooyen Fritsch (Van Rooyen, Mihiocek rotate FF and CHF)

Heath chop out for Max Mihocek, Van Rooyen (Forward role)

Petty is a better ruck than both Roo and possibly Heath but can plug in for any defender needing chop out (Lever Howes Mc Donald) and can chop out for Max jn defence role

Theres plenty of flexibility around some core who have little rest Langdon Rivers Salem Jiath Mc Donald Steele

Van Rooyen must be just forward rotatindg and leading with Mihocrk. both providing contest so ball comes down to crumbers. Fritsh plays deep and behind contests.

I did wonder if that was another holding the man free gone missing.

Watched the Casey boys where only Heath looked reasonable so knew why King made no changes.

Ive had a gutful of not manning up when opposition has the ball.

On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said:

no, it's a pro-racing industry proponent

it has vested interests, to say the least

meanwhile, fisherman's bend was first proposed as a conversion from industrial about 15 years ago - the tram line to / from it is at least 20 years away from being developed, with no business case proposed, as is the same with the bridge connecting it to the city

90% of the land in it is privately owned - good luck getting developers to commit to open space when they can make money on it instead

On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said:

You are dead right WWSW. It really needed some vision and forward planning years ago. The body tasked with implementing was ineffective and had no influence. With a destination entertainment business hub I have suggested there may have been support for improved transport. Communication failed previously. I hope it does not fail with Caulfield.

On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said:

Thank goodness someone can make sense of these statistics.

I was perhaps totally wrong . I felt in watching all games so far that pressure was high . I commented many times that you just could not afford to fumble as opponents were close checking and turnovers occurred. Turnovers also seemed to lead to chains that led to scoring.

The pace of the game looked faster as well, which affected the precision of disposal.

I will keep watching and hoping that we continue our winning results.

I dont want to down play the saints too much. I am hoping we beat a good side not a poor side.

WE had some great performances and some ordinary performances. Our good passages were very good. Roo and Max probably the difference.

The main thing I noticed was our [layers seemed closer to their opponents which appears to be a pattern of all games. No guarding ground and shepharding players into position but close checking and tackling. Chasing and putting players under pressure and off balance is what created so many turnovers.

I hope we look at our squad for next weeks selections and pick players who are suited to the opponents. Therefore we might rest some who played well and put in some more surprising picks, but in the light of today I dont know who that is.

Perhaps Sharp played his one out of the box, Kolt played a role scripted 3 weeks ago, really well. Langford did little but maybe needed that run. I think Petty is showing the ultimate swing man off the bench and maybe TMac can go into the defence who all played pretty well

Great problem to have. Looking forward to an exciting season.

29 minutes ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

The boys should have colluded and nominated 23 Meatloaf tracks.

or Better still all nominated Grand ol Flag.

Perhaps the many different versions seen in this site

On 11/03/2026 at 22:34, No10 said:

I’ve seen Fisherman’s Bend mentioned a few times here...

Firstly, the school was a nightmare and has ended up with almost zero open space.

And also the area extends into industrial zones that are currently entirely disconnected from any community, which is where I imagine you’re suggesting?

I don’t see the appeal whatsoever. Caulfield is far superior and the multipurpose usage is all good planning and will work. They just need to get it done.

On 11/03/2026 at 22:34, No10 said:

I’ve seen Fisherman’s Bend mentioned a few times here...

Firstly, the school was a nightmare and has ended up with almost zero open space.

And also the area extends into industrial zones that are currently entirely disconnected from any community, which is where I imagine you’re suggesting?

I don’t see the appeal whatsoever. Caulfield is far superior and the multipurpose usage is all good planning and will work. They just need to get it done.

On 11/03/2026 at 22:34, No10 said:

I’ve seen Fisherman’s Bend mentioned a few times here...

Firstly, the school was a nightmare and has ended up with almost zero open space.

And also the area extends into industrial zones that are currently entirely disconnected from any community, which is where I imagine you’re suggesting?

I don’t see the appeal whatsoever. Caulfield is far superior and the multipurpose usage is all good planning and will work. They just need to get it done.

Its difficult to really summarize what has been a long debacle around the Fishermans Bend Site.

FB is a very large area with many different areas of activity.

It was established under Liberal Govt with private sector developer involvement. Labor inherited what was seen as land profiteering scheme. They set up an overseeing body to coordinate progress which for varying reasons did not occur.

The area is still projected by both parties to contain a population of 80,000 in a variety of housing models. Transport was a particularly fraught issue culminating in the proposed underground station not being included in the latest build. This combined with no tram route extension and poor road access has set back all progress. Melbourne Uni has delayed its Innovation campus which was a feature of original plans and all o[tions seems to have stalled with a project which is now overseen by the state Department of Transport.

No One seems to care about this vacant area at the moment. My proposal for training grounds with accompanying entertainment, retail, Corporate areas has also found little support,

Caulfield may well be our field of dreams if we can negotiate with a racing industry who dont really want us there. I fear Waverley is the Trojan Horse for Collingwood to move us out of the Melbourne city area.

I think we must make a positive of this issue.

WE have loved both our premiership players who provided not just the flag but great enjoyment and entertainment for our members and fans. Indeed they provided increased interest in footy to all followers and grew not only our club but the game.

As a strong club we are able to see that growth in our players and while disappointed when they leave we can farewell not only Trac and Ollie but ANB Jacko Maysie etc with all due respect and thanks. The club has always shown understanding and loyalty to our players and we have benefitted from their presence.

We now move on to an exiting new phase where the next generation of players will contribute with our remaining flag bearers to give sustained success to the club. Thats a success that does not always mean winning but being competitive, improving and being the best players and people as individuals. We believe that will bring club success and is why we urge our fans to become members and our members to welcome them and continue to provide the support they have, and of course we welcome people who have never supported a club to join us on our journey.

Dont know why the love for Petty, TMac has him covered in defence and has been really solid in praccies and training (from reports).

Petty can certainly play both back and forward and has shown he can be reasonably mobile. I reckon he makes an excellent emergency as he can fill most spots.

Im not sure how he goes as a burst player as he always seemed to need time to get used to patterns but i would be concentrating on that aspect in training.

15 hours ago, Demonsone said:

We’re in fisherman bend? I live in port melb and the whole redevelopment has stalled, port melb vfl has been spoken about which is need of redevelopment but it’s used as a cricket ground, with our relationship with Casey this would prohibit to form another vfl alliance.

Agree the whole development stalled, but still represents as a greenfield site for 80,000 people and could support housing shortage issues.

Is supported by both parties for different reasons but fails due to reluctance of both parties to publicly acknowledge developer profit taking.

Plenty of scope for a community facility including entertainment, retail and corporate destination for transport which would shift the intransience. A powerful AFL presence as training and club administration centre with internal and external areas could get the project back on track

But the club is focused on Caulfield.

On 27/02/2026 at 10:20, KozzyCan said:

Would have been an even bigger political minefield trying to take inner city parkland over. Not to mention the hare-brained idea of trying to build the HQ on top of the train tracks.

That we are trying to build a home base in the middle of a racecourse tells you how difficult it is to find enough available space to put a couple of ovals on that isn't an hour from the CBD.

Fishermans Bend can do.

On 27/02/2026 at 09:58, Diamond_Jim said:

Yep

those new stadiums they like to build are certainly well out into the boondocks. It's part of the model. Buy cheap industrial land and surround the arena with rent paying franchised restaurants.

Our arenas missed the boat on the surrounding revenue. (Docklands and MCG). Thank heavens

my proposal for FB was based on a commercial entertainment facility in a greenfield location,

included restaurants

Jefferson seems like a Fritsch clone. Wether he replaces him off the bench or in the side will depend on other selections.

On 13/02/2026 at 18:44, rjay said:

We have no cards to play if we move 'Distr'...the only cards we hold are if we stay.

If they are so interested in Gosch's let the Government push through the Caulfield deal & get it moving for us then we can shift to Waverley for the interim couple of years.

Everyone Happy...

it was one of the factors that i included in the early promotion of Fishermans Bend option.

Standard negotiating tactic.