Diamond_Jim

The game plan is much the same at VFL level. I can understand that they have to know the gameplan etc but it could be played every third game with equal affect and then the intervening games could be used for skill development and dare I say it testing alternative gameplans. The goal sealer yesterday came from a scrubby kick by Munro from around the centre that just rolled through the goal (it almost stopped) because there were zero players forward of the defensive 70. Okay that's modern football but it isn't necessarily smart football.

Team sheets are due in xxx (I think around 30 minutes) before the game starts. That's the last time for a change save for a "fresh" injury after submission. (Travis Boak was withdrawn yesterday during the warm up for example. Interesting ... he suffered back spasms which one would think could be described as a pre existing injury.)

Like you JV7, have decided not to go along today. The game offers nothing in the context of this dismal season other than confirmation of our mediocrity. Will head back for a bigger challenge in a few weeks perhaps.

Clarkson reported as seeing the signs of the Hawks next flag with today's win against Collingwood. God I'm jealous

nothing outstanding. Was the recipient of a good forward pass but missed the goal from around 40 metres on a 45 degree angle. Has difficulty at VFL level finding any space and lacks the body for one on one contact. Needs to play a lot smarter if he is to make it. Of course the gameplan does not suit him with its congested forward line and scrum like packs.

Just back from a lovely day in the sun at Casey sitting mainly on the Berwick Rise. A lovely freshly cooked bacon and egg roll at half time. I left my phone at home so no game time commentary from me. Did you miss much... probably not. Three goals to the Blues from 50 metre penalties and inaccurate kicking from the Dees nearly decided the game against Casey but thanks to a couple of scrappy goals in the last it was a win. To me it was a game of two halves (I have always wanted to use that cliche.) The first half in which Casey may best be described as lethargic. Three players came to my notice. Jetta.. two mistakes.. two goals to the opposition ... (obviously needs a run)... O Mac... he tries but his turn back into an opposition player and thus caught holding the ball was cringeworthy. Lever.. much better but not really on top..however he was one of the few Casey players running on to present the next target in the chain. A class above. Then we have the second half in which Lever starred. Casey should have been four or five goals up at 3/4 time but couldn't buy a goal. The last quarter was probably even with an almost goal for goal tussle. James Munro had a strong game all day long. Oscar started to play a strong game with some courageous marks. And probably the star for me was our perennial friend JKH... provides drive at all times .. could be better directed but at this level he is a strong player. As to what it meant for the AFL team... probably not much except that Lever played very well and will most likely play seniors next week. (There was one worrying moment for Lever in the third quarter.. almost by accident he went shoulder high on a Carlton player and then went over the player's shoulder to descend head first towards the ground. Looked dangerous to say the least but luckily he landed okay.)

What is it with these continuous number changing. VFL can really be second class

Lewis?? Not looking good for Josh W's contract extension

who would have thought we had such depth.... the senior team must be flying

But he didn't have a pre season !!!

The JKH non selection makes a bit of sense if you take a step back. They know what he can and can't do and in all probability he will get some more games and a contract extension before season's end. They want to see some other players and it's Dunkley's turn. Baker is being "rested." The cue is officially in the rack. On another note how long can we continue to persist with around 4-5 players with propensity to long term injuries. Sure carry one as a project but with lists being as limited as they now are something has to give.

weather for Sunday is rain... Melbourne selection never ceases to surprise but ..........

must say I thought something similar about Gary Lyon after 1987 with his back problems. Said to a mate why not start him midway through the season so his body could stand up at the business end of the season. Was told it would never work. Of course lists in those days were much bigger than today so it was in a way easier. Your thoughts could apply to Gawn as well with Preuss giving him a rest

Collingwood... last round of 2017 if they want to look for a role model

interesting ... had we done well this year and the Carlton "new coach" impact was minimal it would have been realistic to think we could have surpassed Carlton in raw membership terms next season. What a missed opportunity

Our number one midfield that got continuously smashed at centre clearances with the dominant ruckman. Can this season get worse

Heaven help us if what we are now seeing is the gameplan

Georgia... absolute travel gem not to mention great food and wine at reasonable prices.

Agree but prepare yourself for disappointment. Preuss by himself will get monstered. His role was as a twin tower with Gawn. We could have used Gawn as a floating tall with Preuss doing say 70% of the ruck work. The role of the tap ruckman is massively over valued. It is what the player does around the ground that counts these days. Unless of course our coaches can work out how to take advantage of a winning ruckman. Something they have failed to do for three seasons. (Perhaps it can't be done in this modern era.) On JKH... deckchairs comes to mind but I don't disagree

Centre clearances with a dominant ruckman... coaching... end of story

32 scoring shots to 19... we were lucky to be within the proverbial bull's roar

was hoping to see some clear improvements in this six week stretch but we went backwards today due to an outdated gameplan.

hope our people are all over Patton's medical records not to mention watching his rehab very closely

as I said... nah

nah