ignition.

We failed to acquire a key forward and generate depth. It was all in the thread, perhaps read it. I was all for the targeting of ready-made forwards, but I was ALSO promoting to target ready-made depth such as Tyler Keitel, specifically stating he would be far better than the likes of Schache who is not even VFL ones standard let alone AFL standard, not to mention the ageing Brown and McDonald. I like van Rooyen but he's not even close to his prime (i.e. to match our premiership window with in-prime midfielders and defenders). So what did we see last week.... Schache named who can hardly touch the ball and Brown and McDonald still not ready. The BEST in-prime VFL/SANFL/WAFL key forward (such as Keitel) would have made a far superior option than bloody Schache. Therefore, my point is we FAILED to not only acquire the talent (such as the targeting of Naughton, and fair enough you can't win them all), but also FAILED to generate depth and thus we have the same problems we did last year.

At the end of last season I made a thread 'Operation Key Forward'. We failed to acquire and generate the much-needed talent and depth we desperately require up there. Last night it showed.

Agreed. Schache is probably better placed in the Casey Reserves. To be honest, I've questioned this as well, with not just him but several players in the competition. When it comes to early draft pick, in the case of Schache pick 2 in the 2015 national draft, sometimes its like flogging a dead horse in the hope they'll come good based off the hype they presented in their U18 year. Yet several blokes who consistently shine at the state leagues fail to get a look in (not all of course), but especially those that pass the age of 25.

Ahhh sure, my apologies then.

Mihocek alone won't solve our problems. He's a great player yes, but how many years will we get from him (he too will be 31 next year) and at what price? now that he's a premiership player and 5x leading goal kick for Collingwood. We'll be paying maximum value for a player with 2 years left at best. Keitel isn't proposed as a stand-alone replacement. However, if we're to fill this full forward void and develop some depth we need multiple acquisitions (of differing salary cap values) to cover Schache, McDonald, and Brown who are are not worthy or cooked or both.

I raised this initially in another thread, but thought it warrants a thread of its own. What are your thoughts of Tyler Keitel for some added full forward / centre half forward depth? I can't seem to find a better fit from the state or minor league competitions. Hailing from the WAFL, Keitel emerged as the leading goal kicker in 2023, netting 57 goals in across 18 games. At 27 years old, he stands tall at 196 cm, weighing 91 kg, and ready to make an impact. With an average of 3.2 goals per game, 5.1 marks, and 13.9 disposals, his stats and vision (below) suggest he just might stand a chance at the AFL level within a full time environment. VIDEO HERE: https://www.afl.com.au/video/911692/wafl-showreel-r3-tyler-keitel-highlights?videoId=911692&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1682230200001 https://www.afl.com.au/video/1012900/wafl-showreel-r19-tyler-keitel-highlights?videoId=1012900&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1692425400001 https://www.afl.com.au/video/985170/wafl-showreel-r15-tyler-keitel-highlights?videoId=985170&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1690006200001 https://www.afl.com.au/video/911692/wafl-showreel-r3-tyler-keitel-highlights?videoId=911692&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1682230200001 *Has a booming kick on him, marks 55m out and slots them through consistently. Can take a solid pack mark as well.* The only potential concern is his age, at 27, because it's rare to see someone drafted at his age (I can't recall anyone to be honest). But when compared to other options like Schache, if both of these blokes were on our list at Casey I have no doubt Keitel would be called up before Schache time and time again. Even over the likes to the slowing McDonald and Brown who will both be 31 next year. In my opinion, he seems like a promising prospect and should compliment any AFL listed forward options we might be targeting during the trade period. Worth considering, especially from a feasible rookie perspective.

Except if he gets injured as we saw at the end of year. Jefferson has not yet developed as is a couple years off at least. We need Schache, Brown, and McDonald replacements immedietly.

Fantastic game so far. Watching each team slot the goals brings out the envy in me.

I guess it doesn't too much. It's just rare to see someone his age drafted. So I was nit-picking. Regardless, he's ready to go and if he's anything like that highlight package he looks like a beauty.

What are your thoughts on Tyler Keitel for some added depth? From the WAFL, 2023 leading goal kicker (57 goals from 18 games), age 27, 196 cm, 91 kg, ready to go. Averaged 3.2 goals/game, 5.1 marks, 13.9 disposals. Has a booming kick on him, marks 55m out and slots them through. Looks like he can take a mark as well. https://www.afl.com.au/video/911692/wafl-showreel-r3-tyler-keitel-highlights?videoId=911692&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1682230200001 My only concern is the 27 years of age, however, he appears far far more capable than Schache while Tom McDonald and Ben Brown will 31 years of age next year. Worth a look at, at least from a rookie stand point.

Perfectly said. You wrote in one sentence what I tried to in the opener ;) I just hope the club can find someone to fill the void with the low price tag talent that exists out there. The difficult thing is finding it.

It's safe to say we have a forward problem, a BIG (man) forward problem, which needs to be filled. The outlook for our full forward and centre half forward options are bleak. McDonald and Brown's days are passed, Schache would be lucky to be classed as VFL standard, and the Grundy experiment failed. Sure, Gawn can have a stint up there, but that's just it, a stint. Fritsch is an excellent medium forward (in an ideal setting he'd be the 'third' forward), Melksham is 12-months away and that's IF he re-finds his form. van Rooyen has shown plenty of promise (as a BIG tall) but is still a few years off entering his prime. Petty also offers quality. But as we saw, the lack of depth in relation to injury hurts. Quality small options exist with Kozzy, Chandler, and Spargo. So my question is, how do we fill this 'BIG-man' void and fast (with the premiership window open)? The initial problem I see is that tall forwards don't come around too often, and if you need to trade them in they cost an arm and leg (e.g. ~$1M/year contracts). Alternatively, they're drafted, but they take years to develop and thus this option won't work with our current list and premiership window. One solution I can think of is at the state league and minor league levels (e.g. Metropolitan Leagues and Country Leagues). There are a small few blokes you know could have a chance at the next level. Some do indeed get lucky, such as Michael Hibberd, Bayley Fritsch, and Harry Taylor. Therefore, I'd love to see the club scour the statistics sheets to identify the various league's leading goal kickers (ideally between the age of 21 - 26). Shortlist 10-12, invite them down to the club to compete against each other, then cull the list down to 6 (or so) and then have them compete against the likes of Lever and May (or have them try and out mark McDonald, Brown, or Schache). If a couple show enough promise sign them up as rookies. It's highly unlikely we'll find Curnow or McKay, but surely there has to be better forward talent out there who will excel once placed into a full time AFL environment. At least enough to provide us greater depth than McDonald/Brown/Schache. What are your thoughts? Any other ideas or targets at AFL clubs?

Apologies if there is a thread on this already. All I can say is if big McKay goes to Essendon and the AFL compensate North with a first round pick directly after their current one (pick 3) the system is beyond rigged and manipulated (like the Mac Andrew last minute rule change a few years ago). If it goes through, count us out of the Reid race and rub salt into the wound by diluting our draft pick as a consequence of losing Jackson. I don't blame North for trying, but let's face it... Ben McKay is no star worthy of Pick 3. He was selected at Pick 21 in the 2015 draft and hasn't set the game on fire down back, nor come close to All Australian selection. They should get an early second round pick at best. Clubs should be doing everything they can to retain their free agents.

Definitely JJ. Last week was his best game to date, aside from that he's been average at best. Fritsch is an instant in who consistently kicks 2+ goals a game. Can go be placed at CHF (where Smith currently is who can go back or forward). Sub spot can be with Hibberd or JJ depending on the opposition.

The team is nearly perfect. Injuries aside, it's just missing Fritta (and now Petty). Fingers crossed the list can stay relatively healthy as we lead into September. Go Dees!

Just horrible news. A young man marred with mental illness who left the game in his pursuit to happiness. Unfortunately it was not found and this is the result. Just horrible. I feel deeply for him and his family.

I thought Hibberd would be competing with Smith if fit. Although, I guess the opposition would also impact selection.

Hello! Don't think I've ever posted here. Just want to congratulate Redleg on their 10+ year thread after reading the OG post.

A year or two ago I would have been jobsmacked and frustrated by this, but now think it's great. Other posters above have made some excellent points and here's mine. I don't believe there is much if any correlation between someone's ability to play (or be a star) vs coach, understand, communicate and teach. There are many cases of average players being legendary coaches and vice versa legendary players being average or poor coaches. Mark Williams would know the character and quality of Conca as a person having come out of the Richmond system. He wouldn't recommend anyone if he didn't believe in them. Choco is one of the game's great educators and Conca can continue to develop his ability to educate. Better yet, being new to the coaching/player dev team he'd come cheap (I hope) and should offer a high impact on cost/benefit ratio with the soft cap.

Err mii gawd! Where? How much? Shut up and take my money...!!! I'm a men's US12.

Finally got my posters framed. Quite happy. Frames from eBay.

With Barassi unfortunetly out of the celebrations due to COVID-19, I hope to see John Beckwith or Hasa Mann get the opportunity to present the cup. I ran into Beckwith in the MCC quite a few years ago, posibly 2012, and realised a week or so later who I was sitting next to and talking to. He was quite the gentleman.

Is anyone else seething by the fact that he will more than likely go to another club? After the Bulldogs developed Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and drafted him at No.1, the AFL decided to move the goal posts. Here we have a young man that we put so much time and money into developing though our Next Generation Academy. The AFL implored clubs to invest in these development programs to bolster the inclusion of indigenous communities and new-generation migrants. We did that. If Mac Andrew were a Collingwood, Hawthorn, or Essendon NGA prospect we wouldn't have heard the end of it, yet the Melbourne camp has been relatively quiet.

I've been scouring the site and web looking for an old photoshopped picture someone on here made of Jack Viney (with his long hair) holding up the premiership cup. I believe it was done leading up to or just after he was drafted. It was around the time of the Jack Viney drinks cups of concrete for breakfast jokes 😂 Would love to see it again, side by side one of the real ones.

LOVE IT! Who did your framing?