Pinball Wizard

As a matter of interest, when is the Casey team expected to be announced?

This was certainly a worry in the latter half of last year, when we weren’t fully fit and had some important players carrying injuries. It’s going to be different on Sunday. If they double team BBB then we’ll have someone loose and if the ball is brought to ground, then … BANG!

6. Clayton Oliver 5. Jake Lever 4. Angus Brayshaw 3. Bayley Fritsch 2. Ben Brown 1. Lachie Hunter

The second-highest draft pick in Adelaide’s history, Fischer McAsey, has walked out on the club in a big pre-season shock at West Lakes. McAsey was drafted at pick 6 in 2019 draft and played 10 games for the Crows. There but for the grace …

We now have 2 Turners - which one?

... and a bit of swagger. I like that!

Often players from the Allies get ignored because (apart from Tassie) they’re not from areas where the AFL is the dominant sport so they often slip under the radar. Fletcher goes alright and he’s close to late first round.

South Australians aren’t anywhere near as much of a flight risk as those from Western Australia. The real concern on Phillipou is his disposal which is one of the reasons that he could slide below no. 10 in this draft. The top South Australian prospects for the 2022 AFL Draft

There are some good judges in SA who are claiming that Jake Soligo is every bit as good as JHF.

6. Angus Brayshaw 5. Jake Melksham 4. Clayton Oliver 3. Christian Petracca 2. Steven May 1. Max Gawn

Maysie… all is now forgiven. Dinner at Entrecôte tomorrow night?

The fact that he’s “barely walking” today doesn’t mean you can write him off for 2022 if the doctor believes he’s an 8 - 10 week proposition today. If that remains the case in 2 - 4 week’s time then perhaps the prognosis might change.

Our list management and recruiters have done a solid job in recent years but it was obvious at draft time last year that there was potential for today’s scenario. Apart from Max and Dogga, all we had was 195cm Majak Daw in the twilight of his career and the likes of TMac, Weed, the Browns and maybe Tomlinson who are makeshift at best. They sidestepped the issue at the National Draft and didn’t address it at Midseason Draft time so let’s hope that it doesn’t blow up in our face today.

Yep and when we finally did get the free, half the muppets in the mainly Eagles supporting crowd booed the umpire who paid the decision. And don’t expect much better from the umpires today before the parochial Crows fans today.

If we beat the Saints tomorrow then so we still take things one week at a time against West Coast and North?

I think we have set ourself up well for future trading, drafting and player retention. We’ve known well ahead who our targets are to keep and with our depth have players who will either retire or are very tradeable.

Unless they have someone in mind who they think might be worth securing now. An extra ruckman in case Dogga decides to go back to WA.

Salo’s progression - March 21 | 6 - 8 weeks March 30 | 5 -7 Weeks April 5 | 4 - 6 Weeks April 12 | 4 - 6 Weeks April 19 | 4 - 5 Weeks

Is Geelong playing Fremantle today?

I wonder if they’re waiting for when the entire list is gathered together after the festive season?

With a strong list it’s almost certain that there will be players of AFL standard who will be clamouring to get games and who can’t and this could lead to some trades of necessity for players and clubs. This would help us when the time comes to do some trading.

Yesterday’s Herald Sun had an article on the young guns rated as ready to play. There’s no link available.but Andrew wasn’t mentioned in the Sun’s list. Their men were Charlie Constable (pick 63 in the national draft) and Academy player Bodhi Uwland. Contrast that with what they say about our men - “IT’S a hard side to break into but WA swingman Jacob van Rooyen, who the Demons will develop as a forward, will be ready and waiting. The 18- year-old, who played senior footy for Claremont, is one of the most physically developed draftees and is strong in the air. After starring in defence for WA, the 193cm van Rooyen booted 24 goals in his last six WAFL Colts games. If anything, Melbourne could use more run through the middle, and that’s where the athletic Blake Howes could come in to the equation.”

And the Pod went on to play till he was in his mid 30s when he left Geelong to play for Adelaide.

I think he was a Carlton NGA in 2020 but was passed over, probably due to not playing during the season. Very much a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.