Earl Hood

Melk and Hibbo were training separately from the main group. I saw them doing leading and kicking drills with Crossy. Both looked to be moving well, no sign of problems but they never joined the main group and left early so looks like another week or so.

Some on SEN today likening this image to the iconic photo of Ronald Dale kicking a goal back in the 50’s.

I have had a couple of implants over the years at about 3 to 5k each. Not cheap but not $100K I think. Just for the record.

Gee the kid has played about 10 games had his shoulder busted in his first game by a 6 foot 5 iconic forward who should feel ashamed of himself, came back briefly that season then did a knee injury flying for a screamer at Sandringham and works his way back to gain a regular spot this season and now this! The football gods are not fair.

6 Oliver 5 Brayshaw 4 Salem 3 Hogan 2 Harmes 1 Jones

Weagleskinghit I think!

Strewth that has to be 6 weeks or the AFL is compromised massively.

The game is looking very good at the moment, hard running, open footy, close finishes by less than a goal, not sure there is a problem Gil!

These SA showdowns nearly always are great games Uncle but we never see them here on free to air! We are more likely to get Carlton vs St Kilda.

If we go by today’s training I would say barring injury, Kent is not in as he left the track early. Hunt hasn’t played a game yet after his return from injury so needs time surely? Of the extended bench maybe Pedo is still in running for a position. He was still training hard with the other backs and forwards toward the end. Let’s wait and see. My bet is one change.

KB did all right on the footy field. But never drank!

The timing of this announcement is a bit bizarre for me. I thought I saw him at training today? I remember watching him at training preseason and he was often gasping for air, obviously physically underdone early but then of recent times he has looked very comfortable at training, moves well and executes well. Is playing well with Casey and has a finals campaign ahead, why pull the pin this early? Where is the grind in VFL/AFL once you have worked up your fitness to acceptable levels as he has done? Us mere mortals will never understand.

I thought he could also be the reason for the cheers but I noted that he finished training early with Bugg and co as well.

That’s not too shabby I reckon Jakovich would have had the same accuracy ratio in his first 7 games in 91.

I reckon Vanders is in this week - players and coaches formed one huddle then huge cheers, couldn’t see who for but it had to be for someone who hasn’t played for years or a debutant? - straight after that Hannam, Bugg, Kent left the track while Vanders continued training with the forwards educated guess Vanders in for Jake!

Was in Borneo recently to see the Orangutans that are still surviving the palm oil plantations, now we have this hydroelectric dams in Indonesia! What hope for the Orangutans in this world?

It is also modern footy, the days of key forwards kicking 5 or 6 plus are diminishing. Perhaps The Tomahawk is a recent aberration. But 3 or 4 is the norm for a good days work for a key forward these days. Coaches don’t want a too predictable target and pathway to goal. I think if Tommy was one out in the square back in the 70’s he just might have kicked a few bags.

Watched the replay. He did well, fulfilled his role. And will get better with more games but may have to give way when Viney is ready.

No it was not a throw. A throw is where I attempt to get the ball to someone else, or just release the ball under pressure and fail to handball or get a boot to the ball. I think I can do whatever I like when getting the ball to my own boot!

My thinking calming down after the match and watching the replay is no changes until: - Viney and Hibberd become available, then decisions have to be made, - there is injury - or someone absolutely demands a spot, putting in a series of blinders at Casey. Until any of these events occur let’s keep the current 22 in place so they learn more playing together. Yes maybe it could be better but I think there are more short and longer term advantages sticking with a stable team coming into the finals, if we manage to get there. Tyson played well. jKH has earnt another game, I think. J Smith is worth the gamble, he is learning, has great potential and he will improve.

Isn’t it only a throw if you try to throw/pass to someone else because you are tackled etc? Throwing/dropping/passing the ball to your own boot must be within the rules surely.

6 Oliver 5 Gawn 4 TMac 3 Lewis 2 Harmes 1 Brayshaw

JKH and Tyson get a tick that quarter. Must hang on here for a win.

If we manage to stick some tackles on the likes of Mileara we will be in here. Jones has to lift and umpires definitely need to lift, some shockers so far.

Where is the midfield? What’s happened to Hogan? Can Max tap to our guys and not a Crow?