Search the Community

Hardwick seemed non-committal about whether Jack Riewoldt will be offered another contract in his exit interview tomorrow. Could we offer him a 1-2 year contract playing offer and a position as the forward coach when he finishes? I'll put my hand up and say I have not watched much neutral footy this year so I don't know how he's going in general re his physical ability for 1+ more season, but his record speaks for itself - he's in the upper echelon of modern day forwards alongside Hawkins and Kennedy, his contribution on and off the field could be invaluable for the next few years. If we're delisting Mitch Brown and attempting to trade out Weideman with 1 year left, then perhaps he would be perfect depth and a valuable player/coach at Casey, and would be ready to replace Brown or TMAC on form and injury when required so long as he backs himself to play again, and it seems like he wants to go on another year at Richmond . Everyone is taking it for granted that JVR will be ready next year, but you just don't know that yet - As for where he fits in with Jackson/Gawn and Gawn/Grundy well of course we are at risk of being very top heavy. It's probably a conversation to be had at the end of the season as we assess how T.McDonald and Ben Brown go, but it won't cost much and it's a bit of a free hit at 300k a year. Not much to be lost, plenty to gain.

So we have Werridee’s ‘best 22’ for 2020, however it is interesting to think about who is ‘depth’ and who are ‘fringe 22’ Here are some of my thoughts Fringe (can get a gig): Melksham Jones (where do we fit him into the 22?) Preuss (?) Vandenberg Sparrow Dunkley OMac .... and here is where it starts to get interesting Depth (gotta be a lot of development or injuries for them to get a run) Jordon Nietschke Chandler Bedford Bradtke Spargo (a big call) ANB (teacher’s pet??) If we can keep a fit team on the paddock, then these guys can all enjoy extended (development) time at Casey. So who would be in each of your lists??

27 year old that has yet to re-sign at the Bombers. Has some line breaking pace that could push him past Stretch, Bugg and others in the pecking order. Averages 21 disposals a game over his career and 23 this year. If he still has his pace, he seems like a decent upgrade and maybe could come due to the Goodwin factor. Much rather Zak Jones due to his massive upside, but if he stays in Sydney and speedy midfielders are sparse in the trade period, why not target Zaharakis? http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/D/David_Zaharakis.html What does DL think?

We all know that our midfield is by far our biggest downfall, what do you think can be done this year by Neeld to restrict the damage. We have one decent midfielder at present being of course Nathan Jones probably followed at present by Grimes. This is an issue as currently I do not rate Grimes very highly, he is committed but predictable and lacks any amazing qualities (not particularly strong, good kick or fast). So this year our main midfield group looks to be: Jones, Grimes, Trengove (little preseason - and showed nothing last year), Sylvia (forward/midfield - lacks consistency), Mckenzie (yet to know where this kid fits in - lack of foot skills) Rodan (can't expect much), Nicholson (Ordinary player), Howe (forward/midfield - not sure where he should play), Blease (forward/wing - not sure what impact he will have this year. Now I must have forgotten someone but still not a formidable midfield. I just wonder what Neeld plans are for the midfield this year, I did not include Viney and Toumpas as it is their first year and as Neeld says they don't expect much from them this year. It appears that we have quite a few players who play multiple roles ie Sylvia and I wonder if this is Neelds plan to have lots of flexible players that play midfield, forward and back. Using these players such as Sylvia (forward), Nicholson (back), Howe (forward), Blease (forward), Jetta (back/forward) may actually be our only chance of beating opposition midfields - DEPTH. Could we look at developing players into midfield roles this year to steam the bleeding? - players such as Jetta, Strauss, Taggert, Kent, Tapscott etc. I think using playing multiple midfielders in the team is the only way we could match other teams midfields - the only key position midfielders we have are Jones, Grimes and Trengove (off the top of my head). The depth I guess makes up for the lack of midfield talent and although the midfielders will not always be the best they will be relatively fresh). If tapscott can slim down therefore quicker/fitter possible Neeld could mould him, Jetta and Strauss into playing stints in midfield whilst playing forward or back? (They would provide much needed execution going forward! - as opposed to bombing it into the forward 50) Is this what will make or break us this year? - the midfield. Heres a possible line up for round one. FB: Watts (possible stints on wing), Frawley, Stauss (possible stint midfielder?) CHB: Dunn, McDonald, Jetta (stint midfielder/wing) C: Blease (wing/rest forward), Jones, Toumpas (wing/forward - can't expect much) CHF: Howe (forward/wing-rotate Blease), Clark, Sylvia (forward/onballer) FF: Davey/Kent (stints on wing), Dawes, Byrnes (stints as outside midfielder) FOLL: Jamar, Grimes, Trengove INT: Viney, McKenzie, Tapscott (high forward/ wing?) EMER: Sellar, Rodan, Gawn, Taggert Is this idea of depth/versatility going too far? or could it stem the bleeding this year and give us time to develop our young guns (Trengove/Viney/Toumpas).