Stu
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What the other track watchers will do if @Roost it far gets down to training...
It seems that way for all the clubs, and based on reports, we've come through reasonably unscathed (by comparison). I wonder if the AFLPA will be convinced to reduce the xmas break from 3 weeks down to 2 weeks or 10 days. Ultimately, it will benefit the players as it will likely reduce soft tissue injuries.
It's also important to consider the ladder position and list age / premiership window for young KPF's that played a lot of first team football (Franklin, Nick Riewoldt, Jack Riewoldt, King brothers). Young players recruited into teams that are performing well, generally have a much harder time getting senior games. Pair that with Hawkins who came into a very successful Cats side, who had to wait for regular games. Shannon Neale on their list is another. Played the last 3 games (dead rubbers) in 2023 (his third year), and then a solid block of games last year (4th year) and averaged 1.5 goals per game. With Hawkins retiring he will likely get regular games next season. Jefferson was emergency for the final 3 games last season, so he was very close to getting an opportunity like Neale, in just his second season. With Ben Brown retiring, and Petty no longer considered a permanent forward, Jefferson will get his opportunities to be the focal point at Casey, and a better platform to push for games in the seniors. If we finish outside the 8 and Jefferson has played 0 games, it isn't a great sign. If we make a prelim or better, and he plays 0 games because our forward line has worked without him, it's much less of an issue.
Not all forwards require JVR's type of aggression and desire for the contest to be successful, just in the same way you need tough in-and-under midfielders, as well as skillful outside players. To my eye, what makes Jefferson different to Weideman and Schache is that (like Fritsch) he knows how to get in positions to receive the ball in a goal-scoring position. He also seems to be more on his toes, able to move away from a contest quickly to receive a handball, or attempt to tackle his opponent. SW or JS either had bad reaction times, or a tendency to rest on their heals (and often a head drop when the first attempt failed). While Jefferson doesn't have JVR's hunger for the contest (not many do), he does have the smarts and reaction times to be a great complement to JVR.
There was a period last year where we had 4 tall forwards in the VFL team, and Jeffo was played in the forward pocket and moved to defence during that period. I recall in games where it was just him and Kentfield as our tall forwards, he looked very good when as the focal point of our attack.
It's a good read, and I highly recommend the Mongrel Punt's content. They're a refreshing change from the news corp / standard AFL industry journalism, so I'm hesitant to share their paid content here, robbing them of revenue. Here are the final 14 (well actually it's 13) questions: 6 – HAVE THE DEES MADE ENOUGH CHANGES TO A FORWARD LINE THAT HAS NOT WORKED? 7 – IS CALEB WINDSOR THE PERFECT RUNNING-MATE FOR ED LANGDON? 8 – HOW HIGHLY DO WE RATE THE YOUNGER DEMON DEFENDERS? 9 – IS BAYLEY FRITSCH THE MOST UNDERRATED FORWARD IN THE GAME 10 – CAN KOZZIE PICKETT HAVE A ‘CYRIL’ TYPE OF YEAR 11 – WHAT DOES A HEALTHY JAKE LEVER DO FOR THE DEES? 12 – IS SIMON GOODWIN UNDER A HEAP OF PRESSURE IF THE DEES ARE OUTSIDE THE TOP EIGHT AT THE BYE? 13 – WHO IS CHECKING INTO THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL IN 2025? 14 – WHO IS THE NEXT BREAKOUT PLAYER AT THE CLUB? 15 – IF THE DEES WERE ONE MOVIE CHARACTER, WHO WOULD THEY BE? 16 - was just missed completely by the writer 17 – ANYTHING TO ADD ON THE DEES, MRS MONGREL? To summarise "I’m predicting a wild ride into the final 4 for the Dees. I’ve never been wrong." 18 – IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE CLUB, AS A WHOLE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 19 – WRAPPING UP
Given the amount of sprinting and cardio work prior to the drills, I imagine fatigue played a large part in the turnovers and is a deliberate strategy by the coaching department to teach the players how to make smart decisions and execute properly when fatigued and under pressure.
If we can into February with nothing more than some awareness or strains, that is huge. It means everyone will have a great fitness base that if they do get an injury just before the season starts or during the season, they still have that base to build back from. Much better than trying to build that base during the season because of injury during pre-season.
JVR doesn't lose one-on-one contests, even when he's out of position. Just fights and finds a way to bring the ball to ground.
I'm not sure if you've read the original update re. Mt Scopus and then commented, but there has been a range of information provided by other posters over the last few hours that should allay yours and @Fuchsias Forever's concerns about the project now being dead in the water.
Wait till Kane Cornes hears about this... he will self-combust.
