When Bryan, Roberts and Caddy came in more recently they all looked ready to go. It’s easy to ■■■■■ and moan forever about them earning a spot from the VFL but looks like they’ve been set up for success.
Hayes wasn’t performing any better than Weid (LOL) and I agree on not gifting him games, Saady would’ve played if not for the unfortunate timing of his injury
ADJ also got a look early, wasn’t playing well - got sent back, got another look and still didn’t make the most of it
I get what you are saying here … but the only player he should potentially be behind is a fit Guelfi. The rest should count themselves lucky to even be on an AFL list
How was Voss’s form compared to Weid pre-season 2023? Because from memory Weid came in to the team early (round 1?) and had a couple of pretty good games then absolutely stunk out the toilet. He got more games than he should have before getting the sars but to be fair he didn’t come back in until late this season.
Tsatas they obviously have concerns with his kicking and/or defensive work. Plus our midfield is the only area we’ve actually been decent in this year, especially with Durham And Caldwell having career-best seasons. Who comes out of the guts for a young, light kid with suspect kicking?
I think Bryan was a concern with the change to the rule where ruckmen can physically contest in the middle rather than having to wait for the ball to be bounced. Has meant big bodied ruckmen have come back into fashion, and Bryan is (was) still light
also ADJ has lost most of his excitement and dare he had from the start.
Funny that, Hayes is like 19 and came second in the Vfl BnF.
That’s because he played every game.
Mate you dont watch the Vfl!! We have had this chat already.
Also known as “the Essington effect”
I didn’t mean it in a bad way. But it’s far easier to win the VFL B&F if you play every game. Similar to Voss last year.
Yeah I know 
Just think that his age compared to Weid probably evens that out a bit.
The games I watched Hayes was at least equal to Weid in performance.
I don’t mind kids playing VFL. I think people want to rush them in thinking they are all going to play like Daicos and Sheezel.
I don’t think Hayes is ready. This is based on watching him live in the preseason game against St Kilda. He is still not big enough. Rance played a lot of reserves footy, so there is no rush.
Fair point!
Yeah I’ll openly admit I don’t watch much of the VFL but I posted based on what I saw others opining RE Hayes
So aside from taking some time to get Caddy and Roberts in I don’t know if the argument some are making holds that much weight
Tell that to Brad Scott, he loves underperforming senior players
Bryan has been solid for 2 years in the VFL and offered no less than Flip or Goldy, clearly has more of a future with this team. You have to invest and back in players to reap any reward.
Hayes was performing to the same level as Weid, and one of them has a future, one is a proven minnow at the next level.
He was no better or worse, but he certainly performed better and provided more physicality once the season began.
Tsatas kicking was suspect. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to learn about executing it under pressure from 5mins of game time here or there across a month. Let alone 5mins at HF/Wing.
There was no point bringing Weid to the club if they didn’t play him and then back him in for a period if his form dipped. Otherwise we’d just be doing exactly what Melbourne had already tried.
Every time I see Hayes I think he’s getting better and better. He’s definitely progressing nicely. It will be good to see him get a game next year to gauge further but he’s the one who’s quietly developing under the cover of darkness without anyone noticing. Fingers crossed.
Hayes coming in like Ridley did and Reid actually remaining injury free … our defence would be genuinely transformed immediately
Playing adj for as long as he did despite it being abundantly clear he wasn’t up for it was weird.
I’ve moved into the camp of Reid where if he plays it’s a bonus. I think we have to be planning around home to a degree and hoping plan A comes off.