TOPIC:

Jjim wrote:

Good to see Berenger now included, seem to remember Mayo did his knee just before the start of last season,  so with the usual 12 month rehab he might not be quite ready to go yet, fingers crossed he is ok.

Does anyone know anything about Berenger?  21 years old, 193cm and 90kg, played across half back with Dandenong Stingrays apparently but can't find anything else.  

Not a lot known about Berenger at this stage, obviously a young Victorian key defender who has missed being drafted and looking for a fresh start over here. Our defence was not overly tall last season once Jordan Lockyer went down so hopefully he can fill that void. Would like to see Mullane and McGowan get opportunities this year in defence too. 
Freeze I think it was the other knee that Jack Mayo injured this time so not sure if that is a good thing or not but he will need time. Personally I would put him at full forward and let Sokol and Borchet work around him. Definitely keep him out of the ruck ! Not sure if Chris Scott is still training but there will be a cull and update to the list soon. Agree about Snadden shows signs , but not enough so far! Appeared to lack confidence last year?



 

Straight from the skipper's mouth about a week ago at his coffee shop business...........Mayo should be right for start of season or very shortly after........Lockyer not until mid-year unfortunately..........Zac Clarke looking very fit and raring to go. 
Delahunty training with the boys.........but only because he is keeping fit to fly over and have a few games with his original country team in Victoria during the year. Kitch very happy with general level of fitness on the track..

Thanks for the update Ocker, good news on Mayo and we could probably do worse than convince Dela to make a comeback , but probably time to rebuild.
Looking forward to seeing Clarke back as he gave us first use which we rarely had since, in 2018.

Thanks Ocker, a fit Mayo will make a big difference up forward as will Clarke in the ruck, will be great to have a genuine experienced ruckman.
Hopefully Kitch is on the money re fitness which appeared to have dropped off since the Schofield days.

Lockyer’s availability will be as crucial as Mayo, if he gets back early enough and hits form pretty quickly we may be a chance to make the 5. Without him our defence is lacking height and anyone who can counter the big guns like Keitel and co imo

It will be a big effort for Lockyer to get anywhere near his best form this season for mine.

Agree Whinnen, Lockyers too valuable a player to rush in, should be that he gets some games under his belt in the second half but not pushed too hard, so he's fully fit and confident for '24. I'm moving to the view that '23 is a rebuilding year, certainly expect a much better performance than last year, maybe 9 or 10 wins, everything would have to fall perfectly and everyone stay fit to make the five.

Yep agree guys highly unlikely

Whinnen wrote:

SS,

This was always going to happen at some point when the big payed players started retiring. Subi's well has started to run dry and now have to operate like all us mere mortal clubs. I always said you guys didn't provide as much opportunities to your own over the years and it will cost you a few years mid table or there abouts.

That’s why the Clarke rule was mind boggling. As you say Whinnen it was always going to happen sooner rather than later so they might as well have let us get another one in before probably another 49 years in the wilderness 😉