Re: Northern Blues vs. Williamstown at Willi on Sunday
Reply #7 –
The Williamstown oval should be relocated. Pox of a location for a football ground... great for cricket, though.
Rained for a big part of the first qtr. NBs kicked with the aid of a 450kph wind in the first, but due to the rain (and Willi knowing how to really bottle things up when kicking into the wind) we didn't really take full advantage. When Willi kicked with the wind in the 2nd, they won the game with a 7 goal haul - we got 8 goals total with the wind, they got 12 goals total with the wind.
Despite the final margin, the undermanned NBs put up a really good effort. They gave their all but just didn't have the cattle. The final score line flatters Willi.... our boys really did show great endeavour and just fell away in the last ten minutes (kicking into a gale, remember) and for half the 2nd qtr. It's a skill playing this ground.
For mine, Byrne was best of the CFC listed blokes... took close to mark of the day and showed real poise and endeavour in difficult conditions. I know MM said in his media conference that Byrne was coming along well but wouldn't get a senior gig before the year was out - might want to re-think that! He showed heaps more than many of his senior listed team mates.
Lucas - got plenty of it and was allowed to play loose. Under pressure did his usual stuff re poor disposal. When he had a little time he did better... but so would I. If he makes the better players it will be because of disposals only and nothing to do with real effectiveness. Cripps didn't get as much but was more effective.
Watson - played forward when we had the wind and back when Willi did, so he was in the play a lot which will artifically inflate his stats. Led twice and marked! Actually, he worked really hard but just looked like a capable seconds big man. No way would he replace any of our talls in the seniors. Got outsmarted by his opponent on a few occasions.
Warnock - really did work hard against a good opponent (Meecey). You could see he's giving his all but the conditions really didn't help big blokes... especially one who manages a contested mark every 2 1/2 years. Would you bring him in to replace Wood? Nuh.
Cripps - getting back to match fitness. Started a huge scuffle in the second qtr... doesn't take a backward step. Cost us a goal (him flattening a Willi player then wanting to go on with it) but I liked seeing the kids dash of mongrel - just gotta be smarter with it. Willi put a lot of work into nullifying him but he was still good... not dominant, but good. Kicked a ripper goal with the wind. Lined up from the wing!!!! Yes, lined up from the wing, wind behind him ...kept going back before kicking, so much so I thought he was going to end up in the bay. Anyway, got onto a drop punt and it sailed through... without exaggeration, about 75 metres (wind assisted). Can't wait to see him after a preseason or 4!!! (bet he's now about 193/4 cms... saw him standing next to Watson and there was FA between them in height.
Temay - there should be a Royal Commission into how this bloke stole one of our early picks. Mistakes, ineffectual... maybe he knows. What a waste.
Holman - better than last time I saw him, more like how he was early in the season. Had a defensive/tagging role and was really hard at it. Lots to like about his game today. Obviously still learning but his attitude sure was better today.
McInnes - so sad to see how far he has slipped. Still just the one dimensional defender and now he doesn't do that nearly as well as he used to.
Armfield - plenty of on-field leadership but was not amongst our best today. Tried, but even seems to have lost a yard. I wonder if he's still recovering from injury or something.
Garlett - I watched Jeffy closely, especially early and I really believe he was giving his all. But his contribution was minimal... looks like a lost, dispirited little bloke at present. Better attitude, but little worked for him today.
Reynolds - played down back and showed something. Obviously a part of his development now... to play down back. Got to contests, spoilt well, moved well but still a fair way to go.
Johnson - flashed in and out of the game. Kicked a couple of good goals and does look dangerous near the big sticks. Strong and hard at the contest just went missing for long periods (a litttle like his last senior game).
Of the Preston boys... special mention must go to, as usual, the Skipper. Box was in everything and did plenty of good things.
Wilkinson was busy but was caught far too often with the aggott.
I'd be pretty surprised if Jack Anthony is not Rookied by someone at season's end (as a defender to take, say, the 3rd tall forward). His defensive work today was really good.
Would consider for promotion? Cripps, Byrne. Maybe Jeffy, not sure he's going to get much more benefit from running around in the twos.
Topic: Northern Blues vs. Williamstown at Willi on Sunday (Read 9733 times)
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