This game was originally slated for Sat at Preston, but the Preston ground is having issues at the moment. Therefore this game is at Carlton, at 1400 on Saturday.
(http://northernbluesfc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Bertocchi23R4.jpg)
Bloody scary picture of Fasolo when you open up!!!!
WHETHER it’s at the ground or at home, we’ve got you covered.
Tomorrow’s game will be live-streamed on Carlton’s Youtube channel.
Beginning from 2pm, the match against Werribee at Ikon Park will see the Blues look for their third win to open the season.
With some emerging talent named to play, it’ll be a great chance for Bluebaggers to tune in and support a Northern side which has showed plenty of spirit in the opening fortnight.
And with Carlton to play interstate this weekend, there’s also the chance to return to the heartland and watch the Blues in action.
As is the case with all Ikon Park games, the match will be free entry for all Carlton and/or Northern Blues members.
If Charlie is doubtful, they'll again take 2 emergencies interstate which will slightly weaken a fairly strong NB outfit. Werribee are no great shakes, no Barlow.....could be 3 zip.
Bloody scary picture of Fasolo when you open up!!!!
WHETHER it’s at the ground or at home, we’ve got you covered.
Tomorrow’s game will be live-streamed on Carlton’s Youtube channel.
Beginning from 2pm, the match against Werribee at Ikon Park will see the Blues look for their third win to open the season.
With some emerging talent named to play, it’ll be a great chance for Bluebaggers to tune in and support a Northern side which has showed plenty of spirit in the opening fortnight.
And with Carlton to play interstate this weekend, there’s also the chance to return to the heartland and watch the Blues in action.
As is the case with all Ikon Park games, the match will be free entry for all Carlton and/or Northern Blues members.
If Charlie is doubtful, they'll again take 2 emergencies interstate which will slightly weaken a fairly strong NB outfit. Werribee are no great shakes, no Barlow.....could be 3 zip.
I was thinking of going to the game but if it's live-streamed I can save some time and money! Any way I check? I'm not so good finding my way around technology. Went to the NBs YouTube page but couldn't find confirmation about tomorrow's game being broadcast live...
NORTHERN BLUES v. WERRIBEE
Round 4 – 27/04/2019 1400 IKON Park
Northern Blues
B: 77. M. Blakey, 26. H. Macreadie, 37. B. Silvagni
HB: 13. L. Stocker, 45. H. Goddard, 31. T. Williamson
C: 55. J. O’Rourke, 69. S. Fisher, 50. T. Wilson
HF: 36. P. Kerr, 80. K. Keppel, 16. D. Lang,
F: 32. A. Fasolo, 53. J. Palmer, 29. C. Polson
R: 34. A. Phillips, 28. D. Cuningham, 7. M. Kennedy
Int: 75. F. Anderson, 21. J. Garlett, 27. M. Lobbe, 38. F. O’Dwyer, 44. M. Owies, 19. A. Schumacher, 52. M. Stavrou, 73. O. White
23P: 72. N. Wheeler
In: D. Cuningham, F. O’Dwyer, O. White, M. Stavrou, J.O’Rourke, C. Polson, A. Schumacher
Out: J. Hill, M. Cottrell, E. Penrith
Hill has started the year slowly. No big surprise: he didn't play many practice matches. He also started last year as a real liability before coming good. I've removed Silvagni and Casboult. Charlie Curnow wasn't named at all.
Werribee
B: 21. L. Pinnuck, 14. T. House, 30. M. Spencer
HB: 18. R. Hebron, 26. D. Nielson, 7. D. McFarlane
C: 15. K. Declase, 4. T. Gribble, 22. B. Malual
HF: 29. D. Brew, 10. J. Maishman, 8. J. Henderson
F: 17. M. Augerinos, 5. N. Coughlan, 2. M. Munro
R: 31. A. Clarke, 11. M. Hanson, 9. J. Clayton
Int: 12. R. Barrack, 43. D. Bennett, 40. T. Boyd, 33. A. Domic, 19. J. Edwards, 13. K. Gray, 16. O. Junker, 46. R. Kemp
23P: 32. J. Riccardi
Werribee do not look that strong, for what it is worth.
Did we go too soon on Cottrell?
Should we have looked elsewhere for a top up player?
Did we go too soon on Cottrell?
Should we have looked elsewhere for a top up player?
Very ordinary player at TAC level IMO, didnt get much ball in games and his Grand Final Performance was very average.
Does chase/tackle well but really needs to show more ball winning ability IMO as a wingman.
NORTHERN BLUES v. WERRIBEE
Round 4 – 27/04/2019 1400 IKON Park
Northern Blues
B: 77. M. Blakey, 26. H. Macreadie, 37. B. Silvagni
HB: 13. L. Stocker, 45. H. Goddard, 31. T. Williamson
C: 55. J. O’Rourke, 69. S. Fisher, 50. T. Wilson
HF: 36. P. Kerr, 80. K. Keppel, 16. D. Lang,
F: 32. A. Fasolo, 53. J. Palmer, 29. C. Polson
R: 34. A. Phillips, 28. D. Cuningham, 7. M. Kennedy
Int: 75. F. Anderson, 21. J. Garlett, 27. M. Lobbe, 38. F. O’Dwyer, 44. M. Owies, 19. A. Schumacher, 52. M. Stavrou, 73. O. White
23P: 72. N. Wheeler
In: D. Cuningham, F. O’Dwyer, O. White, M. Stavrou, J.O’Rourke, C. Polson, A. Schumacher
Out: J. Hill, M. Cottrell, E. Penrith
Hill has started the year slowly. No big surprise: he didn't play many practice matches. He also started last year as a real liability before coming good. I've removed Silvagni and Casboult. Charlie Curnow wasn't named at all.
Werribee
B: 21. L. Pinnuck, 14. T. House, 30. M. Spencer
HB: 18. R. Hebron, 26. D. Nielson, 7. D. McFarlane
C: 15. K. Declase, 4. T. Gribble, 22. B. Malual
HF: 29. D. Brew, 10. J. Maishman, 8. J. Henderson
F: 17. M. Augerinos, 5. N. Coughlan, 2. M. Munro
R: 31. A. Clarke, 11. M. Hanson, 9. J. Clayton
Int: 12. R. Barrack, 43. D. Bennett, 40. T. Boyd, 33. A. Domic, 19. J. Edwards, 13. K. Gray, 16. O. Junker, 46. R. Kemp
23P: 32. J. Riccardi
Werribee do not look that strong, for what it is worth.
Keep an eye on Spencer, Hanson and Clayton...three Werribee players who I do rate.....
Not inconceivable that the half back line in the NBs could be the AFL half back line at some stage!!
https://youtu.be/thy-9_70Id0
Hopefully I got this right and it is the link to watch the NBs this arvo against Werribee.
Excellent this is about to begin.
can I say that the club has done a good job with our vfl team over the last couple of years.
The acquisition of Alex Johnson and John o'Rourke are exactly what our vfl team needs to be about. Rehabbing blokes to hopefully restart their afl careers.
That is the most embarrassing start to a game I've seen.
Same problem our senior team has struggled with.
Last kick entering 50 is the problem.
Werribee cutting us up with rebound at half back. Our defense has been opened up too easily.
We are enjoying ruck dominance but getting killed if Kennedy and Wilson dont win the stoppage ball.
Quarter time down 5.1. 31 to 1.1.7.
Kennedy has been poor, Werribee lack a bit of class but are a robust team of goers.
I'm 60 and I reckon I would be more accountable than half our onballers
They are a rabble today.
Pathetic isn't even getting close....
Haven't really recovered since that debacle in the first few minutes. Umpires don't like Willo.
Undisciplined footy from our boys. Here's that word again... rabble.
Just came back in to write "Rabble"
Beaten to the punch. :(
Getting in front might help (of t heir man).
Darcy Lang - wouldn't have raised a sweat.....our mids simply aren't working hard enough - ditto the whole f'n team.
Love to know the free kick count.
Stocker Kennedy and polson the standouts for providing effort for minimal rewards.
2.4 at half time. Terrible.
Werribee are on 63 points. Is the difference that Bolton is not there and in tasmania??
Lang is delist material, Kennedy is too slow and his disposal is poor, Fasalo not up to it either.
No to Palmer for a mid season draft spot, Fisher has been poor, Goddard..no thanks, Ben Silvagni has zero awareness, McReadie unsighted...
Stocker and Williamson have been the best but the latter has been sucked in and given away dumb frees....Stocker needs some more time
but will make it as he does have a good set of skills and some smarts, maybe lacks a yard of pace but is ok with his initial breakaway speed.
Polson has tried but been ineffective......
Gee that’s been woeful. Second-worst have been the umps, speaking about a lack of discipline and consistency. Still, our boys would have made a hash of anything going their way anyway. Hard to highlight anyone more than a few triers and it has to be embarrassing when first-teamers are shown up by listed-NB types. And this after the coach gave them a serious if quietly measured bake at quarter time. His post-match comments will be interesting . . .
Score?
Score?
63-16 at half time.
Dead rat on the stairs up to Bay 10 looks a theme for this game so far. No confidence it’ll spring to life. Best bin it and move on.
Lang plays like he doesn't give a.... Another ex-Cat who looks to have sooked it up because he can't live on the surf coast anymore. Time waster.
Who kicked our 2nd goal? I know polson got first
Very painful to watch.
Who kicked our 2nd goal? I know polson got first
Wheeler...solo effort....
3/4 time its 35 to 85.
This has been awful.
Palmer and Kerr have kicked the other goals.
Schumacher was busy early.
We need to understand that bsos, o'Dwyer are like playing two men down.
Lang plays like he doesn't give a.... Another ex-Cat who looks to have sooked it up because he can't live on the surf coast anymore. Time waster.
Time to show him the door.
All of our players are very unfit in relation to their opponents.
Polson probably the only exception.
All of our players are very unfit in relation to their opponents.
Polson probably the only exception.
Werribee are quicker, stronger and more aggressive.....and have no AFL listed players.
Time to show him the door.
Only took me one game to come to that conclusion.
I have one positive.
Stocker looked good.
Particularly in traffic. Generally used it well and got a lot of it.
Williamson tried all day but needs time to build fitness. Ditto macreadie.
Kennedy tried hard but I think he started well and faded.
I just got home. Looks like we were $hithouse
Final score?
17.7 - 109
7.9 - 51
Ouch.
Different team (mentally) to the team that beat the Pies last week....
I just got home. Looks like we were $hithouse
Yep.....
Schumacher......ordinary defender and his kicking was poor....wont make it
Goddard.....wont make it, too slow and some of his kicking is poor
Polson...started off ok but faded to black in a hurry.
Williamson...had a few goals kicked on him and lost interest but he does kick the ball well and when it came his way was one of the few
who knew what they were doing with the ball.
Fisher....kicked one good goal but the Werribee mids were all over the NB's and he had no impact.
Macreadie, didnt see much of him and probably needs the run but looks a long way off senior footy.
Ben Silvagni....did nothing down back and looked like he was sponsored by chemist warehouse and didnt want to mess up his hair but was a bit better down forward in the last quarter.....looks lazy.
Kennedy...had a go but had trouble with the opposing mids who were much quicker and equally hard at the ball, wont be playing seniors next week based on today.
Lobbe/Philips, won the hitouts but did nothing around the ground or up forward..
Stocker....looked ok and like Williamson looked like he knew what to do with the ball, maybe needs a yard of pace at senior level as he did caught a couple of times.
Lang...delist.....did nothing.
Fas....looks like its an effort to play and he should retire.
Kerr...one goal but didnt get near it all day, had the ex Nth listed player Neilson on him and couldnt move him in the contest.
Palmer...two goals but no real impact on the game.
ORourke...dud Hawk reject...
Finbar.....should be back in the TAC comp, looks like a schoolkid out there and his drafting remains a mystery....
Gee, so many positives EB :)
Yep.....
Schumacher......ordinary defender and his kicking was poor....wont make it
Goddard.....wont make it, too slow and some of his kicking is poor
Polson...started off ok but faded to black in a hurry.
Williamson...had a few goals kicked on him and lost interest but he does kick the ball well and when it came his way was one of the few
who knew what they were doing with the ball.
Fisher....kicked one good goal but the Werribee mids were all over the NB's and he had no impact.
Macreadie, didnt see much of him and probably needs the run but looks a long way off senior footy.
Ben Silvagni....did nothing down back and looked like he was sponsored by chemist warehouse and didnt want to mess up his hair but was a bit better down forward in the last quarter.....looks lazy.
Kennedy...had a go but had trouble with the opposing mids who were much quicker and equally hard at the ball, wont be playing seniors next week based on today.
Lobbe/Philips, won the hitouts but did nothing around the ground or up forward..
Stocker....looked ok and like Williamson looked like he knew what to do with the ball, maybe needs a yard of pace at senior level as he did caught a couple of times.
Lang...delist.....did nothing.
Fas....looks like its an effort to play and he should retire.
Kerr...one goal but didnt get near it all day, had the ex Nth listed player Neilson on him and couldnt move him in the contest.
Palmer...two goals but no real impact on the game.
ORourke...dud Hawk reject...
Finbar.....should be back in the TAC comp, looks like a schoolkid out there and his drafting remains a mystery....
Sounds so promising...lol.
Actually Schumacher I like alot last year. Very nearly got into the AFL side on his form. Haven't seen enough this year to tell how he's been going though.
Suppose in Kerr's case if the side is playing $hit th key forward is one of the last to be doing any good.
Thanks for the summary EB, bit of a reality check as i was thinking last week we finally have some depth. Maybe not
Yep.....
Schumacher......ordinary defender and his kicking was poor....wont make it
Goddard.....wont make it, too slow and some of his kicking is poor
Polson...started off ok but faded to black in a hurry.
Williamson...had a few goals kicked on him and lost interest but he does kick the ball well and when it came his way was one of the few
who knew what they were doing with the ball.
Fisher....kicked one good goal but the Werribee mids were all over the NB's and he had no impact.
Macreadie, didnt see much of him and probably needs the run but looks a long way off senior footy.
Ben Silvagni....did nothing down back and looked like he was sponsored by chemist warehouse and didnt want to mess up his hair but was a bit better down forward in the last quarter.....looks lazy.
Kennedy...had a go but had trouble with the opposing mids who were much quicker and equally hard at the ball, wont be playing seniors next week based on today.
Lobbe/Philips, won the hitouts but did nothing around the ground or up forward..
Stocker....looked ok and like Williamson looked like he knew what to do with the ball, maybe needs a yard of pace at senior level as he did caught a couple of times.
Lang...delist.....did nothing.
Fas....looks like its an effort to play and he should retire.
Kerr...one goal but didnt get near it all day, had the ex Nth listed player Neilson on him and couldnt move him in the contest.
Palmer...two goals but no real impact on the game.
ORourke...dud Hawk reject...
Finbar.....should be back in the TAC comp, looks like a schoolkid out there and his drafting remains a mystery....
Haven't missed too many there EB....lol
Went full of expectation, left at half time because there is nothing worse than watching a team that is playing crap to start off with and then just becomes undisciplined and frustrated due to some exceptionally ordinary umpiring.
Williamson set the afternoon off by giving away a double goal due to undisciplined actions and it went downhill from there. Hard to assess Stocker as he had no support or structure around him. However he just does things that make you think that, in better company, he could do the job....a bit like Williamson when he was given his first chance. Young Finbar and Ben Silvagni are both victims of no development teams and are there purely for experience. Fasolo and Lang are not going to make it but Kennedy, with less attention in the main team, will be ok.
(All based on a full viewing at Vic Park and half a game today)
Thanks TC and others - appreciate all the comments from people who watch the game live.
Sounds so promising...lol.
Actually Schumacher I like alot last year. Very nearly got into the AFL side on his form. Haven't seen enough this year to tell how he's been going though.
Suppose in Kerr's case if the side is playing $hit th key forward is one of the last to be doing any good.
Jim, Just reported as I saw it .....agree on Kerr ..he didnt get any supply and what he did get was just woeful delivery, Palmer in the same boat.
Schumacher is very light and plays in a Jasper Pittard (ex Port, now North) way, doesnt really defend that well but is that rebounder/kicker
who you look to carry and distribute the ball. When you play like you have to hit all your targets and get plenty of ball but he doesnt do either
that well and missed easy targets today just like Pittard did last night.
Yep.....
Schumacher......ordinary defender and his kicking was poor....wont make it
Goddard.....wont make it, too slow and some of his kicking is poor
Polson...started off ok but faded to black in a hurry.
Williamson...had a few goals kicked on him and lost interest but he does kick the ball well and when it came his way was one of the few
who knew what they were doing with the ball.
Fisher....kicked one good goal but the Werribee mids were all over the NB's and he had no impact.
Macreadie, didnt see much of him and probably needs the run but looks a long way off senior footy.
Ben Silvagni....did nothing down back and looked like he was sponsored by chemist warehouse and didnt want to mess up his hair but was a bit better down forward in the last quarter.....looks lazy.
Kennedy...had a go but had trouble with the opposing mids who were much quicker and equally hard at the ball, wont be playing seniors next week based on today.
Lobbe/Philips, won the hitouts but did nothing around the ground or up forward..
Stocker....looked ok and like Williamson looked like he knew what to do with the ball, maybe needs a yard of pace at senior level as he did caught a couple of times.
Lang...delist.....did nothing.
Fas....looks like its an effort to play and he should retire.
Kerr...one goal but didnt get near it all day, had the ex Nth listed player Neilson on him and couldnt move him in the contest.
Palmer...two goals but no real impact on the game.
ORourke...dud Hawk reject...
Finbar.....should be back in the TAC comp, looks like a schoolkid out there and his drafting remains a mystery....
Found myself nodding the whole time as I read your sharp analysis.
Found myself nodding the whole time as I read your sharp analysis.
I nodded off ;)
Went full of expectation, left at half time because there is nothing worse than watching a team that is playing crap to start off with and then just becomes undisciplined and frustrated due to some exceptionally ordinary umpiring.
Williamson set the afternoon off by giving away a double goal due to undisciplined actions and it went downhill from there. Hard to assess Stocker as he had no support or structure around him. However he just does things that make you think that, in better company, he could do the job....a bit like Williamson when he was given his first chance. Young Finbar and Ben Silvagni are both victims of no development teams and are there purely for experience. Fasolo and Lang are not going to make it but Kennedy, with less attention in the main team, will be ok.
(All based on a full viewing at Vic Park and half a game today)
I feel for you, TC. Mrs Baggers and I intended to go (5 hour round trip for us) and decided this morning not to as she wasn't feeling so well.
The umpiring in the first half, first qtr in particular, was worthy of an official complaint by the club... though we didn't help our cause with such undisciplined behaviour.
I nodded off ;)
That's what happens when you drink Horlicks too early in the day. But maybe 7pm is your bedtime? ;D ;D ;)
Today was a bit of a reality check for the younger members of the squad. The Werribee pressure was outstanding and they had more than a few who looked like they would slot into an AFL list pretty easily. Man bun no. 11 in particular did a lot of damage.
Having said that - If I could sign the Northern Blues up to play against Werribee every week i would. They need to learn how to compete against mature opponents.
Kennedy isn't strong enough. He'll never be quick and that's fine. Priddis, Mitchell, Lewis, J Kennedy, etc. none of them were ever quick - but they were strong enough to push opponents off the ball and get their arms free under tackle. Kennedy isn't anywhere near strong enough to play his role effectively.
Polson showed quality in terms of mobility but his finishing is sub par for now.
The big positive was how well Willo ran out the game. He was still putting in gut busting runs on the switch side deep in the last quarter. He is a natural endurance beast for sure.
Stocker looked good. A few rough edges to his game but that's fine - at least he gets to develop off Broadway in the 2s. Unlike most of our high draft picks.
Ben Silvagni didn't set the world on fire but is still young and Finbar looked like he needs a few preseasons.
Today was a bit of a reality check for the younger members of the squad. The Werribee pressure was outstanding and they had more than a few who looked like they would slot into an AFL list pretty easily. Man bun no. 11 in particular did a lot of damage.
Having said that - If I could sign the Northern Blues up to play against Werribee every week i would. They need to learn how to compete against mature opponents.
Kennedy isn't strong enough. He'll never be quick and that's fine. Priddis, Mitchell, Lewis, J Kennedy, etc. none of them were ever quick - but they were strong enough to push opponents off the ball and get their arms free under tackle. Kennedy isn't anywhere near strong enough to play his role effectively.
Polson showed quality in terms of mobility but his finishing is sub par for now.
The big positive was how well Willo ran out the game. He was still putting in gut busting runs on the switch side deep in the last quarter. He is a natural endurance beast for sure.
Stocker looked good. A few rough edges to his game but that's fine - at least he gets to develop off Broadway in the 2s. Unlike most of our high draft picks.
Ben Silvagni didn't set the world on fire but is still young and Finbar looked like he needs a few preseasons.
No 11 is Matt Hanson...midfielder who will come under consideration by a few clubs in the mid season draft, not pretty but effective. Hanson had 6 Liston votes vs the NB's
last season so Fraser didnt do his homework very well in terms of stopping him this game.
Agree that Williamson and Stocker are the two who showed the most, Kennedy still doesnt look match fit, attacks the footy ok but isnt overly mobile for a mid and looks like he needs a season or two with Jack Russell to get some wheels.
As soon as I heard we got fasolo, I said straight away he was sitting on the scrap heap and will likely be a wasted spot on the list and I’m not wrong. Sick of the club thinking they can turn these sorts of players around. Give it up FFS.
He was poor again today at reserve level.....will be delisted at seasons end as he has no chance of impacting at senior level.
Aside from 3 or 4 players our success in getting in established players during this rebuild has been awful.
Thank god we got so many earlier round draft picks.
As soon as I heard we got fasolo, I said straight away he was sitting on the scrap heap and will likely be a wasted spot on the list and I’m not wrong. Sick of the club thinking they can turn these sorts of players around. Give it up FFS.
He was poor again today at reserve level.....will be delisted at seasons end as he has no chance of impacting at senior level.
Aside from 3 or 4 players our success in getting in established players during this rebuild has been awful.
Thank god we got so many earlier round draft picks.
I didn't see it at the time, but with the benefit of hindsight I wonder whether the Fazzy boys and Langs of this world were more or less making up the numbers cheaply while we loaded up on high draft picks. Watching Port and North last night I was struck by how their discards or recruits from other clubs seem B grade at best. Polec, Pittard etc., seem ok, but don't add all that much quality. Shiel would have been a nice get - I think the club was genuinely interested, but I'm glad SOS stood firm and didn't sell the farm to land him.
I wonder whether there was ever any hope from the club that these guys would make it as regular best 22 players, and if the club is saving its pennies for some real top class talent this trade period or next. Just pure conjecture on my part.
I didn't see it at the time, but with the benefit of hindsight I wonder whether the Fazzy boys and Langs of this world were more or less making up the numbers cheaply while we loaded up on high draft picks. Watching Port and North last night I was struck by how their discards or recruits from other clubs seem B grade at best. Polec, Pittard etc., seem ok, but don't add all that much quality. Shiel would have been a nice get - I think the club was genuinely interested, but I'm glad SOS stood firm and didn't sell the farm to land him.
I wonder whether there was ever any hope from the club that these guys would make it as regular best 22 players, and if the club is saving its pennies for some real top class talent this trade period or next. Just pure conjecture on my part.
Shiel is a bit of a show pony, looks good but not sure how effective he really is and agree he isnt worth the farm...I think the real GWS gold is in Coniglio or Kelly.
I think Fasalo was recruited to help us kick goals especially with Wright gone, Lang was more the mature body to guide us through 3-4 years of rebuilding while Dow, Walsh etc developed...
problem being Langs own body lets him down and a lot of our kids are better footballers already.
Dont see a future for either Fas or Lang...
Shiel is a bit of a show pony, looks good but not sure how effective he really is and agree he isnt worth the farm...I think the real GWS gold is in Coniglio or Kelly.
I think Fasalo was recruited to help us kick goals especially with Wright gone, Lang was more the mature body to guide us through 3-4 years of rebuilding while Dow, Walsh etc developed...
problem being Langs own body lets him down and a lot of our kids are better footballers already.
Dont see a future for either Fas or Lang...
My personal fave at GWS is Callan Ward.
I was never keen on Fazzy boy, but I still have hopes for Lang, although they are fading fast.
Sounds like the Carlton we're trying to shake off????
I hope this isn't one of those weeks where our 1's emulate our 2's or we're in for a painful weekend.
So far recruiting from other AFL clubs hasn't served us so well. Giants aside.
Thanks for the game summaries folks.
From the point of view of our young, developing list, it's a very good thing that blokes like Fazzy and Lang are surplus to requirements (or appear to be at this point), and that their absence doesn't affect our ability to win. But it's still early days, so it's hard to call at the moment. Hopefully they will come good and make a contribution as the season progresses. We need all the contributors we can get.
Lang looks putrid. He will need a lot more time in the 2s to build up some confidence cos he looks shot right now. His pace and long goals could be a massive win for us but the way he's playing - he's about as far away from 1s as you can get.
No 11 is Matt Hanson...midfielder who will come under consideration by a few clubs in the mid season draft, not pretty but effective. Hanson had 6 Liston votes vs the NB's
last season so Fraser didnt do his homework very well in terms of stopping him this game.
Agree that Williamson and Stocker are the two who showed the most, Kennedy still doesnt look match fit, attacks the footy ok but isnt overly mobile for a mid and looks like he needs a season or two with Jack Russell to get some wheels.
Yeah Hanson looked a natural footballer. Exactly the type we don't seem to go for much.
SOS has proven himself an excellent judge of the U18 kids but pretty rubbish on the VFL / mature aged players. Quite a few Smedts / Palmer / Lang / etc. types and not many wins.
Anyway - he picked Williamson with pick 60 and if I had my pick of 1 player on the ground to play in the 1s next week it would be him. Then Stocker - who might end up costing us nothing. So no complaints.
Lang looks putrid. He will need a lot more time in the 2s to build up some confidence cos he looks shot right now. His pace and long goals could be a massive win for us but the way he's playing - he's about as far away from 1s as you can get.
Yes, he hasn't had much continuity with injuries, form etc., but he hasn't shown much with the little opportunity he's been given. I wonder whether guys like him and Fasolo had a certain sense of entitlement, thinking they'd be a walk up start in the best 18 at a bottom club like us, and whether they feel slighted as a result of playing in the magoos ?
Northern Blues 1.1-7 2.4-16 5.5-35 7.9-51
Werribee 5.1-31 10.3-63 13.7-85 17.7-109
Not happy. Not happy at all.
NORTHERN BLUES
Goal Kickers: J. Palmer 2, S. Fisher, N. Wheeler, C. Polson, A. Fasolo, P. Kerr
Best Players: L. Stocker, F. Anderson, T. Wilson, T. Williamson, K. Keppel, H. Macreadie
WERRIBEE
Goal Kickers: T. House 4, B. Malual 3, J. Riccardi, J. Henderson, T. Gribble, M. Munro, L. Pinnuck, J. Maishman, R. Kemp, N. Coughlan, A. Clarke, K. Declase
Best Players: M. Spencer, M. Augerinos, J. Henderson, D. McFarlane, A. Clarke, T. Gribble
So disappointing to see so many players doing so little. Neither of the ruckmen. Not happy.
Lang played 11 games last season, and given how bad the team was, it's hard for anyone to look good. Hopefully he comes good later on.
Northern Blues 1.1-7 2.4-16 5.5-35 7.9-51
Werribee 5.1-31 10.3-63 13.7-85 17.7-109
Not happy. Not happy at all.
NORTHERN BLUES
Goal Kickers: J. Palmer 2, S. Fisher, N. Wheeler, C. Polson, A. Fasolo, P. Kerr
Best Players: L. Stocker, F. Anderson, T. Wilson, T. Williamson, K. Keppel, H. Macreadie
WERRIBEE
Goal Kickers: T. House 4, B. Malual 3, J. Riccardi, J. Henderson, T. Gribble, M. Munro, L. Pinnuck, J. Maishman, R. Kemp, N. Coughlan, A. Clarke, K. Declase
Best Players: M. Spencer, M. Augerinos, J. Henderson, D. McFarlane, A. Clarke, T. Gribble
So disappointing to see so many players doing so little. Neither of the ruckmen. Not happy.
Anderson, Keppel and MaCreadie are very lucky to be in the best......I thought the kid Wheeler was better than all of them.
That's what happens when you drink Horlicks too early in the day. But maybe 7pm is your bedtime? ;D ;D ;)
I suspect it was the beef and lobster burger and cheeky shiraz that I had for lunch :)
Went full of expectation, left at half time because there is nothing worse than watching a team that is playing crap to start off with and then just becomes undisciplined and frustrated due to some exceptionally ordinary umpiring.
Williamson set the afternoon off by giving away a double goal due to undisciplined actions and it went downhill from there. Hard to assess Stocker as he had no support or structure around him. However he just does things that make you think that, in better company, he could do the job....a bit like Williamson when he was given his first chance. Young Finbar and Ben Silvagni are both victims of no development teams and are there purely for experience. Fasolo and Lang are not going to make it but Kennedy, with less attention in the main team, will be ok.
(All based on a full viewing at Vic Park and half a game today)
I don't mind that from Willo. Yes, it is undisciplined and unacceptable but it tells me that he is playing with passion. He now needs to harness that passion and focus on getting the pill and stopping his opponent. Once is enough though and I will be disappointed if he does anything similar in future.
Anderson, Keppel and MaCreadie are very lucky to be in the best......I thought the kid Wheeler was better than all of them.
Sounds like we did well just to have "best players"...lol.
Good sign that Stocker was our best.
I suspect it was the beef and lobster burger and cheeky shiraz that I had for lunch :)
Beef and lobster burger may well be a problem.
The "cheeky shiraz" however would do no harm DJC. ;) :D :D
I don't mind that from Willo. Yes, it is undisciplined and unacceptable but it tells me that he is playing with passion. He now needs to harness that passion and focus on getting the pill and stopping his opponent. Once is enough though and I will be disappointed if he does anything similar in future.
Likewise. He and Stocker showed passion and some mongrel. We like that and it only needs be channeled more productively. I strongly suspect Willo got the umpire (the one who pinged him for the 50) offside and was penalised for a couple of 50/50s after that.
Sounds like we did well just to have "best players"...lol.
Good sign that Stocker was our best.
There was one passage of play in the highlights package that might have been a look into our future (hopefully). Stocker took it from a centre bounce and kicked it long to BSOS who marked strongly in front of goal. Dont know if he kicked it but the passage looked good.
There was one passage of play in the highlights package that might have been a look into our future (hopefully). Stocker took it from a centre bounce and kicked it long to BSOS who marked strongly in front of goal. Dont know if he kicked it but the passage looked good.
He scored a behind by shining it. Was a demanding kick from about 50 out so not surprising for a first year player.
Commentators were saying it was a shot of a defender.
Regarding our retreads I think sos has maximised the number of players we have gotten in for very little outlay and judging them solely by how they perform fails to take into account the bigger picture.
All of them have cost not much or been key to us trading in other useful picks for our real goals. Of the retreads only the lower risk higher rewards have really failed. The draft is where we are doing our real improvement and I'm ok with that. With a bit of luck we would have had a bit more success but you can only try. Fasolo had the potential to be a game winner but it hasn't panned out, and that's ok because it actually didn't cost us anything special.
Sorry, I ain't buying the argument "it's OK that they're crap because they cost nothing". Waste of time types, they getting us nowhere.
We paid decent draft picks for all these GWS types and I ain't seeing a lot of world beaters. I'd swap all these cheap half raters for one decent blow in. Quality trumps quantity.
Sorry, I ain't buying the argument "it's OK that they're crap because they cost nothing". Waste of time types, they getting us nowhere.
We paid decent draft picks for all these GWS types and I ain't seeing a lot of world beaters. I'd swap all these cheap half raters for one decent blow in. Quality trumps quantity.
What did we give up to get them?
Think carefully and tell me which ones haven't delivered value on their recruitment and tell me what the opportunity cost was?
Yeah - a spot on the list is so valuable. The trick is to minimise the flops.
Not easy though.
Blokes like Kennedy and Fasolo should not be played in the 2s when kids like O'Brien and Polson get games and do jack. Repeatedly.
Why pick up Fasolo and leave him to rot in the 2s....he was no worse than most others in our many losses.
Likewise. He and Stocker showed passion and some mongrel. We like that and it only needs be channeled more productively. I strongly suspect Willo got the umpire (the one who pinged him for the 50) offside and was penalised for a couple of 50/50s after that.
Have to agree there Baggers, Was at the game and had the glasses on the game and one of the umpiers, I think it was, #10, looked around as if someone had said something to him but did not know who it was or suspected that it may of been Willo. From that moment on the umpires crucified us. 4 goals from free kicks 2 of them from 50 meter penalties.
There was one passage of play in the highlights package that might have been a look into our future (hopefully). Stocker took it from a centre bounce and kicked it long to BSOS who marked strongly in front of goal. Dont know if he kicked it but the passage looked good.
Kicked like his brother. Through the big stick and and little stick. Must of mozzed him as I predicted it.
I honestly thought we'd started to develop some depth but after reading that summary I'm not so sure. I commented last year that Lang was a spud and another Geelong cast-off that had burned us and nothing has changed to make me think anything different. Williamson will be an IN this week I think and possibly even Stocker if Newman doesn't come up. But apart from those two and maybe Macreadie, the rest makes for disappointing reading. Fasolo will struggle to get a game at the top level this year. I'd rather persist with Gibbons and Cunningham. Gibbons impresses me with his work rate up and down the ground and will only get better at the top level.
Stocker is a good size compared to Williamson, get them fit and in form and the long term future is bright.
Stocker is a good size compared to Williamson, get them fit and in form and the long term future is bright.
Be surprised if both don't get a call-up this week.
If Simpson and Newman are doubtful then both likely I would say. Only problem might be are we too tall down back given North's forward line at the moment?
Fasolo is exactly where he should be until he gets fit and shows some form. Games on reputation doesn't cut it.
If Simpson and Newman are doubtful then both likely I would say. Only problem might be are we too tall down back given North's forward line at the moment?
Don't have a lot of smaller defenders types in reserve Schumacher not ready, Garlett tried and failed, Lang showing nothing, Docherty and Pickett injured ...
WHO IS THERE?
Don't have a lot of smaller defenders types in reserve Schumacher not ready, Garlett tried and failed, Lang showing nothing, Docherty and Pickett injured ...
WHO IS THERE?
Oooh, but that is a good question! I wish I had an answer. About the best bet is Willo, but he is just getting his fitness back and probably isn't ready.
Is Stocker ready? We might have to play him even if he isn't.
Schumacher didn't look terrible on the weekend. His turnovers were a problem though.
Schumacher didn't look terrible on the weekend. His turnovers were a problem though.
Ordinary disposal and he doesnt really defend...maybe the odd good mark is the best of him I can remember.
Josh Fraser's take:
7. Matthew Kennedy
Stats: 24 disposals (12 contested), seven clearances, four inside 50s
From the coach: He utilised his strength around stoppages really well. We’d like to see him transition more consistently in general play. He’s got to keep bringing his one-wood to the table, which his stoppage and contested work. He’s continuing to do that and now the focus is on his offensive and defensive running patterns.
13. Liam Stocker
Stats: 19 disposals, five rebound 50s
From the coach: His hardness at the contest is something we love. We used him at half-back and we gave some exposure through the middle of the ground, where he won some important clearances and showed some really positive pressure efforts. He keeps adding bits and pieces to his game. We spoke about it as coaches that we’d like to keep giving him and others exposure in different roles as part of their development.
16. Darcy Lang
Stats: 14 disposals, five marks
From the coach: By his own admission, it wasn’t one of his better outings. He’s three games back from a lengthy layoff so we think he’s starting to get going in the areas of the game we know he’s good at. We need him to work hard on the outside and hunt and find the ball when it’s in his area. He’s an experienced player and I know he’s keen to put in a big performance this week.
19. Angus Schumacher
Stats: 12 disposals, five rebound 50s
From the coach: The consistency of what he’s doing on-field and the thinking element to the game is something as a younger player which he keeps working hard on. We want him to bring his strengths to the table when he defends hard and then brings his run and rebound on the back of that, that’s when he plays his best footy.
26. Harrison Macreadie
Stats: Eight disposals, six spoils
From the coach: He didn’t have a huge impact on the game offensively, but he did some nice things defensively in terms of defending his man. He works our system really well which is very pleasing to see. ‘Creads’ will continue to work on parts of his game during the week, it’s a credit to him the way he’s been able to come back and perform.
27. Matthew Lobbe
Stats: Six disposals, six tackles, 25 hit-outs
From the coach: He spent a fair bit of time up forward and his leading patterns were quite good, we weren’t able to utilise him often enough. His second half and competitiveness around the stoppages allowed us to get some momentum back. I love his leadership on the field, he’s always trying to galvanise the group and get them on track with what he needs to achieve.
29. Cameron Polson
Stats: 12 disposals, six inside 50s
From the coach: Cam worked extremely hard. He put on some good pressure in our front half and probably should’ve finished with a few. There wasn’t enough reward with ball in hand for his work ethic: he’s really determined, Cam, and he reviews his game as hard as anyone. We probably didn’t move the ball in a way that suited our forwards on the day.
31. Tom Williamson
Stats: 14 disposals, five marks, four tackles
From the coach: He had a frustrating start to the game with a few unlucky free kicks going against him early. Tommy is a competitor, he defended pretty well and had some classy moments with the ball. We need to remember where he’s come from — he’s missed a lot of football, to produce what he has is really encouraging. He ran out the game well and his confidence will grow each week.
32. Alex Fasolo
Stats: 11 disposals, one goal
From the coach: ‘Fas’ presented at the ball pretty well. He had some nice moments with ball in hand centre-forward, which set us up a few times. He’s an experienced player who can bring a lot to our group with his leadership and energy. He’s one of a number of guys who we expect a lot from at VFL level and he’ll be looking to build some strong form this week.
34. Andrew Phillips
Stats: 10 disposals, five marks, 34 hitouts
From the coach: I thought he worked into the game pretty well after Werribee’s ruckman got the better of our boys early in the game. His strengths are that he’s a big, rangy ruckman, he’s got a great leap and he can be really physical. We saw signs of his proactivity around stoppages getting better as the game went on and he took a few strong marks around the ground, which he has to do as a tall.
36. Patrick Kerr
Stats: Six disposals, three inside 50s, one goal
From the coach: Patty was quiet, he was one of our forwards who couldn’t build into the game for a variety of reasons. He came off a really good game last week and one thing I know about him is he rarely plays two quiet ones in a row. He’ll continue to work hard on his one-on-one contest work and we want him to bring his strengths: he’s a terrific mark and a lovely kick.
37. Ben Silvagni
Stats: Six disposals
From the coach: Benny is a young defender who were under the pump on the weekend: it was a good learning curve for him. He’s positioning himself pretty well, he just needs to be more consistent with referencing an opponent at the right time. We gave him a look forward in the last quarter and he took a terrific contested mark and had a few shots on goal: he showed his versatility. He’s a young guy who will continue to work hard on his craft to get reward.
38. Finbar O’Dwyer
Stats: Four disposals
From the coach: He’s working hard Finbar for little reward: there’s continued education on where he’s running and opportunities to get the ball. What we love is he’s got some x-factor — he’s got a really nice set of hands. He’s playing catch-up a little bit having not played a lot of footy and not having a full pre-season. We’re looking for little positives in his game and he’s producing some each week.
44. Matthew Owies
Stats: Four disposals
From the coach: Matty didn’t have a huge impact but to be fair to him, he applied some terrific forward pressure early in the game. For him, being able to react to game situations and putting himself in the right position is key. You look at where he’s come from, he hasn’t played a lot of footy in recent years.
45. Hugh Goddard
Stats: 14 disposals, six marks
From the coach: Hugh was dependable again. He didn’t have the impact of previous weeks but he tries to not only play his role, but also assist those around him: his leadership qualities are really strong. Some of his aerial work was positive, but he didn’t use the ball as well as he had in previous weeks. We know what we’re going to get from Hugh each week and that’s unconditional effort.
I have emboldened some of Fraser's comments that show where he thinks players are at but also the strong focus on player development.
Some of our players are really doing the hard yards in this company because of the dismantling of the Development Team. Not sure if it is advantageous or not....
Some of our players are really doing the hard yards in this company because of the dismantling of the Development Team. Not sure if it is advantageous or not....
What do the blokes who don’t make the VFL side do, play suburban footy?
It used to be good to see the development team players in their NBs’ outfits watching the VFL team play. At least it gave the impression that they were watching/learning the structures and running patterns.
Fraser is very easy on those players...The Werribee crew from the burbs with No AFL listed players embarrassed the NB's..
Lang: He’s three games back from a lengthy layoff so we think he’s starting to get going in the areas of the game we know he’s good at.
What is that carp???....got news for you Josh, he never got going in any areas and looked like he couldnt give a rats clacker either...
Lobbe: He spent a fair bit of time up forward and his leading patterns were quite good, we weren’t able to utilise him often enough. His second half and competitiveness around the stoppages allowed us to get some momentum back. I love his leadership on the field, he’s always trying to galvanise the group and get them on track with what he needs to achieve.
Momentum back?.....they smacked us, especially at the stoppages......leading patterns? FFS.....we never had the ball to give it to him and if we did he wouldnt have been able to mark it anyway, did he take a mark for the game?
Fas: He’s an experienced player who can bring a lot to our group with his leadership and energy, he was about as energetic as a sloth in a coma.....
Honestly...Clive Palmer and his horrible robotic ads would have more cred than this garbage Fraser dished up, you would swear it was a close game, how about some real feedback and being brutally honest?
looked like he couldnt give a rats clacker either
That's the biggest tell for me.....seemingly lost interest...
Heck, he's only 23! Odd.
That's the biggest tell for me.....seemingly lost interest...
Heck, he's only 23! Odd.
Spurned by his Handbagger lovers, he looks dejected and rejected.
Just a Ford crap truck with an undeserving Ferrari reputation, buyer beware, it's not the first time we've been stung by the car-salesmen of the AFL!
(Apologies to the auto-traders for the use of the euphemism, I rate you well above the Handbaggers!)
Agreed LP....how many spuds have we picked up from Geelong over the decades? Apart from Hickmott who was superb for us, I can't think of many others that have done much...Michael Mansfield, David Clarke, Billie Smedts and now Darcy Lang to name a few..
Agreed LP....how many spuds have we picked up from Geelong over the decades? Apart from Hickmott who was superb for us, I can't think of many others that have done much...Michael Mansfield, David Clarke, Billie Smedts and now Darcy Lang to name a few..
Gee, another Hickmott would just about complete our side....
Fraser is very easy on those players...The Werribee crew from the burbs with No AFL listed players embarrassed the NB's..
Lang: He’s three games back from a lengthy layoff so we think he’s starting to get going in the areas of the game we know he’s good at.
What is that carp???....got news for you Josh, he never got going in any areas and looked like he couldnt give a rats clacker either...
Lobbe: He spent a fair bit of time up forward and his leading patterns were quite good, we weren’t able to utilise him often enough. His second half and competitiveness around the stoppages allowed us to get some momentum back. I love his leadership on the field, he’s always trying to galvanise the group and get them on track with what he needs to achieve.
Momentum back?.....they smacked us, especially at the stoppages......leading patterns? FFS.....we never had the ball to give it to him and if we did he wouldnt have been able to mark it anyway, did he take a mark for the game?
Fas: He’s an experienced player who can bring a lot to our group with his leadership and energy, he was about as energetic as a sloth in a coma.....
Honestly...Clive Palmer and his horrible robotic ads would have more cred than this garbage Fraser dished up, you would swear it was a close game, how about some real feedback and being brutally honest?
Werribee is sitting third on the ladder with a %age of 147 and they are free to play their strongest 22 and not worry about getting games into underdone teenagers. I think it’s just a bit simplistic to dismiss them as a team from the burbs.
Of course Fraser has to choose his words carefully but his comments are made in the context of full knowledge of player instructions, workloads and expectations. Supporters’ reviews are interesting but are made without the context of the coach’s comments. I don’t dismiss supporters’ reviews but I value the coach’s comments just a little more. Together they provide a pretty good picture of where our AFL listed NBs are at.
Werribee is sitting third on the ladder with a %age of 147 and they are free to play their strongest 22 and not worry about getting games into underdone teenagers. I think it’s just a bit simplistic to dismiss them as a team from the burbs.
Of course Fraser has to choose his words carefully but his comments are made in the context of full knowledge of player instructions, workloads and expectations. Supporters’ reviews are interesting but are made without the context of the coach’s comments. I don’t dismiss supporters’ reviews but I value the coach’s comments just a little more. Together they provide a pretty good picture of where our AFL listed NBs are at.
I understand Fraser has to be diplomatic to the media especially to the AFL listed brigade but I think internally I would be hoping for a more realistic commentary and feedback to Bolton and crew on how those AFL listed experienced players went. Underdone teenagers, the Werribee kid playing 2nd ruck vs Lobbe and Philips was playing his first game. We had 13-14 players who have played senior AFL footy.Lets be honest thats a disgraceful effort from the NB's and it needs acknowledgement if we are going to get better not faint praise...
I understand Fraser has to be diplomatic to the media especially to the AFL listed brigade but I think internally I would be hoping for a more realistic commentary and feedback to Bolton and crew on how those AFL listed experienced players went. Underdone teenagers, the Werribee kid playing 2nd ruck vs Lobbe and Philips was playing his first game. We had 13-14 players who have played senior AFL footy.Lets be honest thats a disgraceful effort from the NB's and it needs acknowledgement if we are going to get better not faint praise...
x2, plus modern kids are not like earlier generations, bag them too much publicly and they switch off for good.
They are educated to respond to negativity in criticism as bullying, left wing bullcrap, all opinions are equal and everybody gets a gold star!
I understand Fraser has to be diplomatic to the media especially to the AFL listed brigade but I think internally I would be hoping for a more realistic commentary and feedback to Bolton and crew on how those AFL listed experienced players went. Underdone teenagers, the Werribee kid playing 2nd ruck vs Lobbe and Philips was playing his first game. We had 13-14 players who have played senior AFL footy.Lets be honest thats a disgraceful effort from the NB's and it needs acknowledgement if we are going to get better not faint praise...
Fifteen AFL-listed players, six of whom haven’t played a game at AFL level and four of that six are in their first season of open age footy. We’ve also got blokes returning from injury and with managed workloads. Fraser has to prioritise their rehab over all out effort.
I suspect that Fraser, and the other coaches present, would have a lot more to say to each of the players and to the match committee ... and that shouldn’t be aired in public. Fraser’s mix of veiled criticisms and positive points is fine for public consumption.
Werribee are quicker, stronger and more aggressive.....and have no AFL listed players.
Much to be said for hungry state league players then hey!!
VFL teams loaded with AFL players aren't coached specifically to win VFL games, they are developing systems, if it so happens they get the systems right then at VFL level they win as a consequence not because of opposition analysis.
I've had long post game discussions with Ex.AFL coaches now coaching in the VAFA about this very subject. The NBs will always suffer while our primary goal is developing AFL youth, as our AFL list matures the NBs will benefit. In the VFL kids will always be played out of position or with specific tasks and agendas taking priority over defeating an opponent.
People point to the Handbaggers VFL to counter this argument, but they are very different and their success and failure works both ways. Because of location and coincidence with a TAC Cup squad they are effectively an academy type setup. They have coherence across three or four levels with almost no local competing interests, yet they still seem to underperform at VFL level which supports the development hypothesis.
It's no point bagging Carlton/NBs, when you see the only really successful AFL hosted teams are Geelong and Box Hill which have won just three flags in a decade! The rest go to affiliates or stand-alones.
Agreed LP....how many spuds have we picked up from Geelong over the decades? Apart from Hickmott who was superb for us, I can't think of many others that have done much...Michael Mansfield, David Clarke, Billie Smedts and now Darcy Lang to name a few..
Some short memories here - how about a couple of midfielders called Carrazzo and Williams? Two premierships out of Mario Bortolotto (plus snotting David Cloke in 82 religiously following Parko's instructions that if they started a fight deck the guy closest to you). Got 54 games out of Mansfield, even if many were ordinary, 24 out of the underused Laidler even 36 out of Justin Murphy after his return from the cattery. David Clarke Snr only played 9 games for us but averaged better than 2 goals a game and was instrumental in getting us over the line in the '82 prelim only to be dropped for the granny.
Not to mention the McShane brothers both captaining the Blues in the early days and 77 games from Jim Flynn including the 1906/7/8 premierships.
We've had a few good'uns from there.
Just don't mention the names O'Reilly or Smedts - but in recent years they and perhaps David Claarke junior are the only real busts we've had from Geelong, although Lang is looking that way unless he can rediscover his ability to give a continental.
Why we took that peanut Murphy back from the cats is a mystery.
I can't be bothered analysing all this, I suppose you have to accept the good with the bad overall, for example we did well out of clubs like the Aints for years.
Gee, another Hickmott would just about complete our side....
We overlooked 2 in the last draft!
Mid season draft? Oskar Manton got a mention recently.
So did Kristian Jaksch
Some short memories here - how about a couple of midfielders called Carrazzo and Williams? Two premierships out of Mario Bortolotto (plus snotting David Cloke in 82 religiously following Parko's instructions that if they started a fight deck the guy closest to you). Got 54 games out of Mansfield, even if many were ordinary, 24 out of the underused Laidler even 36 out of Justin Murphy after his return from the cattery. David Clarke Snr only played 9 games for us but averaged better than 2 goals a game and was instrumental in getting us over the line in the '82 prelim only to be dropped for the granny.
Not to mention the McShane brothers both captaining the Blues in the early days and 77 games from Jim Flynn including the 1906/7/8 premierships.
We've had a few good'uns from there.
Just don't mention the names O'Reilly or Smedts - but in recent years they and perhaps David Claarke junior are the only real busts we've had from Geelong, although Lang is looking that way unless he can rediscover his ability to give a continental.
Parko had huge wraps on him re his substantial contribution to the club in terms of leadership around the place, especially for the '81 or '82 premiership side (I forget which one).