With our list in reasonable condition, I hope to enjoy tomorrow's game. It is set down for Richmond, starting around 1600.
I enjoyed a catch up with Baggers, RiverRat and DJC at this game last year, Richmond thumped us, although Mackay even back then showed some good signs, along with a couple of unlisted boys, at least that's my memory of it!
I can't make it this year, I hope you enjoy the game Crash, It would be great to get a report on the boys afterwards!
Looking at the injury report I'm surprised how many are out this week, so our 2s will be a little light on.
I'm also surprised that Sam Rowe is only as week away, great news!
Looks like a few rapid recoveries, 16 blues named will they all play?
More depth than I had first expected, great news.
I enjoyed a catch up with Baggers, RiverRat and DJC at this game last year, Richmond thumped us, although Mackay even back then showed some good signs, along with a couple of unlisted boys, at least that's my memory of it!
I can't make it this year, I hope you enjoy the game Crash, It would be great to get a report on the boys afterwards!
That was a good afternoon, even if the result wasn’t what I would have liked.
It was good to catch up with Baggers, RiverRat and Amers and, from my vantage point, good to see how closely Bolts and SOS were considering what they were seeing.
I was pleased to see that ACOS was well above VFL level and Paddy Kerr was able to read the play and make good position.
A mate sent me a SMS and tells me De Koning is clunking a few in the maggoos, might be going to give McKay a run for a F50 spot!
A mate sent me a SMS and tells me De Koning is clunking a few in the maggoos, might be going to give McKay a run for a F50 spot!
got a score LP?
got a score LP?
Nthmond by about 4 goals last I heard before 1/2-time.
Follow it here, https://twitter.com/NBluesFC
1/4 Time 6-3-39 to 2-0-12
1/2 Time 10-7-67 to 7-3-45
Seems a better quarter by Northern.
My mates left the ground to get into "The G" reckons the queues are huge!
114-66 as I type. From twitter it's hard to know what quarter it is, time elapsed etc.
But that's a sad score, and hopefully not a portent of things to come.
Full time 127-73. 9 goal shellacking.
A mate sent me a SMS and tells me De Koning is clunking a few in the maggoos, might be going to give McKay a run for a F50 spot!
Not yet. De Koning rucked reasonably well and moved OK. But he lacks a lot of strength. He did take a few nice marks, but he is physically not ready for the seniors. He does have a nice kick. His did 2 grab too many marks for me, but I was very happy to see him compete. He will be a reasonable player at VFL level this year.
Not yet. De Koning rucked reasonably well and moved OK. But he lacks a lot of strength. He did take a few nice marks, but he is physically not ready for the seniors. He does have a nice kick. His did 2 grab too many marks for me, but I was very happy to see him compete. He will be a reasonable player at VFL level this year.
Anyone stand out as a possible inclusion for next week?
Anyone stand out as a possible inclusion for next week?
When you lose by 9 goals and have half of your talent on the field, it is hard to shine. It was also hard for me as I couldn't recognize everybody.
However:
[1] Nick Graham was Nick Graham. He spent maybe 50% of the time on the ground and still managed 25 possessions. And he didn't stuff up a possession.
[2] David Cuningham was David Cuningham: he also had 25 possessions and was probably our best midfielder. His kicking was not that reliable, but when it came off, it was excellent.
[3] Tom de Koning played up forward, where he was starved of opportunities, and in the ruck, where he looked promising. A the game worse on he started taking some pretty decent marks. His ruck work was reasonable. There was more than a little of Harry McKay in his game. But body wise he was pushed off the ball to easily. What 12 months.
[4] Paddy Kerr marked and kicked the ball well. he has bulked up somewhat and is moving more freely. His leads were excellent.
[5] Cam Polson didn't have a great game
[6] Alex Silvagni was solid: right until he went off with a hamstring injury.
When you lose by 9 goals and have half of your talent on the field, it is hard to shine. It was also hard for me as I couldn't recognize everybody.
However:
[1] Nick Graham was Nick Graham. He spent maybe 50% of the time on the ground and still managed 25 possessions. And he didn't stuff up a possession.
[2] David Cuningham was David Cuningham: he also had 25 possessions and was probably our best midfielder. His kicking was not that reliable, but when it came off, it was excellent.
[3] Tom de Koning played up forward, where he was starved of opportunities, and in the ruck, where he looked promising. A the game worse on he started taking some pretty decent marks. His ruck work was reasonable. There was more than a little of Harry McKay in his game. But body wise he was pushed off the ball to easily. What 12 months.
[4] Paddy Kerr marked and kicked the ball well. he has bulked up somewhat and is moving more freely. His leads were excellent.
[5] Cam Polson didn't have a great game
[6] Alex Silvagni was solid: right until he went off with a hamstring injury.
Paddy Kerr goes ok. He might end up in the team before McKay. Watched him last year. Reads it well, leads well, kicks well, good in a contested situation and seems smart. He could be in sooner rather than later and will make a good fist of AFL. At least IMO.
RICHMOND VFL 6.3 10.7 16.10 19. 13. (127)
NORTHERN BLUES 2.0 7.3 9.4 11. 7. (73)
GOALS
Northern Blues: Kerr 2, Cuningham, De Koning, Federico, Graham, Keppel, Kerr, Kerridge, Lebois, Myers
DISPOSALS
Northern Blues: Graham 26, Cuningham 23, Kerridge 23, O’Brien 17
Paddy Kerr goes ok. He might end up in the team before McKay. Watched him last year. Reads it well, leads well, kicks well, good in a contested situation and seems smart. He could be in sooner rather than later and will make a good fist of AFL. At least IMO.
From what I’ve seen of Paddy, he’s a natural footballer who gets into the right positions and makes good decisions.
But what is his defensive pressure like? Second and third efforts? That is what determines whether he'll succeed at afl level
Kerr has a complete game and is more flexible in where he.can play, than Harry but doesn't get enough footy at this stage. He needs to dominate at vfl level and win some games for us....
But what is his defensive pressure like? Second and third efforts? That is what determines whether he'll succeed at afl level
Good point JB.
I don’t know whether Paddy will make it as an AFL footballer but he seems to have good football instincts. Whether that translates to defensive pressure and second and third efforts will become clear over the next few months.
Patrick Kerr definitely has some run in his game, he surprised me at times with how quick he appeared to be across the ground for a guy that size. Seems to get to dangerous spots and is a good kick at goal. I think he also has that natural desire to want to get the ball.
You saw in Thu night why Levi plays ahead of Harry and Kerr, it’s because we only play 1 ruck and neither of them can go there if Kruze goes down (as happened against Rich). Levi can go in and pinch hit and relieve Kruze. The others can’t...yet.
You saw in Thu night why Levi plays ahead of Harry and Kerr, it’s because we only play 1 ruck and neither of them can go there if Kruze goes down (as happened against Rich). Levi can go in and pinch hit and relieve Kruze. The others can’t...yet.
And I guess if Kreuz gets injured Lobbe comes in?
And I guess if Kreuz gets injured Lobbe comes in?
I would think Lobbe is next in line, Phillips hasn't resumed yet as far as I know. You couldn't throw McKay into starting ruck, it would have to be Casboult. They will go with Lobbe, Caboult relieves and spends time forward.
I would think Lobbe is next in line, Phillips hasn't resumed yet as far as I know. You couldn't throw McKay into starting ruck, it would have to be Casboult. They will go with Lobbe, Caboult relieves and spends time forward.
Phillips played half a game in the VFL practise match Thursday afternoon, and did OK from all reports.
Lobbe is out injured, did a quad or hammy just a week or so ago.
We threw Phillips in completely under done last year for 1 game. Everyone kicked the crap out of him for looking hopeless. History repeating this week?
Could Lang come straight in next week for Kennedy?
It would be him or Cunningham I'd imagine.
Phillips played half a game in the VFL practise match Thursday afternoon, and did OK from all reports.
Lobbe is out injured, did a quad or hammy just a week or so ago.
That means Mckay is next cab off the rank. Given Kreuzer didnt fully wreck his groin and went back on he might get up for next week. a week is a long time in football and a groin can be managed depending on how bad it is although Id rather not gamble.
We threw Phillips in completely under done last year for 1 game. Everyone kicked the crap out of him for looking hopeless. History repeating this week?
We might not have a choice!
Could Lang come straight in next week for Kennedy?
It would be him or Cunningham I'd imagine.
Do you get the contradiction in those two posts, I gather it wasn't an accident!
That means Mckay is next cab off the rank. Given Kreuzer didnt fully wreck his groin and went back on he might get up for next week. a week is a long time in football and a groin can be managed depending on how bad it is although Id rather not gamble.
I'd say Kreuzer has done an iliopsoas.
I had that same injury back in my playing days and the symptoms looked the same. It's an initial sharp pain near the groin but deep more towards the spine, you feel an immediate associated snap like doing an achilles tendon, but with only some immediate minor discomfort followed by a complete loss of power through the hips and core without any real ongoing pain.
If true he'll be able to play on but be affected for the remainder of the season. He'll lose some power in his jump, kicking, acceleration, core strength and lateral movement. It can take months to get over, I never really recovered until after an off-season but in reality I never got full strength back either!
So it's a worry! :o
I'd say Kreuzer has done an iliopsoas.
I had that same injury back in my playing days and the symptoms looked the same. It's an initial sharp pain near the groin but deep more towards the spine, you feel an immediate with an associated snap like doing an achilles tendon, but with only some immediate minor discomfort followed by a complete loss of power through the hips and core without any real ongoing pain.
If true he'll be able to play on but be affected for the remainder of the season. He'll lose some power in his jump, kicking, acceleration, core strength and lateral movement. It can take months to get over, I never really recovered fully until after an off-season but in reality I never got full strength back either!
So it's a worry! :o
When I saw it happen, I thought the worst.
I turned to my Brother in law and told him that we might have seen Kreuzers last effective game in the AFL and then added (for Carlton anyway).
The bloke cant afford to carry something like this for a year.
I thought he just tweaked it to be honest and the fact he came back on alludes to that too, but he was effectively done and on to give someone else a breather.
Shame, if he goes down for any extended period of time, we will struggle to win many games. I don't know a lot about footy but Kreuzer has been a big factor in our competitiveness thus far under Bolton.
If it's an iliopsoas.
The iliopsoas tear in addition to affecting my footy also ended my career as a bowler at cricket, it's basically the core muscle that controls the pivots between your upper body and hips. The bit critical for bowling. The Psoas are muscles you use to stand up straight, sit up straight on a chair without using the backrest, or to cross your legs.
For amateurs they do not operate, at least not back when I did it. Back then it wasn't a trivial operation because of where the Psoas muscles sit, but there may be modern keyholes procedures for that now, there wasn't in my day.
The specialist told me it was just too big of an operation to justify it, the average person can live fine pain free with it damaged. You are just a little less stable and balanced, with reduced power at certain tasks like walking up stairs, climbing ladders. Your body does adapt over time, as muscles around the core pick up the slack so to speak, but it takes a few years. In some cases of groin or lower back pain they even deliberately cut the iliopsoas to relieve tension.
You'd think a professional sportsperson already has a head start, they are probably another level up in core strength already!
If it's an iliopsoas!
We might not have a choice!
Do you get the contradiction in those two posts, I gather it wasn't an accident!
I'm not stating a preference there by the way. We could bring Lang and Phillips in - both under done. I'd prefer we didn't pick either but our selectors have got form.
Patrick Kerr definitely has some run in his game, he surprised me at times with how quick he appeared to be across the ground for a guy that size. Seems to get to dangerous spots and is a good kick at goal. I think he also has that natural desire to want to get the ball.
Patrick is quite fast in a straight line. He can, and has, run people down from behind because he doesn't look to be as quick as he is.
He is not so good at changing direction quickly. He isn't hopeless, but he is never going to be able change direction like Eddie Betts did.
Last year he had hip problems that really hurt his mobility. He missed footy at the end with a hip op and is probably not 100% yet. But he is getting better and his leading on Thursday was much better than the delivery to him.
He has appeared to work on his body strength. He is much better in that area than he was last year. Not to say that he cant improve more in this area, but his body strength, compared to Jack Silvagni's, say (similar age bracket), is much better. Not having that extra couple of cms doesn't help him in such situations, but he is never going to be 210 cm.
He can kick the 50 m comfortably, so he is a danger even when not close to goal.
I would like to see more negative things, especially running guys down, but Patrick doesn't have a huge tank yet. He is improving steadily and his attack on the ball is pretty good.
I haven't seen him take a pack mark yet.
Patrick is quite fast in a straight line. He can, and has, run people down from behind because he doesn't look to be as quick as he is.
He is not so good at changing direction quickly. He isn't hopeless, but he is never going to be able change direction like Eddie Betts did.
Last year he had hip problems that really hurt his mobility. He missed footy at the end with a hip op and is probably not 100% yet. But he is getting better and his leading on Thursday was much better than the delivery to him.
He has appeared to work on his body strength. He is much better in that area than he was last year. Not to say that he cant improve more in this area, but his body strength, compared to Jack Silvagni's, say (similar age bracket), is much better. Not having that extra couple of cms doesn't help him in such situations, but he is never going to be 210 cm.
He can kick the 50 m comfortably, so he is a danger even when not close to goal.
I would like to see more negative things, especially running guys down, but Patrick doesn't have a huge tank yet. He is improving steadily and his attack on the ball is pretty good.
I haven't seen him take a pack mark yet.
I thought strength was already one his biggest assets. Last year he was doing that stuff with a hip injury and still held down the ruck work for a period in a mostly ruckless team!
I thought strength was already one his biggest assets. Last year he was doing that stuff with a hip injury and still held down the ruck work for a period in a mostly ruckless team!
Last year he was rarely one out when it came to strength. In that situation he took maybe one mark in four: not a bad result. Certainly, body strength and positioning was not a weakness.
He was in one on ones a few times the other night and he had the better of 2 opponents in that regard. We couldn't get the ball down that much, but Kerr was always dangerous.
Last year, when it hit the ground, it was all over for Patrick. His recovery needs work, as he tends to put in a really big 1st effort and be off balance when he doesn't get it.
What I really liked is that Patrick led and led and led the other night. He only stopped to wrestle when the ball was bombed down.
At the moment, with Jack Silvagni going so badly and appearing to be not as desperate as he can be, I'd be very tempted to play Patrick Kerr. Patrick won't get rag-dolled. He's dangerous from outside 50 and he leads well enough.
At the moment, with Jack Silvagni going so badly and appearing to be not as desperate as he can be, I'd be very tempted to play Patrick Kerr. Patrick won't get rag-dolled. He's dangerous from outside 50 and he leads well enough.
I think Kerr is a natural KPF, 194cm x 94kg sees him in a good.
Would be in questionable fitness state coming off his surgery though, not sure Etihad suits him but I'm sure he'd put his hand up to debut anywhere any time.
I think SoJ needs to find a spot in a HFF/HBF role, to me his work rate makes him an ideal 4th forward, and he's quite good with hands at and around stoppages. He struggles being the 2nd or 3rd tall, he loses one of his natural advantages.
I think the problem fitting him in is Casboult, but if Casboult has to ruck then Kerr would be my pick ahead of McKay simply due to strength.
I don't like the idea of dropping young blokes after 1 game, especially against the reigning premiers. Jack wasn't great, but he did sacrifice his game at times to take Rance out of the play, and I thought he competed OK when the ball was in his area. I'd much prefer to give him another couple of games against lesser sides and see what he can do, I thought he showed pretty solid improvement during 2017, let's give the kid a go
I'd much prefer to give him another couple of games against lesser sides and see what he can do, I thought he showed pretty solid improvement during 2017, let's give the kid a go
Will playing too many out of form forwards penalise Charlie Curnow, he'll become the 100% focus of opponents. Should Charlie have to pay that price?
I don't like the idea of dropping young blokes after 1 game, especially against the reigning premiers. Jack wasn't great, but he did sacrifice his game at times to take Rance out of the play, and I thought he competed OK when the ball was in his area. I'd much prefer to give him another couple of games against lesser sides and see what he can do, I thought he showed pretty solid improvement during 2017, let's give the kid a go
M feelings about Jack are well known, but I agree. Give him a chance to work through it.
After Thursday Charlie will be the number 1 target for every defense we play for the rest of the year!
After Thursday Charlie will be the number 1 target for every defense we play for the rest of the year!
If the others can gain some form Charlie will be free to get up the ground and hurt KPDs with his run, it won't be so easy to match him up.
If SpecialK doesn't get up it could be a short term blessing, because the out of form Casboult will be forced up the ground and the club will have to look at a KPF alternative.
I thought Casboult looked better marking up the field, although he had a couple of ruck shockers, he looked like he needed the KPF pressure taken off him.
Jones was OK at times but had some shockers as well, one thing that brought him to form in the VFL was having a run in the ruck. We haven't seen that at all at AFL level yet.
On thing McKay or Kerr will do if they get a run, is hurt defenders who get in their way, we need a bit of that inside F50.
Great VFL review from Fraser, this bloke is gold, yet not tinsel!
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2018-03-27/vfl-player-review-v-richmond
Tom DeKoning is as a good prospect, that lacerated kidney was very bad and he lacked a bit of confidence after it healed but he has come back strong and is a real athlete.
Big thing about him is he takes contested pack marks and can kick goals.....is an heir to the Casboult throne IMO.
Was also happy with the review of O"Brien, we need him to be good!!
Great VFL review from Fraser, this bloke is gold, yet not tinsel!
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2018-03-27/vfl-player-review-v-richmond
Yes, I reckon Fraser is one of the best additions to our coaching staff this decade ;)
While he tries to find something positive to write about every player, he does give a good insight into how his players are travelling. I suspect that he has more than the odd discussion with Bolts and SOS about who deserves another contract and who should be let go.