If Laidler is continually played as a forward and is denied the opportunity at senior level then I call MM a "C". Let's face facts. Most of Micks changes appear to be anti Ratts. Walker to the backline, No Laids or Duigs, Yazz the forward, disrespect of Eddie, love of Lucas. I actually expect to see Laids seek a trade back to Geelong and he will become a gun.
Walker is playing probably his best season to date, Lucas has taken a big step forward, Yazz has been made to have a much needed attitude adjustment and I can't see any evidence of Eddie being disrespected. If all of these changes are to discredit Ratten's coaching, then it proves that Ratten needed to be sacked because everything you've mentioned has improved the team.
Neither Laidler or Duigan have been setting the world on fire in the 2's, even when Laidler has been played back it hasn't been exceptional.
No offence to anyone involved, especially Laids, but last week was the first time this year that he really DEMANDED his spot back in defence. I liked it. If he can replicate that today, then he DESERVES a senior game in defence. I hope he can get one to show what he can do. I don't think Malthouse thinks Laids is the answer, but even he can change his mind if he gets his nose rubbed in it badly enough.
A few bagging Carrots I didn't think he was awful, I thought he was excellent when he went down back.
I think we all agree that Carrots is nowhere near his best: his decision making on the ball especially is not up to his normal standard. However, he was far from crappy. He managed 25 possessions at the same effectiveness of Murphy (who had 27). After half time he had a job which he did well enough. I think he still needs a little confidence and more game time to find the form we all love. A couple of weeks back I suggested he might need a week or 2 with the Baby Blues. I think he is past that now - he is getting more ball. He needs a few things to go right, a couple of big wins, to get his confidence back.
We all love Sam Rowe. He is not quite good enough, but more than useful. I think Sam needs games. We might need him in the backline too! Tell me, how did Mat Watson go? Not many kicks, but good goal. Is he paying his way, or is he a weak-link-awaiting-proof? Would be good if he came through !!
To be honest, I wasn't disappointed in Watson's effort. He did what he had to. His various opponents didn't do a lot: most of Gold Coast's attacks went through Charlie Dixon (who Jamo minded when he played forward). If they had used Day's agility against Watto, they might have got somewhere, but they didn't. Watson's goal was very nice and he really liked it.
Northern Blues vs. Coburg Sunday 28th July Preston City Oval at 1:00 PM
Northern Blues
B Coulson* Dirago Joseph HB A. Gianfagna Davies Duigan CDale Cachia O'Keeffe HF Wilson Laidler Temay FBuckley Casboult Menzel RWarnock Graham Lambert Int Posar Meese Bransgrove Thomas Lincoln Currie Mitchell T. Bell Marcon
Coburg B: Batchelor Elton Astbury HB: Ellis Dea Tuck C: Conca Clifton Lonergan HF: Carnell Griffiths Nahas F: O'Hanlon A. Edwards McGuane R: Stephenson Arnot Helbig Int: Groves Thomas McDonough N. Maric Uysal A. Saad Venditti Darrou Brandt McBean Derickx Boyd* Verrier
Nice to see Tom Bell named. I wonder if he'll play? Coburg have had the wood over us recently. Aaron Edwards has had leather poisoning and kicked heaps. I hope there are a few Tigers who are going to play senior footy, as their team looks much better than usual. Stephenson also tends to play well against us. I hope we can show some of the spirit and endeavour we displayed last week.
With Cachia playing today at Metricon instead of Bootsma, there will be at least 1 change. I don't know if Boots can play, if he is ready to play. I hope Tom Bell is ready to play!
Rowe was very unconvincing today. He has no second effort, and if not on his terms, sometimes even no first effort. Can take a mark when he wants, but he is a bit too stand offish for mine.
Bottom line....
If Warnock's fit and available Rowe doesn't play.
Not for me...I'm still sticking with Rowe, we need a second ruckman but one who can take a mark and give us some options....Warnock is still a lampost who can only play ruck. Rowe wasnt great today, didnt take enough marks or get involved enough but i think we have to get away from rotating our KP/rucks when they have a ordinary game or two. You have to build confidence to build a structure and I think Rowe has to be educated and given a chance to settle.......if you did drop Rowe then I reckon it has to be Casboult who comes in...at least he can play more than one position. I dont see Warnock as an option unless Kruezer gets hurt.
re: Waite...happy to have him back in the team but he isnt a ruckman and you still need a backup for Kruezer wether it be Rowe or Casboult.
Rowe has got the nod because he can take a grab (even though he barely had a touch today) and his ruck work isn't bad. Casboult's best is better, but his worse is much worse. Similar to Hampson - when he is at his best, he is a great benefit to the team, but when he is down he is a real liability who turns gold into faeces. Warnock is still our best tap ruckman, but, while he is trying to improve the other aspects of his game, he hasn't convinced me he has made it yet. I hope he can: 206 cm guys who can run a long time don't grow on trees. However.....
Carlton vs. North Melbourne A win is a win is a win, and a 1 point thriller is enough to call for medical intervention, but in the end, we still won.
Votes: Simpson, Kade 386 Kreuzer, Matthew 338 Henderson, Lachie 226 Garlett, Jeff 164 Curnow, Edward 69 Walker, Andrew 57 Yarran, Chris 21 Murphy, Marc 15 Tuohy, Zac 13 Lucas, Kane 11 Jamison, Michael 6 Carrazzo, Andrew 4 Rowe, Sam 4 Watson, Matthew 4
Matty Watson garnered his first votes for the season, while most of the rewards went to Simmo and Kreuzer. Juddy failed to poll a vote, and we still won.
Progressives: 2464 - Judd, Chris (0) 2120 - Henderson, Lachie (0) 1989 - Walker, Andrew (0) 1605 - Garlett, Jeff (0) 1549 - Simpson, Kade (0) 1364 - Kreuzer, Matthew (0) 1239 - McLean, Brock (0) 1039 - Murphy, Marc (0) 989 - Gibbs, Bryce (0) 865 - Waite, Jarrad (0) 737 - Jamison, Michael (0) 647 - Yarran, Chris (0) 500 - Armfield, Dennis (0) 424 - Cachia, Jarryd (0) 392 - Lucas, Kane (0) 375 - Warnock, Robert (0) 349 - Tuohy, Zac (0) 304 - Robinson, Mitch (0) 303 - Scotland, Heath (0) 225 - Curnow, Edward (0) 211 - Carrazzo, Andrew (0) 206 - White, Simon (0) 185 - Betts, Eddie (0) 98 - Rowe, Sam (0) 80 - Hampson, Shaun (0) 62 - Casboult, Levi (0) 29 - McInnes, Andrew (0) 15 - Bell, Tom (0) 6 - Ellard, David (0) 5 - Menzel, Troy (0) 4 - Watson, Matthew (0) 4 - Buckley, Dylan (0) 3 - Duigan, Nicholas (0)
Hendo closes the gap on Judd while things bunch up again behind the 2 leaders. Bring on some more wins!
Northern Blues vs. Coburg Sunday 28th July Preston City Oval at 1:00 PM
Northern Blues
B Coulson* Dirago Joseph HB A. Gianfagna Davies Duigan CDale Cachia O'Keeffe HF Wilson Laidler Temay FBuckley Casboult Menzel RWarnock Graham Lambert Int Posar Meese Bransgrove Thomas Lincoln Currie Mitchell T. Bell Marcon
Coburg B: Batchelor Elton Astbury HB: Ellis Dea Tuck C: Conca Clifton Lonergan HF: Carnell Griffiths Nahas F: O'Hanlon A. Edwards McGuane R: Stephenson Arnot Helbig Int: Groves Thomas McDonough N. Maric Uysal A. Saad Venditti Darrou Brandt McBean Derickx Boyd* Verrier
Nice to see Tom Bell named. I wonder if he'll play? Coburg have had the wood over us recently. Aaron Edwards has had leather poisoning and kicked heaps. I hope there are a few Tigers who are going to play senior footy, as their team looks much better than usual. Stephenson also tends to play well against us. I hope we can show some of the spirit and endeavour we displayed last week.
I am surprised that Cachia is out, unless he is getting a 'rest'. But funnier things have happened. I still have my worries about the sanity of the MC, but I thought last week that we'd lost it at the selection table.
You guys had a dream last night while I had a night mare. Essenscum get off with a small warning and still win a flag this year and next season too. Why didn't someone wake me up to save me so much pain ??
You just need an alarm clock, or a little less alcohol.
For me Robbo was the stand out - he will come back in for sure. I would also give Graham a run too. Must not go up there with one iota of complacency, this is definitely "a danger game".
The day was one that fit Robbo, and he delivered. Good chance of a call up. Interesting to see if Waite is available this week....
Team: B I wasn't super - impressed, but we did win against a side who usually beats us at a venue that hasn't suited us. I am pleased, as we have played fairly ordinarily against North in recent times.
Explanations: [3] Simpson: Simmo's best game of the season to date and an excellent one it was. He not only got possessions, he beat his man in one on one contests, managed to clean up across defence and show a lot of endeavour and courage in the way he approached the ball. Very pleasing. [2.5] Kreuzer: Not as good in the ruck, but he did control the North ruckmen (who usually pound us). His work around the ground and at the stoppages was excellent. He took some excellent marks and was the most effective big man on the ground. Pity about his kicking at goal.... [2] Henderson: An excellent target up forward, especially early. [1.5] Tuohy: Took on the North small forwards and did well. Managed 2 goals going the other way, which was excellent. [1] Walker: Lots of the ball, but not as good at quietening his opponents as he can be. [1] Carrazzo: Good job in the middle controlling the North mids. Not yet at his best, but steadily improving. [1] Murphy: Not as much of the ball as he (and I) would like, but his effectiveness once he got it was excellent. His tackling was brilliant: North didn't respect him and he managed frees and goals because he really put in. [1] Garlett: Not a heap of the ball, but very effective with it and always dangerous. His goals were telling. [1] Curnow: Very good at minimizing the effects of the North midfield. His goals were invaluable. [0.5] Yarran: Not his biggest night, but he did some really good team things: including 8 tackles. he also took 2 excellent marks by really putting his body in. Not 100%, but a significant improvement. [0.5] Jamison: Not at his best either, but he did control Petrie well.
Honourable Mentions: Judd: Like Murphy and Yarran, his possessions were more telling by their results than by their number, except his kicking for goal, which remains ordinary. Gibbs: Worked hard and did a negative job well, but his kicking was well off and his confidence appeared to be down. Lucas: OK. Not as timid as he can be. Watson: After a very quiet start, he managed to get on top of his man and provided some drive when it was really needed.
