Re: VFL Rd 18: Northern Blues vs Richmond
Reply #23 –
Hardly a positive from this game made worse by the fact we played an ordinary side on our dung heap.
The mistakes, more specifically, the poor decisions made by our blokes today were breathtaking. The old Gardiner Stand almost collapsed under the collective groans at some of the horrible errors we made gifting an ordinary Tiggers outfit, goals.
No-one put in a performance that demanded senior consideration, even Everitt, Jones, Jaksch and Whiley - good reserves performances.
Losing McKay was a big blow, probably not so much for this game but more for the chance of him having a taste of senior footy before the year is out. He didn't join the boys in the qtr time huddle and jogged the boundary stretching his groins, particularly the left. Guess we'll know what it means early next week. He was a contributor in the first qtr but not imposing.
Jaksch had to do some hard running today and fair dinkum he runs as if he's got a small tree shoved up his clacker reaching all the way to the top of his head... and is too slow. However, he was quite handy in the first half down back with his marking; took some strong marks. And in the second half he kicked a ripper goal. Sorry, but, what were we thinking? Very hard to see him at PP next year.
What a paradox Everitt is. Clearly a class above most at times in this game but can't stick a tackle at this level either and he knows it. Saw him miss an easy tackle and curse himself... good sign that he cursed himself, bad sign that his defensive game is still so poor. But he worked hard and credit given where it is due, his offensive game is very good. Found space, got himself out on his own up forward, took some very good grabs, is a reliable kick for goal and his disposals by foot were effective. It's like 2/3rds of his game is very good but the other important 1/3 is a void and ultimately costs his team.
Gee Liam Jones did some good things today... great pack marks, crashing packs, chasing down blokes and then went missing for extended periods - career summary. I thought he was our best ahead of Everitt based on hard physicality at the contest which I personally value highly in our gladiatorial game. Everitt's lack of physicality is a terrible liability when the game is hard and in the balance. If we could merge these two somehow, we'd have a proper senior footballer. When we were in trouble Everitt could not be found.
(No Gorringe)
McKasker did some very good things today and we saw glimpses of excellent defensive work, BUT he does seem to have contracted Bellitis - charging off with the ball in hand oblivious to what is around him and getting caught. And this undoes some of his good work. Like to see him given strong coaching/direction next year.
Foster. Goodbye.
Wood. Goodbye.
I can't help but wonder what Billy Gowers would be like with senior footballers around him. He was a lone loud voice at times today urging on his team mates with genuine passion, in fact many times during this game he appeared to be just about the only NBs bloke who gave a fck. Yes he gave away dumb free kicks with his overly zealous attack on the footy and opponent but on more than one occasion he had two or three opponents hanging off him as he fought them and hardly a team mate coming to his aid. He kicked the goal of the day early in the game when dashing through the guts, bouncing and letting rip from just outside fifty and nailing it.
Hard to see Whiley being anything other than the 'almost' man. Busy, gets amongst it, hard, strong but just has no polish or, seemingly, understanding of our game. His stats, sadly, flatter his influence on the game. And that is the bottom line, he cannot seriously influence a game and as a midfielder, you gotta do that!
Jed Lamb started like a house on fire. Influential, impressive early and then just petered out.
I saw something from Cuningham which really concerned me, even caused a groan from CFC supporters around us. Later in the game, in the guts, contest at his feet and he avoided it; the hard physicality of diving in to advantage/represent his team. I really wanted to see today something from 'Cunners' which said -- senior football potential. His skills are apparent as he did some effective things today. Effective, not outstanding. And later in the game when the real heat was applied and we needed blokes to stand up and demand the game back on our terms, he was one who went missing. I'm worried.
Rainbow was impressive in patches today. He ran hard, tried hard and gave his best... but let us down (along with many of his mates) with poor decisions and disposal under pressure. I like that he is willing to be hard at the contest.
Clem Smith is another 'almost' kinda guy. There is palpable improvement in his game from earlier in the year. He did so much today that had terrific intention, excited the crowd with his endeavour but amounted to very little in terms of impact and hurt on the opposition. If he improved as much again next year as this year he'd be a real proposition, for a second tier competition.
Tutt got plenty of disposals but the hard reality is, that's all he can do. He does not hurt the opposition with his disposal/influence. Goodbye.
Korcheck. Sorry, I don't want to ruin the romance but, nuh.
Folks, I looked out over our group at one stage today and then commented to Mrs Baggers (god bless her coming with me which she let me know won't happen again this year), 'I really cannot see any more than 2-3 of these blokes being here next year.' And that is a huge worry...
Topic: VFL Rd 18: Northern Blues vs Richmond (Read 16453 times)
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