With Round #1 done and dusted and things not quite going the way we would like, there will be quite a lot of interest in the next game, here in Bendigo.
Personally I think we may have a very different line up on the park. QEO is quite a spacious ground now after the redevelopment, although the facilities for the players are definitely not up to AFL standard. Current expectation is for a very full house. The record crowd at QEO was before the redevelopment and over 20000 people crammed in for a game with us against Melbourne. Kids were hanging from the fences and on the roof of the stand.
We seem to be at different stages of preparation (at least to me it seems). I think they will field a stronger side than us. Both mobs hate losing to each other no matter if its regular season or tidily winks. Will be interesting, don't expect we will win but you never know with these two.
Don't hold your breath on this one. Collingwood will probably give us more trouble than the Eagles did. Buckley won't let us win any games against his club. Just to rub it into Micks face.
Don't want to go overboard and get a bunch of injuries BUT I'd love to see us serve it to the Pies and beat them.
Don't want to go overboard and get a bunch of injuries BUT I'd love to see us serve it to the Pies and beat them.
What I fear most is if we play an almost full side, we end up beating them and then have 3 players on the LTI list. That is precisely our luck. :(
Even worse... play a full side, lose and cop some LTI.
I'll be there. I think we'll get flogged though. I was expecting the Pies to drop off but their young kids have come in and haven't skipped a beat.
Need to build momentum.... a good showing will suffice, I wouldnt expect a full strength team just some more of the regulars though back in
to steady the ship. Be nice to make it a close match then win the last NAB game and go into round 1 of the regular season with some form and confidence...
Important that players like Jones, Boekhorst etc do something in these next games and demand a place in the round 1 team....
Bit dissapointing to see Waite do well for North, Eddie was good for the Crows and even Kane Lambert(ex Northern Blues) made a good start for the Tigers.....we need our recruits or at least a couple of them to play well and give the fans something to build some hope for the future and some concrete evidence we have improved.
If Lambert was to star for the Tigers in Round1 and say Boekhorst played a shocker it would be very disheartening for the faithful....
Reckon still include Boekhurst, Smith, Dick, Cripps, Watson, Rainbow, Holman and Tutt in the side for the match just to give them another run. I'd rather not include Judd, Murphy or even Gibbs. Just rest them for the final game. Also rest Jacksch, he will be alright.
If Lambert was to star for the Tigers in Round1 and say Boekhorst played a shocker it would be very disheartening for the faithful....
Especially if Laverde plays for Essendon and does really well.
Still pees me off no end that Waite was worth nothing re FA como yet he appears to be a pretty important player in norf's plans.
Still pees me off no end that Waite was worth nothing re FA como yet he appears to be a pretty important player in norf's plans.
I really do find this incredible. The AFL really need to think about this issue. Just because a player is nearer the end than the start does not make him worthless.
Nichevo.
^^
On the other hand, we dont want clubs to be encouraged to shed elderly players looking at the likely compensation from doing so rather than the worth to their team which will in turn bring a premature end to their careers if no one shows interest.
Its a real pickle of a situation, and one thing that would alleviate it, is to revisit the discussion surrounding veterans and maybe gearing it so that its more attractive to have veterans rather than not.
I reckon it will definitely increase the length of careers. Opposition clubs will need to offer extra years for the player to move. I think you'll see more and more older guys moving though.
They'll most likely move to teams at the top, so you may see more dramatic falls from grace from teams at the top.
Still pees me off no end that Waite was worth nothing re FA como yet he appears to be a pretty important player in norf's plans.
I really do find this incredible. The AFL really need to think about this issue. Just because a player is nearer the end than the start does not make him worthless.
Nichevo.
What is classed as close to an end of a career ? Some players struggle once they hit 28 years of age while others manage to play at 34 years of age still. There should be a scale system that looks at the contract offered to the player in terms of time and money, versus how valuable the player was to the club he is leaving. One of the highest goal scorers, one who gets more possesions than most of the squad, etc. We lost him and I don't feel no compensation was a fair deal. If it was Melbourne player I am certain they would have got a first or second round pick.
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2015-03-12/carltons-lineup-bolstered
Vice-captains Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison come into the side, along with Lachie Henderson, Andrew Carrazzo and Chris Judd.
First-year players Blaine Boekhorst and Clem Smith retain their place in the squad, along with fellow newcomers Matthew Dick, Kristian Jaksch and Jason Tutt
Dick and Tutt looked way out of their depth vs West Coast so they need to improve and Watson needs to prove his game vs Essendon wasnt a fluke...
That's some quality coming in but I wouldn't be surprised that the older guys just go for a trott, get a sweat going and call it a day.
A win over Collingwood is always nice though
No Dale Thomas for the second week in a row? Good management, or something else??
Good call TC.
Article today saying Daisy had his best preseason for ages...yet still not playing??
Did he play intraclub?
No Dale Thomas for the second week in a row? Good management, or something else??
Don't mind it so long as he hits the season proper in stellar form. If he's quoted as being underdone then we have issues.
Only 4 short of our best side for this game.
Walks, Murphy, Kreuz & Daisy.
There should be some hot competition for the last couple of spots for Rnd 1.
Need to build momentum.... a good showing will suffice, I wouldnt expect a full strength team just some more of the regulars though back in
to steady the ship. Be nice to make it a close match then win the last NAB game and go into round 1 of the regular season with some form and confidence...
Important that players like Jones, Boekhorst etc do something in these next games and demand a place in the round 1 team....
Bit dissapointing to see Waite do well for North, Eddie was good for the Crows and even Kane Lambert(ex Northern Blues) made a good start for the Tigers.....we need our recruits or at least a couple of them to play well and give the fans something to build some hope for the future and some concrete evidence we have improved.
If Lambert was to star for the Tigers in Round1 and say Boekhorst played a shocker it would be very disheartening for the faithful....
I agree EB. Spot on.
Gotta get Cripps playing well, Graham's another, Boekhorst too as a 21 year old.
We need some new blokes and existing younger guys to shine.
Kane Lambert was one bloke I was keen on for a couple of years and thought we could have done with him even as a rookie but I'm prepared to give the likes of Gowers and Walsh a crack.
Need to build momentum.... a good showing will suffice, I wouldnt expect a full strength team just some more of the regulars though back in
to steady the ship. Be nice to make it a close match then win the last NAB game and go into round 1 of the regular season with some form and confidence...
Important that players like Jones, Boekhorst etc do something in these next games and demand a place in the round 1 team....
Bit dissapointing to see Waite do well for North, Eddie was good for the Crows and even Kane Lambert(ex Northern Blues) made a good start for the Tigers.....we need our recruits or at least a couple of them to play well and give the fans something to build some hope for the future and some concrete evidence we have improved.
If Lambert was to star for the Tigers in Round1 and say Boekhorst played a shocker it would be very disheartening for the faithful....
I agree EB. Spot on.
Gotta get Cripps playing well, Graham's another, Boekhorst too as a 21 year old.
We need some new blokes and existing younger guys to shine.
Kane Lambert was one bloke I was keen on for a couple of years and thought we could have done with him even as a rookie but I'm prepared to give the likes of Gowers and Walsh a crack.
Pratty, I know you were keen on Lambert and he may be a player that comes back to bite us for ignoring him....Cripps will do well as long he can run out games and not fade due to
fitness issues. Graham is a player who is 50/50 to make it IMO....Micks needs to play him in a few different roles ie midfield, forward and even some tagging jobs to round off his education.
Boekhorst at 21 years of age like I said needs to make an impression as he was recruited as a readymade...being 75kg wont help him inside the packs but his role is run the ball and create.
As much as I would agree we would like these guys to step up, realistically I dislike the idea that we need it.
We need everyone to step up.
Too much has been left to too few in the past.
We need the guys like Jamison, Walker, Warnock, Murphy, Gibbs, Judd, Armfield, Wood, Casboult, Watson, Henderson, Thomas, Tuohy, Casboult, Rowe, Docherty, Ellard, Carrazzo, Yarran and the more seasoned guys to step up and become reliable players every week. The newbies can float in and out amongst this lot and play with some patchy form, but these guys have been at the club and playing AFL footy long enough to be consistent performers with minor variance in their game. Add to that mix blokes like Bell, Jones, Docherty, Jaksch, Menzel and Buckley who have played a few games of AFL footy now and have all been around long enough to play better more frequently and then all we need is the occasional good match from your newbies. (Ive left Kreuzer out because he needs to get his body right and then we can worry about how he goes.)
Its not fair to put the weight of expectation on blokes like Boekhurst, Skittles and co. These blokes have just arrived at the club. Let them find their feet in the world, and who cares if a bloke like Lambert has a better 2015 than them. We need these guys to have 200 game careers playing elite footy, not a flash in the pan first season and good impressions only to fizzle out and become bit part players for us over the journey.
C'mon Blues, fire up. Ive reminisced about the days of old a bit of late. The feeling I miss the most is rocking up not only believing we would win, but knowing we were almost a monty and looking through the team and knowing that these blokes were not just some bit part 150 gamer, but a dead set legend of the club and an icon of the game, and there is only one bloke on our list who fits that bill at the moment and he is on the wrong side of 30.
Sure we have a few potentials but that word has been used to describe our players for far too long. Potential. Most overated word in the world I reckon.
As much as I would agree we would like these guys to step up, realistically I dislike the idea that we need it.
We need everyone to step up.
Too much has been left to too few in the past.
We need the guys like Jamison, Walker, Warnock, Murphy, Gibbs, Judd, Armfield, Wood, Casboult, Watson, Henderson, Thomas, Tuohy, Casboult, Rowe, Docherty, Ellard, Carrazzo, Yarran and the more seasoned guys to step up and become reliable players every week. The newbies can float in and out amongst this lot and play with some patchy form, but these guys have been at the club and playing AFL footy long enough to be consistent performers with minor variance in their game. Add to that mix blokes like Bell, Jones, Docherty, Jaksch, Menzel and Buckley who have played a few games of AFL footy now and have all been around long enough to play better more frequently and then all we need is the occasional good match from your newbies. (Ive left Kreuzer out because he needs to get his body right and then we can worry about how he goes.)
Its not fair to put the weight of expectation on blokes like Boekhurst, Skittles and co. These blokes have just arrived at the club. Let them find their feet in the world, and who cares if a bloke like Lambert has a better 2015 than them. We need these guys to have 200 game careers playing elite footy, not a flash in the pan first season and good impressions only to fizzle out and become bit part players for us over the journey.
C'mon Blues, fire up. Ive reminisced about the days of old a bit of late. The feeling I miss the most is rocking up not only believing we would win, but knowing we were almost a monty and looking through the team and knowing that these blokes were not just some bit part 150 gamer, but a dead set legend of the club and an icon of the game, and there is only one bloke on our list who fits that bill at the moment and he is on the wrong side of 30.
Sure we have a few potentials but that word has been used to describe our players for far too long. Potential. Most overated word in the world I reckon.
Your post made me stand up and salute!!
As much as I would agree we would like these guys to step up, realistically I dislike the idea that we need it.
We need everyone to step up.
Too much has been left to too few in the past.
We need the guys like Jamison, Walker, Warnock, Murphy, Gibbs, Judd, Armfield, Wood, Casboult, Watson, Henderson, Thomas, Tuohy, Casboult, Rowe, Docherty, Ellard, Carrazzo, Yarran and the more seasoned guys to step up and become reliable players every week. The newbies can float in and out amongst this lot and play with some patchy form, but these guys have been at the club and playing AFL footy long enough to be consistent performers with minor variance in their game. Add to that mix blokes like Bell, Jones, Docherty, Jaksch, Menzel and Buckley who have played a few games of AFL footy now and have all been around long enough to play better more frequently and then all we need is the occasional good match from your newbies. (Ive left Kreuzer out because he needs to get his body right and then we can worry about how he goes.)
Its not fair to put the weight of expectation on blokes like Boekhurst, Skittles and co. These blokes have just arrived at the club. Let them find their feet in the world, and who cares if a bloke like Lambert has a better 2015 than them. We need these guys to have 200 game careers playing elite footy, not a flash in the pan first season and good impressions only to fizzle out and become bit part players for us over the journey.
C'mon Blues, fire up. Ive reminisced about the days of old a bit of late. The feeling I miss the most is rocking up not only believing we would win, but knowing we were almost a monty and looking through the team and knowing that these blokes were not just some bit part 150 gamer, but a dead set legend of the club and an icon of the game, and there is only one bloke on our list who fits that bill at the moment and he is on the wrong side of 30.
Sure we have a few potentials but that word has been used to describe our players for far too long. Potential. Most overated word in the world I reckon.
I think when you ignore highly regarded youth like Laverde and go for readymades like Boekhorst you want to see something early to justify that recruiting decision...the bloke who won the brownlow last year was the WAFL version of Lambert, when they are in your backyard and you let them go you need to get it right. Not saying Lambert will be a star but if he has a succesful first season then I dont see him being a flash in the pan either.
Boekhorst is carrying all the pressure and responsibility due to the circumstances of his drafting...no pressure on Lambert at all...
Players like Priddis, Barlow, Puopolo etc delivered in their first season...Boekhorst needs to do similar IMO and not have excuses made for him...
Boekhorst is carrying all the pressure and responsibility due to the circumstances of his drafting...no pressure on Lambert at all...
Players like Priddis, Barlow, Puopolo etc delivered in their first season...Boekhorst needs to do similar IMO and not have excuses made for him...
Boekhorst needs to replicate Daisy in his breakout season which I doubt will be a reality. We really needed another first round pick to justify gambling one away but we've made our bed and will be judged accordingly.
Good post Thry.
No-one interested in this?
:(
Carlton 1-5-1-40 lead Collingwood 0-4-1-25
Everitt has 3
Yarran doing as he likes
Enjoying this a lot more, so far, than the Eagles game!
Yeah...not so much now.
Pies are playing a lot better.
We seem to just be bombing it into the forward line again ::)
Now we're being tested... be interesting to see how we respond. Concerned with Casboult.
Same old rank turnovers from the same old players, some good signs but if Collingwood is anywhere near full strength they're in more trouble than we are.
Sounds like we are suffering from lack of strategic structure and poor decision making. Still not playing as a TEAM.
Gee Andrejs went quiet after owning the game in the first 10 minutes. Casboult takes really good grabs... then SFA. We adjusted reasonably after they came back strongly... Yazz is something special. Boekhorst shows something, even Tutt did some good things.
Yazz is something special.
It's as if he plays a different game to the rest of them and only he knows the rules.
Judd dominated early and we were all over them at the clearances...I can see why Mick wants him to play on for 2-3 years as without him we will really struggle.
Cripps by foot isnt there yet and Bell continues to get plenty of the ball but be wasteful at times....
Jaksch again solid down back...small defender to lock down on players like Blair still an issue IMO...
A good test for our players now Pies are back in the game and we need to control again at the clearances...
Jones has kicked two and been ok.
Tutt is better than last week and working harder..
Boekhorst has been creative when he get the footy but doesnt get enough of it and is brushed off the ball too easily.
Gee my greatest fear which I'm sure I'm not the long ranger on is injuries, just a shoulder stinger for Gibbsy, phew, wont play rest of game.
Like Jaksch as well. Should be a first up starter for R1.
Love the game of Carrazzo. Could be back.
Yazz is picking the spaces and forecasting where the ball is going to go very well. Seems to be thinking and being proactive and improving his footy smarts
Love the game of Carrazzo. Could be back.
Agree, has been important and moving better than last year already. Cripps has started winning it better in this quarter and giving it off to better options.
Juddy. Juddy. Nothing else to say.
Blaine showing plenty!
Only watched the second half, we are Moving The ball well with conviction.
Like what I have seen today.
Blaine showing plenty!
Looks like he belongs I reckon.
Cripps and Jaksch... Young talent!
Simon white looks super fit
3 minutes to go and they still look hungry, i love it!
Winning form is good form :D
Winning form is good form :D
Yes sir. Especially when after Collingwood caught up, we have the players to play the MM's way. ;D
Membership spike?
Membership spike?
Reckon we might have picked up a couple of Bendigo folk ;)
Blaine showing plenty!
reckon he could be a chance round 1.
Yazz and Carrotts best...
Wasn't able to watch, someone told me Gibbs and Jones with injuries, can anyone update me?
Carrazzo back to his best, forward line looks potent and the boys seem pretty fit. Promising signs but it is only a practice game.
Yazz and Carrotts best...
Saw only the bits of the 3d and most of the 4th. Much better than the WC game. Stuck it out when challenged which was good. Still only a praccy match so I cant get excited. KJ and BB will play round one easy. Saw that Lachie played mainly back, TBH love him in the back line. Seems to settle Jamo. I reckon A back six comprising Jamo, KJ, Rowey and Lachie plus two others would do the business pretty consistently.
Yazz and Carrotts best...
No 5 wasn't too shabby!!
What does Warnock offer that Wood doesn't??
2 kicks, 4 handballs,
NO MARKS 19 taps, doesn't fill me with confidence!
(Last week Wood 9 k, 2 h, 3 m 17 ho)
Like Shades said, just a praccy. I dare say Yazz will wear a hard tag come round 1. Will be a test to see how far he's come.
ATM, and I know it's only early days, the pick 7 for Jaksch and Blaine is looking very juicy. Jaksch moves like a real footballer, I'd be happy with just him alone for pick 7.
No 5 wasn't too shabby!!
What does Warnock offer that Wood doesn't??
2 kicks, 4 handballs, NO MARKS 19 taps, doesn't fill me with confidence!
(Last week Wood 9 k, 2 h, 3 m 17 ho)
The Hun reporting Warnock has a shoulder injury, can anyone elaborate?
White seems to be getting pumped up on the radio, was he good?
Like Shades said, just a praccy. I dare say Yazz will wear a hard tag come round 1. Will be a test to see how far he's come.
ATM, and I know it's only early days, the pick 7 for Jaksch and Blaine is looking very juicy. Jaksch moves like a real footballer, I'd be happy with just him alone for pick 7.
Didn't think you'd come around THIS early! It's good to see that you have come around though. ;)
A lot to like about our performance today.
A lot of players putting their hand up for a R1 gig. Players like jaksch, jones, tutt, boeky all playing well. Cripps showed signs also.
Bell wasn't as bad as he has been, although guaranteed to do at least 1 thing a game that makes you pull your hair out.
Tried picking my best 22....its about the best 27 atm i can't split them!
White seems to be getting pumped up on the radio, was he good?
White was his usual self. Some people like it, some don't. Personally he was....
Hard at it.
Disciplined.
Doing the 1%ers.
Playing at both ends of the ground.
Never giving an inch.
Personally, i think he deserves a spot in the side because of the way he plays. Others don't agree.
White looked agile and athletic, almost played the mitch Robbo role in the forward line... With less dumbness
Need to judge White under real pressure. He's usually found wanting. IMO. ;)
I thought White was one of our best players on the ground. I love the way he goes about his footy.
Really concerned that the extra kicking work that Levi has been putting in doesn't appear to have changed things for the better.
Like Shades said, just a praccy. I dare say Yazz will wear a hard tag come round 1. Will be a test to see how far he's come.
ATM, and I know it's only early days, the pick 7 for Jaksch and Blaine is looking very juicy. Jaksch moves like a real footballer, I'd be happy with just him alone for pick 7.
Interested to see Whiley play too. :)
Really concerned that the extra kicking work that Levi has been putting in doesn't appear to have changed things for the better.
Agree with this too. Would be elite tall forward if he could only kick straight.
Haven't seen the game yet (family function) but the result is very encouraging. Yarran's game sounds great!
Need to judge White under real pressure. He's usually found wanting. IMO. ;)
The pressure White puts himself under is superior to that of most. He puts himself in positions where others would be too afraid to go.
Pressure gets to everybody at some stage, Murphy, Judd, Gibbs included.
The pressure White puts himself under is superior to that of most. He puts himself in positions where others would be too afraid to go.
Pressure gets to everybody at some stage, Murphy, Judd, Gibbs included.
I tend to agree Kruddler.
White actually hunts the ball while some of his hermit team-mates prefer to allow their opponent to take possession, we've had too many taggers and not enough hunters, I think we need a few more like White and all of a sudden well find options everywhere!
I heard on the radio this evening commentators talking about Simmo and Yazz working in tandem off half-back makes such a difference. Because they both attack that makes it very hard for opposition to shut them down without disrupting their own set-up.
Hey thank for the comments, incisive and appreciated,
from all of you!
Wasn't able to watch, someone told me Gibbs and Jones with injuries, can anyone update me?
Simpson limped off before half time too
On today's game there is plenty to be excited about Jaksch. I think Boekhorst will be a player, while Tutt and Jones showed enough to grant them time to prove their worth.
Warnock is useless and should not play another game. Judd needs to sign on for 2016 and Yazz needs a contract extension ASAP.
Carrots was very good while Simmo was loose with his disposal at times. Bell and Everitt are both players who ride on the fringe of elite only to falter without reason.
Cripps isn't ready yet, neither is Clem.
Wasn't able to watch, someone told me Gibbs and Jones with injuries, can anyone update me?
Simpson limped off before half time too
Simpson came back on. Gibbs didn't from what I was watching. Trying to find something on the web about Gibbs with no luck so far.
Jaksch...lock in for rnd 1 and has been since he got to the club, consistent and doesnt panic.
Boekhorst...at the moment a cameo player, does well when he gets the footy but doesnt get enough of it...still will play rnd 1 IMO.
Jones.....seems to be always near the footy but doesnt get enough of it, conversion has been a problem in his career but so far has kicked straight.
will play rnd1 IMO.
Tutt...better this week, chased well, got involved in a few linked plays and got more of the footy. Doesnt have the tricks of Garlett or Betts though.
Will also play rnd 1.
Warnock...rucked ok but again nothing around the ground....may play rnd 1 though as Wood is still a rookie.
Cripps....couple of skill errors and his disposal isnt A+ but we need his big body around the ball and learning from Judd who was our best player IMO...
Casboult......its not working with Jones up forward so far and he looks out of sorts...
White...honest Indian who will get a game as we lack physical presence and while no star tries to do what the coach wants and coaches like that and I reckon White is a
fav of Micks.
Wasn't able to watch, someone told me Gibbs and Jones with injuries, can anyone update me?
Simpson limped off before half time too
Simpson came back on. Gibbs didn't from what I was watching. Trying to find something on the web about Gibbs with no luck so far.
I heard it was a 'shoulder stinger'.
Did Jamo play?
Who took Cloke and how did he go?
An interesting day at QEO.
It is nice to be able to give a decent review of the game for a change. It has been a while I have been having withdrawal symptoms.
It was very nice to win. We played pretty well in patches but had a lot more of the ball than the Meat Pies did.
The first quarter was more open and a few plans worked for both sides. After that it was a pretty dour struggle on a windy day.
[1] Rucks
I really see an issue here. Warnock rucked quite well, especially early, and he did some good stuff around the ground, even though he didn't take a mark. However, when he went out of the ruck, we were a deal of trouble. Both Casboult and Rowe spent time in the ruck and Grundy kicked their butts. Grundy is looking very good. He was one I wanted but....
After Grundy went off, they rucked Gault and Cox. Neither had any idea in the centre square and both Casboult and Rowe got most of their taps here. However, Cox, at 211 cm, dominated around the throw ins. Given a chance to use his body, he just brushed Casboult aside.
Collingwood have 3 real giants and look like they will be very good in the ruck. It might take them a while, but they look to have real potential there.
We don't. Warnock has his issues but we really don't have any young ruckmen coming through. Even if Kreuzer does overcome his injury issues he is 200 cm flat. There are a lot of young, really tall rucks coming through and I don't think he is going to be able to compete.
Wood has that little extra size, but he does not dominate taps at AFL level. He offer much more around the ground.
Casboult and Rowe are just filling in. if we are depending on them, we are seriously screwed.
[2] Small Forwards:
Tutt did OK, especially early. Later in the game we didn't seem to want to kick it to him. He was standing in the what must have been the wrong spot too much. But if we move the ball reasonably, he is a chance to get some goals.
Smith is not the answer as a small forward. He got 1 possession in the role today. He had 1 kick and 8 hand balls and did some nice things, but up the ground. Not in the forward pocket.
I wouldn't mind giving Walker some time in the role, as he can mark and lead as well as crumb. However, I'm not sure what role Malthouse has for him as yet.
Ellard isn't the answer and neither is Armfield in the longer term.
We need a lot of work in this area.
[3] Everitt
With more talls in our forward line, Everitt may be able to get a mismatch. He was able to in the 1st quarter today and he killed Collingwood. Later on he wasn't on the ground that much. However, with Hendo and Casboult or Jones taking small defenders, he could make an interesting contribution.
More tomorrow:
Did Jamo play?
Who took Cloke and how did he go?
Jamo took Cloke to the cleaners. Cloke had 6 possessions and 2 of them were on the wing.
Did Jamo play?
Who took Cloke and how did he go?
Jamo looked after Cloke very nicely. (Did anyone se the shot of David 'The Bogan' Cloke in the crowd with his 70s mullet!!! What a tosser!)
Did Jamo play?
Who took Cloke and how did he go?
I saw Jamo in a few contests with Cloke today. In my opinion he had Cloke covered very well. Cloke couldn't dominate Jamo and just shove him around. Even Johno Brown commented today on how Jamo is one of the best defenders in the league. I am not sure if Jamo and Rowe were switching onto Cloke. He looked double teamed a few time. Goldsack was the other tall moving around their forward 50 today. It was Collingwoods small forwards that looked dangerous and in too much free space at times today.
2 good wins today.
The VFL boys won by 39 pts. B Johnson kicked 4 goals, Watson kicked 3.3
Dick had 25 touches.
20 touches, 7 tackles & 6 clearances for Nick Graham, one of many who benefited from Wood's work in the middle (33 H/Os, 6 clearances).
DISPOSALS: Fields 19, Walsh 16, Russell 16, Buckley 16.
In the AFL the boys got up for an 7 point win.
Judd, Yarran and Carrazzo were the best of the seniors.
Everitt kicked 3 1st qtr goals, and I saw enough to be confident that our tall forwards are going to cause problems for teams this year.
Tutt is quicker than Boekhurst and is the front runner for the small forward role.
Smith has shown a bit but can probably go back to the 2nds from now on and work on his game there.
So can Casey Byrne, he got a bit of the ball, but lacks composure. Turnovers in the back half are killers.
Jaksch and Boekhurst both have to be a chance for rnd 1. Both are still young and developing, but they play their role well, and along with the 2 WB boys are the closest of our 'newbies' to breaking into our best 22.
Both Menzel and Boeky had 10 touches. It's only BB's 1st season but Menzel has to lift his intensity and get more involved. He needs to start averaging 15 plus disposals per game IMO.
As a team our 'best' in the 1st qtr was electric and showed what we are capable of, but then for the rest of the game we let the Pies back into it.
The only other positive was that we were able to hold them off in the last 5-10 min when the Pies were pressing pretty hard.
Overall some good signs as a team and from individuals, but there is also still plenty of room for improvement.
Did Jamo play?
Who took Cloke and how did he go?
Jammo mostly, and kept him pretty quiet.
Dick had 25 touches.
;D ;D
2 good wins today.
The VFL boys won by 39 pts. B Johnson kicked 4 goals, Watson kicked 3.3
Dick had 25 touches.
20 touches, 7 tackles & 6 clearances for Nick Graham, one of many who benefited from Wood's work in the middle (33 H/Os, 6 clearances).
DISPOSALS: Fields 19, Walsh 16, Russell 16, Buckley 16.
In the AFL the boys got up for an 7 point win.
Judd, Yarran and Carrazzo were the best of the seniors.
Everitt kicked 3 1st qtr goals, and I saw enough to be confident that our tall forwards are going to cause problems for teams this year.
Tutt is quicker than Boekhurst and is the front runner for the small forward role.
Smith has shown a bit but can probably go back to the 2nds from now on and work on his game there.
So can Casey Byrne, he got a bit of the ball, but lacks composure. Turnovers in the back half are killers.
Jaksch and Boekhurst both have to be a chance for rnd 1. Both are still young and developing, but they play their role well, and along with the 2 WB boys are the closest of our 'newbies' to breaking into our best 22.
Both Menzel and Boeky had 10 touches. It's only BB's 1st season but Menzel has to lift his intensity and get more involved. He needs to start averaging 15 plus disposals per game IMO.
As a team our 'best' in the 1st qtr was electric and showed what we are capable of, but then for the rest of the game we let the Pies back into it.
The only other positive was that we were able to hold them off in the last 5-10 min when the Pies were pressing pretty hard.
Overall some good signs as a team and from individuals, but there is also still plenty of room for improvement.
Boekhorst is more a genuine mid than Tutt IMO and has a few more tricks, I see Tutt as more the genuine small forward....agree on Menzel, 10 touches isnt good enough but I'm not sure he is that used to playing up the ground for long periods and getting more of the footy.
Dindt mind Byrne today...turns it over at times but seems to be a stylish player who just needs more game time to pick up the pace of the game and not be so rushed...
has been more of a burst player.
Boekhorst is more a genuine mid than Tutt IMO and has a few more tricks, I see Tutt as more the genuine small forward....agree on Menzel, 10 touches isnt good enough but I'm not sure he is that used to playing up the ground for long periods and getting more of the footy.
Dindt mind Byrne today...turns it over at times but seems to be a stylish player who just needs more game time to pick up the pace of the game and not be so rushed...
has been more of a burst player.
Sorry EB, my sentence was poorly written. I was comparing BB and Tutt purely on speed, not positionally.
I don't know if you saw the game but there was a moment when BB, Tutt and Bell were streaming forward and Tutt was clearly the quicker of the 3. And I thought BB was supposed to have a bit of toe !!
Boekhorst is more a genuine mid than Tutt IMO and has a few more tricks, I see Tutt as more the genuine small forward....agree on Menzel, 10 touches isnt good enough but I'm not sure he is that used to playing up the ground for long periods and getting more of the footy.
Dindt mind Byrne today...turns it over at times but seems to be a stylish player who just needs more game time to pick up the pace of the game and not be so rushed...
has been more of a burst player.
Sorry EB, my sentence was poorly written. I was comparing BB and Tutt purely on speed, not positionally.
I don't know if you saw the game but there was a moment when BB, Tutt and Bell were streaming forward and Tutt was clearly the quicker of the 3. And I thought BB was supposed to have a bit of toe !!
I think the hope for BB is his cruising speed is very high. I suspect Tutts speed is over shorter distances.
What I liked about Tutt was his genuine intensity. Doesn't have the Betts playbook but on todays performance he gives 100%.
Is it possible that Levi's kicking is getting worse? I think it is......
If Boekhorst was an 18 year old we'd be unzipping our flies. But from where he stands ATM he's still a genuine prospect. Will play rnd 1 and I hope he tears it up.
Is it possible that Levi's kicking is getting worse? I think it is......
It's a concern that internationals coming into the game seem to be able to adapt at a far greater rate than Levi. I was at MM's first training session and the player he singled out first was Levi and it was related to his kicking.
If Boekhorst was an 18 year old we'd be unzipping our flies. But from where he stands ATM he's still a genuine prospect. Will play rnd 1 and I hope he tears it up.
Yep - agree with this. He's got something about him that I really like & has me most enthused......totally looks like he belongs out there, doesn't look at all overawed & as the season progresses, reckon we'll get to see what a shrewd selection he was.
Certainly a bit more to like this week than the first outing. Some more experience in the middle made a big difference, with Judd and Carrazzo playing well. Judd especially went pretty hard at times, seems to be enjoying the game. A fit Carrazzo for the season will improve our chances a great deal.
Yarran was great, but he is going to have a serious tag on him most games and will have to work hard to get free. KJ will definitely play round 1, he looks like he belongs out there, with poise and good disposal too.
I must say the pies looked pretty ordinary and could be in for a long season. They have some players that promise but we had a lot more possessions, despite mucking it up a bit at times.
As other posts have mentioned, our rucks are a problem. Casbolt is not tall enough to really compete at throw-ins so it does leave a gap. I don't see this as too big an issue over a season though as few teams seem to have the ruck situation settled in the era of a substitute and three on the bench. Two pure rucks is one too many, but a back up during games is needed. In our case Warnock is not going to get much better, but Wood has limitations too. I tend to think that rucks are a little over-rated anyway. Yes our rucks are average but fewer turnovers in the midfield is going to make a bigger difference.
And finally, those torps that Jamison booted twice kicking out were something! Not always the best option and it is only for the odd time when team mates know what is going on, but when they work they can be spectacular.
Everitt did the same thing in last year's NAB Cup marking strongly and looking every bit a dangerous forward, yet we rarely saw him there in the season proper. Hopefully that changes this year. A little disappointing to see Watto who requires 'belief' dropped to the reserves after one game again. Much of the same for him again this year.
Wasn't that MM's first win over the arch enemy? :o
Certainly a bit more to like this week than the first outing. Some more experience in the middle made a big difference, with Judd and Carrazzo playing well. Judd especially went pretty hard at times, seems to be enjoying the game. A fit Carrazzo for the season will improve our chances a great deal.
Yarran was great, but he is going to have a serious tag on him most games and will have to work hard to get free. KJ will definitely play round 1, he looks like he belongs out there, with poise and good disposal too.
I must say the pies looked pretty ordinary and could be in for a long season. They have some players that promise but we had a lot more possessions, despite mucking it up a bit at times.
As other posts have mentioned, our rucks are a problem. Casbolt is not tall enough to really compete at throw-ins so it does leave a gap. I don't see this as too big an issue over a season though as few teams seem to have the ruck situation settled in the era of a substitute and three on the bench. Two pure rucks is one too many, but a back up during games is needed. In our case Warnock is not going to get much better, but Wood has limitations too. I tend to think that rucks are a little over-rated anyway. Yes our rucks are average but fewer turnovers in the midfield is going to make a bigger difference.
And finally, those torps that Jamison booted twice kicking out were something! Not always the best option and it is only for the odd time when team mates know what is going on, but when they work they can be spectacular.
If we are going to be down in the ruck department our mids need to learn how to rove to the opposition's ruck, or at least nullify the advantage of by playing close to the opposition getting spoon-fed the ball. I see Cripps as this sort of player. Really good mids are able to do this. A good ruckman in a lesser side will not have as many hitouts to advantage...
I flew down from Qld. yesterday for a look at this one.
Overall a pretty good effort I reckon. Most of it ha been covered in previous posts, but my real concern is our rucks.
Warnock is not up to it and now has a shoulder injury. Apparantly not series but a shoulder injury is always a problem for ruckmen.
Our best I reckon were Judd, Carrazzo, Yarran, Jamison, Jaksch, Simpson, White.
Cripps and Boekhorst should be in round 1 with Tutt a possibility.
Wasn't that MM's first win over the arch enemy? :o
Yes
Btw.....just to reiterate a few other posts, thought Jaksch was okay against WC, but geez, we've all gotta be happy with what he produced y'day. An outstanding pick-up imo for the type of player he is. Allows the likes of White to play more of floating role at either end of the ground, where I reckon he can be a real weapon.
Clem Smith is finding the going a bit tough I reckon.....way off the pace of the game.
Really happy with Carrazzo as well.
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Everitt did the same thing in last year's NAB Cup marking strongly and looking every bit a dangerous forward, yet we rarely saw him there in the season proper. Hopefully that changes this year. A little disappointing to see Watto who requires 'belief' dropped to the reserves after one game again. Much of the same for him again this year.
True about Everitt, but MM played him as a tagger for a good chunk of the season which makes it hard to have an impact up forward!
Sounds like the Werribee game had more intensity than the Collingwood game, things got a bit heated apparently, was Patch Adams playing for Werribee that would explain it?
a good win to have!
good to see those import talls taking a grab.
Good not to have the anxiety of Waite, limping or being silly.
Only got to see the second half so far, and in reality, if the pies had taken their chances they would have won. Our avenues to goal still look limited to me, the ball spent 80% of the time in the Collingwood half of the ground. We really need to develop a hard-working half-forward line, beacuse we always seem to get stuck around the wings. 2 goals in a second half of footy isn't going to win too many matches....
Maybe I better watch the first 20 minutes to get re-invigorated?
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
Wasn't that MM's first win over the arch enemy? :o
Yes
Btw.....just to reiterate a few other posts, thought Jaksch was okay against WC, but geez, we've all gotta be happy with what he produced y'day. An outstanding pick-up imo for the type of player he is. Allows the likes of White to play more of floating role at either end of the ground, where I reckon he can be a real weapon.
Clem Smith is finding the going a bit tough I reckon.....way off the pace of the game.
Really happy with Carrazzo as well.
Smith will be ok...just trying too hard and ball chasing rather than reading the play...
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
I'm sure that will be one of the club's highest priorities EB?
a good win to have!
True.
But keep in mind so far we have given up far more scoring shots than we have had ourselves, stats suggest that was was our major weakness last season as well! ;)
Wasn't that MM's first win over the arch enemy? :o
Yes
Btw.....just to reiterate a few other posts, thought Jaksch was okay against WC, but geez, we've all gotta be happy with what he produced y'day. An outstanding pick-up imo for the type of player he is. Allows the likes of White to play more of floating role at either end of the ground, where I reckon he can be a real weapon.
Clem Smith is finding the going a bit tough I reckon.....way off the pace of the game.
Really happy with Carrazzo as well.
Brettie, I agree Re: Smith but the thing with Smith is although he is a bit out of his depth at the moment... I actually feel quite confident about him. Some blokes you see and just immediate think they are going to struggle, but i think everything he does is a learning experience for him.
Just things like bumping instead of tackling, taking that extra step which he doesn't have, getting pushed the Defensive side of the contest... Things that are a step up from under 18's and AFL.
I WOULD not play him at all this year and let him play Northern Blues all year, but reckon he might just cut it!
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
Agree
It's a problem when reading all the news, looking for news on the new players that all media has Judd and Carrazzo as our best players...
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
Agree
It's a problem when reading all the news, looking for news on the new players that all media has Judd and Carrazzo as our best players...
The improvement in our play towards the end of last season coincided with his return.
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
Agree
It's a problem when reading all the news, looking for news on the new players that all media has Judd and Carrazzo as our best players...
Marc Murphy?
I wonder what the GC fans say about Ablett?
Bartell, Selwood, Kelly still up in lights most weeks for the Cats.... Hawks - Lewis,Burgoyne (33 this year), Mitchell - 32 now, nobody says about him retire, retire, retire...
Swan at the Pies - 31 and one tenth the physical specimen that Judd is.....
Pav at Freo - 34 later this year.....
Judd could play another 3 seasons - if he wants to.....
Wasn't that MM's first win over the arch enemy? :o
Yes
Btw.....just to reiterate a few other posts, thought Jaksch was okay against WC, but geez, we've all gotta be happy with what he produced y'day. An outstanding pick-up imo for the type of player he is. Allows the likes of White to play more of floating role at either end of the ground, where I reckon he can be a real weapon.
Clem Smith is finding the going a bit tough I reckon.....way off the pace of the game.
Really happy with Carrazzo as well.
Smith will be ok...just trying too hard and ball chasing rather than reading the play...
You can almost hear the voice in his mind going "ah, ah, crap, where the screw am I supposed to be, what the screw, should I go now or defend, ah, ah, crap!!!
Just a kid who's used to running around doing whatever he likes on a footy field now finding himself in a "system".
He'll pick it up and when he does, look out.
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
One issue is a Judd retirement is not going to free enough cash to attract a player who will have similar impact. We'll have to manage it well to get an out and out A grader across IMO.
What a difference a Judd makes :D
He could probably have a rest next week though.
Too much of a difference IMO......when he retires we will go backwards bigtime unless we get another
A grade leader/player to fill the gap he will leave.
One issue is a Judd retirement is not going to free enough cash to attract a player who will have similar impact. We'll have to manage it well to get an out and out A grader across IMO.
We threw 1.2mill a year at Jeremy Cameron so the money is there.....its finding the right player and one who will want to come.
The obvious player is Dangerfield but we seem out of that race...we are attempting to get Treloar along with other clubs but he wont give us what Judd has......
Trent Cotchin instead of Kruezer and it was job done but alas that horse has bolted and most would have gone MK at the time including yours truly...
Our game plan is wat concerns me, i hate watching when we kick the ball straight to the opposition being our kick insfrom full back,or around the ground or when we go into our fwd line, this has been happening for several yrs and after watching two nab games still there. We have tyo change our game style ,coaching panel have to make changes.1 e.g carrazzo going fwd had everitt on his own on the 50 m line but goes long over his head to goal square ball straight to magpies away they went.
Our game plan is wat concerns me, i hate watching when we kick the ball straight to the opposition being our kick insfrom full back,or around the ground or when we go into our fwd line, this has been happening for several yrs and after watching two nab games still there. We have tyo change our game style ,coaching panel have to make changes.1 e.g carrazzo going fwd had everitt on his own on the 50 m line but goes long over his head to goal square ball straight to magpies away they went.
With all due respect Mina, I am not a coaches ass hole however I can assure you kicking the ball to the opposition is not our "game plan". I would also bet both my nuts it not the game plan of any of the other 17 teams.
Our game plan is wat concerns me, i hate watching when we kick the ball straight to the opposition being our kick insfrom full back,or around the ground or when we go into our fwd line, this has been happening for several yrs and after watching two nab games still there. We have tyo change our game style ,coaching panel have to make changes.1 e.g carrazzo going fwd had everitt on his own on the 50 m line but goes long over his head to goal square ball straight to magpies away they went.
With all due respect Mina, I am not a coaches ass hole however I can assure you kicking the ball to the opposition is not our "game plan". I would also bet both my nuts it not the game plan of any of the other 17 teams.
....plenty do it though. It's called the "no finals for you" game plan.
Our game plan is wat concerns me, i hate watching when we kick the ball straight to the opposition being our kick insfrom full back,or around the ground or when we go into our fwd line, this has been happening for several yrs and after watching two nab games still there. We have tyo change our game style ,coaching panel have to make changes.1 e.g carrazzo going fwd had everitt on his own on the 50 m line but goes long over his head to goal square ball straight to magpies away they went.
With all due respect Mina, I am not a coaches ass hole however I can assure you kicking the ball to the opposition is not our "game plan". I would also bet both my nuts it not the game plan of any of the other 17 teams.
I agree.
We had exactly the same issues with kick ins under our previous coach as well.
Micks game plan was kick it around the boundary rather than turn it over in the corridor but with so many indifferent kicks in the team that didnt work so we went the more free wheeling running approach.
Most times the ball gets picked off when we kick to stationary targets across the ground, we are a much better kicking team when we move the ball quickly.
Its the difference between the good and bad teams in many cases....the good teams man up better, dont allow you to run and force you to kick wide usually to stationary targets where they pick it off. They usually give you the first wide kick free to suck you in and allow their backman to man up while you fiddle with the footy....
We manned the Pies tight early and they turned the ball over many times while Yarran, Simpson etc gave us the run and carry to be more direct and we didnt have to go wide...its keeping it up for 100 minutes thats our problem...
Micks game plan was kick it around the boundary rather than turn it over in the corridor but with so many indifferent kicks in the team that didnt work so we went the more free wheeling running approach.
Most times the ball gets picked off when we kick to stationary targets across the ground, we are a much better kicking team when we move the ball quickly.
Its the difference between the good and bad teams in many cases....the good teams man up better, dont allow you to run and force you to kick wide usually to stationary targets where they pick it off. They usually give you the first wide kick free to suck you in and allow their backman to man up while you fiddle with the footy....
We manned the Pies tight early and they turned the ball over many times while Yarran, Simpson etc gave us the run and carry to be more direct and we didnt have to go wide...its keeping it up for 100 minutes thats our problem...
I watched the first 1/4 of the Cats v Crows NAB game and the Cats precision passing was unbelievable. Hard, flat and fast, almost like they were 5 meters apart throwing a basketball.
Micks game plan was kick it around the boundary rather than turn it over in the corridor but with so many indifferent kicks in the team that didnt work so we went the more free wheeling running approach.
Most times the ball gets picked off when we kick to stationary targets across the ground, we are a much better kicking team when we move the ball quickly.
Its the difference between the good and bad teams in many cases....the good teams man up better, dont allow you to run and force you to kick wide usually to stationary targets where they pick it off. They usually give you the first wide kick free to suck you in and allow their backman to man up while you fiddle with the footy....
We manned the Pies tight early and they turned the ball over many times while Yarran, Simpson etc gave us the run and carry to be more direct and we didnt have to go wide...its keeping it up for 100 minutes thats our problem...
I watched the first 1/4 of the Cats v Crows NAB game and the Cats precision passing was unbelievable. Hard, flat and fast, almost like they were 5 meters apart throwing a basketball.
Yep the Cats are very skilled and attempt kicks through narrow gaps that are cm perfect that some of our blokes wouldnt be able to make with 10 attempts....its confidence in you own ability and your teammates to get to the right positions plus picking players from the draft who have good kicking skills to begin with and dont need remedial work..
I watched the first 1/4 of the Cats v Crows NAB game and the Cats precision passing was unbelievable. Hard, flat and fast, almost like they were 5 meters apart throwing a basketball.
Yep the Cats are very skilled and attempt kicks through narrow gaps that are cm perfect that some of our blokes wouldnt be able to make with 10 attempts....its confidence in you own ability and your teammates to get to the right positions plus picking players from the draft who have good kicking skills to begin with and dont remedial work..
The physical kick is not as hard, not as hard as everyone makes out.
It's the vision and quick decision making that set the Cats apart.
They have been drilled to take the game on without fear of being persecuted when things go wrong, and when things do go wrong they just reset and start again!
If you can get MM doing that good luck to you, but I'm backing MM for fire and brimstone over care and understanding!
I doubt MM would be into the New Earth Army! ;)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/spacemonkey_fg/More%20Random%20Pics/2vjsxon.jpg)
But his stare might well and truly kill a goat! :o
(I apologize for the obscure references!)
Do not know why but the picture above triggers an image of Dane Swan sitting down on the ground in the dugout late in the last quarter with a brilliant smile on his face. He is a character isn't he. Nothing seem to phase him.
Whoever wrote the headline in today's Hun should be sacked. Apparently "Garlett and Judd starred in Blues win" WTF!! :o
May as well have written "Token aboriginal player" FFS.
Everitt did the same thing in last year's NAB Cup marking strongly and looking every bit a dangerous forward, yet we rarely saw him there in the season proper. Hopefully that changes this year. A little disappointing to see Watto who requires 'belief' dropped to the reserves after one game again. Much of the same for him again this year.
True about Everitt, but MM played him as a tagger for a good chunk of the season which makes it hard to have an impact up forward!
...and the reason Everitt was played as a tagger was because we lost Curnow early in the year.
Get a few injuries and your team balance/lineup goes right out the window.
It will be a luxury if we can afford to have Casboult, Henderson, Jones and Everitt all roaming the forward line like yesterday. No opposition has that many tall defenders. Not many opposition have tall defenders who can keep up with the likes of Everitt...and even Jones.
Didn't get far yesterday: I'll try to finish this time:
[4] Our style of play
Especially in the first quarter, we played a very attacking style of play. I was pleasantly surprised. However, it was not without its drawbacks. Collingwood got a number of goals when we had all rushed forward and turned the ball over, being caught on the rebound. Ciaran Byrne was one against 4 at one point as the rest of the Blues had run forward.
Our centre square work was pretty good, especially when Warnock got his hand to the ball. It wasn't so good when Grundy or Cox got the tap, but we did pressure their mids pretty well.
Kicking it long to a pack seems to be our default. That wouldn't be so bad with Eddie Betts there. Tutt was OK, especially early, but we really did struggle to get crumbing goals.
[5] Disposal
This doesn't appear to have improved much. Casboult was terrible by foot. it wasn't easy: there was a strong and blustery wind blowing more or less across the ground (although favouring one end somewhat). However, we did gift Collingwood most of their goals with our turnovers: Yarran's in the first quarter was probably the worst, but young Byrne had 3 turnovers from defence that lead directly to Collingwood goals. We really need to improve in this area.
[6] Players:
Troy Menzel: no scoring opportunities, but he spent some time up the ground and worked quite well. He needed the run.
Bryce Gibbs: Gibbs also needed the run, but did a couple of very nice things. Apparently his shoulder injury is very minor, but they weren't going to risk him.
Chris Judd: Magnificent. Our midfield is going to be so ordinary when he retires. 6 kicks and 17 handballs and he didn't spend that long on the ground.
Kade Simpson: Simmo was hopeless early: he had a very poor 1st quarter. However, after he got injured he came out and played very well. he ended up with 22 possessions and spent time in the midfield.
Patrick Cripps: A very useful player in the middle, but does get caught out by a quick opponent. It sometimes looks like he doesn't work hard enough, but like Broke McLean, he just can't catch up with an opponent on the burst. His handball was excellent. Still some way to go.
I would have liked to have him spend some time forward, as his extra height would really stretch the Collingwood defence: they struggled to hold the talls as it was. But it didn't happen.
Robert Warnock: Went off with a minor injury after being our best ruckman on the day. He started very well, getting his hands on the ball and giving our mids first possession. He also kept Grundy from taking a mark. Still has his issues, as he didn't take a mark either.
Blaine Boekhorst: Not bad. Did some nice things and provided some good run, but too easily out bodied at this point. Still, he hit targets that Lucas didn't. Not ready yet, but isn't far off.
Chris Yarran: Excellent. He made a couple of errors, but his run from defence was very good. 21 possessions and 4 tackles suggests that he was trying.
Liam Jones: I haven't made my mind up about Jones. he did a couple of very nice things, took a couple of fine marks and kicked straight, but he provided very little at other times. He was very unlucky with one of his last quarter snaps. If we give him a chance, he will be a dangerous forward. if we move the ball slowly, he'll be a non contributor.
Sam Docherty: Doc was solid and did some nice things. 17 possessions and few turnovers: none of the shockers that we saw last year.
Sam Rowe: Displaced by Jaksch from his key defensive post. Sam started poorly. he couldn't get a sniff up forward and struggled in the ruck. However, as the game tightened up, Rowe improved. he looked a lot better in the defensive end, but had to ruck when Warnock went off. He isn't a ruckman, but did get 11 taps.
Kristian Jaksch: Probably the most impressive of our recruits on the day. He had a fine time on the Collingwood tall forwards, mostly punching, but taking a couple of nice marks. 17 possessions and 6 marks, with only 1 goal against him. he moved well and looked like he has a future.
Jason Tutt: Started very well, but went out of the game: he was taken off for Clem Smith after a stellar 1st quarter. He didn't seem to run to the right spots, as he was often ignored in the last quarter. His kicking was nice - an improvement on Ellard - and he showed some pace and dash.
Lachie Henderson: Hendo was awful early in the game: he just couldn't get his hands on the ball. But after half time he improved a lot and was very good in the last quarter, mostly in defence. I think he got all 7 of his possessions after half time.
Clem Smith: A way off yet. Smith came on in the 2nd quarter and had a very poor term without a single effective possession. He ran hard, but it just wasn't working for him. After half time he moved up the ground and was a lot more effective. But he isn't an Eddie Betts: his disposal is unreliable and he just doesn't get the ball enough yet.
Tom Bell: There was a lot to like about Bell's game: like Everitt, he used his height against the Meat Pies' defence effectively early and ran hard. He appears to have picked up some pace, but he is never going to run down a guy like Garlett. His disposal is not what we want it to be yet.
Andrejs Everitt: BOG by the length of the field in the 1st quarter, he then changed role and spent a fair bit of time on the pine. Collingwood didn't have a match up in the air for him, so he took some excellent marks and kicked some nice goals.
Ed Curnow: Did a tagging job pretty well and had 16 possessions.
Ciaran Byrne: Casey showed he has a future: he looked a lot like some of the guys who played in the 70's and 80's. He spent the day in defence and got it 18 times with a couple of nice marks. He turned it over 3 times for 3 goals, but mostly showed pretty good composure. Doesn't look like he has a the killer instinct yet, probably still getting used to the speed and pressure of the senior game, but he definitely has a future.
Michael Jamison: Kept Cloke to a handful of possessions and gave a pretty good account of himself at kick ins. He and Tuohy had a couple of long bombs to the middle of the ground that really disorganized the Pies' zone.
Levi Casboult: Levi took some nice marks, but was generally beaten in the ruck, especially at the throw ins. he did better in the centre square, as Cox didn't know what he was doing there. His kicking was not good.
Zach Tuohy: Pretty solid in defence.18 possessions.
Simon White: Started in the centre square and ended up forward. He did pretty well. with 18 possessions and 6 marks. Very good at the start and the finish.
Andrew Carrazzo: Carrots took his man to the cleaners and got 25 possessions himself. He was a 4 quarter player and a real on field general.
Crash, what was the crowd like?
Pro Carlton? Pro Pies? 50/50? On the telly it looked to be pro Pies....
And what of the Pies' guns - Pendles, Swan......?
Thanks for that Crash.
A lot of positives but a major worry to hear Cripps is struggling to get on the pace, a la Brock. Brock was OK most of the time when he could get to the ball or make the tackle - it was when he couldn't that he tended to let us down. Now it sounds like we may have another slowcoach with he same problem? It's very hard to make a slow guy run any faster so have we stuffed up with him or does he show other qualities that could overcome this?
Crash, what was the crowd like?
Pro Carlton? Pro Pies? 50/50? On the telly it looked to be pro Pies....
It was about 70/30 Collingwood supporters I think. Couldn't even see a Blues supporter where I was standing.
Thanks for that Crash.
A lot of positives but a major worry to hear Cripps is struggling to get on the pace, a la Brock. Brock was OK most of the time when he could get to the ball or make the tackle - it was when he couldn't that he tended to let us down. Now it sounds like we may have another slowcoach with he same problem? It's very hard to make a slow guy run any faster so have we stuffed up with him or does he show other qualities that could overcome this?
I'm not worried. He's a JPK type and he's not known for his pace. He gets the ball and dishes it out, as his 5 kicks, 14 handballs would suggest. The problem is he doesn't have a tank yet and needs time to develop that.
He's a massive unit for a midfielder. He's going to take time. One thing, though, is his disposal efficiency was 63.2%, which isn't good for short hand balling. Still better than Bell's 46.7% effort, though.
Crash, what was the crowd like?
Pro Carlton? Pro Pies? 50/50? On the telly it looked to be pro Pies....
It was about 70/30 Collingwood supporters I think. Couldn't even see a Blues supporter where I was standing.
Cheers.
...........
Ciaran Byrne: Casey showed he has a future: he looked a lot like some of the guys who played in the 70's and 80's. He spent the day in defence and got it 18 times with a couple of nice marks. He turned it over 3 times for 3 goals, but mostly showed pretty good composure. Doesn't look like he has a the killer instinct yet, probably still getting used to the speed and pressure of the senior game, but he definitely has a future.
............
Great review Crash, much appreciated. Saw the game on Foxtel and you are right about Byrne. I was astounded at the way he moved, handballed and kicked. For someone who only recently picked up the code he looked like a real footballer of the old type. I reckon he is going to improve at the rate of knots.
Crash, what was the crowd like?
Pro Carlton? Pro Pies? 50/50? On the telly it looked to be pro Pies....
Around us on the far wing it was 50 50. There were other patches that seemed more black and white to me. If I had to guess it would have been 40: 60 in their favour.
Quite surprising was that Collingwood were the 'home' team. No Carlton merchandising to be seen. There also seemed to be a lot of people up from Melbourne.
And what of the Pies' guns - Pendles, Swan......?
Swan played maybe 50 % of the game and had no influence at all. He actually had 12 possessions, but I can only remember 2 of them.
Pendelbury had 16 possessions but didn't hurt us at all. he also spent time on the bench, but Carrots took him to the cleaners. Pendelbury managed to steal a few cheap possessions by claiming to be the closest to an out on the full, but he didn't have much effect.
Levi Greenwood was by far Collingwood's best player. He actually hurt us at times.
It's a bit of a concern when players with a few years experience are found wanting in the kicking and disposal side of things in a game when the pressure is a fraction of what it will be in the regular season.
If it cant hold up now it's unlikely to hold up under real pressure.
It's a bit of a concern when players with a few years experience are found wanting in the kicking and disposal side of things in a game when the pressure is a fraction of what it will be in the regular season.
If it cant hold up now it's unlikely to hold up under real pressure.
True but I reckon skills improve as the season gets underway as does pressure.
Crash, what was the crowd like?
Pro Carlton? Pro Pies? 50/50? On the telly it looked to be pro Pies....
Around us on the far wing it was 50 50. There were other patches that seemed more black and white to me. If I had to guess it would have been 40: 60 in their favour.
Quite surprising was that Collingwood were the 'home' team. No Carlton merchandising to be seen. There also seemed to be a lot of people up from Melbourne.
Cheers Crash.