It’ll be up there in Blacktown at 7.10 pm next Friday.
Probably not ideal playing Sydney as Roos never approached practice matches seriously and Horse has followed his lead. Perhaps that will be less of an issue now that the Sydney list is younger than when it relied on veterans from other clubs. Of course Buddy either won’t play or won’t play much but he’s no longer the superstar that he was.
The good news for us is that there were hardly any injury concerns arising out of the match sims. I guess we’ll see whether there are lingering concerns over Cripps. With our opening game against Richmond less than 2 weeks after this practice match, a full dress rehearsal wouldn’t be a bad idea.
I’m guessing there’s some doubt about Cripps availability.
Maybe Dow gets a call up.
I read on here Crippa is skipping this one and heading over to WA to be with family. Has that changed?
I read Crippa is skipping this one and heading over to WA to be with family.
I understood he’d likely be back, but it’s probably best that he misses
I read on here Crippa is skipping this one and heading over to WA to be with family. Has that changed?
He is supposed to be back on Friday for the game.
He’s going for “personal reasons” so I hope it’s nothing serious.
Unless Pitto’s woefully underdone, bringing him into this match to ruck alongside TdK is a no brainer. After all, our 1st game is almost 2 weeks away.
A rucking dilemma: Blues still weighing up best mix, AFL.com.au (https://www.afl.com.au/news/878124/a-rucking-dilemma-blues-still-weighing-up-best-mix)
With the new sub rule there is no dilemma. Play them all and sub off Pitt for the last term. Fitness and form permitting.
With the new sub rule there is no dilemma. Play them all and sub off Pitt for the last term. Fitness and form permitting.
Did it work for us last year?
Whats changed?
Did it work for us last year?
Whats changed?
You can now sub for tactical reasons, so no need to be feigning dodgy hammys...... The sub becomes a legitimate replacement and the tactics behind the use of the 23rd man can be transparent.
Who we want to see: Just how Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning fit in the same forward line has implications on several fronts, not the least De Koning’s contract negotiations. Skipper Patrick Cripps was cleared of a serious ankle injury but may be rested. Chad Warner was one of the few Swans to impress against Brisbane last week. He is elite. Recruit Aaron Francis was quiet last week.
What we want to see: The Blues let the Magpies boot a handful of quick goals last week. That cannot be repeated if they want to be a top-four side. The Swans are without injured frontline ruckman Tom Hickey. Will Peter Ladhams (tendonitis issue) or Hayden McLean play?
Round one implications: The Blues have yet to confirm how they will juggle their ruck combination come round one. Is Jack Silvagni in their best team? For the Swans, is Lance Franklin still their No.1 forward focus? They begin with a road trip against the Suns.
Your guide to the official AFL pre-season games, The Age. (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/your-guide-to-the-official-afl-pre-season-games-20230228-p5co7p.html)
Seems we should rename this the TdK game. Whether it’s to see how he works with Pitto in the ruck or with Charlie and Harry as a forward, the game is just an elaborate experiment with TdK at its centre.
All we need is to see him play as a tall defender as well so all bases are covered.
You can now sub for tactical reasons, so no need to be feigning dodgy hammys...... The sub becomes a legitimate replacement and the tactics behind the use of the 23rd man can be transparent.
Don't forget the main reason the sub is there. For injuries.
Lets look at it this way...
FB xxxxx Weitering Marchbank/McGovern/3rd tall
HB xxxxx Young xxxxx
C xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx
HF Silvagni Curnow xxxxx
FF xxxxxxx McKay xxxxx
R Pittonet xxxxxx xxxxxx
INT De Koning xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx
Sub xxxxxx
All the xxxxxx are 'smalls'
It shows us
2 key backs, plus a 3rd tall
2 key forwards, plus a 3rd tall
1 starting ruck
1 backup ruck on the bench.
Now in a perfect world, you sub off your worst performing tall (most likely ruck) and bring on a small with some more run.
However, if you get an injury to a small, then its like for like and you are stuck with the land of the giants.
So sure, there is a sub rule.....but it doesn't mean it helps you. If you start too tall, you will probably end too tall more often than not.
So IMO it comes down to who do you leave out? Pittonet, TDK or Silvagni.
Based on form last year, it has to be TDK.
When we dropped Silvagni we played without heart.
Now if Harry or Charlie goes down, sure, Jack and TDK can both play forward and we are fine.
The other thing there is, that Cripps likes to drift forward after stoppages, which makes us an extra tall (and slow) forward line. Dry weather days, it could be an advantage. In the wet? Very unlikely.
If Vossy wants to do something 'revolutionary' and go back to the past and have a 'resting ruck' sitting at CHB in the hole as your 7th defender, and have the other ruck as playing in the front half only, then we might be able to get away with having 3 rucks on the ground at once (inc. Jack)....it will result in us being 1 short up forward, or around stoppages, but its about the only way i can see it working on a consistent basis.
I think the only way Pitto, TDK and JSOS can play in the same team is If JSOS plays in defence.
I know that there was an extended bench last Friday but we did OK with Silvagni, De Koning and Mirkov in the team. Silvagni played in defence for the last 10 minutes but there were times when we had Weitering, Young, Silvagni, De Koning, Mirkov, McKay, C Curnow and Cripps all on the ground together and four of them in the forward line.
Tall doesn't necessarily mean lumbering.
It's a huge dilemma for sure - I dont know what the answer is.
Not sure of the source (could be AFL.COM>AU)
INS Pitto C Durdin Martin Marchbank McGovern Dow
OUTS Mirkov Plow Cripps H Honey Hollands
Not sure of the source (could be AFL.COM>AU)
INS Pitto C Durdin Martin Marchbank McGovern Dow
OUTS Mirkov Plow Cripps H Honey Hollands
I don’t think Friday’s teams have been announced yet but that seems reasonable if there are more players on the bench.
I don’t think Friday’s teams have been announced yet but that seems reasonable if there are more players on the bench.
Someone on BF posted, we'll see how accurate it is by end of today.
I don’t think Friday’s teams have been announced yet but that seems reasonable if there are more players on the bench.
Apparently the side will be officially announced at 5pm today.
Practice match squad v Sydney
Backs: Sam Docherty Jacob Weitering Lachie Plowman
Half-backs: Adam Saad Lewis Young Alex Cincotta
Centreline: Blake Acres Ed Curnow Adam Cerra
Half-forwards: Zac Fisher Charlie Curnow Ollie Hollands
Forwards: Jesse Motlop Tom De Koning Jack Silvagni
Followers:
Marc Pittonet
Matthew Kennedy
George Hewett
Interchange from: Lachie Cowan Lochie O'Brien Paddy Dow Matthew Owies Jack Carroll Jaxon Binns
Josh Honey Sam Durdin
Backs: Sam Docherty Jacob Weitering Lachie Plowman
Half-backs: Adam Saad Lewis Young Alex Cincotta
Centreline: Blake Acres Ed Curnow Adam Cerra
Half-forwards: Zac Fisher Charlie Curnow Ollie Hollands
Forwards: Jesse Motlop Tom De Koning Jack Silvagni
Followers: Marc Pittonet Matthew Kennedy George Hewett
Interchange from: Lachie Cowan Lochie O'Brien Paddy Dow Matthew Owies Jack Carroll Jaxon Binns
Patrick Cripps and Harry McKay will both be rested ahead of Round 1.
Mitch McGovern will continue to train fully to be available to selection in Round 1, as will Jack Martin.
David Cuningham has begun rehabilitation on his shoulder with a timeline on the availability to be known early in the season, while Caleb Marchbank experienced a minor calf injury this week so has not made the trip to Sydney.
Same old defensive problems.
Geez getting smashed in the ruck and clearances. Cowan is having a crack.
6-2 to 1-2, they are moving the ball like we aren't even on the ground
Make that 7-2 to 1-2
Giving away a lot of frees
Midfield getting completely belted
Cowan and Hollands look good. Fisher, Motlop, Honey need to get in the game
Qtr time, 44 to 8. I started watching when it was 2 goals to 1. The banged in 4 or 5 far too easily. I know its a pricey match but you dont want to cop a flogging either.
Qtr time, 44 to 8. I started watching when it was 2 goals to 1. The banged in 4 or 5 far too easily. I know its a pricey match but you dont want to cop a flogging either.
Losing too many 1 v 1 battles. Sydney look far hungrier.
8-2 to 1-2 now. Are we trying ?
This is just embarrassing old Carlton on show now 🙄
Passengers. Too many. Sorry Ed C, the game has passed you.
Yay 8-2 to 2-2.
Its raining a bit and we are supposedly kicking with the wind. Cerra getting a bit of it.
Difference between the two side is ball use.
No idea why Plowman is playing in front of Kemp tbh
Bad weather affecting Fox's transmission. Its 2023 FFS.
4 goals 7 behinds, lots of easy shots missed. Owies missed a soda from directly in front. Gotta kick those son.
I'd love to see the free kick count, we are so sloppy.
If we use the ball like this in the season proper, we will be bottom 6 not top 8
Newman, Cripps, McKay, McGovern alone will help.
Marchbank, Martin will help need a bit of skill and smarts.
Walshy will definitely help.
Paddy Dow doing ok. Needs to impose himself more though. Just doesnt work hard enough for mine :(
Cowan is going to be a gun. He's hard at it and his second and third efforts bring rewards. Hollands might have the spotlight but young Lachlan is just what we need ... and he's a Bluebagger!
I'm not too fussed about the scoreboard; the elements are against us and we're playing with half a forward line.
LOB, Motlop, Fisher, Honey, TDK - 15 possessions between them in a half of football.
Bit of a joke
Passengers. Too many. Sorry Ed C, the game has passed you.
Im afraid so. A few usual suspects, who are probably fighting for survival, showing nothing.
Paddy Dow doing ok. Needs to impose himself more though. Just doesnt work hard enough for mine :(
Doesnt do enough when the opposition have the ball...think his senior appearances will be limited and as a injury backup only.
LOB, Motlop, Fisher, Honey, TDK - 15 possessions between them in a half of football.
Bit of a joke
Motlop's tackling and energy around the contest is worth far more than his possession count. I've got him in our best players.
Motlop's tackling and energy around the contest is worth far more than his possession count. I've got him in our best players.
Glad someone has. No where near drop of ball for mine - hope he isn't star gazing.
LOB, Motlop, Fisher, Honey, TDK - 15 possessions between them in a half of football.
Bit of a joke
Motlop has been very sloppy. Honey is not up to it, dont care how young or quick he is. TDK will frustrate the fark out of us this year, he will play distracted IMO with the whole contract/move thing hanging over his head.
Cowan is going to be a gun. He's hard at it and his second and third efforts bring rewards. Hollands might have the spotlight but young Lachlan is just what we need ... and he's a Bluebagger!
I'm not too fussed about the scoreboard; the elements are against us and we're playing with half a forward line.
Agree...I wanted him pre draft and he is everything you like to see in a young player. Id see him going ahead of Cincotta at this stage for a round 1 debut. Hollands is equally as impressive and I have no doubt him and Acres will be lining up on the wings.
Motlop has been very sloppy. Honey is not up to it, dont care how young or quick he is. TDK will frustrate the fark out of us this year, he will play distracted IMO with the whole contract/move thing hanging over his head.
Motlop isnt chasing hard enough....
The only two words I want to see in the post match report : "no injuries."
Im usually reluctant to play kids early but Cowan and Hollands would be in my rd 1 team.
Were going alright against the wind for a while....lol. Like Cowan and Hollands
Plowman is doing plowman things. Fumbling bad positioning shank kicks. Everytime he goes near the ball it’s a mess. You would think in a practice match with his experience he would be clean. Nope.
Need a ton of injures down back to even consider him in the 1sts.
Sydney look like a well drilled team without Crippa and Walshy.
I think we will be fine. But TDK and Fisher are worrying me. The others not so much due to age and experience.
Need to do better then Ed and Plowman.
Plowman is doing plowman things. Fumbling bad positioning shank kicks. Everytime he goes near the ball it’s a mess. You would think in a practice match with his experience he would be clean. Nope.
Need a ton of injures down back to even consider him in the 1sts.
He aint Robinson Crusoe out there.
Conditions are identical for both teams
Gee I hope this is not a look at things to come.
I have to say, I think the extra ump is good.
Plowman has been terrible and its the most fumbly I have seen Young too...
Gee I hope this is not a look at things to come.
Happens in these games. Geelong took a beating last night too.
We still have our point kicking skills...lol.
Why do commentators keep missing Nic Newmans name the man is crucial in the backline
Thoughts on the inaccurate goal kicking?
Why do commentators keep missing Nic Newmans name the man is crucial in the backline
Maybe he could have played on Gulden, hasnt had a man all evening.
Docherty, Hewett, Kennedy, Acres, SOS, Charlie, Cerra - Very Good
Hollands, Cowan, Cincotta, Good.
Not too many complaints.
Put a fork in Dow, LOB, Ed and Plowman
Maybe he could have played on Gulden, hasnt had a man all evening.
Gulden is a special talent though - and a Bluebagger.
Thoughts on the inaccurate goal kicking?
Seems normal. Going as well as ever......lol.
Gulden is a special talent though - and a Bluebagger.
Good player but we didnt bother manning him up...pet hate of mine when a player is playing well and you just let him continue hurting you by allowing him to run around on his own.
Are we effectively no cripps no Carlton?
So based on tonight, the following won't be playing rnd 1:
Ed C
Honey
LOB
Plow
Dow
Owies
The following are on shaky ground
Durdin or Young will fight of the second tall roll. Young was ordinary
Both rucks didn't impress me which is a worry
Jesse Motlop needs to do a truckload more than that, for a bloke who supposedly had a massive preseason, dunno. Is he struggling with the training load? What will save Motlop is Owies very ordinary performance and C Durdin's injury.
The rest be there about at selection but they'd wanna be better than that as a collective.
Its a preseason hit out at the end of the day, plenty to work on and time to correct it. Ball use better be way better than that v Rich.
No injuries which is a great thing.
Moo and Dutchy will be in very strong contention rnd 1.
I have to laugh at the Plowman comments.
It was a practice match and it was evident that Vossy was trying some different combinations. In that context, Plow did OK and it was unfortunate that he was pinged for the deliberate out of bounds. Apart from that, Plow was his usual reliable defender and won a couple of contests against Buddy.
So based on tonight, the following won't be playing rnd 1:
Ed C
Honey
LOB
Plow
Dow
Owies
The following are on shaky ground
Durdin or Young will fight of the second tall roll. Young was ordinary
Both rucks didn't impress me which is a worry
Jesse Motlop needs to do a truckload more than that, for a bloke who supposedly had a massive preseason, dunno. Is he struggling with the training load? What will save Motlop is Owies very ordinary performance and C Durdin's injury.
The rest be there about at selection but they'd wanna be better than that as a collective.
Its a preseason hit out at the end of the day, plenty to work on and time to correct it. Ball use better be way better than that v Rich.
No injuries which is a great thing.
Moo and Dutchy will be in very strong contention rnd 1.
Motlop wouldn't be the first player to suffer from second year blues
Motlop wouldn't be the first player to suffer from second year blues
Wasnt his buzzing self, could be training loads, looks thicker than last year.
Motlop wouldn't be the first player to suffer from second year blues
Motlop will play every game this season. Yes, there's still room for improvement, but his form in the practice matches indicates that he's lifted his intensity considerably. Two huge tackles on Ladhams shows just how gutsy he is.
VFL will have a very good side round 1 based on tonights performance and players to come back in..
So based on tonight, the following won't be playing rnd 1:
Ed C
Honey
LOB
Plow
Dow
Owies
The following are on shaky ground
Durdin or Young will fight of the second tall roll. Young was ordinary
Both rucks didn't impress me which is a worry
Jesse Motlop needs to do a truckload more than that, for a bloke who supposedly had a massive preseason, dunno. Is he struggling with the training load? What will save Motlop is Owies very ordinary performance and C Durdin's injury.
The rest be there about at selection but they'd wanna be better than that as a collective.
Its a preseason hit out at the end of the day, plenty to work on and time to correct it. Ball use better be way better than that v Rich.
No injuries which is a great thing.
Moo and Dutchy will be in very strong contention rnd 1.
Think you would still go with Young over S. Durdin...agree though that Young was poor tonight.
Reckon the rucks will be TDK as No 1 and Pittonet off the bench, both were average tonight and Ladhams was the most effective big bloke on the park.
Motlop always looks like he is cruising and could go up a gear, hoping round 1 he gets a bit more hungry...
McGovern will come in for Plowman I would expect..
Hollands and Cowan have probably played themselves into the round 1 team although playing raw newbies vs that hard experienced Richmond lineup concerns me a bit but I guess its about the future and both look good long term players in the making.
Think you would still go with Young over S. Durdin...agree though that Young was poor tonight.
Reckon the rucks will be TDK as No 1 and Pittonet off the bench, both were average tonight and Ladhams was the most effective big bloke on the park.
Motlop always looks like he is cruising and could go up a gear, hoping round 1 he gets a bit more hungry...
McGovern will come in for Plowman I would expect..
Hollands and Cowan have probably played themselves into the round 1 team although playing raw newbies vs that hard experienced Richmond lineup concerns me a bit but I guess its about the future and both look good long term players in the making.
Sydney are as hard a unit as any, Moo didn't take a backward step once, in fact seemed to thrive on it. I started watching mid first qtr and he was running with Heeney. He seemed to have the 9m horse lead on Heeney who did want he wanted, Moo will learn from that and will tighten up next time I'm sure. Heeney is a machine thought and can make an experienced campaigner look tardy.
For his size, Hollands did not look out of place for the most part, can't tell whether he is a left or right footer as he is equally proficient on both side, like that a lot.
I'm sure the MC will make the right calls come round one.
This from the HS, fair analysis of all our players I reckon:
1. Jack Silvagni - Competed well floating through half-forward. Far from Carlton’s worst.
2. Paddy Dow - Pretty quiet game which ended early with an upper body knock.
3. Jesse Motlop - Kicked a goal but wasn’t a major threat.
4. Lochie O’Brien - Has fallen behind Hollands and Acres and had negligible impact.
5. Adam Cerra - Needed to do more when the heat was on early but found a bit of the ball.
7. Matt Kennedy - Overawed in the first quarter storm before working his way into the game.
12. Tom De Koning - On a tough night for talls he was beaten in the first half but took a couple of excellent second half marks.
13. Blake Acres - Will play round one, clearly. Did his bit including kicking a long-range major.
14. Ollie Hollands - Held down a wing again and looks well in the round one mix.
15. Sam Docherty - Rotated through half-back and the midfield and was typically prolific.
16. Jack Carroll - Played less than a quarter but found the footy.
20. Lachie Plowman - Was a liability at times down back, didn’t look comfortable.
23. Jacob Weitering - One of his side’s best, stopping Franklin for the most part and holding up against the tide.
25. Zac Fisher - Ran hard and kicked a goal but not a massive night.
26. Lachie Cowan - Only the 10 disposals but one excellent contested mark and generally composed.
27. Marc Pittonet - De Koning got the first go in the middle although Pittonet had a crack when given the chance.
29. George Hewett - Finished with 26 disposals but really didn’t do enough to stop the damage early given his defensive importance.
30. Charlie Curnow - Weather didn’t help but the superstar held up his end of the bargain in the absence of Harry McKay.
33. Lewis Young - Outgunned in the air by the Swans, needs more help.
35. Ed Curnow. - Looked a bit off the pace after so little footy in recent times.
36. Josh Honey - Played less than half the game and barely sighted.
38. Sam Durdin - Came on for a quarter and performed solidly.
40. Alex Cincotta - Not as impressive as seven days earlier against the Pies but doesn’t look out of place.
42. Adam Saad - Off the pace, especially given how much ball was coming into the Blues’ defensive 50.
44. Matt Owies - Created chances but couldn’t take them. On the fringes.
We all would like to see the boys and team playing well but whenever I get worried about these things I always consider the year we won the pre-season cup then delivered back to back wooden spoons.
No injuries to key personnel is all im interested in.
The real stuff starts in 2 weeks.
We all would like to see the boys and team playing well but whenever I get worried about these things I always consider the year we won the pre-season cup then delivered back to back wooden spoons.
No injuries to key personnel is all im interested in.
The real stuff starts in 2 weeks.
I was thinking the same. Practice matches are not a very reliable indicator for in season form, individually or collectively IMO.
Don't read too much into last night's scoreline.
Sydney kicked with a 3-goal wind in the first quarter, and our second-string midfield team took 20 minutes to realise there was a game on. So 7 goals to 1, game almost done.
In the second, when we have the wind, the rain beats down and we kick 3.5 for the quarter and basically owned the territory, just couldn't convert enough due to conditions and sloppy delivery.
The second half was basically treading water for both sides, and we swapped out many of our team for the last quarter and a half.
So, no biggie.
The one real concern was our inability to transition from defence to attack - we got stuck in the back pockets and kicked to 50/50s on the wing far too often.
I thought the standout newbie was Lachie Cowan - at one stage in the last, he got pole-axed, but jumped straight up and laid a crunching tackle. I think he looks like a classical tough-nut half back.
One other who has clearly had a great pre-season is umpire 22, Nathan Williamson. If his name pops up on any of our matches this year, be very afraid.
Our side will look and play very differently with Cripps in the centre square and McKay in the forward 50.
I reckon you need to reward Cowan and Hollands off the back of that (and the week before) by picking them in R1. Cincotta a bit stiff to not be on that list as well.
I think Silvagni showed that he is a better forward option than TDK. He is obviously better at ground level and while he may not be quite as good in the ruck, he is serviceable. I can;t find a spot for TDK if we have a fit McKay, Charlie, Pittonet, Silvagni and even McGovern.
Not sure how much game time Ed had, but i didn't notice him as much as i should have. AFAIK he is 100% fit, so its just form that he is lacking, which is a worry when you are on the wrong side of 30.
I think it showed we needed an extra tall in defense, with Marchbank being the hybrid 3rd tall we are missing. Having McGovern (ideally up forward) as an option for down back as well helps with team balance.
We have multiple options for small forwards with Motlop, Owies, C. Durdin, Fisher and even Honey and Martin....but i can't work out who has set themselves above the rest. I think it will be a bit of a revolving door through there this year.
Missed the game.
Was at a wake and only able to follow through the scores on the phone
Thought Cripps was pretty ineffective, Harry presented well but was let down by the service from the midfield and Walsh probably needed another week before he played.
Keeping it in perspective...
My usual take at this time of the year is that practice match form is pretty meaningless.
It's a time for experimentation and giving fringe players an opportunity.
Experienced players pace themselves and operate at a much reduced level...just shaking out the cobwebs.
Yep, we can look back to times when we won the pre-season and ended up having poor years.
I do think though, that in recent years the pre-season form has often exposed some areas of weakness that need addressing and have become more relevant.
I suspect though that we'll probably go with a bit of caution in the first round and play a side that resembles the best we can put together from available 2022 players+ Acres.
Missed the game.
Was at a wake and only able to follow through the scores on the phone
Thought Cripps was pretty ineffective, Harry presented well but was let down by the service from the midfield and Walsh probably needed another week before he played.
......................................................
Just checking to see who's paying attention, I assume ?
DONT CARE about the practice match crap fest.
Best news is we didn't pick up our usual 2 or 3 injuries.
My concerns are our regular group of Glassmen that we still persist with.
The triple Ms of our Rehab group, Martin, McGovern and Marchy.
At least a couple of our kids look the goods but I doubt if our MC will pick them against the Tiggers.
Do you think the Pussys would be worried after Brisvegus smashed them....
Just checking to see who's paying attention, I assume ?
A bit of that....and probnably suggesting those three would have made a goal or two difference. ;) :D
DONT CARE about the practice match crap fest.
Best news is we didn't pick up our usual 2 or 3 injuries.
My concerns are our regular group of Glassmen that we still persist with.
The triple Ms of our Rehab group, Martin, McGovern and Marchy.
At least a couple of our kids look the goods but I doubt if our MC will pick them against the Tiggers.
Do you think the Pussys would be worried after Brisvegus smashed them....
Generally agree. With the kids, I would probably only play 1 at a time, if it comes to that. I think that's fair on the kid and fair on the senior blokes who may have to help him out during the game. It's one thing to show good form in front of three people in Blacktown, it's quite another in Round 1 in front of what is surely going to be a packed MCG, against quality opposition, with 4 points and the chance to make a good start up for grabs.
As for Geelong, I imagine they may not be worried as such, but I'm sure they would leave nothing to chance and look at that game closely.
I was thinking the same. Practice matches are not a very reliable indicator for in season form, individually or collectively IMO.
Agree. It's more about holding onto your extras and testing the remaining pieces. Givnig the system run time and tinkering with loose parts. Give it a degrease, add the final parts, prime, polish, and stand back. The Cheersquad will take it from there.
Go Blues
Agree. It's more about holding onto your extras and testing the pieces. Giving the system run time and tinkering with loose parts. Then you give it a degrease, add the final parts, prime, polish and stand back. The Cheer squad will take it from there.
Go Blues
Lol. That's quite the string of metaphors you got going there LN.
Lol. That's quite the string of metaphors you got going there LN.
Don't mind the odd metaphor. You know what they say.... a picture paints a thousand words. That's me right there being super efficient 😆
re: Brisbane vs Geelong and the Cats being worried?..reality is Brisbane have picked up some players who make them better and Ashcroft will probably win the Rising star by the length of the Flemington straight. I think Geelong will miss Selwood more than most think and I fancy our chances against them in Rnd 2....Brisbane are going to be very hard work for all teams imho.
Generally agree. With the kids, I would probably only play 1 at a time, if it comes to that. I think that's fair on the kid and fair on the senior blokes who may have to help him out during the game. It's one thing to show good form in front of three people in Blacktown, it's quite another in Round 1 in front of what is surely going to be a packed MCG, against quality opposition, with 4 points and the chance to make a good start up for grabs.
As for Geelong, I imagine they may not be worried as such, but I'm sure they would leave nothing to chance and look at that game closely.
Those two kids look at home, play em.
Those two kids look at home, play em.
They both deserve to play in round 1 on form, ability and the ease with which they've adapted to the AFL tempo and pressure.
They both deserve to play in round 1 on form, ability and the ease with which they've adapted to the AFL tempo and pressure.
I didn't see the game so I'm probably being a little cautious.
The thing is...the pressure at Blacktown in a practice match will be a world of difference to what the players will face in terms of pressure against Richmond at the MCG.
He may very well have great season, but the fact that a player like Gulden can end up with 45 diposals (a dozen more than he's ever had in a 'proper' game) may be indicative of the pressure.
But as I've said, I didn't see it, and the folks in the best position to judge whether the recruits are ready will be the coaches who will have a clear knowledge of what was expected and required of these players in the lead-up to Round 1.
If they are selected it will be a really good sign of faith that these young-uns are ready to go.
I've watched our game against the Fluffy Ducks twice - sucker for punishment. It was as if the players had a Valium sanger before the game :D I find myself still perplexed by the performance so drawing any firm conclusions would be perilous, to say the least.
Like everyone else I was buoyed by the efforts from Hollands, Cowan and Cincotta. And they'll no doubt play senior footy (and play well) this year at some time. Although I picked Cowan in my best 22 for round 1, I doubt it'll happen. I think our backline will be Newman, Weiters, Young, Saad, McGovern and Marchbank. Though Doc could very well start in defense. As Pauly wrote I think taking newbies into a big first game of the season could be risky. Maybe 1 (Hollands?) but that'd be it.
After that shocker of a first qtr, we scored 16 times to 13. Missed opportunities sap confidence.
I've watched our game against the Fluffy Ducks twice - sucker for punishment. It was as if the players had a Valium sanger before the game :D I find myself still perplexed by the performance so drawing any firm conclusions would be perilous, to say the least.
Interesting, there is a comonality between the Filth and the Fluffy Duck games.
In my opinion it's a tell about what other clubs think is our weakness, leg speed, and what our strength is, F50!
The Fluffy Ducks stacked their midfield with fast runners, left their bigger bodies like Parker and Heeney forward.
It sort of makes sense, no opposition will wants us to get a clear fast break from the centre if we have BigH and Charlie forward of center. Our F50 setup is the strongest in the competition, so the task from opposition coaches will be to slow down our entries so they can structure up.
Both the Filth and the Fluffy Ducks used fast moving sweepers on a rotation to charge at the fall of the ball so that even if they didn't get it our progress out of the center was slowed.
I didn't see any attempt from Voss to stop this happening, let's hope he has kept his cards close to his chest for the real deal!
I've watched our game against the Fluffy Ducks twice - sucker for punishment. It was as if the players had a Valium sanger before the game :D I find myself still perplexed by the performance so drawing any firm conclusions would be perilous, to say the least.
Like everyone else I was buoyed by the efforts from Hollands, Cowan and Cincotta. And they'll no doubt play senior footy (and play well) this year at some time. Although I picked Cowan in my best 22 for round 1, I doubt it'll happen. I think our backline will be Newman, Weiters, Young, Saad, McGovern and Marchbank. Though Doc could very well start in defense. As Pauly wrote I think taking newbies into a big first game of the season could be risky. Maybe 1 (Hollands?) but that'd be it.
After that shocker of a first qtr, we scored 16 times to 13. Missed opportunities sap confidence.
Seeing Voss sitting quietly making notes with his biro on a piece of paper suggested to me that he wasn't too concerned ... or had shared the Valium sangers.
The Swans had the benefit of the wind in the first, we copped the downpour in the second, some lesser players got more game time and the changes were done to a script, not in response to the game situation. It was a practice match.
Apparently Marchy will be good to go for round 1 but will start in the Reserves. Assuming Docherty will spend time in the midfield, I think our seven main defenders will be Weitering, Saad, Newman, Young, McGovern, Cowan and Cincotta, just ahead of Plowman.
Hollands, Cowan and Cincotta have to start somewhere, so why not round 1?
Can we take Hollands and Fisher into Rnd.1?
In terms of mids and utilities Nthmond usually have heavier bodies than us, not sure we can carry too many light weights.
I'm going into 2023 with the same concerns as 2021, 2022... Player availability and lingering doubts over the same blokes as the past...Ed C, TdK, Plowman, LoB, Fisher. Too many mistakes or not enough impact.
Hollands, Cowan and Cincotta have to start somewhere, so why not round 1?
There's probably no right answer to that question because players are individuals who adapt to situations in different ways.
We could play them... all three, and all could be hits....we'd go a fair way towards winning if that's the case.
But if we had all three struggle we'd be in a bit of strife.
One of the luxuries we've lacked in the last 20 years is the ability to introduce new players at a controlled, reasonable managed rate that's best for their development.
Surrounded by experienced players to support and encourage them would be the perfect introduction.
Instead we had young players like Gibbs and Murphy basically thrown to the lions, with sometimes disgraceful levels of support and protection.
Murphy got knocked silly in his first year.
That's no longer the case.
We have experience and big bodies on just about every line.
It's a structure that is perfect for introducing young players on managed game time.
I guess the question will be...how many can it support.
I'm going into 2023 with the same concerns as 2021, 2022... Player availability and lingering doubts over the same blokes as the past...Ed C, TdK, Plowman, LoB, Fisher. Too many mistakes or not enough impact.
Hard to disagree with those five, Professory. In both games Fisher, Ed and LoB failed to impress in terms of consistency. Had moments, but if we're a finals proposition, we must have consistency. I cut TDK some slack owing to age and how bigger blokes take longer but to be coldly objective, he, too, is inconsistent. I've already got Cincotta and Cowan ahead of Plowman.
I'm going into 2023 with the same concerns as 2021, 2022... Player availability and lingering doubts over the same blokes as the past...Ed C, TdK, Plowman, LoB, Fisher. Too many mistakes or not enough impact.
I have the same concerns. Also, our ruck worries me. To me Pittonet is a hard worker who on his best day will break even with the opposition ruck. It's said that his second and third efforts are very good, but the top sides have ruckmen who can restrict those opportunities.
And where are we going to play TdK? Is he a ruckman or a forward? In any event, if one of them is injured, the cupboard looks bare.
Can we take Hollands and Fisher into Rnd.1?
Fisher is the only bloke who can actually tackle dusty though. Did it twice in one game a few years ago, despite the fend-off, so bogger bodies is not an issue.
I didn't see Holland take any backwards steps, but his benefit is gut running and 2nd efforts. If he gets the ball, bonus.
IMO Fisher plays. Good up forward. Adds something different through the middle if required. Works will with his mate Cripps.
Hollands (and Cowan) bring some much needed enthusiasm and manic pressure. They'd do well to be introduced to a 85k crowd in round 1.
If we get no injuries, i'd back one of them in to get subbed off too, chances are they will most likely tire a bit at the death.
But exposure is required, so R1 it should be.
My biggest concern is our inability to manage transition plays, going both ways.
At our end, we get trapped in our back pockets and can't get the ball out, then we dump it to a 50:50 and hope.
And we still get murdered on the slingshot when it's coming the other way. When it's coming down fast, the only backman that doesn't look like a statue is Saad. That's why I think we need to groom Cincotta to give us some more back half leg speed.
The biggest concern for me was ball use. It was terrible quite frankly:
- Missed targets (easy ones).
- Long, high, loopy kicks to no one.
- Around the corner/over the shoulder, high kicks in hope to no one.
- Hand balls to stationary team mates or team mates in a worse position or under more pressure.
Put all the game style stuff and personal available aside, I feel the performance on Friday from a ball movement point of view was unacceptable.
If we use the ball like that in the coming weeks of the season proper, we will get annihilated.
Sydney used fast., precise, short kicks to move the ball unimpeded. Nothing complicated or cute.