Re: VFL Rd 6: Northern Blues vs Williamstown
Reply #3 –
I may have settled down somewhat after last week's debacle, where both level NBs were basically terminated, but it doesn't mean that I am happy. Looking over the NB's list and there really are very few mature players to give the leadership the NBs need. Now we have lost most of these to injury.
[1] Tom Wilson - haven't heard anything about him since he was taken to Epworth. No chance this week.
[2] Kieran McGuinness - assistant coach and definite on-field general, he was reported to have 3 damaged vertebrae. I am not sure about this, as nothing has been confirmed by the club (that I know of). But he isn't going to be out there.
[3] Box Bransgrove - the former captain has been struggling big time recently. With the series of knee injuries he has experienced lately, I don't think he will continue beyond this year, and I can't see him making the contribution he really wants to make. Not a high probability to play this week.
There are not a lot more experienced players. The only ones I can think of are Strachan and Casley. Of the others, Jayden Collins has not been available yet; Tyler Roos hasn't shown a lot; Kerbatieh is looking promising and Cripps has been coming along reasonably. Declase, Cyster and Peet will probably get games before the year is out.
OK, so the Preston side of the equation has been decimated. What about the Carlton side?
Early in the season the NBs had some Carlton talent and some experience and leadership. Both Simon White and Dennis Armfield REALLY made a difference with their on field leadership and lots of decent possessions. Last week it was Nick Graham's turn and he was a real trouper.
However, we really need that for this week, as Willi ARE the reigning champions and are playing on their own dung heap (I wish that were not so literally true). The wind will be up there even if there is no other wind in the entire state of Victoria. Willi play it well.
We should, as the Preston City Oval is another place where the wind is a feature. However, that has not appeared to be the case so far. Last week's drubbing cannot be good for the confidence of our kids. However, I guess we'll see if they really have that pride, self belief and level of competitiveness that good teams need.
Last week the Carlton contingent was reduced to levels more akin to last year. Not a single Blue from the 2015 Draft Cohort was available. Then we lost Gorringe and Wood to injury before half time. That boded poorly and proved to be lethal.
However, listening the Andrew McKay going through the injury list, there appears to be good news on the horizon. Quite a number of Blues MAY be available, including Ciaran Sheehan. I wonder if he remembers how to kick the ball?
I am not banking on huge numbers of Blues coming up, but some of them should. That may well include Simon White, a trouper of there ever was one. While Nick Graham played as well as he could against Casey and produced some of the most incredible statistics I have ever seen, I don't think he will be promoted. Etihad is a place for pace and that is not Puss's strong suit. I expect him to be named as Emergency.
The ruck is an issue. I expect Korchek and Aurrichio to share that. I wonder if a side has ever had 2 Americans before? Korchek did was well as he could have done last weekend and he will have to come up against former Blue Nick Meese. The ruck is not Willi's strength. I cannot hope for too much; our guys are too inexperienced at this point, while Meese is anything but. However, we may have something resembling a midfield if Cunningham, Graham, Tutt and DVR play. Not the greatest either, but better than last week.
There is one thing we can be certain of; whatruns out onto the field will look different to what is named on Thursday night.
In regard to Andy Mackay's injury update... didn't you have a giggle when he reported that Boekhorst is progressing well and will be a test this week - he played last Sunday Macca ...ya wacka! Sheesh, how embarrassing.
Nothing on McCasker!!! Nothing on Wood!!! Nothing on Gorringe!!!! Nothing on Galucci!!!!
Topic: VFL Rd 6: Northern Blues vs Williamstown (Read 17015 times)
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