Bruise free, 'dancing with your sister' type footy. No concerned about that. Get some run into the legs, feel a few tackles and slowly build up. Good chance to see a couple of the newbies.
The commentary on Kayo seems to be a bit ahead of the vision. (It would be nice if there actually was a commentary instead of a casual chat.)
13 apiece early on.
Jess Webster is a very good play by play caller but she's stuck with Ed Curnow as her wing person, so I suppose she she needs to bring him into the conversation somehow.
AFL squad: 2. Lachie Cowan, 3. Jesse Motlop, 4. Ollie Hollands, 5. Adam Cerra, 8. Lachie Fogarty, 9. Patrick Cripps, 10. Harry McKay, 11. Mitch McGovern, 12. Tom De Koning, 13. Blake Acres, 14. Orazio Fantasia, 15. Sam Docherty, 16. Jack Carroll, 17. Brodie Kemp, 20. Elijah Hollands, 24. Nic Newman, 28. David Cuningham, 29. George Hewett, 30. Charlie Curnow, 31. Harry Lemmey, 33. Lewis Young, 37. Jordan Boyd, 39. Alex Cincotta, 42. Adam Saad, 43. Ashton Moir, 46. Matthew Cottrell
Yes, i've left Pittonet out. As i said last year, based on TDKs potential, he should be able to take the #1 ruck role and make it his own. Maybe this year? Fantasia is picked, despite my protesting that he is not a position of need, we picked him up, so he must be a fair upgrade. We'll see. Williams slots in. Again, optimistic, his best should earn him a callup.
I've also gone smaller than most people will as i've said too many talls hurts us. So no 2nd ruck, Jack can cover. Also plenty of hard running on the bench as when we were flying, that is why we were winning.
Plenty of blokes are still to miss out. Hollands (x2?) Owies C. Durdin Fogarty Boyd and even Kennedy despite his slower style by comparison.
We'll see how we go after the pre-season games where i do part 2.
So often during the game, the term 'brutal' was continually used and was backed up by the actions of many players on the ground and well done to them. Their attack on the ball and player was exceptional. .
It made for a good spectacle............but do mothers walk away from watching that saying 'THAT'S the sport I want my daughter to play!!"
I would argue that the skill, fitness and professionalism of the Matildas would be far more attractive to parents than the self confessed 'brutality' of AFLW at the highest level.
How naive are those media people! The emotional reaction being beaten by a point compared to a team who was playing catch up by about 4 goals through the final quarter is totally different! I'm sure Adam Saad's message was fairly simple.... leave the ground with your head held high, remember where we've come from this year , don't forget today...and acknowledge the fans in the crowd.
Have no problem with our team selection, we didn't lose it at the match committee table, just ran out of petrol and were beaten by a better side. It will just make us hungrier. Top 4 finish is a must.
WTF? WT Flipping F? Why no Kemp? Hasn't set a foot wrong, done more that what is expected. Better than Marchbank. MC putting the baby out with the bath water.
I would not be surprised if the Match Committee consulted Weitering on the various scenarios and considerations prior to making any firm selection decisions.
There seemed to be a degree of 'mistrust' in Young and his ability to work with the back six which eventually effected Weitering's game, having to second guess what a teammate was going to do. Maybe he was getting edgy about Kemp under extreme pressure. I'm sure he would have 'ticked off Boyd' as being someone he has confidence in being able to play his role. Also, he is on record as being a big Marchbank fan.
I'd fly Dean Rice up to address the team as part of the preparation... a blue collar worker, without star qualities who worked his absolute arse off in the 99 Prelim and was instrumental in the 'win against all odds'. Anything is possible, write your own history, hand over the Prelim Final baton!!!