Missing:
Williams, Kennedy, Walsh, Durdin x 2, Martin, Marchbank, Weitering, Pittonett, Owies, Murkov.
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
Nice blend of established players, newbies and depth, and a good opportunity for blokes in the latter categories to step up.
It's interesting that we're going with one ruckman, unless De Koning and Lemmey are going to alternate between ruck and key forward roles.
I'm looking forward to seeing Elijah Hollands, Moir, Jack Carroll, Fantasia and Lemmey in action.
Can Elijah Hollands play in the pre-season games? Is it only AFL games he cannot play?
Can Elijah Hollands play in the pre-season games? Is it only AFL games he cannot play?
I was also surprised to see his name.
Can Elijah Hollands play in the pre-season games? Is it only AFL games he cannot play?
Correct. Can play pre-season just not the real thing for 2 weeks
Not long to go now 😃
Important we keep in perspective and don't do the "sky is falling" frenzy that often happens after these practice games if there is a less than stellar performance. ;)
It's a time to catch a glimpse of the newbies and see the development and progress in the younger players.
I must admit, without wanting jinx anyone, I'm not a big fan of these late summer midday hit outs, they seem to have become a thing lately.
To me playing in the heat introduces a heap of injury risk with minimal benefit. Skills and confidence suffer because the pill becomes like teflon, soft tissue injuries are rife because players get dehydrated too easily. Days like this can carry increased risk of shortening careers.
I get that the fitness staff love the aerobic challenge the hot conditions bring, after all they ship players off to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Arizona just to deliberately expose them to challenging aerobic conditions, but there are plenty of ways to get that without the damage.
The weird part of this is that Voss did the bulk of similar training when he was a player in the early morning or evening.
Important we keep in perspective and don't do the "sky is falling" frenzy that often happens after these practice games if there is a less than stellar performance. ;)
It's a time to catch a glimpse of the newbies and see the development and progress in the younger players.
Yes Lods, the result is irrelevant … unless we flog them 😇
Yes Lods, the result is irrelevant … unless we flog them 😇
That's a different story. :P ;)
If we go "super well" it's a promise of things to come. :D :))
Is it on Foxtel??
Just saw it is...........
Foxtel and Kayo
Harry looks a bit thinner, but nice and accurate early on ;)
Spoke too soon ::)
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.
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.
Have they changed the time of the quarters/periods? Supposed to be 8 20min periods and that's just gone for 25min?
We are not exactly full of intensity. I wouldn't be either in that heat with a hot northerly blowing pretty hard.
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.
Bit of a shambles- off field and on.
Is everyone else experiencing the delay between commentary and vision.
Goals are being kicked when the ball is at the other end of the ground.
Foxtel is fine
Foxtel is fine
Must be a Kayo thing.
I'll reboot and see if it makes a difference..there's probably a 30 second delay.
(Edit: fixed)
Only a practice match but Kemp is having a shocker :(
and what's going on with the kicking?
Charlie's kicking at goal is making Harry look like Peter McKenna, that great Carlton champion...lol.
Even in scratch matches we give up goals late in a qtr.
Pussycats are sure-handed and efficient, looks like they've been playing for weeks.
Us... mistakes galore. Errant handballs all over the shop. Very rusty, Not out of 3rd gear. Liking what I've seen from E Hollands.
Sorry, Kempy, but you've been an extra player for the Pussycats.
It is the first game.
It is a practice match.
We're fielding side that includes a number who won't necessarily be there for the regular season.
But quite apart from the skill errors, there doesn't seem to be a lot of system or 'connect'
It's a bit of a 'dog's breakfast' on just about every line.
The good thing is we know it will get better with a regular side in a regular season
Pussycats are sure-handed and efficient, looks like they've been playing for weeks.
Us... mistakes galore. Errant handballs all over the shop. Very rusty, Not out of 3rd gear. Liking what I've seen from E Hollands.
Sorry, Kempy, but you've been an extra player for the Pussycats.
Our pre-season started 4 weeks later than there's. Maybe there's a difference there. Usually that is reversed.
Charlie's kicking at goal is making Harry look like Peter McKenna, that great Carlton champion...lol.
36 goals in 11 games wasn't a bad average.
I'd rather this than being Preseason Premiers and then winning the wooden spoon :o
Ash Hansen coaching today.
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.
I’m enjoying the relaxed commentary. I don’t need a description of what I’m seeing but it’s good to get Ed’s insights into why.
Mistaking Fantasia for Owies was a shocker 🙂
Harry misses from 15m then Geelong go coast to coast for a goal.
Harry takes a mark at the top of the goal square.
Ed Curnow: "This is no gimme."
Harry: Shanks it.
Nothing has changed
Umpire signalled a high free kick to us then let Geelong play on and kick a goal. Hopefully we never see him in an AFL match lol.
Harry takes a mark at the top of the goal square.
Ed Curnow: "This is no gimme."
Harry: Shanks it.
Nothing has changed
2 minutes later H takes a mark on HF and pinpoints a pass to Cripps. His head is still F
Umpire signalled a high free kick to us then let Geelong play on and kick a goal. Hopefully we never see him in an AFL match lol.
He paid the fend off against Carlton.
Cats smashing us now.
Gee I hope we are going half speed, because we have looked unorganised and lazy!
Lewis Young should be staking his claim for Round 1... .. but he's not.
Lewis Young should be staking his claim for Round 1... .. but he's not.
I was gonna write that but I held off. I wouldn't want him on Daniher or Hipwood.
Harry has no issues from 45. That 15m is a bit of an issue though.
Gee I hope we are going half speed, because we have looked unorganised and lazy!
Harry has no issues from 45. That 15m is a bit of an issue though.
Noticed the same thing. When he kicks through the ball he looks good, when he tries to 'massage' the shot, all bets are off. It's as if he just thinks too much with the closer in shots ...perhaps just be more instinctual when shooting for goal - with maximum force, regardless of distance.
The only worry for moi was Young. Not near it.
Kempy was ordinary but will improve with the hitout.
Noticed the same thing. When he kicks through the ball he looks good, when he tries to 'massage' the shot, all bets are off. It's as if he just thinks too much with the closer in shots ...perhaps just be more instinctual when shooting for goal - with maximum force, regardless of distance.
Maybe he needs to try to kick it into Jolimont Station when he is 15m out.
Gee I hope we are going half speed, because we have looked unorganised and lazy!
We were. No way I'd be going hard in those conditions at 38 deg with a hot, swirling northerly in a scratch match. We had 4 weeks less pre-season than Geelong too.
Gee I hope we are going half speed, because we have looked unorganised and lazy!
Looked like our focus was to bring others into the game whereas the Pussycats played simple, maximize opportunities, footy.
(noticed late in the game when Saad was running through half back, and being pursued, that Young could have offered a shepherd but did SFA - lazy stuff).
Form of Young wasnt encouraging and Kemp looked unsure of himself a few times...a backline minus Weitering doesnt enthuse comfort for supporters. Harry did ok in general play but I think the reality is he will always be an iffy kick and miss some bunnies and we just have to accept it like Collingwood had to with Travis Cloke and just hope he is on when playing the big finals.
I wouldnt be too concerned about losing in such hot conditions and was more glad we didnt seem to sustain any injuries....
re: Commentary....didnt mind hearing a biased Carlton viewpoint with Ed in the box and he probably still wishes he was playing...
Must be a Kayo thing.
I'll reboot and see if it makes a difference..there's probably a 30 second delay.
(Edit: fixed)
For Kayo try that trick of running it in SD Quality, especially if you are watching via a web browser, it fixes a lot of stuttering and sync issues.
Any reason given why Williams, Kennedy and Pitto were absent, I would have thought given how much footy those three have missed any hitout no matter how short would be beneficial?
For Kayo try that trick of running it in SD Quality, especially if you are watching via a web browser, it fixes a lot of stuttering and sync issues.
Kayo software is terrible, slow and buggy even with updated Android operating system on the TV.....the cricket from India runs ok, as does the NBA from the USA but local stuff like the NBL, AFL are frustrating and the Sheffield Shield games are dreadful.
Should not have to run at SD if you have a new TV and decent internet speed imo.....like how it also comes up with you have exceeded your number of users too for no reason and only one user is watching.
I may have misheard but I thought Ed Curnow gave a shoutout to Jack Silvagni "in hospital" for his ACL surgery.
That seems a long delay if it's only just happening now.
I may be wrong and it may have just been for his recovery at home.
On the Kayo thing ...it was rather strange.
I could bring the commentary and vision back into sync by rebooting, but it gradually moved out of sync again as the game progressed to be almost 30 seconds ahead of the play by the end of the quarter.
Something to do with quantum physics I suspect. :D
Thought it was a good hit out. Looked very rusty early then improved 2nd half. No where near our "identity" first half but that improved
The boys would have taken alot from that game and bring on Melbourne next week on six day turn around.
Match report here.
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1493926?fbclid=IwAR2PtduEtiE_Vhpu63BAyeWV82ugKW8KaiXeG4G6vpcuyNAl8DyXDzkbe4E
The understandable element that was missing, given the practice nature of the match and the conditions, was our intensity at the contest-multiple tacklers, pressure etc.
It was a feature of our second half to 2023 and was basically non-existent today.
I may have misheard but I thought Ed Curnow gave a shoutout to Jack Silvagni "in hospital" for his ACL surgery.
That seems a long delay if it's only just happening now.
I may be wrong and it may have just been for his recovery at home.
On the Kayo thing ...it was rather strange.
I could bring the commentary and vision back into sync by rebooting, but it gradually moved out of sync again as the game progressed to be almost 30 seconds ahead of the play by the end of the quarter.
Something to do with quantum physics I suspect. :D
Ed said something like Jack will be enjoying the air conditioning in the hospital. Jack has been acting as a water joey at training and I thought that he was moving well for someone rehabbing from a knee reconstruction. Perhaps it was surgeon availability or pre-op conditioning that delayed the procedure.
I tried warning people off about their expectations of Young for this year, and it seems, unfortunately, that i was right.
He looks like the same player as he was last year (at best) but nowhere near the player he was before that.
Not sure whats happened to him, but he is not a long term option and we MUST be chasing some genuine backups ASAP.
I would happily like to wave my magic wand and fix it, but i think its about time we accept it, he ain't the man he used to be.
Kayo software is terrible, slow and buggy even with updated Android operating system on the TV.....the cricket from India runs ok, as does the NBA from the USA but local stuff like the NBL, AFL are frustrating and the Sheffield Shield games are dreadful.
Should not have to run at SD if you have a new TV and decent internet speed imo.....like how it also comes up with you have exceeded your number of users too for no reason and only one user is watching.
Agree on Kayo. Very clunky and poor functionality imo. Compared to other streaming services it is also relatively expensive imo. It's difficult for me to get along to the footy these days so I guess I'm stuck with it.
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1494215/what-they-said-hamill-on-backline-mix-match-simulation-debrief
I'll save yourself 11 minutes.
All injured players have some milestones they need to tick off and its a high performance question on when they'll be ready.
You're welcome.
I tried warning people off about their expectations of Young for this year, and it seems, unfortunately, that i was right.
He looks like the same player as he was last year (at best) but nowhere near the player he was before that.
Not sure whats happened to him, but he is not a long term option and we MUST be chasing some genuine backups ASAP.
I would happily like to wave my magic wand and fix it, but i think its about time we accept it, he ain't the man he used to be.
Yep. Same page.
Did the same thing at the Dishlickers, first year was great then dropped off dramatically. Same with us. I hope big Durds gets a gig pre season, at least he has hardness at the man and aggott.
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1494215/what-they-said-hamill-on-backline-mix-match-simulation-debrief
I'll save yourself 11 minutes.
All injured players have some milestones they need to tick off and its a high performance question on when they'll be ready.
You're welcome.
Gee I like Sammy Hamill. Love to see him at the club for a long time. Excellent thinker and communicator.
How the fark does H spend a whole summer working on his goal kicking only to miss sodas from 15m on the very ground he practices on every day?
How the fark does H spend a whole summer working on his goal kicking only to miss sodas from 15m on the very ground he practices on every day?
He gets too close to the man on the mark usually then panics
Like others I thought Kemp badly needed the gallop, most did some good things and Ed’s commentary was interesting from a Carlton perspective
He gets too close to the man on the mark usually then panics
I noticed he marked a spot well in front of the man on the when taking shots today. I'm guessing that was the point he intended to kick from...he might need to rejudge that position if he's getting too close.
I noticed he marked a spot well in front of the man on the when taking shots today. I'm guessing that was the point he intended to kick from...he might need to rejudge that position if he's getting too close.
Its not rocket science. He can kick the ball around the ground just fine. Just pick a spot behind the goal, a person on the crowd of you can, and kick it to them. Forget about the goals, kick out it to your mate and the goals will take care of themselves.
Its not rocket science. He can kick the ball around the ground just fine. Just pick a spot behind the goal, a person on the crowd of you can, and kick it to them. Forget about the goals, kick out it to your mate and the goals will take care of themselves.
Yep.
It's not rocket science.
It's Goalkicking 101.
It's how we were taught to kick for goals 50 years ago.
So you would have to think in the scheme of things that the suggestion has been made to Harry and he's tried it many times.
The problem isn't with the theory. It's with the execution.
It's the little man in his head.
Harry is a reasonably accurate and reliable kicker in general play.
There are two variables between field kicking. in general play. on the run and in the clear...and a set shot kick for goal.
The first is the difference between a straight approach and the around the corner one.
You don't often see an 'around the corner' kick in general play.
Immediately that's a decision that Harry has to make, when lining up for goal, which introduces a "something to think about"
He'd probably be better sticking with just one.
Eliminate the choice.
One less thing to occupy his thought process.
Secondly,in general play, a lot of Harry's accurate kicks are often on the run in the clear.
No "man on the mark".
Another thing to think about.
In training, I wonder whether Harry is practicing these numerous shots on goal with a man on the mark.
Yep.
It's not rocket science.
It's Goalkicking 101.
It's how we were taught to kick for goals 50 years ago.
So you would have to think in the scheme of things that the suggestion has been made to Harry and he's tried it many times.
The problem isn't with the theory. It's with the execution.
It's the little man in his head.
Harry is a reasonably accurate and reliable kicker in general play.
There are two variables between field kicking. in general play. on the run and in the clear...and a set shot kick for goal.
The first is the difference between a straight approach and the around the corner one.
You don't often see an 'around the corner' kick in general play.
Immediately that's a decision that Harry has to make, when lining up for goal, which introduces a "something to think about"
He'd probably be better sticking with just one.
Eliminate the choice.
One less thing to occupy his thought process.
Secondly,in general play, a lot of Harry's accurate kicks are often on the run in the clear.
No "man on the mark".
Another thing to think about.
In training, I wonder whether Harry is practicing these numerous shots on goal with a man on the mark.
In ideal situations that man on the mark will also be reminding Harry about the bit of “chewy on his boot” 🤣 match simulation 👍🏼
The problem isn't with the theory. It's with the execution.
It's the little man in his head.
It doesn't help the more people pile on and bang on about it, we might think he doesn't hear or read it but he does. You just have to listen to his social media stuff to know how much it impacts him, directly and indirectly through his family and friends who are forced to listen to the bullcrap fans hand out in the stands.
Harry is a reasonably accurate and reliable kicker in general play.
Field kicking is not a useful measure, don't let that suck you in, especially when BigH tends to be kicking longer.
The AFL moving targets cover so much ground really only Harry knows whether his kick was marked where he intended. For AFL players on the lead it is just two steps less or more, and those two steps are more than the difference between centre of the goals and a behind.
Something to watch out for, and I haven't paid much attention to it....
When Harry takes a mark downfield, and not in a shot at goal, does he run a bit of an arc on the man on the mark to take him out of the equation?
Does that differ to his 'straight' shots on goal... as opposed to his round the corner shots which are on an arc.
It doesn't help the more people pile on and bang on about it, we might think he doesn't hear or read it but he does. You just have to listen to his social media stuff to know how much it impacts him, directly and indirectly through his family and friends who are forced to listen to the bullcrap fans hand out in the stands.
There's only one way he'll stop the specualtion.
Fix the problem.
His biggest mistake was listening to people tell him not to kick around the corner.
Field kicking is not a useful measure, don't let that suck you in, especially when BigH tends to be kicking longer.
The AFL moving targets cover so much ground really only Harry knows whether his kick was marked where he intended. For AFL players on the lead it is just two steps less or more, and those two steps are more than the difference between centre of the goals and a behind.
With field kicking he puts it to a position where the player will/can run onto the ball.
The target will often determine the accuracy by getting to the ball....that's true.
But if it's an accurate enough kick to get in that general space it's an accurate enough kick to get within cooee of the goal posts.
Some of Harry's misses are well wide of the mark and poorly executed.
It's an issue because it has at times been a momentum killer for us.
You can't hide from that.
McKay is too good a player in general play to not be in our best 22.
The solutions are for him to improve his goal-kicking to his Coleman days or find a position a bit further away from goal
And KPD might be the best option.
I think part of the problem here is that we've been told pre-season the efforts Harry has been making to address his goalkicking issues.
Now yesterday he was amongst our best.
I actually thought he was our best.
But the goalkicking was pretty much the same 'hit and miss'.
McKay is too good a player in general play to not be in our best 22.
I haven't watched the game so I can't comment, a lot of media have initially talked him up as BoG, then secondly gone on to bag his kicking. The second part of those reports is more about throwing rocks at Carlton and winding up supporters.
BigH is not as bad of a kick as the media make out. Out at range he is as good if not even better than Charlie, I wouldn't be surprised to find their stats not all that different. In fact I think we did just that comparison last year and there was barely a percentage difference. To me that means the close range stuff is almost 100% a head space issue, but he is not on his lonesome in this regard.
Over the last couple of seasons, I'd say Owies has been probably our most reliable from inside 25m, and even he has had some unexpected misses.
It's the bad misses that fans remember, but I'd assert BigH has made as many spectacular around the body goals from very long range deep in the pocket as he has had spectacular misses. Those spectacular misses are what fans remember but I doubt in the bigger picture if there are as many of them as they recall.
Two or three years back, we sat through a lot of games and listened to loud mouths like Dunstall and Mooney in their special commentary roles bag the hell out of BigH about taking the long range shots, they wrote BigH off before he even kicked the ball, and back then he was getting the goals from around the body on the point of the 50m arc. They almost sounded disappointed he actually scored, I gather they felt bitter like when you are made appear a goose. But when he had a bad trot they piled on and become the "I told you so" crew, doing a Caro Wilson and erasing the historical times they were dead wrong!
I haven't watched he game so I can't comment, a lot of media have initially talked him up as BoG, then secondly gone on to bag his kicking. The second part of those reports is more about throwing rocks at Carlton and winding up supporters.
BigH is not as bad of a kick as the media make out. Out at range he is as good if not even better than Charlie, I wouldn't be surprised to find their stats not all that different. In fact I think we did just that comparison last year and there was barely a percentage difference. To me that means the close range stuff is almost 100% a head space issue, but he is not on his lonesome in this regard.
Over the last couple of seasons, I'd say Owies has been probably our most reliable from inside 25m, and even he has had some unexpected misses.
It's the bad misses that fans remember, but I'd assert BigH has had as many spectacular around the body goals from very long range deep in the pocket as he has had spectacular misses. Those spectacular misses are what fans remember but I doubt in the bigger picture if there are as many of them as they recall.
I was watching a highlight package of Harry's 2022 earlier on.
He was kicking them from all over the place and looked confident in his kicking.
While they wouldn't have shown his misses...with 45 goals-31 behinds he was travelling OK.
He can do it, but something's gone wrong somewhere...and it may be as simple as MBB and LP says when they tried to correct his kicking around the corner...they've messed with something that was working OK. (58-33 in 2021)
I was watching a highlight package of Harry's 2022 earlier on.
He was kicking them from all over the place and looked confident in his kicking.
While they wouldn't have shown his misses...with 45 goals-31 behinds he was travelling OK.
He can do it, but something's gone wrong somewhere...and it may be as simple as MBB and LP says when they tried to correct his kicking around the corner...they've messed with something that was working OK. (58-33 in 2021)
Yep, I don't understand where the the historical perception came from that his kicking was bad, the stats don't support it.
Are we( the fans ) are putting too much emphasis on the bad miss and not enough on the success?
Now the media know they can beat the drums and get a reaction every time it happens, but for Carlton that's not a new feature, we have been bullied into behaviours by the media for decades, we have basically been mob ruled with the mob being the media, that is why they go to the likes of Bruce Mathieson for comments.
Two of Harry's kicks for goal were perfect, his others not so much. BUT he wasn't Robinson Crusoe with missed shots at goal; from memory, Charlie kicked two OOBOTF, Gov kicked one, and there were several others.
I thought that Harry was our best player by quite a margin and his ruckwork has improved considerably. Geelong rotated four players through the ruck to our two (Young did contest one hitout when our ruck couldn't get there) so Harry's effort was quite impressive, as was De Koning's.
And, speaking of Young, I don't really understand the criticism. We had one tall defender against three tall forwards - McGovern was conceding 13cm to Neale - and that's not really sustainable even if we had Weiters in for Young. Besides, our focus was very much on pressing up rather than dour defence and even Weiters would have struggled with Geelong's ball movement into the forward line.
At the other end of the ground we had Ashton Moir playing as a key forward. He has plenty of talent and could probably hold down the third tall spot but it's a huge ask to expect him to get the better of an experienced key defender.
It doesn't help the more people pile on and bang on about it, we might think he doesn't hear or read it but he does. You just have to listen to his social media stuff to know how much it impacts him, directly and indirectly through his family and friends who are forced to listen to the bullcrap fans hand out in the stands.
My daughter and her boyfriend went to the the Sydney Elimination final and she said she was so disappointed with the blues fans treatment of Harry. If it wasn't my own daughter telling me i wouldn't believe it but she said there was loud groans when he took a mark within range and then when he missed they booed him!!
I know its frustrating especially in a final but i would never treat any player like that. The bloke is has mental demons and that sort of added negative noise is just making it harder for him. Stay quiet when he misses and clap and support like mad when he nails one.
I tried warning people off about their expectations of Young for this year, and it seems, unfortunately, that i was right.
He looks like the same player as he was last year (at best) but nowhere near the player he was before that.
Not sure whats happened to him, but he is not a long term option and we MUST be chasing some genuine backups ASAP.
I would happily like to wave my magic wand and fix it, but i think its about time we accept it, he ain't the man he used to be.
Not sure yesterday first 'practice match' of the season confirmed anything and anyone and certainly your joking to write a bloke off after one practice match.
I remember watching blokes like Digby Morell look like Wayne Carey in preseason games then was delisted a few years later.
North 17th beat the premier comfortably a few days ago
These games mean SFA, as long as there is no new injuries in these pre season games I'm happy.
And the seconds....
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1494358/vfl-match-report-match-simulation-v-geelong
I thought that Harry was our best player by quite a margin and his ruckwork has improved considerably. Geelong rotated four players through the ruck to our two (Young did contest one hitout when our ruck couldn't get there) so Harry's effort was quite impressive, as was De Koning's.
H appears to have been coached and looked much more at home in the ruck than ever before. Maybe there is an intention to have him spend more time in the ruck this season. If so, hopefully he will be resilient because I don't know if we can afford for him to get injured.
TDK also seemed to have more strength to body up against his ruck opponents - not that the pussies are generally considered to be strong in that department.
I like the games of both Hollands brothers but
the big positive for me was the fact that Cripps appeared to be more mobile and to have a bit more zip - maybe he has dropped a little weight and done some speed/agility work or maybe he is just injury free for a change.
H appears to have been coached and looked much more at home in the ruck than ever before. Maybe there is an intention to have him spend more time in the ruck this season. If so, hopefully he will be resilient because I don't know if we can afford for him to get injured.
TDK also seemed to have more strength to body up against his ruck opponents - not that the pussies are generally considered to be strong in that department.
I like the games of both Hollands brothers but the big positive for me was the fact that Cripps appeared to be more mobile and to have a bit more zip - maybe he has dropped a little weight and done some speed/agility work or maybe he is just injury free for a change.
Cripps was outstanding early but had a bit of a spell later in the game and dropped back to just very good. Based on his early game form, I’d say he is in for a big year.
Ollie Hollands was very impressive. Elijah was good but I don’t think he has Ollie’s footy smarts.
Cripps was outstanding early but had a bit of a spell later in the game and dropped back to just very good. Based on his early game form, I’d say he is in for a big year.
Ollie Hollands was very impressive. Elijah was good but I don’t think he has Ollie’s footy smarts.
I'd go so far as to say Ollie was our best on
Not sure yesterday first 'practice match' of the season confirmed anything and anyone and certainly your joking to write a bloke off after one practice match.
I remember watching blokes like Digby Morell look like Wayne Carey in preseason games then was delisted a few years later.
North 17th beat the premier comfortably a few days ago
These games mean SFA, as long as there is no new injuries in these pre season games I'm happy.
It's not about writing him off.
Its about him proving that he is better than he was last season..... and he simply wasn't.
Everyone has been pumping up his tyres as a genuine replacement for weitering and even next best behind him when he is back. However, that is based on not logic, but emotion.... and it shows.
Everyone expects players to perform at their best each week, each year. It simply doesn't happen. People are expecting and remembering young and his outputfrom 2 years ago instead of what he is giving us now. Worlds apart.
He had gone down hill every since we signed him up to a long term deal
Final tune up coming this week.
There is no more tinkering and experimentations. Best team to play.
Id be trialling Sam Durdin at FB this week vs Melbourne but would also play Young in the backline, Weitering is such a hard player to replace we may have to use a combination of S. Durdin and Young to try and cover the FB position.
While you dont judge a player on one practice game I felt Young's lack of form was continuing where he left off last season and Id like a plan B. Martin will be equally hard to replace down the other end given his value is in the quality of possessions rather than the number and if he is also missing Id expect Fantasia to provide that creativity and would want to see him shine vs the Dees.
Id be trialling Sam Durdin at FB this week vs Melbourne but would also play Young in the backline, Weitering is such a hard player to replace we may have to use a combination of S. Durdin and Young to try and cover the FB position.
While you dont judge a player on one practice game I felt Young's lack of form was continuing where he left off last season and Id like a plan B. Martin will be equally hard to replace down the other end given his value is in the quality of possessions rather than the number and if he is also missing Id expect Fantasia to provide that creativity and would want to see him shine vs the Dees.
Apart from the size mismatches with Geelong's two gorillas (plus Cameron) to our one gorilla minder, Kempy had a shocker and we didn't play our normal whole of team defence. I reckon Weiters would have struggled in those circumstances.
Melbourne's midfielders and small/medium forwards are probably more dangerous than their talls but they could still stretch our defence with Gawn, Schache and Verrall. Kemp should be more comfortable manning Van Rooyen but I'd like to see tall Durds out there with Young.
Harry's copped a bit of flack regarding his goalkicking in recent times...
But Charlie is a bit off the boil too.
His last 8 games have produced...
1,2,5,3,1,1,1 and just 1 in the Geelong practice game.
We know he's just as likely to come out and kick a bag at any stage, but it would be good to see him amongst the goals in the next outing.
Harry's copped a bit of flack regarding his goalkicking in recent times...
But Charlie is a bit off the boil too.
His last 8 games have produced...
1,2,5,3,1,1,1 and just 1 in the Geelong practice game.
We know he's just as likely to come out and kick a bag at any stage, but it would be good to see him amongst the goals in the next outing.
This issue with Charlie isn't that he is missing from 15m out though.
He is more likely to kick goals from 55m out as Harry is from 15m.
I know its frustrating especially in a final but i would never treat any player like that. The bloke is has mental demons and that sort of added negative noise is just making it harder for him. Stay quiet when he misses and clap and support like mad when he nails one.
I've said it before, and I hate to admit it, but that is where the Filth fans have it all over the Bluebagger fans.
The Filth crowd jump all over any of their supporters who sledge their own too vigorously, primarily they are ultra supportive.
This issue with Charlie isn't that he is missing from 15m out though.
He is more likely to kick goals from 55m out as Harry is from 15m.
The point is in the last 8 games he's played (apart from one lot of five) he's not kicking many at all.
We know he'll probably turn that around once the season starts, but there's been very little heat for him so far.
And under the pressure of finals he didn't really shine...so that's a job for the future.