I'm reasonably happy with that, McKay looked like an AFL footballer and I put Paddy Dow in my votes, 7 clearances was one short of Cripps and second highest in the game. Not bad for a kid in his fifth game, a couple of green shoots at last!
I think that's the main thing, 4 goals makes it seem like a great game but I was there and he was pretty average. But he needs anything he can get to build some confidence and momentum in his game. I think we nailed it with Dow, looks really solid every week he is going to be a gun for us. Quitely impressed with O'Brien also think he has something.
I'm inclined to agree. Whether he has been told, or whether he is taking it one himself, he is trying to be more than he ca handle at the moment. Having Docherty back in the team allows him more freedom of action, not to mention gives him confidence.
Agree I think they are missing Doch back there more than we thought, everyone is now being asked to help each other and they are realising how much Doch covered them. Hopefully its a blessing in disguise so when he comes back they are all better for the experience and we are better as a unit back there.
Recruiting-wise it was a real disaster for the club and hurt badly. If only we had SOS in those days. You could talk flags then. your recruiter the most important man in the club. Coach is important but you can change those. Recruiter mistakes hurt for years.
That is basically it. I keep saying it that period set us back 10 years.
Honey moon period over. Disgusting to think these guys are professionals and I send my money to them and they cant even execute basic skills, dopping sitters, cant hit a handball, cant watch your man for more than 30 secs without falling asleep.
Weitering seriously starting to rub me the wrong way, playing like a privileged kid born with some size, no eye of the tiger whatsoever. Look at how he reacted after his hit from an 18 year old and Cripps' reaction after being cleaned up by May. Too many VFL hacks etc. Bolton went speed banking on heavy legs from Gold Coast and got screwed. Bad day but feels like there will be many more this season, very deflating after last weeks promise.
Just watched BB's presser. A distinct change of tune IMO. I don't think we'll be hearing any more about green shoots - the emphasis is clearly now on winning and NO EXCUSES. We have clearly entered the next stage of our journey.
Exactly the message I got from it as well. Great to hear and you can tell from BB we are past the point of being happy with little signs.
Pretty impressed by the performance. If that's the gap from us to last years premiers then we have come a long way!
Everyone showed signs however starting to worry over Weitering and Silvagni. Both I feel are stuffed half way through first quarters, thunder thighs runs with concrete legs and Silvagni has no where near an afl tank either. Weitering I think is not a key defender and I think we need to use him as a 3rd tall rebounding type and build his confidence. Silvagni is a 3rd tall forward and unfortunately thats it, hopefully they improve throughout the year.
This for me is the game plan year, sure I want more wins like the next bloke but I think if I see our play develop and looks of having a complete game plan are there then I will be content.
The list build or the majority of it is pretty much done in my book, this is the year it has to start looking like its coming together becoming weather tight and moving on from building the structure.
I still can't believe they won it also, when it flashes across my mind I still think of it as this really bad dream. Doesn't seem real.
So like last year, I think the premiership clocks will be dependent on how the more fancied teams do again this year, and if there is no clear stand out team again any of the others can potentially build enough momentum and confidence and pinch one like the Tigers and Dogs.
I am probably one of the youngest on here but I still love reading the stuff on here much more than the mostly garbage that gets posted on social media or bigfooty from attention seekers. Thoughtful opinions and generally better informed.
Great believer in that FB. Jones is a more likely long term defender prospect for us than Rowe or ACoS, although these two will be useful over the next year or two. I'd like to see Jones continue to develop in his current role and moving him forward may well upset that. If we want someone to fill in as a forward I would rather go with Rowe although that prospect doesn't really excite me.
Agree there cookie. I would defintely be not moving Jones anywhere. Rowe and ACOS will be backup depth however there is a part of me that really wants ACOS in that side though as we need that mongrel.
Rowe will end up filling in for injuries or whatever back and forward, but I too would be really worried if he is in the forward for any other reason. As I am hoping McKay and Kerr, especially McKay will be a permanent fixture by then.
In general I am really optimistic, the natural progression of SPS, Curnow, Weitering, Fisher, Cunningham, Pickett, Silvagni and the like coupled with the 2 kids from the draft and the addition of Kennedy and Lang is exciting. Hopefully this will also mean Murph as a 70/30 forward/mid.
We were admiring Zac too last night Woody. He's a game little terrier and he was certainly in plenty! Knows what to do when he gets the ball and made a few damaging disposals. Still a bit raw but has a future for sure imo.
Defintely a fan also cookie. Had him marked as one to watch when we recruited him. Once he puts on a bit more and builds that tank further we have a serious player there. Great awareness in traffic waits for overlaps rather thna going too early with handballs, obviously great and as you mentioned he loves to hunt ball and man.
Boekhorst is Bower and Lucas combined! Anyone who thought he meant to do that pirouette last week is kidding themselves and probably wanted us to draft Lucas back in the day also. He fell into it by freaking out and trying to trip himself over going around 360 every which way. Bolts is just having a good look at him but unfortunately average athlete and worse footballer.
Charlie and Pickett! Have to somehow keep a lid on Charlie he is slowly becoming the new young Buddy and the media are drooling over him every match. Some of SPS's kicks in traffic again were amazing.
Most impressive part was when we lost control and the Hawks came back but we steadied and regained control of the game. Super chuffed with the game some of the shining lights late in the season.
Jarrod Pickett! To see the leaps in progress from game to game is amazing. That speed, strength through the hips, imagine if he builds a serious tank. All credit to SOS.
Honourable mention to Lamb. Not sure what I was expecting from him this year but I think he has been pretty solid, his straight goalkicking is more important than we realise and stuck to his task well.
