It beggars belief that those in charge didn't know what was going on, and methinks a blind eye was turned because the on field results were good.
The AFL should have stepped in a taken charge but they don't have the cojones. I realise that class A drugs are metabolized quickly, but seriously, all those tests and no positives? Really?
Would have been nice for the AFL if it all went away, but once Pandora's box is opened...
The lad from Tassie - Doolan ? - played an outstanding knock in South Africa in a test match a few years ago, I thought that he looked an outstanding Test bat in both technique and temperament.
Yep, Renshaw has had an awful game, looks physically and mentally exhausted. Until this point he has clearly give everything and is spent.
Handscombe hasn't made big runs but they have had to winkle him out, and he does bat during that tough period when the spinners are on with purchase on the ball. He bats time as well which helps slow the other sides momentum.
Contrasted with Sean Marsh, who finds way to limply get out (bunted to short leg, really !?!), then it comes out his back has flared again...FFS, if he can't stay fit for five days don't keep playing him.
India's lower order has contributed enough annoying runs to be critical, whereas Starc aside our tail can't even hang around, yet alone make runs.
I'd be grooming Kerridge as a tagger, runs all day and big body. Can also find the footy, also drift forward and kick a goal. Needs a job as letting him hunt the footy without minding an opponent means that his disposal becomes an issue.
I still thought Rowe was a solid contributor despite that brain fade. Another bloke with whom the coaches must treat with a "keep it simple" mantra. Squared enough contests with Reiwoldt to have him squealing like a bi-atch all night.
His first half was ordinary but by the end of the game I was happier with what I saw from SOS Jr... he is going to the perfect size for a hit up forward - something we haven't had since, well, Matt Clape? In time, fed by a decent midfield, he could be at least the equal of a Gunston. He has something that few in the current side has - both a defined role and the nous and smarts to actually contribute in that role. Considering that he is barely 19 and missed most of the past two years I would have though that he was tracking nicely.
Two goals a game is 40 odd a year. I'd take that from a flanker.
Dunno, I was really disappointed with Docherty, looked fumbly, ran into trouble and kicked poorly. His possessions had no hurt factor. The smaller tiger forwards really hurt us, guys he was minding. He seems to be lacking touch and confidence.
Gibbs and Murphy had "almost" games, they almost laid tackles, they almost intercepted, they almost retarded the player enough... but didn't. Ultimately they didn't put any effective pressure on their mids or win enough clearances to stem the tide. Thus, I thought they were essentially ineffective, especially in the first half when the game was on the line. Their ball use by hand was not good and sold guys into trouble. Cripps also looked to be lacking touch, very badly.
Still can't understand why Martin ran around unfettered all night, surely a senior player like Gibbs would see what was happening and attempt to intervene?
He got pinged for chucking it, don't see how that wasn't his fault. Should have the strength to protect the ball enough to get rid of it correctly.
Watch the last quarter again, he was insipid. He ran around chasing kicks while tiger half forwards ran around doing whatever they wanted. Two of the inside 50's were dreadful, one was a meaningless 15 yard kick oton a bloke's head, the other was a finger breaking mongrel bomb. Worthless. Both got rebounded instantly.
His ball use ATM is criminally bad.
So he got a few stats early, the truth is that his effectiveness was zero.
