First half is possibly some of the best footy I've seen us play in 5 years or more....and against the team that played off in last year's GF and tipped by a few to go all the way this year. We absolutely took them to the cleaners and dominated in the middle and with contested possession. At times our ball movement looked as slick as what the Dogs have become famous for.
Yes, we tapered off a bit after half time but we got the points....that's what matters. In years gone by we probably would've just stopped completely.
So many contributors across the field. Cripps/Walsh/Kennedy/Hewett of course....Pittonet dominated the ruck and gave us first use out of the middle so many times. Weitering/McGovern combination down back looked better again....and the Harry/Charlie combo worked a treat. Add in the usual Silvagni 100% effort and the pressure stuff in the forward line from Owies/Durdin.
At times it was hard to believe it was basically the same 22 out there as last year....apart from Hewett. Apart from that last quarter, our skills looked completely different to what we've been used to.
Not sure what was happening with Newman though...usually very good with ball in hand but 3 horrendous blunders in the space of about 5 minutes in the last quarter nearly cost us the game.
I'm hoping a bit of a return to form for McKay....Richmond defence is usually always pretty good....Dogs are a bit light on down back and with TDK playing forward too I reckon we can stretch them.
I had kinda been hoping to see Kemp in for Martin....not sure what his VFL/pre-season form was like but a bit of X-factor and can play in a variety of positions....he's probably a good all round choice as a medical sub these days.
Agreed Mav...we won't be the only club losing players under the Covid protocols. And if we DO have to lose Cerra, is there anyone better to be replacing him? Will just be nice when they're both out there....hopefully week 3.
Late to the party again so apologies if I cover points already raised.
On the strength of the last two games (Melbourne practice game and tonight), Cripps looks back to his best. Looks to have slimmed down a bit but not lost any power...he was a beast last night and gave us first possession outta the middle so many times. And then had Cerra and Hewett in there to feed it out to....not that they weren't getting it themselves either.
Have always maintained that Kennedy was unfairly dealt with at selection over the last couple of years given the others that were getting games before him. Won his spot back late last year and, like Cripps, his two games this year have been sublime. And has the added advantage of being able to go forward and take a strong mark and is usually a pretty reliable set shot.
Said it before too but Pittonet is under-rated. Nankervis is not unlike him in his style so that might've helped a bit but he cracks in non-stop and offers a contest...not afraid to put his body into the contest. TDK is a good foil being able to drift forward but then jump over opponents in the middle. Another 40 odd games into him and he'll be cherry ripe.
To be able to kick a winning score and not have any real input from Harry or Charlie was a huge upside. Must've hit the post 3 or 4 times too.
Silvagni still a huge player for us with his 2nd and 3rd efforts when the ball is on the ground are amazing. Could've easily ended up with 3 or 4 goals last night.
Was Docherty playing back or wing....or a bit of both? I reckon he can play that role....drift up the ground as he reads it well and is generally a good user of the footy.
I think McDonald/McGovern are capable of bing a good foil for Weitering. They'll take some time to gel but McGovern's kicking is a feature. SPeaking of kicking being a feature, how good is Adam Saad....his kicking is elite and it's like having two blokes out there....his run and carry is priceless and reckon we'll see an even better season from him this year and I'm more than happy to have given up the pick to get him.
Cerra/Hewett....enough said but reckon the pundits will be talking about Hewett come season's end when talking about "recruit of the year". Tough and hard at it, can run with an opponent but can get it himself and uses it pretty well.
Most pleasing thing....4 points obviously....but in season's past, we would've coughed up those 3 goal bursts and let it become a 4-5-6 goal burst and never recovered. Last night that had a Voss stamp all over it....never gave up, didn't deviate from the plan and players executed it. Early in the first it was a bit like last year...miskicks, sloppy handballs, dropped marks etc but reckon he would've just spoken to them at 1/4 time, not screamed and ranted...just stick to the game plan. We seemed to be able to play fast and move it quickly but then adjust the tempo and get it onto our terms and slow it down when needed.
One game doesn't make the season but most pundits had Richmond jumping back up the table this year. THey lost Prestia but we were without Walsh....and absolutely smashed them out of the middle and in the contested ball.
Tough one this week against Bulldogs who'll be savage...but we match up well against them, have the midfield to go with them more now and reckon we've got more up forward than them.
Agree DJC....but didn't think Setterfield's form in the practice games warranted a spot in the 22....rather another run-with player like Curnow and maybe plonk Doc on the wing at stages.
Think I had Ed ahead of Setters and that was about it.....wonder how many chances Setterfield will get. Ed has been Mr Reliable over a number of years.
Pretty much with you on the team EB. For mine Setterfield and Williamson aren't in there.
Tigers have a pretty good midfield with lots of runners....Ed Curnow always an option for one of those roles.
I'm happy with TDK and Pittonet in the same team. They'll more than likely rotate off the bench.
Different roles/positions but it might come down to a question between Ed and O'Brien. I wasn't completely sold on LOB in that game against Melbourne....got a fair bit of it but still some clangers and poor decisions.
Just read the same thing Kruddler. Enormous boost for the team and the club I reckon. His form early last year was very "un-Docherty" like...fumbles, dropped marks, poor kicks etc....got a sneaky feeling he'll be pumped to make amends this year. Huge game and no way would Voss pick him if he didn't think he was 100% right to go.
Any footy is better than no footy EB.....and at a neutral game you can walk outta there at the final siren and still be happy! Doesn't always work like that at Blues games unfortunately.
Agree EB...on paper probably our best chance of knocking Richmond off in Round 1 for awhile. Their tall forwards are a bit of a worry, especially with no Jones, but I think McDonald and McGovern can do enough between them to help out Weitering. At the other end, we can really test them with our talls and blokes like Silvagni and Kennedy going forward too able to take a mark. Throw in some speed and nous with Owies, Durdin and Fisher and I think we look pretty even across the ground.
I'd still be going with TDK/Pittonet combination too.
I agree re Newman....will definitely play Round 1. Richmond have a lot of small/medium forwards who'll need to be closely watched. Both Williams and Saad like to run offensively and maybe aren't as defensively minded. I hope Doc gets back but not sure it'll be Round 1 against Tigers.
That for me would mean back 6 of Newman, Weitering, McGovern, Saad, McDonald and Williams and then another on the bench...probably Plowman. Hard to see how both Young and McDonald would play, especially if McGovern is playing back. McDonald would then likely get first crack at Reiwoldt and Weitering takes Lynch?
Guys like Setterfield, Williamson, Cottrell will likely get squeezed out too and Durdin might not be risked with a calf....so Fisher/Owies get the small forward spots.
I hope we go with both TDK and Pittonet. Agree that Pittonet isn't your A-Grader like a Gawn etc, but loved his game the other night and he makes a contest every time. He'll need to do that again up against Richmond.
