And speaking of commentators - I am sick and tired of hearing them repeatedly telling us what they would do, instead of describing what tactics and match-ups are being employed.How silly of you, to actually think the commentator would be calling the game!
And speaking of commentators - I am sick and tired of hearing them repeatedly telling us what they would do, instead of describing what tactics and match-ups are being employed.
Look at the result this way, we were smashed in the ruck, smashed at stoppages and smashed around the ground, the stats might not clearly show it. But we won, despite Cripps, Walsh and Cerra being soundly defeated. Jagga was probably a break even, and Hewett was a win.
We are fortunate Lynch had a dirty night.
Back from the game and not particularly happy. We got the win, but...
[1] I don't want to bag the umpires, but they hurt us tonight. I think we got one holding the ball for the night, and we were lucky to get that one (we kicked a goal from it). The non-free to H ... No, I don't want to go there.
[2] One ruckman works until it doesn't.
I've been happy to have Pitto as #1 banana, with H giving him a chop out, as have most of us. But tonight we didn't have a plan B against Nankervis, who almost won the game for them with his total dominance. Pitto took a couple of good marks, but his inability to even nullify Nankervis almost cost us the match.
I would bring Riley in. He was good today. Hawthorn have two bono fides rucks, and they usually play well against us.
Melbourne showed what a team cam do to Hawthorn when they get thrashed in the ruck. We need to do that next week.
It was one of the reasons why many of our mids were relatively down tonight; they couldn't get first possession.
[3] Nick Haynes come on down!
After probably losing us the game in Rd 1 last year, Nick Haynes was the reason we won it this time. He was magnificent, with 10 marks and 17 disposals. He read the ball in the air really well and didn't fumble.
Kudos also goes to Wade Derksen, who did a great job all night.
For that matter, Lewis Young was playing one of his best games when he was concussed.
[4] Our list lacks talls:
When Young went off, McGovern had to go back. he was pretty good down there, but it really robbed us of forward options. We had nobody to take a grab in the forward line, with Kemp well beaten after half time. Kemp was good early, but after half time, he barely touched it.
[5] Ollie Hollands had a shocker:
We probably made a mistake bringing Hollands in. He was very good before he got injured, but he really struggled tonight. Acres would have been more effective.
We might not drop him though, hoping the run will do him good.
Jack Ison probably needs to go back as well, as he is now fumbling and second guessing himself. Give him a week or two to get his confidence back and he will do what is required.
[6] Jagga Smith and George Hewett:
Both had strong game, particularly considering how badly Pitto was being beaten. George had 26 disposals, 9 tackles, 2 goals and 4 clearances. Jagga had 29 disposals, 5 tackles and 4 clearances. They were huge.
Are the revisionists going to tell us we are remarkably different under Fraser?