On TV again, which is good, but well below our best. Hopefully we can rise to the occasion.
ESSENDON v. NORTHERN BLUES
Round 13 – 15/07/2017
02:10PM
Windy Hill
Northern Blues
B: 13. C. O’Shea, 26. A. Silvagni, 40. M. Stavrou
HB: 47. C. Sheehan, 70. H. Macreadie, 49. D. Armfield
C: 8. L. Russell, 60. D. Cuningham, 7. D. Buckley
HF: 24. R. Palmer, 48. K. Jaksch, 62. B. Boekhorst
F: 55. L. Sumner, 19. H. McKay, 1. T. Wilson
R: 80. M. Korcheck, 32. N. Graham, 5. B. Smedts
Int: 76. K. LeBois, 4. S. Russell, 11. T. Jones, 34. J. Glass-McCasker, 6. G. Strachan, 50. D. Gorringe, 3. K. Declase, 56. A. Gallucci, 25. K. Keppel, 57.F. Pearce, 20. D. Stevens, 38. J. Pickett
23P: 45. M. Blakey
In: K. Declase, F. Pearce, D. Cuningham, S. Russell, C. Sheehan, M. Blakey, T. Jones, K. Keppel, N. Graham, H. Macreadie, D. Stevens, A. Silvagni
Out: C. Polson, P. Kerr, A. Federico, C. Byrne
Essendon
B: 19. K. Mutch, 49. M. Dea, 14. J. Ridley
HB: 34. J. Long, 50. J. Ferry, 10. A. Francis
C: 27. M. Redman, 40. B. Howlett, 5. B. Stanton
HF: 33. J. Laverde, 51. A. Boyse, 30. K. Langford
F: 20. J. Merrett, 22. M. Leuenberger, 16. J. Begley
R: 44. S. McKernan, 39. H. Hocking, 37. D. Clarke
Int: 59. A. Heppell, 66. K. Strachan, 57. N. Hind, 54. N. O’Brien, 69. A. Marklew, 75. L. Morey, 55. D. Younan, 63. M. Darby
23P: 61. W. Berry
In: M. Dea, M. Darby, J. Begley, K. Langford, A. Marklew, M. Leuenberger
Out: S. Draper, A. Morgan
BOX HILL HAWKS v. NORTHERN BLUES
Round 13 – 16/07/2017
09:00AM
Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill Hawks
B: 25. J. Firns, 17. A. Kennedy, 6. S. Horner
HB: 22. Z. Monkhorst, 29. S. Gibson, 21. J. Fisher
C: 18. L. Jeffs, 28. L. Cox, 11. B. Kilpatrick
HF: 23. J. Walker, 15. X. Dimasi, 14. M. Traynor
F: 4. M. O’Donnell, 33. D. Hehir, 8. A. Bond
R: 19. C. O’Sullivan, 9. B. Evans, 3. W. Murphy
Int: 58. M. Knoll, 56. R. Rusan, 47. H. Burt, 54. T. Horne, 46. T. Maloney, 49. L. Walker, 53. T. Castledine, 50. J. Haynes, 48. S. Parsons, 57. T. Davies, 20. J. Codd-Miller, 55. T. Jacotine, 52. J. Godwin
In: M. O’Donnell, A. Kennedy, J. Haynes, R. Rusan, B. Evans, J. Fisher,
1.Monkhorst, A. Bond
Northern Blues
B: 4. S. Russell, 3. K. Declase, 22. C. McCabe
HB: 41. S. Glover, 34. J. Glass-McCasker, 6. G. Strachan
C: 46. J. Bradley, 12. Z. Ballard, 57. F. Pearce
HF: 56. A. Gallucci, 16. J. Thorpe, 54. M. Romero
F: 76. K. LeBois, 18. B. Jordan, 9. J. Corboy
R: 30. S. Bolger, 20. D. Stevens, 11. T. Jones
Int: 53. H. Payne, 21. C. Barrett, 33. M. Dawson, 75. J. Rafferty, 64. J. O’Brien, 17. S. Peet, 71. D. Costanzo, 65. D. Costigan, 23. C. Adams, 78.M. Walson, 44. W. Krithararis
In: G. Strachan, D. Costigan, J. Rafferty, D. Costanzo, W. Krithararis, M. Dawson, K. LeBois, A. Gallucci, J. Glass-McCasker
Out: M. Blakey, K. Keppel
Is the Glass man being eased back from injury or is his form that bad?
And is that Bradley a junior from the one and only clan?
Is the Glass man being eased back from injury or is his form that bad?
And is that Bradley a junior from the one and only clan?
Jake Bradley is son of Sir Craig.
Is the Glass man being eased back from injury or is his form that bad?
And is that Bradley a junior from the one and only clan?
Those selections mean very little until after 6pm tonight, half of our alleged AFL ins are listed for injury test or monitor!
Glass-McCasker actually did OK last week. He will be playing for the Blues on TV, not in the Development team.
Anyone know how Jake is developing does he have his fathers engine?
Anyone know how Jake is developing does he have his fathers engine?
Allegedly yes, but he's very slight!
Allegedly yes, but he's very slight!
He can come and eat at my place, my missus will fix that.
Dont turn the TV on, abit of a horror movie vs CheatsFC. Fwd line looks horrible, H got his first possesion of the day at the 10min mark of the 3rd. Two entries into the fwd line by Gorringe and H were utterly horrid, straight to Cheats defenders.
Harry is lacking confidence! He has ability but his head doesnt seems like its in the right place!
McKay has got a bit more involved since he was moved on to the ball but he's got an awfully long way to go.
We had virtually no midfield so the result wasn't a surprise, but no one put their hand up today.
Northern Blues
B: 13. C. O’Shea, 26. A. Silvagni, 40. M. Stavrou
HB: 47. C. Sheehan, 70. H. Macreadie, 49. D. Armfield
C: 8. L. Russell, 60. D. Cuningham, 7. D. Buckley
HF: 24. R. Palmer, 48. K. Jaksch, 62. B. Boekhorst
F: 55. L. Sumner, 19. H. McKay, 1. T. Wilson
R: 80. M. Korcheck, 32. N. Graham, 5. B. Smedts
Int: 76. K. LeBois, 4. S. Russell, 11. T. Jones, 34. J. Glass-McCasker, 6. G. Strachan, 50. D. Gorringe, 3. K. Declase, 56. A. Gallucci, 25. K. Keppel, 57.F. Pearce, 20. D. Stevens, 38. J. Pickett
23P: 45. M. Blakey
In: K. Declase, F. Pearce, D. Cuningham, S. Russell, C. Sheehan, M. Blakey, T. Jones, K. Keppel, N. Graham, H. Macreadie, D. Stevens, A. Silvagni
Out: C. Polson, P. Kerr, A. Federico, C. Byrne
From this line-up, we lost not just 4 players, but all of these:
(1) A Silvagni
(2) D Cuningham
(3) D Buckley
(4) B Boekhorst
(5) L Sumner
(6) N Graham
(7) B Smedts
That is a fair group of players, other than the injuries mentioned earlier. That made it harder for starters. However, the pathetic effort from so many of the guys who played today just didn't do us justice, especially in the last quarter.
GOALS: Gorringe, O'Shea, Pickett, Wilson
DISPOSALS: O'Shea 29, Russell 27, Strachan 26, Macreadie 25, Armfield 20, Sheehan 20
Of those, O'Shea and Russell were GOOD. Strachan was solid. Macreadie tried hard, but is a little light and make a few too many errors at the moment. His time is coming, but he is still a kid. Armfield was good, one of his best games this year and Sheahan tried hard, but is still some way off his best.
Harry McKay was adequate when NOT at FF, as we couldn't get the ball near him. His ruck work is ordinary, but on the ground he was a contributor.
Pickett had a couple of real highlights, but didn't do enough.
LeBois really needs to be in the Development team until he gets 20 or more possessions, because he cannot make a real difference to a team that needs him with 5 possessions for a game.
Gorringe continues to disappoint.
Korchek tries, but he is not a viable ruck option at this time.
Glass-McCasker had a reasonable game in defence, especially with the ball coming down so often and so easily. I'd still like to see him up forward, but we cannot afford that at the moment.
Palmer appeared to try, but he had a hard tag and couldn't throw it off. Especially as Leuenberger had such an influence in the middle of the ground. Palmer couldn't get near it.
Jaksch just doesn't appear to want it enough.
Gallucci is just making up the numbers as well.
Our "two's" have turned to crap!
Our "two's" have turned to crap!
The big difference in in the centre square: instead of having a dominant ruckman who gave the mids first use, we now have Korchek and Gorringe, neither of whom can provide the mids with any service at all.
The 2nd thing is our mids themselves: instead of having guys like Kerridge, Graham and Cuningham leading the charge, the main mid left is Palmer. He is getting the hard tag each week and no help from the rucks. Then there is Tom Wilson, a real trier and a live wire, but not a 35 possession player whose disposal and pace hurts.
Thirdly, early in the season we had Alex Silvagni, followed by Liam Jones, giving real leadership and desperation to our back 6. Now neither of them is there and guys like Macreadie have to do jobs they are not really ready for yet.
Fourthly, our forward division has been a work in progress the whole time. But now it is a lot harder, as the ball does not come in often, nor does it come in a way that gives the forwards a chance. Kerr and Polson are out injured and their replacements haven't been up to the task.
The coaching box is not coming up with miracles, but in the circumstances, it is difficult to make a silk purse from sows' ears.
The big difference in in the centre square: instead of having a dominant ruckman who gave the mids first use, we now have Korchek and Gorringe, neither of whom can provide the mids with any service at all.
The 2nd thing is our mids themselves: instead of having guys like Kerridge, Graham and Cuningham leading the charge, the main mid left is Palmer. He is getting the hard tag each week and no help from the rucks. Then there is Tom Wilson, a real trier and a live wire, but not a 35 possession player whose disposal and pace hurts.
Thirdly, early in the season we had Alex Silvagni, followed by Liam Jones, giving real leadership and desperation to our back 6. Now neither of them is there and guys like Macreadie have to do jobs they are not really ready for yet.
Fourthly, our forward division has been a work in progress the whole time. But now it is a lot harder, as the ball does not come in often, nor does it come in a way that gives the forwards a chance. Kerr and Polson are out injured and their replacements haven't been up to the task.
The coaching box is not coming up with miracles, but in the circumstances, it is difficult to make a silk purse from sows' ears.
Yes, you have some good points.
Harry Mac might actually play better footy in the seniors right now.
Peter Jackson VFL 2017
Essendon 3.8 4.11 7.13 16.15 (111)
Northern Blues 1.2 2.4 2.6 4.6 (30)
GOALS:
Essendon : Laverde 6 Langford 4 Stanton 2 Dea O'Brien Merrett Leuenberger
Northern Blues: Pickett Gorringe Wilson O'Shea
BEST:
Essendon : Laverde Langford Francis Long Stanton Leuenberger
Northern Blues: O'Shea Russell Macreadie Wilson Blakey Armfield
Yes, you have some good points.
Harry Mac might actually play better footy in the seniors right now.
That is probably the case. Even though the seniors are not renowned for their forward work, he would have a MUCH better chance in the senior forward line. At the moment he is not going to get any good ball at VFL level until we get a few players back and can find some sort of solution for our ruck woes.
Yes, you have some good points.
Harry Mac might actually play better footy in the seniors right now.
He's a long way from senior selection.
I counted one mark for the day and he played much of the second on the ball, but as Crash stated there was very little support for him today and our ball use was barely VFL standard.
The only players who could mount a semblance of a case for senior selection were Armfield and Sheehan in my view, and that would be a bit of a stretch.
Macredie and JGM both showed a bit but Laverde and Langford kicked 10 between them and someone has to own it.
We were way down on personnel and it showed.
NB's were undermanned vs Essendon..Bombers VFL team is very decent.....Laverde has been injured for 12 months and only played three games this year, both he and Langford who were Essendons first two picks in the infamous Boekhorst draft did what they liked vs our combo of kids and bananas.
Bombers have a number of good kids including Francis and Mutch who are all big developed players that were just too skilled and advanced for our lot.
Macreadie...wasnt too bad considering the amount of ball Essendon had down forward....
OShea was our best player by a long way and should be playing senior footy...
Korchek.....Luenberger was too experienced and dominated all day...
Palmer.....poor IMO....Dons had Stanton, Hocking and Howlett in their team and they had a picnic and I thought Palmer didnt show much leadership.
Gorringe...took one decent mark forward and goaled but that was about it...soft performer..
Denis...few kicks down back but didnt do anything major and just went IMO...
Harry...no supply down forward then moved into the ruck...played ok, took a few marks but lacks some smarts IMO.
Gallucci...MIA
Lebois.....see Gallucci
Jaksch..started off well then faded
Sheehan....ordinary....kicking was poor too
JGM....not bad in patches especially early... but ended up on Laverde who was too strong and smart for him...
A game to forget.....we dont have the depth Essendon do and look very small...those chemicals must still be in the water supply at Windy Hill...
He's a long way from senior selection.
I counted one mark for the day and he played much of the second on the ball, but as Crash stated there was very little support for him today and our ball use was barely VFL standard.
The only players who could mount a semblance of a case for senior selection were Armfield and Sheehan in my view, and that would be a bit of a stretch.
Macredie and JGM both showed a bit but Laverde and Langford kicked 10 between them and someone has to own it.
We were way down on personnel and it showed.
He'd just freeze to death playing NB's up forward. Hence we had to ruck him to get him into the game. Not sure he's rucked in his life. I know when the NBs the flying early in the year he was hitting packs and taking marks. Give him the opportunities and he'll go alot better. Right now our NBs teach him nothing and while we''re kicking 4.6 in a game he'll just rot. . Time to give him the feel of what senior is like and what's required. Not as if we're playing finals to may as well play him.
That's what happens when you don't have a midfield. Simply awful. Some honest efforts from a few, but, generally, awful.
The big difference in in the centre square: instead of having a dominant ruckman who gave the mids first use, we now have Korchek and Gorringe, neither of whom can provide the mids with any service at all.
The 2nd thing is our mids themselves: instead of having guys like Kerridge, Graham and Cuningham leading the charge, the main mid left is Palmer. He is getting the hard tag each week and no help from the rucks. Then there is Tom Wilson, a real trier and a live wire, but not a 35 possession player whose disposal and pace hurts.
Thirdly, early in the season we had Alex Silvagni, followed by Liam Jones, giving real leadership and desperation to our back 6. Now neither of them is there and guys like Macreadie have to do jobs they are not really ready for yet.
Fourthly, our forward division has been a work in progress the whole time. But now it is a lot harder, as the ball does not come in often, nor does it come in a way that gives the forwards a chance. Kerr and Polson are out injured and their replacements haven't been up to the task.
The coaching box is not coming up with miracles, but in the circumstances, it is difficult to make a silk purse from sows' ears.
Simple isn't it.
For the first time this year we've started getting injuries. That effects not only the AFL side, but the VFL side as well.
He'd just freeze to death playing NB's up forward. Hence we had to ruck him to get him into the game. Not sure he's rucked in his life. I know when the NBs the flying early in the year he was hitting packs and taking marks. Give him the opportunities and he'll go alot better. Right now our NBs teach him nothing and while we''re kicking 4.6 in a game he'll just rot. . Time to give him the feel of what senior is like and what's required. Not as if we're playing finals to may as well play him.
It's fine by me, we haven't got anything to lose and a few senior games can't do him any harm.
I thought it was instructive that Fraser shifted him into the ruck today, we seem to have been protecting him to some extent so maybe it's a sign that his body is toughening up.
Don't you just love it when we play that mob and it underlines how deadset awful our drafting was that year. Great idea. Stupid choices.
Apparently the guy we really wanted was Langford not Laverde. Great another flanker type.
I dont know what we saw in Gorringe, another in the inauspicious line of Carlton tall draftees with the competitive drive of a tired panda.
I dont know what we saw in Gorringe...
Same thing we saw in Jones.
Tall, athletic, agile and with potential.
Initially with Jones, he lacked the hunger/desire/drive to make it at AFL level, a bit like Gorringe.
Jones has managed to turn things around.
Gorringe has not....as yet at least.
The idea was right, the luck just wasn't on our side this time.
It's fine by me, we haven't got anything to lose and a few senior games can't do him any harm.
I thought it was instructive that Fraser shifted him into the ruck today, we seem to have been protecting him to some extent so maybe it's a sign that his body is toughening up.
Yes, could be well true.
I videoed the game as I was out all day but don't think i'll bother.
I'm not sure fussed about Gorringe, he was delisted by GC and cost us next to nothing, no club has 40 AFL standard players and there are always a few duds.
Jaksch on the other hand........................ ::)
Yes, could be well true.
I videoed the game as I was out all day but don't think i'll bother.
Dont, it wasn't pretty.
Same thing we saw in Jones.
Tall, athletic, agile and with potential.
Initially with Jones, he lacked the hunger/desire/drive to make it at AFL level, a bit like Gorringe.
Jones has managed to turn things around.
Gorringe has not....as yet at least.
The idea was right, the luck just wasn't on our side this time.
Yes Gorringe has all the physical attributes, his problem is he is made of a balsa wood/glass composite. Jones (I dont want to put the moz on him) is bullet proof injury wise.
Dont, it wasn't pretty.
Haha! You talked me into not watching it.
Yes Gorringe has all the physical attributes, his problem is he is made of a balsa wood/glass composite. Jones (I dont want to put the moz on him) is bullet proof injury wise.
We'll coming looking for you if you do moz him..lol.
Don't you just love it when we play that mob and it underlines how deadset awful our drafting was that year. Great idea. Stupid choices.
Apparently the guy we really wanted was Langford not Laverde. Great another flanker type.
I dont know what we saw in Gorringe, another in the inauspicious line of Carlton tall draftees with the competitive drive of a tired panda.
Dons are going ok if Langford cant make their team, played half forward then played on ball and was picking up Tom Wilson...he is a decent player at 191cm and 90kg...you look at Boekhorst and you just cringe.
Laverde is around the same dimensions as Langford and played FF today...I was impressed like I was pre draft only con to him seems to be injuries....
Gorringe is a spud....its thats simple....if we cant find a better ruckman forward in the VFL/WAFL/SANFL then we are not trying...
Yes Gorringe has all the physical attributes, his problem is he is made of a balsa wood/glass composite. Jones (I dont want to put the moz on him) is bullet proof injury wise.
Jones has always had a red hot go - but hasn't always got the best return for his efforts. Gorringe seems to let the game flow around him. He cost us very little and we're probably getting value for money.
Jones has always had a red hot go - but hasn't always got the best return for his efforts. Gorringe seems to let the game flow around him. He cost us very little and we're probably getting value for money.
DJ...An EB Falcon with a blown head gasket would give you more value than Gorringe...at least it would start and run till the cooling fluid ran out.... :)
He makes Jaksch look a serious footballer.... :P
Gorringe is a good example of what coaching megalomania delivers!
They all think that they can turn athletes into footballers.
McKay looks devoid of confidence - he looks shot for this year. This is not the same McKay earlier in the year taking strong pack marks and kicking goals.. Confidence in your ability is a beautiful thing and he just does not have it at this minute... needs to bulk up over the pre season, work hard and go again.
Gorringe is a good example of what coaching megalomania delivers!
They all think that they can turn athletes into footballers.
Gorringe was recruited by SOS under Bolton.
Haha! You talked me into not watching it.
You saved yourself considerable trauma and grief! More than anything it was sad. The only upside is further confirmation of who will be shown the door at year's end.
Gotta be tough though for blokes we're invested in developing in just the right environment, when that environment is struggling (H, Pickett...). I'd be pretty confident that the coaches will know how to keep the spirits up of blokes playing in a losing side who we see as long term investments. H looked lost yesterday and a long way from a key forward destined for senior footy success (though I'm sure the talent is there... how's his twin doing at the Kangabies?). Likewise Pickett, you can see it's there, just needs consistency, discipline and to find his feet here in Melbourne. I bet Walks is helping him a lot.
Gorringe was recruited by SOS under Bolton.
Gorringe is in the system because he is an athlete, not because he is a footballer.
All coaches in the AFL system have this affliction, they think
they can teach any athlete to be a footballer.I see it right through to TAC Cup level were the AFL controlled selection and coaching process is ruining young footballers careers because they are not as gifted athletically as some code jumpers. TAC Cup is particularly interested in kids who fail to get US college basketball scholarships. The AFL system is full of them, footy is their fallback position when the US offer doesn't come, but they are not a footballers ar5ehole! Yet they hold their spot while the footballer gets cut.
Some of those potential mature age recruits, the ones everyone keeps posting about that surprisingly aren't drafted, are examples of footballers who miss because they aren't athletes. Yet they make the athlete look like a goose at the 2nd tier level!
McKay got much more involved after he was moved into the ruck and I think that's where we should play him for the rest of the year, it's not as if he'll be depriving a young developing ruckman of game time.
He's got a terrific build for football and seems to have most of the physical aspects covered, and his foot skills seem solid, if we can get him into the thick of the action and give him some responsibility it could be the making of him.
Pickett I'm far less convinced about, he's a flash in the pan player like Buckley without Buckley's touch of the devil, soft and lazy is how he appears to me.
McKay got much more involved after he was moved into the ruck and I think that's where we should play him for the rest of the year, it's not as if he'll be depriving a young developing ruckman of game time.
He's got a terrific build for football and seems to have most of the physical aspects covered, and his foot skills seem solid, if we can get him into the thick of the action and give him some responsibility it could be the making of him.
Pickett I'm far less convinced about, he's a flash in the pan player like Buckley without Buckley's touch of the devil, soft and lazy is how he appears to me.
Play McKay anywhere he can be involved. Ruck/forward, like Levi, might help him get more into the game. I saw a potential young gun in the first half of the year but a little lost when the side struggled and could barely kick any score whatsoever.
It greatly eased my mind watching him in the second half yesterday, not that he set the world on fire but he moved well and showed interest and commitment.
I think he'll be a good player in time, but maybe not the big bag of goals kicking key forward that we've been dreaming of since Fevola.