Re: Northern Blues vs. North Ballarat at Ballarat on Sunday
Reply #10 –
Made the trip to Ballarat. Particularly wanted to see how Jeffy, Cripps and a couple of others would perform.
Amateur hour!!!! We play in red and white and all our coaches/officials are all in Navy and white... Amateur hour! This attempted creation of the NBs is a farce... embarrassing. New Prez... FFS get us a stand alone seconds side. It is way beyond a joke. This half-@rsed compromise is just plain second-rate.
Overcast and colder than a politician's promise. Local bakery obviously supplies the pies - they were rippers.
Never really looked like winning although we did hit the lead at one stage, only to surrender it very quickly. Really lacked midfield grunt. Cachia would have been valuable. Missed Graham's 'ball magnet' qualities.
Lucas - mostly played in defense. Better and more competitive effort. Surprised he made the better players 6 though. I guess with the ball in our defensive 50 for so much of the game he was bound to have come under notice having got plenty of it but again, his disposal just doesn't hurt the opposition or have surety about it... always seems rushed and unsure! Not much dash and run, more, as I mentioned, a defensive focus.
Watson - one of the much better games I have seen from him. Somewhat pleasantly surprised by his attack on the aggott - played up forward and was one of our few dangerous forwards. Led well but blew a few good chances - should have finished with 4 or 5.
Cripps - rusty. Showed his class from time to time with a couple of good contested grabs and clearances but obviously still working his way back to match fitness. On our website it says he is 190 cm. If he is 190 cm I will chew off my own legs. Closer to 194. You can tell he's still getting used to his growing body! Another game or two should see him ready to return to senior action.
Temay - 
Holman, Buckley, Cachia, Waite... did not play.
McInnes - serviceable. Real pity that this kid hasn't improved on last year.
Armfield - one of our best. Good on-field leadership and really encourages team mates from the sidelines and in the breaks. The fact he remains so focussed and involved for the entire 120 is a tribute to his commitment. He's way in front of Ellard... and maybe a couple of others.
Garlett - oh dear. Noticed that MM had a big chat with him after the qtr time huddle broke up. Did a couple of nice things but when in the centre -- needed his class and skill in the clinches -- didn't impact on the game nearly enough. But, going by the chat MM had with him and being given important on-ball roles he'll probably get a call up. But I wonder... even a bread and butter snap from him at a crucial stage only just snuck in for a behind.
Reynolds - didn't do enough. Shows glimpses with strong marks and good foot skills but just doesn't do enough else. Seems to be carrying an injury or has something stuck up his dot as he just didn't move freely or with enough endeavour.
Wood - good. Worked hard around the ground and took some timely marks in defense and attack. But I did notice that in a few 'pressure' situations he fumbled too much. He was encouraged to impose himself more on the game in the final quarter and just didn't seem 'fierce' enough.
The Byrne 'Ciaran' overshadowed the Sheehan 'Ciaran' for the first time I've seen them together. He's really learning some tricks and doesn't look out of place on the ball. The Sheehan 'Ciaran' gave an honest effort in defense but was shaded by his opponent who led him to the ball too often - beat him with footy experience.
Of the Preston boys Cattapan and Wilson were easily the best. A few of the Preston boys were really, really ordinary whereas there really weren't too many weaknesses in the Roosters line-up.
If you could transplant the Skipper's ticker and ability out of his 4'4" body into anything over 6' you would have a champ at AFL level.
Topic: Northern Blues vs. North Ballarat at Ballarat on Sunday (Read 15505 times)
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