View Full Version : Kangaroos Game: EVeryone's thoughts
Black Thunder
23 Apr 2006, 16:54
Well it was a very slow and very frustrating start, but we eventually got out of first gear and we were actually very impressive in the secnod half i thought.
Adam Hunter was a fantastic performer for the team. I think the way Woosha is using him at the moment is perfect. Start him in defence, if things are working out in attack then fine, but if it isn't then we have to take a risk and weaken our defence (lets face it, we really don't have anyone else who can play CHB) by moving him into the forward line.
If Jaymie Graham can continue to develop as a player he can hopefully take over CHB than Hunter can move forward permanantly which i think would be the ultimate result for the team.
The big thing today is how important Hansen is to our structure. We broke down at CHF alot today.
The lift of a few guys in the second half was brilliant - Braun, Embley, Kerr and co. lifting was the reason we got over the line.
I don't know what happened to Ash Sampi today - in the first few minutes he had a lead and charged onto the ball but couldn't hold onto it, but the way he attacked the ball made me think he was in for a big day.... well i couldn't be further off the mark as he didn't even get near the ball the rest of the day.
Selection meeting will be very interesting this week because Cousins is an autoamtic selection, and in my books so is Ash Hansen but it's hard to see who'll get the chop for them.... I think Sampi may cop it for his performance this week, and perhaps Beau Waters who was better today but his disposal was still a little sloppy.
And the in future weeks we have Sam Butler and Drew Banfield to come back from injury and get back to full form...... hard job for Woosha to fit 25 to 27 deserving starters into 22.
Bad performance, yet we still won. Kerr Embley had the worst games in years, only midfielders to hold there head high wud be Braun and Judd.
Hunter and Graham were both superb, both switching from forward to back will worry alot of teams, Graham IMO was a rock in defence Thommo got a bit of the ball but it was always in nothing positions and Graham was always deeper in defence were he needed to be
3 ins next week, Hansen Cuzz and my mail says Banners will also be back, Id say drop B.Jones Rosa and ??? no idea who the third one wud be still.
Fletchers Girl
23 Apr 2006, 17:06
Yeh I gotta say I agree with you the game was quite frustrating at times, in the second half we lifted a bit but it was really the fourth qtr when we started plying well.
Hunter played amazingly well some of those marks! :D Geez he is good!
Judd played well (as usual), Graham played another good game, Brauny really lifted in the second half which was exactly what we needed! Embers played a bit better that second half as well.
Either way it was good to win away from home, Woosha does have some tuff choices ahead, but its good to see we have the depth behind us. :D
Black Thunder
23 Apr 2006, 17:08
3 ins next week, Hansen Cuzz and my mail says Banners will also be back, Id say drop B.Jones Rosa and ??? no idea who the third one wud be still.
Brett Jones?? I thought he was in our better performers today despite not getting much of the ball. Everytime he got it he was doing good things and did a number of things which don't get on the stat sheet. Given it's his first game back from injury i wouldn't think dropping him would be the answer....
jorel6669
23 Apr 2006, 17:09
I think it again highlights the fact that Lynch looks a million times better up the ground than at full forward. I'd suggest either he or Hansen at CHF is the go.
Tough game, hungry opponent, away from home. It was a good hard fought win by the boys. Reminded me of the kind of win the early 90s team would pick up when they were flat and the opposition drag them down to their level.
And next week's the third consecutive week were the side will play a team coming off two consecutive losses.
Good game without being great.Sloppy skill errors in first half nearly cost us a big lead,but to their credit the boys stood firm against this shinboner spirit.
Brisbane next week should be tough game but we will be 5-0 come DERBY time!!
Mr Eagle
23 Apr 2006, 17:39
Sub-10,000 crowd will have the Gold Coast rubbing its hands with glee.
Eagles 4 Mine
23 Apr 2006, 17:57
I totally agree with you guys and girls it was a frustrating game at best with the last quarter the only highlight a good tough win though WELL DONE BOYS!!!!
Bestbird
23 Apr 2006, 18:07
Our intensity was average for most of the game, infact really poor in the first half yet still won without hitting top gear.
Not a bad type of game to win early in the season infact
Also, the Full Forward position will be an interesting one at the selection table this week after Lynch has clearly shown that he is far better up the ground after his performances in the last two weeks. Will this force Hansen to play even deeper as he is more than likely to return next week.
And finally, was also impressed with Graham and Rosa performances considering there lack of experience at the AFL level. Although amazed the ABC commentry team on the radio gave them the 2 and 1 votes after Hunter as the best players in the game.
materamagic
23 Apr 2006, 18:11
Crap football game, crap. A good team will find a way to win even playing at 45% capacity as the boys have for 45% of the season. Play good footy in bursts and late in the game.
Played alot in response to the Roos great defensive pressure, not allowing a free running game.
Lucky to come out and thanks to Hunter for standing up and kicking some goals.
Graham was good in defense and Judd lifted when needed.
OH! - How good of a goal would have that been when Juddy stole the ball off Wells in the pocket and had a snap.
Goal of the year certainty if he had drilled it!
THE JUDDSTAR!
The Reaper
23 Apr 2006, 18:40
Graham was very impressive. During the second half whenever the Roos kicked the ball in high, I was confident that either Glass or Graham would mark or spoil it. Hunter was also impressive. Nicoski and Rosa were brave enough to take on the opposition which is always a good sign. Braun's last quarter was sensational and Judd was best on ground in my opinion. Lynch also played quite well.
daddy_4_eyes
23 Apr 2006, 19:05
Eagles played like rubbish, and our gun players played well below their best. Not sure whether this win shows the depth of talent on the eagles list, or the lack of confidence at the roos, but its good to win away when the team played like it had.
A common theme this season is our ability to stay with the opposition when we're playing badly, then go up a gear for half a qtr and take a match winning lead. I pity the team that has to face us when we turn it on for an entire match.
Vic Eagles Member
23 Apr 2006, 20:17
God that's a good win to get away with. Canberra is a tough place to go and win (Fremantle couldn't do it) 4-0 with Lions at home I'm loving it.
Eagles played like rubbish, and our gun players played well below their best. Not sure whether this win shows the depth of talent on the eagles list, or the lack of confidence at the roos, but its good to win away when the team played like it had.
A common theme this season is our ability to stay with the opposition when we're playing badly, then go up a gear for half a qtr and take a match winning lead. I pity the team that has to face us when we turn it on for an entire match.
Grats on the win guys, were much too polished in the second half. We put the pressure on the midfield in the first half and despite you guys getting plenty of the ball you always had to dispose of it under pressure which I felt was the big difference between the first and second half.
I think missing all those set shots at goals in the third (most from in the corridor) cost us big time. Kicking 3 goals in the second half and going down by 4 goals I think highlights that both teams had a pretty average display skill-wise but the intensity was there. Both sides had a dip but when the pressure came off a tad in the second half the Eagles were just too damaging with their delivery inside 50.
Good luck for the rest of the year and see you in the return leg at Subi later in the year.
Great performance in an ugly match.
After two thrashings the Kangas were always going to be fast off the blocks and were more intense for the first half. Woosha didn't pump the guys for this game, he was confident we were a much better team. He was 100% on the money. We did what was needed to get 4pts , no injuries, a rested Cuz and a showing of great flexibility to have Huntaa and Wirra play forward.
Bloody marvelous
CARN THE EAGLES
Eagles played like rubbish, and our gun players played well below their best. Not sure whether this win shows the depth of talent on the eagles list, or the lack of confidence at the roos, but its good to win away when the team played like it had.I thought we had the better of the Eagles in the first half.But you're right,our confidence appeared,and appears pretty shot.Happens sometimes when you have mediocre players playing on opponents that can tear them a new ass when and if required,(re-Sinclair,Brown).I think the Eagles thoroughly deserved the win,because when the game was in the balance,they appeared more forthcoming in attempting to take the risks,probably knowing the confidence wasn't a factor,given the right players would always do the right thing.
A common theme this season is our ability to stay with the opposition when we're playing badly, then go up a gear for half a qtr and take a match winning lead. I pity the team that has to face us when we turn it on for an entire match.
Call me "loyal",but I thought our man on man approach worried the Eagles a little in the first half.Plus,Judd was being shadowed by Rawlings,Kerr was probably beaten all day by Firrito and despite what certain North fans might say,Hay played reasonably,as did the young fellow Perry.However,I do agree with regards to Embley and Fletcher,plus Cousins will come back,and if the Eagles get beaten in the GF this year,I am never going to let you guys live it down.You have all the talent,the structure,the most down to earth coach (with a brain) that exists,and if last year didn't employ hunger,nothing will.Enjoy the flag. :)
Ruddiger
23 Apr 2006, 22:24
Grats on the win guys, were much too polished in the second half. We put the pressure on the midfield in the first half and despite you guys getting plenty of the ball you always had to dispose of it under pressure which I felt was the big difference between the first and second half.
I think missing all those set shots at goals in the third (most from in the corridor) cost us big time. Kicking 3 goals in the second half and going down by 4 goals I think highlights that both teams had a pretty average display skill-wise but the intensity was there. Both sides had a dip but when the pressure came off a tad in the second half the Eagles were just too damaging with their delivery inside 50.
Good luck for the rest of the year and see you in the return leg at Subi later in the year.
Cheers. Good to see the Roos respond and come out fighting. Its no co-incidence that most of the top possession winners were from the Kangas.
Cheers. Good to see the Roos respond and come out fighting. Its no co-incidence that most of the top possession winners were from the Kangas.
Yeah, I do not mind so much going down by four goals to a quality side, getting thrashed by Collingwood was bloody hopeless. ;)
I think what was a positive was putting the Eagles midfield under pressure and to keep everyone other than Judd to below 20 disposals was a step in the right direction. We just didn't do enough when we had the ball.
Still, there are positives to take out of the match and we have had some good performing youngsters in the VFL that played in positions where we were deficient in.
Thewlis Dish
24 Apr 2006, 01:13
Sub-10,000 crowd will have the Gold Coast rubbing its hands with glee.
Indeed, especially after the monster crowd they pulled for Melbourne vs Adelaide.
Anyway, wasn't too unhappy today as at least we had a real dip, just beaten by a better side, which made a difference to the insipid efforts of the last fortnight. Would have been interesting if we'd put some scoreboard pressure on in the first half when we had the run of play, but wasn't to be and we were overrun.
Great win considering we played shyte for 2 1/2 quarters....IMO one of the reasons we are winning games of footy is because we have so much versatility in the side.
If you have a look at all of our players apart from Glass every other player could and have the ability to play anywhere on the park. Just have a look what Wirra and Hunter did today and also Graham at CHB. How easy would it be to coach a side that has so many players that can play either end of the field. Wirra was getting towled up so move him to the forward line and he kicks 3 goals for you. Hunter kicks four takes 12 marks (3 contested) and BOG. Next week he will probably start on J Brown.
I guess the biggest challenge the coaching staff have this year is making sure that we get the right mix at the right time of the year.
Looking forward to it........:)
Mr Eagle
24 Apr 2006, 01:21
Indeed, especially after the monster crowd they pulled for Melbourne vs Adelaide.
That's kinda the point - a random one-off game up there pulled not much less than this game at a venue the Roos have been trying to develop for several years.
Other than guaranteed larger crowd for Roos v Swans down here, TPTB on the Gold Coast will probably argue that they could easily better the ACT attendances with some support from the club.
Wet Toast Rule
24 Apr 2006, 01:24
Some positives:
Chris Judd - played a captains game. He really is moulding into the role quite well - you wouldnt believe the guy is only 23 years old. He did do some pretty awesome things but the main thing is that he was there when needed the most. He was constantly in the packs and pushing the ball along. You dont always get stats for that. That run down the middle of the ground (where the camera could hardly keep up) and that steal from Wells showed he's still lightning fast. His disposal let him down once or twice but thats all.
Hunter - I agree with everyone here. He is one of the best marks in our team and knows exactly where to lead to - a smart full forward. You can straight away see the difference between him and Lynch - who always seems to get the ball on the 50 on the boundary. Lynch definetely needs to be at CHF or CHB - he just isnt a natural FF. And as a CHF he can kick it to the goal square or bomb it from 65 metres if he wants to.
Wirrpanda - the most underrated player on our team. So versatile - and skillful - just magic. People ignore him because he's not part of our star-studded midfield.
Nicoski/Rosa/Graham - good signs.
The fact is - the reason why we win when overall we're not all that flash is because there are no weak links in our team. You dont have to have standout superstars every game. Everyone does their job well. I suppose thats a result of the depth in the team and there are no underdone / out of form players in the team cause theres no need.
greenpike
24 Apr 2006, 05:08
I pity the team that has to face us when we turn it on for an entire match.
Poor, poor Brisbane... our favourite team.
Side note 1: This has probably been said but on AFL 2004 for Xbox Hunter is the best full forward you've ever seen. My son regularly kicks about 35 goals a game with him against anyone (including against the All Australian team). I wonder if we could add this highly realistic and scientific simulation game to Hunter's prep for confidence purposes?
Side note 2: Rowan is tops and Waters is the future...
Warrack Eagles
24 Apr 2006, 10:24
What were Matt Rosa's stats from yesterday i missed the game and i was just wondering. Thanks
Very impressed with the win because we played some horrible footy yet still did enough to win. But that has been us all year so far. We seem to play along, go through the motions and then for 10 mins or a quarter, kick into gear, get the match winning lead and then go back to sleep.
It's great to be 4-0 and not peaking. We will peak later in the year in the finals and right now to be winning games without playing anywhere near our best is a fantastic sign.
Few side notes.... Wirrpanda is class, he is getting beaten down back and he responds in the best possible way by going forward and kicking three telling goals. Hunter is dynamic, how much longer can we keep him from becoming our full time FF. He changed the game when he went forward, he always seems to change the game when he goes forward.
RoJo is awesome and I was impressed with the tactics the Roo's used on Cox to diminish his impact. He was still solid but not at all dominant like he was in the first 3 rounds. Judd played really well and kicked a captain's goal but im concerned about his finishing. I remember when Judd got clear inside 50, no matter where he was he was going to slot it through. Last year and this season so far he had been woeful in front of goal? Has sublime skills yet cant get it through the big sticks lately?
Embley was very quiet but lifted when needed, as did Braun who was good most of the day. The guy nobody has talked about was Glass. He gave Rocca an absolute bath in his 250th. Sav would have been up for a big game and Glass totally destroyed him. Definitely in my votes.