Well a little bit has already been written on other threads, but I'll get the unofficial/non-Macca review started.
A pretty satisfying and certainly a gutsy win. Can't complain about the result and certainly not about the courage of players to dig deep in virtually every quarter to thwart the momentum that Freo seemed to build up so quickly. Some things were lucky, like those two last-quarter goals, but then again, hit-posts almost sabotaged our efforts to come away with vital points.
Numerous positive individual efforts.
Thought we played too short (both with possession/disposal and with personnel especially early up forward). Ultimately it was the ability of big marks to be taken espectially by one "Tony" Thurstans that determined the outcome.
Turnovers and skill errors early cost us, and certainly it required some individual brilliance (eg James and Carr with third quarter goals, Thurstans' marks, Wangas and Chad lunges in last quarter to spoil balls, Kane Cornes all game) to keep the ball rolling our way.
Hats off to Freo, that was a very intense game, and if their tall forwards had stood up, the result might have been the reverse.
Individual comments:
1. Kane Cornes: votes will be very hard to give in this game, but this player should definitely feature in our top three. What an effort. To me, he is fast becoming as admired for his desperation and selfless acts (sorry to use a Kellog's Thomas phrase) as Wilbur. Nullified Hasselby, got the footy, including several wonderful contested marks in awkward parts of the ground and provided the best one-percenter of the night with that smother. BRILLIANT. The last quarter goal, as fluky as it was, was a testimony to his ability to get the ball forward. A real team-man. No-one should undervalue him. And his disposal is not as bad as some.
2. Toby Thurstans: alot has been and will be said of his game. Pretty amazing really. He took several Brown-like marks, and several Tredrea-like marks, and really played as well as you would expect from the best of either of those two. Kicked well for goal, other than two posters which didn't come off his boot well. His opponent Hadrill is now slouch, but Toby beat him in every 50-50. Arguably the overall difference in the result, because Freo did not have an equivalent force in bigmen. Must now consolidate. An effort like that in a Final, could be all we need.
3. Roger James: one of the most inspirational first three quarters you will see. What didn't he do? Not manned up well at times, but used the ball very well, and two of his goals were game-breakers such was their brilliance. Getting close to his absolute best of late 2002.
4. Peter Burgoyne: could have been critical of his ineffectiveness last week, but his last half effort , especially in the last 20mins was excellent. Made a typically horribly botch up that gave Medhurst his third goal in the third term, but bounced back with tremendous character at the next centre square contest, got it forward, and then followed up with an inspiring goal.
5. Chad Cornes: I reckon that was as well as he has played CHB in the last quarter. Struggled on Pavlich for a while in the third, but was more disciplined in the last than I have seen him. Got alot of touches early in the game, without dominating but again, he came good with a great defensive effort in the end.
6. Daryl Wakelin: his form continues to improve. Really good game. How rare is it to see him bounce back so quickly after an injury and play a small but important role in the end.
7. Rucks: Sandilands had his impact for about a thirty minute period from late third quarter to midway last, but our rucks did well enough. Brogan's forward play was very good, when Tredders was being reasonably subdued. Promising signs.
8. Wangas: so-so for middle part of game I thought, but again a fantastic last quarter in which he lifted visibly and came to the rescue on more than one occasion. Wonderful leadership.
OK games:
9. Bishop and Wilbur: both did some good things today and certainly were not disgraced. At then end of the day, their opponents kicked three each and that has to be remembered when summing up their games.
10. Josh Carr: Brilliant efforts in the third quarter to rest back some respect. Two excellent goals. Thought he still struggled though, and it will clearly take time for him to hit his straps again. Fumbled, spilled balls, and was uncharacteristically outmarked by Bell early in the third. Also missed some tackles. Still very courageous and will get better - no doubt.
11. Tredders- probably better than average. Competed very strongly against two opponents and never lost a contest. Worked his way a few times to create clever freekicks that were well earned from nowhere. His kicking early in the game was costly and took some shine off IMO.
12. Schoey: good early and second quarter goals were much needed and quality. Faded for mine, when he could have given us more service after halftime.
Good from limited opportunities:
13. Mahoney: definitely not overawed at this level. Would rather have him on the ground more than others in the side (see below). Creates by getting first to contests. Deserves his spot.
14. Kingers: undoubtedly provided spark when interchanged for Roger. Limited gametime but played his part well.
15. Ebert: fumbled a little today but recovered well. Not alot of gametime and I fear that he and Mahoney await the fate of Poults, as Williams gets his buddies back in the side.
Down today:
16. Cassisi: looked less certain with his hands. Browne gt away from him early. Did OK, better than Cochrane, when run on Headland. Not his best effort.
17. JB: thought early he was making most of his chances and again late in the game he made a couple of tackles that helped. Overall did not do that much. Missed a kickable goal, second quarter.
18 Choppy: at times almost looked scared of getting involved. I know, it's sacrilegeous to suggest it, but kept off his man in 50-50s, paddled the ball softly, spilt marks. Looked overawed. Deservedly spent time on the bench. Did some better things close in late. But not his best. Nevertheless, a wonderful player and a great result in 150th.
Where to now?
19. Cochrane: Hmmmm........well, got a number of wide, uncontest possessions in second term and used it OK. However,....Headland was quite damaging for a while there, and again Stuey did not play close enough for a supposedly reknowned tagger. Looked nervous late in the game, and seemed to let teammates get the hardball. In fact his failure to shepherd, eg Byron early game, and lack of tackling pressure indicated that he is not quite the teamman that we are led to believe he is. Coach's favourite. I'm sorry, but he is.
20. Dew: 5AA received a few calls regarding his form and position in the place in front of Poults, and fair enough to. Did little really. Has not looked like ripping games open for sometime now.
Votes:
9- K. Cornes, R. James, T. Thurstans
8- P. Burgoyne, D. Wakelin
7- G. Wanganeen, C. Cornes, D. Brogan
6- B. Lade, Carr
5- Tredrea, Kingsley, Wilson, Bishop, Schofield,
4- Mahoney, Cochrane
3- Ebert, JB, Cassisi
2- Dew, Pickett
A pretty satisfying and certainly a gutsy win. Can't complain about the result and certainly not about the courage of players to dig deep in virtually every quarter to thwart the momentum that Freo seemed to build up so quickly. Some things were lucky, like those two last-quarter goals, but then again, hit-posts almost sabotaged our efforts to come away with vital points.
Numerous positive individual efforts.
Thought we played too short (both with possession/disposal and with personnel especially early up forward). Ultimately it was the ability of big marks to be taken espectially by one "Tony" Thurstans that determined the outcome.
Turnovers and skill errors early cost us, and certainly it required some individual brilliance (eg James and Carr with third quarter goals, Thurstans' marks, Wangas and Chad lunges in last quarter to spoil balls, Kane Cornes all game) to keep the ball rolling our way.
Hats off to Freo, that was a very intense game, and if their tall forwards had stood up, the result might have been the reverse.
Individual comments:
1. Kane Cornes: votes will be very hard to give in this game, but this player should definitely feature in our top three. What an effort. To me, he is fast becoming as admired for his desperation and selfless acts (sorry to use a Kellog's Thomas phrase) as Wilbur. Nullified Hasselby, got the footy, including several wonderful contested marks in awkward parts of the ground and provided the best one-percenter of the night with that smother. BRILLIANT. The last quarter goal, as fluky as it was, was a testimony to his ability to get the ball forward. A real team-man. No-one should undervalue him. And his disposal is not as bad as some.
2. Toby Thurstans: alot has been and will be said of his game. Pretty amazing really. He took several Brown-like marks, and several Tredrea-like marks, and really played as well as you would expect from the best of either of those two. Kicked well for goal, other than two posters which didn't come off his boot well. His opponent Hadrill is now slouch, but Toby beat him in every 50-50. Arguably the overall difference in the result, because Freo did not have an equivalent force in bigmen. Must now consolidate. An effort like that in a Final, could be all we need.
3. Roger James: one of the most inspirational first three quarters you will see. What didn't he do? Not manned up well at times, but used the ball very well, and two of his goals were game-breakers such was their brilliance. Getting close to his absolute best of late 2002.
4. Peter Burgoyne: could have been critical of his ineffectiveness last week, but his last half effort , especially in the last 20mins was excellent. Made a typically horribly botch up that gave Medhurst his third goal in the third term, but bounced back with tremendous character at the next centre square contest, got it forward, and then followed up with an inspiring goal.
5. Chad Cornes: I reckon that was as well as he has played CHB in the last quarter. Struggled on Pavlich for a while in the third, but was more disciplined in the last than I have seen him. Got alot of touches early in the game, without dominating but again, he came good with a great defensive effort in the end.
6. Daryl Wakelin: his form continues to improve. Really good game. How rare is it to see him bounce back so quickly after an injury and play a small but important role in the end.
7. Rucks: Sandilands had his impact for about a thirty minute period from late third quarter to midway last, but our rucks did well enough. Brogan's forward play was very good, when Tredders was being reasonably subdued. Promising signs.
8. Wangas: so-so for middle part of game I thought, but again a fantastic last quarter in which he lifted visibly and came to the rescue on more than one occasion. Wonderful leadership.
OK games:
9. Bishop and Wilbur: both did some good things today and certainly were not disgraced. At then end of the day, their opponents kicked three each and that has to be remembered when summing up their games.
10. Josh Carr: Brilliant efforts in the third quarter to rest back some respect. Two excellent goals. Thought he still struggled though, and it will clearly take time for him to hit his straps again. Fumbled, spilled balls, and was uncharacteristically outmarked by Bell early in the third. Also missed some tackles. Still very courageous and will get better - no doubt.
11. Tredders- probably better than average. Competed very strongly against two opponents and never lost a contest. Worked his way a few times to create clever freekicks that were well earned from nowhere. His kicking early in the game was costly and took some shine off IMO.
12. Schoey: good early and second quarter goals were much needed and quality. Faded for mine, when he could have given us more service after halftime.
Good from limited opportunities:
13. Mahoney: definitely not overawed at this level. Would rather have him on the ground more than others in the side (see below). Creates by getting first to contests. Deserves his spot.
14. Kingers: undoubtedly provided spark when interchanged for Roger. Limited gametime but played his part well.
15. Ebert: fumbled a little today but recovered well. Not alot of gametime and I fear that he and Mahoney await the fate of Poults, as Williams gets his buddies back in the side.
Down today:
16. Cassisi: looked less certain with his hands. Browne gt away from him early. Did OK, better than Cochrane, when run on Headland. Not his best effort.
17. JB: thought early he was making most of his chances and again late in the game he made a couple of tackles that helped. Overall did not do that much. Missed a kickable goal, second quarter.
18 Choppy: at times almost looked scared of getting involved. I know, it's sacrilegeous to suggest it, but kept off his man in 50-50s, paddled the ball softly, spilt marks. Looked overawed. Deservedly spent time on the bench. Did some better things close in late. But not his best. Nevertheless, a wonderful player and a great result in 150th.
Where to now?
19. Cochrane: Hmmmm........well, got a number of wide, uncontest possessions in second term and used it OK. However,....Headland was quite damaging for a while there, and again Stuey did not play close enough for a supposedly reknowned tagger. Looked nervous late in the game, and seemed to let teammates get the hardball. In fact his failure to shepherd, eg Byron early game, and lack of tackling pressure indicated that he is not quite the teamman that we are led to believe he is. Coach's favourite. I'm sorry, but he is.
20. Dew: 5AA received a few calls regarding his form and position in the place in front of Poults, and fair enough to. Did little really. Has not looked like ripping games open for sometime now.
Votes:
9- K. Cornes, R. James, T. Thurstans
8- P. Burgoyne, D. Wakelin
7- G. Wanganeen, C. Cornes, D. Brogan
6- B. Lade, Carr
5- Tredrea, Kingsley, Wilson, Bishop, Schofield,
4- Mahoney, Cochrane
3- Ebert, JB, Cassisi
2- Dew, Pickett
