Gameday: Round 1 - Essendon vs Nth Melbourne

[Merv]

Nobby.

We don't need to find a replacement as we already had them on the field today.

Laycock/Hille Lloyd Davey

NLM McPhee Jetta

Neagle when he is ready, not too mention others that could rotate through the HFF.

If you are waiting for johns to produce, i hope you are not holding your breath as that spud is an dud beyond explanation.

 

[danzan22]

Where have you been btw?


.

Around, just got over bigfooty while in the off-season, so much garbage being posted everywhere and just couldn't be bothered coming on

 

[Shane Hird]

Nobby.

We don't need to find a replacement as we already had them on the field today.

Laycock/Hille Lloyd Davey

NLM McPhee Jetta

Neagle when he is ready, not too mention others that could rotate through the HFF.

If you are waiting for johns to produce, i hope you are not holding your breath as that spud is an dud beyond explanation.[/QUOTE]



I tend agree with him being a spud.....there's no way to get around it.

But he might turn out a good spud...but probably not.

 

[Shane Hird]

Just watching the delayed version of footy classified here and heard Knights take questions from the panel. Good to see smiles on the usual serious Knighta face.

Coaches Assoc votes from Knights and Deano for the game were...

McVeigh
Lloyd
Watson
Rama
Houli

 

[monty1104]

Good game and a good result. Just one thing that irked me. Twice, once in the shot after Thompson KO'd Jones, and then again when Thompson took the shot after the half time siren, Fletcher was on the mark. Surely someone else should have stood the mark to allow Fletcher to get back in defense and help out.

 

[JD-Roo]

Good game and a good result. Just one thing that irked me. Twice, once in the shot after Thompson KO'd Jones, and then again when Thompson took the shot after the half time siren, Fletcher was on the mark. Surely someone else should have stood the mark to allow Fletcher to get back in defense and help out.

Glass half-full or half-empty as to whether he was on the mark or on the line.

Especially with the kick after the half-tiime siren, the fact that NT had to kick OVER Fletcher's bloody long arms would be the main reason he came up short, meaning DF didn't need to be on the line.

Shorter man on the mark and at that range Thompson would've had everyone stretching for a punch.

Smart move by Fletcher I thought (which I said to the Bombers supporters in front of me who were debatiing the very same thing) since I was surprised that it wasn't common knowledge amongst other supporters that (in my opinion) Thompson tends to get close to the man on the mark regularly. (Never mind the fact that it's been over a year since we've seen him and I thought he'd be out of this habit!)

Just my two cents.....

 

[dapto]

What a game. And I know I am little late on the scene but there was need to clear up the triumphal mess.

Could not have set my working week off in a worse way but no recriminations turning up when I finally did could take the smile off my face. Helps to work for yourself.

Watched with some footy heads in southern Thailand however only one of which was a kangaroo. A very loud, bomber bashing kangaroo, so the 5000 baht was still too cheap but the result more made up for the finances. The first quarter was a worry and like Nobby said, felt ill at the thought of losing him so early in the season. It may free Lloyd up in a perverse way.

I have to say the bombers hangin' in there on the scoreboard still gave me great hope for the result. Was absolutely pissed off with the umpiring but we all know that. It was chronic.

The exhilaration of the game and the fantastic way the players took it up was nothing short of Elle McPherson wearing a Santa suit coming down my chimney. All the preseason detractors knew very little of the feeling that many typists on these boards have transmitted.

The only downer is the determination for Sheedy. Categorically, this was about the board's and Knight's license and player self belief coupled with latent talent that would not have been nearly so resounding with KS.

Never mind that one.

Impressions what impressed me was firstly Rama, initially putting in great efforts. He has not got the prettiest head nor biggest body but he continues to offer real class in his play. This could be very handy for the younger players with talent but developing that poise. Nash, who I have heard a lot about and read the faith here but was truly educated on Monday. His ball use is invaluable. Lonergan. Hard at the ball and his side stepped turn through the centre after receiving a potential cruncher was inspiring. The north player shold have rugby him down but it would have been ugly. He might not have had as much of the ball as Jobe or Spike but surely did enough to hold his spot. I could not challenge his effort.

Jetta and Davey were the talented ball handlers and we have seen the replays. Dempsey was good and with a tad more confidence will use the ample time he creates better. Nonetheless had a great game.

Stanton obviously was quite but perhaps spent for the side to take Rawlings out of the equation. Not sure really but fell there is nothing to worry about though and will be interesting against Geelong.

It is always harder watching on TV to really know what the rucks are doing off the ball. I felt I saw Laycock still a bit lazy on the second efforts on two instances but nitpicking a little because his forward prowess was very evident. But Hille showed his where his real talent has been, because he played a great game and I loved his off the ball crack at the tackle on Lloyd. I feel we definitely need Laycock and Hille to continue without calling on Ryder for ruck duties. I have a feeling we might pay latter in the year asking for so much from Laycock and Hille to continue that intensity and rotation level.

I am not going to say any thing about Houli, Mcveight nor Watson, it has been said although I was voting for Rama BOG up to half time if not three quarter. JJ was the interesting player though and while certainly not bad seemed shaded by some of the pace that we may have now. Might have to consider this by product for Pev and JJ if we still need that speed and experienced mix.

North were not so much lousy but just disappointing. Fletchers finger in the back of NT cannot really be held responsible for CJ getting pinged so badly, he was running with eyes on the ball and an unfortunately accident. Mcintosh Hale, were poor and Petrie was his indefatigable self showed potential only to disappoint with the kicking or next effort. Both sides slowed noticeably in the last but North were totally knackered. Geelong has certainly learnt a lot from this outing and I will be watching far more nervously come Sunday.

Re CJ, I am happy for him to get his crack. Opportunities are there for him down back if NLM can keep this new found versality and forward zest, or up forward until Neagle, who could be very good for us, when NEagle gets himself right. But if CJ is going down the gurgler I hope he gets another opportunity. It may be that need the lassitude on the bench to cover it. No I am not confident, but Lee, is less of an option I feel, and see no reason to play tall up forward if the smaller crumbers support the centre run and can rest with one of the bigger frames up forward as well.

So much for my penny

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Glass half-full or half-empty as to whether he was on the mark or on the line.

Especially with the kick after the half-tiime siren, the fact that NT had to kick OVER Fletcher's bloody long arms would be the main reason he came up short, meaning DF didn't need to be on the line.

Shorter man on the mark and at that range Thompson would've had everyone stretching for a punch.

Smart move by Fletcher I thought (which I said to the Bombers supporters in front of me who were debatiing the very same thing) since I was surprised that it wasn't common knowledge amongst other supporters that (in my opinion) Thompson tends to get close to the man on the mark regularly. (Never mind the fact that it's been over a year since we've seen him and I thought he'd be out of this habit!)

Just my two cents.....

I agree - it is a common tactitc when a player is on their range to put a ruckman on the mark to make them have to kick just that bit further, or risk kicking it too high and coming up short. Fletch is the size of a ruck, so it was a good move.

 

[monty1104]

I agree - it is a common tactitc when a player is on their range to put a ruckman on the mark to make them have to kick just that bit further, or risk kicking it too high and coming up short. Fletch is the size of a ruck, so it was a good move.

I agree with that theory for the kick after the siren, but not on the one after Jones was KO'd. Thompson was not going to make the distance on that kick, and there was plenty of time to get someone else on the mark, so why not have fletcher back to spoil or take a mark?