Game Day North VS Port (in a meaningless game)

[Heaps of fun]

What was the point of getting a mature-age goalsneak in Wilkinson and then not giving him a practice match when Kayne and Cam got two chances each and even bloody Hrovat got a game?

 

[Falkroo]

This is the dumbest rule in the history of the AFL.

Tas, which rule are we talking about?, only looking at comments here, haven't seen any of the game, after reading the comments, glad i haven't

 

[Tiberius]

Did we play today? For a meaningless game there seem to be an awful lot of players getting the black texta through their names.

 

[Sticksphat]

If Watts and Wood swapped jumpers, which team would be first to notice? Both too talented to only play the cameos they do.

 

[Mixed Results]

The fact we only laid 24 tackles shows how seriously we took the game considering we usually sit at about 60 per game.

That first quarter especially looked more like AFLX than an actual game of footy.

 

[Billy Not Really]

That first quarter especially looked more like AFLX than an actual game of footy.

The AFL House were licking their lips watching that because that's exactly what they want.

 

[kangaspurs]

The fact we only laid 24 tackles shows how seriously we took the game considering we usually sit at about 60 per game.

That first quarter especially looked more like AFLX than an actual game of footy.

Bit concerning though if we think we're going to be able to just turn it on for round 1.

I know they're practice matches, so there are extenuating circumstances, but we've got a fair bit to work on over the next two weeks, and a couple of serious concerns.

 

[Harris 10]

One positive is I’ve won 15 Google gifts throughout the day.
What the f...is going on with that?

 

[Rod Stroker]

Different rules for Ziebell with that non double 50 call
Oh, and by the way, we’re not even trying. Just look at the tackle numbers.
You’ll all see a completely different North when Round 1 rolls around


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As I said after last week, you can't expect the players to suddenly flick a switch in 2 weeks and realise "oh, we need to start tackling now". This should an inherent part of the game plan, it should be instinctive. That we aren't seeing it until now, is damn concerning, and tells me it's more that they aren't drilled to do it, rather than it being any sort of choice to not do it.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Rod Stroker]

What was the point of getting a mature-age goalsneak in Wilkinson and then not giving him a practice match when Kayne and Taylor got two chances each and even bloody Hrovat got a game?

Taylor didn't play this week or last week.

 

[SheezNuts]

Bailey Scott is already a better player than McDonald

 

[Heaps of fun]

Taylor didn't play this week or last week.

I was thinking of Garner but meant Zurhaar.

 

[Rod Stroker]

I was thinking of Garner but meant Zurhaar.

All 3 have been unsighted the last 2 weeks.

 

[Val Keating]

Our defence looks worse then it is because there’s bugger all pressure on up the ground. 24 tackles isn’t going to happen in the season proper.

 

[muttley45]

Way too much kicking sideways, or even worse backwards for my liking, nowhere near enough tackles, skill errors still kill us, Scott, Ahern, and Thomas all showed plenty.

 

[DarwinRoo]

Brown is just ok in a pack, Jack struggles and Larkey barely played down there, so yeah.

So the alternative is to piss fart around and turn it over, that will do wonders for the team.

 

[Snake_Baker]

LOL @ the WBC s**t campaigners popping out of the woodwork.

Not really bothered much by any of the player output, as the loss of Goldy, Cunners, BJ and Jed was massive.

Some of the tactics are a concern.

 

[the flying ham]

Quick player by player summary:

2. Marley Williams - 2 goals kicked on him early then done a calf. Not ideal prep leading up to round 1. Kicking especially under pressure still a big concern.

4. Higgins - will benefit greatly once Cunners and Anderson return. Looks a bit rusty disposal wise but will be primed come round 1. 28 disposals and a couple of goals, just gets the job done!

7. Ziebell - limited influence. Hard to expect much when the ball comes in so slow. Kicked 2 goals but was only workmanlike. He’d be praying that someone else steps up to give Brown some tall support. He isn’t suited to playing on genuine key position defenders.


8. Hrovat - meh. 1 tackle not very damaging. Don’t think he is up to it.

9. LDU - showing some passages of brilliance. Needs to up his tackle count though. Also think he needs to utilise his long kicking more often. Back yourself mate, you have all the tools. He is a lock for round 1.

11. McDonald - more of the same from Luke. Doesn’t look to be showing any huge improvement from last year. Involved in some good passages of play but then involved in some howlers.

12. Simpkin - is best 22? Maybe across half forward but in the midfield he isn’t at the moment. Think he needs to play across the forward line more till his tank develops. In the two JLT games he has looked like he has been struggling to get across the ground.

13. Polec - going to be a huge pick up. Skills stand out like dogs balls along with his work ethic. Never looks like he his puffing. Freakishly good runner. Lock him in for top 3 in the BnF.

14. Dumont - workman like today. Needs to tidy up his disposal. Sometimes needs to look for the kick instead of using his hands. Over possessed the footy a bit today.

15. Ahern - looks really good. Going to play some seriously good footy this year. Didn’t see him much in the centre square today though? Hope that is not the case in the season proper.

16. Thompson - looks to be moving well, under pressure all day and played well. Underrated kick of the ball. Going to be hugely missed round 1.

17. Pittard - where is the run and carry? Where is the long kicking that made him a damaging player at Port? Looks slow at this stage. He has been decent without being outstanding.

18. Atley - moves back looked alright. Don’t mind the idea of him being used wherever he is needed.

19. Wright - wish he was a yard quicker and could get the footy 30+ times a game. Love his kicking and courage. Took some big hits today.

20. Larkey - don’t know what to make of his game. Hate seeing him in the ruck disliked seeing him down back.

21. Tyson - solid without being outstanding. The sort of player who will get off the chain once cunnington returns.

23. McKay - deer in headlights at the moment. Short kicking today was terrible (he is usually a reliable kick at VFL level) Getting stuck flat footed a bit too much. Hopefully Taz is there round 1 to give him some support because he is sure as s**t going to need it.

26. Thomas - a hell of a lot to work with? Who said he was slow? Kid can move. Add 3-4kg and he is going to be a nightmare matchup.

28. Turner - 2 good roving goals in the first quarter then went missing.

30. Scott - lock for round 1. Seriously impressive. Will be a 200 gamer for the club.

32. Wood - was busy in the 2nd half but poor in the first. Consistency still obviously an issue. Bit too relaxed with his kicking.

33. EVW - nice courageous mark. Found the footy and used it well. 0 tackles though. Was solid 1 on 1.

42. Campbell - decent enough. Good backup. Fair way off Goldy as the number 1.

43. Hall - looks good when he finds the pill. Another who will benefit greatly once Anderson & Cunners return. Some poor kicks but then had a few rippers too. Few solid tackles were encouraging.

44. Zurhaar - 4 touches nowhere near it. Been disappointing the last 2 weeks. Don’t think he is in the 22 come round 1.

50. Brown

Pretty fair analysis. Chuck Cunnington Goldy and Tarrant into that line up and there are some positive signs for 2019

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[the flying ham]

Our defence looks worse then it is because there’s bugger all pressure on up the ground. 24 tackles isn’t going to happen in the season proper.

Finally! 6 6 6 rule change will impact the defenders most, how can people not see that

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[roos_fanatic08]

LOL @ the WBC s**t campaigners popping out of the woodwork.

Not really bothered much by any of the player output, as the loss of Goldy, Cunners, BJ and Jed was massive.

Some of the tactics are a concern.

Tactics are the biggest concern for me. In two games we haven’t really shown a fluid game plan.

Main issues for me would be:

1. At just about every opportunity we were looking to kick backwards across half back. Why are we just trying to fluff around with posession there?

2. Overuse of the handball. Way too many players looking to handball as the first option. In certain scenarios this okay, but it looks as though 90% of our players have been told to use their hands as the first option.

3. Lack of tackles. Defensive effort seems poor these first few games.

4. Break down across half forward. No hits up along half forward, too often bombing long to a crowded forward line.

We have ALOT to work on before round 1.

 

[Only Forwards]

We will win round 1.

 

[Smoocher]

Goldstein & Cunners = 8 goals today.

Dixon and Ollie 8 the other way.


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[the flying ham]

Tactics are the biggest concern for me. In two games we haven’t really shown a fluid game plan.

Main issues for me would be:

1. At just about every opportunity we were looking to kick backwards across half back. Why are we just trying to fluff around with posession there?

2. Overuse of the handball. Way too many players looking to handball as the first option. In certain scenarios this okay, but it looks as though 90% of our players have been told to use their hands as the first option.

3. Lack of tackles. Defensive effort seems poor these first few games.

4. Break down across half forward. No hits up along half forward, too often bombing long to a crowded forward line.

We have ALOT to work on before round 1.

Yeah not overly concerned by any of that. Will likely lose round 1 on the back of Thompson out and Tarrant underdone. Put a few A graders in that team and we will look a lot better. Impressed by Polec. Scott, Thomas and LDU to play a bit of seniors this year which is great, meaning guys like hrovat likely pushed down the pecking order. Feel like we will have better depth and better pace, and the higher rate of handball is to use that pace to break games open, only an issue in pre season when timing, fitness etc have an effect on execution.

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[Snake_Baker]

Tactics are the biggest concern for me. In two games we haven’t really shown a fluid game plan.

Main issues for me would be:

1. At just about every opportunity we were looking to kick backwards across half back. Why are we just trying to fluff around with posession there?

2. Overuse of the handball. Way too many players looking to handball as the first option. In certain scenarios this okay, but it looks as though 90% of our players have been told to use their hands as the first option.

3. Lack of tackles. Defensive effort seems poor these first few games.

4. Break down across half forward. No hits up along half forward, too often bombing long to a crowded forward line.

We have ALOT to work on before round 1.

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll get a thread going on it.

Going to watch the replay again first.

Tackles aren't an issue for me, as Port play that mindless keeping's off s**t a lot, and I don't want any more blokes injured.

Our handball to stationary blokes is killing us. We need to kick more, as I pointed out with the HB to K ratio stuff last year.