A lot worked well tonight, not least of all Geelong being two players down and there being no score reviews... tough in those conditions to be without your leader. In any case we still put together a nice performance. Setting the tone early appears to be a bit of trademark.
BOG for me was Degoey, the cream rises to the top in these conditions. He was clean, kept his feet and kicked cleanly. 5 goals under tough personal circumstances should give him some joy and a much needed distraction.
Grundy was just a beast, did what he needed to do without a notable ruckman to face. 11 hit outs to advantage really helped, particularly the set play to Crisp off the square. He really is a unicorn with his all round game.
Pendles - it’s so reassuring I’m wet conditions to have him in the side. He is one of a kind, does everything and does it cleaner and smarter than anybody I’ve ever seen.
Adams - doesn’t have the natural class of a Pendlebury so understandably made some errors in disposal, but he was largely very clean also. Converted a crucial goal which was a really weak aspect of his game a couple of years back. An underrated star, with his grunt and ability to now impact and be damaging with ball in hand.
Treloar - I really don’t get how people can knock this guy. Gives his all for every minute of the game, accumulates the ball and clearances at will. His disposal is suspect at times, not everyone can be like Pendlebury.Adz is similar to Dangerfield, one is lauded the other criticised. I don’t get it, another outstanding game.
Elliot - didn’t get much of it, but was damaging when he did with his disposal and decision making. Harassed and tackled well also. Never gives up a shot in goal opportunity, you sort of want that attribute from your star players...at least pretend you might pass it off
Mayne - has been building nicely, back to his effective best I thought tonight. Has played a variety of roles over the past month, and I thought criticism of him was harsh. He plays a role and gets the job done. 9 tackles tonight, was in the right spots at the right time to affect the contest.
Daicos - like his father needs only a glimpse as goal to score. His snap was first class, didn’t even look at the goal. Very clean, and a great decision maker...doesn’t rush and doesn’t kick blindly either.
Brown - I think he’s due for a spell, had a good few games that will hold him in good stead for further development. As you would expect from a Brown will always impact in some way, pressured well but I think his decision making and execution was poor tonight. I’d bring in Sier next week.
Wills - 13 touches and one clearance, I’ve been calling for his head since he came in. He is not AFL standard, perhaps they hope he’ll build confidence as the season progresses...coaches no best I guess. To me he’s just not clean enough off the deck, doesn’t make the right decisions putting team mates under pressure. He’s too slow and does not impact offensively...not sure what the upside is. I’d rather play a Murphy or an Appleby.
Phillips - is finding his groove on the wing, he loves an uncontested ball. I don’t love him, but when we are winning the ball he does well to get in positions to receive it...I guess that is a skill and a need. Had a good outside players game tonight, still some improvement to come I hope. His numbers are down.
Maynard - he’s just a beast and very clean by foot. I can’t imagine forwards like being in his vicinity.
Crisp - I think he hasn’t been as damaging since Howe went down, perhaps doesn’t have the luxury to run forward as freely, hopefully that balance improves as they build more confidence inthe backline. Had a good game, flawless really.
Moore - rarely beaten, aside from that Rohan 1 v1. What a natural talent, has everything. I wonder whether he deserves a spell given his soft tissue history?? Tough night for talls, but he mopped up well and transitioned our of Defence well tonight. AA CHB for sure.
Roughy - was solid in a tough conditions for talls. Played on Hawkins for most of the night and did well. His disposal is first rate. Not sure what the issue is with his missus, hope everything’s ok and that if it is affecting him that he goes home or has a spell.
IQ - didn’t have the freedom to run and carry like last week. Was he tagged or perhaps they just made sure to press a bit better in the forward line. Low score so he couldn’t have been too bad down back.
Atu - I was thrilled with his performance last week, he was lost at sea tonight. There was one notable tackle and not much else to report, not sure if he gets a game next week...coaches will know best. perhaps a tagging role next week?
WHE - so frustrating when he’s your target in the forward 50. Always plays from behind, he’s soft. I have a real distrust for soft players.
Stephenson - he’s developing a bit of a down hill skier reputation in my books, I’m really not a fan. When things are going well and he has a paddock to run into to mark and goal then great, when he doesn’t what does he do? Pulls out of contests, panics with ball in hand. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, trade whilst his value is still high.We have too many soft players in the team and you can’t win premierships that way.
Noble - I was hypercritical of him when he got dropped. Played an outstanding return game I thought in the wet. Was assured and clean with ball in hand, didn’t let the ball out the back either tonight. Good response after being dropped, that’s character!
Varcoe - another good game from him. Love what he brings, speed, class and some X factor. A definite 22 player, and particularly come finals for me! Doesn’t get much of it, but not everybody can. He plays his role and adds pressure and affects the contest.
BOG for me was Degoey, the cream rises to the top in these conditions. He was clean, kept his feet and kicked cleanly. 5 goals under tough personal circumstances should give him some joy and a much needed distraction.
Grundy was just a beast, did what he needed to do without a notable ruckman to face. 11 hit outs to advantage really helped, particularly the set play to Crisp off the square. He really is a unicorn with his all round game.
Pendles - it’s so reassuring I’m wet conditions to have him in the side. He is one of a kind, does everything and does it cleaner and smarter than anybody I’ve ever seen.
Adams - doesn’t have the natural class of a Pendlebury so understandably made some errors in disposal, but he was largely very clean also. Converted a crucial goal which was a really weak aspect of his game a couple of years back. An underrated star, with his grunt and ability to now impact and be damaging with ball in hand.
Treloar - I really don’t get how people can knock this guy. Gives his all for every minute of the game, accumulates the ball and clearances at will. His disposal is suspect at times, not everyone can be like Pendlebury.Adz is similar to Dangerfield, one is lauded the other criticised. I don’t get it, another outstanding game.
Elliot - didn’t get much of it, but was damaging when he did with his disposal and decision making. Harassed and tackled well also. Never gives up a shot in goal opportunity, you sort of want that attribute from your star players...at least pretend you might pass it off
Mayne - has been building nicely, back to his effective best I thought tonight. Has played a variety of roles over the past month, and I thought criticism of him was harsh. He plays a role and gets the job done. 9 tackles tonight, was in the right spots at the right time to affect the contest.
Daicos - like his father needs only a glimpse as goal to score. His snap was first class, didn’t even look at the goal. Very clean, and a great decision maker...doesn’t rush and doesn’t kick blindly either.
Brown - I think he’s due for a spell, had a good few games that will hold him in good stead for further development. As you would expect from a Brown will always impact in some way, pressured well but I think his decision making and execution was poor tonight. I’d bring in Sier next week.
Wills - 13 touches and one clearance, I’ve been calling for his head since he came in. He is not AFL standard, perhaps they hope he’ll build confidence as the season progresses...coaches no best I guess. To me he’s just not clean enough off the deck, doesn’t make the right decisions putting team mates under pressure. He’s too slow and does not impact offensively...not sure what the upside is. I’d rather play a Murphy or an Appleby.
Phillips - is finding his groove on the wing, he loves an uncontested ball. I don’t love him, but when we are winning the ball he does well to get in positions to receive it...I guess that is a skill and a need. Had a good outside players game tonight, still some improvement to come I hope. His numbers are down.
Maynard - he’s just a beast and very clean by foot. I can’t imagine forwards like being in his vicinity.
Crisp - I think he hasn’t been as damaging since Howe went down, perhaps doesn’t have the luxury to run forward as freely, hopefully that balance improves as they build more confidence inthe backline. Had a good game, flawless really.
Moore - rarely beaten, aside from that Rohan 1 v1. What a natural talent, has everything. I wonder whether he deserves a spell given his soft tissue history?? Tough night for talls, but he mopped up well and transitioned our of Defence well tonight. AA CHB for sure.
Roughy - was solid in a tough conditions for talls. Played on Hawkins for most of the night and did well. His disposal is first rate. Not sure what the issue is with his missus, hope everything’s ok and that if it is affecting him that he goes home or has a spell.
IQ - didn’t have the freedom to run and carry like last week. Was he tagged or perhaps they just made sure to press a bit better in the forward line. Low score so he couldn’t have been too bad down back.
Atu - I was thrilled with his performance last week, he was lost at sea tonight. There was one notable tackle and not much else to report, not sure if he gets a game next week...coaches will know best. perhaps a tagging role next week?
WHE - so frustrating when he’s your target in the forward 50. Always plays from behind, he’s soft. I have a real distrust for soft players.
Stephenson - he’s developing a bit of a down hill skier reputation in my books, I’m really not a fan. When things are going well and he has a paddock to run into to mark and goal then great, when he doesn’t what does he do? Pulls out of contests, panics with ball in hand. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, trade whilst his value is still high.We have too many soft players in the team and you can’t win premierships that way.
Noble - I was hypercritical of him when he got dropped. Played an outstanding return game I thought in the wet. Was assured and clean with ball in hand, didn’t let the ball out the back either tonight. Good response after being dropped, that’s character!
Varcoe - another good game from him. Love what he brings, speed, class and some X factor. A definite 22 player, and particularly come finals for me! Doesn’t get much of it, but not everybody can. He plays his role and adds pressure and affects the contest.