I loved the look of Balic but doesnt work at the required tempo. If he can lift his intensity watch out AFL.
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Spot on! Crozier killing it as a midfielder at WAFL level is almost pointless. What is the point in playing him as a mid and getting 7 clearances when hes going to play Ballas role up forward? He isn't gonna go through the midfield at stages, he'd be about 10th in line. Spent pre season down back, JLT up forward and now WAFL in the midfield, we're not adding versatility, we're stuffing up his development.Wing / HBF? Thought he was good and composed. HBF for me at AFL level; sort of a Sutcliffe/Birchall type.
Strnadica did some good things; the run down tackle may have made Ross blink, and a couple of marks in the backline whilst on stand-in ruck duty. Played a fair bit of time on the ground too.
I thought Logue was good in the second half and better overall than some were making him out to be. Just need to be patient whilst he learns the role.
I concur with others about Crozier - had a good game but he isn't playing inside mid at AFL level. Would rather see him groomed as a backman or as a forward.
I thought Sheridan did actually have some good moments but there was also the average ones too. I barely saw Suban.
Grey could still have a role at AFL level - tackles well and runs hard and I didn't think thd kicking was too bad.
Where did you watch the replay? Can't find it online anywhere yet.
Me too. I know Lyon cops flack for it but the intensity of his pressure football is exciting. I think our emerging midfield is going to be much slicker in terms of transition and ball movement once it comes together as well, so paint me optimistic.After watching the game on the weekend, I could see the typical game style of Lyon versus Simpson. It showed Simpson's open spread, fast ball movement compared to Lyon's manic pressure. I think this is the style of play we will see from the dockers this year, being manic pressure and fast ball movement when in our hands. I've got a very good feeling about this year. I hope I'm right
His two main issues of pace and kicking are not huge either. His kicking can improve, and his pace won't be an issue if he really is a smart footballer and he builds an AFL tank. Barlow or Mundy pretty good players to emulate.Definitely think Balic should be given opportunity in the seniors once his fitness is up to it. If there is one thing we need its more footy smarts. He reminds me of Tucker, the same smooth moving through traffic and he's magic around a clearance.
The way he moved through the pack at the very first centre bounce last night is something I could watch over and over. Good football IQ, is agile, has good vision and good hands. If he had pace he'd be unbelievable. I'd toss a coin between him and Darcy for BOG - we only lost one centre clearance all night from memory? Reckon Crozier will get the nod though as RtB will be a bit risk averse for round 1.
If we're truely in development mode, Collins would be my pick before Dawson. Every game Zac plays the starting score line is -12 points.
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I honestly can't see any of those 5 leaving any time soon (the three amigos + Tucker & Balic) unless they are pushed. The 3 amigos seem to love living and playing together and all 3 are now B22 so it's not like they will get more opportunity elsewhere. Meanwhile Tucker and Balic are only 2nd year players (and Balic is effectively a first year player) and it's normally a very dumb move to change clubs so early in your career - especially when you now have the best facilities in the league at your disposal. Expecting all 5 will be B22 by season's end and playing alongside Fyfe, Neale, the Hills, Walters and Bennell for the foreseeable future has to be a strong motivation to stay also. That's 11 core (flexible) midfielders we should try and lock in for the next 5 years at least. Now we just need some tall forwards to to fill our gaping crevice and our best half backs to identify themselves out of the large pack we have recruited.Like many on here, I really took a shine at times to Mzungu, DeBoer and especially Barlow but there removal (ruthless removal in the case of Barlow) has really opened up the possibility of playing AFL footy for Balic this year and given best 22 status (at this point in time) to Langdon, Blakley and Tucker which they might not of had if those players remained. I would reckon they would be very excited about their futures and also far more likely to sign extensions. Got a gut feeling if Langdon goes well this year and gets to play with Fyfe a lot, he will be signing a much longer contract extension next time.
Still gutted for those past players but it is the only way for RTB to play the new talent and the new talent does look mighty good.
At least the report on WAFL's website is decent: http://www.wafootball.com.au/news/11966/round-1-–-east-perth-v-peel-thunder-match-report
Makes Travis King's report look amateurish - nice work Chris Pike! Hmmm, the WAFL making the AFL look amateurish... oh dear.
Balic - does some good things and did break the lines and go for a bit of a gallop that I hadn't seen before but his kicking needs a huge improvement imo. Severely up and under when he is on the run.
Taberner - reminded me again why he will not make it afl level. He was on a good defender and had few opportunities but when you mark the ball at 40 and kick from inside 50 he can not even make the distance, seen that several times now. Ineffective at AFL level as defenders will just play behind and push him up the ground. His marking is just not good enough at the level even with a slight pressure he goes to water. Sad but he just does not have it... some posters say he needs to "get his confidence", confidence may be a problem but lack of it his case is well founded.
Enjoyed the read and at least you can tell he was actually at the game. I agree with his view of Balic as best on ground, Logue in his best players was a bit of a shock though!! He had one very good quarter but also a couple of blues for mine which would have kept him out of the best list.
At least the report on WAFL's website is decent: http://www.wafootball.com.au/news/11966/round-1-–-east-perth-v-peel-thunder-match-report
Makes Travis King's report look amateurish - nice work Chris Pike! Hmmm, the WAFL making the AFL look amateurish... oh dear.
Spot on! Crozier killing it as a midfielder at WAFL level is almost pointless. What is the point in playing him as a mid and getting 7 clearances when hes going to play Ballas role up forward? He isn't gonna go through the midfield at stages, he'd be about 10th in line. Spent pre season down back, JLT up forward and now WAFL in the midfield, we're not adding versatility, we're stuffing up his development.
Is it versatility or poor coaching? Why spend the pre season as a rebounding defender (where he showed the most promise and filled a gigantic need) only to play him in the forward line? If Kersten got dropped and played midfield for Peel, would that be smart coaching and adding versatility, or would it effect his development and not make it clear where the club actually wants him to play?You don't think there'll be any stoppages in our forward line?
Ross likes to build versatility in his players and I agree with this. It makes the squad far more prepared for any situation that may arise and harder to coach against. I'm not sure how much footy you've played but its not hard. If he gets the call up and can't go from midfield one week to a small forward the next with all of the coaching and training plus having played JLT up forward, then he's no good. He's a professional footballer FFS.
Plus, whats the point of Crozier sitting in the forward pocket all night and getting a dozen disposals? Touch is an amazingly important thing especially when in the early stages of the season. Need to get the ball into his hands so that he's ready for to step up
Ross and the club have got this right imo.
Tell me your exaggerating?But Adrian Barich said last night that East Perth really won the match and that Jack Redden was best on ground.
You have to hand it to Barich, he is an all-round sportsman.Tell me your exaggerating?
Is it versatility or poor coaching? Why spend the pre season as a rebounding defender (where he showed the most promise and filled a gigantic need) only to play him in the forward line? If Kersten got dropped and played midfield for Peel, would that be smart coaching and adding versatility, or would it effect his development and not make it clear where the club actually wants him to play?
It's not as simple as 'you dominated in the midfield for Peel, now play as a forward in the AFL, where you will play a completely different role'.
Great post.Have you read the recent long interview with Lyon by Mark Duffield? He talks about how last season Freo went away from controlling the things they can and tried to focus on skills at the expense of effort. We tried to be Hawthorn and you can't unless you have a dozen or so left footers that can put the ball on a dime 55M away. Similarly while other teams this year will be trying to emulate Western Bulldogs manic handball game or the Eagles web Freo have gone back to basics - effort, intensity consistency at the contest because those are the things we can control. They are the things that got a team with players like Clancee Pearce, DeBoer, Mzungu, Suban into a Grand Final, demolishing Sydney and tossing Geelong on their own deck against all the odds.
The players themselves empowered Ross Lyon with their feedback that that is what they want to get back to.
Personally I was incredibly impressed by the consistency of effort and intensity over 4 quarters in the first game for points on a slippery deck under lights. A team with a lot of young and inexperienced players simply outworked and outmuscled a team with a fair bit more AFL experience.
If the seniors bring that in to round 1 we are a lot better chance than I've previously rated us. As for skill, it will come when the players carrying and moving the ball are Hill, Hill, Bennell, Mundy, Tucker (I rate him), Weller etc and they are kicking at McCarthy, Walters and a few more like that.
In 2013 we had the effort but not enough skill, I think we've brought a lot of skill in over the last couple of years, if we can get the effort and belief back to where is was we will have something.
Like Salim said, for a bunch of untried kids I've never been happier about a Peel performance. I can't believe how excited I am about Darcy, a big strong, mobile, skilful, Intelligent ruck like him can carry the next generation after Sandi hangs it up.