2nds 2018 Stand Alone VFL - Inaugural season over. Time for reviews.

[Luke72]

I think Ahern is just well behind in match fitness, he seemed to be getting a fair amount of work on his legs every time he came off. I suspect we won't see him in the early rounds.
I love the way Zurharr goes about it, really attacks the contest with a manic intensity that we don't have enough of. Fair enough his kicking needs work but I think what he brings to the table earns him a spot in the 22.
Will Walker looked good, he covered a lot of ground and really got involved. I think he will be good.
I think Hibberd was pretty good but a lot of one on one contests he would just get out positioned really easily. He was very reliable kicking out from full back.
Maj was pretty good, he spoiled a lot of contests and took some good marks. His speed was good which allowed him to run and goal. When the ball is on the ground he is out of his depth.
They seemed to expose our backline very easily, in the second half especially they would win a contest kick it forward and have three on one or worse. Thankfully they kicked poorly but I think it would be a disaster against better opposition.
The ground was quite windy blowing to the city end. It seemed to me Williamstown adapted to the conditions better, reading the ball going longer to the city end etc. If we are going to make it a home ground for the VFL and AFLW teams we need to take advantage of this.

 

[roomy elephant]

Others have given pretty comprehensive reports, so I'll limit my two cents worth to key points:

Concerns:

Durdin: played as a key forward, and didn't take a mark all day of any kind from what I could see; his hands are a big problem. I seem to recall in his draft year he played a lot as a ruck, and I fear this marking weakness may have escaped observation with him in the centre square

Dumont: played in and under, and did the tough work in there, but lacks impact/weapons. On this outing, the sentiment on this board that others have gone past him is pretty accurate

Disposal efficiency: Zurhaar and Hibberd have the athletic attributes, but the skill by foot is questionable. Hibberd took the kick-ins ok, but his field kicking is a weakness. People rightly comment on Zurhaar's toughness, but his kicking in and around the 50 was sloppy

Jefferies: I'm assuming the ginger headed boy in 43 was Jefferies, in which case Eric Wallace comes to mind

Pluses:

Xerri kicked a couple of goals, showing he can get around the ground, and his tap work is good considering his build

Ahern was good in the back half (and of course, got through the game), Anderson lively in his first game, Simpkin played centre square throughout and got plenty of it. Farrier and Josh Williams showed glimpses

Maj was the best key back on the ground. Made a bad blue in the third quarter when his direct opponent slipped a tackle and goaled, but Maj's second half contested marking was good, and best of all for mine, his distribution by foot was impeccable, picking out the next loose man and making every kick count. Spoiled well, and got loose on the run twice for bounces, kicking a goal from one in the first quarter

Larkey: three goals, very promising forward, and played back half in the last quarter, no doubt to broaden his education.

 

[Jindrrk]

Others have given pretty comprehensive reports, so I'll limit my two cents worth to key points:

Concerns:

Durdin: played as a key forward, and didn't take a mark all day of any kind from what I could see; his hands are a big problem. I seem to recall in his draft year he played a lot as a ruck, and I fear this marking weakness may have escaped observation with him in the centre square

Dumont: played in and under, and did the tough work in there, but lacks impact/weapons. On this outing, the sentiment on this board that others have gone past him is pretty accurate

Disposal efficiency: Zurhaar and Hibberd have the athletic attributes, but the skill by foot is questionable. Hibberd took the kick-ins ok, but his field kicking is a weakness. People rightly comment on Zurhaar's toughness, but his kicking in and around the 50 was sloppy

Jefferies: I'm assuming the ginger headed boy in 43 was Jefferies, in which case Eric Wallace comes to mind

Pluses:

Xerri kicked a couple of goals, showing he can get around the ground, and his tap work is good considering his build

Ahern was good in the back half (and of course, got through the game), Anderson lively in his first game, Simpkin played centre square throughout and got plenty of it. Farrier and Josh Williams showed glimpses

Maj was the best key back on the ground. Made a bad blue in the third quarter when his direct opponent slipped a tackle and goaled, but Maj's second half contested marking was good, and best of all for mine, his distribution by foot was impeccable, picking out the next loose man and making every kick count. Spoiled well, and got loose on the run twice for bounces, kicking a goal from one in the first quarter

Larkey: three goals, very promising forward, and played back half in the last quarter, no doubt to broaden his education.

Go for as long post as you want. It's good to get different perspectives or to strengthen others opinions.

 

[SMaturin]

Others have given pretty comprehensive reports, so I'll limit my two cents worth to key points:

Concerns:

Durdin: played as a key forward, and didn't take a mark all day of any kind from what I could see; his hands are a big problem. I seem to recall in his draft year he played a lot as a ruck, and I fear this marking weakness may have escaped observation with him in the centre square

Dumont: played in and under, and did the tough work in there, but lacks impact/weapons. On this outing, the sentiment on this board that others have gone past him is pretty accurate

Disposal efficiency: Zurhaar and Hibberd have the athletic attributes, but the skill by foot is questionable. Hibberd took the kick-ins ok, but his field kicking is a weakness. People rightly comment on Zurhaar's toughness, but his kicking in and around the 50 was sloppy

Jefferies: I'm assuming the ginger headed boy in 43 was Jefferies, in which case Eric Wallace comes to mind

Pluses:

Xerri kicked a couple of goals, showing he can get around the ground, and his tap work is good considering his build

Ahern was good in the back half (and of course, got through the game), Anderson lively in his first game, Simpkin played centre square throughout and got plenty of it. Farrier and Josh Williams showed glimpses

Maj was the best key back on the ground. Made a bad blue in the third quarter when his direct opponent slipped a tackle and goaled, but Maj's second half contested marking was good, and best of all for mine, his distribution by foot was impeccable, picking out the next loose man and making every kick count. Spoiled well, and got loose on the run twice for bounces, kicking a goal from one in the first quarter

Larkey: three goals, very promising forward, and played back half in the last quarter, no doubt to broaden his education.

I concur with everything said here.

 

[Harris 10]

Durdin forward is interesting, I thought he had trained back all pre season.

Have they thrown that out the window after a poor JLT 1?

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Durdin forward is interesting, I thought he had trained back all pre season.

Have they thrown that out the window after a poor JLT 1?

I think they are experimenting, like they did with him against Brisbane.

 

[Harris 10]

Did Morgan play?

 

[Luke72]

Did Morgan play?

I'm not sure, 21 was on the ground but there seems to be some doubling up of numbers and I can't find a list of VFL numbers anywhere.

 

[Wonderdog]

junker? The club's tweet said he started in the middle.

 

[Firestarter]

In action
Majak Daw, Jordan McIvor-Clark (VFL-listed), Jed Anderson, Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin, Trent Dumont, Paul Ahern, Mitch Hibberd, Nick Larkey, Matthew Northe (VFL-listed), Ben McKay, Sam Durdin, Daniel Nielson, Will Walker, Tom Hotchin (VFL-listed), Braydon Preuss, Mason Wood, Liam Whelan (VFL-listed), Josh Williams, Max Hayes (VFL-listed), Tristan Xerri, Tom Murphy, Gordon Narrier, Quintin Montanaro (VFL-listed), Tom Jeffries, Cameron Zurhaar, Oscar Junker

http://m.nmfc.com.au/news/2018-03-17/vfl-report-card

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

Others have given pretty comprehensive reports, so I'll limit my two cents worth to key points:

Concerns:

Durdin: played as a key forward, and didn't take a mark all day of any kind from what I could see; his hands are a big problem. I seem to recall in his draft year he played a lot as a ruck, and I fear this marking weakness may have escaped observation with him in the centre square

Dumont: played in and under, and did the tough work in there, but lacks impact/weapons. On this outing, the sentiment on this board that others have gone past him is pretty accurate

Disposal efficiency: Zurhaar and Hibberd have the athletic attributes, but the skill by foot is questionable. Hibberd took the kick-ins ok, but his field kicking is a weakness. People rightly comment on Zurhaar's toughness, but his kicking in and around the 50 was sloppy

Jefferies: I'm assuming the ginger headed boy in 43 was Jefferies, in which case Eric Wallace comes to mind

Pluses:

Xerri kicked a couple of goals, showing he can get around the ground, and his tap work is good considering his build

Ahern was good in the back half (and of course, got through the game), Anderson lively in his first game, Simpkin played centre square throughout and got plenty of it. Farrier and Josh Williams showed glimpses

Maj was the best key back on the ground. Made a bad blue in the third quarter when his direct opponent slipped a tackle and goaled, but Maj's second half contested marking was good, and best of all for mine, his distribution by foot was impeccable, picking out the next loose man and making every kick count. Spoiled well, and got loose on the run twice for bounces, kicking a goal from one in the first quarter

Larkey: three goals, very promising forward, and played back half in the last quarter, no doubt to broaden his education.

Great review - really appreciate it.

Durdin's marking skills were a feature of his youth and first year at North - this and his good kicking skills are what he has.

What he lacks is intensity and any physical presence - it may well be that he can't develop this and he won't make it at senior level.

He still has some time on his side but he needs to progress in 2018 - I prefer him forward (because of his kicking for goal skills) but its not much good having accurate kicking if you can't get the ball or at least make an impact physically on opponents if you can't get the ball.

I like Durds - but we need to see more.

btw - great comments re Maj.

 

[tiltraise]

 

[Passmore]

Moves like a really good player Ahern. Can’t wait to see what he can do with a season of footy under his belt.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Good: McDonald, Larkey, Xerri, Preuss, McKay, Nielsen, Walker, Murphy, Daw*

Good but rusty: Anderson, Zurhaar, Ahern, Simpkin, Dumont, Hibberd

Reasonable: Wood, Williams'

Underwhelming: Durdin, Jeffries, Narrier

Larkey just needs 6-8kgs and he will kick the door clean off its hinges.

*Majak executed his basic skills well today for a change, but showed some poor awareness on a couple of occasions when blokes got in front of him and took marks within range. This is his level.

 

[shintemaster]

A few of us, me included, have said the same. He took plenty of big marks last year though.

And to repeat what I said, what he did in VFL last year was amazing in his first year.

Guys like him can be club defining as they're such a bonus if they come off. Look at what Brown has done for us for the investment (in picks, not necessarily games and development). Massive win. You only need a handful of these to go your way and things can turn for the better very quickly.

 

[The Ardent Army]

Zuhaar has been atrocious by foot

Will probably cost him a spot in the AFL. JLT also horrible. Want him to make it but has to address this.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Will probably cost him a spot in the AFL. JLT also horrible. Want him to make it but has to address this.

He is getting more touches and to a lot more contests from what I have seen this year, which is amazing considering he has added 10kgs..

He needs to work on composure. I do think he will be a player, but he still needs the rough edges knocked out of him.

Might take until 2020, but he's worth perseverance.

 

[The Ardent Army]

He is getting more touches and to a lot more contests from what I have seen this year, which is amazing considering he has added 10kgs..

He needs to work on composure. I do think he will be a player, but he still needs the rough edges knocked out of him.

Might take until 2020, but he's worth perseverance.

Yep - needs to find a bit more of it but makes things happen and has some mongrel. Big boy now. Has certainly bulked up.

 

[Passmore]

He is getting more touches and to a lot more contests from what I have seen this year, which is amazing considering he has added 10kgs..

He needs to work on composure. I do think he will be a player, but he still needs the rough edges knocked out of him.

Might take until 2020, but he's worth perseverance.

How old is he? 19? The raw ability and power is enormous.

 

[Jindrrk]

Guys like him can be club defining as they're such a bonus if they come off. Look at what Brown has done for us for the investment (in picks, not necessarily games and development). Massive win. You only need a handful of these to go your way and things can turn for the better very quickly.

I was also pleading for recruitment of Brown. I wasn't around here then though.

Recruitment have done well IMO getting value picks.....but hopefully above mentioned turn out as well as Brown.

 

[Jindrrk]

Good: McDonald, Larkey, Xerri, Preuss, McKay, Nielsen, Walker, Murphy, Daw*

Good but rusty: Anderson, Zurhaar, Ahern, Simpkin, Dumont, Hibberd

Reasonable: Wood, Williams'

Underwhelming: Durdin, Jeffries, Narrier

Larkey just needs 6-8kgs and he will kick the door clean off its hinges.

*Majak executed his basic skills well today for a change, but showed some poor awareness on a couple of occasions when blokes got in front of him and took marks withing range. This is his level.

You watched the game or is that a recap from provided info her?

 

[Snake_Baker]

You watched the game or is that a recap from provided info her?

I saw the game

 

[Flawed Genius]

As mentioned in RD1 preview thread

Zurhaar taken to epworth as precaution, screening for internal injuries

 

[Excellence]

junker? The club's tweet said he started in the middle.

Stumbled off after a high flying marking attempt in the 1st quarter. Heard he got concussed.

 

[QueenslandRoo]

I got there at 1/4 time and some observations ...

Thanks. Your report is gold ... especially for those of us in other states who just can't get to games. Super appreciate you taking the time.