Funnily enough, I got over that loss quite quickly. Sure I lost about four minutes in an absolute numb and disbelief state somewhere between the ball going through the goals and Port walking down the race before I had the wherewithal to switch the television off.
I’m really excited by where this group is heading. Never once did we drop our heads, and I’m really proud of that. Hobbs is a future leader of the football club and I’ve been so thrilled to see his development and confidence grow in a more inside, contested ball winning capacity. Probably hasn’t got the body yet to start bursting away from packs and really showcasing his outside game but couldn’t be happier that he’s now a permanent fixture in the side.
Caldwell - wow. He now belongs and he knows it. He’s arguably now our second best midfielder. If not, he’s only another year away from overtaking Parish, and that’s taking nothing away from Darcy. Caldwell is damaging with his disposal, composed under pressure, and he’s a goal kicking midfielder. We haven’t had one of those since the days of Jason Johnson and Mark Mercuri.
Our backline help up really well. I thought Marshall was ineffective, Dixon was obviously injured and shouldn’t have played but if we can, as the rumours suggest, grab McKay that really strengthens our key position stocks and allows Ridley, Redman, even Laverde to play as third tall rebounding defenders. Kelly was a lot better, but I just don’t think you can play Heppell and he in the same backline. Hind or Massimo needed to play to provide more valuable run, and I think we missed a trick there. Kelly and Heppell are too stagnant, often slow the play down and look sideways for the safer and easier option which allowed Port to get superior numbers behind the ball.
I think the forward line is still our most pressing issue, but I’m not too sure there’s a quick fix or an easy solution to solve it. Obviously Wright is the cornerstone and last night I’m surprised his jumper remained intact for the full duration of the contest, the amount he was held and illegally impeded. Langford and Stringer are locks up there. Weids is devoid of confidence and needs a spell in the reserves, but there’s no obvious replacement for him until Draper comes back and we resume the forward resting ruck tactic.
I feel like we’re doing a lot of great things, but that last kick going inside fifty and the cohesion between the midfielders and forwards just isn’t there, and admittedly hasn’t been there in many years. Maybe we already have adequate personnel forward of the ball and it’s just a case of our better ball users consistently lowering the eyes and finding the free targets instead of putting it on Wright’s head and hoping for the best, but I still feel like it’s an area we desperately need to address.
Overall, super happy with the season so far. We’ve been in most games, we’ve competed and taken it up to most sides in the competition. When I tune in to watch us play I just want effort. Tidy up a few things forward of centre, get a couple of additional pieces next year, I like what we’re building.
I’m really excited by where this group is heading. Never once did we drop our heads, and I’m really proud of that. Hobbs is a future leader of the football club and I’ve been so thrilled to see his development and confidence grow in a more inside, contested ball winning capacity. Probably hasn’t got the body yet to start bursting away from packs and really showcasing his outside game but couldn’t be happier that he’s now a permanent fixture in the side.
Caldwell - wow. He now belongs and he knows it. He’s arguably now our second best midfielder. If not, he’s only another year away from overtaking Parish, and that’s taking nothing away from Darcy. Caldwell is damaging with his disposal, composed under pressure, and he’s a goal kicking midfielder. We haven’t had one of those since the days of Jason Johnson and Mark Mercuri.
Our backline help up really well. I thought Marshall was ineffective, Dixon was obviously injured and shouldn’t have played but if we can, as the rumours suggest, grab McKay that really strengthens our key position stocks and allows Ridley, Redman, even Laverde to play as third tall rebounding defenders. Kelly was a lot better, but I just don’t think you can play Heppell and he in the same backline. Hind or Massimo needed to play to provide more valuable run, and I think we missed a trick there. Kelly and Heppell are too stagnant, often slow the play down and look sideways for the safer and easier option which allowed Port to get superior numbers behind the ball.
I think the forward line is still our most pressing issue, but I’m not too sure there’s a quick fix or an easy solution to solve it. Obviously Wright is the cornerstone and last night I’m surprised his jumper remained intact for the full duration of the contest, the amount he was held and illegally impeded. Langford and Stringer are locks up there. Weids is devoid of confidence and needs a spell in the reserves, but there’s no obvious replacement for him until Draper comes back and we resume the forward resting ruck tactic.
I feel like we’re doing a lot of great things, but that last kick going inside fifty and the cohesion between the midfielders and forwards just isn’t there, and admittedly hasn’t been there in many years. Maybe we already have adequate personnel forward of the ball and it’s just a case of our better ball users consistently lowering the eyes and finding the free targets instead of putting it on Wright’s head and hoping for the best, but I still feel like it’s an area we desperately need to address.
Overall, super happy with the season so far. We’ve been in most games, we’ve competed and taken it up to most sides in the competition. When I tune in to watch us play I just want effort. Tidy up a few things forward of centre, get a couple of additional pieces next year, I like what we’re building.
