As insomnia has the better of me I thought I'd create this week's postmatch thread - I hope I'm not stepping on anybody's toes in doing so!
It was a pleasing game in most respects, if a bit frustrating at times. We had the lions fairly well covered for the vast majority of the match, but I thought we tended to over-possess in the second and third quarters, as well as bombing blindly a few too many times during that period as well. The result was we turned possession over more than we would like in those middle two quarters, and but for some poor conversion from Brisbane the scores could have been closer during that time. Our structures look questionable when we turn the ball over, but that is to be expected of any team.
That's pretty much the extent of the negatives for mine (and obviously the Brown injury, though I'm hopeful it's not too serious). Conversely, there were positives all over the park.
I'm sure others will discuss it in detail, but it should be briefly mentioned that Sidebum, Swan, Pendles, Beams and Shaw were all superb. 160 disposals across that group of five, and hardly a disposal wasted. Ball's injury could be the making of Sidey and Beams, who were, importantly, equally as good defensively as offensively. Also, I've never seen a player break a tag as methodically as Swan's dismantling of Raines when he was moved to him. Was hilarious to watch the little ex-Tiger trying to play full-back on him, and Swan's goals came at a time when we needed a bit of steadying, so thanks should go to Vossy for that masterstroke. Finally, it's great to see Shaw hitting the scoreboard, he seems to have goaled in every match he's played this year. Looks in AA form, barring any Shaw-esque brainfades.
A couple of other honourable mentions should go to Wellingham and Sinclair. Wellingham looks like he's found that crazed attack at the footy that he had at the start of 2010, and it's fantastic to see him hit a contest at full pace. Tonight, especially, he was clean, taking everything first grab and picking the right option. He's also a surprisingly good mark and set-shot. He's needed to step up in the absence of a few small forwards and he has. Kudos to the boy.
The same must be said of Sinkers, strangely enough, who, after a shaky start to the year, has literally improved on his performance every single week. Now that his ball use has reached acceptable levels, he's become an asset to an undermanned small-forward division. The thing that struck me tonight, as well as his usual speed, ticker and general endeavour, was his clean hands. Especially below the knees, he seems to be able to take an awkward, bouncing ball at full tilt on the first grab. That's probably the most important skill for a small forward to have. Mazel tov, Ben.
Finally, regarding Didak. He hasn't moved like he did tonight for a long time. There was certainly some rust in his performance - he narrowly missed a couple of gettable goals, and there was one instance where he panicked unnecessarily and blazed away straight down a Lions defender's throat. But he was looking more and more settled as the game wore on, and the goal he kicked was classic Dids. For the first time in over a year, he looks fast, clean, and was finding the ball at will. But the most pleasing aspect of Didak's return, for me at least, was his position - he was used predominantly inside forward fifty, which is where I think he needs to play now, both for himself and for the team. In a forward line with plenty of grunt and heart he provides the silk and the x-factor, the finishing ability that we've probably been missing so far this year. So hats off to Nathan Buckley for playing the man in what I believe should be his primary position all year, where he can hit the scoreboard and set up his teammates like few others can.
Overall, very happy with the performance in what has historically been a danger game for us. The Lions boys love nothing more than getting up against the pies, so to win so thoroughly against a team that was clearly fired up, if somewhat lacking in talent, was a pleasing result.
It was a pleasing game in most respects, if a bit frustrating at times. We had the lions fairly well covered for the vast majority of the match, but I thought we tended to over-possess in the second and third quarters, as well as bombing blindly a few too many times during that period as well. The result was we turned possession over more than we would like in those middle two quarters, and but for some poor conversion from Brisbane the scores could have been closer during that time. Our structures look questionable when we turn the ball over, but that is to be expected of any team.
That's pretty much the extent of the negatives for mine (and obviously the Brown injury, though I'm hopeful it's not too serious). Conversely, there were positives all over the park.
I'm sure others will discuss it in detail, but it should be briefly mentioned that Sidebum, Swan, Pendles, Beams and Shaw were all superb. 160 disposals across that group of five, and hardly a disposal wasted. Ball's injury could be the making of Sidey and Beams, who were, importantly, equally as good defensively as offensively. Also, I've never seen a player break a tag as methodically as Swan's dismantling of Raines when he was moved to him. Was hilarious to watch the little ex-Tiger trying to play full-back on him, and Swan's goals came at a time when we needed a bit of steadying, so thanks should go to Vossy for that masterstroke. Finally, it's great to see Shaw hitting the scoreboard, he seems to have goaled in every match he's played this year. Looks in AA form, barring any Shaw-esque brainfades.
A couple of other honourable mentions should go to Wellingham and Sinclair. Wellingham looks like he's found that crazed attack at the footy that he had at the start of 2010, and it's fantastic to see him hit a contest at full pace. Tonight, especially, he was clean, taking everything first grab and picking the right option. He's also a surprisingly good mark and set-shot. He's needed to step up in the absence of a few small forwards and he has. Kudos to the boy.
The same must be said of Sinkers, strangely enough, who, after a shaky start to the year, has literally improved on his performance every single week. Now that his ball use has reached acceptable levels, he's become an asset to an undermanned small-forward division. The thing that struck me tonight, as well as his usual speed, ticker and general endeavour, was his clean hands. Especially below the knees, he seems to be able to take an awkward, bouncing ball at full tilt on the first grab. That's probably the most important skill for a small forward to have. Mazel tov, Ben.
Finally, regarding Didak. He hasn't moved like he did tonight for a long time. There was certainly some rust in his performance - he narrowly missed a couple of gettable goals, and there was one instance where he panicked unnecessarily and blazed away straight down a Lions defender's throat. But he was looking more and more settled as the game wore on, and the goal he kicked was classic Dids. For the first time in over a year, he looks fast, clean, and was finding the ball at will. But the most pleasing aspect of Didak's return, for me at least, was his position - he was used predominantly inside forward fifty, which is where I think he needs to play now, both for himself and for the team. In a forward line with plenty of grunt and heart he provides the silk and the x-factor, the finishing ability that we've probably been missing so far this year. So hats off to Nathan Buckley for playing the man in what I believe should be his primary position all year, where he can hit the scoreboard and set up his teammates like few others can.
Overall, very happy with the performance in what has historically been a danger game for us. The Lions boys love nothing more than getting up against the pies, so to win so thoroughly against a team that was clearly fired up, if somewhat lacking in talent, was a pleasing result.
