Brisbane game thoughts

[smoovy]

Another game we should have won by about 10 goals. Brisbane were a much better team than the bulldogs, so it was an improved effort on last week again.

We basically just ran them off the park, simple as that. The running of Reilly, Van Berlo and Shirley who I think all 3 had there best game for the club. Reilly had 38 touches, while Shirley had 30 and kept Black to 16. For this reason I would probably give Shirley best which is incredible given Reilly's game.

445 possesions for the match would have to be just about an all time record? But the concerning thing still is that we were only able to kick 12 goals. We are still butchering so many chances going forward.

The Birdman is looking a little out of sorts but that he can turn that around in a week and kick 6. Bock is not a forward's backside, but would have to be swapped for Stevens who is playing great down back.

Gill was sensational, that 10 minutes he had in the 2nd qtr basically busted the game open and gave us the match winning break. Finished with 1.3 plus and out on a full and 2 handballs that set up goals. His kicking has improved, apart from one shocker.

Backline was sensational, with plenty of run. Truck hardly gave Brown a sniff, while Stevens was great at filling the hole. The only problem is that Mattner's decision making continues to be a concern and is still making some absolute howlers on the last line of defence.

Bring on the pies.

On a side note we looked finally to get a decent go from the umps up until halftime. Well they must have seen the stats that we were 16-9 in front and thought we were getting to good of a go. Incredibly we ended up finishing behind on the count 18-22.

 

[Drummond]

Bock: Spent long periods of time on the bench but still managed to kick his usual two goals.

Burton: Thought he was pretty awful. Don’t like seeing a potential captain play for so many frees either.

Doughty: Late replacement for Knights and didn’t do a lot wrong tonight.

Edwards: Don’t look at his possession count, he was very ordinary. Caught holding the ball twice and too many skill errors.

Gill: Great work rate, kicked a goal and was responsible for Goodwin’s first. Cannot kick though; 1.3 with one OOF.

Goodwin: Gun and should be AA. 31 possessions, 2 goals in another great performance.

Hudson: Worked hard as usual and had 20 hit-outs which came as a shock to me.

Johncock: Brilliant and his best game of the season IMO. Mopped up beautifully and took some great marks.

Massie: Very solid performance down back.

Mattner: Made me nervous a few times but overall was pretty good down back.

McLeod: Enough cannot be said about him. Champion. “That” move in the last term was sensational.

Meesen: MUCH better than last week. Rucked very well I thought. Played about 45% of the game and finished with 9 hit-outs and 6 possessions. In fact he had more hit-outs than Wood and tied with Leuenberger.

Porplyzia: Started slowly but great last half. Does he have the best hands in the business?

Reilly: > Dal Santo. 38 possessions, easily a career high. Such a smart player. Can’t believe he was reported.

Ricciuto: About 50% fit and that’s being generous. Had a few good handballs and a couple of strong marks but was very quiet.

Rutten: Wow, what a performance. Yes he got help but he beat him 1-on-1 many times.

Shirley: Another very good game, second on the trot.

Stevens: Such an underrated player and IMO he was close to BOG. Didn’t put a foot wrong all night.

Thompson: Great first half but spent a bit of time on the bench in the second half.

Torney: Was pretty good, 22 possessions is a fair effort.

van Berlo: Career high possession count, and how many times did he put his body on the line to win possession? I’ll say it again, future captain.

Welsh: Played about 50% of the game and was on the bike for the other 50%. Could be in some doubt next week.

 

[smoovy]

Meesen: MUCH better than last week. Rucked very well I thought. Played about 45% of the game and finished with 9 hit-outs and 6 possessions. In fact he had more hit-outs than Wood and tied with Leuenberger.

The one 60m pass to spot up McLeod on the wing was enough to show me he has a bit about him.

 

[Pride of SA]

I thought Shirley was sensational actually. shut down Power and was everywhere himself.

Van Berlo and Porplyzia are starting to take the next steps up and becoming very good players.

Reilly was awesome and is fast becoming our most important linkman. its no surprise we floundered in the middle when he was injured those few weeks.

Starting put together a pretty good team of under 23s for our next generation team now.

 

[- PC -]

Meesen = DUD

 

[- PC -]

Burton: Thought he was pretty awful. Don’t like seeing a potential captain play for so many frees either.

Never was a potential captain, but your right, plus his kicking is shocking

Edwards: Don’t look at his possession count, he was very ordinary. Caught holding the ball twice and too many skill errors.

Played on Lappin? Held him?

Gill: Great work rate, kicked a goal and was responsible for Goodwin’s first. Cannot kick though; 1.3 with one OOF.

I like Nick. I think that old chestnut , workrate and he ''tries'' apply. You know if the ball is in his area he will do all he can to make it his.

Johncock: Brilliant and his best game of the season IMO. Mopped up beautifully and took some great marks.

Mark of the night...and he ran and ran and ran to present an option and was rewarded with the mark and goal

Mattner: Made me nervous a few times but overall was pretty good down back.

Taken over from SS as the nervous player to watch

McLeod: Enough cannot be said about him. Champion. “That” move in the last term was sensational

.

Meesen: MUCH better than last week. Rucked very well I thought. Played about 45% of the game and finished with 9 hit-outs and 6 possessions. In fact he had more hit-outs than Wood and tied with Leuenberger.

Was ordinary imo. One good kick and thats about it. Look at my comments on Gill and he is the opposite. 3 years and he still is or looks confused as to what to do and where to be. Cant tap , just has no football nous

Porplyzia: Started slowly but great last half. Does he have the best hands in the business?

He does

Reilly: > Dal Santo. 38 possessions, easily a career high. Such a smart player. Can’t believe he was reported.

Joke of a report. I nominated him last year as player to start showing potential, 1 year late is fine by me.

Ricciuto: About 50% fit and that’s being generous. Had a few good handballs and a couple of strong marks but was very quiet.

In racehorse parlance '' will be better for the run'' . Actually looked at times embarrassed by the attention and didnt want to take that shot at goal the crowd wanted

Rutten: Wow, what a performance. Yes he got help but he beat him 1-on-1 many times.

Rutten beat Brown 1-1 more times than he was helped . Absolute top notch game

Stevens: Such an underrated player and IMO he was close to BOG. Didn’t put a foot wrong all night.

Has gone from delist to definite keeper. Thats class

Torney: Was pretty good, 22 possessions is a fair effort.

Was BOG till half time

 

[crowman_23]

I actually thought Meesen did alright tonight. His ruck work was a lot better than last week and he looked a lot more likely. Probably helped that he was on two young ruckman like himself. but I thought he was alright.

I'll agree with most on Edwards. Starting to look very slow and IMO should all most hang the boots up at the end of the season with Roo. Can still use the footy but just looks very slow and old when he gets it these days.

With Burton, he needs to get a lot more consistency throughout games. One minute he will do something spectacular and the next he will miss an easy set shot at goal. He is as bloody important player to our team and we need him firing, but he needs to play some normal footy for most of the game and whip out some magic every now and again. His set shots need a lot of work.

 

[Nige_Bix]

I actually thought Meesen did alright tonight. His ruck work was a lot better than last week and he looked a lot more likely. Probably helped that he was on two young ruckman like himself. but I thought he was alright.

I'll agree with most on Edwards. Starting to look very slow and IMO should all most hang the boots up at the end of the season with Roo. Can still use the footy but just looks very slow and old when he gets it these days.

With Burton, he needs to get a lot more consistency throughout games. One minute he will do something spectacular and the next he will miss an easy set shot at goal. He is as bloody important player to our team and we need him firing, but he needs to play some normal footy for most of the game and whip out some magic every now and again. His set shots need a lot of work.

Yeh I was happier with Meeson- glad that Charman was out!.

I think Tyson gets caught holding the ball at least once each match now - and gets into too tight squeezes - that once he could get out of easily!

Burton seems to be the major target atm - not sure if that's where we get our best value out of him - he will always be an unreliable kick and sadly we have too many of those as indicated by our recent scorelines!

 

[Stiffy_18]

I thought Meesen was MUCH MUCH better than last week. His intensity was a great improvement on last week but what I was impressed with was his center square ruck duels. He won some very nice taps but even if he got a crap bounce that didn't favour him, he would still at least negate the tap.

MUCH MUCH better than last week.

I thin without a doubt Reilly is our most damaging midfielder. His passes are SUPERB. I would love to be a forward with him kicking it down my throat. He keeps the low. GREAT kick of the footy. We have missed him badly this year. If he can stay injury free and continue his improvement, he will be one of the most damaging midfielders in the comp.

I would love to hear from the Shirley knockers! He made Black a non factor tonight and gathered 30 touches himself. GREAT game!

Nathan van Berlo was also great, puts his body on the line EVERY time and like Reilly he can deliver a GREAT pass. His kicking at the moment is a bit of a mixed back but once he gets there he will be one damaging player with his kicks. 28 possesion tonight but crickey 20 handballs

Rutten, Goodwin, McLeod, Johncock, Stevens et al were all great tonight.

 

[smoovy]

Burton seems to be the major target atm - not sure if that's where we get our best value out of him - he will always be an unreliable kick and sadly we have too many of those as indicated by our recent scorelines!

I think the Birdman struggles a bit from full forward. He is better value on a half forward flank or in the pocket. That said he finished the night with 1.4. So could have easily bagged a lazy 4, and in typical Birdman fashion the one he kicked was the hardest.

 

[Dandy_GO]

Meesen = DUD

For a second gamer ruckman he was good. Granted, Wood and Leuenberger are both young, skinny guys, but he looked better than them in the ruck contests and was at least as good as Wood around the ground. That kick to McLeod was great. Did a few nice things, did a few bad things (failed to put his body on the line on a couple of occassions). Overall, I thought he played a good game. Far from a dud.

 

[- PC -]

For a second gamer ruckman he was good. Granted, Wood and Leuenberger are both young, skinny guys, but he looked better than them in the ruck contests and was at least as good as Wood around the ground. That kick to McLeod was great. Did a few nice things, did a few bad things (failed to put his body on the line on a couple of occassions). Overall, I thought he played a good game. Far from a dud.

His first tap we scored a goal, after that it seemed he lost or negated every tap an Brisbane scored goals when he was on the ground

 

[Stiffy_18]

His first tap we scored a goal, after that it seemed he lost or negated every tap an Brisbane scored goals when he was on the ground

Thats a VERY long bow to draw IMHO!

 

[- PC -]

Thats a VERY long bow to draw IMHO!

Maybe, I tried to like him last week and even had nice things to say. But looking critically at him he offered not a lot

 

[macca23]

His first tap we scored a goal, after that it seemed he lost or negated every tap an Brisbane scored goals when he was on the ground

I'm with Stiffy on this one. IMO Meesen won more centre bounce taps than not tonight, and in general we went forward from them. How this relates to any of Brisbane's goals eludes me.

 

[noddy]

Meesen = DUD

An improvement on last weeks performance & at least competed.



Shirley & Reilly were very good.

 

[Drummond]

His first tap we scored a goal, after that it seemed he lost or negated every tap an Brisbane scored goals when he was on the ground

Nope sorry but I can’t let this go any longer.

Meesen improved a heck of a lot from last week. He was very solid in the centre bounces and he barely lost one all night. The first two he contested he flat out won and I believe we got two goals as a result. But as Stiffy said when he didn’t manage to win the tap, he negated their taps by blocking it with his hand. So not only did he have a few taps to advantage, but he negated plenty of theirs.

Finished with 9 hit-outs in roughly about 40-45% game time. Wouldn’t have thought that was too bad, but you obviously have some huge expectations. Watch the game again, his ruckwork was more than adequate and even Craig pointed out how their ruck coach was pleased with his work in the centre bounces.

 

[Dandy_GO]

The main thing we can take out of it, was that he was at least as good as rising star nominee Cameron "the bloke we probably should have drafted" Wood.

 

[fightingdreamer88]

I thought Meesen had an improved game tonight which is all you can ask for. He's got the potential and must keep working to realise it. Still very young of course and ruckmen take time to come on.

Had one more hitout than Wood tonight. Showed a bit with some field kicking but for mine the next step for him is to start having more of an impact around the ground; he has the tank and the skills to do so. Body work has improved significantly as I hoped it would, given he has had the reality check against the big strong bodies of the AFL. Good stuff and should be retained next week.

 

[fightingdreamer88]

Nope sorry but I can’t let this go any longer.

Meesen improved a heck of a lot from last week. He was very solid in the centre bounces and he barely lost one all night. The first two he contested he flat out won and I believe we got two goals as a result. But as Stiffy said when he didn’t manage to win the tap, he negated their taps by blocking it with his hand. So not only did he have a few taps to advantage, but he negated plenty of theirs.

Finished with 9 hit-outs in roughly about 40-45% game time. Wouldn’t have thought that was too bad, but you obviously have some huge expectations. Watch the game again, his ruckwork was more than adequate and even Craig pointed out how their ruck coach was pleased with his work in the centre bounces.

Now see what's happened? Tiny percentage of game time last week, he's been given more this week; easing him into it, it's the way to go.

 

[bus24]

Reilly > Dal Santo enough said.

If he has the footy 38 times, we'll never lose. His disposal is absolutely sublime

Shirley - Honestly, that was easily the best game I've ever seen him play.

VB - Gun. Those hardball gets/diving handballs are his trademark.

Meesen - Much improved, he's shown glimpses of what he's capable of IMO. As far as I'm concerned, certainly did enough to hold his spot.

Knights returns for Doughty next week.

Oh and Nick Gill, I love him. He's a bloody madman.

 

[fightingdreamer88]

Reilly > Dal Santo enough said.

If he has the footy 38 times, we'll never lose. His disposal is absolutely sublime

Shirley - Honestly, that was easily the best game I've ever seen him play.

VB - Gun. Those hardball gets/diving handballs are his trademark.

Meesen - Much improved, he's shown glimpses of what he's capable of IMO. As far as I'm concerned, certainly did enough to hold his spot.

Knights returns for Doughty next week.

Oh and Nick Gill, I love him. He's a bloody madman.

Had a couple of shocking kicks in front of goal tonight but overall since coming in, his kicking HAS improved. If he can continue on that path (and given that presence he has around the ground) he will be a player for us.

Thought we would miss the in-close work of the Knight Rider a bit but everyone stepped up and did the job beautifully.

Tonight we saw exactly what Reilly can do. It's a real shame he hurt himself early in the season but on the same token, he's hitting his straps right on the cusp of finals which is crucial.

 

[Crow-mo]

Meesen = DUD

what did you make of wood's game?

 

[- PC -]

what did you make of wood's game?

Cant say. I barrack for the AFC. He didnt particularly stand out enough for me to notice him as a threat for Adelaide

 

[WaynesWorld19]

The last two weeks have been the most enjoyable games to watch ....which is strange given some of the criticisms on this board what with disposals and turnovers.

We have attacked and run like we haven't all season .....and sure that risk taking that obviously Craig has asked for has produced turnovers and skill errors but at the breakneck speed the game has been played at ....do you surely expect anything more??

The last two games have also had the TV commenators marvelling at the athletic spectacle and "loving" the game ....

There were so many positives out of last night ...

Gill:
In the space of a few games he has become a central player in our forward line. Now that can be good and could be bad if his skills don't improve?
His ability to cover ground at pace, to move the ball on quickly with hand and foot to the "right" option was great. When he didn't mark he at least contested with Porplyzia at his feet most of the night ......when he didn't have the ball he chased to tackle with real intent causing real pressure on the opponents disposal .

Shirley:
Yes I have been a critic ...but his games have seen him deserve the criticism.

The last two weeks IMO have been two great games ....last nights game without doubt the best he has played for the club.

If he played with the same mix of offence and defence like this game every week I'd be his #1 fan!!!

Reilly:
How many years did I have to fight to have my opinion of Reilly recognised ......bit like the Mattner saga.

It's taken a few seasons for him to realize how good he could become.

Whilst the Del Santo star rose under the sky of unaccountablity .....Reilly has developed much slower but continuosly to be a more offensive and defensive package .....his kicking skills right up amongst the best.

So at 23 years old and with another 8-10 years of his best football in front of him ........do I now have consesus that we have a very good footballer!

Meesen:
The improvement on last weeks game ......significant ....particularly as his body language showed confidence in what he was doing.

I agree his great attribute is his around the ground coverage ....and we're only seeing glimpses AP .....but hard to see him being replaced next week ....and that means I get to see him in the flesh against collingwood.

Centre tapping I thought was better than Wood (only marginally) ....but Wood was not noticable around the ground .....also thought Meesen broke even with Luenberger who will be a star!

Roo:
Sentimental game .....found the pace too fast ....at least he was clearing a path for others.

Porplyzia:
Get this kid FIT and in the midfield ....with his hands and vision he will be a star and great distributor of the ball .....Greg Williams comparison anybody??

Van Berlo:

Each game of late he has impressed me with a greater maturity and professionalsim in his footy. Is attacking and using his running capabilities as good as I've seen ....but is also fiercely defending ......alying tackles and getting down and dirty in the bottom of packs.

Rutten:
A fine game .....ably assisted by his defensive team mates who helped block leading holes and went third man up against Brown.

Not withstanding Ruttens strength and ability to not only negate Brown but run off to set attacking movements was superb.

Thompson:
Not sure if he's a better midfielder or forwd? ......I do know he is extremely dangerous up forwrd with his good marking skills and ability to snap good goals.

Burton:
Received significant attention tonight .....thought he played servicably ...if he had kicked straight we would be saying he had an excleent night.

Bock:
Had a night he'd rather forget .....sure he got a coule of goals but IMO he was probably our worse performer if you factor in what he is capable of. Never really at any stage did he appear to be a threat to Brisbane.

Macca
He's a star! ....plain and simple. Can't tell me every team spends countless hours trying to negate his run off HB .....yet most weeks he plays like he doesn't have an opponent ....now that's skill.

His attack of HB sets us up .....but with Johncock getting back to some form and Mattner reducing his longer runs which end up .......we now are getting real run and carry of HB.

Welsh:
Love him playing at HFF ...that's his natural position NOT FF


Bring on Collingwood!!