I went to the game today and sat in the front row. Never realised how different it is when your that close. Stuck right near the Bulldogs cheersquad though , so that sucked.
Things that impressed me:
Keps is pretty big and goes alright as an onballer
McPhee is a star. Gets to the contest and brings the intensity level that we want.
Hird has still got it
Watson, very good, probably could influence the game more with his size dropping back and even running forward. But his time is still to come, hopefully soon.
Monfries, he should always get a place in our team because he goes in hard and makes a contest out of most situations. Very smart player.
Lloyd was marking very well and we probably would have won had he not got injured
Fletch, his just unbelievable and great on the last line. Probably could have kicked a goal at the end but I don't mind the experimentation of him as a forward. I think that could work for small patches of the game, he’d be a tough matchup.
Even though we are 1 and 2, it is encouraging that we haven't faded out of the games. The boys are trying. Once they get a chance to gel, they will trouble most sides.
Things I didnt like
Lloyd injured! Why? He was on fire too. It will be interesting to see what forward structure is set up but Scotty Lucas needs to stand up!
Mark Bolton may have kicked a goal and all but there was a contest with I think Cooney, Bolts didnt go hard enough and the Bulldog took the mark easily. It was a contest where Bolton definitely should have been able to get a hand on the ball. This would have been a good opportunity to play Reynolds.
Campo, didn't do crap all and should be dropped for Dyson. He was awful when he tried to kick in. It got to the point where Fletch went over and said Ill take the kick ins
Lack of run. The Bulldogs were constantly moving, thats why they had numbers around the ball. A lot of our boys were just zoning off and the Doggies ran the ball through the midfield easily.
Welsh to Full Forward. He could have used anyone from Keps, to Scotty, to Hirdy, to McPhee, to anyone who would have stood a chance against two defenders. Welsh hasnt got the bulk to stand up in those contests.
Patty Ryder was impressive and did some good things at certain points but went missing for a lot of the game. He is going to be a good player for us but now that his had a taste of what its gonna be like, send him to Bendigo because regardless of how good he plays, his body is going to struggle to hold up for a full AFL Season. Let’s fully develop him. They should really be giving Cartledge an opportunity, especially since his further along in development.
Scott Lucas. We fell down at Half Forward the whole match. Scotty wasn't getting to a contest, when he had opportunities he didn't position himself well. I really think he would be best utilised at CHB but not until Lloyds back.
Sheeds mismatching Solly. Solly is a really good player, but he does not have the aerobic capacity to keep up with Robert Murphy. It was a matchup that was never gonna work in our favor. Welsh would have been a better option. Even Lovett-Murray would have been good. I think Solly would be best utilised at half forward, where he can use his big body and make defenders worry about him.
Lack of composure. The players need to be more aware of their surroundings. McPhee and Lovett had open goals and kicked quickly, either there’s no talk or their just used to being under heaps of pressure. They also dont move the ball quick enough or take the player on enough. They wait and chip around while the the Bulldogs dropped everyone back. Thats why we couldnt get it past Half Forward.
The midfield. We have good players in there, but there aren't too many prepared to create the play. The only one's who do are Hird and the Johnsons and they don't have the leg speed to keep up with other midfields. Lovett can, but he is easily pushed off the ball much like Stanton, Dyson, Winderlich and Slattery. We really won't be able to compete consistently with other midfields until these boys become a bit bigger and more seasoned. But then again, there was the baby bomber era.
My projected team VS Collingwood based on their named team for this week. I know it will change but oh well
B: McVeigh McPhee Fletcher
F: Didak, Tarrant, Rocca
- McVeigh fresh off beating Johnson is a good matchup for Didiak and I think he has beaten him before. Hope he can keep up the form.
- McPhee has the aerobic ability to go with Tarrant and I reckon beat him. McPhee is more polished and would be the best option for him. Smokey can match him for speed and in the air and will give him a contest. Also Tarrant likes to play up the ground, which is McPhee’s territory
- Fletch should get Rocca instead of Keps. Fletch is too smart a player for Rocca and is our best option to neutralise their highest goalkicking threat. And lets face it, big forwards always have days out against us and Fletch is generally good, if he is getting beaten, we can always make the switch..
HB: NLM Bolton Welsh
HF: Thomas T.Cloke, Caracella
- NLM would be able to compete strength wise and speed wise with Thomas. His got the experienced edge and the more mature body. Needs to be accountable though but I still think his gonna become a very good player.
- I know Bolton! But all our big guys are out and I dont wanna play Keps down there and Lucas can't go down there until Lloydy’s back. Plus we know Bolton’s got the aerobic capacity to go with Travis Cloke and his played on key forwards before, not that he did great, but it's Travis cloke, Bolton should be stronger than him too and its his last chance to give us something before all the big blokes come back and challenge him for the spot.
- Welsh has beaten Caracella before. Welsh has the mobility and defensive skills to negate him and is the obvious matchup. Can’t play loose though.
C: Stanton Bradley Monfries
C: Licuria, Swan, Holland
- Licuria will get possessions. His a hard working player. So is Stanton. What we don’t know is whether both can be accountable. Who will be more damaging? A good test for Stanton.
- Bradley can run, but not in quick spurts. Let him be a big on-baller, similar to the way the doggies used to use Luke Darcy. Even if he isn’t able to keep up with his opponent, he could be more damaging than his opponent, running forward as a target, dropping back into defence, being the third man up at ruck contests, or even take over if its best to position Hille elsewhere.
- I know, it would be a real media buzz by putting Camporeale on Brodie Holland. After all, their arch rivals. But Campo didn’t play well enough today to warrant selection over other available players. If anything, I think Monfries would be a better option on Holland, his gonna give you a contest and wear his heart on his sleeve at every opportunity. He has the potential to be accountable, and Brodie Holland isn’t worth tagging and we can rotate different people against him.
HF: Solomon Lucas Hird
HB: Lonie, Clement, Buckley
- As I said, Solly as a marking option could work. His a decent contested mark and has good enough mobility to be a third forward. He presents well. Especially now with Lloyd out, we need people down there who can take a mark and even apply defensive pressure.
- Huge test for Lucas. I don’t know if Clement will play on him or Hird, but Clement is one hell of a player. Lucas struggled today and now with Lloyd gone, his gonna have more pressure on him. If he can kick a couple of goals and negate his effectiveness, it will be a win for us
- I dunno if Collingwood would play Buckley as a defender on Hird. But it would be a great matchup. Can Hirdy keep going strong? Hird at half forward rather than in the goalsquare is probably best because of his ability to read the play and win the ball is too good not to be utilised to its fullest effect.
F: MJ Cartledge Lovett
B: Johnson, Prestigiacomo, O'Brien
- I know many will disagree with this but we need another tall to play in this game and not Paddy Ryder. Let’s put Cartledge at full forward. Apparently his got a big leap. As long as he creates a contest and creates crumbs, he will be doing his job. If he can kick a couple it will be a great return. It will also force them to play a tall defender on him.
- MJ is running cold so let’s put him where he can make the most damage. He can take a big mark, has a good goal sense, applies great defensive pressure. He hasn’t got the greatest engine but in a pocket he won’t have to run as much and can get the crumbs.
- Lovett starting deep would be good because like MJ he applies good pressure and we all know how good he is around goals. Definitely would have to move him through the midfield at times. But at the start of the game, if we get it in there we wanna score and with Lloyd out his brilliance is required.
FOLL: Hille Dyson Watson
FOLL: Fraser, Lockyer, O'Bree
- We all know the Hille/Fraser draft history and their previous contests but this will be a big test for Hille. This is a ruckman who has the capability of dominating but can’t tap into it on a consistent basis. Fraser is dangerous and Hille won’t be able to keep up with him around the ground therefore he needs to make sure he positions himself somewhere where he can be effective. Also hopefully he had time to reflect over his suspension and is focused on doing the team things.
- I understand Dyson got jumped or whatever, but give him a chance to play. His a class act and has good finishing skills. In my opinion, he has the most potential out of all our on-ballers. Get him in there and we’ll rotate him.
- Watson just needs to keep on doing what his doing, but needs to know where to go when his not around the footy. He should be dropping back or presenting as a marking target. Watson, Keps and Dyson would be alright at clearances and if not, we rotate them
I/C: Dempsey Winderlich Reynolds Heffernan
I/C: Davis, H.Shaw, Richards, Wakelin
- Give Dempsey his first game on Anzac Day, the same environment Andrew Lovett was thrust into. Now I know Lovett was a lot older, but often, if you’re a smart player, you can be really successful. Plus the way the game is now, there’s a lot of uncontested footy and its all about speed, can players get back, how quick can they move it down. From what I’ve read on here, Dempsey has unbelieve evasion skills and is quick. Putting him in a pocket to crumb from Cartledge and Lucas chances are an opportunity may arise.
- Winderlich hasn’t dominated a game yet, but I think we are a better team with him in it. Relating back to the speed factor, he is capable of breaking open the play. He needs to develop more of a defensive side to his game but his size makes it difficult. In spurts being rotated through the midfield, he’ll give the team a boost when we need some fresh legs. It was either him or Slattery, but Slattery hasn’t done enough to regain his spot.
- I think if we are ever gonna give Reynolds a chance, now should be it. Let’s see what he can do on the big stage. His been compared to Hird, that’s not a bad person to be compared to at all. Let’s see what he can do, wherever they play him, whether across half back or half forward. I prefer to give him the opportunity rather than play Campo or Peverill.
- Heff has been in good enough form to warrant selection. I think he would be best be used in spurts through the midfield rather than playing a long time in there. He would be good experience off the bench and a mature body to come in.
Emerg:
Camporeale – Go work on your winning the ball skills at Bendigo. Your not an automatic selection just because you used to be good for a couple of seasons a decade ago. He is identifiable on the football field and people give him the ball, but he needs to work on winning the contested footy and that involves getting to contests, presenting as an option rather than making false leads, He could give us a bit more at clearances and centre bounces, its great that he usually has great skills but if his not winning the ball and we’re not dominating the game his not gonna get the ball.
Slattery – Go play your A game for Bendigo and show us what you’ve got. I think his a good player. He impressed me with some of his work last year, but I don’t think his a regular fixture in our team yet, especially based on the last couple of weeks. If he provides good form at Bendigo, it will put pressure on positions which is something that can only be beneficial.
J. Johnson – I know, its Johnno, but right now he hasn’t got the endurance to play in the midfield, he still appears to be slightly injured or sore, I reckon at 65%, but I’m no doctor, nor do I know. Give him the week off, make a statement to the players that you have to work for your spot and that we will not remain stagnant and be accepting of complacency, not that Johnno is complacent, but let’s put the best team out there to give us a chance to win the game. What’s best for the team should always be the primary objective. Definitely bring him back when his 85%. We could play him as a forward or a small defender with spurts through the midfield. He hasn’t got the tank to play there all day.
Peverill – His a great tackler and I think could be a decent back pocket, but the problem is he can’t kick. His turnovers are too costly to the team. Go to Bendigo, teach some leadership and learn to kick.
Ryder – I’m so glad we drafted him and can’t wait for him to develop as he has the speed, agility and leap to become a very good player, in the Adam Goodes mould. However, we’re still a few years away. We shouldn’t be playing him ahead of Cartledge just yet. Let them work on different facets of his game, all over the ground in Bendigo. Protect him while he develops. There generally is a major difference in body shapes from a first year player to a second year player. I must say though, I don’t know the fitness of Cartledge or why they have no faith in him. I’m basing it on the fact that he looked alright when he played those few games, his tall and has a big leap and I just want him to have the opportunity because once Hille and Laycock are back, he won’t have much of a chance, even Henno is probably higher in the pecking order.
It will be interesting when the likes of Johns, Lee, Rioli, Henneman and Laycock become available. How will Sheeds use them if at all?
So yeah, sorry for rant, had a bit to say. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me and am interested in hearing your thoughts.
Things that impressed me:
Keps is pretty big and goes alright as an onballer
McPhee is a star. Gets to the contest and brings the intensity level that we want.
Hird has still got it
Watson, very good, probably could influence the game more with his size dropping back and even running forward. But his time is still to come, hopefully soon.
Monfries, he should always get a place in our team because he goes in hard and makes a contest out of most situations. Very smart player.
Lloyd was marking very well and we probably would have won had he not got injured
Fletch, his just unbelievable and great on the last line. Probably could have kicked a goal at the end but I don't mind the experimentation of him as a forward. I think that could work for small patches of the game, he’d be a tough matchup.
Even though we are 1 and 2, it is encouraging that we haven't faded out of the games. The boys are trying. Once they get a chance to gel, they will trouble most sides.
Things I didnt like
Lloyd injured! Why? He was on fire too. It will be interesting to see what forward structure is set up but Scotty Lucas needs to stand up!
Mark Bolton may have kicked a goal and all but there was a contest with I think Cooney, Bolts didnt go hard enough and the Bulldog took the mark easily. It was a contest where Bolton definitely should have been able to get a hand on the ball. This would have been a good opportunity to play Reynolds.
Campo, didn't do crap all and should be dropped for Dyson. He was awful when he tried to kick in. It got to the point where Fletch went over and said Ill take the kick ins
Lack of run. The Bulldogs were constantly moving, thats why they had numbers around the ball. A lot of our boys were just zoning off and the Doggies ran the ball through the midfield easily.
Welsh to Full Forward. He could have used anyone from Keps, to Scotty, to Hirdy, to McPhee, to anyone who would have stood a chance against two defenders. Welsh hasnt got the bulk to stand up in those contests.
Patty Ryder was impressive and did some good things at certain points but went missing for a lot of the game. He is going to be a good player for us but now that his had a taste of what its gonna be like, send him to Bendigo because regardless of how good he plays, his body is going to struggle to hold up for a full AFL Season. Let’s fully develop him. They should really be giving Cartledge an opportunity, especially since his further along in development.
Scott Lucas. We fell down at Half Forward the whole match. Scotty wasn't getting to a contest, when he had opportunities he didn't position himself well. I really think he would be best utilised at CHB but not until Lloyds back.
Sheeds mismatching Solly. Solly is a really good player, but he does not have the aerobic capacity to keep up with Robert Murphy. It was a matchup that was never gonna work in our favor. Welsh would have been a better option. Even Lovett-Murray would have been good. I think Solly would be best utilised at half forward, where he can use his big body and make defenders worry about him.
Lack of composure. The players need to be more aware of their surroundings. McPhee and Lovett had open goals and kicked quickly, either there’s no talk or their just used to being under heaps of pressure. They also dont move the ball quick enough or take the player on enough. They wait and chip around while the the Bulldogs dropped everyone back. Thats why we couldnt get it past Half Forward.
The midfield. We have good players in there, but there aren't too many prepared to create the play. The only one's who do are Hird and the Johnsons and they don't have the leg speed to keep up with other midfields. Lovett can, but he is easily pushed off the ball much like Stanton, Dyson, Winderlich and Slattery. We really won't be able to compete consistently with other midfields until these boys become a bit bigger and more seasoned. But then again, there was the baby bomber era.
My projected team VS Collingwood based on their named team for this week. I know it will change but oh well
B: McVeigh McPhee Fletcher
F: Didak, Tarrant, Rocca
- McVeigh fresh off beating Johnson is a good matchup for Didiak and I think he has beaten him before. Hope he can keep up the form.
- McPhee has the aerobic ability to go with Tarrant and I reckon beat him. McPhee is more polished and would be the best option for him. Smokey can match him for speed and in the air and will give him a contest. Also Tarrant likes to play up the ground, which is McPhee’s territory
- Fletch should get Rocca instead of Keps. Fletch is too smart a player for Rocca and is our best option to neutralise their highest goalkicking threat. And lets face it, big forwards always have days out against us and Fletch is generally good, if he is getting beaten, we can always make the switch..
HB: NLM Bolton Welsh
HF: Thomas T.Cloke, Caracella
- NLM would be able to compete strength wise and speed wise with Thomas. His got the experienced edge and the more mature body. Needs to be accountable though but I still think his gonna become a very good player.
- I know Bolton! But all our big guys are out and I dont wanna play Keps down there and Lucas can't go down there until Lloydy’s back. Plus we know Bolton’s got the aerobic capacity to go with Travis Cloke and his played on key forwards before, not that he did great, but it's Travis cloke, Bolton should be stronger than him too and its his last chance to give us something before all the big blokes come back and challenge him for the spot.
- Welsh has beaten Caracella before. Welsh has the mobility and defensive skills to negate him and is the obvious matchup. Can’t play loose though.
C: Stanton Bradley Monfries
C: Licuria, Swan, Holland
- Licuria will get possessions. His a hard working player. So is Stanton. What we don’t know is whether both can be accountable. Who will be more damaging? A good test for Stanton.
- Bradley can run, but not in quick spurts. Let him be a big on-baller, similar to the way the doggies used to use Luke Darcy. Even if he isn’t able to keep up with his opponent, he could be more damaging than his opponent, running forward as a target, dropping back into defence, being the third man up at ruck contests, or even take over if its best to position Hille elsewhere.
- I know, it would be a real media buzz by putting Camporeale on Brodie Holland. After all, their arch rivals. But Campo didn’t play well enough today to warrant selection over other available players. If anything, I think Monfries would be a better option on Holland, his gonna give you a contest and wear his heart on his sleeve at every opportunity. He has the potential to be accountable, and Brodie Holland isn’t worth tagging and we can rotate different people against him.
HF: Solomon Lucas Hird
HB: Lonie, Clement, Buckley
- As I said, Solly as a marking option could work. His a decent contested mark and has good enough mobility to be a third forward. He presents well. Especially now with Lloyd out, we need people down there who can take a mark and even apply defensive pressure.
- Huge test for Lucas. I don’t know if Clement will play on him or Hird, but Clement is one hell of a player. Lucas struggled today and now with Lloyd gone, his gonna have more pressure on him. If he can kick a couple of goals and negate his effectiveness, it will be a win for us
- I dunno if Collingwood would play Buckley as a defender on Hird. But it would be a great matchup. Can Hirdy keep going strong? Hird at half forward rather than in the goalsquare is probably best because of his ability to read the play and win the ball is too good not to be utilised to its fullest effect.
F: MJ Cartledge Lovett
B: Johnson, Prestigiacomo, O'Brien
- I know many will disagree with this but we need another tall to play in this game and not Paddy Ryder. Let’s put Cartledge at full forward. Apparently his got a big leap. As long as he creates a contest and creates crumbs, he will be doing his job. If he can kick a couple it will be a great return. It will also force them to play a tall defender on him.
- MJ is running cold so let’s put him where he can make the most damage. He can take a big mark, has a good goal sense, applies great defensive pressure. He hasn’t got the greatest engine but in a pocket he won’t have to run as much and can get the crumbs.
- Lovett starting deep would be good because like MJ he applies good pressure and we all know how good he is around goals. Definitely would have to move him through the midfield at times. But at the start of the game, if we get it in there we wanna score and with Lloyd out his brilliance is required.
FOLL: Hille Dyson Watson
FOLL: Fraser, Lockyer, O'Bree
- We all know the Hille/Fraser draft history and their previous contests but this will be a big test for Hille. This is a ruckman who has the capability of dominating but can’t tap into it on a consistent basis. Fraser is dangerous and Hille won’t be able to keep up with him around the ground therefore he needs to make sure he positions himself somewhere where he can be effective. Also hopefully he had time to reflect over his suspension and is focused on doing the team things.
- I understand Dyson got jumped or whatever, but give him a chance to play. His a class act and has good finishing skills. In my opinion, he has the most potential out of all our on-ballers. Get him in there and we’ll rotate him.
- Watson just needs to keep on doing what his doing, but needs to know where to go when his not around the footy. He should be dropping back or presenting as a marking target. Watson, Keps and Dyson would be alright at clearances and if not, we rotate them
I/C: Dempsey Winderlich Reynolds Heffernan
I/C: Davis, H.Shaw, Richards, Wakelin
- Give Dempsey his first game on Anzac Day, the same environment Andrew Lovett was thrust into. Now I know Lovett was a lot older, but often, if you’re a smart player, you can be really successful. Plus the way the game is now, there’s a lot of uncontested footy and its all about speed, can players get back, how quick can they move it down. From what I’ve read on here, Dempsey has unbelieve evasion skills and is quick. Putting him in a pocket to crumb from Cartledge and Lucas chances are an opportunity may arise.
- Winderlich hasn’t dominated a game yet, but I think we are a better team with him in it. Relating back to the speed factor, he is capable of breaking open the play. He needs to develop more of a defensive side to his game but his size makes it difficult. In spurts being rotated through the midfield, he’ll give the team a boost when we need some fresh legs. It was either him or Slattery, but Slattery hasn’t done enough to regain his spot.
- I think if we are ever gonna give Reynolds a chance, now should be it. Let’s see what he can do on the big stage. His been compared to Hird, that’s not a bad person to be compared to at all. Let’s see what he can do, wherever they play him, whether across half back or half forward. I prefer to give him the opportunity rather than play Campo or Peverill.
- Heff has been in good enough form to warrant selection. I think he would be best be used in spurts through the midfield rather than playing a long time in there. He would be good experience off the bench and a mature body to come in.
Emerg:
Camporeale – Go work on your winning the ball skills at Bendigo. Your not an automatic selection just because you used to be good for a couple of seasons a decade ago. He is identifiable on the football field and people give him the ball, but he needs to work on winning the contested footy and that involves getting to contests, presenting as an option rather than making false leads, He could give us a bit more at clearances and centre bounces, its great that he usually has great skills but if his not winning the ball and we’re not dominating the game his not gonna get the ball.
Slattery – Go play your A game for Bendigo and show us what you’ve got. I think his a good player. He impressed me with some of his work last year, but I don’t think his a regular fixture in our team yet, especially based on the last couple of weeks. If he provides good form at Bendigo, it will put pressure on positions which is something that can only be beneficial.
J. Johnson – I know, its Johnno, but right now he hasn’t got the endurance to play in the midfield, he still appears to be slightly injured or sore, I reckon at 65%, but I’m no doctor, nor do I know. Give him the week off, make a statement to the players that you have to work for your spot and that we will not remain stagnant and be accepting of complacency, not that Johnno is complacent, but let’s put the best team out there to give us a chance to win the game. What’s best for the team should always be the primary objective. Definitely bring him back when his 85%. We could play him as a forward or a small defender with spurts through the midfield. He hasn’t got the tank to play there all day.
Peverill – His a great tackler and I think could be a decent back pocket, but the problem is he can’t kick. His turnovers are too costly to the team. Go to Bendigo, teach some leadership and learn to kick.
Ryder – I’m so glad we drafted him and can’t wait for him to develop as he has the speed, agility and leap to become a very good player, in the Adam Goodes mould. However, we’re still a few years away. We shouldn’t be playing him ahead of Cartledge just yet. Let them work on different facets of his game, all over the ground in Bendigo. Protect him while he develops. There generally is a major difference in body shapes from a first year player to a second year player. I must say though, I don’t know the fitness of Cartledge or why they have no faith in him. I’m basing it on the fact that he looked alright when he played those few games, his tall and has a big leap and I just want him to have the opportunity because once Hille and Laycock are back, he won’t have much of a chance, even Henno is probably higher in the pecking order.
It will be interesting when the likes of Johns, Lee, Rioli, Henneman and Laycock become available. How will Sheeds use them if at all?
So yeah, sorry for rant, had a bit to say. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me and am interested in hearing your thoughts.
