Good to win round 1

[ImperialPurple]

We haven't been great at wining round 1 matches, so really good to get a solid win on the board.

Even though the score showed a bit of a pantsing of the Bloooooze, it wasn't a convincing win, but the wind was pretty bad, and so some of the miskicks could be forgiven. Quite a scrappy affair and I'm not convinced we're going to be all that better in the "clearances" and "stoppages" than we were last year. Sure Sandi dominated the hit-outs, but it seemed that Carlton often ran away with the ball and we were then having to win it back.

However:
Belly was his usual awesome self, Hase was outstanding, McPharlap was marking everything that came his way, the Wiz worked his backside off and was rewarded with a few goals, Schammer has matured and appears to have taken his game up a notch, Woodsy was incredible - esp in the first half, Medders is strong and fast. I'm sure there are others worth mentioning, but these guys spring to mind as standouts.

Lots to be very excited about!

Off to Sydney tomorrow - bring on Round 2!!

 

[Rob]

Yeah, can't complain about any victory in Round 1. I thought we should have put them away in the last quarter and won by 10 goals plus, but at the start of the game I would have been happy with an 8 goal win, just because you don't know who is going to play well from either side. It at least gives us a solid win to kick off the season.

See you in Sydney!

 

[FreoGirl]

it was hard not to be disappointed, but a win is a win and we came away with that.

The wind and humidity made the conditions a bit difficult, so hopefully we will see better things?

Do you think the extra kilos, most of them are carrying, hindered their pace? some looked a bit 'flat' and Pav missed a mark he'd normally take. Was it harder to have as much spring with added bulk?

I loved the passion in Medhurst (he was lucky not to give his kick away in front of goals when he was mouthing off a bit, but at least he has passion).

Schammer looks VERY promising!

I thought Macca still had some great moments.

It looked like they were trying to make it a great day for Waterhouse, but sometimes they were probably better off going for a different lead?

At least they had a win and we know there's a lot more potential left in them?

 

[Kenny_01]

It wasn't a great win but good signs from a lot of our players... we just have to sharpen up a bit.

Other than the usual suspects (Bell, Hase, Medhurst, etc.), really happy with a lot of players.


Schammer: All class.

Sandilands: towering presence in the middle and has really improved around the ground.

Hayden: One of the best back pockets in the league. Our most under-rated player probably.

Browne: Quick, provided good run through the middle... and was hard at it.

Gilmore: Looked very composed across half back. Love his kicking skills.

Dunn: Other than getting tackled by Kenna in the first quarter, good debut game. Great tackling and thumping kick.

McPharlin: Took some awesome marks and was a rock up back. Should have a huge year injury permitting.

Woods: Looked pretty good, especially in the first quarter... looks to have shaken off his pre-season blues.

Farmer: Looked dangerous all day. Made a couple of mistakes but a good first up effort from the Wiz.


I personally think with all those players maturing, we will be a couple of notches above last year.

It's good to see we have a fair bit of depth as well... I think Cook, Polak, Thornton, Webster, T.Lo and Grover could all fit into the side (when fit). Even players like Haines and Edgecumbe.

Any word on how Haddrill, Schammer and Headland have pulled up from their injuries?

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Although the victory wouldn't justify any of us getting too excited about our prospects for the season, a win is a win and I'll gladly take them when they come. I share similar thoughts to Kenny with regard to players I was impressed with.

Of the debutants, Gilmore looked very poised and suited to AFL level and Dunn showed some promising signs. He will certainly make sure Cook shows good form for Perth before being able to break into the squad.

Others who I was impressed with include Sandilands, Browne and Schammer. Sandilands dominated the hitouts and impressed with his mobility around the ground, Browne showed he could really be a handy attacking midfielder for us this season with his pace and hardness at the footy, and provided Schammer gets enough game time, he will use his class and pace to be an attacking midfielder very much in a similar mould to Browne.

McPharlin, Woods, Hayden and Haddrill (apart from slightly lowering his colours to Fevola in the third term) were all rock solid in defence and the former three will provide great rebound from the backline, particularly on the wide spaces of Subiaco Oval.

One player who I was expecting more from and was slightly disappointed with is Justin Longmuir. He looks to have improved his second efforts and willingness to chase but was well beaten by Thronton and probably didn't demand the ball enough from the midfielders with his leads from full forward and physicality in the marking contests. He began finding more of the footy when moved to the ruck in the final quarter, but zero shots at goal from a marking forward isn't anything to be proud of.

Then again, perhaps I'm being too critical?

 

[Kenny_01]

Yeah, Justin didn't do a whole lot, just couldn't get involved. I just want to see him get some opportunities one out with his opponent. Remember it happening it once today, and the ball went slightly over his head.

 

[Moo]

I am pretty happy with the result.

We will take a lot out of that game, Carlton manned up and played a style to make it a scrap. We looked at our best in just free styling it across the expanses of Subiaco.

Very impressed with our team, we had clear winners across the field.

I liked the strength of the team, it will be handy at the smaller grounds which involve a lot of body/body work.

Sydney .....Hall vs McPharlin?

 

[pinkus maximus]

I think Haddrill will take Hall hes done well on him in the past.
Mcpharlin may take O'loughlin or Goodes when he plays forward

 

[Mr Q]

As someone who'll be at most Dockers home games this year (one of my friends convinced me I should have a membership of your club for some reason), I'll try and give you my non-biased view. Before you try burning me to a cinder, remember I'm just commenting, not trolling as I was actually at the game.

I thought that while Bell was good for much of the game, he was for some reason he didn't seem quite his normal silky self. For instance he seemed prone to letting the ball bounce when a mark was on the cards like he didn't want the ball. Still its only round 1.

Thought Schammer looked pretty good all round, and that he was the biggest positive, with Browne not bad for a youngster either. McPharlin looked a rock in defence as well.

On the negative side, I thought the Dockers were wasteful of their chances and should have been a few more goals up by half time, and won by 70+. While Carlton looked like they were trying they never looked in Freo's class, but inexplicable mistakes (such as Farmer's whatever-that-was in front of the goals at the Subiaco end) made the win slightly less convincing that it could have been. My worry if I were a Dockers fan would be that if that sort of performance came out against a team such as Brisbane they would carve you up.

Still its only round 1 and its four points in the bag. I just think the win should have been bigger (you can feel free to disagree). I just hope we can come back from Melbourne with four points tomorrow.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Mr Q - I actually agree with most of what you say... even the Belly bit to a degree (but still think he was pretty awesome in the fact that he was everywhere as usual.

Will appreciate your input as the season progresses.

 

[Ripper]

Good result, poor game by us in a way. It is a bit scary that we can play quite poorly and still win by 8 goals. It is encouraging that the game was played in carltons "contested terms" and we handled the way the game was played better than we have ever done.

Bring on round 2.

 

[FreoGirl]

I don't think any of us would disagree with you Mr Q, except for my mum

 

[Sera]

Don't know why some of you are disappointed since it was our first rd1 win since... 1998! Sure we looked a bit rusty at times but it wasn't ideal conditions... we looked head and shoulders above the opposition IMO. I didn't think Bell was bad although I did think he played for free kicks a few times. I didn't think he ever did that... I haven't seen Fremantle a lot live recently but it was just something I noticed. Not that I have a problem with it.

 

[Freo Shark]

Good points Mr Q.

What were the rest of you guys and IP's thoughts of Clive yesterday ?

Guy frustrates me, a wasteful user of the ball. Flamboyance is one thing effective use of the ball is another.

TLo I reckon would be a better option.

 

[Kenny_01]

Yeah, can't see Clive staying in our 22 for too long. Would prefer TLo as well. You have to love Clive for his effort and such, and what he has done for our club over the years, but especially with Polak coming back and TLo pressing, I think he will be the first dropped.

And Bell was far more than okay... he was awesome.

And thanks Mr Q for your thoughts. Always appreciated.

 

[error404]

Originally posted by Freo Shark
What were the rest of you guys and IP's thoughts of Clive yesterday ?

Best on ground
Doig medallist 2004
Sex god
Cult hero
Albino freak
etc etc

 

[error404]

Jlo unsighted all day. I hate bagging purple players but I'm unsure where the Longmuir boys fit in to the team long term. If they don't get a bit consistency week in , week out, I can see others moving ahead of them. I hope they both prove me wrong.

 

[FreoDocker]

Originally posted by Mr Q
I thought that while Bell was good for much of the game, he was for some reason he didn't seem quite his normal silky self.

 

[Freo Hitman]

Originally posted by Mr Q
As someone who'll be at most Dockers home games this year (one of my friends convinced me I should have a membership of your club for some reason), I'll try and give you my non-biased view. Before you try burning me to a cinder, remember I'm just commenting, not trolling as I was actually at the game.

I thought that while Bell was good for much of the game, he was for some reason he didn't seem quite his normal silky self. For instance he seemed prone to letting the ball bounce when a mark was on the cards like he didn't want the ball. Still its only round 1.

Thought Schammer looked pretty good all round, and that he was the biggest positive, with Browne not bad for a youngster either. McPharlin looked a rock in defence as well.

On the negative side, I thought the Dockers were wasteful of their chances and should have been a few more goals up by half time, and won by 70+. While Carlton looked like they were trying they never looked in Freo's class, but inexplicable mistakes (such as Farmer's whatever-that-was in front of the goals at the Subiaco end) made the win slightly less convincing that it could have been. My worry if I were a Dockers fan would be that if that sort of performance came out against a team such as Brisbane they would carve you up.

Still its only round 1 and its four points in the bag. I just think the win should have been bigger (you can feel free to disagree). I just hope we can come back from Melbourne with four points tomorrow.

Mr Q I totally agree with ya & It wasnt only Belly who was caught ball watching either !!!! Also did anyone else notice there really wasnt a true bounce on the turf yesterday ???
Anyways its good to collect the 4 points & really its probably a good thing we accumalate the points earl;y & then worry about playing premeirship footy later on no need to have the game down pact now. its true in the old adage as they say , some days you will play better & lose & there will be day where you battle & do it easy.

 

[masai]

Thanks Q, fair comments.

Schammer and 211 took a good step or two up the learning staircase.

JLo looked lost and Freo's only star player (so the media say) was ordinary (Pav).

Oh well the slow fat boy from Northampton and the slow Korean turned in their "boring" usual game. If only they were more athletic, we could call them stars!!!.

 

[pav_is_god]

I was happy with a first up win, can't really expect too much in rnd 1. Schammer really impressed me and he will definitely be the next big thing for Freo. Dunn gave a good account of himself (apart from getting done for holding the ball), but I would like to see how he is at pinpointing pass into the forward line rather than just raking it. It was also great to see Farmer give more than a few glimpses of his best.

Still a few things to work on, but we'll only get better as the season goes on (particularly considering Pave and DJ were a tad quiet).

Heave Ho!

 

[Kenny_01]

Dunn thumping it long into the forward was great to see. 1 for one was getting frustrated with these dinky little kicks on the wing and constantly turning it over.

And JLo didn't do much on Saturday but I'll back him to kick 50 goals this season.