Krakouerevolution

[Ford Fairlane]

When I picked Nathan Krakouer as my buddy player, I figured I could get reports on him either from Port Magpies games I saw or people I knew who watched games. After what I watched tonight, I get the feeling you might get to make your own judgement on him sooner rather than later. The Krak is - as Bruce would say - special. Still not really showcasing his pace, but his footy smarts, judgement, read of the ball and silky hands and feet tell the story.

Whoever picked Robbie Gray feel well pleased too. The kid can play. Just needs a bit more length on his kick.

 

[Port_GW]

When I picked Nathan Krakouer as my buddy player, I figured I could get reports on him either from Port Magpies games I saw or people I knew who watched games. After what I watched tonight, I get the feeling you might get to make your own judgement on him sooner rather than later. The Krak is - as Bruce would say - special. Still not really showcasing his pace, but his footy smarts, judgement, read of the ball and silky hands and feet tell the story.

Whoever picked Robbie Gray feel well pleased too. The kid can play. Just needs a bit more length on his kick.

How about Boak and Cockshell?

 

[Portia]

And Willits for that matter

 

[Ported]

I didn't realise how tall Krakouer is. Played a top game, that tap to gift Ebert a goal was pretty classy. We'll be interesting to see how he goes in the real stuff, we'd be crazy not to give him a go some time this year.

 

[Total Power]

or the real Thommo

 

[Ford Fairlane]

How about Boak and Cockshell?

Both did some good things in patches. Boak kicked a goal. Cockshell had 2, should've had 3 but for a dodgy hands in back call in the last. Was impressed by Cockshell's attack on the ball, mobility and good hands. He's a big, strong kid. Boak's a smooth mover, mixes it up well in the play. In the swirl of midfield changes he might've got lost a bit.

 

[ClintEastwood]

Did The Bentley™ play?

 

[Ford Fairlane]

And Willits for that matter

Awful early, but gained some confidence as the game wore on. Went to CHF in the lead up role, Gwilt was on him I think. By the end of the game he was taking some good clean grabs and finished with 3 goals I think. One boomer on the run, but missed at least 1 sitter. He probably edged out Cockshell as the best of the tall forwards with his second half.

Giles was pretty good in the ruck. Some very Matty Primus second efforts. Tap and chase. Brogan too - he was very good.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Did The Bentley™ play?

Yeah, I thought he was quiet again, but did some classy things. Needs to involve himself more in the play, but he is getting run off the bench and onto flanks a bit, so it's hard.

Lower sat Milne on his butt with a hard shepherd in the last.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

or the real Thommo

Showed some typical Thommo class, a couple of loose efforts by foot let him down a little, but overall pretty good. He looks more confident out there with every outing.

Choco didn't work him too hard after he played in the monsoon game last week.

 

[Port_GW]

Who were the 2 of the initial squad of 28 who didn't play tonight?

Did Pettigrew and Williams play, am particularly interested in how both of those guys went.

 

[Total Power]

What about Boak and Gray FF?

 

[Lightning_Rod]

Gray and Kraks were awsome tnight, grays screamer was great. nathen will make the 22 for round one he was spectacular tonight.

 

[Natman]

Willits - very ordinary early but worked his way into the game with some good hard attacks at the player with the ball. Started to get some grabs as the game went on and got a couple of goals.
Krak - this guy is going to be something very good. Quick and smart and closing speed that makes him very dangerous.
Boak - just class
Thommo - good and tough in the clinches - some great clearances.
Gray - good value for touches.
Bentley - quiet early, but again worked into the game and used his footy smarts well - just knows what to do.

 

[Lightning_Rod]

Who were the 2 of the initial squad of 28 who didn't play tonight?

Did Pettigrew and Williams play, am particularly interested in how both of those guys went.

the grew played williams didnt

 

[Ported]

Giles was outbodied and thrown around in the ruck a lot but played alright.

Willits uses his size really well, but he's very clumsy.

I thought Ebert was close to BOG, along with Rodan. Salopek, Pearce and Peter were very good in the middle.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Who were the 2 of the initial squad of 28 who didn't play tonight?

Did Pettigrew and Williams play, am particularly interested in how both of those guys went.

Mahoney and Williams didn't play.

What about Boak and Gray FF?

Boak I've mentioned already. Gray is just a really smart footballer, and he's very strong overhead. Hands like Brett Ebert, but more footy smarts. And as I've said a few times before, he has a bit of cockiness about his game.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Giles was outbodied and thrown around in the ruck a lot but played alright.

Willits uses his size really well, but he's very clumsy.

I thought Ebert was close to BOG, along with Rodan. Salopek, Pierce and Peter were very good in the middle.

There was quite a bit of discussion among Port supporters around me that Willits might well be better suited to defence. He's an awkward mover, but his closing speed on an opponent with the ball is good.

 

[Port_GW]

I know its very, very early days, but with the form of the young guys, i think Mahoney could/should struggle to play many games this year. I saw him in the game against Collingwood last year and he was very ordinary, and from what i've heard hasn't shown much this year either so far. Josh has done some great stuff for the club in the last 4 or so years, but keeping him in the side (apart form when we've got numerous injuries) would be a backward step IMO.

 

[Ported]

There was quite a bit of discussion among Port supporters around me that Willits might well be better suited to defence. He's an awkward mover, but his closing speed on an opponent with the ball is good.

'Least he wouldn't have to take any more set shots

I think that's a fair call, i can see him intimidating a few players. He laid a lot of good bumps and he's a top tackler.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Pettigrew was down back mostly, and I thought had a tardy start, but improved as the game wore on. He went very hard at the contest and rattled a couple of players trying to run thru half forward. He's a decent size now, goes about 92kg and isn't afraid to throw it around and with his speed, that's a fair bit of mass impacting an incoming player.

 

[Natman]

It is easy to get misled over form in trial game, but a neutral observer would have been impressed with the efforts and skills from a lot of the players tonight.

The fitness, run and in particular the speed and the enthusiasm was very good - so the signs are there but there is still a long way to go to match it consistently with the big boys.

 

[Lightning_Rod]

FF were you at the game if so,

What did you think of MINI RIE (the little blonde haired dude)for the saints

 

[Ported]

I think the saints played with pretty poor intencity generally. Their decision making was super-poor. Oh, and who's 38 for the saints? He provided entertainment all night.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

FF were you at the game if so,

What did you think of MINI RIE (the little blonde haired dude)for the saints

To be gentle, I thought he was very panicky.