Lets be Honest

[Darth_Tiger]

I dont think anyone on here is sounding alarm bells or dancing in the streets.

This is a site for discussing footy isnt it???????????Or am I at the wrong web site LOL

i was mainly referring to the op which stated that we are way off where we should be. i think that is a joke of a statement - wouldn't me writing that constitute discussing footy? or is it not ok for me to state my opinion while others can? i never said don't discuss, i just said it makes me laugh - we need to stop being so reactionary, we won a preseason game, fought hard to win against a hungry side who while undermanned, clicked early where we didnt. i dont see why some people choose to be negative after a win in the preseason - makes me shake my head.

 

[telsor]

For those worried about Cleve Hughes coming on this year , don't fret because we have Post , Gourdis and Vickery there hungry for an opportunity.

Vickery would be my pick. Great mark and crumbs his own ball.

No, let him play a year or two for Coburg ( even Coburg 2nds ), learning the ruck trade. Let him specialise in the position we recruited him for rather than turning him into another 'bitser'.

From Hughes, Putt, Gourdis & Post, we should be able to find a KF or two.

 

[WATIGE]

Hughes. it also wasn't the totally useless game some here would imply.

Raines was .. good,

Reiwoldt. Took a big step up,.

Morton. Looks the goods and seems to be continuing (improving?) on a good year last year.


The bad.

Schulz...again, I saw him out there, but he didn't seem to do anything.

Silvestor...was the best FB in the VFA, has had a year on our list, and just doesn't seem to have what it takes.

Was at the game with my kids and Girlfriend sitting on the fence behind the posts at the city end - so only got a good look at half the game effectively (with the rest on the screen) and structure not so eveidnet from down there. So that said here's my take.

Richo played a blinder when it came to getting the ball and absolute shocker when it came to getting rid of it. Some brilliant Richo marks but I only noticed one decent kick - the super goal (which was straight at me and I new it was through before it got halfway). My girlfriend is considering dumping me for him

Hughes played better than I've seen him play. He chased and tackled and got the ball on the ground a number of times. Never played deep in the forward line. He made space a number of times and should of been kicked to but we fluffed it many times. Bloke beside me said "Kick the effing thing" so often it wasn't funny. Even commented "No wonder Hughes never gets the ball - they never kick it to him"!! He's still got lots of work to do but last night it actually looked like he understands now what he has to do, so still some hope.

Jack - brilliant. Made great space was as brave as they come. That pack crashing mark in the goal square in front of me was breathtaking.

Nahas has it - new he was going to kick that goal before it was in his hands (for those watching on TV that was me double punching as he grabbed and kicked it)

Raines played a good game but swore at him at least five times(My daughter told me off each time). But looking better - the games rules may have tied him up a bit.

Morton and Browny, both played well and not much more to be said.

For TigerTroy - Collins - noticed him about five times. obviously not used to the pace, but was quick with his hands and put himself on the line a couple of tmes. Also made errors because the intensity was a bit beyond him. He's got a small head! He's OK but I don't think he'll be a super star.

Schulz - nothing special last night - but neither did I see anything particularly bad.

Sylvestor - I gather he's a mature age rookie, back up in case one of the good backs goes down in a big way. That's about what he showed. Not bad, not good.

Thought Gus did OK in the ruck. He definetly didn't get towled and saw him win some. He'll be OK as second ruck. He's better in the ruck than Patto but not as good around the ground. Toss up there depending on the needs of the game as to who will understudy Simmo.

Simmo good game.

White looked good when running hard.

Lids played with class.

Foley quiet but polished.

The dominance of the start of the third quater was brilliant. Adding Cousins and Coughlan to that will be awsome.

Structure in the backline looked to be loose - particulary during the second q when I was close to the action. Last q was much better but still a couple of lapses and too much space left.

If I remember more I'll post. Or ask and I'll see what I can give.

 

[Barnzy123]

I'm amazed at some people saying Foley and Delideo were quiet yet they had 33 and 29 disposals respectively in shortened quarters too.

 

[RichoRox12]

My girlfriend is considering dumping me for him

She's only human.

But please let her know that he is taken........... by me.

 

[WATIGE]

I'm amazed at some people saying Foley and Delideo were quiet yet they had 33 and 29 disposals respectively in shortened quarters too.

Said Foley was quiet and amazed to see he got so much of it. I assume that he proabbly got most of it in the centre breaks where I couldn't telll from behind the goals.

Also said he was polished - what I saw he got he did with ease and without error.

 

[WATIGE]

She's only human.

But please let her know that he is taken........... by me.

I'll let her know - thanks for deflecting the problem

 

[telsor]

She's only human.

But please let her know that he is taken........... by me.

We really need to get the Richo breeding program going...

 

[Tigersman]

Collins was only on the ground for the last quarter( maybe not even a full quarter?) so its fair enough that he wasnt seen a lot.

Am I the only one who thought Graham held his own? Would be great if he finds his feet this year.

 

[WATIGE]

Collins was only on the ground for the last quarter( maybe not even a full quarter?) so its fair enough that he wasnt seen a lot.

Am I the only one who thought Graham held his own? Would be great if he finds his feet this year.

I agree - see comments above re Gus.

 

[True Thylacine]

The game won't make our highlight reel but it was nice to get a NAB Cup win and even better to get one away. There would have been media blood spilled had we lost given the heady stench of expectation that they seem to have us under this year. I agree with most of the comments on Cleve sadly, God I'd love him to step up. I think Richo becoming such a force is the fact that we now have multiple options up forward that must be respected which releases him nicely and if the Steamer could lift that will only get better. The man is a freak.

 

[The Cotch]

Get off it. This is the best we've looked for a first hit-out in years. Bloody hell, some people carrying on like that's how we'll play in the proper season. Tell me one team who actually looks clinical in the first rounds of the NAB Cup? We played bloody well in the 2nd half, and it will only get better.

 

[coke_zero]

i went off my nut a couple of times during the game. but for me a win is a win as long as we get the win im happy.

 

[tony_montana]

Get off it. This is the best we've looked for a first hit-out in years. Bloody hell, some people carrying on like that's how we'll play in the proper season. Tell me one team who actually looks clinical in the first rounds of the NAB Cup? We played bloody well in the 2nd half, and it will only get better.

spot on cotch,

its becoming ridiculous, in the 2nd half we played a very good brand of footy that was great to watch, some ppl are just FOS or switched off at halftime and didnt see it, no other explanation

 

[Morro]

i was mainly referring to the op which stated that we are way off where we should be. i think that is a joke of a statement - wouldn't me writing that constitute discussing footy? or is it not ok for me to state my opinion while others can? i never said don't discuss, i just said it makes me laugh - we need to stop being so reactionary, we won a preseason game, fought hard to win against a hungry side who while undermanned, clicked early where we didnt. i dont see why some people choose to be negative after a win in the preseason - makes me shake my head.

Point taken!

I understand your point re the negativity, but we were awful in the first half and that is something worth mentioning particularly against such an inexperienced team.

 

[Darth_Tiger]

Point taken!

I understand your point re the negativity, but we were awful in the first half and that is something worth mentioning particularly against such an inexperienced team.

i know i know, we did look awful. my point is a lot of teams look awful early in the nab. some people fail to see the game with any perspective, and despite the fact that we won and it was a good hit out with no injuries are still putting a negative spin on it. it was a great game to watch and we adjusted in the second half to earn a well worked out win. doesnt matter that they where inexperienced - any player who is drafted to play afl can play the game (with the exception of silvester) and the dockers surprised us with their resolve, their attack on the ball and their tactics.

 

[Morro]

Hughes played better than I've seen him play. He chased and tackled and got the ball on the ground a number of times. Never played deep in the forward line. He made space a number of times and should of been kicked to but we fluffed it many times. Bloke beside me said "Kick the effing thing" so often it wasn't funny. Even commented "No wonder Hughes never gets the ball - they never kick it to him"!! He's still got lots of work to do but last night it actually looked like he understands now what he has to do, so still some hope.

Thats good to know because on TV he seemed to be nowhere near it, I just assumed he was running to the wrong spots but maybe he just needs to learn to demand the footy???

 

[Morro]

i know i know, we did look awful. my point is a lot of teams look awful early in the nab. some people fail to see the game with any perspective, and despite the fact that we won and it was a good hit out with no injuries are still putting a negative spin on it. it was a great game to watch and we adjusted in the second half to earn a well worked out win. doesnt matter that they where inexperienced - any player who is drafted to play afl can play the game (with the exception of silvester) and the dockers surprised us with their resolve, their attack on the ball and their tactics.

I think we are almost arguing the same point now LOL

My head hurts LOL

Any way we were terrible for half a game and won, thats positive!

 

[Roachy8]

spot on cotch,

its becoming ridiculous, in the 2nd half we played a very good brand of footy that was great to watch, some ppl are just FOS or switched off at halftime and didnt see it, no other explanation

Yup!

I think the key is that we are looking to play a different, more attacking faster brand of footy nowadays... suits our younger pacier line-up.

(Let's face it... for the last few years we have been playing a very slow, laborious, "safe" style which we did not have the skills for and which only succeeded in tightening most of our arteries)

Now we are looking to play a much more attacking style of fast moving, higher scoring game and it is only to be expected that it will take a while to gel still.

The fact that we can put our foot on the gas when needed and win interstate "regularly" now is the biggest positive for me.

Bring on the maggots...

 

[Tigersman]

I agree - see comments above re Gus.

Missed it the first time.

 

[WATIGE]

Thats good to know because on TV he seemed to be nowhere near it, I just assumed he was running to the wrong spots but maybe he just needs to learn to demand the footy???

It worries me that he's still not seen - is that why he shaved the head!? The game he played here last year where Jack went sick that first time there were many instances then of Cleve being over looked - so there might be something wrong with the way he presents or timing when he does and I'm not reading it. The good part though was that he followed up loose balls and made scond efforts - haven't seen that from him before. I like the guy, am not sold on him but do hold some positive outlook still.

 

[thecotch]

For those worried about Cleve Hughes coming on this year , don't fret because we have Post , Gourdis and Vickery there hungry for an opportunity.

Vickery would be my pick. Great mark and crumbs his own ball. Should spend alot of time up forward this year while Simmo ,Patto and maybe Graham do the tough stuff. If Graham comes on then we have Patto in the equation as well for full forward. Either way we have got it covered.

Cleve Hughes has the speed and turning circle of a mack truck.