Melb v Essendon Post match

[master bate]

I couldn't make the game today but managed to watch it all on foxtel. I thought it was a solid effort by a lot of the boys today, and if the men in yellow weren't colour blind we could have really pushed them (but thats all on that I've set up another thread for that one).

In the midfield Bruce and McDonald were back to their best today, both had rippers. Buckley started well but faded, Morton racked them up but his kicking is as bad as his workrate to get the footy is good, he is a genuine goal kicker which is positive. Valenti wasn't as prominent but still did all the little things right, he's the only one in the team who can shepherd. Dunn started well on Watson, pushing forward and towelling him up. Davey wasn't 100% and appears to have injured an ankle. Green was serviceable, and dangerous up forward. Wheatley was okay but can be better.

PJ was solid in the ruck, Jamar very good, but what the hell was he thinking in the goal square!

Down back the boys were a bit shaky at times, Lloyd was just too crafty for Martin who went on the smash Laycock, Warnock did a much better job than the 8 goals looks on paper, he just needs to keep track on guys who double back, Lloyd got 2 goals from that including his big hanger. Garland was okay on McPhee, but looks to have done a hammy, this might be good because Carroll will be made to look stupid against Geelong not him! Whelan excellent, Bartram best game in a while and Chris Johnson was very calm and assured with the footy. Bell was better than last week, I think a lower back injury is holding him back a bit, he played well on McPhee in the first, but found Monfries a little slippery, I've still got plenty of time for him.

Up forward Sylvia was very good, PJ and Jamar did their job well and Bate was back to his best. In Maric we have found another player, his skills are silky, his pace good and his workrate strong. Unfortunately Wona was pretty poor, but he will be okay.

 

[Pipefitter]

With the team we had on paper its amazing we kicked 17 goals.

 

[TelkoTheGreat]

but what the hell was he thinking in the goal square!

I thought all our young guys were very good overall along with McDonald, Bruce, Whelan, Bartram, Bate hopefully this is the turning corner for the team. Only sour notes were the Garland Davey injuries.

 

[cannons]

Jamar's effort was.....wow, what was he thinking?

Morton surely has to be rising star nominee this week, despite his inconsistent disposal. For a first year player to play as well as he has this year is quite astonishing. It may be a good boost to his confidence too, if the 3 goals didn't do the job in that department.

 

[Dez!]

I was very impressed with Jamar today, despite his brain fades. His ground work was superb, he would hit the deck after the ruck contest and fight like all hell to get at least one hand on the ball. His goal kicking leaves much to be desired but that can be worked with, both he and PJ dominated Hille in my opinion.

Junior McDonald was absolutely sensational today. The highlight for me on his game was when he outmuscled Hille in the one-on-one contest and effected the spoil, words cannot describe the relief I have that he will be playing on next year.

Sylvia minus the brain fades was exceptional, even if he didn't kick the bag he probably had the chance too he kept leading and presenting a target up forward and I even saw a few second efforts and chases from the boy. Mind you there were a few where he should chased but didn't, but it's an improvement nonetheless.

The leadership of Green and Bruce was exceptional today, thought they both conducted themselves very well on the field and were very composed.

And didn't Bartram give Jetta a bath, kept him too one handball till 3 quarter time. In the last Jetta got a gifted goal in the square from a handball and had about 3 kicks and a handball for the game.

 

[omit]

Jamar and PJ were good at the taps. 32ho between them to hille and Laycocks 20

i thought Garland was fantastic, his closing speed is incredible. it's a shame he went and did his hamstring