Pies vs Lions report

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Hey all,
Just a few points about the match.

Generally we did well. Up by 18 at quarter time, and was down by 2 points at three quarter time. I knew we were gone at three quarter time. Just a feeling. Predictably we dropped the intensity and they ran over the top of us in the last quarter. The important thing was no injuries, unlike the Brions who lost Lappin with an ankle, and Hadley - who was playing in the reserves curtain-raiser - who did his knee AGAIN after doing it a year a go to the day.

* Bucks played in the backline all night, and was a bloody general generating a lot of run. Looked good as usual.

*Dale Thomas, I love this kid. There I have said it. He is going to be a player. Lock it in, Eddie. He is a small kid and does a lot of flashy stuff, but unlike most of the type he PUTS HIS BODY ON THE LINE AND IS FEROCIOUS AT THE BALL AND THE MAN. He took this absolute screamer in the forward pocket in the first quarter, similar to his grab against Freo. Unfortunately he hit the post. He tried to go around and banana it when he should have just gone back and drop kicked it because the angle wasn't that tight and very manageable. He will learn though. He oozes confidence. He copped a big knock in the second term. He went up for a mark and a Lions player had his knee stuck out and it went straight into Dale's mid section. He went down and was down for a minute before being helped off by the trainers. I immediately let out a big "********!" because I thought he had done his ribs. Thankfully he was just winded and came back on not soon after. He's a tough kid. My favourite moment of the match happened right in front of me on the wing. The ball was on the deck and Thomas was up against three Lions for the ball, including Voss. Thomas jumped on it and fought hard, before the ball went to Voss who was about to break away before Thomas tackled him ferociously and sent him crashing to the deck with ease. It is hard to sum up like this but it was a real delight to watch. He is no softie, and it was sensational to watch. It is great to see a player like Thomas who is a bit flashy and has that X Factor but is also willing to go in hard. It is very rare. In the best for me.

* Didak kicked five goals in the first quarter. Was sensational. Unfortunately was largely unsighted after that. Took an absolute speccy screamer in the last quarter on the shoulders of Adcock to bring the crowd to its feet. The highlight for Dids was when he ran through the centre, took a few bounces and goaled on the run from outside 50 in the first quarter.

* Chris Egan. Played up forward all night and didn't do a lot. Kicked one goal in junk time in the last quarter. I am not sold on Egan, and a little bit concerned to be honest. I just don't know about him. He does some good things but then does some ridiculously stupid things which really makes you wonder.

* Shane O'Bree. Looked sensational in the first quarter and was winning the ball out of the centre with ease. Unsighted much after that.

* Josh Fraser. Looked good and tried hard. Richards played a bit, but didn't notice him much.

* Lonie was typical Lonie and Caracella was typical Caracella.

* Rocca was flogged by Michael. Dropped a lot of marks and mistimed a lot of his leads. But he is still on the comeback trail and is trying hard.

*Travis Cloke - disappointing. Couldn't geta sniff.

Tarrant and Burns, while named, didn't play. I asked MM after the match about Taz and said he just wanted to give him another week.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Travis Cloke's pre-season at CHF has been fairly ordinary. May see him at Williamstown round 1?

Cam Cloke has shown signs, and kicking 5 goals yesterday may see him just be there instead of T-Clo

 

[Coin_Toss]

Thanks for the report, Nick. Cheers!

Ashamed for Caracella. His position in the starting 22 may have gone to Thomas, who goes in harder and, is probably more classier.

 

[Jabso]

The only way to judge Carra's input is to see him at AFL level in the real stuff. Is the type to preserve himself. I don't think he's got much gametime anyway and when he has he has been tried on the wings and even down back.

 

[doppleganger]

did leon davis play???

Hoping that Didak & Davis can combine into a genuine quality midfielder for the pies!! ie good half of football from each in the middle will make a huge difference then they can look dangerous up forward too

perhaps similar to those geelong small forwards who also rotate thru the middle, but clearly a rung below chappy & ablett at this stage

THOMAS sounds like a ripper, a bloke that wants to win the pill and who also can kick the friggen thing!!

 

[Nesian]

*davis - yep he played, played bits in the midfield and foward pocket...he was ok he did get the ball but then let down his hard work by doing ******** kicks 5/10

*dale thomas was sensational - 1 instance when he was on the wing he had the ball got tackled and flung over the sideline, immediately got back up and dived back onto the ball and got it out to Johno i think though we lost it after dale's hard work but yeah that was awesome to see he should be playing from rnd 1 no question about it. Though after he got winded he dropped off. 8/10

*didak - was sensational in the first qtr then moved for stints in the midfield then back into fwd line for most of the nite, he took a nice hanger, at stages was quiet i thought 7/10

 

[magpies42]

Thanks for the report, Nick. Cheers!

Ashamed for Caracella. His position in the starting 22 may have gone to Thomas, who goes in harder and, is probably more classier.

Caracella, morrison and teh like are not the future of our club and should be played in the 2's in preference for the youngins!

Dont put to much pressure on T-Clo dont expect to see the best of him for at least 2 years

 

[ant22]

don't know if your saw last weeks game Pieman but I was very impressed with egan. He chased really hard and did some excellent things going the other way. Hes ball handling was brilliant although I dont think it is much of a secret that he is a great 1 touch player. Also looked to me as thought he could pinch hit at full forward. Hes kicking last week was also a big improvment on last year. He is still young and is the type of player to flash in and out . I am not totally sold but did like what I saw of him against the roos. I hope he is in the side for round 1

thanks for the report

 

[ShepBoy]

If we are relying on Davis then we are in big trouble.

Surely he is on the last year of his overextended contract. Maybe Essendon will take him at year's end?

 

[FIGJAM]

A couple of others:

http://www.voy.com/51976/52313.html

http://www.magpies.net/nick/article...ll&id=1142775002&archive=&start_from=&ucat=5&

 

[bucksisbest]

Disappointing to finish out a game so poorly.

 

[ant22]

Disappointing to finish out a game so poorly.

id much rather finish a meaningless practise match poorly than come out of the game with a couple of bad injuries. I am quite sure the lions would trade the win for a fit hadley and lappin. Lets not get to caught up in the result. I for one am very excited that we are going into a season with all key players fit and firing . We have no excuses this year.

 

[hotpie]

id much rather finish a meaningless practise match poorly than come out of the game with a couple of bad injuries. .

Stupid comment - its not a choice between one or the other.

Brisbane did not get an injury in the last quarter either - they got one in the first quarter and one in the curtain raiser.

Theres no doubt we should have finished the game out a lot better. By the final practice match you should be expecting a four quarter effort.

 

[Murray]

If we are relying on Davis then we are in big trouble.

Surely he is on the last year of his overextended contract. Maybe Essendon will take him at year's end?

Do you mean "we" or do you mean Adelaide?

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Do you mean "we" or do you mean Adelaide?

Me thinks somebody's got an alias

Well spotted Murray!

 

[Murray]

Me thinks somebody's got an alias

Well spotted Murray!

Strange, isn't it?

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Strange, isn't it?

Very dodgey.

 

[ShepBoy]

Do you mean "we" or do you mean Adelaide?

What do you mean Murray? You dont agree Leon Davis was a waste of a draft pick?

This is his seventh action packed season coming up.

Rupert was much better value for us than "Magic". Magic? LOL!

 

[ant22]

Stupid comment - its not a choice between one or the other.

Brisbane did not get an injury in the last quarter either - they got one in the first quarter and one in the curtain raiser.

Theres no doubt we should have finished the game out a lot better. By the final practice match you should be expecting a four quarter effort.

Yes and Carltons 4 quater effort in the wizard cup last year did them alot of good. The last quater fade out means absolutely nothing . I can't believe how seriously you would take a practise match. Come round one it means nothing.

Stupid to be dissapointed about a last quater fade out in a practise match I would think.

I did not say Brisbane has an injury in the last quater but they did have 2 significant injuries in the game and I reckon leigh would trade the win to have these to players playing round 1 . I could not care less what quater the injuries were in I am just happy we came out of the game with no injuries.

I doubt mick malthouse would have lost any sleep what so ever about a last quater fade out at this time of year.