Review Player Review...

[ThePuppetMaster]

Some interesting comments, some which are refreshingly close to the truth... especially in regard to the leadership.

Now I'm all for a bit more honesty in this assessment for the fans... but why the sudden change in tact from refusing to criticize to a couple of remarks that would sting some players?

BALL movement coach Mark Williams runs through the 22 players who played in Melbourne’s loss against Carlton at the MCG

Clint Bartram: Clint had some goals kicked on him defensively, but as always, his work-rate and physicality was a highlight. His ball use was pretty good until the last quarter, where he turned over a few kicks.

Matthew Bate: Matthew came on early after Straussy’s injury. He presented well, but wasn’t used as often as he should have been. He was involved in several of our scores, but failed to hit the scoreboard with a major himself.

Aaron Davey: Aaron came back into the team after a long layoff with a knee injury. He had seven scoring involvements, kicked a goal and had four tackles. He lacked his usual zip, but will be much better for the run.

Lynden Dunn: Lynden was solid. He kicked 2.2 and provided a good target up forward, taking several strong marks. We used him for a short burst in the midfield on Judd without much success.

James Frawley: James’ defensive game was OK. He spoiled aggressively and attacked the ball at ground level with vigor. His offensive game lacked his usual penetration and conviction.

Col Garland: Col defended gallantly and took some really good intercept marks, turning the ball over several times in the midfield. He switched the play pretty well, and overall was solid.

Max Gawn: Gawny had a quiet game. He didn’t have much impact in the ruck, but gained some valuable experience.

Brad Green: Greeny didn’t involve himself in the game enough. We just need more from our leaders, and Brad needs to continue to lead with his involvement and with his voice on the ground.

Jordan Gysberts: Jordie did some really good things in and under at stoppage, especially early in the game. As the game wore on, Jordie became fatigued and had less impact with the number of possessions and the impact of his ball use.

Jeremy Howe: Howie’s work-rate was good. His chasing and defensive skills were solid as always. He took some strong contested marks and moved the ball on quickly by hand and foot. He made a few decision errors later in the game, which resulted in the Blues turning the ball over.

Nathan Jones: Nathan’s physicality and attack on the ball was a highlight. He stuck to his task all day, and had 21 disposals and six scoring involvements. He is growing as a leader, displaying fantastic spirit and fight each week.

Joel Macdonald: Joel was beaten early, but really fought back hard. His physicality was outstanding, as was his ball use. He provided good rebound off half back, and used the ball predictably.

Stefan Martin: Stef was beaten convincingly. He didn’t spread hard, and wasn’t involved in enough play. He missed a shot early, which would’ve helped his confidence. We need Stef to dig deep and fight back hard this week.

Jordie McKenzie: Again, Jordie’s endeavour was fantastic. He had Chris Judd early in the game. Unfortunately, Judd got away from him, as he has done with many of his opponents this season. Jordie’s defensive pressure and intent was terrific. We just need him kicking the ball more often.

Brent Moloney: Brent only had a fair day. His in-close work didn’t have much of an impact, and his defensive work wasn’t great. We need more from him as one of our leaders.

Ricky Petterd: Ricky was lively. He moved around the forward line, and was involved in eight of our scores. He took several strong marks, and hit targets consistently by foot.

Jared Rivers: Jared’s defensive game was solid having 13 spoils and taking several intercept marks deep inside 50 when playing in front. He switched the play really well, but got out-marked on a couple of occasions by bigger and stronger opponents.

Tom Scully: Tom worked really hard. He needs to back himself more often in close and under pressure to make sure his possessions hit their desired targets. More effective disposals would have elevated the effectiveness of his game. His endeavor was very good.

James Strauss: Horrifically injured early in the game. James’s season came to an abrupt end with breaks in both bones in his lower leg.

Luke Tapscott: Lukey just needs to improve the defensive aspects of his game. His attack on the ball was fantastic, as was his physicality. He was injured late in the game by friendly fire (Stef Martin).

Jack Trengove: Jack had 24 possessions and 75 per cent were effective. His physicality was terrific, seeing him finish the day with 10 tackles. He continues to emerge as one of our very important flexible players.

Jack Watts: Jack was probably our best player. He kicked two goals and had 21 possessions. He also took nine marks. When he was in offence, he was lively, and presented really well. And when he was down back, he took some solid intercept marks under immense pressure. He directed play very well by switching play, and with his run and carry. He has had a very consistent season.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Brad Green: Greeny didn’t involve himself in the game enough. We just need more from our leaders, and Brad needs to continue to lead with his involvement and with his voice on the ground.

Stefan Martin: Stef was beaten convincingly. He didn’t spread hard, and wasn’t involved in enough play. He missed a shot early, which would’ve helped his confidence. We need Stef to dig deep and fight back hard this week.

Tom Scully: Tom worked really hard. He needs to back himself more often in close and under pressure to make sure his possessions hit their desired targets. More effective disposals would have elevated the effectiveness of his game. His endeavor was very good.

Really had a crack at Martin & Green, Scully too has been asked to step up but the 'Greeny didn’t involve himself in the game enough. We just need more from our leaders' comment was hard but fair.

He'll want to turn around his form, making comments like that in public could mean his job is on the line & even his spot in the team if he doesn't lift.

 

[Topkent]

Brad Green: Greeny didn’t involve himself in the game enough. We just need more from our leaders, and Brad needs to continue to lead with his involvement and with his voice on the ground

Brent Moloney: Brent only had a fair day. His in-close work didn’t have much of an impact, and his defensive work wasn’t great. We need more from him as one of our leaders.

Matthew Bate: Matthew came on early after Straussy’s injury. He presented well, but wasn’t used as often as he should have been. He was involved in several of our scores, but failed to hit the scoreboard with a major himself.


gotta say i particularly liked these 3 assesments, baters seems to be the same story each week, has a crack but isnt utilised properly... baters and old fashioned player... he does his best work with his arms extended in front of his head, not above them.. and the sooner the players kicked to him accordingly the more of an impact he will start having

 

[Gazza_11]

Apart from Martin, Green and Moloney, it seems pretty tame. But overall, it's definitely noticeably more sharp than usual.

It's good though. I've met Josh Mahoney and he seems to be quite 'no nonsense'. He's sick of this form and I hope the players take note.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Was Mark Williams I think.

This is surely a directive of the FD, a bit of obvious public pressure.

 

[Topkent]

Was Mark Williams I think.

This is surely a directive of the FD, a bit of obvious public pressure.

i hope so because so far they have largely ignored us

 

[rhaz]

OUT: Riv, Bate, Strauss
IN: McDonald or Davis, Blease, Morton

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Rivers won't get dropped, he does get out muscled by the big forwards but he takes so many interception marks and makes so many spoils.

Our backline would be worse without him.

 

[Topkent]

Rivers won't get dropped, he does get out muscled by the big forwards but he takes so many interception marks and makes so many spoils.

Our backline would be worse without him.

i disagree with ya on this one, i reckon for our backline to progress we need to get rid of players like rivers who create more problems than they fix, you can really only afford to carry one 3rd tall in your backline and i think macdonald is better...

rivers cant play on the real talls or the real smalls, and the only reason he takes intercept marks is when he gets a 'favourable' matchup and can zone off them.
atleast joel mac can hold his own in 1 on 1 contests

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Oh sure, we need to develop someone to replace him. He can be a liability if he tries to play body on body with a big forward.

But at the moment our defense is worse without him.

 

[Ageing Demon]

i hope so because so far they have largely ignored us

Yes I agree some weeks I read the comments and wondered why we lost by 10 goals!

 

[Topkent]

Yes I agree some weeks I read the comments and wondered why we lost by 10 goals!

the comments on the players sometimes reminded me of if someone did a write up on and under 12's match... 'positive reinforcement'

 

[Topkent]

Oh sure, we need to develop someone to replace him. He can be a liability if he tries to play body on body with a big forward.

But at the moment our defense is worse without him.

hmmmm im still undecided on if RIGHT now we would be better or worse off without him, no doubt his experience helps but i feel he borders on being a liability

 

[Resurgance]

Rivers won't get dropped, he does get out muscled by the big forwards but he takes so many interception marks and makes so many spoils.

Our backline would be worse without him.

He's obviously got talent, I think most would agree with that. Why not try him as a forward? He reads the play better than most in defence, could hit the jackpot with him doing the leading.