Review Player Summary

[Tulip]

Was so impressed tonight by the way that everyone looked good. Will provide a short synopsis of every player for those who missed the game.

Jones-Looks better when he's on the edge of the pack tackling rather than in the middle of the pack being wrapped up, was good today and quietly important.
Watts-Still struggles to hold a few marks but my oh my is he looking fine around the ground.
Gysberts-30 touches, accumulated well and was solid in disposal around the back half. Well done.
Bennell-Great game forward and back, ran with confidence which he has been lacking.
Frawley-Kept Crameri quiet at times, could have been better but did the job.
Trengove-You gun, you gun, you gun. Marked, kicked and handballed so well. Covers the midfield so well.
Morton-Started slowly. Had a make or break moment in the 3rd quarter where he could either go eyes on at a ball vs Hille (?) or squib it. Went for it, succeeded, got hurt, got a huge cheer from our fans and was immense from then on.
Sylvia-Nice grab and goal early, came off with a cork in Q1, came on briefly in Q2 without impact.
McKenzie-In and under without question every time he is asked. Again, kicked and presented well across the back half. Finally back to full fitness.
Green-Captains game, captains goal. Should play FF every time, that negating role through the middle should be for Jones
Moloney-BEAST. Broke tackles like there was no tomorrow, led the boys well and scored a cracker from 50 at the end.
Jurrah-Still looks sluggish, but marked well in the F50 and kicked a few to add to his tally, as he does.
Rivers-Back to the Riv we knew and loved from 04/05. Knows his limits unlike Chippa at times, so is very disciplined with the ounch and mark. Brave and puts his body on the line.
MacDonald-BOG for me. Led from the front. Kicked well, handballed well, went back with the flight every time. His best game for us.
Scully-Jetted through the middle a bit, clearly an introverted guy as seen in the celebrations. Kicked a crucial goal and went on some lovvvvely runs through the corridor.
Martin-The SME has officially regained my love. I used to be known as StefanMartin around here before the wheels fell off. Found his coming as a ruck. The bumbling 3 were jumping all over the place while he stood his ground half the time and won the tap. Jumps when he needs to and thats why he saves energy. Was as confident with him in the square as i am with Jamar most of the time.
Gawn-Shy for his first game, was good in the centre though and missed a sitter. Lots to look forward to.
Howe-Robbo with a better leap and more accountable. Linked the play well and whenever he gave the ball away, he chased and chased as our forwards this year haven't. Gonna be good.
Jetta-Good game, kicked a few and is growing in confidence. Still has awareness issues but is very clean.
Strauss-Call me crazy, but I thought he was good. got lots of the ball and while some kicks were lacklustre. Some of his bullets were sumptuous. Another game next week to show what he's got.
Nicholson-Got pace and a kick, was very good in the last quarter on the last line of midfield under pressure. But Dan, please stop running through the back 50. You're giveing me heart attacks.
Evans-Ball magnet, runs hard, plays hard, commits. Similair to Bail and will kepp growing.

 

[master bate]

Strauss-Call me crazy, but I thought he was good. got lots of the ball and while some kicks were lacklustre. Some of his bullets were sumptuous. Another game next week to show what he's got.
Nicholson-Got pace and a kick, was very good in the last quarter on the last line of midfield under pressure. But Dan, please stop running through the back 50. You're giveing me heart attacks.

On Strauss I think you are right. The guy showed he isn't soft, he just lacks composure, which is why some kicks are lace out and others are turned over. He was a bit stiff with that holding the ball. Defensively he was first class. He also got cleaned up by Bellchambers and was limping most of the night.

Nicholson is so damn fast. I'd have him as the last guy in the zone every day of the week because his cover defence is great. He's not an amazing kick but they seem to come out as drop punts which is a good sign. It very very good to have a left footer in the back half, especially one with speed, it just gets you out of trouble which is why I like the run back through the 50.

Collingwood will be a massive test for Strauss, Nicholson, Bennell and Morton. The most important thing for these young defenders is to keep putting their head over it to win the ball and keep taking the game on.

 

[Canary]

Only question I have is changes for next week.

If Jamar is ready, obviously Gawn is Gawn, but if Bartram is ready, who goes?

 

[rhaz]

Probably one of Nicho or Evans. They've shown a lot and it seems harsh, but Bartram brings more to the table than they do?

 

[Tulip]

Only question I have is changes for next week.

If Jamar is ready, obviously Gawn is Gawn, but if Bartram is ready, who goes?

Jamar is another 2-3 away isn't he? Why risk him vs Cam Wood and even Jon Griffin?

Bartram won't play unless there is an injury.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Evans, and give Nicholson more time through the midfield.

 

[Rudeurrection]

Ill call you crazy.

Strauss was shithouse. He was the only player who i wasnt impressed with some way tonight. Nicholson looked much better than Strauss.

He was weak in a marking contests (especially that mark by Crameri in the last quarter, terrible effort), doesn't run hard enough when we need players back in defense on the fast break , squibbed out of two marking contests that i saw when he should have gone back with the flight, tried taking on Ryder and was made to look like a complete fool. His skills arent anywhere near they are all cracked up to be either.

He's a complete dud. Ive seen enough. Blease please.

 

[autocol]

I loved Jetta's heavy bump on Stanton. He showed great commitment tonight.

 

[Tulip]

Barts is very clumsy when kicking through defence, today we held it there well despite the forward press

 

[Squida25]

Just wanted to say I thought Bennell looked great running it out of defence in congestion, got you guys out of trouble a few times.

 

[THE STING2]

Just wanted to say I thought Bennell looked great running it out of defence in congestion, got you guys out of trouble a few times.

That was the best game he's played for the club. Morton after quarter time was very good too. Both have had their commitment questioned (by me) it was great to see them both respond.

 

[THE STING2]

Ill call you crazy.

Strauss was shithouse.

A bit rough there but he is definately the player I would drop for Bartram.

 

[Captain Jack]

Ill call you crazy.

Strauss was shithouse. He was the only player who i wasnt impressed with some way tonight. Nicholson looked much better than Strauss.

He was weak in a marking contests (especially that mark by Crameri in the last quarter, terrible effort), doesn't run hard enough when we need players back in defense on the fast break , squibbed out of two marking contests that i saw when he should have gone back with the flight, tried taking on Ryder and was made to look like a complete fool. His skills arent anywhere near they are all cracked up to be either.

He's a complete dud. Ive seen enough. Blease please.

Rude, you're seeing what you want to see. No, he was nowhere near our best, but give the kid a break! He's played 3 games, give him a couple of weeks to find some composure at this level. I thought he held his own most of the time, he was the victim of a couple of mis-matches at times in the backline though... must have been rotations to the bench that left him on Crameri.
I, for one, saw enough to suggest that if he's given a decent run in the seniors he'll come good. Seems like a bit of a confidence player. He also looked more solid last night than in his two games last year, where he was way out of his depth - in both physical size and maturity.

Give the kid a go.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Ill call you crazy.

Strauss was shithouse. He was the only player who i wasnt impressed with some way tonight. Nicholson looked much better than Strauss.

He was weak in a marking contests (especially that mark by Crameri in the last quarter, terrible effort), doesn't run hard enough when we need players back in defense on the fast break , squibbed out of two marking contests that i saw when he should have gone back with the flight, tried taking on Ryder and was made to look like a complete fool. His skills arent anywhere near they are all cracked up to be either.

He's a complete dud. Ive seen enough. Blease please.

Your sig says you demand satisfaction, yet your posts are anything but.

Strauss wasn't a world beater, got pinged ONCE for holding the ball and had a crack while showing many times he can hit a target over distance. If you didn't rate his game then that's fine, but your post is just ridiculous. Go and watch the replay.

 

[Rudeurrection]

Your sig says you demand satisfaction, yet your posts are anything but.

Strauss wasn't a world beater, got pinged ONCE for holding the ball and had a crack while showing many times he can hit a target over distance. If you didn't rate his game then that's fine, but your post is just ridiculous. Go and watch the replay.

My sig is actually a quote from Judge Smails in Caddy Shack, so yes, its a piss take.

I know what i saw at the ground, he is lazy and soft, the replay only backed my point. The commentators crap on about how good he had been, but truth be told, he wasnt. As i said, Nicholson, a rookie draft pick impressed me more Strauss. If he had some great skills i could forgive his softness, but he doesnt, he can kick better than Bartram thumbsu, but he isnt in the Tapscott or Blease bracket.

Drop Strauss, bring in Blease, I demand satisfaction.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Where exactly did Strauss show to be lazy and soft?

Apart from 2 or 3 errant kicks I couldn't fault him, but I was on the first level so I couldn't see the far side of the ground that well.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

My sig is actually a quote from Judge Smails in Caddy Shack, so yes, its a piss take.

I know what i saw at the ground, he is lazy and soft, the replay only backed my point. The commentators crap on about how good he had been, but truth be told, he wasnt. As i said, Nicholson, a rookie draft pick impressed me more Strauss. If he had some great skills i could forgive his softness, but he doesnt, he can kick better than Bartram thumbsu, but he isnt in the Tapscott or Blease bracket.

Drop Strauss, bring in Blease, I demand satisfaction.

Your post smacks of someone who has made their mind up about Strauss, even before the game on Friday night. Like I said, he wasn't a world beater, but apart from a minor error or two he didn't really put a foot wrong. Yeah, Crameri beat him in a marking contest, but then Crameri beat Frawley in a marking contest a few minutes later, so what does that tell you?

He has great skills - no doubt about that. Plus he has only played 4 games FFS. If he had played 50 then maybe you might have some sort of a case.

And lastly, how can you say Blease is better than Strauss when he hasn't even played AFL yet? You can't make that assumption simply based on perceived potential. Strauss may not be in the Tapscott bracket, yet, but he has shown more than Blease so far.

 

[Rudeurrection]

Your post smacks of someone who has made their mind up about Strauss, even before the game on Friday night. Like I said, he wasn't a world beater, but apart from a minor error or two he didn't really put a foot wrong. Yeah, Crameri beat him in a marking contest, but then Crameri beat Frawley in a marking contest a few minutes later, so what does that tell you?

He has great skills - no doubt about that. Plus he has only played 4 games FFS. If he had played 50 then maybe you might have some sort of a case.

And lastly, how can you say Blease is better than Strauss when he hasn't even played AFL yet? You can't make that assumption simply based on perceived potential. Strauss may not be in the Tapscott bracket, yet, but he has shown more than Blease so far.

Ive watched Strauss at Casey, when im in Melbourne on the weekends and i get the chance to go to the VFL i do. Strauss has never impressed me at VFL level, maybe that's why i only look for the negitives in his game on Friday night. You make a fair point, perhaps he does deserve a chance.

But. . . .

IMO, Blease and Strauss are chalk and cheese, you will see this when Blease gets his chance in the AFL. His kicking is a thing of beauty. Blease hasnt got Strauss' build or even the fitness in his legs as of yet. But when he does, my god, it will be awesome. By the end of next year (barring another injury set-back) Blease will be the firmly in our best 22. Despite having a year and a half on the sidelines due to injury. I cant say the same about Strauss.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Ive watched Strauss at Casey, when im in Melbourne on the weekends and i get the chance to go to the VFL i do. Strauss has never impressed me at VFL level, maybe that's why i only look for the negitives in his game on Friday night. You make a fair point, perhaps he does deserve a chance.

Blease and Strauss are chalk and cheese, you will see this when Blease gets his chance in the AFL. His kicking is a thing of beauty. Blease hasnt got Strauss' build or even the fitness in his legs as of yet. But when he does, my god, it will be awesome. By the end of next year (barring another injury set-back) Blease will be the firmly in our best 22. Despite having a year and a half on the sidelines. I cant say the same about Strauss.

I don't want to disagree about Blease, trust me on that. I'd love him to be the player we all hope he can be as he would bring something special to our side. Seeing him running off half back and delivering bullet like passes in to our forward line would be sensational to see...

However, I still think Strauss can be a very handy player for our club and once he gets another 20-30 games under his belt then he could possibly play off the other flank to Blease and form a very, very good half back line.

 

[Tulip]

For me, a lot of Strauss' game came down to interpretation.

A fair few of his kicks were fired into open space with our player having the advantage, there will always be those, however, who will say that he simply missed the target.

I prefer kicks like this to the impossible ones that Davey and others try and often fail. It's all about being on the front foot.

Not against seeing Blease at some point soon though.