Positives

[Dockernut]

Liked Griff's game early, played like a rover, just needs a bit more polish.
The Pav.
Mayne's accuracy.
Sutcliffe didn't look overawed.
DeBalls, solid as ever..
Balla's smother.
Roberton looked composed and took a couple of gutsy grabs going back with the flight.

That's all I got.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

1. Pav's forward form
2. Hilly's running goal
3. Mayne and Balla's constant, repeat effort chasedowns and forward pressure
4. Mayne's marking
5. Mayne's kicking
6. MAAAAAAAAAYYYYNNE man Mayne
7. MJ decent under pressure (albeit against undersized forwards)
8. Elvis forward in the last quarter and a bit added a different dimension to our forward line - he missed a couple of gettable goals, but added a tall threat and pace, which eased the pressure on Pav. Not an all game every game role, but good to see it can still be used when needed.
9. Crowley's niggle, and constant tackling. Plus a great goal.
10 Subi's fans were very welcoming in block 127 - great to see a win live at Subi. Though seeing the atmosphere reinforced for me what a great job Seppo, Daisy and the rest of the Vic cheer squad do with much smaller Freo support. The chant was hardly heard all day, and the less said about today's banner the better - but well done to the crowd for telling Nichols just what he really is...

EDIT: Sorry Dockernut, only just saw you had started positives thread after I had already posted this one. Mods please merge - sorry Dockernut.

 

[Moo]

Griff's run and carry and pin point pass was pretty impressive

 

[Wigarus]

Griff's run and carry and pin point pass was pretty impressive

Griffs burst from half back, 2 bounces & long kick to Pav was the absolute highlight of my day #Mintox

tweet from spider Burton

 

[Seppo]

All good positives BPG, did you have a decent seat at Subi?

For me, Kepler return into the side was a positive. Provided a lot more physicality than Clarke had in recent weeks. Even though he didn't hit the score board he seems to straighten us up and could look dangerous along side Pav and Mayne.

 

[Wigarus]

All good positives BPG, did you have a decent seat at Subi?

For me, Kepler return into the side was a positive. Provided a lot more physicality than Clarke had in recent weeks. Even though he didn't hit the score board he seems to straighten us up and could look dangerous along side Pav and Mayne.

Lyon did say that Clarke and Keplar in the same side was a possibility. I would like to see it happen with one of them switching with Griffin when Sandi is back.

 

[estibador]

Griff's run and carry and pin point pass was pretty impressive

Play of the day that one. Better than Hill's goal.

 

[Wigarus]

Actually, while I'm at it I think Griffin has been a huge positive in every game he's played. He didn't convert today, but I think he's had a contested mark or 2 inside 50 every game.

I think there's a lot of upside to him.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

All good positives BPG, did you have a decent seat at Subi?

For me, Kepler return into the side was a positive. Provided a lot more physicality than Clarke had in recent weeks. Even though he didn't hit the score board he seems to straighten us up and could look dangerous along side Pav and Mayne.

Block 127, row H, middle of the row - fantastic view, though the sun was in the eyes a bit one still got to see everything quite well. And well within earshot of Mr Baldy when he ran past, so was able to advise him (politely of course) of his failings.

And I'd agree about Griff, I overlooked him - his effort was great. Plus Kep's (pinch-hitting) effort in the ruck, and Mundy's defensive play on Higgins in Q3 and the first part of Q4.

 

[13then7]

Have not watched the game on TV yet but thought McPhee was very solid, again! Shame that Mundy thought that kick across the goal face was for him when it was meant for Keplar 20-30 metres behind him.

Mayne has always tried his guts out but with an injury free run, added experience and some help from the captain he is doing everything asked of him. I hope he continues to improve. It is a pleasure to watch he and Pavlich take their set shots.

 

[Wigarus]

Mayne has equalled Darlings goals total for the year so far. Pavlich is in the top 5 for the league.

Maybe with these little tidbits of info people might stfu about Darling

 

[Moo]

Maybe with these little tidbits of info people might stfu about Darling

Not until Pitt averages as many possessions as Darling

 

[Kepfan]

Kep
Pearce on top for disposals and equal top for contested possessions
Winning
Newbies doing well

 

[E Shed]

Maybe with these little tidbits of info people might stfu about Darling

No I think that will happen when Pitt starts getting 30 possession games from the midfield or winning games off his own boot when they are in the balance. It doesn't matter what Mayne & Pav do, we should have picked Darling. That fact isn't going away.

 

[Wigarus]

Should've picked Mitchell as well. Every club in the comp should've picked Fyfe.

 

[JunglistPosse]

I know Hill had a quiet game but gees his goal on the run....is there a better on the run kicker in the League?

 

[Wigarus]

Just watching the 4th quarter again and not only are Pav and Mayne in good form, but they really look to be gelling together pretty well.

They could become a really formidable forwardline by the end of the season, especially given all the talk of how short we were of forward options.

 

[Andy Brennan]

No I think that will happen when Pitt starts getting 30 possession games from the midfield or winning games off his own boot when they are in the balance. It doesn't matter what Mayne & Pav do, we should have picked Darling. That fact isn't going away.

They won't let up till Pitt wins the Brownlow

 

[Seppo]

Just watching the 4th quarter again and not only are Pav and Mayne in good form, but they really look to be gelling together pretty well.

They could become a really formidable forwardline by the end of the season, especially given all the talk of how short we were of forward options.

Mayne and Pav are gelling quite well!

It was only last year that Mayne was crashing packs and spoiling the mark for Kepler/Fyfe/Pav...
Now he is timing his runs, leading well and dropping off when required. There was one point where Mayne yelled and pointed at someone else for spoiling Pavs attack on the ball, shows confidence he knows the game plan.

Sounds like Sumich has been hard at them and it's finally paying off!

 

[Freodoc]

I know Hill had a quiet game but gees his goal on the run....is there a better on the run kicker in the League?

Poetry in motion

 

[PapaJ]

- I thought Mundy's game overall was wanting again, but I was impressed with his efforts in the last quarter.

- Creepy did a good job.

- Griff's been mentioned, but I just love his competitiveness and willingness for the game. He's got a certain 'fire' that I like. Was outpointed at times, had that brain fade just after his 'goal assist of the year', but all that aside, I love his attitude.

- MZu I thought came back into a bit of form, carrying over from a step in the right direction last week.

 

[summerthebat]

Just quickly on the Darling issue, I know from a reasonably good source that most clubs had Darling stamped as 'not to be drafted under any circumstances'

 

[Sman-21]

Not enough Clanceeeeee love in here.

For the first 3 quarters he seemed to be in everything.
Clearances, tackles to stop opposition clearances, he was everywhere.
Seemed to fade out a little in the last, but his efforts in the first 3 were very impressive.

 

[Silent Alarm]

2. Hilly's running goal

Haha! What?! The bloke kicked a goal when his side were cruising and the opposition had given up with heavy legs. It was a positive, but compared to the appalling game he played, it's not worthy of being regarded higher than Chris Mayne's performance.
For me:

1) Pavlich. The bloke is a champ. He's a king in the forward line, and he's been fantastic this season. Not only is he a consistent goal kicker, but he's a consister creator. Sometimes you just forget the footy ingenuity of the guy.
2) Big Griff. Tie this bloke down to another contract. Like some have said, the guy moves like a rover. Taking a few bounces, those clean hands, the confidence to have a kick... I rate him. He's very solid in the ruck, as well. He's better than Clarke and, in my opinion, more usable than Sandi. It's been highlighted how average Sandilands is in the ruck. And, Sandi isn't awfully useful anywhere else. The bloke dishes off handballs and doesn't have the confidence to take a kick. Griff's proved he has that competitive edge and that desire for the footy. I'm very impressed with the bloke, and I'll be frustrated if we move him on.
3) Mayne. Jesus. The guy doesn't miss much, does he? A strong outfield footballer and one of the AFL's best at set shots. This year, he's shown some real toughness and he's been in amongst the packs. He's still young-ish, so who knows what he's capable of...
4) Sutcliffe. By no means a standout performer. But making the step from colts footy to AFL is a massive one. The fitness of a first-year will be lower than the majority, so it's more about what he does with the ball, rather than how much he gets it. He didn't seem to butcher anything and he seemed pretty composed. Another decent footballer taken at a pretty tame pick.
5) DeBoer played another strong game. Did plenty of good things and some fantastic things. A few more years of development, and the guy will be a very good footballer.
A mention here for Grover as well. You just feel he might've played his last game for the Dockers. If his last involvement was a massive clash, well, it'll be poetic. He's given so much to the club in an unglamorous position. The bloke always tried his heart out and gave everything for the jumper. Not an awesome game, and he doesn't look good enough for AFL anymore. But it was nice to see him on the ground.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Just quickly on the Darling issue, I know from a reasonably good source that most clubs had Darling stamped as 'not to be drafted under any circumstances'

This. The thug culture at West Coast meant they were willing to take a punt – or select someone who rhymes with punt...