Post Game Thoughts

[Kenny_01]

Pav is an absolute gun and will be a very very good forward for us. Anyone who thinks he might struggle to hold down a key forward position should think again. Woosha reckons he will be one of the best forwards in the competition this year and I agree. From leading to marking to disposal to leadership to ground level skills, all looked really good.

Josh Carr is also a gun, watching him in the middle of packs was very pleasing. Always at the bottom of packs and a leader. On the other hand, a slow start for Heath.

Too many slow short midfielders. I'm sorry to all McManus fans out there but he can't get too many games for us this year if we are to go forward. Cook should stay in the backline or get tight defensive jobs as well if he is going to get consistant games. Matty Carr had a quiet game also... he needs to pick it up.

Sandilands should NOT play in the forward 50 under any circumstances. Cox tore him a new one.

Woods did nothing, not suprising.

Leave Murphy at FF, he is so clean with the football. Watching him mark in front of his body... you can tell he will be a gun FF.

Farmer again a livewire up forward, liked his game despite not getting all that much of the footy.

 

[voodoo_86]

While that pretty much covers my post game thoughts on the way home also, for the benefit of other viewers, i'll add 'ditto'.

 

[Geoff]

More of the same in 2005 !!

 

[dominguez]

Pavlich at centre half forward, Murphy at full forward and Woods on a half forward flank were stand outs in our intraclub last week. The disappointing thing about last night was that the 3 of them were barely in those positions at the same time. Murphy barely got a run in the first half. Let the kid play, thats what the wizard cup is for. We should be playing 3 tall forwards most of the time but went with 2 for much of the game.

Agree with you on Black and Macca Kenny_01. Des also had a shocker. He kept finding himself in the right place at the right time then gave a poor contest or his disposal let him down. McPharlin and Hadrill also seemed well down on how we know they can play. McPharlap conceding 2 goals in 5 minutes to Waters was a concern.

 

[Borry]

We have a long way to go if we want to beat Port in round one.

We didn't present well to the ball last night, and struggles to find targets with disposals in attack. The eagles did well in those areas last night and that was the key factor of our loss.

Pav has room for improvement, but it looks like he is quite capable of holding CHF very well.

 

[tico]

i didn't have an oppotunity to watch the game due to other prior commitments but how did sandilands go with the new ruck rule??

 

[Brickie]

i didn't have an oppotunity to watch the game due to other prior commitments but how did sandilands go with the new ruck rule??

Beaten in the ruck,didnt have the leap to take advantage of the new rules. Was a liability up forward as well. Need to give Johnson or Warren a run next week just to see if they can handle a back up ruck position. Not sure Sandilands is going to cut it.

 

[Borry]

I think Connolly has to take the punt and throw Murphy in the forward line to fill our FF position. He looks the only viable FF. Very disappointed he didnt give him senough game time. Quite frankly give him all the game time he can get and use him as our FF. He presents himself, marks and kicks well.

JLo, Sandilands and Polak aren't FF's. JLo's position is the ruck. Polaks position is in the backline and CC found out that quickly.

 

[dominguez]

Only 3 1/2 years.

 

[raffrox]

Agree with all you said Kenny. Especially, Sandi is a liability in the forward 50. Pav was awesome and Murphy will be v good. Also that our midfield is short and slow.

 

[Kapow!!!]

More of the same in 2005 !!

Unfortunately that's what I'm agreeing with. It's going to be another long season if we're playing like that!

 

[theorangeapple]

one thing i noticed about you guys last night (and did last year aswell) is that you rely alot on the run out of defence to make forward setups. you really need mcpharlin, walker, hayden et al to drive the ball out becasue thats when you are most dangerous.

also, i thought carr played the stereotypical bell game. got deep into defence, in the packs, snuck forward. very bell like IMO.

also, pav played very well. he'll be one for the dream team P) but your just going to have to watch making him your only avenue towards goal. he beat staker and to a lesser extend hunter but when he's playing on guys like scarlett/ harley, leppiticsh/micheal its not going to be easy. you really need to find some one else to partner him up there. sandilands is too cumbersome, polak has no confidence up forward so i say play murphy! why on earth hasnt CC played him at FF! he needs experience playing in that position, the wizard cup is the perfect time to give that to him.

 

[ImperialPurple]

I don't profess to knowing what CC was thinking, but perhaps the reason that he played Sandi and J-Lo forward and only gave Murphy half a game is because it's the preseason - the time where you try a few things out and see what new structures might work for the season proper. Last season the resting ruckman rested on the bench, and we all said - rest the ruckman up forward! (ok, maybe not at FF). This time he plays one of them up forward while the other rucks, and we are all saying... what are you doing??

Sure I hate losing (esp to the weavs), but I really didn't feel particularly concerned right at this stage. An even first half (boring almost...), then they killed us for half the third quarter in the midfield - their most "settled" and "gelled" area for them, where we expected to probably get beaten. Then we did okay in the 4th - just one (held not spilled) McPharlin mark on the HBF, onto Hase on the wing, then Pav just outside 50 - and a "supergoal" (paid of course) from stealing it.

All in all I thought it was a pretty uninspiring and lacklustre game from both sides. Just as happy to not be off to Darwin, as I am disappointed that we lost. We get to stay home and practice some more using the real rules.

Anyone going to Joondalup next week?

 

[Total Package]

I think Connolly has to take the punt and throw Murphy in the forward line to fill our FF position. He looks the only viable FF.

I agree. I like Murphy alot. Even a blind man could see he has all the attributes to be a full forward. Unfortunately for you guys.. we all know Chris Connolly will not take the punt. It took him what 4 years to admit his mistake and finally play Pavlich forward? Connolly strikes me as someone who is too proud for his own good. The more you tell him something the less he will do it just because he doesnt want others to be seen taking the glory for his decisions.

Having said that.... I still think you guys will be a decent side. Probably a 4th to 8th ranked side... but with your draw I don't like your chances.

 

[Mead]

I thought the biggest liabilities for Freo was a lack of pace in the midfield, and Sandilands, who did nothing to change the perception that he's on an AFL list because he's tall and nothing else.

For all the hype about how much the new ruck rules would help him, Cox and Seaby never looked at all troubled by him, and at this stage, those two guys are quality ruckmen rather than the absolute elite- an Everitt or Gardiner would comprehensively put Sandilands to the sword. He was even more of a joke up forward- still has the same butterfingers overhead. So as a ruckman, he can't jump, he can't direct his taps, he's an average kick and a conspicuously lousy mark. I'm not seeing exactly how he's going to fit into the team with that resume.

The lack of pace issue was also interesting- obviously it probably looks worse against us than against some others, but Freo atm have a very good ball winning midfield but one which is very pedestrian- I think that probably had a lot to do with your home/away record last year, but it ain't a good thing for a side which plays on subiaco every second week to lack pace. Obviously the answers would be Black and Headland, but the jury is still out on them in a big way.

Very impressed by Woods and Murphy, the latter will be a player in time.

 

[surfsup]

My thoughts on the game;
Pav did great at CHF and looks the goods.
Murphy HAS to be our FF, fullstop.Now. Polak can fight him for the position. If he isn't good enough then Polly can slot back into the the defensive side of the field somewhere. If he is then FF is his.
Matty Carr played like a rookie-listed player. Was he looking for his brother too much?
Heath Black, did he even play?
Wizard Home Loans should still donate $3000 for Medhursts supergoal that wasn't paid.
Hase, though racking up a tonne of possesions wasn't really damaging with them.
Sandilands doesn't look like he belongs in the forward line.
Parker was his durable and efficient best.
We missed Hayden.
Schammer looked switched on, but did make an error or two.
Headland was great one minute then ordinary the next.
Josh Carr slotted in there nicely and will get better as the year goes on.

If CC was spruking all week about wanting to win the game why did players like Grover, Webster, etc spend so much time on the bench in the latter half of the game when they appeared to be running hot?
Why did Polak play in the backline when he was trained all the preseason for a forward position?
I've always defended CC but I feel he is becoming a bit embarrassing. His contract is up this year and Gary Hocking is looking for a head coaching job.
He is a tough nut who is earning bucket loads of praise and respect at Peel Thunder.
Hocking for Freo in 2006!

 

[Total Package]

Murphy HAS to be our FF, fullstop.Now. Polak can fight him for the position. If he isn't good enough then Polly can slot back into the the defensive side of the field somewhere. If he is then FF is his.

You have a problem there. Polak can only play CHB... and McPharlane is a better CHB. Maybe you should try playing McPharlane forward instead.

Heath Black, did he even play?

You know... I didnt even realise he had played until I saw the after game writeup.

Hase, though racking up a tonne of possesions wasn't really damaging with them.

Exactly what I was thinking half way through the 3rd Quarter when they said Haselby was the leading possession winner. Hardly hurt us at all. I'm not sure if the fact I didnt even notice he had that many possessions is a good thing or if it means he doesnt do much with them and gets the easy kick.

Sandilands doesn't look like he belongs in the forward line.

He belongs in the Forward line... as a 3rd goalpost. You guys are basically running onto the field with 17 men every week.

Looks like 2004 all over again

 

[sabre_ac]

I am loosing faith in conolly and it is getting worse.
Why persist with Sandilands in the forward line? Stick the guy on the bench when he isnt rucking.
Leave Murphy at FF with Farmer standing next to him and Pavlich at half forward.
Drop Medhurst untill he learns not to abuse team mates.
I think there were good signs though, through the spine we are very strong.
McPharlin is unbeatable in the air and Haddrill is rock solid at fullback.
Pavlich at Half forward is awesome and give Murphy time.
I didnt think we got blown away in the middle the problem lay in Pavlich moving too far up the field and Sandilands up forward being the target instead of murphy.
Of course the lack of discpline from Conolly and players running free forward presuming we will win the ball continues to disapoint.
And headland for christs sake learn to kick.

 

[Scham]

I basically agree with all said, but want to add this;

Black played on Braun and was given a bath.

Woodsy has been critised by a couple of people, but FFS, the guy spent about 20min on the ground in 5 min bursts. How the hell can he get into the game. When he was on he was good (under the circumstances ) but was then dragged to give a higher profile player a chance to get back out there!
Conolly is still playing favourites IMO!

Headland skills were attrociuos, fumbled almost every time, and as stated his kicking and handpassing was shocking. Mind you he wasn't alone there. How many handpasses fell 2 metres short of the target, it was almost like they were instructed to delibrately do it to put the teamate under pressure.

On a possitive note, Carr J , Pav, and Walker were very good, and Murphy does show promise.

 

[Rob]

You have a problem there. Polak can only play CHB... and McPharlane is a better CHB. Maybe you should try playing McPharlane forward instead.

That's not true at all. Polak's best position for the team is floating half back, coming in from the side and taking marks. Preferably playing on the hack forward that most teams have. McPharlin at CHB, Haddrill at FB and Polak roaming around the half back line is the best setup.

 

[doppo]

Polak, while not dominating, looked a hell of a lot better in the backline last night then he has in the forward line over the past year. The fact he can do that after having spent the preseason training as a forward, somewhat shows that is where he should be IMO.

Overall I thought there were enough signs to show we are going to be a better side this year. None of this '2004 all over again' crap. I'd say what we saw from Pav, Josh, Murphy, and with Bell and Hayden to come back is enough to walk away from that game not too disappointed.

But yeah, it was a pretty ugly game.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Pretty much agree with most of the things already said:

- Pav played well at CHF but with all due respect, he'll be playing on much tougher opponents than Staker throughout the year.
- Murphy HAS to start in the forward line in round one. He looks ready for it and JLo is better as a mobile ruckman than a forward. Polak's best position is as a third tall defender (as posted above).
- Sandilands was given a bath in the ruck by Cox and is too immobile and unskilled overhead to play forward. His only advantage is his height really, and unless he develops better chemistry with the midfield or learns to direct his taps better, I don't honestly believe he'll be of much use to us.
- Woods was good when on the ground. He wasn't afraid to throw his body around and he laid a couple of hard tackles which was good to see.

On a separate note, Is anyone else having trouble accessing the stats for the Wiz Cup games on the afl.com.au website?