The Old Dark Navy's
Moderator
- Moderator
- #1
Okay, okay, it was just a preseason nothing match. Not a prelude to the real season ... unless of course they ever field an aboriginal side in the A.F.L competition. God help us all if that happens!
The ground appeared a little slippery and the hope that Carlton could show off their superior height and marking strength was proven to be a forlorn one. The ball hit the ground far too often to be swept away with blistering speed by the AA boys, often turning, twisting and befuddling outstretched navy blue arms.
Sure the AA side had no right to have such cohesion but a wise school of thought would give the same allowance to a Carlton team that haven't played as a complete unit for the best part of 18 months.
No point is going through the state of the game except to say that a rapid fire 10 goal second quarter by the Allstars meant the rest of the game was a non-event. A half time Pagan dressing down along with the resting of Kouta, Ratten and Corey was followed by a better effort from the young to middle tier players for the Blues.
The worrying sign at this early stage of the season is that hopes that the Blues strong training and intra-club performances would translate to some magical transformation on-field, especially from the youngsters we are relying on to step up, appear to be a tiny bit wishful thinking. I pray we improve under the new game plan over the Wizard Cup period but the Allstars are not a team you try to bomb over the top of and try to outpace to the open goal square.
*Barnaby French won practically all of the tap outs but the midfield won practically none of the clearances in comparison.
*Bret Thornton was engaged in a fiery match up with Darryl White who seemed to be in whinge mode all night.
*Scott Freeborn again showed the value of being a one touch player by doing exactly the opposite.
*Adrian Hickmott was ... well he was Adrian Hickmott and for that we are thankful.
*Luke Livingston flew for many marks in the forward line and barely got a hand to any of them.
*Justin Davies showed a bit of class although plagued by inaccuracy.
*Ryan Houlihan showed that he is better equipped to handle the physical aspects of the game this year.
*Jimmy Plunkett was one of the few sure footed players in the side and may well be a transformed player under Pagan.
*Kouta may have lost a touch of pace and a touch more mobility in some position but showed you don't lose skill and that he still has in abundance.
*Rookie John McCormick looked a likely type despite looking a lot like Adam Chatfield. I predict more than the one senior game for this young player.
*Matthew Lappin appears to be back in the groove and in for a stellar season.
*Darren Hulme was everywhere and will be like a new recruit this year. Impressive.
The end result is probably neither here nor there as except for a limping Ian Prendergast who went down after a nice piece of desperation, the team got reacquainted and got through unscathed. Our truer tests are yet to come.
The ground appeared a little slippery and the hope that Carlton could show off their superior height and marking strength was proven to be a forlorn one. The ball hit the ground far too often to be swept away with blistering speed by the AA boys, often turning, twisting and befuddling outstretched navy blue arms.
Sure the AA side had no right to have such cohesion but a wise school of thought would give the same allowance to a Carlton team that haven't played as a complete unit for the best part of 18 months.
No point is going through the state of the game except to say that a rapid fire 10 goal second quarter by the Allstars meant the rest of the game was a non-event. A half time Pagan dressing down along with the resting of Kouta, Ratten and Corey was followed by a better effort from the young to middle tier players for the Blues.
The worrying sign at this early stage of the season is that hopes that the Blues strong training and intra-club performances would translate to some magical transformation on-field, especially from the youngsters we are relying on to step up, appear to be a tiny bit wishful thinking. I pray we improve under the new game plan over the Wizard Cup period but the Allstars are not a team you try to bomb over the top of and try to outpace to the open goal square.
*Barnaby French won practically all of the tap outs but the midfield won practically none of the clearances in comparison.
*Bret Thornton was engaged in a fiery match up with Darryl White who seemed to be in whinge mode all night.
*Scott Freeborn again showed the value of being a one touch player by doing exactly the opposite.
*Adrian Hickmott was ... well he was Adrian Hickmott and for that we are thankful.
*Luke Livingston flew for many marks in the forward line and barely got a hand to any of them.
*Justin Davies showed a bit of class although plagued by inaccuracy.
*Ryan Houlihan showed that he is better equipped to handle the physical aspects of the game this year.
*Jimmy Plunkett was one of the few sure footed players in the side and may well be a transformed player under Pagan.
*Kouta may have lost a touch of pace and a touch more mobility in some position but showed you don't lose skill and that he still has in abundance.
*Rookie John McCormick looked a likely type despite looking a lot like Adam Chatfield. I predict more than the one senior game for this young player.
*Matthew Lappin appears to be back in the groove and in for a stellar season.
*Darren Hulme was everywhere and will be like a new recruit this year. Impressive.
The end result is probably neither here nor there as except for a limping Ian Prendergast who went down after a nice piece of desperation, the team got reacquainted and got through unscathed. Our truer tests are yet to come.
