billylid
Senior List
Thanks Hawker and thanks for your input also Pickles, here's my answers to the proposed questions.......
Q: We both think Riddell are beatable and so does IMS, how do you percieve them to be this year compared to the last two?
Harry's Answer:
They are not the side they were over the last two years, imo. As Pickles stated the last 2 years they had major abll winners and the finishing power of James, this year they share the ball around a lot more. Over the last couple of years they have had one major direction and that was go straight to Lee James. This year without him they have had to adapt to finding alternative routes to goal. Having said that I guess they are a better "team" this year but not a better side, if you can understand what I mean.
Q: What are there weakness?
Harry's Answer:
As much as it is their strength, I think their forward line can be made vulnerable. If the opposition has a good defence, which all of the other top sides do, except maybe Diggers with the exception of Janner (I'm a big wrap for him), then Riddell's onballers have to carry the ball further into attack thus flooding their own forward area. This is where a good defending rebound can hurt them. If the half backs get their hands on the ball and can run it in conjuntion with the midfielders, the Riddell onballers all of a sudden are covering a lot more ground. The bonus for Riddell is that their forward line is very difficult to stop as they're fast and strong.
Q: What is the there most vulnerable aspect?
Harry's Answer:
I think their most vulnerable aspect is as stated above their forward line, yet also their half back line. At present their onballers deliver the ball to the forward line from the middle of the ground about 70-80 metres out. This then enables them to drop back and create a wall across the middle of the ground to prevent the rebound attack. When the ball does rebound out they are able to get numbers as far back as the half back line because their opponents are fighting for the ball in the Riddell attacking zone making them loose players.
Q: The player who holds they key, to their three peat?
Whilst I think Belville will win the Bowen, I don't quite think he is the key, he's pivotal but not the key. I think Petran or Allen are the keys. If these guys are injured (not trying to mozz them) or are well held then the scoring needs to be done by Wadden and Besanko, both more than capable. The real key, imo, Wadden. This guy has the ability to change a game with his own boot. Not many players can do that these days.
Q: Is Petran more vital this year than what Lee has been over the last two?
Harry's Answer:
In short no. The reason being that Riddell used Lee James more than they use Petran. Lee James kicked hauls of 100 goals. Petran is on 29. Michael Allen is on 50.
Q: Who has a better chance of beating them?
Harry's Answer:
It will depend on the day. But I think that either Romsey (not based on my bias) because they have a fast running side and Steve Burlak is on fire in front of goal. Romsey also have a very strong back line. Or Woodend. Woodend have a high quality mid-field that play a similar brand to Riddell. So it would in turn become a battle of the backlines as to who can hold the fort.
Hope that answers your questions Hawker. Hard hitting indeed. Just what Harry thrives on
Woodend/Hesket16 13 3 1596 814
Sunbury Kangaroos 16 13 3 1355 868
Romsey 16 12 4 1391 955
Diggers Rest16 8 8 1181 953
Your posts are often a great read and i have to admit you are usually on the money but i do have to point out that you question Diggers rests defence but if you look at the above table and take into account the 4 teams run home i think you have very much underestimated diggers rest defence. Janner is a gun but dont underestimate underwood , page , thompson , hildo and b.green . A very solid back 6 that is often underestimated in my opinion..
