- Nov 23, 2015
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- #1
Round 1 for season 2024 ... and we already have a win on the board! Woo hoo! We have to be happy with the result of the opening round. Yes, it was at home, and yes it wasn't a polished performance - but when is the first game of a season ever at a great level? The good thing was playing with intent, executing to the game plan, and still winning despite the flaws and deficiencies. The run from defence was a highlight, as was our conversion rate in F50. 4.0 from Hogan was great, 4.2 from Binga good, and 5.0 from Callum Brown opens up a brilliant new avenue for goalscoring this year. Toby was kept in check to an extent, but played creator rather than scorer. Overall, every line on the ground did a good job.
For Norths, it's hard to get a good line on how they'll come out. In pre-season they knocked off an undermanned Pies outfit, but lost to Saints. They've lost Jy Simpkin to that sickening hit, too. They have a stack of talented youngsters - Nick Larkey a decent chance of grabbing the Coleman medal, while players such as Harry Sheezel will form the future of a good team. But right now, they are still in the early stages of team regeneration. We will have a definite advantage from playing a competitive match, and catching them coming off pre-season. We will need to ensure we are not complacent - I'm sure AK will handle that - and simply execute or plan and skills to a decent level.
In terms of injuries and changes, clearly Cal Ward is out. Despite the late hyperflex by Jesse Hogan, I reckon he'll be fine to play next week. Harvey Thomas played solidly enough to keep his spot. I doubt that anyone is under the gun after that performance; with Cal out it's probably a case of whether any of the injured players are available to come back in. There's no official word on what's happened to Fin Callaghan - clearly if he's OK, he'd come in for Ward. Otherwise, If Harry Perryman were OK, I'd expect him to come in and play in the midfield rotation. If neither of those guys are fit to play, then I would expect Harry Rowston to take his place as the best like-for-like replacement. I would expect no other changes.
Second game at home, last before the annual pilgrimage away from Giants Stadium due to the Royal Easter Show (you coming up to see that, Mason Cox?), and it would be devastating if the result was anything other than a win for the Giants.
What are your thoughts. Giants fans?
GWS GIANTS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday March 16, 4:35pm at Engie Stadium
GIANTS
B: H. Himmelberg, S. Taylor, C. Idun
HB: L. Whitfield, J. Buckley, L. Ash
C: X. O’Halloran, J. Kelly, F. Callaghan
HF: B. Daniels, J. Riccardi, T. Bedford
F: T. Greene - C, J. Hogan, C. Brown
FOLL: K. Briggs, S. Coniglio, T. Green
I/C: J. Wehr, H. Thomas, N. Haynes, A. Cadman, H. Perryman
EMG: J. Peatling, T. McMullin, L. Keeffe
IN: F. Callaghan, H. Perryman
OUT: T. McMullin (Omitted), C. Ward (Injured)
KANGAROOS
B: J. Goater, A. Corr, K. Dawson
HB: Z. Fisher, T. Pink, D. Tucker
C: D. Stephens, L. Davies-Uniacke, B. Scott
HF: C. Zurhaar, C. Coleman-Jones, C. McKercher
F: P. Curtis, N. Larkey - C, Z. Duursma
FOLL: T. Xerri, G. Wardlaw, H. Sheezel
I/C: C. Lazzaro, T. Powell, J. Stephenson, L. Shiels, E. Ford
EMG: B. Nyuon, R. Hansen Jr, M. Bergman
For Norths, it's hard to get a good line on how they'll come out. In pre-season they knocked off an undermanned Pies outfit, but lost to Saints. They've lost Jy Simpkin to that sickening hit, too. They have a stack of talented youngsters - Nick Larkey a decent chance of grabbing the Coleman medal, while players such as Harry Sheezel will form the future of a good team. But right now, they are still in the early stages of team regeneration. We will have a definite advantage from playing a competitive match, and catching them coming off pre-season. We will need to ensure we are not complacent - I'm sure AK will handle that - and simply execute or plan and skills to a decent level.
In terms of injuries and changes, clearly Cal Ward is out. Despite the late hyperflex by Jesse Hogan, I reckon he'll be fine to play next week. Harvey Thomas played solidly enough to keep his spot. I doubt that anyone is under the gun after that performance; with Cal out it's probably a case of whether any of the injured players are available to come back in. There's no official word on what's happened to Fin Callaghan - clearly if he's OK, he'd come in for Ward. Otherwise, If Harry Perryman were OK, I'd expect him to come in and play in the midfield rotation. If neither of those guys are fit to play, then I would expect Harry Rowston to take his place as the best like-for-like replacement. I would expect no other changes.
Second game at home, last before the annual pilgrimage away from Giants Stadium due to the Royal Easter Show (you coming up to see that, Mason Cox?), and it would be devastating if the result was anything other than a win for the Giants.
What are your thoughts. Giants fans?
GWS GIANTS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday March 16, 4:35pm at Engie Stadium
GIANTS
B: H. Himmelberg, S. Taylor, C. Idun
HB: L. Whitfield, J. Buckley, L. Ash
C: X. O’Halloran, J. Kelly, F. Callaghan
HF: B. Daniels, J. Riccardi, T. Bedford
F: T. Greene - C, J. Hogan, C. Brown
FOLL: K. Briggs, S. Coniglio, T. Green
I/C: J. Wehr, H. Thomas, N. Haynes, A. Cadman, H. Perryman
EMG: J. Peatling, T. McMullin, L. Keeffe
IN: F. Callaghan, H. Perryman
OUT: T. McMullin (Omitted), C. Ward (Injured)
KANGAROOS
B: J. Goater, A. Corr, K. Dawson
HB: Z. Fisher, T. Pink, D. Tucker
C: D. Stephens, L. Davies-Uniacke, B. Scott
HF: C. Zurhaar, C. Coleman-Jones, C. McKercher
F: P. Curtis, N. Larkey - C, Z. Duursma
FOLL: T. Xerri, G. Wardlaw, H. Sheezel
I/C: C. Lazzaro, T. Powell, J. Stephenson, L. Shiels, E. Ford
EMG: B. Nyuon, R. Hansen Jr, M. Bergman
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