Land of the Giants
Premiership Player
How to grade the win against the Hawks? Overall, probably B+.
Leon thought the first half some of the best football we’ve played this season. The first quarter, maybe, but kicking 1.8 in the second didn’t exactly help the cause. It was the main reason we had 11 more scoring shots and won by only that margin.
The other thing was the way Hawthorn scored so easily. Our goals seemed to require much more effort, relying more on individual brilliance than precision passing and kicking in general play. Still, we were able to get on top when it mattered.
I thought as a club we responded very well to the situation with Jeremy. That kind of drama is a real test of collective maturity, and we haven’t let it become a distraction. A good sign.
Now for next week.
Listening to ABC Grandstand on the way home, Whitfield said that every game from now on was like a final. So it sounds like the team are getting themselves right mentally, which is good segue for the Eagles in Perth.
Early season front-runners, West Coast are now in a spot of bother. The Swans burst their bubble a few weeks ago, but it was the loss to Essendon at home that really would have sent shock waves into them. They’re coming off a third consecutive loss to the Crows and will almost certainly again be without their “twin towers”, Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy. They’ll be more nervous than they care to admit.
As for our own line up, we seem to be in a reasonably good place at the moment. I like the way Dawson Simpson is settling into the team. He allows us to send Lobb and Patton forward, which had the desired effect at critical moments last night. I think he’s good for our structure. And Himmelburg, who is usually excoriated on these threads, also had a good game and was one of our best-on-ground.
In other news, the NEAFL team had a strong win yesterday. Matt Buntine and Adam Kennedy were again among the best, so they might give us some flexibility down back or on the wing if needed. But with no fresh injuries
, and none of the big name outs available for at least another month, I don’t think there will be too many changes.
We weren’t that un-competitive against West Coast back in Round 8, and the trip across the Nullabor is never easy. But while it's going to be difficult, if we continue to show the same work ethic as the Adelaide and Hawthorn games, we will probably win.
Go Giants - or rather, keep going!
Leon thought the first half some of the best football we’ve played this season. The first quarter, maybe, but kicking 1.8 in the second didn’t exactly help the cause. It was the main reason we had 11 more scoring shots and won by only that margin.
The other thing was the way Hawthorn scored so easily. Our goals seemed to require much more effort, relying more on individual brilliance than precision passing and kicking in general play. Still, we were able to get on top when it mattered.
I thought as a club we responded very well to the situation with Jeremy. That kind of drama is a real test of collective maturity, and we haven’t let it become a distraction. A good sign.
Now for next week.
Listening to ABC Grandstand on the way home, Whitfield said that every game from now on was like a final. So it sounds like the team are getting themselves right mentally, which is good segue for the Eagles in Perth.
Early season front-runners, West Coast are now in a spot of bother. The Swans burst their bubble a few weeks ago, but it was the loss to Essendon at home that really would have sent shock waves into them. They’re coming off a third consecutive loss to the Crows and will almost certainly again be without their “twin towers”, Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy. They’ll be more nervous than they care to admit.
As for our own line up, we seem to be in a reasonably good place at the moment. I like the way Dawson Simpson is settling into the team. He allows us to send Lobb and Patton forward, which had the desired effect at critical moments last night. I think he’s good for our structure. And Himmelburg, who is usually excoriated on these threads, also had a good game and was one of our best-on-ground.
In other news, the NEAFL team had a strong win yesterday. Matt Buntine and Adam Kennedy were again among the best, so they might give us some flexibility down back or on the wing if needed. But with no fresh injuries
, and none of the big name outs available for at least another month, I don’t think there will be too many changes.We weren’t that un-competitive against West Coast back in Round 8, and the trip across the Nullabor is never easy. But while it's going to be difficult, if we continue to show the same work ethic as the Adelaide and Hawthorn games, we will probably win.
Go Giants - or rather, keep going!
