SANFL Round 9

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[Jars458]

Armstrong out is a shocker. I still can't understand it.

Guntson to play?

 

[Vader]

First up I'll have a look at young Daniel Talia's game. He played out the whole game at half back but I thought he looked below 100% for most of the day. I reckon he only sprinted once or twice and lagged behind his opponent on a number of occasions. I initially thought he was just having a bad day until someone next to me said something like, 'Never play an injured player'. In other words I don't think his calf was quite right. He was able to finish off the game on a high note with a strong last quarter where most notably he took two strong contested grabs after being behind his opponent in the air all day.

I counted for him:
2 kicks, 10 handballs, 4 marks, 1 tackle.

Playing injured, kick to handball ratio of 1:5. Think we can safely bookmark Talia's AFL debut for next week - he'll fit right in with the rest of the team.

 

[brucetiki]

I was out at Elizabeth checking out Jonathan Griffin, Brad Symes and Ricky Henderson.

Griffin had another impressive game, also having to put up with some attrocious diving by the Eagles ruckmen.

Symes started out scrappy (understandably) but all up had a very good game despite his lack of match fitness. I'd be happy to have him staight back in the Crows side next week.

Henderson had a relatively quiet game. Kicked at least one goal from memory.

 

[Paladin]

Griffin 22 touches, 8 marks 4 tackles 29 hit outs 2nd best in the paper. As poor and as soft as he has been i think he needs a few afl games in a row to decide once and for all if he can offer anything at the highest level.

We have nothing to lose we cant get any worse, Tippett can stay up forward all game and if he plays well maybe somebody will trade for him at the end of the year. Or shock horror he could be the ruck we need.

Looks like Symes played well 32 touches, starting 18 next week i hope.

 

[johnnypanther]

How on earth was Armstrong dropped.
How Myke Cook retains his spot on a wing in front of Armstrong is completely and untterly beyond me.

The selction criteria must be the following;

In: Poor disposal, panicking under pressure, flailing arms about (Cook amongst others)
Out: Someone who can actually kick the ball, skills, pace, football smarts (Armstrong)

Watching Armstrong today what stood out is how balanced and skillful he is by foot...either side! I don't think he is a defender, but attacking half back come wing is where he should be. I just spent the whole match shaking my head at this mind boggling decision.

.

Must admit, after seeing Armstrong do in the last quarter what Cook has failed to do all season, I was wondering why it had taken so long to discover this.

Equally baffled as to why he was cut ahead of Myke 'Rainmaker' Cook this week, given he has demonstrated an ability that Cook is probably never going to have. Short of run and carry, we send away the guy with run and carry in favour of a guy with no thought speed, no kicking skills and talent that does not exceed the SANFL level.

Whilst i agree entirely with your comments regarding Armstrong's obvious skillful disposal skills and that he is not strong enough to be a defender in the old sense but better suited to an attacking half-back/wingman, i disagree with your comments re Cook.
IMO it is not a matter of picking Cook over Armstrong or vice-versa as they play different roles. I think it was more a case of Armstrong v one of the other 2nd tier senior players - i certainly would have kept both Armstrong and Cook in the side.

Cook is one that has divided supporters already, however, i see him as a talented but raw midfielder who can play both inside and outside. He definitely is a run, bounce, carry and cross the lines player and i'm sure that if we invest more game time in him thus allowing his sense of belonging and confidence to grow then he will reward us. Although his kicking isnt the best, i feel that he is being overly harshly maligned about it due to people "jumping on the bandwagon" very much like Matt Connell was treated years ago.

 

[amer]

Cook is one that has divided supporters already, however, i see him as a talented but raw midfielder who can play both inside and outside. He definitely is a run, bounce, carry and cross the lines player and i'm sure that if we invest more game time in him thus allowing his sense of belonging and confidence to grow then he will reward us. Although his kicking isnt the best, i feel that he is being overly harshly maligned about it due to people "jumping on the bandwagon" very much like Matt Connell was treated years ago.

ANYONE worth their salt, who knew what Cook was about before he got a gig for the Crows, called this. He was ALWAYS going to divide supporters because so many people have a ****ing ridiculous inability to differentiate between raw and not up to it. It's when someone like him comes along that the armchair wannabe recruiters get exposed for having no clue. He'll be a very good footballer for this club.

 

[Drummond]

ANYONE worth their salt, who knew what Cook was about before he got a gig for the Crows, called this. He was ALWAYS going to divide supporters because so many people have a ****ing ridiculous inability to differentiate between raw and not up to it. It's when someone like him comes along that the armchair wannabe recruiters get exposed for having no clue. He'll be a very good footballer for this club.

Absolutely dead on the money!! The Cook bagging, just ridiculous.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

ANYONE worth their salt, who knew what Cook was about before he got a gig for the Crows, called this. He was ALWAYS going to divide supporters because so many people have a ****ing ridiculous inability to differentiate between raw and not up to it. It's when someone like him comes along that the armchair wannabe recruiters get exposed for having no clue. He'll be a very good footballer for this club.

I had my doubts early because I couldn't see any special AFL qualities (Schmidt ) .......however his agility in close is something special and if he can use his pace a bit more he'll be a good player

He appears to be a little nervy ......so it might take a while for him to feel comfortable at AFL level

He's had some very ordinary games this year .....but it appears the club is persevering with him

He's only played 8 games ........I have a hunch he could be OK

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Griffin 22 touches, 8 marks 4 tackles 29 hit outs 2nd best in the paper. As poor and as soft as he has been i think he needs a few afl games in a row to decide once and for all if he can offer anything at the highest level.
.

Griffin knew this season was a big one for his career ......he apparently had a good PS and then bombed miserably when it really counted

He may be a very good SANFL player .......but IMO he hasn't the heart to play against the bigger more aggressive AFL ruckmen

 

[smoovy]

ANYONE worth their salt, who knew what Cook was about before he got a gig for the Crows, called this. He was ALWAYS going to divide supporters because so many people have a ****ing ridiculous inability to differentiate between raw and not up to it. It's when someone like him comes along that the armchair wannabe recruiters get exposed for having no clue. He'll be a very good footballer for this club.

If he divides opinion, then clearly the jury is out.

I make my observations on what I see on TV and at the ground. Obviously none of us are in the best position to judge because we don't have available to us all information, thats the coaching staff. I will be more than glad to be proved wrong about Cook. Which I pleased to say so far today he had done

 

[WALL-e]

Please not Cooks toughness and desire to take the game on today.

He's been caught HTB and had a couple of iffy kicks, but that rolling kick to Danger was just brilliant.

 

[Riggy1]

Please not Cooks toughness and desire to take the game on today.

He's been caught HTB and had a couple of iffy kicks, but that rolling kick to Danger was just brilliant.

It was one of the few cases where a clanger turned effective thanks to the hard running of the target

 

[amer]

It was one of the few cases where a clanger turned effective thanks to the hard running of the target

FFS.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

It was one of the few cases where a clanger turned effective thanks to the hard running of the target

I have to disagree to be honest it looked like a deliberate kick to space for mine. I thought he showed great poise with that kick.

I am not a lover or hater of the kid but I am just stating what I saw.

 

[Drummond]

Please not Cooks toughness and desire to take the game on today.

He's been caught HTB and had a couple of iffy kicks, but that rolling kick to Danger was just brilliant.

Very, very intelligent kick. Didn't have much time so he went with the end over end kick to allow Danger to use his speed to run onto the ball.

Riggy, get a clue.

 

[amer]

"James Sellar kicked a goal and collected 11 disposals and eight marks...Shaun McKernan kicked three goals and had 16 hitouts...

http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/94916/default.aspx

Sounds like Smack could be a chance this week. Also Sloane dog copped an early corky, probably affected his output.

 

[WALL-e]

Watch the highlights!

Why the **** can't Griffin do this in the AFL. Why?

 

[Dandy_GO]

Big Griff looked awesome. I've been a pretty massive critic ever since the Hawthorn final in '07, but I wouldn't see much harm in giving him a go next week, given where our season is at, and that Maric's looking like he's starting to struggle with the workload a bit.

Nice work from big Donno! Into double figures possessions again! Actually looked like he knew what he was doing in the highlights too

 

[cmndstab]

Gee, he really did look good I wish we'd see the jump and thump approach at AFL level more often

Donnelly looks enormous at reserves level He's got a serious body these days after coming to the Crows as a rake.

 

[Barnsey3150]

How did Sloane go? I have him in my Supercoach team and I have stuck with him thru his injury as I had high hopes after his Pre Season performances.

 

[cmndstab]

Seems to be struggling a touch at the moment, but the club holds him in high regard. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a gig again later in the season, but I don't think he's going to be a big money earner for you.

 

[Cap]

Seems to be struggling a touch at the moment, but the club holds him in high regard. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a gig again later in the season, but I don't think he's going to be a big money earner for you.

yikes!!

Griffin looked awesome, has it got something to do with injury free? strong at the ball and the body full of run and alot of smart work

if not injury is it confidence?

 

[Drummond]

We all said the EXACT same things about Griffin early last season when he was in the SANFL. Go back and revisit those threads, we all said he looked insanely good, just dominant out there. Unfortunately, his SANFL results never transfered to the AFL, he's in his element in the SANFL.

 

[Cap]

I think he looks alot better this time round.