Things we've learnt from tonight

[HFF]

We are tough!

Right across the board young and old, first year-second year-third year players etc, we are ferocious at both the ball and the man.

We are imposing physically across the board too. Our kids vs. Essendon kids tonight clearly showed we are light years ahead.

Sense of unsociable footy played by us this year. Shows why we concede a numerous amount of free kicks too.

Our key position stocks are plentiful and cherry ripe. Who do we play in the backline? We have Maxy and Harry to bring back, yet both Goldy and Cox were in our best last night. I think Goldy is now big enough, quick enough and smart enough to hold down CHB- Jarrad Waite/Nathan Bock style.

Our forward line? Take your pick. Rocca, Rus, Medders all to come back, add Dawes to that list too, JA is in super form and what of Reid? I think Reidy is going to explode. Could form a wonderful partnership with Clokey ala Roughy and Franklin. Yet, he offers us such versatility with his height, speed and mobility, so perhaps CHB?

Midfield depth is awesome. Take your pick from tonights performance and rotations and add Wellingham, Blight, Rounds, Johnson etc.

Main problem is round 1. There is no longer a "best 22" at Collingwood. This is the first time since I can remember where I do not know who is going to play round 1. Depth is sensational and there are 40 players on the list that can easily come in, step up and play a role consistently week in, week out.

So to all those who think we have been fielding our "strongest side" in the NAB Cup, you don't actualy realise most of them are kids who have played less than 20 games and they all look like they belong at AFL level.

 

[FuManchu]

and thankfully not everyone is a churlish, moaning, peevish complainant.

If MM rolls up to the first training session this week and says that their disposal NOT under pressure was unacceptable at times, he is churlish, moaning, peevish and complaining?

Because I am hazarding a guess it will be mentioned.

I did notice others pretty much said the same thing, yet you decide to highlight mine. Are you obsessed with someone who likes to call it as they see it? Maybe independent thinking wasnt allowed in your flock!

 

[shawthing09]

With Cooks inept ability to tag should we try Goldsack in the middle as a tagger?

Barham or Shaz would be my first two options. Both will hurt going the other way, love a contest, tackle well and have great pace. If Barham's learning curve last year is anything to go by he will get better pretty quickly. That said with the lack of a tagger for us atm and his pace and intensity I think it could be worth a shot.

What we learnt last night is minus Rocca the most cohessive foward set up we have seen so far is Cloke Ried Anthony. Anthony was able to make his good body position count this week by holding them. The delivery was better and so where his hands. Unlike Ruzzler he doesn't need the whole 50 to be effective. Therefore Cloke can play a bit closer to goal in the CHF/ FF role he is adapting too. Ried playing the ROK / Tarrant style lead up HFF/ Wing and Anthony as the FF.

The clearances has been an issue but it's no suprise considering how poor both rucks where last night. Bryan hurts more with his mistakes but I'd suggest Wood hurt's his midfielders with the lack of any noticable pressance.

Cox needs to be given game time. Toovey is ahead of Cook in term's of any sort of competition for tagger / back pocket. The competition for spots in the backline is huge. Presti, Brown, O'Brien, Heater are givens then there is Cox, Toovs, Goldsack aswell as guys like Tarks, Clarke, L Brown.

Beams is very AFL ready. His got a great ability to sum up whether he serves the team better by going in or staying out. He seems to almost never find himself in a useless position (i.e waiting outside whilst we lose the contest or going into a contest he doesn't need to.) Uses the ball well and has great natural awareness sums up his options very quickly.

 

[King Woodie]

With Cooks inept ability to tag should we try Goldsack in the middle as a tagger?

I think it would be a waste of his ariel contesting ability. I think if we were going to set a stretch goal for Goldy, it would be CHB. If he could fill out and become a mobile centre half back, it would alleviate a shallow position for us, and make room on the flanks. He needs to work on his one on one contesting though. He has the height and the speed.

 

[King Woodie]

We are tough!

Right across the board young and old, first year-second year-third year players etc, we are ferocious at both the ball and the man.

We are imposing physically across the board too. Our kids vs. Essendon kids tonight clearly showed we are light years ahead.

Sense of unsociable footy played by us this year. Shows why we concede a numerous amount of free kicks too.

Our key position stocks are plentiful and cherry ripe. Who do we play in the backline? We have Maxy and Harry to bring back, yet both Goldy and Cox were in our best last night. I think Goldy is now big enough, quick enough and smart enough to hold down CHB- Jarrad Waite/Nathan Bock style.

Our forward line? Take your pick. Rocca, Rus, Medders all to come back, add Dawes to that list too, JA is in super form and what of Reid? I think Reidy is going to explode. Could form a wonderful partnership with Clokey ala Roughy and Franklin. Yet, he offers us such versatility with his height, speed and mobility, so perhaps CHB?

Midfield depth is awesome. Take your pick from tonights performance and rotations and add Wellingham, Blight, Rounds, Johnson etc.

Main problem is round 1. There is no longer a "best 22" at Collingwood. This is the first time since I can remember where I do not know who is going to play round 1. Depth is sensational and there are 40 players on the list that can easily come in, step up and play a role consistently week in, week out.

So to all those who think we have been fielding our "strongest side" in the NAB Cup, you don't actualy realise most of them are kids who have played less than 20 games and they all look like they belong at AFL level.

Beat me too it. I like where you head is at. I think HE should be developed into this position rather than Ben Reid.

 

[King Woodie]

Barham or Shaz would be my first two options.

I agree, with McCarthy as well these three should be our "defensive run-with options" this year, as each can cover off a different type of ball winner. Barham has the speed / fitness combination that would make it work, as well as his willingness to stick a tackle. What he doesn't have is great body power, so players like Ablett would just be able to run through him, but he could present as an option against the Harveys of the competition.

I still see all three as being longer term attacking mids, but I think it would be good for either or each of them to come into the side and into the middle to perform a role.

 

[BlueTouchPaper]

See if you agree with me

Anthony WILL play as a permanent forward in 09

If there is one thing Malthouse has, it's a brain. Probably playing him in the backline taught JA alot about the mechanics and methodology of forwards, he seemed to be able to read the play v.well last night, which you wouldn't necessarily expect from the pinch-hitting player he was used as last year, especially one so young. His brilliant kicking shouldn't be wasted in the backline. However, if Malthouse is one thing, its stubborn - could well end up in the backline for long stints like last year - I'm not sure what the MC or MM have said about him however.

Presti will be key to our success this year.

I think this is going a little far, as another poster wrote, in the second half he looked out - still provided massive amounts of effort which is all you can ask for, and I assume he didn't get many kicked on him, but with his lack of match prep (?? interrupted preseason maybe) he might struggle to play the majority of games, and would be best rested for the finals. Will be dominated by long leading players I think, but will have a field day against inexperienced midfields with questionable I50 delivery. Still one of the most solid one-on-one overhead.

 

[Bonuspoints]

What I learnt:
Every midsized player has to perform or else they will be replaced. We've got some very nice depth right now and if someone is struggling we have a competitive replacement. We have a wave of young talent coming through, which is going to make for some of the right kind of headaches come team selection time.

09 for Wood is a development year. He needs to find some agro and foot skill. But he's 21 and rucks take time so I'm fine with this for now.

Anthony has the spot over Rusling.

Collingwood fans are very excited right now.