Thoughts On The Brisbane Game (post game)

[Dandy_GO]

That doesn't suit most arguments, so people have moved on to :

'Yeah but most of Moran's hit outs went -straight- to a Brisbane player!'

There were some stats in the paper last week that suggested all of our ruckmen were above the competition average when it came to hitouts to advantage too.

I agree that our ruckmen are copping a lot more than their fair share of the blame, given the terrible form several of our midfielders are in.

Still not a Moran fan though. It's extremely frustrating seeing a bloke his size fail to even bring the ball to ground in marking contests. Really needs to lift it up a notch and attack the ball and the man with the kind of ferocity you should have when you're one of the biggest blokes on the field.

 

[King Elvis]

Moran skirts around too many contests.

He makes a lot of them, but he doesn't then commit to being in them; to the point where he seems to position himself poorly so he can't quite get there.

I hope it's just a lack of understanding of where to position himself, because if he figures it out, he's a massive unit with good pace, and he could really do some damage, both with the ball - and by scaring the shit out of the opposition whenever he was in the area, because they'd know he'd be going in at the ball at full tilt.

 

[Sekaj]

Moran seems to disappear when the side is struggling. Would like to see him make his presence felt when things aren't going so well.

Then again Tippett wasn't exactly standing out in the second half last week.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

There were some stats in the paper last week that suggested all of our ruckmen were above the competition average when it came to hitouts to advantage too.

First half last week was very good. Second half...

Fair enough that Brisbane's midfield worked their way into the game after a poor first half but what I was most disappointed with were two of our hit outs in the 3rd quarter that produced fast break scoring chances for them.

First Brad Symes went up as the 3rd man at a bounce down on the attack side of centre. Trouble was that was was facing Brisbane's goal and smacked it forward/left, clear of the pack for them to run on to. And Secondly Tippett did exactly the same thing in the middle of the ground a bit later. Cleared the pack towards Brisbane's goal, they ran onto it and scored. Doc Clarke at his B&F winning best couldn't have put it on a platter for them any better.

Aside from that, Daniel Rich was awesome. Christ can he play. Pick 6? Will throw it out there now that he'll be better than any of the top five. Another Brisbane Brownlow Medal winning midfielder coming up.

 

[Kennyrocks]

Aside from that, Daniel Rich was awesome. Christ can he play. Pick 6? Will throw it out there now that he'll be better than any of the top five. Another Brisbane Brownlow Medal winning midfielder coming up.

I'm not saying you're necessarily wrong but in fairness to the top six taken above him (he went at 7) it was never surprising that Rich has made the most impact so far. With the most mature body, having played in the WAFL for two (very successful) seasons at Subiaco hes already got the experience.

Lets look at the other 6 for comparison:

Jack Watts is very much a long term prospect as you're undoubtedly aware. Having played more Basketball than football at this stage, the upside of Watts is well known. From what I have seen he has awesome potential, in addition to completing year 12 2009 was obviously never going to be his year. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new here.

Nick Naitanui is another long term pick, obviously a different type of player to Watts but there are similarities in where they were at prior to the draft and there will be similarities in development. Very raw, but very exciting prospect. Still learning a lot about footy but will be amazing.

Despite Stephen Hill's very slight frame his amazing agility has seen him make an impact this year. I have been surprised at how well he has done, this is not a criticism of him in any way but its probably more of a measure of where Freo are at than how ready he was/is for AFL football that he was played so early. Harvey would have been tempted to play him early on after he copped it for not playing Palmer, also good for his job security to say "look we're playing the kids".

Port couldn't really go wrong with Hamish Hartlett, may rival Rich for rising star but I'd be surprised-being a flashy outsider helps his case here though. Long term he is a bit too much of an outsider for my liking but I recognise you do need those types and he oozes class.

As a key position player Michael Hurley was never a smart bet for rising star 2009. He is actually more advanced than most would think, but injuries have held him back this year.

Chris Yarran was recruited by Carlton mainly to boost their small forward stocks, which looked like they were sorely lacking. Out of the six mentioned I had him second behind Rich to make the most impact this year however discipline, form issues and some controversy have meant he has not played as many games as he would've liked so far. He will have his chance.

So there you go, Rich is undoubtably a gun but was always going to make a big impact this year. With a more mature body, a good footy head on his shoulders already and as much experience as any other draftee in the 2008 national draft he was always set for a cracker in 09. He slipped to the Lions mainly because of the requirements of the other clubs and the fact that Hartlett was from SA. In the end Brisbane ended up with an absolute steal and the player who IMO should win the rising star in a canter. A brownlow at some stage is certainly not beyond him.

 

[RoosterLad]

First half last week was very good. Second half...

Fair enough that Brisbane's midfield worked their way into the game after a poor first half but what I was most disappointed with were two of our hit outs in the 3rd quarter that produced fast break scoring chances for them.

First Brad Symes went up as the 3rd man at a bounce down on the attack side of centre. Trouble was that was was facing Brisbane's goal and smacked it forward/left, clear of the pack for them to run on to. And Secondly Tippett did exactly the same thing in the middle of the ground a bit later. Cleared the pack towards Brisbane's goal, they ran onto it and scored. Doc Clarke at his B&F winning best couldn't have put it on a platter for them any better.

Aside from that, Daniel Rich was awesome. Christ can he play. Pick 6? Will throw it out there now that he'll be better than any of the top five. Another Brisbane Brownlow Medal winning midfielder coming up.

Agree with all points. Could not believe our decision making at times, I remember the Tippett one well. I think it was Johnstone who was all by himself? You could see it happening a mile away yet Tippett smacks it straight to him. Absolutely ridiculous and should have been dragged.

Rich is also a gun. He was fantastic against us.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

First Brad Symes went up as the 3rd man at a bounce down on the attack side of centre. Trouble was that was was facing Brisbane's goal and smacked it forward/left, clear of the pack for them to run on to. And Secondly Tippett did exactly the same thing in the middle of the ground a bit later. Cleared the pack towards Brisbane's goal, they ran onto it and scored. Doc Clarke at his B&F winning best couldn't have put it on a platter for them any better.

C'mon Carl, you know as well as i do that those rucking incidents must have been Moran's fault

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

C'mon Carl, you know as well as i do that those rucking incidents must have been Moran's fault

Moran delivered some good taps in the first half but, like many team mates, was largely invisible in the second half.

If Moran is smart (... ) he'll realise that Hentschel's future is pretty cloudy, that Stevens is in poor form and that Maric has fallen out of favour at the moment. The next few weeks are his big chance to establish himself as a senior player (key position and/or ruck) and to commaned a permanent spot in our 22.

There is a window there for him.

My instinct is that he'll underwhelm during this period and continue to yo-yo between the SANFL and the AFL. But maybe he'll grab his chance.

 

[johnnypanther]

Moran skirts around too many contests.

He makes a lot of them, but he doesn't then commit to being in them; to the point where he seems to position himself poorly so he can't quite get there.

I hope it's just a lack of understanding of where to position himself, because if he figures it out, he's a massive unit with good pace, and he could really do some damage, both with the ball - and by scaring the shit out of the opposition whenever he was in the area, because they'd know he'd be going in at the ball at full tilt.

hmmmm "Moran" and "skirts" the 2 words are synonymous at the moment
- sorry girls

having said that, i wish he could find some intensity and physicality because i still think that Tippet & a physical Moran are our best 2 "ruckmen" in todays AFL style game

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Moran delivered some good taps in the first half but, like many team mates, was largely invisible in the second half.

If Moran is smart (... ) he'll realise that Hentschel's future is pretty cloudy, that Stevens is in poor form and that Maric has fallen out of favour at the moment. The next few weeks are his big chance to establish himself as a senior player (key position and/or ruck) and to commaned a permanent spot in our 22.

There is a window there for him.

My instinct is that he'll underwhelm during this period and continue to yo-yo between the SANFL and the AFL. But maybe he'll grab his chance.

Totally agree with that. Huge opportunity for Moran.

Unfortunately, i also agree with your instinct about his ability to take this opportunity. Probably more questions than answers after the nexy few weeks.