VFL Practice Match - Port Melbourne v Geelong

Seb

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I was at the game yesterday, and let me tell you all, Nathan Ablett was superb. The kid can mark and kick accurately (though he did miss a couple). Matthew McCarthy, providing he continues to miss kick the ball and drop easy chest marks on the lead, will be gone by season's end to leave some space for him.

Brent Prismall has already shown why he has the big wraps, too. Good side-stepping ability, not afraid of a tough contest and adequate skills. Definitely worthy of a senior call-up sometime in season 2005.

Tim Callan, well, he is a muscular kid, and definitely a good one. Looked sharp and again, worthy of a senior call up.

Rahilly was good in patches, but his dreadful disposal continued to let him down.

Matthew Spencer looked a likely type at full back. Took a few grabs, looked quite quick for a big man and also was good with the spoiling. Another one to debut.

Lonergan was bitterly disappointing. Could not get into the game at all.

All i can really think of at the moment.

There's a match report on Geelong Info, here
 

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Seb

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Just remembered Geelong Info are quick to take down their articles so I'll post it here.



GOOD TO GO
Saturday, February 19
Jay Clark

NATHAN Ablett's days in the VFL appear numbered after booting 5.2 in a best-afield performance against Port Melbourne last night.
The haul included a spectacular mark juggled between two opponents and capped with a blinding handball as he fell twisting to the ground.

It was an all in one movement and hit teammate Daniel Byrne running top speed into an open goal, bringing a modest Optus Oval crowd to its feet.

The 19-year-old moved like his father did in his prime, bursting from the goal square to mark either side of his body and overhead on at least six occasions.

Three of them were put through the goals post-high from between 35 to 50 metres out as proof he has a sharp right boot to match his vice-like grip.

The youngster was targeted on several occasions by his close-checking opponents but goaled from two of the three free kicks he received for being taken high inside the arc.

Just as impressive was his tenacity on the rebound, working hard to turn the ball over as the Cats beat the Kangaroos' VFL affiliate by 18 points.

He even worked right up the ground into the centre when required to the delight of eager Cats fans, who believe he is the real deal.

It didn't take him long to assert himself on the ground either, booting the Cats' first three goals in a major boost to his confidence.

Ablett's every move was closely watched by the entire Geelong senior coaching staff, including Mark Thompson, who could see Ablett has the ability to play senior football.

But he will wait as long as it takes with the youngster, to ensure he is ready before promoting him to the big time.

The patient approach was reflected in the decision to drag the red-hot full forward just before three-quarter time, to give his fellow forwards a go.

VFL coach Leigh Tudor couldn't help but marvel at Ablett's skill and ability to read the ball, but played down the performance as one of a number of solid contributions.
 

cats56

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Nice report. Nathan obviously has the potential as touted. I remember seeing Prismall in U/18 champs and noted "while not a star did most things pretty well" . Was very happy to get him at 32 in draft. Certainly could add depth to the midfield in time. Tim Callan shouldn't be far away. Good to hear positives about Spencer but not so good about Lonergan. Goota go.
 

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#5
Seb, agree on your comments with the above mentioned players, but I think a key player you missed was Mark Blake.

Still fairly raw, but did some nice stuff. Will probably never have the body of Steven King, which is of a slight disadvantage against bigger bodied ruckmen, but is a very solid tap ruckman. I thought he moved very well during the match, and was amongst our best, especially considering he carried the bulk of the ruckwork for the team.

On another note, for those who haven't already figured, the likes of Lonergan, Blake, and Rahilly, who were all named in the original squad of 28, all played yesterday. Don't quote me, but if I've calculated correctly we'll go into Sunday's match with, at the very least, 2 of Riccardi, Milburn, Mooney -- a message perhaps that the selectors are willing to play an ageing veteran and/or play 2 players who earlier this week were under injury clouds, during a preseason comp.
 

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#6
cats56 said:
Nice report. Nathan obviously has the potential as touted. I remember seeing Prismall in U/18 champs and noted "while not a star did most things pretty well" . Was very happy to get him at 32 in draft. Certainly could add depth to the midfield in time. Tim Callan shouldn't be far away. Good to hear positives about Spencer but not so good about Lonergan. Goota go.
Given that Beemer was not even drafted and two years later is worth a first rounder , I cant see any reason that Prismall cant become another solid senior player in that on ball group.
 

nananana catman

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#7
I dont know if its been pointed out yet, but Nathan only played just over 2 1/4s of the game. I went for a look and left salivating, the kid can play.

Blake, Spencer and Callan also good and I thought Thurley played a good game. Did rate Lonergan as one of the best players, but I thought he had a reasonable game.

BTW the guy with blonde hair that no-one could identify played, it certianly aint Tom Dwyer, but he did hurt his arm pretty badly.
 

nananana catman

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#8
GeeCat said:
Seb, agree on your comments with the above mentioned players, but I think a key player you missed was Mark Blake.

Still fairly raw, but did some nice stuff. Will probably never have the body of Steven King, which is of a slight disadvantage against bigger bodied ruckmen, but is a very solid tap ruckman. I thought he moved very well during the match, and was amongst our best, especially considering he carried the bulk of the ruckwork for the team.

On another note, for those who haven't already figured, the likes of Lonergan, Blake, and Rahilly, who were all named in the original squad of 28, all played yesterday. Don't quote me, but if I've calculated correctly we'll go into Sunday's match with, at the very least, 2 of Riccardi, Milburn, Mooney -- a message perhaps that the selectors are willing to play an ageing veteran and/or play 2 players who earlier this week were under injury clouds, during a preseason comp.
Apparently Steve Johnson was meant to play VFL, maybe hell go into the wizz team?
 

cats56

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#9
GeeCat, good to hear about Blakey. Surely he has to be a better bet than Chambers. Still blokes of his size and build take time and we'll just have to be patient. Anyone able to report on the rookies? Batchelor, Buckland, Garth and Sheringham.
 
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#10
garth was ok but he replaced ablett in the goalsquare after half time and was no where near as effective but i think he could be an ok player.
buckland was solid without being fantastic.
sheringham got a fair bit of it and did some good things.
batchelor didnt really stand out to me, im abit iffy on him.
 

cats56

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#11
ablett factor said:
garth was ok but he replaced ablett in the goalsquare after half time and was no where near as effective but i think he could be an ok player.
buckland was solid without being fantastic.
sheringham got a fair bit of it and did some good things.
batchelor didnt really stand out to me, im abit iffy on him.
Appreciated. Thanks.
 

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GeeCat

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#12
cats56 said:
GeeCat, good to hear about Blakey. Surely he has to be a better bet than Chambers. Still blokes of his size and build take time and we'll just have to be patient. Anyone able to report on the rookies? Batchelor, Buckland, Garth and Sheringham.
Batchelor is fairly wirey, has good pace though but was a bit player on the day I felt.

Sheringham is fairly well built already, looked like Josh Hunt out there (although, perhaps not that well built). Fairly composed and his disposal was sound coming out of defence.

Buckland is looking bigger than when I last saw him, and looks to have a good future. Threw his body into numerous contests, provided good drive off the flank, and was a good judge of the ball most of the time. A good season this year should lead to an upgrade off the rookie list at seasons end you would think.

Couldn't pinpoint Garth out there unfortunately.
 
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