VFL VFL Round 7 v Geelong. Saturday 12:05pm @ Victoria Park

[Harry O]

I thought our VFL squad looked very competitive this year. Sadly, I was wrong

Andy Otten was a loss. Had them playing a good brand last season

 

[Apex36]

I thought our VFL squad looked very competitive this year. Sadly, I was wrong

Geelong VFL is the best team in it this year by a good margin imo. It’s not like we got belted by 100 like Casey did against a middle of the road Carlton side.

 

[sherrife]

Howes and West are very exciting finds. Swadling too. Allen and HDM tragic misses, you can see why both interested the scouts but just not good enough.

 

[sr36]

Not sure what his drop off is due to this year because he looked solid last year for the lions vfl. Perhaps a role change he hasn’t adjusted to?

My guess would be role change, but playing beside a few others in that midfield with blinkers on who just dump it forward wouldn't help either.

 

[Vankri]

Not sure what his drop off is due to this year because he looked solid last year for the lions vfl. Perhaps a role change he hasn’t adjusted to?

I’m basing this more on hope than evidence, but it’s possible he has hit the gym as a professional for the first time and has been put on fast program to bulking as an inside mid and struggling with his running as a result.

It would be good to see him improve his contest to contest work later in the year and to see a big improvement next year.

Because the alternative would be that he’s just too slow and doesn’t have the stamina which is simply a no go as an AFL player.

 

[TradeDraft]

Geelong VFL is the best team in it this year by a good margin imo. It’s not like we got belted by 100 like Casey did against a middle of the road Carlton side.

Does help Geelong that Umps play for them as well

 

[Chronz]

West. Looking good, can't wait until he gets a decent block of senior games.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Full time.

Collingwood 8.7.55
Geelong 17.14.116

Goals: West 4, Teakle, Saxena, Harrison, Faulkhead

Disposals: Allan 32, Swadling 29, Ryan 24, DeMattia 21, Jiath 20, Faulkhead 19, De Bolfo 17, Saxena 15, Woewodin 14

AF Points: De Bolfo 100, Allan 99, Ryan 94, Swadling 77, Saxena 71

 

[stormskye]

Not a good game for short term AFL team. But a good one for the future with that 4 all looking good again. I'm warming to Prindable too - he's got some class, but can't get the footy enough yet.

His last two touches were excellent. He does have class with ball in hand. Agree just needs to find it more. Needs a pre season for some size. Prindables brain in Allan’s body might be a player

 

[Roverjg]

Having not seen the game curious as to George Stevens & Jhye Clark performed for the Cats. They had been discussed in another thread

 

[jc37]

His last two touches were excellent. He does have class with ball in hand. Agree just needs to find it more. Needs a pre season for some size. Prindables brain in Allan’s body might be a player

He has 100% been a disappointment so far. Reminds me a little of Arlo Draper in at times he could look great he just cant get the ball. I think we should have kept Mitchell as a VFL player as he would be ideal as an on field coach for someone like Prindable.

 

[Dtennent94]

How was Allan today? Good game last week and saw he had 32 today. Assume he wasn’t too good seeing as no one is mentioning him?

 

[sr36]

Honestly it’s been a long while since I’ve had genuine excitement over more than 1-2 of our more junior players, but I’m convinced that these 4 can make the step up, they just seem to have “it”.

Agree. VFL isn't usually a good place to watch our future players, but this year there's some who look very likely. Hayes will probably be there too.

 

[WanderingDude]

After realising the umpires clearly had nothing on their minds other than touching us without consent, I stopped caring about the result and started focussing on our young brigade. And there was plenty to like!

Saxena - while there was nothing outstanding about his game according to the stat sheet, he showed poise, and just did a bunch of little things that you just know will translate well at senior level. Still another 12 months off pushing for a spot you’d think, but a lot to like about his game.

Howes - had a brief debate with sr36 in the preseason about who should be sent to defence of our tall forwards. I was camp Howes and sr was camp McCarthy. I am pleased to have been proven right, because jeez he’s taken to the role like a duck to water. He looks like a long term KPD prospect now when he was looking close to being a delist prospect late last year.

West - just play the kid, he’s going to be a star.

Swadling - was our best on ground imo. Unlike earlier games, he looked composed with ball in hand today and made mostly the right decisions. Disposal was great, went at 83% DE, and just knows where to be to get the ball. Not adverse to running and bouncing, looks to have pace, good size and natural footy smarts. He’s clearly adjusted to the step up in pace going from colts/wafl to VFL now, which bodes very well for him being able to adjust to the next step in AFL footy too.

Honestly it’s been a long while since I’ve had genuine excitement over more than 1-2 of our more junior players, but I’m convinced that these 4 can make the step up, they just seem to have “it”.

I get hung up on umpires. I am get upset about constancy. Today they had a mare. The solution was to watch the youth. The wet conditions were a challenge. A top side like Geelong is a challenge.
The older youth showed good and bad. That is HDM, Allan and Ryan. It was HDMs first game back and he found the ball. The score board was disappointing for the team. Phillips was a disappointment, maybe my expectations are very wrong or too soon. In the middle we lacked pressure and Geelong transitioned too easily. The youth development has great potential. 4-6 players for the young crew in VFL and AFL is a brilliant and possible outcome. Both Bobby and HH need more VFL time. HH faded and Bobby just ain’t ready. There were of few times where players watched rather than getting involved. But this is an area of team improvement. Howes, Saxena, Swadling, HH, WEST and Bobby all had their moments where they are just great to watch. Allan and TJ brain fades were not great to watch but also had good moments.

 

[sr36]

How was Allan today? Good game last week and saw he had 32 today. Assume he wasn’t too good seeing as no one is mentioning him?

It was a wet ball and his skills are sloppy in dry conditions.

 

[CPH12]

Similar observations to others it seems

Howes - hope they've signed him up for a couple of years, because he is rock solid CHB. Needs to tidy disposal a little but more decision making than execution.
Saxena- amazing how someone that size can use his body to take 2 clever marks. Has some tricks, think he will go well.
West- developing beautifully,
Swadling- love how he takes the game on, messes up occasionally bit can find the footy at will and thought his kicking was quite good today
Prindable- if he can find more of it, he has some neat skills as an inside mid
Allan/Ryan/Demattia - get lots of footy, but zero hurt factor. 1st game back for HDM so will hopefully get better, but for anyone saying Allan is an inside mid, I hope you watched today. Can't tackle and never 1st to the football.
Harrison- bit concerned, not seeing what's others have and he seems to struggle to get involved. Will hopefully improve as year goes on

 

[Dtennent94]

It was a wet ball and his skills are sloppy in dry conditions.

So like, was he doing dumb stuff and handing the ball to the oppo for goals? Or just a bit ineffective and hurting momentum on offence?

Would’ve thought wet weather might be okay for him and it would just bring everyone down to his level and his hack kicks going forward would be less detrimental.

 

[sr36]

So like, was he doing dumb stuff and handing the ball to the oppo for goals? Or just a bit ineffective and hurting momentum on offence?

Would’ve thought wet weather might be okay for him and it would just bring everyone down to his level and his hack kicks going forward would be less detrimental.

I think wet weather differentiates skill level more than dry conditions. Fumbly, dodgy handballs - blind forward but also sloppy ones to targets.

 

[Kappa]

Didn't watch today but good news to see West Howes Swadling showing they're all improving week to week. At this stage thats all you need to see.

TJ HDM and Ryan seem to have plateaued

 

[Dtennent94]

I think wet weather differentiates skill level more than dry conditions. Fumbly, dodgy handballs - blind forward but also sloppy ones to targets.

Yeah it certainly exposes poor hands. It can cover up dodgy kicking, depending on the decisions the player makes and the gameplan.

 

[manicpie]

Didn't watch today but good news to see West Howes Swadling showing they're all improving week to week. At this stage thats all you need to see.

TJ HDM and Ryan seem to have plateaued

TJ and Ryan were close to BOG.

 

[Scodog10]

I’m basing this more on hope than evidence, but it’s possible he has hit the gym as a professional for the first time and has been put on fast program to bulking as an inside mid and struggling with his running as a result.

It would be good to see him improve his contest to contest work later in the year and to see a big improvement next year.

Because the alternative would be that he’s just too slow and doesn’t have the stamina which is simply a no go as an AFL player.

This was my concern on draft night, but he showed good lateral movement v Box Hill which was a more encouraging match. The problem for most of the season thus far is that he looks for all the world like a top up player. All of Swadling, Anderson and Saxena show genuine AFL traits (whether it translates is another story) and I’m yet to see it with him outside that match.

TJ and Ryan were close to BOG.

Ryan getting close to a senior recall, IMO.

 

[manicpie]

This was my concern on draft night, but he showed good lateral movement v Box Hill which was a more encouraging match. The problem for most of the season thus far is that he looks for all the world like a top up player. All of Swadling, Anderson and Saxena show genuine AFL traits (whether it translates is another story) and I’m yet to see it with him.

Ryan getting close to a senior recall, IMO.

Ryan looks like he finally might be ready

 

[Scodog10]

Ryan looks like he finally might be ready

Maturity is a helluva thing. Physically, mentally and emotionally it makes a big difference to some young men. With no Perryman there’s an opening (I think we’re a defender shy this week).

 

[SchuPie]

We mid need a mature “beast” mid who’s not quite good enough for AFL to be the on field leader / protector for our young mids and to stop us getting killed around the stoppage (which constantly puts our defensive players under pressure