WAFL - Round 8

[Underdog]

great report underdog, what were naitas skills like?? and is he one grab yet overhead?

also did the big blood-nut take nottes' spot, how did tony go?

I thought Nicko's skills looked fine. I can't remember how many marks he had but I do remember a good 1 grab contested mark over a player.

Tony was used as a utility really. When Nicko went off he spent a lot of time up the ground and in the ruck. When forward, he wasn't the main focus as usual due to the presence of Hansen. As such, it's a bit hard to judge his performance. I thought he played well in the roles he was given.

 

[Underdog]

Good news for Naitanui, also interested to know about his marking/skills.

I think his skill deficiencies have been overstated, he's no Shannion Hurn but his skills are decent enough.

He didn't get a great deal of the ball today, but as I said, he did some nice things and absolutely dominated the ruck work. I just love when he gets the ball and takes people on, it's great to watch, opposition players would be better off throwing themselves in front of him then attempting to tackle him.

A good return I think.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

I was happy with Naitanuis return out taped and out muscled clark in most contests. His defensive pressure was great as well.

 

[swannies]

I think his skill deficiencies have been overstated, he's no Shannion Hurn but his skills are decent enough.

He didn't get a great deal of the ball today, but as I said, he did some nice things and absolutely dominated the ruck work. I just love when he gets the ball and takes people on, it's great to watch, opposition players would be better off throwing themselves in front of him then attempting to tackle him.

A good return I think.

Absolutely agree with that. And those time when he just launched, I think it was about 3-4 times in the second half, and Clarke was left just looking up at him.

I thought he was back to his more instinctive self, great in the clearances once the ball hit the deck. That run through the middle in the last when he side stepped the rover, brilliant, but then ran into the next EP player and handed off to Robinson/Twomey to kick the goal? I've always said his handballing is very, very good and it was creative and damaging, has excellent vision when in close, today.

Someone asked if his marks were one touch? Short answer, yes. Don't think I saw a juggled mark from him today.

Notte, was out on his feet in the last, but swung from forward to defense, utility as Underdog said, and played that role pretty well. However, in the last he went forward, took a good leading mark and had a shot from 50+, which missed, but his marking is certainly a strength. Hit Hansen on the chest, with his left, when playing up the flank in the third. On that note, I suspect the umpire was an Eagles member, fess up if it's you, because he gave away 4 unfathomable free kicks after taking the mark.

 

[swannies]

great report underdog, what were naitas skills like?? and is he one grab yet overhead?

also did the big blood-nut take nottes' spot, how did tony go?

Never been a Hansen hater Jako, but today the stark difference in marking skills was there for all to see, myself included. Which was heading me towards the when Notte was pushed into the utility role. He even did some rucking and was quite OK, has a good leap and like Naita, tended to follow the ball onto the ground and into the pack.

 

[lewigie]

Am liking the news on Naitanui

 

[Underdog]

Am liking the news on Naitanui

Let's not get carried away though.

He was very dominant in the ruck work but the rest of the game he essentially only showed glimpses - perhaps mainly due to lack of fitness.

However, it was a good return for him considering the circumstances and he's still very much a work in progress.

 

[lewigie]

2-3 weeks in the WAFL to get his fitness up, then AFL!

No pressure

 

[swannies]

Let's not get carried away though.

He was very dominant in the ruck work but the rest of the game he essentially only showed glimpses - perhaps mainly due to lack of fitness.

However, it was a good return for him considering the circumstances and he's still very much a work in progress.

Already been a huge improvement in his marking though, don't you reckon? That was the 1 thing that really stood out to me.

 

[Anjahads]

Any news on how Swift played,I see he had 14 possesions only.

 

[Underdog]

Already been a huge improvement in his marking though, don't you reckon? That was the 1 thing that really stood out to me.

Call it a dodgy memory or me being too busy watching umpires go arse up but I don't remember too many Nicko marks. Which could be positive since I would've noticed stuff ups. I do however remember 1 very good contested mark which was strong.

I'll keep an eye his marking next week.

 

[dynamite_kid]

2-3 weeks in the WAFL to get his fitness up, then AFL!

No pressure

As long as he kicks at least 20 goals and takes [FONT=&quot]∞[/FONT] marks then all will be good.

 

[swannies]

Call it a dodgy memory or me being too busy watching umpires go arse up but I don't remember too many Nicko marks. Which could be positive since I would've noticed stuff ups. I do however remember 1 very good contested mark which was strong.

I'll keep an eye his marking next week.

He's never taken a lot of marks, it's how he takes them. They were always invariably juggled. Today they were solid, 1 take grabs. My theory, feel free to laugh at, is that he was a small guy in a big guys body, ie he was quick and agile, so he thought like a rover.

 

[Underdog]

He's never taken a lot of marks, it's how he takes them. They were always invariably juggled. Today they were solid, 1 take grabs. My theory, feel free to laugh at, is that he was a small guy in a big guys body, ie he was quick and agile, so he thought like a rover.

I agree with that totally.

Hopefully Coxy will be a good influence in teaching him on how to provide that marking, linking target as well.

It appears he is learning quite quickly if his marking today is anything to go by.

 

[lewigie]

As long as he kicks at least 20 goals and takes [FONT=&quot]∞[/FONT] marks then all will be good.

I don't reckon that would be enough tbh.

 

[Eagle Ant]

He's never taken a lot of marks, it's how he takes them. They were always invariably juggled. Today they were solid, 1 take grabs. My theory, feel free to laugh at, is that he was a small guy in a big guys body, ie he was quick and agile, so he thought like a rover.

I agree with you Swannies, but IMO the reason why he doesn't have a heap of marks to his name is because most of the time he is collecting the ball off the ground or on the bounce so he can side step his opponants and break away for a trot through the centre.
He does collect and carry the ball like a small midfielder and (as silly as it sounds) also has a lot of characteristics like a small forward, maybe from all those years playing with M.Walters and C.Yarran. The thing that stands out is the way he stops and props so he can collect the half volley to side step plus the way he moves and shifts, its very X factor small forward IMO.

 

[Marlin01]

Any news on how Swift played,I see he had 14 possesions only.

I went down to Lathlain and watched Claremont and Perth. Had to leave at 3/4 time.

Swift was good. Seemed a class above the rest when in possession of the ball. Seems to have the ability to stay clear of opponents, when in possession and use it well. However, he was being rotated a lot. It seemed that he spent equal time on the field as on the bench. People suggesting he is ready for an AFL call-up are a long way off IMO.

Ashley Smith is fat and unfit. He has a beautiful kick and good turn of pace when in possession. He streams forward quickly and then walks defensively. I would say that he was actually one of the players costing the Demons any chance of winning.

McGinnity played a pretty solid game without showing a great deal IMO. Hard worker.

Sullivan was competitive in the ruck, but contributed little around the ground. Claremonts's Ruck (by name and nature) beat Sullivan around the ground.

 

[Masten_Magic]

Ashley Smith is fat and unfit. He has a beautiful kick and good turn of pace when in possession. He streams forward quickly and then walks defensively. I would say that he was actually one of the players costing the Demons any chance of winning.

my thoughts exactly when i went to preseason training

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Swift was good. Seemed a class above the rest when in possession of the ball. Seems to have the ability to stay clear of opponents, when in possession and use it well. However, he was being rotated a lot. It seemed that he spent equal time on the field as on the bench. People suggesting he is ready for an AFL call-up are a long way off IMO.

Well he is coming back from having the flue, every game ive seen he has lacked a bit of fitness when playing through the middle, but i don't doubt his ability to make an impact at afl level now.

Ashley Smith is fat and unfit. He has a beautiful kick and good turn of pace when in possession. He streams forward quickly and then walks defensively. I would say that he was actually one of the players costing the Demons any chance of winning.

Well his endurance was his major issue going into the draft so that's no surprise, obviously needs a full preseason of endurance running.

McGinnity played a pretty solid game without showing a great deal IMO. Hard worker.

Yeah he seems to be fighting his way into form, has a great attitude.

 

[Jukes]

Disappointing to hear about Smith. The reason he slid down the draft order was due to his workrate. No doubt he's a beautiful long kick and has blistering pace but lets hope he can lift to make it to AFL level. The potential is there for a Gilbee/Drummond style defender.

 

[mitchzz]

2-3 weeks in the WAFL to get his fitness up, then AFL!

No pressure

Round 10 vs Carlton.

Naitanui vs Kreuzer.

 

[mitchzz]

How many marks did Naitanui get?

I remember hearing that last year he averaged 1 or 2 a game.

I think that if he sees space to lead into and another ruckman is onto him he should shove off the ruckmen and use to his pace to get into space.

 

[gx122]

Hansen kicked some goals. Should we be worried?

 

[tesseract]

Hansen kicked some goals. Should we be worried?

Depends on Kennedy's game today. I'm sure they'll have no qualm in dropping Kennedy for Hansen after just one game considering the hard-on they have for Hansen.
It'd be unfair for Kennedy, but don't be surprised when it happens.

 

[purple hater]

Depends on Kennedy's game today. I'm sure they'll have no qualm in dropping Kennedy for Hansen after just one game considering the hard-on the have for Hansen.
It'd be unfair for Kennedy, but don't be surprised when it happens.

Well it's up to Kennedy isn't it? He has his chance, against one of the weaker teams in the comp who are away from home. Really has no excuses.

Hopefully he plays well, TBH watching him play is the only reason I can be bothered going today, so he had better play well.