Williamstown vs. Port Melbourne - Player Report

[Coin_Toss]

Williamstown cruised their way to victory at TEAC Oval today - victorious by about six goals. Williamstown started slow, but got into it at about the 15 minute mark of the first quarter. When they took the lead there was no looking back, as I said they cruised home in the windy conditions.

#23 Scott Burns: 7/10.
Burns was like Burns. Worked super hard all day, and his foot skills were sharp. Will play for Collingwood next week.

#38 Adam Iacobucci: 5/10.
Adam played alright. He has got a lot more confidence this year, which is pleasing to see. Attacked the ball hard.

#65 Blake Caracella: 4/10.
Was used in defence. Has slipped off, and a spot in the team looks gone at the moment. Confidence in his game looks shot.

#30 David Fanning: 5/10.
Played alright throughout the game. Moved up forward and took a couple of nice marks. Probably could have converted better, but there was a feirce breeze which made kicking at goals hard.

#37 Sam Iles: 5/10.
Sam was quiet in the first three quarters today, but his last quarter was pretty good, got a lot more of the ball and his foot skills were good. He is a running machine.

#33 Cameron Cloke: 6/10.
Cameron's influence at FF/Ruck was vital in the first half. Took some great pack marks but missed some sitters. Was rested after half time, because he is an emergency for Monday Night.

#44 Daniel Nicholls: 7/10.
I thought Nicholls played sensationally today. He is a brilliant little rover who loves the hard stuff, disposal by foot is clean. In the last quarter he spent most of his time up forward where he kicked two goals.

#29 Ryan Cook: 5/10.
Ryan played alright. He took some very good overhead marks, and he chases very hard. Disposal can improve though.

#16 Scott Pendlebury: 4/10.
My man. His evasive skills weren't on show today, but he is a brilliant reader of the play. Got about 10odd touches, didn't make a mistake with his foot skills. Scott has got a bright future.

#43 Harry O'Brien: 8/10.
Get him in! O'Brien is all class. He runs straight at the ball, doesn't muck around, doesn't put a foot wrong. Will get his opportunites very soon.

#19 Ben Davies: 6/10.
Davies didn't have to work hard today, because you can tell he was a class above. Sharp foot skills today in choppy conditions. Reads the play brilliantly. Runs super hard. Like Cameron, was rested after half time, because he is an emergency for Monday Night.

#53 Julian Rowe: 4/10.
It seems like Rowe has fallen behind. He did a couple of nice things, but he is carrying an injury of some sort. I hope he can get over his injuries, because he is talented.

#39 Heath Shaw: 7/10.
Controlled the back half with O'Brien. Supplied some brilliant run off a back flank, and his foot skills were good.

#31 John Anthony: 3/10.
First time I have seen John play and I wasn't impressed. He struggles to read the play. More of a back flanker than a full back, but we have to wait and see. He is quick though.
(p.s: sorry JAJH)

#40 Brent Hall: 3/10.
ANOTHER disappointing performance from Brent. He is a pretty good mark, but can't read the play. Hall is on his last legs at the club.

 

[bucksisbest]

Laughable that you gave Hall's game the same mark as John Anthony's , Anthony stopped his opponent and started attacks-Hall was just his usual clueless self.
Harry was about a 9 , gave our old friend William Morrison the mother of all hidings in the first half.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Laughable that you gave Hall's game the same mark as John Anthony's , Anthony stopped his opponent and started attacks-Hall was just his usual clueless self.

Hey, it's just my opinion mate.

 

[JAJH]

Hey, it's just my opinion mate.

Mate, I can appreciate it's your opinion and I am not going to get super defensive, nor am I the sort of father who sees no wrong in his son, but take into consideration this is only John's 2nd game at VFL level, he had 2 opponents for the match, had only 1 goal kicked on him and had around 15 possessions. I thought he played a pretty fair game.

Pics of the game can be seen HERE

 

[Stan.]

Great pics again JAJH and dont worry about JA he will be a good player.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Mate, I can appreciate it's your opinion and I am not going to get super defensive, nor am I the sort of father who sees no wrong in his son, but take into consideration this is only John's 2nd game at VFL level, he had 2 opponents for the match, had only 1 goal kicked on him and had around 15 possessions. I thought he played a pretty fair game.

Pics of the game can be seen HERE

I see where you are coming from, mate. Just because I am not a big fan of John's game (at the moment) It doesn't mean I do not want to see him succeed at the club, in fact, I wish everyone the best when they put on the Black and White stripes.

Great pics!

 

[Jabso]

Harsh on Rowe. First game this year and basically no pre-season.

 

[loki04]

thnx for the report coin much appreciated for those of us who live outside of melb.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Harsh on Rowe. First game this year and basically no pre-season.

Well, I could say that... and yes, I probably should... but I only judge the player on how he played on the day. With the fallen behind statement, I think he has a bit. Maybe I am wrong but only time will tell.

He is a talent nonetheless.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Have H Shaw and O'Brien surpassed Morrison and Lonie for a back flank gig? or too early to tell?

Yep, definitely Morrison. Lonie, not sure.

O'Brien is a very good footballer who oozes confidence. Only problem is, once Rus is back he will be put on the Rookie List again.

Heater can be anything.

 

[Kramer]

thanks for the report Coin Toss. i suppose Stanley is injured, anyone know how long he's out?

 

[JLC]

Harry O'Brien is definately destined for greater things.

The club after going to the trouble to get Caracella better not stuff him around by using him in defence. I dont care whAT Caracella does at Willi he must be back in the seniors as he is a class finisher.

jlc

 

[Coin_Toss]

thanks for the report Coin Toss. i suppose Stanley is injured, anyone know how long he's out?

Stanners did a reocurrence of the hamstring which kept him on the sidelines earlier this preseason. Should be one-two weeks away from playing again.

 

[Stakerz]

So those players won't play tomorrow?

 

[Oh Furious One]

Thanks for the report, CT.

 

[Coin_Toss]

So those players won't play tomorrow?

Davies and Cameron Cloke played one half of yesterday's game and they are on the emergencies list for tomorrow night's game. The rest won't play.

 

[Swoop]

Mate, I can appreciate it's your opinion and I am not going to get super defensive, nor am I the sort of father who sees no wrong in his son, but take into consideration this is only John's 2nd game at VFL level, he had 2 opponents for the match, had only 1 goal kicked on him and had around 15 possessions. I thought he played a pretty fair game.

Pics of the game can be seen HERE

I must of been at a different game. He looked lost. No doubt he has the build but he has a bit to learn. There were times on the last line of defense where his effort was questionable. Seemed to have problems breathing with regularity and then took on Steve Lawrence which shows a lack of judgement. Ran off well at times but needs to do more one on one for mine.

 

[JAJH]

I must of been at a different game. He looked lost. No doubt he has the build but he has a bit to learn. There were times on the last line of defense where his effort was questionable. Seemed to have problems breathing with regularity and then took on Steve Lawrence which shows a lack of judgement. Ran off well at times but needs to do more one on one for mine.

Maybe you were at a different game. In regards to his breathing, John has a fairly heavy cold which made his breathing laboured.
I get a bit confused with people's expectations at times of certain players, not just the new kids. I was talking to Mick Malthouse last week about football in general and he made comments about PRESTIGIACOMO and in MM's opinion is an invaluable defender although he only averages around 4 possessions per game. Now this is always something that has stuck in mind where defenders are concerned, it doesn't matter one bit how many possessions they get...as long as their opponent doesn't get any either. In other words, as long as the defender keeps his opponents to a minimum amount of goals/possessions, the defender has done his job. As I said earlier, John had 2 opponents, one goal kicked on him and 15 possessions, not a bad day's work for a new kid.

 

[stui magpie]

So where was Tex?

Not in the ones, not playing for Willie and not listed as injured? has Balmie eaten him??

 

[Swoop]

Maybe you were at a different game. In regards to his breathing, John has a fairly heavy cold which made his breathing laboured.
I get a bit confused with people's expectations at times of certain players, not just the new kids. I was talking to Mick Malthouse last week about football in general and he made comments about PRESTIGIACOMO and in MM's opinion is an invaluable defender although he only averages around 4 possessions per game. Now this is always something that has stuck in mind where defenders are concerned, it doesn't matter one bit how many possessions they get...as long as their opponent doesn't get any either. In other words, as long as the defender keeps his opponents to a minimum amount of goals/possessions, the defender has done his job. As I said earlier, John had 2 opponents, one goal kicked on him and 15 possessions, not a bad day's work for a new kid.

As you have rightly stated, possessions don't count. As you would of seen, Port's delivery into the forward line was very poor. Alot of their forward thrusts were negated accross half back and alot of their goals were bombed in. My expectations are based on what I have seen. Presti makes it hard for an opponent to get into space and contests all balls above his head and on the ground. My perception was that JA could of done more one on one. He seemed to be led to the ball, caught behind quite a bit and at times could of got to balls he let go over his head. I'm not trying to be provocative and I realise he is just a kid but I also call them as I see them. As a dad you are not that subjective. The kid has the build to play the position and Saturday will be a good learning experience for him.

 

[footyman]

Seemed to have problems breathing with regularity and then took on Steve Lawrence which shows a lack of judgement.

Hahaha, yeah and Lawrence seemed to get him with a good fist in the face. Don't think an umpire saw it which was a shame.

But I have to agree, John Anthony is either very brave or very stupid for taking on Steve Lawrence. You never know what that bloke could do to someone when he gets fired up.