Wizard Cup: Melbourne - Kangaroos

[The Shev]

Great start to the year for the Dees. Played up in Canberra in difficult conditions. The temperature was mid 30's throughout the match and there was a strong wind every now and then to make kicking difficult.

Got off to a good start leading by 33 points at one stage in the first term, after a little beauty by Davey and a super goal by Nicholson. Kangaroos pegged it back though to trail by about 15 points at quarter time. Johnstone had a good first quarter, as did Bruce and White. Jolly went off with a minor injury so White had to be the ruck for the rest of the game.

From then on, we maintained that 3-4 goal buffer for most of the match. At times North got to within 11 points, but we got out to about 39 points at one stage. We controlled the match, with Green and Thompson running the midfield. Rivers did well, as did Nicholson. Very impressed with Walsh and Ward providing run off the backline, and Whelan did a bit too. Neitz couldn't kick straight with the wind and Robertson didn't have his best game. Bizzell had a great last term but for me, Jeff White was best on ground. Dominated all around the ground with 20 touches, 8 marks, 13 hitouts and 2 goals.

 

[lamby29]

I only caught the second half of the match (although I have watched the first half on replay).

My observations:

* White was brilliant. We need him firing to have any chance of making the finals. If today's form was anything to go by, he is set for a huge year.

* Green was busy. He needs a big year to cement his spot in the Melbourne side, and I reckon he looks very comfortable on the wing.

* Ward, Walsh, Nicho all had good games.

* Yze, Bruce and Trav were excellent. Like White, we need these blokes firing in 2004.

Of the youngsters, I was very impressed with Jared Rivers, who will see plenty of senior action this year. He is a nice size, but also covers a lot of ground.

Brock McLean was good. Only finished with 10 touches, but has a lovely kick on him and looked comfortable in the midfield.

I was disappointed with Arma's game, and Whelan was ordinary, but overall it was a good performace from the boys.

 

[The Shev]

Whites goals were awesome.

1) Set shot from just inside the boundary, about 40 metres out.

2) Long kick from the wing (yes, the wing) which bounced over the pack and bounced in for a goal.