Game Day: Melbourne v Essendon

[Nasher 33,246]

It's seriously appreciated by those who couldn't get to the game.

Agreed.

[stueyspencer no12 73]

went to the game and this is my take on it:

Came away a lot happier than the perth game. my gut feel was there is something there.

The biggest difference was Jamar today gave us first use of the ball when he rucked. He moved well and played a fair chunk of the match, probably over half I would say. My summary on some of the players are as follows:

Jamar – surprisingly good against Hille and Ryder and beat them. Easily our number one ruck.

Grimes – killed it today, kicking goals and racked up possessions. Used it well generally. Showed a bit of toe.

Sylvia – excellent in the wet in the first half and cameos thereafter. Agree he looks cherry ripe for a big year.

Scully – canned for his kicking on this site, don’t know why because his kicking was ok. Missed occasionally but generally good by foot, some short passes were very good. He got to the ball but we have no idea how to use him yet. Often caught as he was ready, shaping for a handpass often, but had to hold onto it, or take on 3 blokes without support.

Trengove – good early but not a lot of it today. Used the ball well.

Morton – thought he was good and showed real guts to go back with the flight and got injured.

Frawley – excellent. Did most things right and was aggressive all day.

Warnock – disappointing. Looks down on confidence. Ryder turned him inside out and his disposal was average.

Rivers – not a lot to notice but generally good.

Strauss – kicking at times was superb. Low rocket passes were effective. Also quite quick and reckon they will be happy for him to develop like he is at present.

Bennell- undecided about him. Has the attributes of a good footballer, worried Davey out of it a lot today but turnovers cost us dearly. Takes the game on though so that is forgiveable for now.

Maric – good game. Gets canned on here but don’t know what game people are watching. He was good today, very competitive and nice mover. Used it well. Only thing is he lacks a yard for a goal sneak.

Martin – terrible at times, then really good, then terrible again. If only he could kick !!!

MacDonald – led our backline early when we were in disarray. We need this bloke right now, was aggressive, hard with ok disposal. Won’t be a world beater but important for us if Davey and Grimes can spend less time trying to mop up down back.

p.s spoke to Sam Blease and he said he is 3 weeks away from full training and maybe another 3 weeks till playing, so expect him out there in the early rounds. Looks very fit.

Where did they play Newton when he came on?

I think they will have to elevate him to the list. They simply cannot play Jurrah at F.F or CHF. Admittedly if ruck strengths improve Jamar can spend more time up forward, but without others in key forward positions Jurrah, and when fit, Watts, will not provide anything like the strength that any team needs.

Newton does attract a good defender--he can take a mark, leads quite well. Jurrah/Watts will be twice as effective if they play alongside Newton and Miller.

One other point. While Joel MacDonald is a very capable player I can't see why we recruited another player of his size. It was obvious after we selected 4 midfielders with our first choices, a key forward was required.We have enough half back flanks

[DeeSpencer 23,637]

One other point. While Joel MacDonald is a very capable player I can't see why we recruited another player of his size. It was obvious after we selected 4 midfielders with our first choices, a key forward was required.We have enough half back flanks

Joel MacDonald's recruitment doesn't have much bearing on tall forwards at all. I suppose we could have got Daniel Bradshaw but he had no interest in playing for us and he will only be around for 2-3 years so would in a way only delay the inevitable. We took who we rated as the best key forward in Fitzy at pick 50. The fact is good key forwards are hard to come by. But Geelong have reached the ultimate success without a great one and the bulldogs have nearly made consecutive grand finals without any at all.

[H_T 2,941]

Grimes Schwing. And to think only a couple of weeks ago he was a 'potential' midfielder. Brownlow, Captain... the possibilities are endless.

Gysberts - was super clean in close at times, really grabbed my attention early.

cheers torpedo. Enjoyed all the other reports too, but these two stood out for me.

On Gysberts, can you name a player in the AFL that you think best resembles him (ie. characteristics, skill, movement)?

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,439]

On Gysberts, can you name a player in the AFL that you think best resembles him (ie. characteristics, skill, movement)?

HT, without thinking about it too much I think Pendlebury is probably a good indication.

[H_T 2,941]

HT, without thinking about it too much I think Pendlebury is probably a good indication.

That is my way of thinking too BRFE. They are of similar height too. I'd be interested to hear torpedo's thoughts too.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,000]

cheers torpedo. Enjoyed all the other reports too, but these two stood out for me.

On Gysberts, can you name a player in the AFL that you think best resembles him (ie. characteristics, skill, movement)?

On looks I'd go Cale Morton. Tall, skinny and with a mop hairdo. :D

[stueyspencer no12 73]

Joel MacDonald's recruitment doesn't have much bearing on tall forwards at all. I suppose we could have got Daniel Bradshaw but he had no interest in playing for us and he will only be around for 2-3 years so would in a way only delay the inevitable. We took who we rated as the best key forward in Fitzy at pick 50. The fact is good key forwards are hard to come by. But Geelong have reached the ultimate success without a great one and the bulldogs have nearly made consecutive grand finals without any at all.

well mate it's like this! If the Australian cricket team loses Mitchell Johnson for a match it's unlikely they would pick an opening batsman to replace him. You pick replacements to fill gaps don't you?

You're not suggesting Fitzpatrick can be of much use in the next year or 2 whilst Jurrah/Watts are growing up?

Whichever way we look at it Robbo WAS a key forward-who replaces him?

The thought of Jurrah playing on Justin Fletcher or Scarlett etc is ludicrous and likely to be very damaging I would have thought