My 3 word player analysis V The Bummers

[joeboy 3,166]

Bail - little to enthuse

Bartram - very limited involvement

Bell - good on Watson

Bennell - loose and fumbled

Cheney - was rarely sighted

Fitzpatrick - had no possessions

Frawley - some uncharacteristic clangers

Grimes - one shining beacon

Jamar - dominated the hitouts

Jones - mistake riddled game

Jurrah - not our saviour

MacDonald - liked his game

Maric - just a child

Martin - certainly no ruckman

Miller - had no impact

Moloney - very quiet game

Morton - quiet before injury

Newton - limited game time

Petterd - only winning forward

Rivers - exceedingly quiet game

Scully - definitely showed class

Strauss - gradually showed something

Sylvia - wonderful first half

Trengove - very little impact

McKenzie - provided some energy

Edited February 27, 2010 by joeboy

[Skipper3 7]

Bail - little to enthuse

Bartram - very limited involvement

Bell - good on Watson

Bennell - loose and fumbled

Cheney - was rarely sighted

Fitzpatrick - had no possessions

Frawley - some uncharacteristic clangers

Grimes - one shining beacon

Jamar - dominated the hitouts

Jones - mistake riddled game

Jurrah - not our saviour

Maric - just a child

Martin - certainly no ruckman

Miller - had no impact

Moloney - very quiet game

Morton - quiet before injury

Petterd - only winning forward

Rivers - exceeedingly quiet game

Scully - definitely showed class

Strauss - gradually showed something

Sylvia - wonderful first half

Trengove - very little impact

McKenzie - provided some energy

Thought Bail did some nice things - in particular in the 2nd half. You say LJ "not our saviour" - would be a tad foolish to think one player who played 9 games in his 1st year was "our saviour", seems to be a bit out of form (but was held very well by Fletcher & others), but seemed to do better when he was further up the ground. Rivers I thought did some good things (like normal).

[stranga 328]

Pretty spot on assessments joeboy.

I wouldnt have known Rivers was playing to be honest.

Maric is just too small to have a major impact at a contest, but did some clever things by foot today and set up a couple of goals.

[45HG 1,559]

I liked Morton's game, I thought he was very involved and got to a lot of contests. Sometimes his use of the footy is a bit questionable though.

Grimes, Sylvia and Jamar our best IMO.

[Satan 2,881]

Thanks JB

[Cards13 9,117]

Jurrah had the games best fullback on him today... moved up the ground and did some ok things.

[2014-Flag 0]

Today's game was better than last week for the Dees - but not much. I think both the Bombers and the Dockers are going to end up in the in the bottom four, and so will we if we don't improve rapidly. Although i previously predicted a top 8 finish for us, there is no way this is possible on these two performances. We are simply too insipid and too easily knocked off the ball, as well as a basic lack of intensity particulalry in allowing the ball to come out of our attacking area. There are several individuals which this particularly applies to, of which more later. So what did we learn today?

The Good

1. Jamar absolutely dominated the ruck and gave our on-ballers an arm chair ride. Unfortunately they did not have the skill to capitalise on it.

2. Pettard and Grimes played blinders, and for medium sized players, capitalised on every opportunity, particularly Grimes who not only crumbed well up forward but took some very good pack marks. Outstanding games by both of them, particularly Grimes

3. Scully showed glimpses as to why he was no.1 draft pick. Is a ball magnet, but at the moment too often gets caught with the ball. He is also not a long kick. Had a free kick about 45 metres out in the third quarter and did not even make the goal square. Was also often astray in delivery down field, but is very quick and accurate with hand-passing.

4. Trengove I though was good on the wing in the first half but hardly sighted after half time - perhaps he was injured. At time showed the sublime skills for which he is known, but early days and lacks consistency which is understandable for one so young.

5. I thought our tackling was pretty good all day, and in that respect at least the intensity was good.

6. Colin Sylvia, after an ordinary start last week is getting back to his top form. Faded in the second half.

The Not So Good

1. Lacked intensity, particularly our of attack. Jurrah in particular hardly chased at all, and seemed to be continually out of position.

2. The skills continue to be a concern: dropping easy marks, missing targets, and pathetic kicking for goal. We could easily have lead at half time if they had in any way kicked straight in the first quarter.

3. The defense was loose. I'm not as enthusiastic about our Defence as some other on this site. I think their decision making is often poor, particularly as demonstrated by their ability to lose possession while kicking in. To me this is just lacking discipline and frankly poor coaching. I'm afraid it may signal deficiencies in other coaching areas which may not be so obvious. It can't be blamed on youth, on lack of experience. It is simply a sign of a poorly drilled side, and this was demonstrated time and again at Visy today.

4. Liam Jurrah had another shocker. it was not so much he spilled marks, or was out of position, it was more he seemed to lack interest. Maybe he needs to be played up the field, or even on the ball to get his confidence back, but at this rate he will not be playing round one.

5. Much of our side seems to lack strength. we were continually beaten in one on one contests. This is particularly so of some of our newer players eg Gysberts and Fitzpatrick, even Morton and Scully.

Here are my comments on each player

44. Bail - little to enthuse, did one or two nice things, but mostly a fringe player

3. Bartram - seems to drift in and out, and has lost much of that running play which made such an impact in his first couple of years

21. Bell - better than expected and often took Watson on and won. Maybe can build from here, but still gets caught with the ball far too often

43. Bennell - provided some run out of defence particularly in the second half but also was loose and fumbled. Has potential though, particularly if he could tighten his defensive skills

45. Cheney - was rarely sighted, and had little impact

48. Fitzpatrick - had no possessions. Reminds me a little bit of Nick Smith.

6. Frawley - some uncharacteristic clangers, but still got his usual share of possession.

16. Grimes - great game up forward, both as a crumber and marking forward. Also about the only one who can consistently kick straight. Roll on Jack Watts.

40. Jamar - terrific game from the Russian, absolutely dominated the ruck and even took a brilliant pack mark, even though it was at the wrong end! I think he is the short term answer to our strong marking forward problem, he has done it before and could be invaluable when resting.At least would provide a strong contest, and is a very good pack mark. Can be better used, but at the moment our on-ballers don't know how to take advantage of his ruck dominance (another coaching deficiency?)

2. Jones - gets good possession but so often either gets caught with the ball, or poorly disposes of it. In the third quarter, he grabbed the ball on the half back line, and finding no-one coming at him ran and bounced it to the half forward line but when he was on the wing Jamar was by himself in the goal square. Instead of looking for a target, he blazed away and of course kicked a point. A candidate for a trade a years end. Is not the answer to our on ball problems.

24. Jurrah - has worrying 2nd year blues. as i said before, maybe a role up the ground to restore confidence may be what is needed.

19. Maric - has some skills, but accurate goal kicking is not one of them, neither is consistency.

34. Martin - didn't play a bad game. Took some marks up forward, and held his own in the ruck. Too often fumbles though.

7 Miller - at least provided a target, and was hard at the ball. At the moment is our most effective forward.

22. Moloney - very quiet game, lacks consistency, and does not provide the drive from someone so senior and well respected should be.

10. Morton - for him, had little impact before injury. Was played mostly in defence, where he is wasted. Better either in attach or in the midfield.

15. Petterd - great game from Ricky, whether down back or on the HF line.

27. Rivers - is an effective back with great skills, but at the moment doesn't seem to be making the impact he should

31. Scully - showed class, but needs to improve on some key skills. Taking a while to adjust to the pace of the game

47. Strauss - has some strengths, but far too inconsistent and worryingly was beaten a number of times one on one

12. Sylvia - wonderful first half, but faded. Looks though to be returning to top form

9. Trengove - good first half. Can see the potential, rarely makes skills errors, is a great mark for his size, and has some pace. will be a star

1. Warnock - often too loose, and was worryingly beaten in the air on a number of occasions.also shown up for lack of pace by a class forward

5. Gysberts - had no impact in his first game. very light framed and often just knocked out of the way. Impossible to tell his skills cos he hardly got the ball

28. Macdonald - I think this guy is an ordinary pick up. He was a number of times beaten for pace today, and also in the air. I do not think he will make our best 22, but i guess at least he has experience

Finally, I was sitting three rows down from all the non playing Demon players today, and for such a young group it struck me as though they were sigularly detatched from what was going on on the field. Maybe they have seen too many games, but there seemed to be very little passion there.

This was not a good day for the MFC

[Guest fatty]

24. Jurrah - has worrying 2nd year blues. as i said before, maybe a role up the ground to restore confidence may be what is needed.

1. Warnock - often too loose, and was worryingly beaten in the air on a number of occasions.also shown up for lack of pace by a class forward

24. It was interesting to see the way they pushed Jurrah to the back of a contest, so he couldn't get an approach at it.

1. I thought he was brilliant today.

[mika 2]

My Player Analysis from today game

Bail: Looked completely lost. Turnover specialist. Another athelete that doesn't understand the game or have the necessary skills.

Bartram: Can't question his endeavour but will be lucky to play 5 games this year. Disposal not good enough to play back pocket where turnovers are costly and there are better tagger options. Unfortunately is headed towards being delisted.

Bell: Did a relatively good job on Watson. Only chance to remain on list is as a hard tagger, but another whose disposal/decision making is very poor.

Bennell: Think posters have been a little harsh on him. Did a good job on Davey. Has a habit of missing targets but only does so by a small margin which is punished at AFL level. This will improve. Think he will become an B+ to A grade running half back who is very agile and fantastic at picking up the loose ball at speed.

Cheney: Personally like him as a player (especially his hardness) but question whether he will make it long term. Doesn't fit in a backline with Frawley, Rivers, Warnock and MacDonald as he is not quick or creative enough.

Fitzpatrick: Can't understand the optismism in him from our recruiters. Ok, he is tall and quick but weak overhead and kicking is atrocious.

Frawley: Great game on Williams. Our first A grade key back in a long time who not only negates his opponent but is not to scared to run off and create. Kicking OK but should not be taking kick ins.

Grimes: BOG by a long way. Cant remember the last time a Melbourne player had so many effective first possession centre clearances. Has skill, poise, good decision making, and adequate speed. In Grimes/Scully/Trengove we will have one of the best midfields for the next 10 years. Saw his face when the players were walking off after we lost. Was genuinely upset/angry. Loved it. Our next captain.

Gysberts: Thought he was pretty good today. Good size for a mid. Lots of good handballs but didnt seem like he did much as he didn't get many kicks. Think they see him as a Cam Bruce clone for the future.

Jamar: Has improved out of sight the last 2 years. Best ruckmen on the ground today. Some great tapwork to Grimes. Think he will have a big year in the ruck and up forward, as he one of the few ruckman that can take a grab.

Jones: Thought he was good today apart from the centering turnover and the run down the wing where he should have kicked it to Jamar 20m out. Disposal and speed have improved over the past year. Good midfield depth.

Jurrah: A worry. 2 very poor games. Looks unfit/disinterested. Hope it isn't overconfidence and thinking it will just happen for him after a great first year. Has a habit of playing from behind which doesn't work against quality key backs. Will improve on these performaces and I have no doubt will be a great player.

MacDonald: Played well today. Hard at the ball and man. Still a little concerned that he is that mid size who isnt quick enough to play on smalls and too short for talls. Skills and creativity are only fair for a half back flanker. Don't like him and Rivers in the same side. Makes 4 (Fraw/Riv/Wark/Mac) out of 6 backs that dont run or create enough. Garland if fit is a beter option although he may be headed forward.

Maric: Improved game. Like how despite his size he keeps his feet. Not a crumber though. A small lead up forward. Needs to improve fitness and use his foot skills from a wing/half forward.

Martin: Missed some simple chest marks and shots for goal which really aggravated me today. But on reflection if he kicked straight we would all have been hailing him as our next full forward. Not a ruckman and shouldn't be played there. My main issue with him is his lack of confidence. You can just feel it when he gets the ball or kicks for goal. Needs to beleive he can play well as this level. See if he can make it as a forward ove the next 2 years or delist.

Miller: Edit.

Moloney: Think he only played the first half. Hope he didn't get injured. Solid midifielder, nothing more, but obviously a good leader and the most vocal of our players.

Petterd: Excellent today. Kicked well for 4 goals and surprising quick, applying defensive pressure. Needs to play every game HFF as one of our few players capable of kicking multiple goals. Should aim for 30+ goals this season.

Rivers: Signs he is getting back to his Rising Star days. Lot more zoning off his man to effectively kill the contest. Key to our backline.

Morton: We expect to much from young players. What more could a 192cm skinny boy do at AFL level in his first 2 years. Will be a great Melbourne player and today was much harder at the ball and man and was very brave backing into the contest when he got injured. Praying his injury is only minor.

Scully: Thought he was very good. 1-2 turnovers but nothing unforgivable. Unbelievable hands. Kicking is under-rated. Get it through your heads he is not a break the lines player to hit a forward target. He will be a consistent 30 possession player who will dominate contests and get the ball out to our other midfielders. The next Scott West.

Strauss: Just OK today. We really need him to develop as we lack a skillful, running half back who can hit targets.

Sylvia: Excellent first half. Great contested marking. Needs to play more half forward this year as we lack goal kickers. Set for a big year.

Trengove: Pure class. You want the ball in his hands. Love the way he tackles. Doesn't just jockey alonging them to dispose of the ball, he focuses on their hips and attacks. Will be a star

Warnock: Solid B+ full back. Played well today but not atheletic enough to deal with Ryder. Our dependable full back for the next 5 years.

McKenzie: Good hands and tackler. Is a good kick so needs to change his first instinct from always wanting to handball. See him as our next tagger. Worry a little about his lack of pace.

Newton: Last year on our list. Was a late draft pick so we shouldn't have expected to much. On list 6 years and still looks like he hasn't lifted a weight. Tells you something about his committment.

Also saw Watts today doing anterior pelvic tilts after sitting too long. I'm a physio and I can tell you our Jack definetly has a back injury. Most likely discogenic. Lets hope he doesnt end up like Gumbleton.

Tapscott has had his hip surgery. Apparently did it 2 months before it was diagnosed. Unless he didnt report any ongoing discomfort a $270 MRI or referral to an orthopaedic surgeon in December might have been a wise investment.

[Demon2 58]

A lot more positives than last week...we competed..put pressure on..but as usual silly decisions at silly times cost us goals....also poor poor kicking at goal.....we also give away way too many free kicks...even though some decisions by the umps were so bad they were funny...

anyway my player summations

Warnock - nice solid game..what u expect from matty

Jones - in everything...his kicking is getting better..so is his decision making..but he still takes on more than he should

Bartram - doesn't cut it for me

Gysberts - will be great inside player...just needs strength and size..

Miller - works his ass off...presents well...but needs to make better decisions

Frawley - love how this kids is progressing but like others said..shouldn't be taking kick ins

Trengove - didn't do to much..needs size and strength like other recruits..but he shows all the signs plus some..

Morton - floating half back/wing is made for this guy...smart player who sometimes makes mistakes cos he takes it easy...but anyone who says he is weak or doesn't have guts is kidding themselves

Sylvia - great game but to become elite needs more time in midfield or needs to be played on the wing

McKenzie - strong nuggety never give up type...

Petterd - good 3rd choice forward if he can get 30-40 goals this year it would be awesome for him and us

Grimes - BOG with a BANG..clearances..tackles...inside 50..goals...he did it all

Bell - not bad today..but still not sure

Moloney - did what Beamer does...but didn't see him after half time...not sure if rested or injured

Jurrah - lacking confidence big time....but did a lot better when on half forward/midfield

Rivers - is BACK BABY!!..

Macdonald - not too bad today..but didn't set the world on fire

Scully - some great signs...he will prob get bagged for the holding the ball free's he gives away..but i think thats cos he hates giving the ball off unless someone is totally free....

Martin - put him forward and leave him there

Jamar - is becoming a more than handy ruckmen...his tap work was elite...

Bail - did ok..didn't really notice him

Bennel- great in traffic..kicking skills need a lot of work though

Maric - very good today...very good at the contested ball..and very smart

Straus - didn't notice him too much except for his bullet pass to silva that if he didn't mark it would have taken his head clear off it was coming in that quick

Fitzpatrick - i think they are trying to fast track him...needs to spend a season at casey

Cheney - solid as usual

scum supporters - the most moronic of all supporters...i would rather sit next to Joffa in the middle of the filth's cheer squad than sit next to scum supporters

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Great post, mika.

It seems Bell played as a tagger for the whole of this game - and Watson isn't to be taken likely. He appears to have performed well.

Bell strikes me as a reasonable athlete and he's hard at it - poor disposal and decision-making being his problem areas.

I'd never thought of using Bell as a tagger, but it seems to make sense. I'd be interested in hearing other people's views on Bell as a tagger.

[DirtyDees DDC 187]

Thanks for all the reports guys. Lots of different viewpoints but there were several consistent themes thru the threads.

Jamar. Definitely our No. 1 ruckman. We need two of him - at the bounce and in the goalsquare. We must re-sign this guy asap. He is 27yo and can play another 3-4 years, but he is only on a one year contract. He is good enough to be a leading ruckman in any AFL side, and we don't have many other options. Please don't offer him as trade bait at the end of the year. It will be at least 3 years before Gawn and Fitzpatrick can possibly be good enough to lead the rucks.

Jurrah. Flat, but that's not suprising. He was injured before Christmas and was not completing the training sessions in January. And he's only played 9 games.

Miller was the only guy in that side that has played more than 100 AFL games. We are fielding a young inexperienced team so they can get some gametime together. Isn't that what we want? Kids like Strauss, Bennell and Maric had good pre-seasons and deserve the chance to play alongside Scully and Trengove. They will form the nucleus of the Dees in the next 3-5 years.

The reports from yesterdays match are far more favourable than the Freo game. Is this because we had a preconceived notion* about our chances? I admit i was gutted after the Freo match, perhaps because I geniunely feel we will be more competitive this year. I had very low expectations for yesterday because of the injuries (now 15 and counting) and the short recovery time from game in WA.

Grimes. No suprises, except that he's only played 12 AFL games and he's possibly our leader on the field in the absence of Green, Davey, Bruce and Junior.

I don't know who we play next week, but there's a chance we may not win any pre-season games, and there's a very good chance we will lose our first 3 regular games to tough competition. The round 4 match against Richmond will be important, but at least Deans' head wont be on the chopping block due the the contract extension. Remember poor Terry Wallace at the same match last year.

I hope we can turn it around soon, but it may take a couple of thrashings to trigger the response from the players. There was an interesting game at St kilda in 2002. They we absolutely butchered by Port and Geelong in rounds 3 and 4. They were playing the Swans and were massive underdogs. The side included Baker, Blake, Del Santo, Hayes, Milne and Reivoldt. They were leading in the last quarter, held on for a draw. I remember that game because I thought the players became a team that night. By 2004 they were nearly the best team in the league. Maybe that can happen to us.

* I have great difficulty with words. I was going to use 'preconception' but apparently that means something like 'arranging to get pregnant'. Still, considering our bad luck with injuries, anything's possible.

Edited February 27, 2010 by DirtyDees DDC

[DirtyDees DDC 187]

Jamar. Definitely our No. 1 ruckman. We need two of him - at the bounce and in the goalsquare. We must re-sign this guy asap. He is 27yo and can play another 3-4 years, but he is only on a one year contract. He is good enough to be a leading ruckman in any AFL side, and we don't have many other options. Please don't offer him as trade bait at the end of the year. It will be at least 3 years before Gawn and Fitzpatrick can possibly be good enough to lead the rucks.

Sorry I forgot Spencer. But Jamar is still a better option than Spence for the next 3 years, because of his experience and kicking.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,092]

Why all the love for Joel Mac? He was seriously ordinary yesterday. He left his man at the wrong times and got caught out repeatedly because of it. Slack, unaccountable football. Also his disposal wasn't great. He did a decent job when he was at the contest, but too often was seen looking back at the man he should have been marking as they pushed the ball inside 50.

[drdrake 3,187]

I read this thread and wonder how many posters actually attended the game or attended the game and didn't notice that we had a very inexperienced team up against a team that was at full strength.

Instead of focusing on the negatives open your eyes and look for the passages of plays where these young guys show their potential.

With that in mind a few comments

Bail, slow first half but he actually dne some nice things n the second half, worked himself into the game and in the last quarter IMO was our best for that quarter.

Maric don't jump of this guy, he sat in a forward pocket for the first half with no supply, the second half he used the ball well and set up two goals and kicked another.

Bennell looks better running from defense showed some of the dash and flare that we need from him.

Jurrah sorry mate you are going to get the best defender every week and you are not ready for that. He will get better every week and the conditions yesterday not exactly ideal for a high marking forward.

Morton had a heap of the footy and used it well

Scully is a running machine the more he plays the beter he will get, just needs to adjust to the speed of the AFL level and his team mates need to adjust to the speed of his hands.

Miller, in the second half when we started taking the game on he became a target. He will get better as our midfiled gets better. He presents all day and to the right spots but we lack the confidence in our abilty to hit targets and take the safe boundary option then using Miller up th middle. Once we get this confidence he will be a 15 mark per game player. Can he kick goals, needs to imporve but his role willbe that lead up forward creating space behind him.

Considering the talent we had out I thought yesterday was OK.

[Carn dees 108]

I read this thread and wonder how many posters actually attended the game or attended the game and didn't notice that we had a very inexperienced team up against a team that was at full strength.

Instead of focusing on the negatives open your eyes and look for the passages of plays where these young guys show their potential.

With that in mind a few comments

Bail, slow first half but he actually dne some nice things n the second half, worked himself into the game and in the last quarter IMO was our best for that quarter.

Maric don't jump of this guy, he sat in a forward pocket for the first half with no supply, the second half he used the ball well and set up two goals and kicked another.

Bennell looks better running from defense showed some of the dash and flare that we need from him.

Jurrah sorry mate you are going to get the best defender every week and you are not ready for that. He will get better every week and the conditions yesterday not exactly ideal for a high marking forward.

Morton had a heap of the footy and used it well

Scully is a running machine the more he plays the beter he will get, just needs to adjust to the speed of the AFL level and his team mates need to adjust to the speed of his hands.

Miller, in the second half when we started taking the game on he became a target. He will get better as our midfiled gets better. He presents all day and to the right spots but we lack the confidence in our abilty to hit targets and take the safe boundary option then using Miller up th middle. Once we get this confidence he will be a 15 mark per game player. Can he kick goals, needs to imporve but his role willbe that lead up forward creating space behind him.

Considering the talent we had out I thought yesterday was OK.

I also went yesterday and i pretty much agree with all of that.

Few observations.

Ricky Petterd was great imo, Jones was ok i sat right next to the bench and after he ran backwards and looked to switch through the middle to a two on one he was on the phone to someone and jones was real upset he punched the bench wich made a massive noise. I really like jones he trys his but off some things just dont come of but as we get better i think jonesy will stand out even more.

Also Jamar was real good in the ruck, also Strauss( i payed particular attention to) was good when with the ball and his kicking was great!

Also 40 points flattered essendon we weren't that bad, we i felt for almost the whole game we were in it.

Edited February 28, 2010 by Carn dees

[45HG 1,559]

If we had a half-functioning forwardline there's no way we'd have lost by anything close to 40 points if at all.

Edited February 28, 2010 by 45HG16