After the first week of NAB cup - which was more like old fashioned practice matches than genuine pre-season comp games - I have already been surprised by a few things. I know it is only 1 week and I am not putting the whole season on these things, but the surprises to me were:

Dean Kent's pace and AFL readiness

Michael Evans. His pace and follow up work were very good.

Dunn and Watts down back. With their reading of the play and kicking this is a great pairing.

Hogan. How many marks and how much running can a 17 yo do?

Toumpas and Viney. I was unsure if either were ready. Now I think they may both be round 1.

Howe's continued development

What surprised you?

Kent's haircut.

Really liked the look of Kent

Biggest surprise was why vickery lost his bottle at the end when Dunn did nothing more than try to spoil

Jones giving Martin lip, never really seen Nathan get to verbal.

Jimmy Toumpas: poise and skill.

Jack Watts: poise, skill and maturity!

The fact that both of last year's Grand Finalists are both sitting below us on the NAB ladder after the first round (and two teams above us are lower on percentage)!

Watts : great games, great beard ( hope he doesn't go the full Travy Johnstone, zz top look )

Watts : great games, great beard ( hope he doesn't go the full Travy Johnstone, zz top look )

I do.......

Really liked the look of Kent

Biggest surprise was why vickery lost his bottle at the end when Dunn did nothing more than try to spoil

Yeah that just came out of the blue, Dunn just seemed be gobsmacked that it happened didn't even retaliate.

I would think Vickery might get a reprimand for rough conduct, given it was on the hard surface if Dunn's head had hit on the ground he could've been badly hurt.

I was pleasantly surprised by the four jovial, pleasant, sober young Tigers supporters in front of me. I even had a bit of a chat to one of them and he was capable of more than just a few grunts.

Extraordinary!

Dean Kent... was at the game and I though he was Matt Jones until I found out 34 was Kent the next day

My concern is how the backline will line up round 1, Frawley and McDonald are guaranteed the 2 key posts. But then we've got Watts, Dunn and Garland who are all playing back as well. We're to tall and slow if we end up going with all 5 down back.

Dean Kent... was at the game and I though he was Matt Jones until I found out 34 was Kent the next day

My concern is how the backline will line up round 1, Frawley and McDonald are guaranteed the 2 key posts. But then we've got Watts, Dunn and Garland who are all playing back as well. We're to tall and slow if we end up going with all 5 down back.

I wouldn't be too worried about the pace of Frawley, Garland or Watts, they might be talls but all are pretty quick across the ground. Both Frawley and Garland have acquitted themselves well on small forwards in the past.

Dean Kent... was at the game and I though he was Matt Jones until I found out 34 was Kent the next day

My concern is how the backline will line up round 1, Frawley and McDonald are guaranteed the 2 key posts. But then we've got Watts, Dunn and Garland who are all playing back as well. We're to tall and slow if we end up going with all 5 down back.

i know what you mean, we seem to be found out a bit by the nimble Nahas, Milne, Eddie Betts types. Not sure Nicholson is that good defensively.

Really though Watts, Garland and Frawley have plenty of pace but don't seem to use it with much impact. look at Rodan, he times his runs to impact a stoppage or set play. we still have a lot to learn with that.

Shannon Byrnes surprises me, i think he will add alot.

I am pleasantly surprised that the Watts-bashers on here have quietened down. Lets hope he continues the good form throughout the season proper. I'd love to see him win the Bluey.

Colin Sylvia putting in...Not.

Sadly i am not suprised anymore.

Not really a surprise due to the pre season we've had, but there certainly seems to b a lot more run in the legs at last

Kent looked the good, Watts was very impressive.

Hogan showed a bit.

Vickery shown how much of a [censored] he is.

Yeah that just came out of the blue, Dunn just seemed be gobsmacked that it happened didn't even retaliate.

I would think Vickery might get a reprimand for rough conduct, given it was on the hard surface if Dunn's head had hit on the ground he could've been badly hurt.

You're kidding aren't you?? Didn't you know Melbourne players are allowed to be assaulted in the pre-season without any fear of retribution ???? Ask Col Sylvia about his jaw.....

From the vision I think Dunn pushed Vickery into the contest slightly resulting in Vickery copping a falcon ie hit in the head with the ball. He may have thought that Dunn hit him. The umpires mike also came across asking Dunn to stop using his elbows. poor Tyrone he must bruise easily

Somehow I was surprised by how poor Sylvia was, considering his injury-free preseason. I'm clinging to the slim hope that he doesn't give a rat's ass about NAB Cup and will pull his finger out for round one.

Agree re C. Sylvia. Maybe a run at Renmark might sharpen him up.

Kent was good - reminded me of an old style half-forward flanker.

Somehow I was surprised by how poor Sylvia was, considering his injury-free preseason. I'm clinging to the slim hope that he doesn't give a rat's ass about NAB Cup and will pull his finger out for round one.

i wouldn't be too worried about him. I got the feeling that some of the more experienced guys were told not to go too hard and let the kids show their wares. Grimes was going through the motions, jones knows only one way and howey although he did get high could have got higher on a number of occasions. No sense in getting injuries rd 1 of nab cup

Vickery shown how much of a [censored] he is.

He really is.

He really is.

judging by tigers supporters around me they all agree.