NAB Challenge 2 - Melbourne v Geelong

[jackaub 1,402]

stevie j just said we took it right up to them and we're a team on the improve.

i'll take the best player in the afl saying that about us for sure!

OK andrew tell me who was on him?

[jackaub 1,402]

Jamar, Clark, Garland, Dawes, Frawley and Viney will make a big difference to our side.

Oh yeah Dream on

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Michie is a very smart and capable footballer.

Tyson is going to be huge for us and gets first hands on it a lot.

Vince got a bit cute but gets it.

Watts was poor for most of the game but redeemed himself in the last quarter.

Byrnes, Nicho, Barry unlikely to be sighted in a Dees jumper again I would think.

Tom Mc, good defender, needs to learn to turn and look, has tunnel vision and runs himself into strife.

Matt Jones had an ugly night.

Clisby plays every game, consistently hits targets and picks good options.

Georgiou hits every target, uncanny

Hogan and fitzy must get frustrated with the lack of I50s and the speed at which they come in most times

Bike Jake was ok

All in all with some decent inclusions, we are 200% better.

LOL!

Watts was pretty good all game ya fool.

Edited February 28, 2014 by The Song Formerly Known As

[autocol 448]

I know you're all sick of me pointing it out, but Lynden Dunn is a walk-up start in any back six in the comp I reckon. Set up play beautifully, ran hard, and (as per usual) never once got beaten one on one.

Clisby should also play every game this year. His delivery of the ball - low and fast - is an asset we've been sorely lacking. I expect we'll get used to hearing "Clisby, to Watts, to Hogan" this year...

[jabberwocky 2,301]

LOL!

Watts was pretty good all game ya fool.

Standards are low with this one.

For an outside receiver he was running at about 50% DE I reckon for 3/4. He was rusty. That is poor, even by mfc standards. Hopefully he gets his eye in as the season progresses.

His last quarter was very good.

Edited February 28, 2014 by jabberwocky

[Hannibal 5,814]

Dom Tyson will be a very good footballer.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Standards are low with this one.

For an outside receiver he was running at about 50% DE I reckon for 3/4. He was rusty. That is poor, even by mfc standards. Hopefully he gets his eye in as the season progresses.

He is never going to dominate the game with 28+ disposals. He will be an outside mid with a laser boot, who can creep forward or back to kick the odd goal or take the odd intercepting mark. Get that it into your head sooner and you'll realise the upside he has.

[jackaub 1,402]

I know you're all sick of me pointing it out, but Lynden Dunn is a walk-up start in any back six in the comp I reckon. Set up play beautifully, ran hard, and (as per usual) never once got beaten one on one.

Clisby should also play every game this year. His delivery of the ball - low and fast - is an asset we've been sorely lacking. I expect we'll get used to hearing "Clisby, to Watts, to Hogan" this year...

Dunn is the most maligned player on this forum Give hoim space he is good ! People here who dont see his skills dont know thw game thank goodness Roos does he will be a star this year "MARK MY WORDS" Also agree on Clisby and GEORGEIO

[whatwhat say what 19,677]

watts finished with 18 disposals at 68.2%.

i was impressed by his running to present, and his eight marks thanks to his workrate.

considering he was only on-field for 76% of the game i think that's a pretty good game personally.

[P-man 13,277]

Even if the ball use was frankly atrocious at times, I'll take that high possession game every week over the dross of last year where it was all one way traffic. We also won't face Geelong type pressure every week.

Really liked Clisby and Terlich's game down back, and can almost bank on Vince to have a career best year. He looks in ripping nick. Tyson is a couple of years away from being a genuine star. Some of Watts' second efforts were very pleasing and invariably used the ball well. Jezza put in a solid shift and worked hard. I'm tipping him to have a more consistent year.

Toump still doesn't work hard enough defensively and made some shocking errors at crucial times, whilst the likes of Byrnes and Nicholson are quite obviously not best 22.

Overall a mountain of work still to do but some solid strides forward.

[dees189227 11,016]

If you said at the start of the game we'd lose by 13 points you'd take it. But finally we have a midfield to work with. Vince has been outstanding and is a blessing for Jones. Michie is a great pick up also Dom as well. Throw in Viney and cross and it looks good. Brent who?

I still look at our huddle and I still cant believe its Roos addressing our players.

[Return to Glory 7,795]

We are sufferring overuse syndrome It will get better!!!

Good to see some perspective.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Dunn is the most maligned player on this forum Give hoim space he is good ! People here who dont see his skills dont know thw game thank goodness Roos does he will be a star this year "MARK MY WORDS" Also agree on Clisby and GEORGEIO

[rpfc 27,637]

That 5 minutes of nonsense in the third cost us the game, which is quite something considering Geelong cut us up often and we over possess the footy.

The game plan is going to test the players - Matt Jones tonight was case in point - he struggled to make good decisions and when rushed was making horrendous, even comical, decisions with the ball.

Vince, Cross, Tyson, and Nathan Jones will get 100 touches a game and will make us a different team - it is just what the other 6 or 7 members of the midfield do with their 100 touches that will determine how close we get to teams.

Hogan will be fine for Rd 1, he looked at ease out there. Watts looks lazy from time to time but runs hard to position.

The handball happiness got out of hand against a good team. Everyone has to be patient with this possession footy - it won't happen overnight...

[jabberwocky 2,301]

He is never going to dominate the game with 28+ disposals. He will be an outside mid with a laser boot, who can creep forward or back to kick the odd goal or take the odd intercepting mark. Get that it into your head sooner and you'll realise the upside he has.

Well for much of the game his laser boot was off when he was under direct pressure. He had some good possessions and his last quarter was good. His DE was poor for an outside mid. End of story.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Watts didn't have too many cringe-worthy moments, which is a blessing. Although the way he went to ground after running past the ball near the wing in the first quarter annoyed me no end.

Keep your frigging feet, especially under minimal pressure.

[rpfc 27,637]

Well for much of the game his laser boot was off when he was under direct pressure. He had some good possessions and his last quarter was good. His DE was poor for an outside mid. End of story.

He and his friends strangled our run with terrible handballs - either the wrong handball, or simply a poorly directed one.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Well for much of the game his laser boot was off when he was under direct pressure. He had some good possessions and his last quarter was good. His DE was poor for an outside mid. End of story.

To quote another poster who hit the nail on the head:

watts finished with 18 disposals at 68.2%.

i was impressed by his running to present, and his eight marks thanks to his workrate.

considering he was only on-field for 76% of the game i think that's a pretty good game personally.

End of story.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Hogan will be a superstar, but he'll be looking forward to quicker delivery.

[Deespicable 2,567]

I know you're all sick of me pointing it out, but Lynden Dunn is a walk-up start in any back six in the comp I reckon. Set up play beautifully, ran hard, and (as per usual) never once got beaten one on one.

Clisby should also play every game this year. His delivery of the ball - low and fast - is an asset we've been sorely lacking. I expect we'll get used to hearing "Clisby, to Watts, to Hogan" this year...

I agree with your first point - Lynden Dunn has developed into one of our most reliable defenders and his kick is huge weapon.

He also has a booming deep man's man voice - the type that makes all the other guys know they are going to be backed up and supported - reminds me of a really reliable Old Collegian defender Stuart Hinchen.

He's taken a while to find his spot but I agree with you he's finally arrived and he's totally suited to Roosy's possession style of game.

Your other point however is a surprise - Clisby is totally unsuited to Roosy's gameplan because he's a short kick and can't get himself out of trouble once he turns the wrong way as he did on numerous occasions tonight.

Have a look at first-half replay and see his [censored]-ups.

[Matt Demon 1,388]

I thought Watts was pretty good for his first hit out of the year, I think that roll really suits him. Tyson is an absolute star in the making, so much time & poise in those clearances. Overall it was a good effort with some shocking turnovers. If we can iron out some of the mistakes we'll be alright.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

The handball happiness got out of hand against a good team. Everyone has to be patient with this possession footy - it won't happen overnight...

I would like us to take balls in hand at times when we get the fast break and get the ball deeper quicker. I know Roos advocates the slingshot, we weren't keen to use it tonight.

[DeeSpencer 23,483]

The thing about Watts is that he's going to be bad until he's good. Then he'll be really good.

He went too far backwards with the ball when he should be the final man in the link up. He's still not backing his speed. Still plays for frees and doesn't hit loose balls hard enough. Or tackle with conviction. Also dropped out the back too much particularly in the first quarter instead of running forward to get the ball.

But it was also his first hit out in a new role and other players were a game in front of him.

If he was drafted with pick 50 in last years draft and today was his debut you'd say he has a lot to learn but showed a lot of good signs as well. We have to persist with him and he has to step up in some of the simpler areas to fix.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Four observations:

Most of our consistent turnovers came from players outside of our best 22.

Hogan will play round 1 despite Demonland hysteria a week ago.

Spencer will start in the ruck round 1. People round here need to get used to it.

No obvious injuries.

[Jaded No More 59,110]

Fair to say Dom Barry isn't overly exciting me.

But Dom of the Tyson kind, yes please!

Great get, he's a great inside player.