Intraclub Practice Match - Friday 19th February, 2016

[Gator 16,910]

10 hours ago, Redleg said:

Good report.

This made me smile however, that a 1cm difference in height between players, is noticeable on the field. Did you allow for the thicker hair?

I have a bit of a thing about height when it comes to our new inside mids.  I'm rapt to have Viney and Jones, but we all recognise how we've often looked small these last few years when coming up against the competitions best - not just in height, but larger framed bodies.

When he was standing next to Hunt it was noticeable that he was taller. Not a lot, but definitely taller. So I looked up Hunt's height and was pleasantly surprised to see him listed at 187cms.  Prior to this I'd never thought of Hunt's height.

Oliver also came to us at 187cm, but it was mentioned recently that he was "still growing". What I noticed confirmed this report.

Take it with a grain of salt (as you clearly have).

Edited February 19, 2016 by ProDee

[Whispering_Jack 28,025]

2 minutes ago, ProDee said:

I have a bit of a thing about height when it comes to our new inside mids.  I'm rapt to have Viney and Jones, but we all recognise how we've often looked small these last few years when coming up against the competitions best - not just in height, but larger framed bodies.

A factor no better emphasised than by a quick look at the Fremantle midfield in yesterday's game. 

[Nasher 33,133]

10 hours ago, Redleg said:

Hello to all those on here who wanted him gone. Possibly the same people who wanted the Captain gone at 21.

Speaking for myself, I didn't "want" him gone, just thought he would be based on output to date and how these things are usually managed.

[whatwhat say what 19,318]

48 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

A factor no better emphasised than by a quick look at the Fremantle midfield in yesterday's game. 

Lachie Neale a clear exception - knee high to a grasshopper and absolutely prolific.

[daisycutter 28,641]

nice to kick off season with a win

does that make it two in a row?

[Great Sage 51]

9 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Tom McDonald seems to be the biggest concern from the best 22 senior players in terms of finding form.

Surprised at the concern re TMac. He didn't star but certainly held his own and showed his class on occasions - was also very vocal with instructions. Only knock would be that he got caught with the ball a couple of times but he was noticeably taking players on (perhaps under instruction). He also made several centimeter perfect passes over 30-40 meters. At one stage Jade Rawlings ran onto the ground to congratulate him on getting through traffic and kicking a great pass that resulted in a shot at goal. Had to wait to be heard as Tom was shouting instructions to teammates re positioning.

FWIW thought Grimes played well and seemed to be enjoying the freedom of the wing.

[jumbo returns 6,515]

The elite fitness of the team has always worried me.

I hope that 2016 sees greater execution of the press and running hard both ways, due to increased fitness levels.

I feel that two or three injuries to key players would really hurt our climb up the ladder....

[Redleg 37,909]

2 hours ago, ProDee said:

I have a bit of a thing about height when it comes to our new inside mids.  I'm rapt to have Viney and Jones, but we all recognise how we've often looked small these last few years when coming up against the competitions best - not just in height, but larger framed bodies.

When he was standing next to Hunt it was noticeable that he was taller. Not a lot, but definitely taller. So I looked up Hunt's height and was pleasantly surprised to see him listed at 187cms.  Prior to this I'd never thought of Hunt's height.

Oliver also came to us at 187cm, but it was mentioned recently that he was "still growing". What I noticed confirmed this report.

Take it with a grain of salt (as you clearly have).

I wouldn't be surprised if he still has a bit of growing left in him. Could get close to Fyfe size.

[junk 342]

I hope we get a percentage booster out of this!!!

[manny100 1,024]

T Mc was pretty good without starring in the praccy. He did get caught a few times but that was the congested nature of the game - you had to be lightening quick to get a break. O Mc looks like he will develop ok - he needs about 5 kg. If he can eventually take a KPB it will free T Mc for an attacking sweeping back role, a wing or even 3rd mobile tall up forward.

The story goes that Hogan was showed footage of the KPF prospects before the draft and his preferred was the Weed - whether that is a myth??

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

19 hours ago, hardtack said:

Wagner is giving Dunn a preview of the first part of his Ring cycle?

Looks more like the third part of the Ring cycle - the Ride of the Valkyries.

Not sure Wagner is going to enjoy where that particular ride is heading either ...

 

 

[DeeSpencer 23,320]

3 hours ago, manny100 said:

T Mc was pretty good without starring in the praccy. He did get caught a few times but that was the congested nature of the game - you had to be lightening quick to get a break. O Mc looks like he will develop ok - he needs about 5 kg. If he can eventually take a KPB it will free T Mc for an attacking sweeping back role, a wing or even 3rd mobile tall up forward.

The story goes that Hogan was showed footage of the KPF prospects before the draft and his preferred was the Weed - whether that is a myth??

If he's up at stoppages and getting caught that's fine, but otherwise if he's playing key defender he should be in space and not get caught with the ball. His endurance makes him an interesting option for a bit of wing time as part of a rotation but he doesn't have the skills or decision making to play there or as a rebounding defender. I'm fine with him taking the game on in preseason but come the real stuff he needs to play within his limits more when he has the ball. We need our other defenders to lift their attacking work rate so that Tom doesn't feel the need to try running around people on the mark and other rubbish. Salem in will help and I expect/hope Jetta, Dunn and Garland step up this season. It sounds like Wagner and Hunt are also right in the race for a spot in round 1.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

19 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

It sounds like Wagner and Hunt are also right in the race for a spot in round 1.

Wagner would need to be upgraded, presumably for Melksham, but Michie and White would surely be ahead of him.

[jnrmac 19,213]

21 hours ago, binman said:

Looks great but it appears Wagner still able to dispose of the ball so an ineffective tackle. 

ONly because Jack has been instructed not to smash his team mates into the turf. Wagner is lucky to be alive.....

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,945]

29 minutes ago, Elusive Tunbridge said:

Wagner would need to be upgraded, presumably for Melksham, but Michie and White would surely be ahead of him.

For me the biggest question is then who's on the other back flank. Salems on one but that's not enough, we need a good user of the footy on the other. 

[Slartibartfast 15,924]

I went along yesterday. Unusually good conditions for Casey Fields. CF is a terrible viewing ground and early in the season picking up players can be difficult. I agree with much of what has been said and I reckon that where you are standing can influence your view as seeing what's happening on the other side of the ground is hard. I agree with most of what's been said ubut where I differ from others I've noted below. 

• I was surprised and quite impressed with Frost. Whilst his attributes were on display last year his ability to do anything with them wasn't. But he was ok to good yesterday which was promising. 
• Watts was good, involved but I was disappointed with his kicking. Missed easy goals and some makable passes. I didn't think he played 3rd tall either, more high half forward but these things aren't all that easy to see. 
• I thought Jake was very competitive against Gawn and the dominance of the "good" team was signifantly helped by Spencer's absence. Jake will never be a dominant player but if he is first ruck for us he will not make it easy for opposition ruckman. He's a good AFL backup ruck. We are not ruined if Gawn doesn't play. 
• After the recent debate about Oliver I was looking out for him and I thought he was terrific and shows more that Brayshaw at the same stage (yes, I know about Brayshaw's injury situation last year). What was very evident yesterday was his ability to find the ball at stoppages and in general play. I thought his lateral movement was great and his vision excellent which led to good disposal by hand. Not so good by foot but he had a lot of mates in that regard yesterday. 
• Salem is a gun. AVB found it heaps, Viney prolific Tommy Mac awful, Kennedy tough and Harmes impressive. But that has been reported by others. 

Ive been going to intraclub matches for 10 years now and haven't been impressed by the play once. Yesterday was no different. As PD says you go there to look for individual things. 

[daisycutter 28,641]

38 minutes ago, Elusive Tunbridge said:

Wagner would need to be upgraded, presumably for Melksham, but Michie and White would surely be ahead of him.

we can upgrade 2 rookies

1 for melksham, 1 for any club at start of season

[Bang Bang Bang 5,532]

18 hours ago, John Dee said:

Viney, vandenBerg and Tyson were a cut above. Tyson's disposal is a bit of a worry though.

Tyson has a nice action and can easily kick it 55+, but missed a lot of targets last year. He seemed a bit lazy with it, hope he can improve it because he'll be an absolute gun if he can.

Sounds like Salem has carried on from his late 2015 form. Needs to stay fit because there's nothing he can't do on the field.

I wonder how many people in the stands will be saying "McKenzie is looking bigger", "That's better McKenzie!" or "You hack McKenzie!" (after a turnover) if Oliver gets a game in Round 1.

Appreciate the reports guys. 

Edited February 20, 2016 by Sylvia Saint

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I think I might cry.

[DemonOX 8,541]

6 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

I went along yesterday. Unusually good conditions for Casey Fields.  

Ive been going to intraclub matches for 10 years now and haven't been impressed by the play once. Yesterday was no different. As PD says you go there to look for individual things. 

FMD that's encouraging. 

If we have another shitz season I think I'm going to self combust.

[thevil1 421]

On 19 February 2016 at 5:45 PM, Wiseblood said:

If Gawn were to go down, and touch all the wood on the planet that he doesn't.....

Better not be touching my wood, even for Gawny's sake! ? if that comma was missing after 'down' things could've gotten real messy....

Thanks for all the reports guys, awesome for us who couldn't make it. I hope the positives on Watts' performance translates to the real stuff, but to those who think just getting a smaller opponent is all he needs to ignite his career I have two words for you. Jamie Bennell. His problem isn't who he's matched up on, it's between his ears. He has all the tools & a developed body to use them, even against blokes his own size. Just go for it Killa!! 

I look at our midfield group now & finally feel we have some genuine depth. I'm getting pretty freakin excited for nab atm!!! 

[What 18,810]

On 19/02/2016 at 5:53 PM, dazzledavey36 said:

Its quite scary that an 18 year is already bigger then a 5th year season AFL midfielder..

Could see him filling out into a Josh Kennedy type body when he gets more Pre Seasons into him.

 

 

 

[Deeoldfart 7,802]

I was away from home on Friday .... in the middle of the bush with no mobile or internet coverage.  So the obvious thing to do was to eat lunch on the run and drive the 30 odd Ks to where I could get reception, and some feedback on how the Intraclub went ...... and of course Demonland didn't let me down.  Many thanks to those who provided reports, and nurtured my dreams for for 2016 (at least for another week)!  Go Dees!!

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

A guy I know had dinner with Jake Spencer yesterday (something like his room mate is a friend of Jake's girlfriend).  Said he's on crutches for the ankle he did in the game.  According to Spence, it's not too bad, but it sounds like he's out for a few weeks. 

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

9 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

A guy I know had dinner with Jake Spencer yesterday (something like his room mate is a friend of Jake's girlfriend).  Said he's on crutches for the ankle he did in the game.  According to Spence, it's not too bad, but it sounds like he's out for a few weeks. 

It'd be interesting to know what percentage of time Spencer's been injured since we drafted him. Seems to struggle with injuries every year.