Great job by the reporters. Consistent analysis and no sugar coating. 

You just want to drive off being clearer on a few things after an intra like this.

I won't go into detail of the match, although I reckon they still need to move the ball quicker, but will mention individual players.

For me Salem was a easily best on ground.  Pure class off half back.  Beautiful distributor

Hogan is a tad rusty with his timing in marking contests, but still finished with 9 marks and 4 goals in 80 minutes of footy (20 minutes each quarter with no time on)

The more I see Harmes the more I like him.  He's not out of place in the midfield and is a very smart lead when he takes a stint in the forward 50.  He's best 22 for me

It's a make or break year for Watts, but I liked his game today and really like him as the third tall forward.  Missed a couple he'd normally kick

Oscar made the odd mistake, but he's coming on really well.  Will play plenty of senior footy and has better skills than his Brother (who was horrible today)

Gawn is going to have a great year, but like a lot of talls at this time of year, dropped a few marks he'll be taking in 6 weeks

Gus does everything well, although wasn't prolific

Viney will go to another level in 2016.  Looking better than last year

I like Josh Wagner.  He's a good size, is composed and a lovely left foot kick.  He also competes well

Billy got a fair bit of it, but made a few uncharacteristic mistakes today

I love Tyson.  I know he occasionally hangs on to it a bit long, but he's also a very smart and clean footballer.  Will keep getting better and looks bigger

Jetta was very good

Hunt is relishing the switch to a half-back flank and getting more touches.  His speed stood out and he generally uses it ok, but can torch the odd one

Weideman is a mile off.  He's just not strong enough to even get in the right position to compete in marking contests.  Needs plenty of time and I don't see many games at all in 2016

vandenberg was busy.  I love Vanders, my only query is his kicking, but he generally uses it well  

I'll finish with number 13.  Oliver is a fantastic competitor and has a tonne of footy smarts.  He's great in congestion and makes really good decisions quickly with his hands.  He's got a magnificent physique and is already looking bigger than 3 months ago (particularly his legs).  I thought Oliver was a fair way off the best 22 with the way they've been managing him, and he may miss the first few games, but trust me he won't be out of the team for long.  And like Brayshaw, when he gets in he won't be coming out.  He is going to be a fantastic midfielder for the MFC.  He was quieter when he went to the half-forward flank (manned by Hunt 187cm, who he was noticeably taller than – has grown – at least 188cm now)

Three things we need to move up the ladder (including no major injuries):

We really need the second tall forward to stand up and kick 20+ goals (whether that be Frost, Pedersen, or Dawes)

We need the midfield to take the next step through the likes of Viney, vandenBerg, Tyson, and Brayshaw

We need the game-plan to gel, i.e. quicker ball movement, more inside 50's, start attacks closer to our goal, press harder, etc
 

Great reports guys.  Good to hear there was nothing out of the ordinary and that many of the players played well... for an intra club, anyway.

If Gawn were to go down, and touch all the wood on the planet that he doesn't, I'd be interested to see if we went with Frost as the number 1 ruck.  He might lack some height but he is strong enough, quick enough and mobile enough to play the role just as well as a Jake Spencer would.  Pedersen could pinch hit a bit as well, or even Dawes.  We have options, although I can understand why people believe they don't look that flash.

Great to see a few of the second year players kicking on a bit as well, such as Brayshaw and VDB.  Looking forward to seeing who we take in the squad to PA in a weeks time.

Thanks for all the reports

Not really worried about the skill errors, three more games to get it right, anybody catch any of the Blues Hawks  errors everywhere

Nev was told to go away and work on his engine over the break, Roos wanted even more output from him, from reports has gone up another level

From watching training and the reemergence of Jayden Hunt could see why we kept him

Salem is just class  (for an Arsenal supporter)

Edited February 19, 20169 yr by Satyriconhome
Smar8phone

Its quite scary that an 18 year old 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.

 

Edited February 21, 20169 yr by dazzledavey36

6 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

Thanks for all the reports

Not really worried about the skill errors, three more games to get it right, anybody catch any of the Blues Hawks  errors everywhere

Nev was told to go away and work on his engine over the break, Roos wanted even more output from him, from teports gone up another level

From watching training and the reemergence of Jayden Hunt could see why we kept him

Salem is just class  (for an Arsenal supporter)

I'm so impressed with Jetta. He's skillful, smart, courageous and isn't often beaten.

Good point about the skill errors. Fingers crossed. 

I was impressed with Oliver as well: though his kicking reminds me of Maloney's high flying balloons, unfortunately.

In that photo Oliver looks like Blease on peptides.

 

He is huge.

1 hour ago, Dee-licious said:

I've been thinking about it, and from today if I had to put together the best 22 who played (in position): 

Jetta Dunn Garland
Hunt  McDonald Brayshaw
Grimes Viney Salem
Watts Frost VDB
Garlett Hogan Kennedy
Gawn Viney Tyson
Oliver Kent Wagner ANB

You must have a pretty high opinion of Viney.

1 hour ago, Courtney_Fish said:

You must have a pretty high opinion of Viney.

More than happy to have 5 of him in the side  But that was an unfortunate oversight. 

Anybody get a look at young Jake Lovett today?

2 hours ago, Dee-licious said:

Without Gawn we are gawn. I dont think we will play finals, but I hope for 9-12th area. Injuries will play a big part in where we finish. If we can have a clean bill of health for our top 20 odd players, I think we will go quite well. 

I've been thinking about it, and from today if I had to put together the best 22 who played (in position): 

Jetta Dunn Garland
Hunt  McDonald Brayshaw
Grimes Viney Salem
Watts Frost VDB
Garlett Hogan Kennedy
Gawn Viney Tyson
Oliver Kent Wagner ANB

For the past month or so I've been drifting over to the rd 1 thread to peruse some teams, often thought of having a shot myself, but just wasn't being inspired...

That team is really interesting.

10 minutes ago, watchtheeyes said:

For the past month or so I've been drifting over to the rd 1 thread to peruse some teams, often thought of having a shot myself, but just wasn't being inspired...

That team is really interesting.

Very Interesting with Viney playing on-ball and centre. Agree though, add Vince and the captain, it is an interesting side. 

1 minute ago, Demi Dee said:

Very Interesting with Viney playing on-ball and centre. Agree though, add Vince and the captain, it is an interesting side. 

Jones replaces one of the Vineys, Vince goes on the wing instead of Grimes who drops down to the bench for Wagner..

Serious quality across each line, particularly through the middle.

2 hours ago, Courtney_Fish said:

You must have a pretty high opinion of Viney.

Your not related to my brother in law, who goes by the stage name, Courtney Cox Lately? 

Really great summaries so I cannot add much. The game was very, very congested with lots of stoppages and contested ball. It was hard work in close and not a lot of time or space for 'pretty' skills. I guess that is the way Roos/Goodwin are wanting the team to play. Recruiting over the last couple of years suggests that also. Just as an aside the AFL Prospectus said that sheer numbers of possessions at junior levels mean little - its contested disposals that count. They cited Toumpass, Lucas and Morton as examples of players with high possessions but low contested possession count. Lesson learnt - pick up players like Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver with early picks - so its been learnt.

No one could have stopped the goals Hogan kicked. Harmes and Oliver looked good. Salem showed class and great disposal under pressure. O Mc looks like he will be good down the track. Weed also given time should be good. For perspective at this stage of Weeds career Hogan had already won a Casey B & F and goal kicking - so nocomparisons - take it easy on the Weed. He did take a pressure mark in the last Q and looks like he will be ok - just needs time..

If we can have some really good delivery forward Watts will provide plenty of headaches for the opposition as our 3rd tall.

Plenty of hope in the offering. Wait and see how we go with the NAB Cup. We are definitely building a midfield that should take us places. Now lets get Hogan signed.

Grimes was ok, haters gonna hate,

Anyone who wears Hassa Mann's number always gets a free pass from me. Having said that, this was the first time I have seen Hunt live. I was pleasantly surprised, I expect that he will get a few NAB games, and we will see how he goes from there.

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

Salem just oozes class.

Harmes and Kent swapped teams in the second half. I would not be surprised to find it was because the coaching staff wanted Hogan to do something other than kicking it to Harmes evey time he got it.

Gawn was very good. Spencer was ok up to the time he went off.

Dunny will be very glad that he doesn't have to play on Hogan too often.

I didn't know who #35 was; I have since found out it was Kennedy - good hit out.

It was all a bit scrappy, but early days.

47 minutes ago, watchtheeyes said:

Jones replaces one of the Vineys, Vince goes on the wing instead of Grimes who drops down to the bench for Wagner..

Serious quality across each line, particularly through the middle.

And this still doesn't include Petracca. Lots to like 

9 hours ago, Courtney_Fish said:

I need Joe Boy's 3 word review!

Coming here soon.

4 hours ago, ProDee said:

  He was quieter when he went to the half-forward flank (manned by Hunt 187cm, who he was noticeably taller than – has grown – at least 188cm now)

 

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?

5 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

 

From watching training and the reemergence of Jayden Hunt could see why we kept him

 

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

46 minutes ago, Redleg said:

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

Calm your farm Redleg.  He hasn't made it... yet.

9 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

I would have thought 3rd or 4th tall. With 4 now on the bench and reduced interchanges, it means I think we will be playing two ruckman, possibly Gawn and Frost  (although Gawn and Spencer worked very well in the best win of last season against Geelong). This means the forward talls will be 1. Jesse  2. Dawes/Weideman/Huelett  3. Resting Ruck.  4. Watts (roving half forward). 

This will be great for Jack when he can at last use his height and speed against smaller opponents. Also can't wait to see Max taking screamers in the square at regular intervals.

yes,  to me we have the 2 regular tall types F/F & CHF,  say (Hogan & Frost),  a 3rd tall to spell the ruckman (Pedo or Frost),   so in this scenario Watts can play as 4th tall in a pocket,  or flank, & on a small opponent.

this shhould suit him.

8 hours ago, hardtack said:

I read an AFL.com report that said Spencil had rolled his ankle and that it didn't appear to be serious as he was walking with barely a limp after the game.

painkillers? RSI ?

Thanks for the reports guys. Some really exciting things to come out of the game it seems. 

Doesn't seem like we will run much of a zone backline though which is a bit disappointing, Carlton showed they could do it in one preseason the other night, or for at least half a game. 

The centre square rotation potential of Tyson, Viney, Vanders, Brayshaw, Oliver, Harmes, Kennedy, ANB and eventually Petracca is enticing. I hope the coaches are thinking hard about Vince and Jones playing half back for something different and to give some of these young guys the opportunity. 

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

Second tall forward/ruck and 1 or 2 half back flank spots might be the biggest questions to ask. 

Finally seems our best two players aren't Jones and Vince, which is a good sign!

Viney and Gawn set for a huge impact this year.