Pre-match thread: NAB Challenge Game 1 - Port Adelaide v Melbourne

[P-man 13,366]

Footy is back. Kinda. 

Thoughts on this game? Is the result more important for us than it would be for other sides? Keep in mind this is Port's second pre-season game so a strengthened lineup from Game 1 is likely.

Potential match ups? Debuts to look forward to? What do you want out of the game? Reponses that expand beyond "no injuries" welcomed.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I'm not fussed by the result. As you mentioned Port have one game under their belt, and will be fielding a very strong side. In saying that, I would just like to see a good competitive effort, and then amongst that, some standout individual performances from some players who might not necessarily be in our top 10 players, like Kent, Frost, Kennedy, VDB, Grimes etc.

I would love to get through the NAB Challenge with 3 competitive efforts, with a couple of those potentially being wins. We seem to cop a morale bashing loss once a year in the NAB Challenge. I remember getting absolutely walloped by St Kilda a couple of years back, and of course losing to the top up Bombers last year, so we need to avoid anything like that happening IMO.

[BarnDee 287]

treat it like it is , a farce  just go have a run about , no reward for winning , just a praccy match 

 

[Forest Demon 4,681]

3 minutes ago, BarnDee said:

treat it like it is , a farce  just go have a run about , no reward for winning , just a praccy match 

 

Interested why you would call it a farce? The AFL aren't trying to paint it as anymore than a practice match. There are a couple of changes I would make, but hardly farcical.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Just now, Forest Demon said:

Interested why you would call it a farce? The AFL aren't trying to paint it as anymore than a practice match. There are a couple of changes I would make, but hardly farcical.

Not only that, but we need to get a few games under the belt before the season proper. The result means nothing but it does plenty for match fitness levels and tweaks to the game plan. 

[Copuchas 763]

It's all about the ball movement for mine and the concomitant impact on game plan.  There's a high degree of anticipation as to how much impact Goodwin has had on the game plan and to what extent the young Dees can execute it.  

Two media articles in the last couple of days are very instructive - firstly Mahoney putting the pressure on the players by saying we're approaching the NAB Challenge seriously and then Roosy in essence saying there's no reason we can't do what the Dogs did.  In my mind these are very deliberate efforts to ensure we hit the ground running as there's an awareness that we need to build some momentum and belief early so that we keep our season alive for as long as possible and give the debutantes every opportunity to hit their straps.  With some early success, the possibility envelope opens right up...... 

 

[BarnDee 287]

well forest ol mate it is a farce , why go and risk injury without reward  meaning it should be a mini pre season cup or something , even a fat cheque  , just something to make it worth while , , the cost to clubs to do this must be huge , 

 

[binman 44,182]

Funnily enough the nab games are more meaningful now that there is no charade. Important practice matches. No more no less

[BarnDee 287]

yeah ok  read all that   its cool just chucking my 2 bob in    GOOOOO DEEEEES 

 

[Sir Why You Little 37,239]

Game Plan...

get it right. 

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

1 hour ago, BarnDee said:

well forest ol mate it is a farce , why go and risk injury without reward  meaning it should be a mini pre season cup or something , even a fat cheque  , just something to make it worth while , , the cost to clubs to do this must be huge , 

 

 

Every team would have practice matches regardless, this is just televised and promoted. So with, or without the NAB challenge there is still risk of injury.

The boys need to play the real stuff before heading into the season. 

[faultydet 7,623]

1 hour ago, BarnDee said:

well forest ol mate it is a farce , why go and risk injury without reward  meaning it should be a mini pre season cup or something , even a fat cheque  , just something to make it worth while , , the cost to clubs to do this must be huge , 

 

Barn, I normally read what you say with interest, but I must disagree with this statement.

 

Going into a contest, even a pre season contest, with a weak, self preservation attitude, will end in tears. If you hit a contest softly, you will get smashed.

Port has played a game already, meaning their players have had a chance to get acclimatised against real opposition. If our blokes go in trying to protect themselves, we will likely end up getting a hiding on the scoreboard, and gaining a few injuries also.

 

By all means, don't expose underdone players, but the team taking the field must have an attitude of wanting to win the contest, regardless of its standing.

[faultydet 7,623]

2 hours ago, Copuchas said:

It's all about the ball movement for mine and the concomitant impact on game plan.  There's a high degree of anticipation as to how much impact Goodwin has had on the game plan and to what extent the young Dees can execute it.  

Two media articles in the last couple of days are very instructive - firstly Mahoney putting the pressure on the players by saying we're approaching the NAB Challenge seriously and then Roosy in essence saying there's no reason we can't do what the Dogs did.  In my mind these are very deliberate efforts to ensure we hit the ground running as there's an awareness that we need to build some momentum and belief early so that we keep our season alive for as long as possible and give the debutantes every opportunity to hit their straps.  With some early success, the possibility envelope opens right up...... 

 

Didn't realise until later that this was your first post. Good start mate.

Most people start with a apologetic post. I'm wondering if you are an old poster from another site, or are an old poster,  posting here under a new name?

 

Btw, agree with what you said, and didn't even think about it, until I read your post.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I'm just looking forward to seeing how our game plan has developed into a, hopefully, more attacking style, as well as to getting a look at the young guys that are selected like Oliver, Hunt, Hulett, King, etc.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,451]

6 hours ago, Copuchas said:

It's all about the ball movement for mine and the concomitant impact on game plan.  There's a high degree of anticipation as to how much impact Goodwin has had on the game plan and to what extent the young Dees can execute it.  

Two media articles in the last couple of days are very instructive - firstly Mahoney putting the pressure on the players by saying we're approaching the NAB Challenge seriously and then Roosy in essence saying there's no reason we can't do what the Dogs did.  In my mind these are very deliberate efforts to ensure we hit the ground running as there's an awareness that we need to build some momentum and belief early so that we keep our season alive for as long as possible and give the debutantes every opportunity to hit their straps.  With some early success, the possibility envelope opens right up...... 

 

At least someone gets it. 

Why would we try, it's not as if we don't already own teams like Carlton and Essendon. 

 

[Gorgoroth 13,124]

I'm taping the game to watch when I get home, I hope we try and implement our game plan and  let the result come second to that.

[hells bells 2,023]

7 hours ago, Copuchas said:

It's all about the ball movement for mine and the concomitant impact on game plan.  There's a high degree of anticipation as to how much impact Goodwin has had on the game plan and to what extent the young Dees can execute it.  

Two media articles in the last couple of days are very instructive - firstly Mahoney putting the pressure on the players by saying we're approaching the NAB Challenge seriously and then Roosy in essence saying there's no reason we can't do what the Dogs did.  In my mind these are very deliberate efforts to ensure we hit the ground running as there's an awareness that we need to build some momentum and belief early so that we keep our season alive for as long as possible and give the debutantes every opportunity to hit their straps.  With some early success, the possibility envelope opens right up...... 

 

I think the other reason for the added push to be up and running early is due to our fixture and the perceived winnable games in the first 2 months of the season.

GWS, BOMBERS, NORTH, PIES, TIGES, SAINTS, SUNS, DOGS, LIONS

if we start strongly and win 6 or 7 of this first group of 9 it could set us up for a good-great season.  If don't hit the ground running and only win 2 or 3 of the first batch.  We are in for another long and fruitless season I fear. 

[jumbo returns 6,741]

7 hours ago, BarnDee said:

well forest ol mate it is a farce , why go and risk injury without reward  meaning it should be a mini pre season cup or something , even a fat cheque  , just something to make it worth while , , the cost to clubs to do this must be huge , 

 

It actually takes quite a bit of effort to maim the space bar and comma key in unison.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,287]

These nab games hold a real interest for me for a number of reasons. I want Hogan and Garlett to kick some goals and reassure me that they are going to provide our main firepower again. A few from Kent would also be nice! I believe there is an 8 man bench so hopefully we get a good look at the new guys. Port has a handy midfield so there should be a chance to see how Oliver stands up physically among some hard bodies. I also look forward to seeing Hulet (spelling) who has been talked up and Kennedy who I wouldn't know if he ran over me.

Pedo gets a lot of bad press here but I like his tenacity so I hope some good nab performances earn him a game. Grimes is another I hope does well and of course Our boy Jack always provides more questions than answers

And finally my pick on the break out thread Van Demon.

[beelzebub 23,386]

2 hours ago, hells bells said:

I think the other reason for the added push to be up and running early is due to our fixture and the perceived winnable games in the first 2 months of the season.

GWS, BOMBERS, NORTH, PIES, TIGES, SAINTS, SUNS, DOGS, LIONS

if we start strongly and win 6 or 7 of this first group of 9 it could set us up for a good-great season.  If don't hit the ground running and only win 2 or 3 of the first batch.  We are in for another long and fruitless season I fear. 

Some sense about this. Interesting for mine the first wall is the game against Port...and lo and behold who do we start our campaign against ?? lol.

I see NAB as testing the waters and trialling snippets of game plans as well as giving some kids a taste

[mo64 5,881]

I'm one who cares about practice matches / NAB Cup. For years I've read on here the old chestnut "it's only a practice match" as if an ordinary display by the team is some sort of anomaly, and we're going to flick the switch for the season proper. It just never happens.

I'm interested in seeing some signs of a more attacking gameplan under Goodwin, and whether we can actually move the ball with some purpose out of the backline. If we are to get beaten, I'd rather it be a scoreline of 20 goals to 15 than 10 to 5.

 

[kryton101 404]

For me I'm just glad to see some footy.  Not overly fussed about the result.

[dazzledavey36 55,453]

10 hours ago, BarnDee said:

well forest ol mate it is a farce , why go and risk injury without reward  meaning it should be a mini pre season cup or something , even a fat cheque  , just something to make it worth while , , the cost to clubs to do this must be huge , 

 

You'll risk more injury going into round 1 with no match fitness at all. Regardless of the results its important majority of players and most important the guys who have interrupted summers get a good match fitness behind them in prep for round 1.

[Devil is in the Detail 883]

9 minutes ago, mo64 said:

I'm one who cares about practice matches / NAB Cup. For years I've read on here the old chestnut "it's only a practice match" as if an ordinary display by the team is some sort of anomaly, and we're going to flick the switch for the season proper. It just never happens.

I'm interested in seeing some signs of a more attacking gameplan under Goodwin, and whether we can actually move the ball with some purpose out of the backline. If we are to get beaten, I'd rather it be a scoreline of 20 goals to 15 than 10 to 5.

 

Agree. Would like to some games where we outscore the opposition rather than choke the opposition's score below ours.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,451]

3 minutes ago, Devil is in the Detail said:

Agree. Would like to some games where we outscore the opposition rather than choke the opposition's score below ours.

Now we're talking.