Keep a lid on it.

Hard not to get excited about the year ahead. Means little though, need to do this in round 3.

 

that said, not since Nathan Jones had his first full preseason have I been so excited about the year ahead 

So much to like about today's performance.

What stands out to me is how we look like a team, rather than us relying on certain players to drag us over the line.  We have real quality across the field at the moment and you can see that each players in confident in those around him.

Lots of players really stood up today - ANB and Harmes were excellent, Salem grew into the game with his field kicking, Jesse kicked 3 and looked dangerous, while our backline worked really well together.  Lever will be a gun, but guys like Hibberd aren't far behind him.

The second term was a tough one for us but I thought we regrouped well in the conditions and put them away when we had the chance.

And Bayley Fritsch has oodles of potential.  Can he sneak in for Round 1?  It will be tough.

Onwards and upwards, great to have the footy back!

1 minute ago, Rod Grinter Riot Squad said:

Hard not to get excited about the year ahead. Means little though, need to do this in round 3.

 

that said, not since Nathan Jones had his first full preseason have I been so excited about the year ahead 

One step at a time rod. 

We have been burned many times before. 

Just now, DemonOX said:

One step at a time rod. 

We have been burned many times before. 

Agree, year I refer to was 2007?

Unfortunate for a host of guys who stood up that are going to have to make way for Viney, Garlett etc.

fierce competition for spots. Ripper

We have more talent than GWS, or any other list.

Yeah I said it. Debate me.

Brayshaw and Stretch will need to improve if they want to be playing Rnd 1. We have depth these days

Judging on the back of today’s performance, my opinion of the team in round 1 is shaping up to be..

FB: Hibberd - O-Mac - Jetta

HB: Lewis - Lever - Hunt

C: Salem - Viney - Harmes

HF: ANB - Hogan - Melksham

FF: Fritch - TMac - Garlett

R: Gawn - Trac - Oliver

I: Tyson - Chunk - Vince - Hannan 

E: Bugg - Brayshaw - Pedo

 

@Farmer

re Lever’s defensive game being “awful.”

 

lol. The wind helping the ball over the back caught him out, sure. 

How about all the times he played in front and ended up with the ball? Just flukes probably...

I've been saying this all last year and all this preseason, Fritsch will be some sort of player.

In regards to the commentary I was pleasantly surprise by and enjoyed Gary Lyons comments. 

Huddo needs to learn our players names and Jono needs to stop hating Melbourne

Great result

North will be fighting to avoid the spoon this year like last year.

How did we lose "twice" to them .....

Still think we press too hard allowing easy scoring the other way. It also crowds the forward 50 making scoring difficult.

Will be very interested to see the individual player analysis.

Seems there are differing views on Brayshaw.

1 minute ago, Petraccattack said:

We have more talent than GWS, or any other list.

Yeah I said it. Debate me.

Have you lost the lid?

No doubt we have a very talented list more than capable of playing a big part in finals....assuming the mental lapses of last year are addressed.

The team looked very fit, strong and confident today, impressive

Our marking power showed out. Very strong in the air.

Our improvement looks likely to come from Harmes, ANB, Hannan, Stretch, Salem.

Skills good for February

1 minute ago, GawnWithTheWind said:

Judging on the back of today’s performance, my opinion of the team in round 1 is shaping up to be..

FB: Hibberd - O-Mac - Jetta

HB: Lewis - Lever - Hunt

C: Salem - Viney - Harmes

HF: ANB - Hogan - Melksham

FF: Fritch - TMac - Garlett

R: Gawn - Trac - Oliver

I: Tyson - Chunk - Vince - Hannan 

E: Bugg - Brayshaw - Pedo

I would like to see frost get a go down back in the next jlt and give Omac a rest. 

Class on every line and had the game on our terms most of the time.  Very, very hard not to be excited right now.  Time to sign up for those who have been holding back!

1 minute ago, DemonOX said:

and Jono needs to stop hating Melbourne

The same Jono that said he thinks we will finish top 4?

One of the main things I took out of it was most certainly Fritsch. Got a great eye for the ball in flight, it’s gonna be tough but I’d really like to see him get a shot in Rd 1

It’s been a while since you could say we have some great foot skills. Considering the conditions our efficiency was superb.

Backline:
Lever was sensational - it's just a matter of how to get him, Hibberd and Hunt in the best positions and surrounded by the right players. 
Oscar started slowly and was lucky Brown was off early but he got stronger as the game went on and he's a nice kick around the ground. 
Bernie and Wagner both started poorly and improved
Lewis was good, but not 100% DE!
Brayshaw looked solid off half back

Predicted 7 for Rd 1: Oscar, Lever, Hunt, Hibberd, Jetta, Lewis, 1 of Brayshaw/Wagner/Vince

Midfield:
Gawn was great. Clarry started slow but built up. Jones' fast kicking in space was great after some early rust. Petracca explosive. Salem silky. Harmes consistent and strong. Stretch not strong enough but his run opened up great options, it's a matter of weighing up what he produced. Maynard crash and bash and not far off it.

Predicted 8 for round 1: Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Jones, Salem, Harmes, 1of Tyson/Stretch

Forwards:
Tommy presented hard. Hogan had some great moments and leapt well and looked to impress at the drop of the ball. Fritsch was flighty early but classy, his attacking game looks up to standard, it's just a matter of what he can bring defensively. ANB very solid. Melksham with some quality. Bugg worked hard all game. Hannan did some nice things. Pedersen limited game time it seemed.

Predicted 7 for round 1: T Mc, Hogan, ANB, Melksham, 3 of Hannan/Bugg/Garlett/Fritsch

One thing I noticed is how well we played as a team.

This is something we need to do week in week out which will be the test when the season proper starts. 

Very happy with ANB, Harmes, Bugg and Fritzl. 

Hogan looks fresh, Lever will improve us no end. 

Gawn’s taps were exquisite. 

Good hitout overall. 

They way we played and moved the ball was impressive and perhaps more important than the result and the opposition we played