Don't care if its only preseason.

LOL @ Essendrug

2 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

We're gonna need to really stretch the Cats defense, doing so will result in Taylor going back and leaving only Hawkins as their only KPF avenue to goal.

Taylor will start back this year, no Lonergan and Henderson the only other experienced tall defender unlikely to play round one.

That's their problem, they are not well balanced across the ground anymore.

They say all premiership sides have depth

19 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Don't care if its only preseason.

LOL @ Essendrug

And yet Fox Footy spent 10 minutes after the game talking them up.

Jordan Lewis was rested for calf soreness. 

 

I was at the game.  Rocked up in jeans and a jacket and ended up sweating and getting a sunburnt face, classic Hobart.  Quite windy but not as bad as the two roster matches over the last couple of seasons.

I was watching Oscar closely, his body work in the one on ones was very good, his decision making and execution were also good, apart from one handpass that was picked off and they scored from it.  Bugg stood out, as did ANB and Harmes.  Lever was very instructional, especially when we had the ball locked in our F50, he was organising the backs.  Stretch is a running machine, but didn't have a huge impact.  All day we just looked a few levels above the opposition, which is a nice change for us demons supporters.  Even when they bounced back in the second, you could just tell it wasn't really going to be a contest in the end.  Really enjoyed Hibbered making Waite look stupid in the final quarter.  That bloke is a gun and I'm stoked we have him.

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

That Tigers v Bombers score is an eye opener.

Not as though Bombers weren't playing their near best team.

PS: Apparently it is 33 degrees in Wangaratta so perhaps that is some excuse for the Bombers

So, it was 33 degrees on the parts of the field that the drug rehab team played, but cooler where the reigning premiers played???

Who was Number 4?

Seriously, though, great hit out...not sure about Billy

Competition for spots in 2018 - who woulda thunk?

Majak would look good in a blue work singlet and a hard hat

 

Nice game providing some indications for the season. It's great to beat North in any form of the game, particularly by such a margin. My picks for JLT 2 in the probable absence of Viney would now most likely be:

FB: Hibberd - Tom-Mac - Jetta

HB:  Lever - Frost -  Hunt

C: Salem - Oliver - Harmes

HF: ANB - Pedersen  - Melksham

FF: Fritch - Hogan - Garlett

R: Gawn - Tracca - Bugg

I: Tyson - Chunk - Vince/Wagner - Hannan/Maynard 

E: - Brayshaw -  Lewis

This would give us 3 alternative rucks - an absolutely elite backline - a mobile and very deft centreline/midfield - big bangs for the buck at half-fwd - a very talented FF combination and downfield support.

Playing as a team would be critical. Pedersen  at CHF may be a surprise for some/many/a few (?) but he does some great bodywork as a rock of Gibraltar against defenders (seen again today against North in JLT) and creates a pathway for other fwds in that zone; he has also been capable of kicking some match-winning goals, taking some terrific possessions and marks, and passing accurately and effectively by both hand and foot. He is much more mobile now than last year, as well. Plus, the fans love him for it all. 

And I can also confirm there were $5 full strength cans.  And with under 2000 people there you didn't even have to line up!

Pretty disappointing crowd, particularly since the weather ended up being fine.

We played okay but it was just a practice match. Don't read into the result of them.

Pumped for Round 1 v the Cats.  

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

Don't care if its only preseason.

LOL @ Essendrug

Never understood the hype, they have no midfield.

2 hours ago, Deespicable said:

I've said before, but I will say again - ANB is becoming more and more like Robbie Gray.

 

Hannan - the coach loves him so he probably will play Rd 1, but I didn't like the way he hung off the back of the pack waiting for glory when Gawn unloaded with his 70m torp. Bugg has to be picked ahead of him and if they decide on a fab five small forward set up then Bayely Fritsch is also in the mix now. Our best four small forwards today were ANB, Melky, Buggy and Fritsch. Assuming Jeffy is fit by Rd 1, that should be our five to go with supporting T-Mac and Hoges.

Biggest mistake - wasting about six centre clearances by putting Hoges in there. Hoges is our worst decision-maker  and disposer in the entire squad and he gets a gig in there ahead of Trac, Angus and others. Ridiculous stupidity and worthy of the club leaders going up the coach and having a word about it. If he's in the middle against Geelong, it's game over. Jesse is a great mark, has natural fitness and has presence on the forward line - but the rest of his game needs major work and as he is our laziest trainer. Rewarding him is the worst possible outcome and makes a mockery of getting rid of Jack Watts.

 

Robbie Gray?? No. ANB has a nice little stop and go move that can get him out of trouble but he doesn't have anything like Gray's vision, skills or movement.

Had no problem with Hannan hanging back. We don't need 5 guys going up for a mark. One of the best things Fritsch did was read the play and snap the goal from Tracc's torp. Hannan tried the same thing, the bounce didn't get to him and so he looked a bit silly, that's fine. Calculated risk. Hannan's probably competing with Bugg for a spot and his advantage is he provided a very good run and link player when in the midfield. The competition for the last forward spot looks pretty tight.

Hogan was bad for his first 3 or 4 centre clearances, mainly because he was fumbly. Half a chance he read the press about his midfield time and was nervous. But then he improved and got some clean handballs away. He's far from our worst decision maker or disposer. The midfield time will force him to tackle and compete at ground level which will improve his forward game. He's an unusual trainer - likes to coast early in the runs before finishing strong but he does most drills well. Has nothing to do with trading Watts. Either way, wait until the main season. We play North in round 3, nothing wrong with trying a few things today to make them prepare for and then not even using them in the real stuff.

7 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Never understood the hype, they have no midfield.

McGrath’s disposal is horrible. 

Kent and frost? Were they available and not picked or not ready yet?

1 minute ago, tappysquads said:

Kent and frost? Were they available and not picked or not ready yet?

Frost was left out of the side, but was in the original squad of 30, while Kent is still coming back from injury.

6 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Frost was left out of the side, but was in the original squad of 30, while Kent is still coming back from injury.

Ouch. Frost must be a long way down the pecking order. Surely he is above Wagner?

Is Kent far off? He's been back in full training hasn't he?

51 minutes ago, jumbo returns said:

Who was Number 4?

Seriously, though, great hit out...not sure about Billy

Competition for spots in 2018 - who woulda thunk?

Majak would look good in a blue work singlet and a hard hat

With all due respect to Majak, his best footy is behind him. Hell will freeze over before he dominates any opposition.

Where is Brayshaw’s best position?

We looked good. We were playing the worst team in the comp though so make of it what you will. Loved ANB, Lever, Fritsch & Hogan.

Anyone who watched the game closer than I did able to comment on Fritsch's defensive work? He looked good particular hitting the scoreboard later in the game but if he doesn't have the defensive skillset yet I'd have Bugg in the R1 side over him.

15 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Where is Brayshaw’s best position?

I was thinking that during the game. Seems they want him to play defence full time. Did he play in the middle at all today? 

16 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Where is Brayshaw’s best position?

Yeah good question and I ask myself this too. 

Hard to see what role he fills. 

Has to be a strong body inside,  but hard to see him getting a lot of time in there. 

4 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

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

Yeah I said it. Debate me.

 

4 hours ago, Drunkn167 said:

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

 

4 hours ago, sisso said:

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

 

4 hours ago, Maldonboy38 said:

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

 

4 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

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!

 

4 hours ago, Pipefitter said:

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

 

4 hours ago, Demons1858 said:

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

I think Maldon's comment about it being February is the most relevant here

4 hours ago, DemonOX said:

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

I am of the same view Ox.... If he is fit and ready to go.