Never in doubt!!!

Lid’s off!

 

 

Petracca....  holy smokes

That was a good, solid hitout.  There was plenty to like and some aspects that could still be considered a worry.

Petracca was the clear standout.  His efforts through the middle and up forward were nothing short of sublime.  He has taken his game to the next level and has clear X-factor, something our side can lack at times.  

Of the rest, I thought Lever was good down back, Oliver got plenty of it and the 'twin towers' - McDonald and Brown - were still able to combine for six goals, even though both went missing for large parts of the game.  Brown had the better first half, Tom Mac had a much better second half.  Viney looks much fitter and both Langdon and Tomlinson brought something positive to the side, especially Langdon.  Jones was fantastic as well until he got injured.  I think there is a spot for him at half forward this season.

Of the worries - our movement inside 50 is very much 'chaos' ball.  When we lower the eyes we can hit targets well, but we still love to bomb it in long and it often doesn't work out.

To go with this, when the ball comes out quickly, our defensive transition is still an area of worry.  There were times when the Crows moved the ball way too easily and made us pay.  You would hope both of the above can continue to be worked on throughout this pre-season, but it still gives us a little cause for concern.

Last two points - we ran out the game superbly, showing some improved fitness, and a shout out to Tom Sparrow.  I think he has a future.  16 odd touches, 7 tackles and a goal.  I liked his game.

Lastly - Weid had a bit of a shocker, however, he still had 20 hit outs and 18 (!) touches.  When he is playing in his preferred position he can still be something good for us.

CP5. Get around him.

 

I watched the game on my phone,, problems for Telstra   it kept dropping out,   did not do that last year GET It FIXED

Where was Fritsch today?

Genuine elite fitness will be our making (Injuries notwithstanding)

Run over the top of a few teams in the 4th, early in the season, and the lift to our confidence should be huge.

Fantastic signs early.

 

19 minutes ago, wizardinoz said:

Where was Fritsch today?

Illness

Petracca was a beast. The way he flew for that grab was so commanding. The fend offs, the side steps, the grunt horsepower he blast from packs with. 

OMG  

He’s going have some year. 

Tracc 38 Disposals, 7 Tackles, 3 Goals

Strong sign

Dusty Petracca?

Well we are certainly fit. Trac up a few levels and Lever back to the player we traded for.TMac and Brown complement each other well. It will be interesting to see what we do with the second ruck role.  Kossie should play round 1 purely for the worry he puts into the opposition at throw ins and stoppages. Our kicking out of D50 not great and our defensive transition between was lazy at times but could not ask for much more in a first up hit out. 

Can’t ask for more than that first up really. Enjoyed the hit out, some really good signs and a bit to work on at the same time. They got through our zone easily a few times but that’s why they have these matches. Love nothing more than crunching tackles ( Viney and Vanders) especially late in games. 

Hopefully Jones not serious as that seems the only injury. He was looking so good. 

Video of Petraccas mark is here.    Hes a new man.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/376481/right-on-trac-gun-demon-stars-in-marsh-win-over-crows

Wrapped with the second half. Petracca unbelievable happy with the performance of Lockhart, Vanders and Sparrow.

ROLLING BEST 22

B: JETTA, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, O.MCDONALD, HIBBERD

C : LANGDON, OLIVER, TOMLINSON

HF: MELKSHAM, T.MCDONALD, PETRACCA

F: PICKETT, BROWN, FRITSCH

FOLL: GAWN, VINEY, HARMES

IC: BRAYSHAW, JONES, VANDENBERG, LOCKHART

That run in the last quarter is what should be exciting everyone. The biopsy look fit, just need a good run with no injuries. 

1 minute ago, WERRIDEE said:

Wrapped with the second half. Petracca unbelievable happy with the performance of Lockhart, Vanders and Sparrow.

ROLLING BEST 22

B: JETTA, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, O.MCDONALD, HIBBERD

C : LANGDON, OLIVER, TOMLINSON

HF: MELKSHAM, T.MCDONALD, PETRACCA

F: PICKETT, BROWN, FRITSCH

FOLL: GAWN, VINEY, HARMES

IC: BRAYSHAW, JONES, VANDENBERG, LOCKHART

Back to where we were at the end of 2018, don't play well don't get a game. Love it.

Most pleasing part of today’s games for me was the way we ran the game out. We look much fitter than last season. 
 

Truck was also good. 

6 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Illness

Thanks

6 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Petracca was a beast. The way he flew for that grab was so commanding. The fend offs, the side steps, the grunt horsepower he blast from packs with. 

OMG  

He’s going have some year. 

16 minutes ago, JakovichScissorKick said:

Video of Petraccas mark is here.    Hes a new man.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/376481/right-on-trac-gun-demon-stars-in-marsh-win-over-crows

What i loved most was that he took it cleanly, one grab.

He was a star today. Good signs.

Just now, Demonland said:

The look down at the Crows player when he landed was my favourite part. Arrogant, even

4 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Petracca was a beast. The way he flew for that grab was so commanding. The fend offs, the side steps, the grunt horsepower he blast from packs with. 

OMG  

He’s going have some year. 

Easily the best, and most rounded, game he has played for us.  I'm confident he can replicate it during the season.

The one thing that stands out are his clean hands.  He rarely, if ever, fumbles.  If he is in the vicinity then he is winning the ball.