6 minutes ago, Sargent Shultz said:

The issue i have with Spargo is he cant get a contested ball- which is fine not all players need to do that- so he is in the team to recieve a ball from someone who "gets the ball" and distribute it to a player who can do something with it- goal or move it forward when he is playing high OR kick a goal when he is playing forward (he kicked 2 goals in 8 matches last year) The problem is his disposal is often (at best 50/50) appaling and results in a turnover. A "link up player" like Spargo must have an efficency ratio more like 90/10. He is now in his 3rd year and will always be a fringe player who gets a game when all other options are injured. He may have worth a try but its now time to cut our losses and move him on next year. Kozzie has showm more in 10 minutes than Charlie has shown in 26 games, and we seem to have a few small forwards now.

I know where you are coming from but Spargo was very bloody good in his first year. There are other YouTube highlights of Charlie but if Kossie did this yesterday there would be calls for a MCG stature. 

 

6 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

I know where you are coming from but Spargo was very bloody good in his first year. There are other YouTube highlights of Charlie but if Kossie did this yesterday there would be calls for a MCG stature. 

 

Point well made, he went backwards last year, but played some very smart football in 2018. Give him some injury free time and see how he goes in 2020.

Great to hear the team finished strongly yesterday, and while only a practice match a lot better start than last year.

As previously mentioned bring in Max, May, Brayshaw, Fritsch and a Finger’s crossed on an injury free year for Smith, and the team is looking a lot better than last year!

Go Demon’s in this even Olympic year!

Was Jones the only injury from Yesterday?

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

My brother in law, who is a cat's fan, was quick to remind me about what being Feb/Mar Champions means. 

My tip to be the biggest sliders this year - Cats, that is...

Love to see another Scott given the sarse

An encouraging result yesterday although the cows had a number of players out too (Walker, B Smith, Seedsman, Hartigan, Knight, Fogerty & Jenkins, Greenwood, Keath & Betts moved on) so like most, not getting carried away.....

The biggest positive for me was AVB. This guy is a bull & I think will have more impact than most if he can stay injury free. He's like a new recruit.

Speaking of the recruits, I though Pickett although only a few touches looked like he could be something special.

Backline still a worry for me & the disposal efficiency overall was average but some good signs & all in all finished off the game well.

Go Dees

48 minutes ago, D4Life said:

a Finger’s crossed

How exactly do you cross one finger?

9 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Enjoyed the win like everyone else. Positive signs and we looked fit which was most pleasing (aside from Petracca’s outrageous performance!)

Just a little mindful though that Sloane and Laird didn’t play the second half and Gibbs missed the last qtr.

You could be a little mindful of the fact that we were without a recognised ruckman for the whole game, or you could be mindful of the fact that we were missing Gawn, May, Fritsch and Brayshaw. Or then again you could be mindful of the fact that they rotated 4 fresh bodies on for the second half and we still ran them off their feet. But no, go ahead and be mindful of the fact that one of their midfielders who struggles to get a game was out in the last quarter and that they rotated 2 good players off at half time. 

1 hour ago, D4Life said:

Point well made, he went backwards last year, but played some very smart football in 2018. Give him some injury free time and see how he goes in 2020.

Great to hear the team finished strongly yesterday, and while only a practice match a lot better start than last year.

As previously mentioned bring in Max, May, Brayshaw, Fritsch and a Finger’s crossed on an injury free year for Smith, and the team is looking a lot better than last year!

Go Demon’s in this even Olympic year!

The club think highly of Spargo, so whilst some of the supporters on here don't, the club does.

He'll be ok.

So yesterday was the first win I’ve watched in person for at least 5 years, I think possibly 6 years. So from that point of view it was absolutely worth me going out to Casey and I’m really happy for the boys. A lot from the first half that the coaches can dissect for analysis, and some good positives from the second half they can use for positive reinforcement. 

For me the major highlight was obviously Petracca, there was a lot of talk and hype about him in the summer and yes it was only the first pre-season game but if he’s able to most of what he did on a regular basis then he will be a super quality asset for us this year. His speckie was right in front of me and he set himself really well. Even better he finished the job, as he lined up I said to my mum that this has been a big issue in the past and he nailed it. 

TMac had a quiet first half (in fact I was say he looked a little lost) but much better in the second, 3 goals is a very promising return and will surely give him a boost. His partner for the day Brown looked comfortable in his position, he competed well and I think is making a strong claim to be in contention for round one. 

I was absolutely stoked for Jones that he kicked those 3 goals but for me he looked solid all day. I think no captaincy is going to help him. I’m not saying he’s going to be incredible, I still picture at some stage through the year he will lose his spot but he has to earn it and he knows it. 

Quick positives were Lever and AvB getting though and looking good. Kozzie showing he’s going to be a forward pressure specialist. LJ leaping high in the ruck (and looking solid in there). General increase in pressure acts lifted the team, Viney was especially good at that.

Some little concerns, we still look vulnerable when the ball gets out. I feel like two way running was something we were meant to be focusing on and the first half we still looked exposed. First half we were STILL not looking at where the forward entries were going, on a gusty day we were not giving our forwards their best chance to mark it, we weren’t even putting them in a position that advanced them.

Ball use and movement still was messy at times, Adelaide used the ball more efficiently and were controlling. I suspect we are still going with a chaotic style we had in 2018, regardless the ball use still has to be good and some usual offenders were making life difficult. Melksham was one in particular hat butchered the ball, I could name a few more but really it seemed to be common.

Overall we came away with a solid win, we did most of the damage in one quarter and pressed on against the wind in the final quarter which is good signs for our fitness. Importantly no serious injuries! Good start to the year. 

20 minutes ago, FlashInThePan said:

You could be a little mindful of the fact that we were without a recognised ruckman for the whole game, or you could be mindful of the fact that we were missing Gawn, May, Fritsch and Brayshaw. Or then again you could be mindful of the fact that they rotated 4 fresh bodies on for the second half and we still ran them off their feet. But no, go ahead and be mindful of the fact that one of their midfielders who struggles to get a game was out in the last quarter and that they rotated 2 good players off at half time. 

What the?

i was pleased with yesterday but I just thought it was worth acknowledging that Adelaide were without Sloane and Laird (2 very high quality players) in the second half after we were trailing at half time.

I wasn’t putting  a negative spin on yesterday. Just stating the facts. And they also had Walker, Smith and Seedsman out.

It’s highly likely we still would’ve won had Sloane and Laird played out the game, as we looked the fitter side.

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

5 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

What the?

i was pleased with yesterday but I just thought it was worth acknowledging that Adelaide were without Sloane and Laird (2 very high quality players) in the second half after we were trailing at half time.

I wasn’t putting  a negative spin on yesterday. Just stating the facts. And they also had Walker, Smith and Seedsman out.

It’s highly likely we still would’ve won had Sloane and Laird played out the game, as we looked far better.

they also rotated 4 extra players which would be to their advantage so early in the season

but if you want comparisons just look at the contested side - contested possessions, contested marks, tackles. had them on the back foot most of the time even with no big max. big downer was our disposal efficiency.

adelaide's missing players pretty much comparable to our missing players 

2 hours ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

Have we unearthed our new forward/ruck?

Can we play TMac and Brown forward and have Weids rotating with Gawn?

YES. I thought Weeds played a very selfless and keen game, some of his handballs were excellent and set up the play. I didn't mind him there at all. Brown is an opportunist but has very very good awareness and goal sense. A very "Canny" pick up! Cant understand how Injectiondon let him go!! 

I really liked Sparrow as well, CREATIVE, BRAVE, will play plenty of games I feel

Langdon is a very smart and capable footballer with great speed and makes Good Decisions. Tomlinson also is a great pick up.

I have to say...... I thought OSCAR didn't do a bad job at all. Even though Spargo is not rated by me he did a few "Nice things" Still Slow and cannot kick over a jam tin!

Trac was Excellent, Clarry , Creative and Viney and Jones were also good.

Plenty to get excited about!!

Kossy some serious talent and Jacko gee, this bloke will be anything .... !!

Vanders has some serious X Factor!!

Lever very composed also

Add Max Fritta and May to the side and you almost have.........

Premiership material!!!!!!!

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by picket fence

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

One at the very least. I don’t get how the media are questioning it. Clear contact with the head. Clarry is as tough as nails

If that was not a deliberate, maiming action then why did he commit to harming Clarry well after he watched to ball pass out of his reach? Deserves two weeks and a strong reprimand - it was the epitome of dangerous play on purpose. 

Why wasn't Petty playing?

27 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

If that was not a deliberate, maiming action then why did he commit to harming Clarry well after he watched to ball pass out of his reach? Deserves two weeks and a strong reprimand - it was the epitome of dangerous play on purpose. 

Compare the two between him and May Last year, really the only difference is that Oliver was able to continue unaffected aside from a little blood in the mouth (blood lip/cheek perhaps?).

One week is fair, as it should’ve been for May but from memory he got two, so Crouch should as well. 

12 minutes ago, bingers said:

Why wasn't Petty playing?

I think he has a groin.

2 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

My tip to be the biggest sliders this year - Cats, that is...

Love to see another Scott given the sarse

I, and many others including experts in the media, thought that after we knocked them out of the finals in 2018. They backed that up with finishing on the top of the ladder. They just won't die.

31 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I think he has a groin.

I hope he has it would difficult to play footy or a few other things without one.

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by old dee

12 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

The Weid can play well and take big marks. He did it regularly in the 2018 final series. I too think it is a confidence thing. He also in those games provided great forward pressure. 
l suggest when Max is back and Weid plays full time as a forward, that the confidence with his marking will return particularly if we deliver to our forwards as we did in this game. When on song, Weid is a key part of our game. I am confident this will continue. 

After playing and training in pain and needing both hips done, we have now seen his mobility in not his usual role. As he gets more miles out there on the ground and he starts clunking a few his marks I'm hopeful he will become a great forward.

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by dworship
Punctuation

11 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Enjoyed the win like everyone else. Positive signs and we looked fit which was most pleasing (aside from Petracca’s outrageous performance!)

Just a little mindful though that Sloane and Laird didn’t play the second half and Gibbs missed the last qtr.

Jones missed the last qtr and we played 23 vs 26. I do hear what you're saying though. As a semi regular training watcher I've been trying not to get to far ahead of myself. The pleasing thing for me is what I've been seeing at training was largely reflected in this game. Yes, there is plenty to work on but I firmly believe this is a vastly different and superior team to 2019.  

7 hours ago, binman said:

Has to get a week. Should get 2. Stupid decision.

May got a week in the corresponding practice game last year.  Many on here argued he shouldn't have even been reported, let alone cop a week. Crouch has to go

I think they will be consistent in their inconsistency.

Crows will say Clarry moved off his line to run directly at Crouch and Crouch was forced to protect himself. In that process Crouch has accidentally and unintentionally made contact above the shoulders. However player Oliver is responsible for initiating the contact and therefore player Crouch should be exonerated.

Please remember this is an Adelaide player vs a Melbourne player and so there is a different standard to be applied. (They wont say that, it will just be implied).  

6 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I think you can just about kiss goodbye to that.

On a similar note, it's hard to believe that Slone got picked to represent the big V over either Trac or Oliver.  Blinkered selectors much?  I'm quite ok that Trac doesn't play in this game for now though.

No chance now. Especially as he is listed as a fwd. 

You could say that Oliver was stiff to miss over Sloane and Cunnington. Both excellent players though. Probably have more runs on the board which helped.

Petracca hasn't done enough to be considered

1 hour ago, bingers said:

Why wasn't Petty playing?

Broken heart?

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

I, and many others including experts in the media, thought that after we knocked them out of the finals in 2018. They backed that up with finishing on the top of the ladder. They just won't die.

The Round Up will kick in eventually.....

B.Crocker 2 games

B.Davis 1 game

P.Wilson 2 games

C.Jones 8 games

L.Murphy 32 games

E.Himmelberg 8 games

B.Frampton 3 games

S.McAdam 0 games

N.McHenry 0 games

B.Keays 30 games

J.Butts 0 games

M.Poholke 11 games

T.Stengle 4 games

I’d only heard of Murphy and Poholke before yesterday.
 

Yes we had some first gamers / inexperienced players too but largely we had a very experienced side that has played a lot of footy together. Whilst it was Langdon’s and Tomlinson’s first game for us they are seasoned players. Adelaide have changed their coach and off loaded a number of senior players for different reasons. We’re aspiring to play finals, some talk of a possible top four finish. Are we really going to hang our hat on they had four extra rotations....