Lever has got his eye in again

Mitch Brown adds something else to the forward line

Ed Langdon finds space with his running, badly needed

Viney’s tackling pressure immense

Trac showing hopefully a glimpse of what’s to come. He’s huge but he looks to have more agility now.

The guys look primed fitness wise, The hard mental breaking yards have been done and these guys look like a group of SAS soldiers. 

  On 22/02/2020 at 23:59, Demon Dude said:

I think its important to note that Spargo has had an injury, so probably hasn't had as much game sim and ball work as others have

This. To be honest, I was even surprised he was selected, he's hardly had any match play since when was it ... early in the pre-season?

Though it's clear that the reason he keeps getting selected is because of his work rate, both on and off the field. The coaches see it, perhaps many of us don't.

  On 22/02/2020 at 23:45, Bay Riffin said:

I’m surprised. To me hunt and Spargo are quite opposite. Spargo is a good ball user normally, reads the play well, and is a good footballer without the athletic abilities that AFL level demands. Hunt is a good mark, pace to burn, worst handballer in the side, poor field kick but decent kick for goal. For skills Spargo is miles ahead. 

For pure skill l think hunt is class. We don’t have all that many very fast runners and he is one. I would very much like to see more pressure from him, and he will be invaluable with at half back or the wing. We need pace and we don’t have an abundance now...

 

 

One take-away from the game is how well we've recruited - and not just the draftees. Tomlinson, Brown and Langdon all added something that we just didn't have, and are more than useful pickups.

I know there was some concern around the fact that we didn't land any "name" recruits over the trade period, but hard to ask for much more than what this trio bring.

Also, surprised by how effective Kozzie was. There's been speculation as to how many games he'll play this year, but on that showing, he'll play most. Perhaps not massive game time, he's a high-flash/low possession player, but if he can snag a goal or so each game and put the frighteners on some of the opposition backs, it'll be enough - and once again, something that we didn't have.

  On 23/02/2020 at 10:12, bing181 said:

One take-away from the game is how well we've recruited - and not just the draftees. Tomlinson, Brown and Langdon all added something that we just didn't have, and are more than useful pickups.

I know there was some concern around the fact that we didn't land any "name" recruits over the trade period, but hard to ask for much more than what this trio bring.

Also, surprised by how effective Kozzie was. There's been speculation as to how many games he'll play this year, but on that showing, he'll play most. Perhaps not massive game time, he's a high-flash/low possession player, but if he can snag a goal or so each game and put the frighteners on some of the opposition backs, it'll be enough - and once again, something that we didn't have.

Langdon was a name recruit. Langdon has finished top 5 in freos bnf the last two years.

Tomlison was 7th inthe GWS bnf in 2018 before falling out of favor this year. I don't think he is as big a name as Tomlinson but he was a regular player in a finalist for a number of years. 

Are demonlanders practicing their debate skills for the regular season post match threads, given this was just a practice match with next to nothing to read into how we or the opposition played out the game

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by John Demonic

  On 22/02/2020 at 22:07, old dee said:

I did not see the game but I reckon from what I have read some are being a bit harsh on the Weid.  Pressed into service as a ruckman is not an easy gig and it appears he held his own. Some reports suggest he was at worst equal to the Crows ruckman. I have been critical of him but appears he did the job yesterday. Let's judge him as a forward when plays there.

I doubt you would have been impressed had you watched Old Dee. 

I'd probably be classified as one of themanjordan's happy-clappers but I wasn't particularly buoyed by yesterday's showing, bar Petracca's genuine break-out performance.

While the usual pre-season qualifications apply, so many of our recent limitations were still clearly on display, collectively and in regards to certain individuals. This was most apparent with our forward-half play, marked by inefficiency and bombing (the latter which can be a symptom of the forwards as much as the mids). While others would agree in their hearts, I doubt this will be a popular post.  

Weid to me showed no signs that he's ready to take strong, confident grabs or get himself into space. Tomald was completely absent for the most part and his usual galumphing self when finally involved. Brown's goals were junk against an inexperienced opponent. Melksham was off the pace and uninvolved. As that's at least half of our primary targets, I feel we that may have a problem. 

Meanwhile, Jackson isn't ready up forward, and if we need him to be, then I feel like we shouldn't be developing him in three positions at once. Pickett was busy in flashes, but still needs to develop his confidence and stamina. And while our renewed forward pressure was pleasing, Goody credited this to ANB and Spargo - who otherwise seem both completely pointless and unlikely to hit the scoreboard themselves. 

Alongside Gawn, I think we clearly missed Fritsch the most. This to me is a concern. Around half our goals came from Petracca, Jones, Langdon and Sparrow from the middle or half-back. I like their contribution, but not the balance. Our 2018 semi-final win over Hawthorn for example saw at least two thirds of our goals scored by full-time forwards. Let's see what happens in Marsh number 2. 

  On 23/02/2020 at 17:34, Skuit said:

Tomald was completely absent for the most part and his usual galumphing self when finally involved. Brown's goals were junk against an inexperienced opponent. 

I wouldn’t say I completely disagree with most of your points but I’ll look at these two in particular. TMac looked completely off the pace in the first half, he didn’t seem to know when to make leads or hold back for the long ball. Some of this can be attributed to 2019ish forward entries, neither he nor Brown were given good delivery during that half. Second half though Tom seemed to come into the game more, he clunked some good marks, got hit up on the lead and nailed the goals (most importantly). 3 goals is a decent return for the day given he was absent in the first half. 

Browns goals you can call them junk time but first quarter he looked like our only forward capable of hitting the scoreboard. Should’ve had 3 for the quarter. For the rest of the day he competed and brought the ball to ground, it wasn’t a starring performance but a decent start to his time in red and blue. 

We looked particularly scratchy in the first half, our on ballers were consistently second to the ball (missing Gawn) and our field kicking was at times diabolical. I don’t think anyone would be clearing their September schedule off the back of it but a win is a win. 

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by Pates

  On 23/02/2020 at 07:46, 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.

This is representative (the H&A season results) of the extremely favourable treatment that the Cats receive from the umpires at home and against the 'anticipated losers' who play against them. Must keep the Geelong-based turnstiles ticking over and those within residual reach when they play. 

  On 23/02/2020 at 02:50, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I don't really want to start or add to an Oscar pile on, but was quite disappointed in not only his game, but Hibbo's as well.  Thought that Hibbo turned the ball over galore by foot and sold team mates into trouble by hand, in the first quarter in particular.  Oscar played with a real lack of confidence, intensity or both, typified by spilling an absolute sitter of a mark over the boundary line under little to no pressure in the last quarter when we had the game well under control.

I really do hope that both these players can find confidence, form and turn things around quickly and hopefully May and Hore back into the side will steady the side down back, because I think we looked pretty exposed down there, particularly against good opposition.

Totally agree.  OMac looked quite lost and I don't know what has happened to Hibberd but he is a shadow of his 2018 form. Given that, he is on form, a best 22 player.

We have a deep list now so competition for spots will be fierce.  I think OMac, ANB, the Wagners, Sparrow, Jordan, Bedford, Baker, Hannan, Rivers, Dunkley, Hunt, Spargo, Preuss, Chandler and Bradtke will be support players with a few staring down the barrel of a de-listing/trade.  Having said that, I hope a few can prove me wrong particularly Dunkley, Sparrow, Jordan and Hunt.

I have read the many comments about Petracca's game and yes, it was a practice match but he looked a class above. The one thing that stood out to me was that the smiling, I-wanna-be-everybody's-mate persona seems to have been replaced by steely determination. The boy has finally become the man. Lets sit back and enjoy the show.

 

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by ProperDee
Spello

Don't agree.

Hibberd was fine. Made some errors, has no right foot (why ask for it on his right side?) But looked in good nick and showed some his old dash and ability to clear defence.

Omac was quiet but did his job. His direct opponent took just one mark on him and only kicked a point. Unlike some of the other defenders didn't give up goals through silly frees and turnovers and again unlike other defenders his few disposals all hit targets.

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by binman

We all see what we want to see.

To me last years preseason games set the tone for the poor season ahead.

Things didn't look right and that proved to be correct.

This year, so far I like what I see.

Let's knock over the Hawks and move on to season 2020 with confidence.

  On 23/02/2020 at 06:56, picket fence said:

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!!!!!!!

That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks PF.

Reasoned analysis leading to a sound conclusion.

  On 23/02/2020 at 20:52, rjay said:

 

Things didn't look right and that proved to be correct.

 

Was thinking the same thing rjay, at least about the lions game as it was at casey and they were the fitter, more cohesive team. Plus may got suspended and Smith looked injured.

 

  On 23/02/2020 at 20:52, rjay said:

We all see what we want to see.

To me last years preseason games set the tone for the poor season ahead.

Things didn't look right and that proved to be correct.

This year, so far I like what I see.

Let's knock over the Hawks and move on to season 2020 with confidence.

Fair points there rjay.  While I'm not one to put much credence in pre-season games (although the Dees polo has made it's first appearance of the working year this morning), when you reflect back on 2019 it's easy to see that we were well off the pace.  I flippantly put it down to the pre-season blues, and the actual pre-season surgeries we had, but what we saw then rolled right into the real stuff a few weeks later.

Here's hoping that Saturday is a sign that we're in a much better space than we were 12 months ago.

  On 23/02/2020 at 17:34, Skuit said:

I doubt you would have been impressed had you watched Old Dee. 

I'd probably be classified as one of themanjordan's happy-clappers but I wasn't particularly buoyed by yesterday's showing, bar Petracca's genuine break-out performance.

While the usual pre-season qualifications apply, so many of our recent limitations were still clearly on display, collectively and in regards to certain individuals. This was most apparent with our forward-half play, marked by inefficiency and bombing (the latter which can be a symptom of the forwards as much as the mids). While others would agree in their hearts, I doubt this will be a popular post.  

Weid to me showed no signs that he's ready to take strong, confident grabs or get himself into space. Tomald was completely absent for the most part and his usual galumphing self when finally involved. Brown's goals were junk against an inexperienced opponent. Melksham was off the pace and uninvolved. As that's at least half of our primary targets, I feel we that may have a problem. 

Meanwhile, Jackson isn't ready up forward, and if we need him to be, then I feel like we shouldn't be developing him in three positions at once. Pickett was busy in flashes, but still needs to develop his confidence and stamina. And while our renewed forward pressure was pleasing, Goody credited this to ANB and Spargo - who otherwise seem both completely pointless and unlikely to hit the scoreboard themselves. 

Alongside Gawn, I think we clearly missed Fritsch the most. This to me is a concern. Around half our goals came from Petracca, Jones, Langdon and Sparrow from the middle or half-back. I like their contribution, but not the balance. Our 2018 semi-final win over Hawthorn for example saw at least two thirds of our goals scored by full-time forwards. Let's see what happens in Marsh number 2. 

Half our goals came from midfielders but Tmac kicked 3 brown kicked 3. 

Melksham we just need to get match fit, we know what he can do as an elite half forward. 

And didn’t weid get 19 possessions and 19 hit outs? 

 

 

Edited February 23, 20205 yr by Bay Riffin

  On 23/02/2020 at 17:34, Skuit said:

 Melksham was off the pace and uninvolved.

I agree that Melksham had a poor game by his standards.

However he seems to be the sort of players that needs a few hit outs and never really starts the season on fire. He's also been in rehab a little over pre season.

Also, when he returned from injury last year, he was less than useless in the his first 2 games back, but then kicked 5 goals over the next 2 games to finish the season.

I still think he'll have a good year.

  On 23/02/2020 at 04:11, Deemania since 56 said:

From time to time, Hibbo shows a little bit more resolve, more concentration, more desire to do stuff for the team. He will get back to this more consistent play, surely. He does feed out a good ball and can run with purpose to set something up. Whereas the other one, well, I was very surprised that he got into the team/onto the field. One spoil, one kick, six leaks or non-contested regionalisations do not make a guernsey in my opinion but I have said that type of thing many times before.  May, Hore and a utility backman will make a whole difference down there now that Nev and HIbbo are getting on in years. I'd also expect a rather quick rise from a couple of our new young'uns - the backline seems to be a potential breeding ground at the moment - certainly in times of need. 

What is a "non-contested regionalisation"?

Plenty of positives 

We looked super fit with some really good body shapes on show, particularly Petracca and Viney. Plenty of players just looking lean. 

Langdon was really good. Tomlinson solid 

Played a bit safer/wider and didn’t look for high risk kicks back in the middle as much

Didnt get scored against out the back

  On 23/02/2020 at 22:04, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I agree that Melksham had a poor game by his standards.

However he seems to be the sort of players that needs a few hit outs and never really starts the season on fire. He's also been in rehab a little over pre season.

Also, when he returned from injury last year, he was less than useless in the his first 2 games back, but then kicked 5 goals over the next 2 games to finish the season.

I still think he'll have a good year.

That kick by melk from the pocket to tmac 20 metres out was exactly why we missed him so much last season.

And why he is so important for us full stop.

Melksham has also had an interrupted pre season so it makes sense he was a bit off the mark. 

  On 23/02/2020 at 17:34, Skuit said:

I doubt you would have been impressed had you watched Old Dee. 

I'd probably be classified as one of themanjordan's happy-clappers but I wasn't particularly buoyed by yesterday's showing, bar Petracca's genuine break-out performance.

While the usual pre-season qualifications apply, so many of our recent limitations were still clearly on display, collectively and in regards to certain individuals. This was most apparent with our forward-half play, marked by inefficiency and bombing (the latter which can be a symptom of the forwards as much as the mids). While others would agree in their hearts, I doubt this will be a popular post.  

Weid to me showed no signs that he's ready to take strong, confident grabs or get himself into space. Tomald was completely absent for the most part and his usual galumphing self when finally involved. Brown's goals were junk against an inexperienced opponent. Melksham was off the pace and uninvolved. As that's at least half of our primary targets, I feel we that may have a problem. 

Meanwhile, Jackson isn't ready up forward, and if we need him to be, then I feel like we shouldn't be developing him in three positions at once. Pickett was busy in flashes, but still needs to develop his confidence and stamina. And while our renewed forward pressure was pleasing, Goody credited this to ANB and Spargo - who otherwise seem both completely pointless and unlikely to hit the scoreboard themselves. 

Alongside Gawn, I think we clearly missed Fritsch the most. This to me is a concern. Around half our goals came from Petracca, Jones, Langdon and Sparrow from the middle or half-back. I like their contribution, but not the balance. Our 2018 semi-final win over Hawthorn for example saw at least two thirds of our goals scored by full-time forwards. Let's see what happens in Marsh number 2. 

Good post.

Tommy Mc has to be getting some easy hit up leads to get involved in games. Melksham can't just pick and choose. They both looked like last year where getting them up the ground (T Mc a burst in the ruck, Melksham on ball) to start them off is probably required.

A positive for Tom was that his pressure looked far better.

Fritsch has been our best forward all preseason. He'll have plenty of quiet days as well especially if playing deep, and he needs to tackle better but he has the kind of energy and desire to create space that should make a big difference - if/when healthy.

I hope we can get Hannan, Chandler and Petty back fit soon because we need the competition for spots. Vanders is at least one addition. And Tom Sparrow showed a bit on ball, he should keep pushing for a half forward spot as well. Nothing from the game told me Mitch Brown is going to compete against proper opponents, he's a cat. ANB yikes. 

Looks like the announcement will be made at 12:40pm

  On 23/02/2020 at 09:54, Dees2014 said:

For pure skill l think hunt is class. We don’t have all that many very fast runners and he is one. I would very much like to see more pressure from him, and he will be invaluable with at half back or the wing. We need pace and we don’t have an abundance now...

Disagree on field kicking. One of our poorest IMO. And it is football after all