On 28/02/2020 at 05:51, george_on_the_outer said:

Who was number 37 for us?  He is a seriously good footballer....

I was impressed with him too George.

For mine I thought Spargo isn't getting the love he should, he was very good today and smart.  I have commented on Bedford in my track reports and it was great to see him put it into play today, he too was very good.  I thought Baker, who hasn't had much of a preseason, showed some good toe today and Lockhart is AFL standard.  Sparrow and Jordan worked hard, Rivers was very impressive and Fritsch and Gus worked into the game well.  Brown spoilt his game with some terrible set shot kicking and the Wagners were solid.

But the takeout for me the last two games is how well we've run out games, it really has been impressive. Last year we looked slow and tired all season but today we bounced.  Great to see.  With Gawn, May, Hannan and hopefully Smith not far away we look in pretty good shape.

Backline: Lockhart the standout, too good for this inbetween VFL/AFL level. Josh Wagner was very solid and took a great mark. Rivers had his moments in the 3rd term, think he's got work to do to get a game but there's something there.

Mids: Was nice to see Baker back and showing some of the upside with pace and some nice kicks. Sparrow and Jordon cracked in all game. Brayshaw a cut above when he got rolling.

Forwards: Impressed by Brown up against some good opponents apart from his bad set shots. Fritsch dropped some easy ones, missed a few shots but always had signs to his class. Kossie had his moments and he clearly has the most class of the 4 smalls who played today. Spargo was very solid all game. Bedford had some awful shots on goal and field kicks but he very much outperformed what I expected with getting involved in the play and smart determined pressuring. 

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:33, FireInTheBennelly said:

The most impressive thing about that was the fact he'd butchered one earlier in the game that resulted in an uncontested mark and goal to Norf. Didn't dent his confidence at all as he was more than happy to back himself in and go for his kicks.

I don't recall seeing him in the last quarter either, did he sit it out also? If he did it suggests he's earned himself a spot in Marsh 2 I think. It wouldn't be a coincidence either that we half struggled to move the ball from defence in the last quarter.

Yes he was rested in the last qtr.

Will be interesting to see whether Rivers (pick 32) is a better player than Hayden Young (pick 3).......Rivers is a gun

His around the ground marking needs some work but add me to the chorus of those liking the work of big 35 in the ruck. Has a ripping leap and moves well. One to watch closely.

  On 28/02/2020 at 04:17, bazza226 said:

Oscar is a worry dropping chest marks

Always a big worry but it's OK, he did one punch at the ball with eyes closed - and that one, worked.

It would be interesting to see the ‘Tracker’ for this game. Brown just does not stop running, this way that way, boy he works his azz off. 

Must admit I had a bit of giggle when the North backs were bickering with each other when things weren’t going their way. 

Did they rest Tarrant in the second half? Didn’t notice him at all. 

Anyone know why they were calling O Mac ‘Porter’? 

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:57, DeeSpencer said:

It's just a hole different game with all the missing players back in. 

If we were able to generate the same forward pressure and the same wins in the clearances then I think we win the game based on the very good field position and pressure game we played today.

It was a tick for our system of play but maybe the Brown, Fritsch and 4 smalls that caused North a lot of trouble doesn't work against a proper AFL side. We won't even be playing such a small pressuring forward line come round 1. Too many variable to extrapolate overall results.

Yes, the missing players certainly left a bit of a 'hole'.

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:58, Red and Blue realist said:

I liked what I saw from him as well, not sure he has star potential, more skillful ANB, without the extreme fitness at the moment - clearly he's worked very hard on it though. If he continues Bedford and Kossie will be the perfect pairing for 10 years for us, Kossie withe the flash and scare, while Bedford will create goals through continual pressure and good decisions. 

Bedford was second only to ANB in the 3K time trails and not by all that far.  Fitness isn't an issue I don't think.

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:09, Reader said:

Will be interesting to see whether Rivers (pick 32) is a better player than Hayden Young (pick 3).......Rivers is a gun

Young was pick 7 and we rated him higher than Rivers regardless. 

I liked what Rivers brought to the table with his kicking but can't recall him being in many contested situations as a defender.

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:33, FireInTheBennelly said:

The most impressive thing about that was the fact he'd butchered one earlier in the game that resulted in an uncontested mark and goal to Norf. Didn't dent his confidence at all as he was more than happy to back himself in and go for his kicks.

I don't recall seeing him in the last quarter either, did he sit it out also? If he did it suggests he's earned himself a spot in Marsh 2 I think. It wouldn't be a coincidence either that we half struggled to move the ball from defence in the last quarter.

Got cleaned up on the 3/4 time siren, possibly sat out due to the head knock.

Think the last quarter struggles were more about the wind and the mids slowing down. Thought we fought it out well given the number of Casey players on the ground in the last quarter.

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:51, george_on_the_outer said:

Who was number 37 for us?  He is a seriously good footballer....

Thought Mitch played well too. Seemed to have a knack for finding the action and certainly held his own in a few contests. While we’re asking these things, who was number 49?

OMac is a conundrum.

He has put on some serious muscle in the off season but plays timidly.

He is a super intelligent guy but makes very poor disposal decisions .

I was hoping he would get it right this year , but not in the last two games Ive watched him.

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:25, Mel Bourne said:

Thought Mitch played well too. Seemed to have a knack for finding the action and certainly held his own in a few contests. While we’re asking these things, who was number 49?

There was no 49. 48 was Briggs.

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:36, 640MD said:

A question for those that know these things 

how “strong” wS the north side, not full strength surely, the low scores for the first half. Meant I thought unskilled players mainly. 
thoughts please??

Go Dees 2020 !!

North displayed their limited depth today. Their dependency upon those who were missing is eye-opening, and affects the style of their gameplan which I have often thought to be haphazard and umpire-reinforced (yet sometimes rewarding) over the past few years. They, too, had a hit-out today, as well, so underneath, I'd guess that the North throng would be happy. For the Dees, it was a great hit-out, a brave hit-out and one in which the future now looks quite bright - all that young talent to develop and deploy.

  On 28/02/2020 at 04:22, whatwhatsaywhat said:

and sparrow looks like nathan jones 2.0

I don't agree with this...

Sparrow at the moment is pure inside, very one dimensional...I agree with 'McQueen'

  On 28/02/2020 at 04:22, McQueen said:

kept an eye on Jordan and Sparrow for much of the game. Both seemed to be out of position and chasing more than winning the ball and being creative.

He can get to the player with the ball and at times first to the ball but it stops there.

Nathan manages to get the ball moving.

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:33, FireInTheBennelly said:

The most impressive thing about that was the fact he'd butchered one earlier in the game that resulted in an uncontested mark and goal to Norf. Didn't dent his confidence at all as he was more than happy to back himself in and go for his kicks.

I don't recall seeing him in the last quarter either, did he sit it out also? If he did it suggests he's earned himself a spot in Marsh 2 I think. It wouldn't be a coincidence either that we half struggled to move the ball from defence in the last quarter.

 

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:49, DeeZee said:

Fritsch is genuine star full forward material, and Rivers is the perfect replacement for Hibberd if he doesn’t get his act back into gear.

Fritsch did his best work a bit further up the ground...rather than stay at home I think he will be better as a floater...

 

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:06, dazzledavey36 said:

Yes he was rested in the last qtr.

 

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:22, DeeSpencer said:

Got cleaned up on the 3/4 time siren, possibly sat out due to the head knock.

Think the last quarter struggles were more about the wind and the mids slowing down. Thought we fought it out well given the number of Casey players on the ground in the last quarter.

I might be seeing things, I thought he was rested too, but then I noticed him on the ground toward the end of the last.

  On 28/02/2020 at 04:15, Steno said:

Lot to like about today... Several picking themselves for round 1.

Kozzie a certainty

Brown a certainty

Lockhard very close to certainty

Bedford could play early

Rivers looks very good

Brayshaw.. no concerns, rust is quickly disappearing

Bradke gone up another gear

Not sure what game you were watching.  Bradtke got smashed in the ruck. even the vfl fill in did a much better job.

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:39, rjay said:

 

Fritsch did his best work a bit further up the ground...rather than stay at home I think he will be better as a floater...

 

 

I might be seeing things, I thought he was rested too, but then I noticed him on the ground toward the end of the last.

Rivers might've been sent for a 20 minute concussion test and came back on late? I didn't remember seeing him in the last but he easily could've still been out there.

On Fritsch - I think he should play to his match up. Obviously played a fair bit deep today as he was the 2nd tallest forward but when he's used as the 3rd or 4th tall option he should aim to exploit the match up. Dropped a few but struggled to get a lot of room against big key defenders today but if we can get him isolated deep on small/medium types he'll be very dangerous.

  On 28/02/2020 at 05:54, Red and Blue realist said:

Honestly both sides were probably as strong or as weak as each other. They had virtually none of their top liners, with the exception of Tarrant who was really out their for a run around...

As reported by North fans on their own forum, they had their best back six in and conceded 20 scoring shots to a third string Melbourne side.

I agree that not much can be read into these games, however, their defence doesn't get any better than what they had out there.

  On 28/02/2020 at 04:33, JakovichScissorKick said:

I asked this question in the pre-game thread

Can Bedford step up and show what hes capable of?

 

I asked it for a reason...  I believe the kid has star potential.  And he showed plenty today.

I only watched the first 3 quarters but as a small forward you've got to kick those goals. missed simple shots and that's all I want from a small forward.

  On 28/02/2020 at 04:59, McQueen said:

He did and was serviceable. 

Thanks...I was at the game and didn’t actually notice him RIP my old eyes 

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:47, ProDee said:

As reported by North fans on their own forum, they had their best back six in and conceded 20 scoring shots to a third string Melbourne side.

I agree that not much can be read into these games, however, their defence doesn't get any better than what they had out there.

Agree with your last line Pro however winning sure beats the crap out of losing.

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:14, Watts the matter said:

Young was pick 7 and we rated him higher than Rivers regardless. 

I liked what Rivers brought to the table with his kicking but can't recall him being in many contested situations as a defender.

Appreciate the correction, I remember all the experts telling us we should take Hayden Young ahead of Jackson lol

  On 28/02/2020 at 06:25, DeeZee said:

OMac is a conundrum.

He has put on some serious muscle in the off season but plays timidly.

He is a super intelligent guy but makes very poor disposal decisions .

I was hoping he would get it right this year , but not in the last two games Ive watched him.

no idea why u think things would change.  should've been cut 3 seasons ago