Thanks @Lever08 from some of the footage I saw, it looked like the "play on at any cost" strategy has been backed off?

Hard to distinguish between the dark and light blues. And the videos show that several kicks went to opposition players. Maybe the two are connected.  Or maybe we are still unable to find a teammate.

 

Thanks @Lever08

Looks like they ‘took a knee’ in one of those pics  in sympathy for Black lives matter. Good to show some solidarity for your mates.

1 hour ago, Lever08 said:

I was there. Watched behind the perimeter fence on far wing. So good to see live action!

observations:

- 4x 25 min quarters no time on played

-Lots of swapping of players between the two teams

-Lever Pruess Petty KK and Nietscke only 5 who didn’t play

- May starred, BOG easily 

-Bennell played all 4 quarters, 1st half on ball 2nd half on HFF

-Spargo did some great things, I’m not always a fan but he looked at the level today

-Fritsch was the best forward

-J Smith will be close to selection, either if Lever doesn’t come up or instead of O Mac.

- I rate Sparrow. HIGHLY!! Head to head with Viney all game and not a backward step taken.

- No injuries during the game to anyone. Relief!

- Rivers and Hibberd were in a showdown for the final HBF spot. Both played well today

- Dont expect to see any of the two Wagners, or Baker early in season. They look like the last in line depth players to me

- Actually think Bradtke showed he can play. 20% better than his Casey 2019 form

- Goalkicking am issue, but expect it will be for all 18 clubs next weekend till the season gets into its rhythm 

- Hunt looks out of favour

- My biggest take - get on Brayshaw for a return to form. Played with no helmet, and moved and hunted the ball like it was 2018 again.

Happy to answer questions 

 

Fritsch still being our best forward seems like a concern, for the forward dynamics. He plays on a 2nd tall from any club, or Lever/Petty and he'll be kept quiet. May blunts TMac, understandable. But then Brown, Weid, Jackson, any reports on forward work? Contesting? Marking? Goalkicking? A lot is riding on these boys. As well as Petty if we also plan to slot him forward 

 

Edited June 6, 20205 yr by John Demonic

12 minutes ago, John Demonic said:

Fritsch still being our best forward seems like a concern, for the forward dynamics. He plays on a 2nd tall from any club, or Lever/Petty and he'll be kept quiet. May blunts TMac, understandable. But then Brown, Weid, Jackson, no reports on forward work? Contesting? Marking? Goalkicking? A lot is riding on these boys. As well as Petty if we also plan to slot him forward 

 

Agree

unless Weideman can contribute, our forward structure is questionable. Why he was played in the ruck again is a puzzle. Sure it gives him a chance to get the ball but rucking is not what he is paid for.

6 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Agree

unless Weideman can contribute, our forward structure is questionable. Why he was played in the ruck again is a puzzle. Sure it gives him a chance to get the ball but rucking is not what he is paid for.

Planning your attack around Fritsch becoming the next Gary Ablett is a bold strategy DJ. Let's see if it pays off for Goody.

@Lever08

Were the forwards, especially Weideman taking any marks inside the 50?

What was the score in goals and points?

1 hour ago, dworship said:

Yes great and very timely first post. How did Mitch Hannan go?

 

Hannan was quiet, played in the “reserves” team 

1 hour ago, WERRIDEE said:

Great write up!

How did Chandler, Hannan and Bedford go?

Who gets the spot? Hibberd or Rivers?

 Chandler the best of this lot, interesting to see him play back pocket the whole game and it suited him. Hibberd over Rivers but this will change in 2021

1 hour ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

Weid or Jackson for second tall forward / ruck relief @Lever08?

 

Weid was strong, kicked a couple of snags and moved well. Jackson still a way off being selected by him for now I think, although the athletic attributes of Jacko is mouth watering. 

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

@Lever08 thanks for the write up. How was the ball movement and structures?

Ball movement had lots of “plan on from a mark” and honour the leading player. Pickett and Bennell made it noticeably quicker

34 minutes ago, John Demonic said:

Fritsch still being our best forward seems like a concern, for the forward dynamics. He plays on a 2nd tall from any club, or Lever/Petty and he'll be kept quiet. May blunts TMac, understandable. But then Brown, Weid, Jackson, any reports on forward work? Contesting? Marking? Goalkicking? A lot is riding on these boys. As well as Petty if we also plan to slot him forward 

 

May rarely played on T Mac. He and Weid pushing up the ground lots with Fritsch, Melky and Pickett at times isolated inside 50. Fritsch being best forward doesn’t mean TMac wasn’t performing

The forward line looked much more dynamic than last year. Although keen to see goal kicking improve 

12 minutes ago, kev martin said:

@Lever08

Were the forwards, especially Weideman taking any marks inside the 50?

What was the score in goals and points?

Marks from Weid more so than TMac. Will also say that Brown presented and marked well for the “reserves”

22 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Agree

unless Weideman can contribute, our forward structure is questionable. Why he was played in the ruck again is a puzzle. Sure it gives him a chance to get the ball but rucking is not what he is paid for.

Weid played ruck less than 20 percent of the game. Was because no Pruess in the match today, so hardly a puzzle??

14 minutes ago, kev martin said:

@Lever08

Were the forwards, especially Weideman taking any marks inside the 50?

What was the score in goals and points?

Can’t remember the exact scores, but Navy beat Royal blue 11 goals to 9. However, about 20 players played for both teams during the match so.... 

2 hours ago, Lever08 said:

I was there. Watched behind the perimeter fence on far wing. So good to see live action!

observations:

 

Happy to answer questions 

 

Best couple of write ups from any Track watcher for weeks........thanks

Thanks Lever08.

I understand that Bennell played first half in the reserves and second in the seniors...

From what you saw today, do you think he'll play round two, or still a little off?

Did Petracca play? 

29 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Thanks Lever08.

I understand that Bennell played first half in the reserves and second in the seniors...

From what you saw today, do you think he'll play round two, or still a little off?

With Hannan playing so poorly you would think Bennell would be in the box seat to take the last spot as the 7th forward. I am really interested in what Lever says.

15 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

Did Petracca play? 

Yes he did only 5 didn't play according to Lever.

3 hours ago, Lever08 said:

I was there. Watched behind the perimeter fence on far wing. So good to see live action!

observations:

-...

- I rate Sparrow. HIGHLY!! Head to head with Viney all game and not a backward step taken.

.....

My mate (an avid Crows supporter) taught Tom a few years ago. Rates him very highly. One to watch.

4 hours ago, Supermercado said:

Obviously Joel Smith is a defender again but I thought he looked good as a forward. No doubt will be thrown there ASAP if we're kicking 6.12.48 every week.

We have a plethora of defenders.

We have very few forwards.

Smith is a better forward than defender.

We are playing Smith as a defender.

We never learn.

So based on Lever’s write up, Goodwin is backing the midget forward line to get the job done. He mentioned Weid and TMac playing high HF roles and relying on Melky Fritta and Kozzie. This may work on transition once in a while, but given that we often win the midfield battle and bomb forward, the disconnect will continue. Any coach, who had 3 months to review any of the tapes from rd 1, would be able to pick that up. 
 

Then you have McDonald’s interview, which was less than convincing. He suggests that supporters may still feel frustrated by the forward structure. That sounded more like he was frustrated. Probably because he is again being played out of position. 
 

hate to sound pessimistic, but the script seems written. Dominate the midfield, win clearances, have good defence but cannot convert inside 50s to goals. A losing formula. And when we get outnumbered on the rebound, sides cut ya up and score easily. 
 

happy to be proven wrong, but I don’t think this side is going anywhere under Goodwin. He seems stubborn and talks a lot, but we never see the action. A real salesman

Edited June 6, 20205 yr by Leoncelli_36