I liked AJ's performance - albeit brief.

Campbell was very good and, IMO, beat Xerri, but he's at his fourth club, and the same age as Max (33).

AJ is 9 years his junior. He may be 8cm shorter but has a good leap. A couple of his clearances were very good - his first touch and his ruck grab and handball mid-air.

If JvR is not part of the ruck rotation he could, potentially, add a goal a game to his tally.

AMW injury aside that’s what you want from an initial hit out. We rolled over them the longer  the game went and with 50% of our best 18 watching on. Sharp and Langford I suggest stepped closest to a round 1 lock. Laurie (lacks pressure), Jefferson (lacks any ability to contest) and likely controversially TMac (cost us 3 goals in the first half) all stepped further away from a round 1 chance. Plenty of others were in between. Our backline lacks structure without May to Marshall it. Sharp aside our speed forwards were invisible. Koz good when in midfield and a fair effort cameo from Kynan in the last was the next best. Van Rooyens 4 goals and AJ’s cameo in the last really wants me to see us play AJ forward and as relief ruck again Freo. The man loves contact and looks like he has mobility and ball smarts to go with it. Roo can negate in the middle but we lack inside forward 50 once he relieves,  

Edited February 22Feb 22 by Lil_red_fire_engine

49 minutes ago, bush demon said:

Who was the guy who always had a "foreign object" in his hand?

Waldo Von Eric used to wear a protective glove on his right hand. Whenever he used his right hand to deliver a blow it always nearly ended the match.

It was always assumed he had a foreign object stuffed down there but never proven.

1 hour ago, rpfc said:

When we drafted him he was ‘“‘two years away’ from being ‘two years away’”

He may surprise…

Apologies to Fran Fraschilla who coined that a decade ago.

Yep he may surprise me! Showed little against a bottom two side today.

2 hours ago, DeeZone said:

I think that Jeffo showed he is on the way, now has an AFL body and could have nailed a couple.

The world is full of " could haves" DZ.

24 minutes ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

AMW injury aside that’s what you want from an initial hit out. We rolled over them the longer  the game went and with 50% of our best 18 watching on. Sharp and Langford I suggest stepped closest to a round 1 lock. Laurie (lacks pressure), Jefferson (lacks any ability to contest) and likely controversially TMac (cost us 3 goals in the first half) all stepped further away from a round 1 chance. Plenty of others were in between. Our backline lacks structure without May to Marshall it. Sharp aside our speed forwards were invisible. Koz good when in midfield and a fair effort cameo from Kynan in the last was the next best. Van Rooyens 4 goals and AJ’s cameo in the last really wants me to see us play AJ forward and as relief ruck again Freo. The man loves contact and looks like he has mobility and ball smarts to go with it. Roo can negate in the middle but we lack inside forward 50 once he relieves,  

Agree with most of the above. Not sure who our 'speed forwards' are - Chandler, AMW, Kosi (went ok), Disco ...?

Your last sentence covers exactly what I've been on about ad nauseum. IMO AJ is in the starting 22 even if he rotates with Max off the bench. If Roo rucks it's only in the forward 50.

Edited February 22Feb 22 by M_9

1 hour ago, Fat Tony said:

“Oliver was just ok. I’m not convinced he’s going to be an A grader again.”

 

…are you sure you were watching the same match sim as the rest of us…?

1 hour ago, gs77 said:

I just loved that BBB commented in the 4th that North would be looking to show their mettle and keep their system despite being down, and from that moment on we banged on a series of goals with ease.

Very much enjoyed bbb’s quiet, informed and accurate commentary throughout the game.

The other broadcaster, Sam ….? was also very ‘listenable’ without the over the top squawking, which seems to be de rigueur these days.

Would be appreciated if all of Fox/kayo, bbb and Sam could align their schedules for when the real thing begins.

That AMW injury looked nasty. Honestly it took a lot of the gloss off what was otherwise a perfect performance for February.

Clarry is 100% having a redemption arc in ‘25. Strap yourselves in. I also love the look of Kosi higher up the ground, he’s basically unstoppable in space and has brilliant foot skills and decision making. 

Our new recruits all looked really good. Langford in particular looks incredible and will play every week if fit. Lindsay was solid too. Sharp brilliant in the ANB role. Campbell showed us the value of having a proper ruckman in reserve while Aiden Johnson also showed us what having a legit backup option can bring to the side. 
 

Didn’t love Jefferson’s game personally. I want him to make it but he’s giving me Weid vibes. An “almost” game from him, similar to what Weid often gave us.  But he also did some nice things. 
 

I feel like Ben Brown likes North more than us 
but I liked him in commentary. Loved his takedown of Hargreaves for the Jared Rivers comment. Hargreaves was actually good to listen to as well and clearly does his research. 

Don’t forget North are expected to be much better this year, it was close to full strength for them and nowhere near it for us, and we absolutely smashed them. 

 

Edited February 22Feb 22 by Bang Bang Bang

Welcome back Clarry - you star. In everything, bringing others into the game, running through stoppages at pace, showing leadership to young players which surprised me. and those hands in close - beautiful.

Kozzie, Bowey, Rivers, Sharp, AMW, Lever, JVR the standouts.

Langford strong and skillful but pace a definite issue.

Lindsay smooth and effective but didn't see him much in packs and stoppages.

I am huge fan of young Jeffo, and can't wait until he stands next to JVR for 150 games+. Leading patterns are great, follow up work good, but not impacting most of the contests he gets to.

Campbell surprised me and was very impressive.

Laurie started well, Chandler was fairly absent, Sparrow strong at times.

The squeeze for starting 22 is now on.

 

5 minutes ago, Disco InTurno said:

…are you sure you were watching the same match sim as the rest of us…?

Agree DIT not sure he could do a lot more.

 

1 hour ago, bush demon said:

Who was the guy who always had a "foreign object" in his hand?

...Brute Bernard?

Well, this match was just below dancing with your sister, and with many players out, it was good to see some of the younger players have a go. So really, it was just a hit-out for them. There was some great movement of the ball, but their handball decision making left a lot to be desired. Too many players were handballing to players standing still, at the feet, and taking the wrong option or one too many. But hopefully, that will be worked out, I hope.

6 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Just paid $35 for Kayo so I could watch it. Was $15 a few years back. 

I think you can get Kayo Standard (1 screen) FOR $25

Right. Next year we have our Match Sim/Practice Match the day BEFORE SSP cut off.

2 hours ago, old dee said:

If he is a year away he won't make it. 

I hope he makes it but I've seen nothing to hang My hat on.  Not writing him off but gee he's gotta show something

14 minutes ago, kongwacker said:

Very much enjoyed bbb’s quiet, informed and accurate commentary throughout the game.

The other broadcaster, Sam ….? was also very ‘listenable’ without the over the top squawking, which seems to be de rigueur these days.

Would be appreciated if all of Fox/kayo, bbb and Sam could align their schedules for when the real thing begins.

The commentary was great. Informative,  measured no histriinics

Big picture reflections:

Back 6 and full ground defense continues to look strong. 

Forward play - great to see leading patterns and repeat leads. A lot more activity and less kicking to prescribed zones after setting up. Refreshing.

Midfield. Beaten well at times in first half, but we also rotated a lot of people through. Players with nouse and pace like McKercher and LDU ran away too often too easily.

My biggest questions:

Do we play 2 rucks? Campbell was very good. 

Do we fit Jefferson AND JVR in?

Where do we play Kozzie? He was outstanding through the middle.

2 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

I hope he makes it but I've seen nothing to hang My hat on.  Not writing him off but gee he's gotta show something

A strong grab, a beautiful pick up and dish off, numerous well timed leads.

If it was year 1 for him we'd be ecstatic. If it was year 2 we'd be really happy. It's year 3 so I think the correct opinion is to be just a fraction underwhelmed but at the same time he did show things.

4 Things stood out for me from the new guys

1. Langford turned sideways in a run and took the contested ball one handed so he could break away and give a beautiful pass which led to a goal - created what he wanted to achieve and believed he had the ability to do it.

2. Lindsay spun in a tackle so he could give a clear slick hand ball for a goal - presence of mind and belief in skill

3. Sharp front and centre one grab and a goal -more than just a running wingman

4. Campbell strong mark in front of goal - more than just a ruckman

The young forward line is developing well, with Fritcsh and Melksham still to come.

i was impressed by the way all three worked together in Roo , Disco and Jeffo

Sharp and Langford are certainties for round one and they both have some great tricks 

Stick May Windsor and Salem in that backline and it looks solid as a rock.

AMW played a great game before injury, fingers crossed.

Thought Lindsay looked impressive and  skill full too.

Finally some good back up rucks and forwards in Campbell and Johnson.

Kozzie going to destroy teams from the midfield this year.

All this without Langdon, Gawn Trac and Viney!

Strap yourselves in for a big year folks!

2 hours ago, BC_1718_DC said:

The AFL had no sympathy with the Angus Brayshaw situation last season when he retired on the eve of the season and the SSP window had just shut. Unfortunately there’ll be no exceptions. 

Don’t ask, don’t get.

Do you think Blues, Pies, Cats etc would ask the question.

Anyway, hopefully AMW is not badly injured and we don’t need to worry about it.

2 hours ago, forever demons said:

was not skull doing the  sleeper hold it was a bloke with dark hair cant remember his name

Wasn’t it Mark Lewin who had the sleeper hold?

Was a good "blowing off of the cobwebs" in this practice match for the Demons against the Kangaroos.

A few impressive things I noted from the highlights video I saw. However, it's hard to tell too much from a mere 5 minute video.

Disappointing news about Andy Moniz-Wakefield and his knee injury. We have had rotten luck with injuries this past fortnight. Especially after losing Shane McAdam last week too. I feel heartbroken for both of them. 😢💔

I was going to suggest the Demons possibly asking the AFL for special consideration to have an extra SSP and get Jai Culley perhaps? But I doubt the AFL would give us any concessions as we are not a "big 4 club" like Collingwood. 🙄