Me:

It’s February, calm down folks.

Also me:

Snapping up the 34/1 on offer for Cuzzy Pickett to win the Norwich Rising Star

My take on yesterdays game.

Whilst it was only a practise games against one of the worst AFL teams of this decade then yes, just have to temper expectations.

At the same time, there are many positives and glimpse you can still take from yesterdays performance.

Finally for however long I can remember, we are actually going to be fun and exciting to watch this year. The speed on the ball was something we haven't seen in a long time.

We will leak goals fairly easily this year but I thought our defence was rock solid at times yesterday. I do agree with a previous comment that we will miss having a big bodied defender like Steven May just to take the bigger 198-201cm type forwards.

Quick summary on a few players:

Mihocek - A pity he was out early. Hes got such a big presence up forward and put that alongside JVR and Kentfield/Jefferson then I think we will be fine in that department.

Kentfield - exceptional game. Really surprised me once again with his ruckwork and ability to work hard around the ground. Just an old fashioned tough bastard who doesnt take a backwards step. 3 goals in the 'Pederson' role has him pretty much locked in for a round 1 debut.

Heath - Similar to Kentfield. Just another hulking angry [censored]. He was getting stuck into that thug Xerri and was laying blocks for his teammates. I have always like this pick up the moment we showed interest. What I didnt realise was his incredible leap at the centre bounce and ability to palm it in front of his teammates. Something Gawn isn't good at. He is a round 1 lock imo.

Howes - i am surprised not much has been made about his performance. I thought he was exceptional and would have easily had over 20 plus disposals off half back. His ball use was neat and he actually provided run which we havent seen from his game before. Players like Howes will thrive under the King regime because the shackles have been finally released and it showed yesterday.

Lat Pickett - my god we're in for a ride with this kid. Can I say its heart warming to see the #33 out there dazzling away at half forward. Interestingly he was playing the high half forward role Similar to how ANB use to use. His work rate was exceptional, just needed to tidy his disposal but that will come with experience. Get the ball in this kid hands in the wide open spaces of the G and let him cook. I was thinking of player comparisons.. Nas Wanganeen with a touch of Lewis Jetta?

Koz Pickett - Enough said. He was going at 70% and taking the [censored].

Laurie - I really liked his game. Working hard up the ground and provided some really good deft touches with his ball use. Once again, played the role imilar to the ANB which Laurie is more then capable of locking that position down if he badly wants it.

Steele - Was so clean and neat with his disposal with the added bonus of providing on field leadership and guidance.. something Oliver and Petracca didnt do. Everytime I saw him side of the screen he was pointing away at teammates just marshalling them around. No fuss and just goes about his business well.

CJ - Another who is going to be a bargain pick up. His ability to leap and spoil is going to be an asset down in defence plus we saw the glimpses of the run and dash down back. Him and Bowey down there will provide us with the quick sling shot and rebound.

Langford - he is good on a wing but he is a gun as an inside mid. Leave him there.

Special mentions to Fritta, Chandler, Langdon and Sparrow.

Lastly, North are an absolute shambles.. I'm not one to feel sympathy for opposition supporters but it must be demoralising for them to sit and watch that with the amount of talent they have on their list being coached by a 4 time premiership coach.

Something stinks down at Arden.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by dazzledavey36

1 hour ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Geez, what a great problem to have when Petty can’t even get a gig as an emergency.

There are probably 20 locks. If Jefferson doesn’t get a kick against Richmond then he doesn’t even get into the emergencies. Petty could replace McDonald but McDonald has been in such great form it’s unlikely, Melksham could replace Kentfield or Jefferson if he plays better than them against Richmond depending if he’s over his injury Culley could replace either Tholstrup, Windsor or Howes. I think Howes has done enough to keep his spot, Tholstrup is always on the fringe and Windsor better perform better against Richmond than he did against North

5 hours ago, bing181 said:

I never predicted 0 and 6.

You did offer up those figures as an outcome scenario. Worded in a way where that outcome is likely

Rumour has it that the reason why KENTFIELD was wearing a mask was because he wanted to audition for Phantom of the Opera.

Stats from yesterday.

Kentfield will get another shot against Richmond next week with Mihocek’s concussion. If he outplays Jefferson and JVR again he has to play round 1 imo. Better prospect.

14 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

How did Dovaston go for North?

I only ask because he was thrown up as option instead of Pickett.

Dovaston: 3 kicks, 7 handballs, 0 goals
LP: 12 kicks, 1 handball, 0 goals

14 minutes ago, Coolx2 said:

Rumour has it that the reason why KENTFIELD was wearing a mask was because he wanted to audition for Phantom of the Opera.

A mysterious entree to the high theatre of AFL football. Our understudy forward emerges from his facial carapace to assume the key lead forward role. Bravo fortissimo!

25 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Kentfield will get another shot against Richmond next week with Mihocek’s concussion. If he outplays Jefferson and JVR again he has to play round 1 imo. Better prospect.

Agree!

14 hours ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

If the AFL had relegation North Melbourne would now be in the WFNL 2nd Division. Their best player is a recycled dwarf.

Their coach?