Sandringham v Bendigo

[Paul Gardner 6]

I really liked Meesen today.

Maric has skill but is a long way off.

Cheney got involved in the second half. Looks a likely prospect.

Buckley finds the ball very well, but turns it over. However don't dismiss the ability to win the footy. That said, I'm still dubious.

Valenti is capable of playing decent AFL footy.

Martin is ungainly, but a very interesting prospect.

Bate was Bate. Played well.

Bode is simply not up to AFL standard.

My impressions of the folowing :-

I really liked Meesen today. An improvement on the last time I saw him play but looks scared of taking physical hits.

Maric has skill but is a long way off. Agreed, lots of talent but needs to work harder finding more of the ball.

Cheney got involved in the second half. Looks a likely prospect. Didn't disgrace in the firsts & will improve.

Buckley finds the ball very well, but turns it over. However don't dismiss the ability to win the footy. That said, I'm still dubious. Needs to get harder at the contest & also he runs out of puff. He really needs to put in a massive preseason building his engine, & I'd like to see him do some serious boxing after this season finishes to strengthen his core, upper body & leg endurance. It will also help his self confidance.

Valenti is capable of playing decent AFL footy. Is ready for a Crack at the Big Time.

Martin is ungainly, but a very interesting prospect. Is looking a little unco' as he's being tested in a new role @ CHB. He went OK.

Bate was Bate. Played well. Didn't work hard enough.

Bode is simply not up to AFL standard. Bodie is a handy fringe player ATM.

[jacey 333]

Bode, C Johnson, Yze - Solid game but nothing much more.

Martin - Excellent defensively and very likely.

Buckley - Great run but turnovers galore.

Valenti - BOG. There is AFL in him.

Maric - A very likely type. Great kick and vision but smaller then i thought.

Holland - Solid Holland.

Spencer/Meesen - Spencer beat Meesen but didn't do much around the ground. Meesen. I'll give him a little more time.

Bate - We all know Bate. Solid game after a being quietish.

Cheney - I like the kid. Looks likely but needs some more games with men.

I have to say i love the way Chad Liddell plays the game. Bottle it up.

[Gouga 566]

I really liked Meesen today.

I think people are hoping he'll become a good player more than anything else.

For a number 8 draft pick who has spent three years on an AFL list he was very disappointing. In a game in which Sandy dominated I think he struggled to do anything of note.

Like I said before doesn't use his height or body and does not position himself well. IMO he is well behind White, PJ and Jamar (and it looks like Spencer as well).

I'm not writing him off, just disappointed so far.

[Gouga 566]

Martin- Was not really tested today but his disposal was challenging into the wind.

He is unco but athletic enough. Gets the job done.

[Adzman 2,154]

Valenti - Looked good, will play in red and blue this year.

Buckley- How quick is this guy? I know many of us had him penciled in as a also ran, but he has got some run and some footy smarts. Needs to be tested at afl level for a few weeks in a row. I think he could be a handy player.

CJ- a VFL killer, yet cannot bring his A game to the A grade. Just cant seem to hang on to a senior spot. Should not be too far awaygetting another shot at seniors..

Yze- Still magic when he wants to turn it on, problem is he should be killing he VFL, and fell a tad short of doing so.

Bate - He is not 100%. Starting to build some form and fitness, not too far off.

Holland- He looks Quick and agile at VFL level....that demonstrates just how different the tempo from VFl ot AFL is. Played well, and will play against collingwood to play on Rocca (another quick VFL player )

Meesen- Why did we trade for him?? He makes jamar look like dean cox! Not going to cut it. He is just roster filler.

Maric - Going to be a good MFC player, he out oooozed Adem Yze!

Spencer - Looks like napoleon Dynamite, could end up being just pure dynamite if he can develop. Showed more than meese, should be looked at later on in the year for senior selection to see how he fairs.

Bode - Took a step back IMO. Was playing against a poor side, and did not dominate. Needs to work really hard if he is to make the grade.

Martin- Good in a contest, kicks like a gumby. I think he could be the next Ingerson (reliable defender, ugly technique)

Cheney - Was he sporting a Fanta Mullet??? Looks good, needs a better hairdresser.

[Nasher 33,607]

He is unco but athletic enough. Gets the job done.

He is not unco at all, which is the best thing about him. He's just extremely unpolished.

Of all our youngsters playing at Sandy, Martin's the one I'm most excited about. It's yet to be seen whether he will make it, but I believe we've discovered a real diamond in the rough with him. I can't wait to see how he progresses.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,102]

He is not unco at all, which is the best thing about him. He's just extremely unpolished.

Of all our youngsters playing at Sandy, Martin's the one I'm most excited about. It's yet to be seen whether he will make it, but I believe we've discovered a real diamond in the rough with him. I can't wait to see how he progresses.

Must agree with this statement. Martin is not unco at all but just looks ungainly in a Dustin Fletcher type way. He did not get beaten once that I saw and just seemed to get an arm in at the right time. His disposal looks a bit unpolished but he only missed one target and his decision making I thought was outstanding (I think the strong basketball background helps with this). I would attempt to fast track him at Melbourne this year to see how he goes. He could be the key position back we desperately need.

Valenti looked great but I think will struggle with the faster pace of AFL. In saying that he deserves a chance to make it and should be given that opportunity.

Buckley is the new Scott Chisholm for mine. Its great to be able to run but someone teach him when to use it and how to kick a ball.

Maric was impressive with everything he did but what he did was not enough. Should be left at Sandy this year to develop his craft.

Meesen I thought was very beige for mine. I was much more impressed with young Spencer who I thought had better tap work and use of the ball around the ground.

Cheney looks a typical meat and potatoes defender and the rest went as you would expect.