waynewussell

6. C.Oliver 5. C.Petracca 4. J.Viney 3. B.Grundy 2. H.Petty 1. L.Hunter

6. Lever 5. Brown 4. Hunter 3. Oliver 2. Bowey 1. Fritsch PS 6 Petracca after lights failed!

The alarm bells were ringing in the first few minutes… Clayton decided to allow his opponent to continue owning him as he had in the finals. Trac had decided the anxiety fumbles, which usually occur for 20 seconds here and there, would have a sustained presence! I could continue… McDonald more interested in getting through the game than providing any big man influence, Petty overawed by having to be May, Kossie pressure on the ball carrier painfully absent!

If the lights had blown five minutes into final Qtr we would have won in a canter!

Won’t listen to any analysis on this game. We already know why we lost and when given the extended break, had time to get our collective minds clear and play the Melbourne way!

We obviously play better night footy with the lights out!

Oh great, we’re coming back on… time for Brisbane to get five more goals!

In the break, time to rate… General anxious, fumbling scramble by MFC. Major disappointments… Brayshaw and Viney kicking turnovers Petty stuff ups having Grundy on bench when Gawn was off having Petracca and Oliver on the bench together when we were being pumped Petracca fumbles McDonald not being able to fill second ruck duties

6 Gawn 5 Petracca 4 Pickett 3 Oliver 2 Lever 1 Brown

McVee is progressing well. Those who have attended pre-season would be aware that he is highly regarded and is doing well as a defender in match sim... more likely to get an extension than be delisted.

I picked this team from my best 22 at this morning’s session:- B: Hibberd, May, Harmes HB: Brayshaw, Lever, Rivers C: Langdon, Sparrow, Howes HF: Pickett, McDonald, Schache F: Fritsch, Van Rooyen, Spargo Foll: Gawn, Viney, Petracca Inter: Grundy, Melksham, Jordan, Dunstan, Neal-Bullen I admit backline not quite balanced … but Salem still building, Petty wasn’t there, Disco unlucky, Bowey close, Tomlinson looking very fit …

DK got that right! Upscaled on my respect list!

From what I saw, Bowey was positioning well, but got nabbed a few times under pressure and kicking wasn't as effective as usual.

If I was picking 23 on today’s training… Max, Petracca, Viney, Langdon, Kossie, McDonald, Fritsch, JVR, Rivers, May, Harmes, ANB, Schache, Howes, Sparrow, Lever, Brayshaw, Hibberd, Melksham, Jordan, Dunstan, Spargo, Grundy

Match sim was so exciting to watch… speed ball taken to the next level! Boys back in small group skill activities, which are a bit boring by comparison (but essential of course!) It’s 11:10 and I’m about to check out…

Haven’t seen Petty for quite a while! Ed doing what Ed does! Beautiful pass by Viney to Schache, who is prominent close to goal

Schache marks in front of Lever. McDonald has been very good in everything this morning. Big Max brings Kossie to ground with a strong tackle. Jefferson’s pass to Seston off!

Full ground sim now. JVR reads ball better and snaps a goal v May & Lever

Hibberd contesting well, Brayshaw so laconic… lacking precision, no one is worried!

Sparrow impressive in one of the handball / kick forward groups

Petracca now dominant. Seeing much more of Max than Grundy. First fumble by JVR. Howes marking and kicking well.

Watching full length competitive Blue v Red, using all but Punt Road flank. Kossie brilliant midfield to forward… golden moment when he confronted Viney, bounced off him with ball and nailed a 50 metre kick to Harmes

JVR stand out in team pressure ball carrier/ break free / handball to outside runner activity. He is quick, follows up, sure by hand Kossie un-tackleable in same activity

Harmes, Verall, & Adams doing agility, ball handling

Younger players tending to float short passes to leading forward (D Smith, 33, 39, KF-S) while Petracca, Viney, Kossie, ANB shoot hard and low bullets