The Chief

We stayed behind at the G for a couple of celebratory beers & to dodge the filth crowd, before catching the train home. Still had the pleasure of getting the finger from one pie fan at Jolimont and then another drunk at Watsonia slurring out ‘you’ll be out in straight sets again’. They are all class.

Bit disappointed, would have preferred a 1 point win.

This is [censored], switching to Test on 7+

Can’t stomach the concept of watching a replay of Friday night’s game, but it seemed to me that for our kick ins from points, Port went hard 1 on 1 defensively, so there were no easy kick ins short or long. We seemed to just accept this and there were virtually no leads given to the person kicking out, which resulted in the predictable long bombs to the wing, where we got slaughtered and the ball was locked in their forward 50. Conversely, we used more of a mixture of 1 on 1 and zone defence when they did their kick ins, and they moved the ball fairly easily from their defence to forward 50, helping them dominate time in their forward half. After watching Port’s successful strategy for our kick ins, the idea of going a hard man on man defence for the oppositions point kick ins looks like a winner to me. We can still adopt a zone defence when the ball is in general play. What do you guy think?

Was lucky enough to speak to someone from the club last week. And amongst other things, the Pies come up in our conversation and he said words to the effect of ‘we can’t wait to play them, because we think our backline and defensive structure will stack up well against them’. I replied, yeah but wouldn’t Petty need to go back against them, and he said, ‘no, Petty has been our best performing forward and we prefer him up there’.

Prior to this year, I didn’t think JJ would be a long term prospect, but I think he’s definitely improved this season, with quicker decision making, improved sprinting ability and much better kicking, and the key question is how much more improvement is still to come? The reality is fringe players at top clubs will, and should, look to get more regular games at other clubs. The way things are looking now, be surprised if JJ doesn’t ask for a trade at season end.

Was told that Harmes was sick today, don’t know severity, may impact selection?

The MFC produced injury list is a bit more optimistic than the above.

Put my hand up for not believing JJ deserved to be selected before Sunday. Agree with all that’s been said, particularly that Sunday was his best game by far. One of the things I hadn’t noticed before was his long kicking, be interesting to see a ‘kick off showdown’ between him and Rivers.

Yep, bugger all out my way in the land of Plenty.

Spargo in the first quarter, Punt Rd end of the Warne stand forward pocket was a good example. Sized up the goal, decided shot was too difficult, looked for a good option, couldn’t see one, balked and hit up BBB, who nailed the goal.

Just adding to the comments on Chandler’s game, doubt it was shown on the TV coverage, but for his goal around the middle of the third quarter, he was in the backline when we gained possession and then he sprinted from half back down the Warne Stand side to half forward Punt Rd end but his lead got ignored, so he continued to sprint to the half forward spot on the Members side to take that mark resulting in his goal. Tremendous effort, got the reward and if he keeps doing those sort of things, he’ll be getting plenty of games this year.

That umpire should be dropped for the biggest over reaction to Coniglio rightfully asking why the hell Mckay wasn’t pinged for incorrect disposal. Did the umpire perhaps feel, here’s an opportunity to show how important he is? Punters don’t pay to watch umpires make dumb decisions like that because of a fragile ego.

Yep

Had the pleasure of sitting next to Oliver at the MFC season launch function, with Ooze sitting on the other side of Oliver. He commented on the significant step up required in fitness, but said he’d already cut his 2km time, by I think it was 20 seconds, pre and post Christmas. We had a great chat about footy and non footy stuff and he was more than happy to answer questions from everyone else at the table. Not sure if Ooze is naturally close to all the new draftees, but he clearly has a very close bond with Oliver, based on their interactions that night. I’m watching his VFL season with added interest, really hope he can make it.

Think it was 59k for last year’s opening GF replay, though that was a Wednesday. Might struggle to get over 50k tonight.

The Control crew will all be jamming into Max’s Sunbeam Tiger and heading pre-game to the Prince Patrick for obligatory parmas & pots. Agent 13 will be lurking around somewhere, most likely in one of their fridges. Then over to the G, seating in the Redlegs members, level 2 Warnie stand, sans cone-of-silence.

The Casey/reserves game last Friday showed that Hibbo is still an AFL standard defender (injuries permitting) and should be playing in the 1sts, particularly given his versatility as a defender and his elite ability to consistently beat his opponents. However McVee looks to be ready to start his AFL career and we need to continually blood young players to avoid a complete collapse when our current stars come to an end. It’s also beneficial to give young players a run of games in the 1sts, let’s say at least 4, so we don’t put too much pressure on them to hold their initial promotion and help build their confidence. If you agree with all that, then someone has to make way to get both Hibbo and McVee in the side now. Who of our current regular 1sts players gets dropped? And is that player who makes way likely to be looking down the barrel of their 1sts playing career ending soon at the MFC?

Think a 10 goal win is what most of us would have hoped/expected. Trac break tackles with ease, Hunter showing what a draft steal that was, Rivers and Kozzy getting decent midfield time and McVee’s cool defending were some of the highlights for me.

Sam Switkowski got 2 weeks for his chicken wing on Ginnivan earlier this season. On seeing this latest decision, Sam might think he’ll be getting an apology from the MRO.

The general approach of all teams over decades is to provide as little info on players injuries when ever possible, particularly during finals. The truth usually comes out only when the player is ruled out for the season or the team’s season is over. Bit surprising that we voluntarily told everyone about the hairline leg fracture so quickly, when we could have just stuck to the corky story, unless of course his season is in fact over.

On our way to the Pullman Hotel, the old Hilton, for a few nerve settlers. Still miss the old MCG hotel, shoulder to shoulder, in the bar with the crowd spilling, or more accurately falling out, onto Wellington Pde. Rarely saw a scuffle there no matter the game, just a lot of [censored] talking.

Watching in the Bridport Pub front bar with Mrs Chief. There’s a signed Jay Lockhart jumper on the wall, so maybe some support here.

Huh? Channel 7 game.

So you think we will never play a debutante against the Pies ever? Hope we’re not as mentally soft as that.