Roy Boy

How can nobody go for the mark after the Tom McDonald kick falls short? Baffles me

Ventured down to Casey along with a few others on here to observe a few players. Weather was pretty rainy when I got there for 1st quarter. Not too many spectators, I estimate around 400 max. Among them were Mark and Nicole Bradtke (Mark is huge), Choco Williams, Alan Richardson, Sean Smith. First observation I noticed was Ben Brown is BIG. Not overly solid, just very tall, towers above Majak and Weed. He had his left knee strapped. This bloke knows how and where to lead, he presents himself well and is a target. Nice mark and goal in first quarter, then a juggling one handed mark again, followed by an unlucky roving snap that hit the post. I asked Alan Richardson on the way in from quarter time huddle how the boys were looking for tomorrow, he said we're travelling well and will be a good test. I asked about Ben Brown and he said he'll be a great pick up for the club. Ben presented well again in the 2nd quarter, without adding to the scoreboard which was dominated by Williamstown. He then went in at half time with the team, came out to run a few laps, then ventured inside to pull up stumps. I managed to ask Ben how the knee was, he said it felt really good, and that he had fun out there. On this, once in the tracksuit, Ben went to the bench to sit with the team for the rest of the game, and was very vocal and supportive at the 3/4 time huddle with the forwards group. Love guys with input and support for your fellow teammates, reckon he will be a beauty. Other notes I observed:- Petty - Played down back, didn't notice anything amazing, did his job, yet didn't see any mistakes either. Played first half only. Joel Smith - Similar to Petty, did his job, looks comfortable down back. Fraser Rosman - Personally I think a project player, was quiet in my eyes. One instance in the second quarter was going in for a contest against opposition, think he should've gone harder, outcome was Williamstown player wanted the ball and got it. I like players with mongrel. Don't expect big things early, a lot to learn. Bowey - Was down back most of day, picking up a player. When using the ball by foot, majority of the time hit his target, looks like a footballer who knows what he is doing and what decision to make. I like him. Is small though, reminded me of Caleb Daniel hoping he can be as good. Laurie - Kicked a nice roving goal in the first quarter, as others said, second quarter unseen, then bits a bobs thereafter. Is a bit bigger than Bowey, and legs more solid. Daw - Built like a brick ****house, played mainly ruck, did pretty well, don't think he is a natural footballer, but presented well and took some nice marks around the ground. At times I thought he was plodding along and needed match fitness, but if you need a solid body I'd pick him as a good backup. Mitch Brown - Was up forward in tandem with BBB and Weed. Mainly playing CHF in first half. I like how he plays, leads well to the correct spots, took a few nice marks. He is more athletic than big, but think he is better than people give him credit for. Similar build to Petty. Weed - As other said, struggled. Was flying for marks, couldn't get onto anything, leads were not coming off. I'm hoping if he does get back in with BBB that he gets the 2nd best defender and the pressure will be a bit less for him. Comparing him and Ben Brown was like chalk and cheese. Has nice big legs now, just want him to have a bit more mongrel and aggression to take the big grabs. Bradtke - Not a natural footballer, yes obviously tall, worked in tandem with Daw in ruck. For me this is his last year, looks a bit lost out there. Number 11 from the opposition was too big and solid for Austin. Hibberd - Felt like I was watching an AFL game, got his possessions and with his lovely left foot used it pretty well. For me one of the best out there. Baker - Some players just know where to go to get the football, others don't. I feel Oscar is a solid VFL player, hoping he can prove us all wrong, but didn't do anything substantial in my eyes. VandenBerg - He is a solid unit and looks very comfortable out there, did some good things and quite vocal with the group. Overall think we got through unscathed, big positives for me were Ben Brown and Jake Bowey.