Well what can I say, it was a tale of two halves.
We played a very good, disciplined game in the 1st Term into the breeze in which we were able to keep the Tigers to within striking distance at 8 points in what was a very strong wind they were kicking with. Funnily enough I think our poor kicking in the first term though is something that hurt us in the end, as we had two more scoring shots and severel more inside 50's, but found ourselves behind, when we probably should have had a small lead. Our second term was very good however, in which we killed Werribee around the stoppages and controlled general play, only giving up 1 goal while kicking 7 ourselves.
The came the 3rd quarter. We controled the first 6-7 minutes, but could only muster a point, and from then on Werribee controlled the game. The booted 7 goals that term (four from free kicks, at least) to our two and took an 8 point lead. I was optimistic of us running over the top of them, despite the absence of two players, until the rain set in and the wind completely dropped just as the 3/4 time huddles parted. We then had a stoppage slog where Werribee played the better wet weather footy and we butchered it going forward. Only 1 Werribee goal was kicked (again from a free) and we went down by 13 points, kissing any top 4 chances goodbye.
We were unlucky, with loosing Terlich & King in the 2nd half who were both playing well, and then the change of weather going into the final term really hurt us. But we played a poor brand of footy in the second half, turning a 26 point lead into a 13 point loss. Now with 4 games to go, three against the top 3 teams, Casey will need to play well and hope Port Melbourne have some losses to assure themselves of a finals spot.
My run down:
Christian Salem: Was good for Christian to blow out a few more cobwebs. Clearly still a gallop short of the form he was showing over the first 6 rounds, but I thought he worked into the game well. Wet hard at the contests and kicked a nice goal. I'd say he was one of our best in the 2nd half when we didn't have many good players. And given Melbourne won on the weekend and Casey lost, it wouldn't hurt to give him another run at VFL level, just to make sure he's cherry ripe for the final 4 games.
Jimmy Toumpas: Start of the year, I thought he was in trouble Jimmy. Then by half way through the season I though he was turning it around, but now I feel he's in trouble again. Did a few nice things, especially in the 2nd term, and he tried to run hard to create some spread, but he just looked to be lacking any real spark. He wasn't terrible by any stretch, but he didn't do anything to stake claims for a recall either. He may be up for trade at years end...
Jordie McKenzie: I feel I write the same things about Jordie every time I watch him at VFL level. Played pretty well and tried his guts out, but that's all I can really say about Jordie. He's commited, but just lacks polish as we all know.
Ben Newton: Played very well, and kicked two absolute classic goals which showed he was a touch above. Just a shame he doesn't do it as consistently at AFL level, but he's clearly got tools worth persisting with. Would be nice if he could get a little higher numbers at VFL level, but he was still one of our best.
Jay Kennedy-Harris: Odd game for Jay. I actually think from the coaches point of view, you couldn't be to disapointed with his game, as he did all the sorts of things you want him to be doing. He chased, tackled and harassed very well I thought. The problem was he had next to no impact on the game and didn't have many touches at all. He was putting in, was pretty clear to see. He just got a big fat 0 on the results side of things for himself.
Aidan Riley: Probably our most consistent player over the 4 Quarters. Typical Pig Dog game. Hard as anything and bottom of every pack. If only he was either an elite kick of had really good pace. But with neither of those things, he just lets down a lot of his good work. Had a chance to get us back within 2 points in the final term, only to kick the ball out on the full along with any chances of us getting the win.
Mark Jamar: He and Spencil dominated the first half, but they probably had their colours lowered in the 2nd half by Wallace & Daw, especially Russian. He was very good in the first half, and was getting a bit of the ball, as he has done the last few weeks. But in the 2nd half Russian went quiet and that's when Werribee got ontop in the midfield. The rest in history. Still think someone will pick him up next year.
Mitch White: Named in the best and not surprising. He was the main reason for our dominant 2nd term IMO. His run and drive from the half back line was first class, and set up many of our forward 50 runs. A lot more attention was paid to him in the 2nd half, but he was still able to get invovled in the play and get a bit of the ball. Just not to the same effect as the 2nd term. His defensive work was pretty strong also.
Jake Spencer: See Jamar, however I thought Spencer actually got better as the game went on, and I thought along with Riley, they were our two best in the 2nd half. His ruck work wasn't the best itself, but he worked really hard around the ground. Spencil's biggest issue is that he just offers nothing as a forward. So once King went off, Casey really struggled going forward only having one of Spencer or Jamar to kick to.
Rohan Bail: Like Kennedy-Harris, had no impact, however when he did get the ball, he turned it over a bit. For me personally, I thought this was Bail's worst game at VFL level that I've seen.
Matt Jones: See Bail comments. Now to be fair to all of Jones, Bail & Toumpas, it wasn't a game for the outsiders today, but we just got very little value, especially from an impact point of view, even if Matty did get a bit of the ball.
Dean Terlich: Played a very good first half, and when he got hit high in the third term he got up very groggy and came off with concussion never to come back on. Free kick was missed, instead he was called for holding the ball and Werribee kicked their first of 4 goals from free kicks in the 3rd quarter alone. So once Terlich came off the game started to change as he was marking and intercepting 50% of the ball that came forward in the first half with Fitz taking the other 50%.
Max King: Was playing nicely. Had kicked a nice goal from a great pack mark, could have had two first half goals. Took another strong mark early in the 3rd term when things were looking good. He then did his hammy and was not spotted again. I saw him on the bench and he didn't have much strapped to it, so hopefully it's only a minor strain and he'll be back in 2-3 weeks for finals. But his absence was felt in our forward structure.
Jack Fitzpatrick: Brought his own footy in the first half. Was marking everything and looking a world beater. Barely sighted in the 2nd half and his man actually kicked a couple on him also. Think he's got a future Fitz, just not with us as he'll likely seek greener pastures. I actually hope we give him a few games before seasons end to boost us his price as someone may score a key position defender on the cheap from us with Fitz.
I'd love to know what the free kick count was as we got absolutely murdered on those today. Five of Werribee's 8 2nd half goals were from free kicks. Don't think we got a single goal from a free ourselves. So we got hurt y a combination of injuries, weather and missed shots on goals in the 1st term. This loss will really hurt I'd imagine as I don't know how many AFL listed players Werribee had, but I'd imagine it'll be less then our 14. Stretch didn't play today, and I don't think Oscar did either as I didn't see him with the D-League. Jayden Hunt's late withdrawl also hurt Casey goal scoring power. Hopefully Casey can bounce back next week, but it was a sad way to end the weekend.
Still Angry!
