DeeSpencer

We tried a very handball happy game that McQualter brought from Richmond in early 2024 then shelved it when we ran out of fit mids. Last year we had our turn of trying to copy Brisbane’s short kicking from half back, without a midfield who ran for short kicks. And yes both of those led to a lot of pieces of play that ended in bombs inside 50 not to advantage. I agree that they would’ve influenced the speed of ball movement stats to some degree. Although our half back movement did improve a lot from some of the late 2022/parts of 2023 glacial pace. One thing I’ve liked the look at so far is that by switching so much and opening the ground up we can move the ball quickly whilst also giving time for deep forwards to gain position. The last few years our midfield have often outrun our forwards.

It’s a big shame because I think he’s the guy who gives North what they so badly lack in some mongrel and energy around the contest. Parker doesn’t have it as a mid anymore, LDU has always been better as the guy receiving the handball to then burst to the outside. Wardlaw really fills the role Viney did for us until he was able to split it with Clarry and co of just winning it in close and letting the other team know there’s a physical presence. When you’ve been dreadful forever that’s probably more important than the more skilled guys like Sheezel and McKercher.

From the 23 that started the North game: Out: Heath, Mihocek (inj), Kolt In: Gawn, Kentfield, Salem FB: Lever T Mc CJ HB: Salem Disco Lindsay C: Langdon Steele Howes HF: Chandler JVR Fritsch FF: Jeffo Kentfield L. Pickett Foll: Gawn Sparrow K. Pickett Int: Langford, Rivers, Windsor, Laurie, Sharp Subs: Heath, Kolt, Petty, Melk, X Taylor Selection questions before round 1: Can we play 4 key forwards, 2 rucks or Melk or is the extra runner too vital for the game plan? Can Petty dislodge Lever or T Mc? Can Kolt or X Taylor dislodge a more proven back flanker Will Culley be right to go and how does that rejig the midfield mix

They were short 4 of their best, we had 3 of ours in Gawn, Viney, and Mihocek missing >3/4’s and maybe Culley out. They’ll improve for the real stuff but the big question is how much we can get better too.

There were a lot of positives with the way JVR presented and is hitting up at the ball. He’s always going to be a bit 2 grabby and drop a few but he looks ready to do the hard work across half forward. You can’t play this style of footy without guys busting their backsides at half forward. Not Jeffo’s best day but I think his role changed after Mihocek went down early. I still think the way he gets back on to the footy after contests and can use the ball as a link player are attributes we just need to get games into. Promisingly today at least he wasn’t outmarked too often. Can we play all 4 tall forwards or do we go 3 and give Luker the nod for the ruck work? Not sure we’ll have a clear answer for a few rounds at least.

Think he just came off for the day to run laps. Was solid for 3/4’s. Would be great if one of them could kick given the game plan requires fast movement but the McDonald, Lever, Turner trio have defended very well as a unit.

The Dogs moved off Macrae for nothing, that pushed Steele out and he had no value. We take him on to move out Clarry. Every club got what they needed. Just the life cycle of the inside mid.

Chandler and Windsor to the wings. Howes from wing to back. Rivers from back to on ball. Langford from mostly wing to on ball. Salem came on for CJ.

Salem on at half time for CJ Sparrow some good contested work and a power of running, misses a set shot or two and disposal not amazing but overall fine Langford, a little hold and cold. Mix of wing and on ball. Just a little off the pace Sharp - his inability to give the first option handball continues to kill scoring chances

Not bashing him as he’s done a few nice things since coming on but Salo just went back in to traffic with a handball no doubt after years of Viney, Tracc and Clarry being there. Meanwhile Steele and Windsor I think were coming to the open near side.

Mihocek - unsighted after first quarter, likely concussion or shoulder/ribs CJ - off at half time. Salem - on at half time X Taylor, Mentha and Adams unsighted so far So effective playing 23.

Any got a read on the wind? It’s hard to judge on tv

In a shock to no one Fritsch has not added handballing to his game over preseason

Predicted North team FB: Hardeman Logue Pink HB: Daniel Comben O’Sullivan* C: Simpkin LDU Powell HF: Konstanty Darling Duursma* FF: Zurhaar Larkey Dovaston Foll: Xerri Parker Sheezel Int: CCJ, Scott, Stephens, Harvey, Hansen, Becker Not sure where Duursma and FOS have been training. They’re missing McKercher and Wardlaw from their midfield but still have some talent, same for the forward line missing Curtis and Trembath. Becker’s a rebounding third tall type. He might be one to watch. Hopefully we can stop kicking it to Comben and our forwards can create some mismatches.

FB: Howes T Mc Lever HB: Salem Turner CJ C: Langdon Steele Langford HF: Chandler JVR Fritsch FF: L. Pickett Mihocek Jeffo Foll: Heath Windsor K. Pickett Int: X. Taylor, Tholstrup, Rivers, Lindsay, Sparrow Potential Subs: Kentfield, Adams, Mentha, Laurie, Sharp And I expect guys like Mihocek, CJ and Salem might only play a half. Might only leave Matthews, Onley and Berry for the Casey hit out.