DeeSpencer

Happy to put my hand up as a doubter. He's taken some big strides forward. But in the interest of full disclosure I'm not sold on him being a long term player just yet.

Keep a watch on Billings getting a call up to the Dogs in a similar situation. If he stops kicking for goal like someone with shell shock he could still add something. Bonner’s always looked great until genuine AFL pressure comes on. Then his brilliant kicking gets ugly. And the back flank is such a durable position and also one where most clubs can send a midfielder back then fill that depth mid spot (eg. Brisbane with Fletcher last year). Ken Hinkley’s in favour of smaller lists and teams having more freedom to pull in replacement players when needed. Personally I’d suspect that would be a disaster for development and for non footy states especially. But it’s an interesting one for someone like Bonner.

Not sure Anderson, Powell and Touk would count as one paced, maybe not express but they’re great midfield runners. We took advantage of Tracc and Humphrey out and especially of Rowell being underdone. I feel like Rowell has been best on against us for most of the last 5 or so games. No doubt he was rusty but Steele, Sparrow and even Windsor and Kozzie pressured and tackled him superbly.

They kicked very well but we controlled territory so when they did go forward they had space and King, Read and Walter were all top 10 picks for a reason. Mobile talls who can clunk marks and find space inside 50. Throw in Uwland and the average draft position of their multiple goal kickers is very scary. (Throw in Tracc and Humphrey and good luck). Culley, JVR and Latrelle missed ones they would’ve liked but I was happy with the way we generated good looks especially given 59 inside 50’s and a crowded forward line at times. Targeting the big wingers and Langford hopefully starting to hold his marks leading up at the ball.

Thoughts on the new VFL guys after 2 weeks: Cheffers: A bit of a shuffly runner and unusual ball user but one I’m absolutely watching. Can really stick a tackle and his smother/take the ball/run in to an open goal was super slick. Stanley - pace, smooth kick, playing the Windsor role. There’s clearly worse guys on AFL lists. Sinnema - extremely impressive for a first year kid. Probably just lacks a yard of pace or elite kick for a small outside runner. But he’s giving it a great go. D’Angelo -24 year old scrappy inside mid with an unusual kicking action but has stepped right in to the middle and taken on AFL listed mids. Much needed soldier. Gatt - half back/wing who has a real crack. Nice find. Scapin - smooth mover, need to see more Pipicelli - undersized forward/ruck who has a dip. Big Wally Pip! Laplanche and Craven we saw last year. Both did admirable jobs across half forward.

Jeffo - looked electric early, aside from his set shots he’s just on a different level to the VFL. Now to bridge the gap! Kentfield - thought he looked sluggish until he had a good run in the ruck. Bit more confidence in the knee and he’ll push up. AJ - pretty solid. Hendo - only played a half I think, not perfect but looked to have his touch back. I liked Heaths game. Matthews - great chase and commitment X Taylor - think he took a big step forward, made a heap of mistakes but there’s a vision that makes sense.

6 - Gawn 5 - Steele 4 - Pickett 3 - Chandler 2- Sparrow 1 - Melk Want to give a shoutout to Chandler who starred in his role as much as you can do I reckon. He single handedly shut down so many Suns counter attacks just chasing, pressuring and worrying guys out. Absolutely ChinMogged Rioli, Noble, Anderson!

Former Box Hill and Freo player who trained with the Hawks over summer. His space is special at times just a matter of whether he can do enough of other stuff to be back on a list

Higgins had 2 no scores too from shots inside 50, but our team defence against St Kilda was poor especially in the first half. I agree he made some nice efforts against Amiss. Blind Freddie could handle Hayward right now. He’s looking like he belongs at AFL level, which is nice, I’m happy for him and for us to have another steady member of the side. But it’s year 5 and I’m not sure back pocket in a fairly heavy zone defence is all that difficult. If he starts adding more consistent intercepting and rebounding I’ll be happy to praise him.

I’m not sure a mystery Fritsch injury heals in one week, lots on here said 6. I thought the Petty 23rd man role gave us something really interesting. I’d be tempted to keep that for one more week so Luker and Jeffo are cherry ripe chasing that spot (which might come with Petty back, T Mc out). Rivers in, Kolt forward, Laurie out but only if Riv is training the house down.

12 disposals (ok), 5 intercepts (solid), 120m gained (meh), 16 pressure acts (great). He’s lifted his defensive application, pressure and tackling and looks like he belongs out there (far less fumbles) but let’s be a little realistic. There’s a lot of gears to go through if he’s going to be either a great back pocket or hopefully even more than that by adding an attacking/intercepting game. Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

Clear A graders: none Potential A graders: Windsor, Langford Should be at least a nice player: Lindsay Could be anything from quality to fringe player: Jeffo, Kentfield, JVR, Taylor, Latrelle Useful role players: Kolt, Culley Should be useful: Howes Unsure: the rest really. Matthews on draft pedigree hopefully is something. Disappointed by Cross’ injury because he’s a fun player with real scope for improvement. Hopefully we see more of AMW soon. Kalani White is super raw but a mobile skilled 2m+ player is worth developing. It’s a huge year for our key forwards. I believe in all 3 of them but we need to see more than just 1 good JVR game. We’ll know a lot more in 6 weeks time. If we’ve got 2 yet alone 3 genuine prospects the list is looking much better long term.

Those ins don't give much away. Do we play the 4 talls down back? Would be interesting to have a look at it and can always swing Petty or Disco forward if it's not working? That would free up Kolt to play a different role as he did in the first two weeks, perhaps tag but possibly role him right in to the role Cross did last week trying to get a deep forward who can hit a pack and provide some ground pressure. Which gives us the 23rd spot for Heath, Melk, Luker or Laurie with also the potential of a late Fritsch out. Luker in would be very exciting but I'm just not sold on the idea of picking a guy who's been out for 5 weeks for a debut even if he's just set for limited minutes.

I’m a certified Fritsch hater but he’s a career average of 63% accuracy and went well above that when we were a good side. Last season he struggled in a team that couldn’t generate scores. Give him good looks in a functioning forward line and he converts. He should be replaceable but the 2 most likely replacements in Melk and Jeffo aren’t fully fit. Now, the ball hogging I won’t defend! But he does need to be a touch selfish at times to kick goals like the top class finish in the come back.

Hopefully isn’t 6 weeks but I prefer caution rather than playing through a foot issue. Hopefully they scan it fully and get him looked over by a good surgeon. We don’t want to see the repeat of the days where we just wrecked players careers with foot injuries. Silver lining if it is an extended period that’s a huge chance for Jeffo especially (after a VFL hit out or two) to come in and own that role. In the mean time I’m feeling it’s Heath time.