2nds 2018 Stand Alone VFL - Inaugural season over. Time for reviews.

[Jindrrk]

A dry day and everything is different.

I can't find the Demons team for today but from their game against * there were four players that played and won against us in the seniors earlier in the year (r 3) at least.

And it doesn't take many to change a game completely in VFL.

Even a 1 highly rated AFL player making his return can make an ordinary VFL side into a much better one on the day.

Vandenburg did well when he came on as well. He looks like he is like 35. Built like a shit brick house too.

 

[Billy Not Really]

They're a pretty good VFL side. They were equal 1st.

They were very good. Most of their team were clearly more experienced across the board and bigger bodies to boot.

They were also communicating well all day, and that's something we lack and it'll take a fair while to build.

 

[Jindrrk]

They're a pretty good VFL side. They were equal 1st.

They'll definitely be up there when the whips are cracking provided Melb have a good run with injury.

 

[Snake_Baker]

They were very good. Most of their team were clearly more experienced across the board and bigger bodies to boot.

They were also communicating well all day, and that's something we lack and it'll take a fair while to build.

I get a feeling that the only goal for our VFL side is to learn the AFL structures.

Wins come a distant second.

 

[Colbys Boots]

So remind me, this VFL stand alone team... it's much better than having an alignment with Werribee because... ?

 

[Firestarter]

So remind me, this VFL stand alone team... it's much better than having an alignment with Werribee because... ?

You're asking that like they are the Carlton of VFL.

 

[Benj7]

who is the chick on vfl that interviewed the players what a hack she has shocked the system iunno how she has a job in the media.

 

[Billy Not Really]

I get a feeling that the only goal for our VFL side is to learn the AFL structures.

Wins come a distant second.

Pretty much. I don't watch our VFL games looking for wins, especially in the infancy of the team itself as a cohesive unit and gameplans etc. Everything is brand spanking new running under like you said; AFL structures as opposed to Werribee's own coaching and style of play.

At best watching these games is just to see how these younger guys develop, and in a few seasons or as soon as next season there'll be improvements to how we go about it.

 

[naturally north]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-07/north-melbourne-held-goalless-in-vfl

"NORTH Melbourne's VFL side failed to kick a goal in its 37-point loss to the Casey Demons at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon despite fielding 13 AFL-listed players
Ruckman Preuss was his side's leading ball-winner with 19 disposals, while Davies-Uniacke finished with 18 and laid 10 tackles


LDU will be mighty fine.

 

[Firestarter]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-07/north-melbourne-held-goalless-in-vfl

"NORTH Melbourne's VFL side failed to kick a goal in its 37-point loss to the Casey Demons at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon despite fielding 13 AFL-listed players
Ruckman Preuss was his side's leading ball-winner with 19 disposals, while Davies-Uniacke finished with 18 and laid 10 tackles


LDU will be mighty fine.

What a nothing statement, in that article. Where-tf are they gonna play if not the VFL? Mt Eliza?

 

[Billy Not Really]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-07/north-melbourne-held-goalless-in-vfl

"NORTH Melbourne's VFL side failed to kick a goal in its 37-point loss to the Casey Demons at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon despite fielding 13 AFL-listed players
Ruckman Preuss was his side's leading ball-winner with 19 disposals, while Davies-Uniacke finished with 18 and laid 10 tackles


LDU will be mighty fine.

People who worry about LDU and writing him off are setting themselves up for embarrassment, big time.

 

[Snake_Baker]

People who worry about LDU and writing him off are setting themselves up for embarrassment, big time.

It happens.

A lot.

 

[muttley45]

I get a feeling that the only goal for our VFL side is to learn the AFL structures.

Wins come a distant second.

Having a complete disregard for, or tactic to counter, when dominated on the outside supports that theory. I can remember games in previous years v Collingwood, *ess, even St Kilda where our seniors were equally powerless v this tactic.

 

[Aberration]

I made the (stupid) decision to brave the Antarctic conditions at Casey Fields today.
Rained sideways for a good part of the first half and freezing cold all day. Tough conditions to watch, let alone play a game of footy.

Ball use was the difference in the end. They were able to move the ball a lot more effectively than we were. Whenever we managed to halve a contest, Casey were able to mop up and move the ball cleanly by hand or foot.

Standouts for mine were:

Murphy - Very clean and composed all day, looks like the time in the seniors will serve him well.

Davies-Uniacke - Tried to ignite us, particularly later in the game. Took the game on and looked to be creative with ball in hand, which didn't always come off. Good signs.

McKay - Pretty solid afternoon defensively, was able to get back on the last line of defense and positioned himself well to take a few intercept marks.

Nielson - He was excellent in the first quarter, attacked the ball at speed and is always a tough 1v1 matchup. Thought he was a big loss.

Preuss - Gave us first use which our midfield didn't really capitalize on. Decent around the ground, had a tough matchup with Pedersen, who worked him over with his run. Tried hard.

Hibberd, pretty strong in the contest all day
Williams, okay, not ideal conditions for him
Xerri, love his competitiveness
Durdin, defensively fine but not much else
Hayden, didn't seem to find it too often
Narrier, classy but more intensity required
Larkey, not his day

Usual suspects from the VFL were quite good, namely Rippon, Jansen and Holmes. Also like Hogan, really small lad but cracks in bloody hard.

Was nice to see EVW, Watson, Zurhaar, Morgan, Walker come down and support the boys considering the weather. Good stuff lads.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Having a complete disregard for, or tactic to counter, when dominated on the outside supports that theory. I can remember games in previous years v Collingwood, *ess, even St Kilda where our seniors were equally powerless v this tactic.

We need to remember that our midfield list is incredibly thin and affected by emergencies and injury.

The VFL boys are honest types, but they don't have the skills to pick up the slack.

 

[Devington]

So remind me, this VFL stand alone team... it's much better than having an alignment with Werribee because... ?

Because it means our team is operated PURELY by the club from top to bottom. It's our gameplan, it's our training, it's our choice of VFL listed players to compliment our AFL listed players, it's our ability to play and manage players in that team EXACTLY how we want whether that be positions, game time, or anything else.

That may not sound like a big deal, I don't know what you think of course, but keep in mind that even if it's a 2% gain it's 2% that almost every other club has over the top of us up until now.

 

[naturally north]

What a nothing statement, in that article. Where-tf are they gonna play if not the VFL? Mt Eliza?

I think the point was 13 AFL listed players and not a single goal kicked. Doesn't happen often.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Because it means our team is operated PURELY by the club from top to bottom. It's our gameplan, it's our training, it's our choice of VFL listed players to compliment our AFL listed players, it's our ability to play and manage players in that team EXACTLY how we want whether that be positions, game time, or anything else.

That may not sound like a big deal, I don't know what you think of course, but keep in mind that even if it's a 2% gain it's 2% that almost every other club has over the top of us up until now.

Good post.

It's also going to take a season or so for the non listed players to adjust to the tactics.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

The criticism of Narrier is over the top considering his build, experience and the conditions. Let him put on 5-6kg and judge then.

 

[Firestarter]

I think the point was 13 AFL listed players and not a single goal kicked. Doesn't happen often.

No one rates/d our list anyway. Meh feeling intensifies.

 

[Devington]

The criticism of Narrier is over the top considering his build, experience and the conditions. Let him put on 5-6kg and judge then.

1st year player and very small as you say, so we wouldn't put too much stock in what he gives us this year. Seeing him (albeit via TV) play 3 or 4 times this year I've seen the same issues every game though. For all I know he's pretty cooked on gameday due to training loads trying to build him up or something, but he looks to have some serious issues when it comes to his intensity around the ground and his willingness to involve himself in the contested stuff.

We can only judge on what we see, unless we get tidbits from insiders or from club media etc and from what I see he has a very slim chance of making it at AFL.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-07/north-melbourne-held-goalless-in-vfl

"NORTH Melbourne's VFL side failed to kick a goal in its 37-point loss to the Casey Demons at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon despite fielding 13 AFL-listed players
Ruckman Preuss was his side's leading ball-winner with 19 disposals, while Davies-Uniacke finished with 18 and laid 10 tackles


LDU will be mighty fine.

With less than 40 games of AFL experience, l doubt it is even that much, compared to multiple guys that have played 50-100+ games, they were always going to dominate us in the wet.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

LDU was solid, quite clean with the footy. Needs to be proactive around the contest rather than reactive. I mentioned in this thread earlier that he needs to not be so flat footed around the contest. Get on the move a bit more and it will hopefully mean his clearances are more effective. Best defensive/tackling effort I’ve seen from him.

McKay and Murphy would good considering the conditions. Both showed numerous examples of clean hands. Made good decisions as well, not trying to over use the football.

Hibberd found the ball in first half but had no impact. He really needs to find another gear.

 

[Snake_Baker]

The criticism of Narrier is over the top considering his build, experience and the conditions. Let him put on 5-6kg and judge then.

Gordon Narrier - 77 kgs
Kayne Turner - 75 kgs

 

[Tas]

I meant the mb as well as drafts and trade board, a lot have already written him off.

There are a lot of morons on BF.