VitalDread
The Unofficial Face of Bigfooty Bulldogs-NGA & VFL
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Feel like for Joel early developmentSome more random observations:
- Couldn't understand the Game Day thread pile-on for Gallagher. I thought he had a reasonable game and did some very nice things. He also has a nice side-step and composure in traffic. This kid hadn't played a senior game a couple of months ago. He'll be fine. In fact I think he'll be better than fine. He's only 20 and has had only one full AFL pre-season.
- More generally I don't see how it's fair to bag first and second year players repeatedly. There are always calls to "play the kids" (because we're going nowhere this year and Macrae, Daniel, Duryea, etc are all supposedly past it). But as soon as those kids get a run they get crucified. You just have to be patient with young players while they pick up the speed of the game, learn a few tricks, develop the physique and physicality needed for senior footy, build cohesion with other senior players and start to believe in themselves. Very few players arrive ready made like Bontempelli, Naughton or Harley Reid. At times tonight Sanders, Gallagher and Freijah all copped it ... but they are all going to be good players. People don't seem to understand how much harder it is for players like Gags and Sanders to be playing in the guts so early in their careers. You're always against the very best there. And it's very physical. Gags is 20. Sanders is 19. Freijah is only 18. They have acquitted themselves well already and will get better as the season progresses.
- One aspect of Ed Richards' play that hasn't attracted much attention is his ability to balance himself before taking his kick. Weaving through traffic he knows the tackle is coming but he doesn't panic, and rarely gets caught with the ball. He releases at the last instant. Take a look at how he steadied before chipping the pass to Naughton in the first quarter. That sort of awareness and composure is what sets aside the best players from the run-of-the-mill. Bont has it in spades of course. Perhaps Ed has been watching him for a few years?
- Another player who is growing before our eyes is Riley Garcia. It wasn't so many games ago that he was reviled for clangers and lack of poise. Many doubted he'd make it. But now he's reached 25 games he's becoming a valuable player. Who would have thought? One great asset is his low centre of gravity. He keeps his feet, moves well in traffic, has good agility and bounces off other players. Sort of what we've been calling out for over the last year or so. Especially with the end not so far away for Libba's career. His first goal tonight, bursting away from two Swans tacklers was beautiful to watch. He's starting to look like a canny late draft pick (#62). We just had to be patient because he was coming off a serious knee injury.
- I'm also loving the start of Joel Freijah's career. He makes a few serious errors each game and has no doubt cost us a few goals. But he does some really eye-catching thing and is no longer overawed by the bigger stage of senior footy and the revered names of his opponents (if he ever was). Yet again we have to be patient and accept a few clangers. He'll iron those out soon enough. And he'll become a real weapon on the wing or half back.
- He may still have a few things to work on but Ryley Sanders can definitely stick a tackle. It's mostly in close at this stage because he can't catch the speedsters, but for a 19yo against seasoned men his tackling in close has been impressive. He had equal most tackles for us tonight (6) and very few, if any, missed tackles.
I really liked him playing that forward link up role
Looked more comfortable with the ball