Game Day NAB Wk 1 Crows Vs Saints Vs Power

[The Sloane Ranger]

Positives
Jenkins, Tambling, CEY, Wright, Pig-Dog, Stiffy, Lyons and Grigg who uses the ball beautifully

Disappointing
smack, Otten and Lynch

 

[sbenno]

Something no one has mentioned:

Lewis Johnstone? Where is he at? He turns 22 in a bit over a week (6 months younger than Smack), yet only played one game today, and that not too well.

In theory he's competing for the same spot as Jenkins and Smack, but even seems to be behind Smack (if that's possible).

What's the go?

 

[Sunny_]

RE: Crouch. Don't be disheartened if any are. He didn't play NAB last year, did he?

I remember Jaeger last year had a similar (small) impact. It just takes them a while to get used to the speed of the game, and then they start to show glimpses. Crouch had a few nice touches at the end there.

 

[Team DJ]

CEY Laird Lyons Jenkins all very impressive. Lyons should play round 1

McKernan and Grahams ruckwork was good.

Lewis Johnstone sucked. Tom Lynch i didnt think was much better.

 

[Team DJ]

RE: Crouch. Don't be disheartened if any are. He didn't play NAB last year, did he?

I remember Jaeger last year had a similar (small) impact. It just takes them a while to get used to the speed of the game, and then they start to show glimpses. Crouch had a few nice touches at the end there.

Like ive been saying. No matter how good a 19 year old is, they shouldnt be expected to nor should walk into a top 4 team.

 

[Phantom21]

*trundles over to the Port board" Their meltdowns will be fun to read

lol I read that too on their board. I was going to comment but kept quiet. Coached like the Port of old, they had momentum and they rested players in their 2nd game, a game where winning would give them momentum and confidence which they didnt have in 2012. Facepalm Hinkley.

 

[Phantom21]

Im not a good judge footy. I thought Tambling was ready to choke with every disposal, considering the salary he is on he wont survive at the end of this year.

Jenkins did some good things, importantly positioning and marking. Remember that Tex will be the focal point in 2013 and Jenkins will be getting the 2nd best defender maybe even a 3rd if they double team Tex.

 

[Carmo]

Johnston, Lynch and McKernan all very poor, of the three, I'm hoping Johnston gets another shot next round because I think he has a lot to offer, was probably a little unlucky to be the guy dropped when a lot of guys in that first game were pretty bad.

Pretty sure who played one or two games was decided wed last week, so wasnt anything to do with form etc, I think in some areas, 3rd tall back and 3rd tall forward there were a lot of auditioners for not many spots and so that's why some had to come out in that area.

 

[hey shorty]

Graham is going to boss SANFL this season, liked his work. Jerkins put himself in pen for round 1 after the Port game too. Tambling was pretty handy and perhaps leads the race to replace Smith but its hard to say at this stage. Good hitout for all the lads and some pleasing signs from the youngsters. Did Siggins or Aktins play, cant say i saw them.

 

[Carmo]

Players who played above expectations
Jenkins - just needs to learn not to lean back when kicking for goal, easy to fix, straight away he would have had two extra goals
Laird and Riley - my two boys I crapped on about all last season coming good for me.
CEY
Lyons in the second game
Brodie Martin -not many have mentioned him, started off ok and got better and better
Grigg
Brown
The Mighty Angus!
Wrighty - more gold from our unsung hero
Stiffy and even Callinan were our main scoring threats in that first game
Hartigan did ok - moreso in second
Kerridge
Johnstone
McIntyre

Players who played below expectations
Jaensch
Lyons in the first game
Hendo
Lynch
McKernan

Other comments
No need to get too excited about the port win, it helped to be the team playing second.
However, good that we were able to get our game style sorted out and looked nice and crows like in the second game - which is good considering what we had running around. The saints game where they were able to score cheaply by going around or over zone was reminiscent of issues we had early last year, we fixed that by seasons end and today it was good that we were able to get it fixed straight away.
Tambo did ok, got better as it went on, will get better as gets comfortable (in his mind) at the level.
McKernan did less than ok, but also got better as it went on, still holding hope, but needs to show some stuff
Nice leadership by dougie, mackay, wright and smith early, they stood out above the other players.
Not sure about Otten, hard to judge his performance from that - ditto for Lynch.
Luke Thompson was ok, quiet achiever.

 

[pjcrows]

Didn't see any of it, but from what I heard, McKernan confirmed that he is purely insurance.

 

[Carmo]

Graham is going to boss SANFL this season, liked his work. Jerkins put himself in pen for round 1 after the Port game too. Tambling was pretty handy and perhaps leads the race to replace Smith but its hard to say at this stage. Good hitout for all the lads and some pleasing signs from the youngsters. Did Siggins or Aktins play, cant say i saw them.

Dont reckon, Orval was named in squad but dont remember seeing him either.

 

[Carmo]

Yep. That was superb. As was his work to intercept and set up JJ's second. He will be upgraded from the rookie list either mid year, or at the end of it. Bookmark it.

Yep, thought Hartigan and Laird would fight it out for upgrade but unless a key position injury occurs its Laird's.

I watched a lot of his SANFL stuff last year, I like that he plays within his limitations and doesnt try to do too much, just moves the ball on to the first option (as he's way too light to try to bullock through) good disposal by foot or hand. He's a very smart player. I think he'll be a Roger James style player.

 

[StonesThrow]

I thought tambling was one of our best both games. A couple of fluff kicks but who didn't?

Lyons a lot better in the second game. Played well. Laird looked at home. As did Brown.

Smack was useless in game two and didn't like Thompsons game. Not sure what his future is.

Jenkins can play like that and his job is done. Tex is number 1.

Aiden Riley showed both games that he can be a decent player for us. CEY really surprised me. Never seen him before and he just liked really comfortable in defence. Very cool head and did some smart things.

F@@king sucks about Smith. Player i was most looking forward to watch play.

 

[Vader]

Plenty of positives to take out of the 2nd game - as distinct from the 1st.

I thought Graham did well in the ruck, making a mockery of Carl's constant rubbishing of him since the day he was signed. Jenkins did a great job as our focal point at FF. I thought Tim McIntyre was vastly underrated as his sidekick - haven't seen too many people commenting on his game yet. Lyons was another to impress.

Tambling started poorly in the first game, but showed considerably more in the 2nd, where he didn't specialise in picking the worst possible option for his disposals.

Ellis-Yolmen was spectacular, though his disposal left a bit to be desired at times.

On the other end of the scale, McKernan was poor to very poor in both games. I struggle to see any positives in either of his games. Sad to see him playing down to his usual standard, when hopes were high that he might actually turn into an AFL footballer in 2013.

Lynch was only marginally better - and I do mean marginally. At least he managed to find 2 targets with his kicks in the 2nd game. That's 2 more things he did right than McKernan.

A pity Smith got injured. At least he did it in the first week of the MMC, so he shouldn't miss too many games after the H&A season begins.

 

[StonesThrow]

Also re: crouch, he did pretty much what I expected. Wasn't disappointing just didn't stand out like a lot of people thought he would. He doesn't have the explosiveness of danger. He didn't look out of place IMO. Just solid.

I thought Graham was alright. If no one knew who he was there would be a lot more talk about his game. Competed well and did some nice things.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Is it just me or has crouch been a bit disappointing today?

Not really. His performance today was not that different from Patrick Dangerfield in his first few games.

He will be ok and quickly acclimatise to AFL football once he gets a quality midfield around him.

 

[sliver member]

A pity Smith got injured. At least he did it in the first week of the MMC, so he shouldn't miss too many games after the H&A season begins.

Suspected broken collarbone.
you are right at least the injury occured in the first of Nab cup so even if he is out for 5-6wks he only
misses 1 or 2 home and away games.

 

[ShaySwannies]

I was on the main board and no one mentioned the great play today of Aidan Riley today. Appears to be a clearance machine, hard as nails and disposal is decent. Saw a bit of him at the end of last year and thought he was stiff to get given the sub's vest often + be in and out of the side. To me he looks ready made to slot into your strong, big bodied midfield.

Also must be really pleasing to see Tambling playing well and putting in a really solid effort. Jenkins looks a future stud too

 

[jenny61_99]

Douglas is such a spud

????

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Hopefully Smith can come straight back into the side for round 1. It's ~35 days (5 weeks) until we play Essendon and ~45 days (7 weeks) until our round 2 game.

I don't think he will miss any more than 2 games and to be honest, any. He may not miss any games other than the pre season and his fitness won't suffer that much.

 

[Paladin]

Was at the ground thought Tambling was good as predicted and will slot into defence nicely. Vader will be looking silly as normal

Of the young guys Laird, Lyons and CEY impressed. Crouch was solid found some nice space and a clearance or 2. Beautiful creative handballer.

Brown and Hartigan had some moments. Would have liked to of seen more from Kerridge and McKernan. Will be interesting to see which young guys get the game time as the stars drift back.

Dougy super impressive as captain! A.Riley is a beast. Smith injury blows.

 

[Tex200]

Afl.com had our best 5 in game 2 as Jenkins, Tambling, Wright, Riley and Lyons.

Their report has Bling working the wing area????? Thought he was in defence.

 

[jenny61_99]

Looked like babies in that first game... got scolded like young kids at half time by the Coach. Picked it up in the second half but were still a long way short. Lots of rushed footy going on when we eventually got the ball but we were constantly killed by the spread. Second game looked more settled. Some nice passages of play and some eye catching performances. CEY oft times looked like Andy McLeod - not skills wise of course, but just his physical presence. He did impress me though at times. Loved Wright's games - both tremendous. And JJ was fun and frustrating! Go back to your old number JJ - you don't need that sort of pressure! Disappointed for Smithy. Tambo was good - but disposal seemed panicked at times? McKernan was a non event. Douglas and McKay were definitely a cut above. Brodie Martin and Riley did some nice stuff too. Tahlia looked apprehensive at first, but seemed more committed as the game wore on. Callinan beat out McIntyre - just. Nice to see footy back!

 

[Mismatched]

RE: Crouch. Don't be disheartened if any are. He didn't play NAB last year, did he?

I remember Jaeger last year had a similar (small) impact. It just takes them a while to get used to the speed of the game, and then they start to show glimpses. Crouch had a few nice touches at the end there.

Crouch will be a lot better when he's in a side that isn't lacking 12-13 best 22 players and easily it's best 8 or 9 players. Today he was asked to pretty much step up and be a starting mid.

Jenkins had a poor first game, competed okay up forward, but ruckwork was deplorable and really couldn't get near it. Much better 2nd game as a full time KPF, showed us why the hype, will combine well with Walker.

McKernan, I thought his ruckwork was good, was beating both McEvoy and Hickey in this regard, unfortunately he was tapping to a young, inexperienced midfield who were being led to the ball. Boy does he need to pick up the around the ground/forward line work though.

Hartigan, killed the ball well at times, but then failed to do so at others, over committing and allowing the ball to get out the back. Something to work with though.

CEY, impressed at times. Reminded me a bit of McLeod in the way he moves, seemed to find a little time and space where few could. Definitely some raw talent here.

Douglas stood up well, kept his head and besides not passing to Hendo early, seemed to keep his head AND his feet...

Mackay seemed to struggle with the added pressure of leadership, tried to do too much, make things happen instead of playing the percentages and cost us, especially early against the Saints.

Graham started to exert his presence, has a massive frame. At first I thought holy fk! What is Symes doing out there? Same emo haircut and runs about the same pace too!

Jaensch was disappointing, has really failed to come on under Sando after showing some good signs late under Craig. Shame, but I think we might regret that 2 year deal...

Johnston, hard to tell as he was barely sighted, but then delivery was deplorable and we had absolutely no structure up forward. Should have been playing Lynchs role but I fear they were trying to play him as a KPF.

Lynch has no trouble finding the footy, but gee he needs to do more with it. Was the clanger king today, could not hit the broad side of a barn door.

Callinan was pretty anonymous, one or two good plays, but for a player of his size and position he just lacks that bit of toe to find that bit of seperation be truly dangerous. Far too easy for defenders to put body pressure on him and nullify his influence.

Tambling was good once he warmed up, went in hard, was clean and showed a bit of pace. Reckon he's well on his way to surprising a few.

Johncock was reasonable. Got lucky fudging off in the goal square a couple of times, but 3 goals in a half of footy is decent.