Preview North Melbourne vs Carlton - Sunday 18th March 1.00PM Visy Park

[Bigeasy]

I must have also been watching a different game. Firrito had 21 disposals at an efficiency rate of 90%. He also recorded 6 marks (2ndd highest), 4 tackles (equal 3rd highest), 4 rebounds (equal 2nd highest)and 6 one percenters (2nd highest). He was very good.

I don't refer to stats when I summarise a performance but tell me how many marks did Waite take in the first half who was his direct opponent? Waite was Carltons best player in that first half and just because Firitto grabbed some possessions doesn't mean he had a great game. Like I said earlier he
Improved in that second half.

Anyway it's all opinions and interpretations but in the end the teams performance was top stuff so I have no qualms about Spud retaining his spot due to a lack of options.

 

[ansonholt]

I must have also been watching a different game. Firrito had 21 disposals at an efficiency rate of 90%. He also recorded 6 marks (2ndd highest), 4 tackles (equal 3rd highest), 4 rebounds (equal 2nd highest)and 6 one percenters (2nd highest). He was very good.

I thought Firrito was close to best on ground. Took numerous marks int he backline, usually in the last line when it was either him, or a Carlton goal. Is comfortably in our best 22 and looks like he's been a backman all his life.

 

[Gold_Cup_96]

I don't refer to stats when I summarise a performance but tell me how many marks did Waite take in the first half who was his direct opponent? Waite was Carltons best player in that first half and just because Firitto grabbed some possessions doesn't mean he had a great game. Like I said earlier he
Improved in that second half.

Anyway it's all opinions and interpretations but in the end the teams performance was top stuff so I have no qualms about Spud retaining his spot due to a lack of options.

We were undermanned height wise in defence yesterday, there's no doubt about that. The return of Hansen will see Firrito and Thompson both get better match ups.

 

[Handsome.B.Wonderful]

I don't refer to stats when I summarise a performance but tell me how many marks did Waite take in the first half who was his direct opponent? Waite was Carltons best player in that first half and just because Firitto grabbed some possessions doesn't mean he had a great game. Like I said earlier he
Improved in that second half.

Anyway it's all opinions and interpretations but in the end the teams performance was top stuff so I have no qualms about Spud retaining his spot due to a lack of options.

You really expected Firrito to stop an in form Waite from taking marks?

 

[Horace]

Some interesting comments and differing opinions of various players. I'm not going to get into debating some of those differing opinions apart from to say that often when you sit in a different part of the ground, you do see things differently.

Apart from the first 5 minutes which I missed, i was really pleased with how we went about it. For what it was worth I think the margin flattered Carlton and if I was a Carlton supporter I would be just a little bit worried. Certainly they had a few out, although none of them exactly stars, but we also were without Ziebell, Hansen, Greenwood and Grima, who in my view are easily the equal of their missing players.

What really pleased me were the following:

- Our run and carry out of the backline. Disposal was generally much better than we saw last year. The use of handball was good and footskills were generally pretty good with few turnovers.

- Our smaller running brigade were all very prominent. Wells, Boomer, Campbell, Thomas, McMillan, Anthony, Bastinac all looked good.

- Drew was sensational and what a terrific work ethic. On quite a few occasions when Carlton had set shots for goal, he ran down to stand the mark allowing Hamish or Goldy to get back in the goalsquare to spoil.

- I thought the combination of Hamish and Goldy worked pretty well. Still some work to do and Hamish still getting back into the swing of things but with the 3 man interchange I can see a time in the not too distant future in last quarters, when having one of them on the ball and the other up forward, we are going to kill some teams with our height advantage.

- And off topic but going back to Princes Park to watch a game played oout in the open on a terrific surface, I just shake my head in bewilderment at the fact that the AFL let this asset go and fall into disrepair. This is the ground that should have been preserved for games against the low drawing interstate clubs. Instead we have to go to Etihad, with its blandness and crippling costs.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Appreciating the reports guys.

Did Fishy play on one of the Carlton small forwards all day?

If so, how was his defensive work back there?

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Appreciating the reports guys.

Did Fishy play on one of the Carlton small forwards all day?

If so, how was his defensive work back there?

He played well. Didn't notice him as much as others but he didnt stand out as being beaten consistently.

I thought our backline played extremely well aside from some brainfades here and there.

 

[MaddAdam]

That 15 minutes in the 3rd quarter when The Plan came together and we slammed on 7 goals.

That was awesome.

We'll be seeing a lot lot more of that.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

*crossing fingers for vision of 'that' 15 minutes on RooPorn*

 

[Mailman]

Was also at the game....What an awesome day for it.....

BOG went to my sons for chatting up 2 of the hottest girls at the ground....and their under 10 yo..... Its good being a dad on occasions.

On the match....we were pretty lucky to be close to Carlton at 1/2time. We got a few scratchy goals off the ground etc that kept us in it.

The 3rd qtr was absolute class. The streaming runs out of the backline showed where we could get to over the coming years. We made Carlton look totally second rate. Petrie loved it.

There was plenty to like about quite a few of the North players. MacMillan and Wright were fantastic down back, and Firitto played a great breaking role that set up the runners.

Have i ever mentioned that I love the way Harp's goes about it?....He will be a champion.

In the last there were occasions which made me think the North had put the cue back in the rack. The key example being harv's who completely ignored a couple of packs/tackles. So, I place no importance on Carlton getting back into it.

On Carlton, I dont mean to single out a player.....but I was amazed by No. 40....I was told it was Matthew Watson. He looks like he isnt AFL fit at all. Extremely bulky. Looks like he should be playing in the 70's. Embarrassing on a couple of occasions. I felt bad........

 

[Spitta09]

Are there any highlights floating around or anything cant seem to find any?!

 

[GarnerSmash]

He played well. Didn't notice him as much as others but he didnt stand out as being beaten consistently.

I thought our backline played extremely well aside from some brainfades here and there.

Cheers man.

Was he standing anyone in particular?

 

[Bigeasy]

You really expected Firrito to stop an in form Waite from taking marks?

Why not? Waite is a HFF not a CHF

 

[Contra Mundum]

Why no love for Harper - his disposal is unbelievable - wish he had've snagged that goal on the run. I am starting to think that talk back caller on SEN that said he would be our Stevie J was not on the wacky baccy

 

[MaddAdam]

Harper's problem is he's been so good so quickly he's set himself such a high standard.

I thought he was good yesterday without standing out.

But then I remember he's played fewer than 20 senior games and was up against one of the top 4 midfields in the league.

FMD is he good.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Cheers man.

Was he standing anyone in particular?

Was on Betts for a little while, Garlett at other times.

There seemed to be a lot of mixing and matching going on. Was hard to keep track of.

What I do know is he is a fantastic kick of the football.

 

[Handsome.B.Wonderful]

Why not? Waite is a HFF not a CHF

Waite is 6'5", he is not a HFF.

He has played CHF or CHB for his entire career.

When he is on (and his marking was on yesterday) he is almost unstoppable in a pack of players, let alone in a one on one contest against a bloke who is giving away 3 inches in height.

 

[roosmad]

Was also at the game....What an awesome day for it.....

BOG went to my sons for chatting up 2 of the hottest girls at the ground....and their under 10 yo..... Its good being a dad on occasions.

The Mailman delivers LMAO......

 

[Dan]

[YOUTUBE]YwFZzJnyQSw[/YOUTUBE]

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Alot of those kicks from right on 50 went through 4/5ths of the way up the post, Solid distance kicking right there.

If we'd aimed for 9 pointers the scoreboard could of been nasty.

 

[Deleted member 98541]

How bloody good was Wells moving? The way he hunted Judd then executed the tackle was all class.

Patch's handball to boomer was epic. He had about 3 other options, but knew Boomer was 'on' streaming past.

Loved Thomas' smother.



I watch Atley like a hawk, and was very pleased to see him hit up about 3 good leads. 2 were short weight passes when he was on the run. I believe he may have missed a few too, but the fact he's pulling it off on occasion holds him in good stead.

 

[Ghostwriter]

How bloody good was Wells moving? The way he hunted Judd then executed the tackle was all class.

Patch's handball to boomer was epic. He had about 3 other options, but knew Boomer was 'on' streaming past.

Loved Thomas' smother.



I watch Atley like a hawk, and was very pleased to see him hit up about 3 good leads. 2 were short weight passes when he was on the run. I believe he may have missed a few too, but the fact he's pulling it off on occasion holds him in good stead.

Hope the club puts up some more highlights, nothing of Harper in there, but you're spot on with Wells, looks in top shape, notice in the Judd/Wells tackle, Judd kicked the ball off the ground rather than bend and pick up, signs of ageing, stiff back, tight hammies, not a good look for the games greatest player.

 

[GarnerSmash]

That one handed gather off the pack from Wells and then handball goal assist was sweeeeet.

Blokes in for a ripper year. Get on for a Chaz place.

I know it's highlights and all that but there was some pretty good movement on show.

Great to see footage from PP. All that was missing was the call of "PEANUTS" from the boundary line.

 

[jacko57]

Thanks for sharing the highlights.

But there was some faulty camerawork.

a) they showed the same footage of Drew drilling a set shot about 3 or 4 times
b) they failed to show the look of astonished outrage from Judd when he got pinged for holding the ball

 

[Flawed Genius]

I'll tell anyone who will listen that Wellsy will be thereabouts for Charlie.