Positives to be taken from today.

[Yoda_]

I'm a fan of Zaha but I disagree that he has an outstanding work ethic. In fact he was one of the man guys missing when Nth got a few run on's. Rarely on the ground fighting for the ball either. His skills are great but I believe he needs to work harder to become the footballer he should.

Anyhow the positives.

- Hurley's desire and hardness
- Pears getting through a game
- Melksham, Hardingham and Hibberd continuing to improve
- We're still in the eight ....for now

You say Zaharakis needs to work harder, but then say Melksham continues to grow, Melksham has averaged 14.5 disposals over the past month, and that again over the course of the year, Zaharakis is averaging 18.5 over the past four and 17.6 for the year, despite playing permanent forward.

Any ways, I seriously think Melksham may be in the gun this week depending on who plays well for Bendigo this afternoon.

 

[Valve Bounce]

I think it's become pretty obvious that we still have a season or two left before we are a serious challenger. So what did people take out of the game today that gives us some hope of a brighter future?

Maybe we might make the finals next year.

 

[Darealrath]

Any ways, I seriously think Melksham may be in the gun this week depending on who plays well for Bendigo this afternoon.

Disagree. I think the coaching staff have identified him as one of the players we must get as much senior footy into as possible.

 

[Super Gusto]

You say Zaharakis needs to work harder, but then say Melksham continues to grow, Melksham has averaged 14.5 disposals over the past month, and that again over the course of the year, Zaharakis is averaging 18.5 over the past four and 17.6 for the year, despite playing permanent forward.

Any ways, I seriously think Melksham may be in the gun this week depending on who plays well for Bendigo this afternoon.

Two different points I would have thought.

Zaha is a season or two ahead of Melksham don;t forget that.

And he's not playing permanent forward but spending alot of time up the ground.

Anyhow that's not my point. 18.5, 17.6 that's great but he needs to do more.
Hangs outside way too much and doesn;t win enough of his own ball.

 

[Liam Boy]

Sorry to intrude on your board but Hurley was excellent, #18 is fitting.

 

[Hencho]

I probably wouldve had Hibberd was BOG, were it not for his opponent kicking a few.

It was a mis match though.

His game was extremely good.

Official Henry Slattery replacement!

 

[YouveBeenReimered]

Hurley

 

[yaco55]

I thought the reasons he was good last week carried over into this week, and that is the run and carry. He seems to be capable of filling Dempseys shoes for the rest of the year and i think it worthwhile fast tracking him this season. I think he suffered a lot from the forced mismatches after Hooker went down. Would be a good if he could develop further and release Dempsey to a wing next year.

LC

Rated his game highly last week because he gave us run and carry - and nullified Chris Mayne. Was sacrificed by playing on Cameron Pederson - But his reckless attack on the ball in the air - Cost us.

 

[yaco55]

Good post Smokin.

Last 4 weeks we concede a goal 32% of the time the opposition enters forward fifty - while we are scoring a goal 19% of the time when we enter forward 50.

This stat is killing us - Doubt that a team has lost 4 consecutive games - despite winning the inside 50's.

The ray of hope yesterday was that we had 30 scores from 60 entries - Yesterday was a matter of kicking straight.

 

[Yoda_]

Disagree. I think the coaching staff have identified him as one of the players we must get as much senior footy into as possible.

Probablt the only thing keeping him in the side, playing as a permanent onballer, would of thought you would prefer him to get more than his 14 - 15 possessions a game.

Two different points I would have thought.

Zaha is a season or two ahead of Melksham don;t forget that.

And he's not playing permanent forward but spending alot of time up the ground.

Anyhow that's not my point. 18.5, 17.6 that's great but he needs to do more.
Hangs outside way too much and doesn;t win enough of his own ball.

Haven't read the Drafts thread for a little bit? Apparently we have enough 'inside' players, thought Zaharakis could help with our lack of 'outside' polish.

Zaharakis has taken his opportunity in recent weeks, is doing his best when given the opportunity to play more midfield.

 

[The Donners]

Play Hille next week and I am sad to say you will dominate the hawks. With the 3 bigs and possibly no Buddy, we will have no answer

Hawthorn have the best kicking skills in the league, Essendon has probably the worst and what we did have in the past to trouble Hawthorn, foot speed, we no longer have. Hawks by 8-9 goals half arsed.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Hibberd, Stanton, Hurley, Zaharakis...

And a captain who is fully aware of when he's not playing well.

That and the fact that the North Melbourne/Essendon rivalry continues to be talked up... solely by North Melbourne people. Love it.

 

[TheDon35]

Looks like we're coming through the back end of a major form and confidence slump.

Whilst our 1 touch still wasn't there, this was much better on Saturday. Still just not backing ourselves in the marking contest. you can almost read the uncertainty on players when they are contesting in the air and at ground level. An area we were excellent at in the first part of the year.

Zaharakis, Jetta, Watson, Hocking, Hardingham need more support in this area.

Great fighting effort to come back from where we were.

 

[Redb#]

No doubt Hurley. He is really imposing himself on a contest bustling through to take a mark or get a possession. I dont want to go over the top but I think he will be one of the dominant forwards in the entire League soon.

At times he looked Wayne Carey like - could do anything, just made it his own. Big call I know and yes OTT.

Hibberd did a lot of great work around the ground.

We are much better wth Stanton in the side, despite his mistakes under extreme pressure, he works hard and constantly presents an option and sets up play.