leighlee13
Premium Gold
- Aug 13, 2019
- 3,099
- 8,521
- AFL Club
- North Melbourne
I loved how Zac went straight up to Jy after getting involved in the the melee and while it was still going on. To come from another club and show that kind of care to someone you barely know is outstanding.Just finished watching the match.
Maybe it's because I didn't watch live and knew the result and the way in which the game would pan out, but I am ultra optimistic after that.
Firstly, I went to the first praccy match at la Trobe when it was blowing a gale. If you told me that we'd go from that showing to playing the saints at home with a massive wind (which we didn't get advantage from early) and running them close I'd be surprised.
The only negative for me is that were didn't win! Infront half way through the last qrt, playing better than them and we let a great opportunity slip for a "nourishing" win.
That said, first qrt we didn't take anywhere near as much advantage from the wind as we should. Second qrt wasn't as bad as I thought. Sure we looked like breaking down but we kept at it and made some headway. Third qrt we dominated, and the last qrt I would say we outplayed them overall given the wind advantage. It was certainly a massive difference between qrts 2 and 4.
As I said in the Phillips thread, it was a rebound game for us, and them mostly except when they went into the wind in the third. So midfield numbers were down for us and them. I was happy enough with all ldu, Phillips,wardlaw, powell and lazz. The big standout statistically was the centre square difference, but I think it was one of those days where we had front position/advantage in the clearance, but were harassed to loose the chance and they'd win it getting to the footy second. Sometimes that happens.
I was very happy with our defenders. Sure conditions didn't suit King and the other talls, but the group worked well together. I'd agree Biggie was the last of the 3 talls, with Dawson a standout. Other than that first free to king he looked very assured. I would think Dawson and Pink are locks for round 1. And if Corr and Comben aren't ready Biggie might well play as well. That said, Goater was fantastic and that was easily his best senior game. His aerial ability is really coming on, so they might just use him as the third tall.
Have to mention Zac Fisher, a career high 36 disposals in your first full game for the club. But it wasn't just his touches but his run, his competing, his enthusiasm. Wow is all I can say.
Stephens also very good. He's only had 20 plus touches 5 out of his 43 games to date. He's had over 20 in the last 2 games for us against opposition and he knocked up getting the footy in the intra clubs.
Scott and tucker will be better for the run. McKercher was solid, made a couple of blues and the wind played havoc with his ball drop at times, but he's got a bit of grunt about him and he looked very promising.
Xerri was very good again. His improvement might be accelerating. He's taken care of Cameron/Cox and now Marshall.
Dursma was a real surprise packet. Definitely plays round 1 based on that.
CCJ - so im not a fan, and reading the hate that came through on the game day thread I thought he must have had a shocker. To be honest I thought he was his normal self. He showed little co ordination, awareness, ability to create a contest, ability to win a contest. He's like that every week. He must be deaf because he can't hear the umps standing next to him yelling. Comben plays his role and we are 2 goals better easily imo. I'd almost consider bringing Ford in, and let Biggie support X in the ruck.
The umpiring. I'm half way through the second qrt and I'm thinking, what is everyone talking about. Yeah there were some dodgy calls on marks for dursma but it hasn't been poor? Then they just stopped paying holding the ball to north. There were several real dodgy ones that were so obviously a free kick that I gasped when they weren't paid. I think there were 3 to Phillips and a couple to Wardlaw. A last qrt non mark to zuhaar was the icing on the cake.
End of the day. If that is our base line this year, we win 10 games imo.
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