Unofficial Preview Richmond vs North - First of 3 Practice Games

[THE THIN MAN]

If Taranto keeps this form all through the year. The AFL will take away our drafting rights

I hope those that question his recruitment are eating a huge slice of humble pie..

 

[THE THIN MAN]

After the trade period I put a $5 multibet on taranto and Richmond flag double to win $4000

Taranto, Lynch, Richmond Final 8 @ 657 - 1
Taranto, Lynch, Richmond Top 4 @ 938 - 1
Taranto, Lynch @ 469 - 1

 

[THE THIN MAN]

if kayo is owned by foxtel we should have a 4k option

El Cheapo subscription, you will be lucky to get a betamax player let alone 4K

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Actually forgot CCJ was at Richmond.

Imagine leaving to play ruck but still stuck behind old man Goldstein and new recruits looking like better options

Imagine being the club and paying a Kings Ransom to get him there.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

You didn't like the artistically shot wooden post on the left of screen obscuring play half the time?

It was very 'Exciting' brought to you by the AFLW Star Player

 

[DickieKnee]

For who?
Jack-nope
Tom- Nope
Dusty-Nope
MaJR- nope
Shai- nope
Cotch-nope

Bench spot maybe? But do you carry a mid Sized fwd only on the bench.

Don’t get me wrong I really like Cumbo and want him in the side. But not sure what role he plays

Cumbo could play permanent forward. IDusty, Shai and Cotchin will rotate through the midfield.

 

[DickieKnee]

We have lots of depth and with some of our younger players improving such as Clarke it's going to mean some good AFL quality players are going to be playing twos. Great for depth but the downside is we will probably lose players end of year wanting first team football.

 

[RockJobster0312]

Cumbo could play permanent forward. IDusty, Shai and Cotchin will rotate through the midfield.

Issue is that with reduced interchange numbers, teams look more and more at how they can save rotations.

Resting players forward is the obvious solution.

If you look at the best 22, you see how tight it is. I’ve taken the forward line and interchange to explain my point.

HF: ? Martin Rioli Jr
FF: Riewoldt Lynch Bolton
INT: Cotchin Short Miller Baker

I have one spot available between Graham, Cumberland, Clarke, Sonsie etc.

I suspect that Cotchin, Dusty, Bolton and Taranto will all rotate forward; and that may be multiple players resting forward at anyone time.

I personally have Graham ahead of Cumberland for structural reasons.

Concern I have with Taranto and Hopper coming in is that Dusty will spend more time forward. The benefit of Cumberland is similar to Dusty (to agile and good at ground level for big defenders, to strong [in the case of Cumberland strength in the air] for smalls). Neither are great pressure forwards (although I cannot fault Cumberland’s endeavor) and it may just be that along with MRJ someone like Clarke or Graham will be favored for that pressure.

That said, I’d rather see Cumberland in the 22 than not.

 

[Downtown06]

I thought he was that bloke that played dr evils son in austin powers

Thats seth green haha

 

[domin8]

Issue is that with reduced interchange numbers, teams look more and more at how they can save rotations.

Resting players forward is the obvious solution.

If you look at the best 22, you see how tight it is. I’ve taken the forward line and interchange to explain my point.

HF: ? Martin Rioli Jr
FF: Riewoldt Lynch Bolton
INT: Cotchin Short Miller Baker

I have one spot available between Graham, Cumberland, Clarke, Sonsie etc.

I suspect that Cotchin, Dusty, Bolton and Taranto will all rotate forward; and that may be multiple players resting forward at anyone time.

I personally have Graham ahead of Cumberland for structural reasons.

Concern I have with Taranto and Hopper coming in is that Dusty will spend more time forward. The benefit of Cumberland is similar to Dusty (to agile and good at ground level for big defenders, to strong [in the case of Cumberland strength in the air] for smalls). Neither are great pressure forwards (although I cannot fault Cumberland’s endeavor) and it may just be that along with MRJ someone like Clarke or Graham will be favored for that pressure.

That said, I’d rather see Cumberland in the 22 than not.

Nail head

 

[domin8]

Cumbo could play permanent forward. IDusty, Shai and Cotchin will rotate through the midfield.

That’s true one starts on the bench so I guess that’s cotchin. Two medium forwards 2 talls and 2 smalls is ok on the surface. Apart from MJR not a lot of pressure applied on rebound. But that’s why the coaches get the big bucks. Get that balance right. But bugger me it’s a good problem

 

[Sir_Loin]

Imagine being the club and paying a Kings Ransom to get him there.

The bloke is a spud. Looks ok in a good side. Don’t forget north sacked their entire recruiting department after that trade period. The deal we got for him was probably the best we could have hoped for

 

[DickieKnee]

The bloke is a spud. Looks ok in a good side. Don’t forget north sacked their entire recruiting department after that trade period. The deal we got for him was probably the best we could have hoped for

Norf are paying him 600k a year aren't they?

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

Mansell looked awesome on the wing


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[DickieKnee]

I have one spot available between Graham, Cumberland, Clarke, Sonsie etc.

Yeah someone of decent quality is going to miss out playing seniors. I just hope players like Clarke, Sonsie etc who are young and have more improvement to come don't leave end of year looking for first team footy.

 

[Karp3_dm]

he did enough last year for rd 1 selection this year

I'm actually melting over it

Relax, he’s coming back off a small injury
Only reason he played 2’s

 

[RockJobster0312]

The bloke is a spud. Looks ok in a good side. Don’t forget north sacked their entire recruiting department after that trade period. The deal we got for him was probably the best we could have hoped for

Norf are paying him 600k a year aren't they?

Thought Xerri looked better as a ruckman and Comben looked better as a forward.

CCJ was always caught between two masters, an okay and an okay forward. Not especially inclined to being great at either. His best attribute was ability to clunk marks at its highest point - which is why we saw him as a forward.

Don’t want to say we dodged a bullet but certainly think it has worked out better for us then for North Melbourne.

 

[RockJobster0312]

Yeah someone of decent quality is going to miss out playing seniors. I just hope players like Clarke, Sonsie etc who are young and have more improvement to come don't leave end of year looking for first team footy.

Injuries, form and suspension will always leave the door open. I think all those guys have extended to 2025 which gives us some security.

If nothing else I suspect we will see the likes of Cotchin and Prestia rested for the odd game here or there.

Should be enough to satisfy.

 

[Sir_Loin]

Watching the praccy on Kayo. umps were paying free kicks against us when north got their own players high. is this what we have to expect this year? JFC

 

[Dunger]

Watching the praccy on Kayo. umps were paying free kicks against us when north got their own players high. is this what we have to expect this year? JFC

Norf were good at holding us off the ball without getting pinged, umps swallowed their whistles.

We're going to get reamed all year, again

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Watching the praccy on Kayo. umps were paying free kicks against us when north got their own players high. is this what we have to expect this year? JFC

Agreed we get rimmed by the umps but we need to improve our contested ruck work, still give away too many silly frees, and guys like Nank, Vlaustin, Pickett need to be careful with tackling. Can be overly vigorous at times, and they pay those 50/50 sling/dump tackles

 

[Waca Jr]

Watching the praccy on Kayo. umps were paying free kicks against us when north got their own players high. is this what we have to expect this year? JFC

Noticed that. Clearly we get shafted in practice matches too

 

[RockJobster0312]

My quick thoughts

Overview - looked rusty but still a class above. Seemed that North Melbourne had a lot more to play for (new coach etc.) but they certainly look better and more cohesive than last season.

Our center bounce and clearance work was still poor; but no Bolton and minimal inclusion of Dusty and Cotchin will no doubt help as the season goes on.

Our defensive transition was also pretty poor, but that said overall our defense was pretty solid.

When you think that at least five players are almost guaranteed starters if fit (Lynch, Bolton, Baker, Broad and Pickett) and three or four strong maybes (Sonsie, Graham, Gibcus and Cumberland [noting he’s been managed recently]) there’s a bit to be confident about.

Player Review (have only done those in first four quarters, will do remainder when I can watch the last two periods)

#1 - Vlastuin - dominant but typical Vlastuin game.

#2 - Grimes - didn’t really notice him. Due to the wind it didn’t seem like there was a lot of run and carry but didn’t seem to get beaten.

#3 - Prestia - looked unleashed with Taranto and Hopper in the middle with him. Key issue for Dion as we all know is staying healthy.

#4 - Martin - didn’t really play any midfield minutes which I expect him to do in the season proper. But just looks almost like prime Dusty.

#5 - Ross - was okay. Got around the ground and did some nice things. Kicking the key issue which is magnified if he isn’t playing inside mid.

#6 - Tarrant - didn’t notice but seemed to get best to the spot on a few occasions.

#8 - Riewoldt - standard practice match from Jack. Did what he needed to do but you know he still has more gears.
#9 - Cotchin - don’t mind him forward, did a few nice things. Not as much space as he’s usually used to. Expect him to get more mid time come season proper.

#10 - MRJ - would love to have seen him explode and have an impact like Sheezel, but was in around and did a bunch of little things. Best 22 isn’t in doubt, and he could possibly become a top five small forward next season.


#13 - Ralphsmith- similar sort of game from HRS as we expect; ran all day, tried to link up and break lines. Not sure he fits in the best 22, but he’s in the conversation. Ball use still not crisp but didn’t let him down too often.

#14 - Taranto - his disposal was the thing that stood out, not his 20+ disposals and 2.2. Runs all day and can impact forward; he could legit establish himself a premier midfielder this season.

#15 - Short - found the ball, used it okay rotating through the midfield. Made a few poor decisions which lead to north Melbourne goals. Hard to see how much midfield time he could get with a full midfield compliment available.

#17 - D. Rioli - moved well, tried to break lines, used the ball well. Expect a similar output from last year. Wasn’t really the day for breaking lines, but kept trying to.

#21 - Balta - solid in defense. Was probably our best key defender of the day. Needs to never play forward again.

#22 - Hopper - not as prolific as Taranto but oozed class, which I didn’t expect. His ability to use the ball by foot in traffic was fantastic. Going to be one hell of a glue guy for this midfield.

#25 - Nankervis - standard Nank game. Competed in the ruck, didn’t get first hands on it as often as we’d like but was great around the grounds.

#30 - Brown - I’m a big fan of Brown and he did some nice things. A couple of key smothers, took some nice marks. Nothing that jumped out but a nice game. Still some issues with running capacity and not sure where his best position is.

#31 - Mansell - was my biggest surprise of the game for mine. At the end of the first I wrote down ‘what does he bring?’ But after that was fantastic. Got up the ground, linked well and used it well. Not sure he’s best 22, but I had him as in my three for delistings for the end of the year but can see him being handy depth.

#32 - Ryan - moved more fluidly than I ever remember at VFL level. Competed well in the air. Not a natural forward kicking with wind but looks primed for a step up. Expect him to play this season.

#33 - McIntosh - classic Kamdyn game. Workhorse but had some bad disposals.

#42 - Clarke - got beaten in the first quarter I thought (like a lot of our players) but was great after. Worked hard, used it well and can see how he will be the long term replacement for Lambert. That kick to Dusty for his first and the work rate to get his first show we have something in Juddy.

#45 - Young - Was fantastic. First AFL level hit out and proved himself capable. Seems physically ready for AFL level footy just needs more experience and nous. Xavier Clarke said something that he’s a chance to play sometime this year and not hard to see why. With a fully fit Gibcus and half a season into Young around AFL players… does Tarrant see another game in the last half of the year?

#46 - Miller - was very solid. Competed everywhere he went. Best 22 for mine as he can play some many positions. Intel was his confidence was high and looking more and more like he belongs. In comparison to CCJ, looks significantly better.

Top Five Surprises (not top five best)

1. Tim Taranto (he was that good).
2. Judson Clarke
3. Samson Ryan
4. Ryan Mansell
5. Tyler Young

Now having watched the last two periods of the VFL; I’ll round out my thoughts:

#20 - Soldo - was just dominant as you’d expect against that level of opposition. Also looked more mobile which is pleasing. Hard to see him breaking into the team as Nank is obviously number 1 and Miller does more things you’d like to see in a backup ruck. But expect to see him more forward than previous seasons in a bid to get back into the team.

#27 - Dow - his pre-ball up work at stoppages and center clearance was elite. Pushed away, leant on then changed direction, using others as blockers; it was all on show. Used the ball well when he got it; although none was really ‘pinpoint’ stuff. Looks bigger; but not big enough to be anything other than your third rotation inside mid unfortunately. Hope he gets some games throughout the year as I do think there is something there to work with.

#37 - Bradtke - wasn’t t a great range of opportunities for Kaelan, and when there was, it was often a dump kick and drew Soldo and May. But always made a contest and brought the ball to ground which is all you can ask. The shark and goal attempt for his one behind showed some athletic promise.

#38 - Cumberland - didn’t get as much of it as I would have liked, but looked just a class above when he did. His run and chase was excellent and despite giving up a goal on a free kick, his endeavor was fantastic.

#41 - Banks - not sure he got a touch? VFL is always harder for wings, and blustery conditions only added to it. Couldn’t get anything from that unfortunately.

#44 - Campbell - real smooth mover, great vision and great kick. Not sure he’s got electric pace but he has such a high level IQ. I always think high IQ players find a way to make it, and so I’m very bullish on this kid.

#47 - Nyoun - like most of the key backs for both teams through the day, the wind impacted inside 50 entries so it’s hard to gauge much. That said, got beaten once but was otherwise good as extra man in and killing the ball. Also shows composure.

#48 - Green - attacked the man and the ball which is what we had heard was his MO. Used it well (his first kick raised my eyebrows). Needs to get bigger and I think will ultimately be an inside mid; but will play HBF for most of the early part of the season I expect.

All in all, not a lot of opportunities to review the VFL guys, but the depth and potential clearly showed. Gonna be a hard team to break into but really excited for the future.

 

[Sir_Loin]

Norf were good at holding us off the ball without getting pinged, umps swallowed their whistles.

We're going to get reamed all year, again

mate 100% the amount of times we got held even tackled off the ball was ridiculous. Brown basically got tackled in one play and he was 10 meters off the ball.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

It was very 'Exciting' brought to you by the AFLW Star Player

Yeah she needs work. Fell into that trap of talking in circles without actually making a point a bit. Think most untrained commentators do that, act like they get paid per word.