Game Day Round 1: North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Adelaide Crows @ Etihad Stadium

[1970crow]

I really have no take on how we'll play. I keep looking at the fixture and thinking faaark, what a first 8 weeks. Would feel better if I had seen Brouch in the main team at least once. Am sure he'll fit in fine, but still...

Also I pretty much like everyone have undervalued North over the past few years.

I like the selections, perhaps because I don't dislike Cheney as much as everyone, or think Hartigan has become as good as everyone seems to think.

VB and DMack? Well sure, but once CC, Knight, Hampton are fully fit and Menzel fit enough, I suspect they're be some shifts around that see them pushed out. Lyons unlucky, but it shows that there sure as sh*t is pressure on players to perform because there is a nice lot of players good enough to replace them.

VB and Dmac were a certainty for round 1. Hartigan, for mine, is a structural move, possibly permanent, or a fast tracking of Lever, I hope it pays off. I'm surprised Lyons (or CEY) missed, I thought we'd want a bit more inside cover, at least in the early rounds while we're finding out the size of the hole left by Moggsy.

 

[Redleg Crow]

VB and Dmac were a certainty for round 1. Hartigan, for mine, is a structural move, possibly permanent, or a fast tracking of Lever, I hope it pays off. I'm surprised Lyons (or CEY) missed, I thought we'd want a bit more inside cover, at least in the early rounds while we're finding out the size of the hole left by Moggsy.

And Lyons certainly did nothing wrong in the NAB rounds. Suspect it was between him and McGovern and perhaps the decision was a bit of structure and a bit of horses for courses.

 

[robboaustralia]

Just on McGovern and NAB cup 2, Mitch slightly rolled his ankle fairly early, was rested a bit and was playing more tentatively than usual for the rest of that game. For what I believe to be the real Mitch and hopefully what we will see in tonight's blockbuster where North rightfully go in as the favorites is the NAB R3 Mitch McGovern.

He has nothing to lose. He can unleash tonight. His position is not guaranteed to be ongoing. I am impressed with his tackling.

 

[Rotayjay]

It's simply lazy analysis, lazy journalism and the lack of any kind of accountability - at the end of the season the predictions of all these "experts" are largely forgotten so there's no incentive to actually improve on the first two aspects.

The analysis that some posters write on Bigfooty is better. Ever since I discovered this site, I hardly ever read any footy journalism.

 

[pjcrows]

I feel more confident about this game seeing B Crouch in the line up.

 

[Infra Ted]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/expert-tipsters

Some more expert opinions, only 2 of 24 tipsters picked us to win today. One was John Silvester and the other was "the village idiot".

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

VB and Dmac were a certainty for round 1. Hartigan, for mine, is a structural move, possibly permanent, or a fast tracking of Lever, I hope it pays off. I'm surprised Lyons (or CEY) missed, I thought we'd want a bit more inside cover, at least in the early rounds while we're finding out the size of the hole left by Moggsy.

Yes VB was a certainty however I think DMac would have missed if with Knight or Cameron were available

 

[WaynesWorld19]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/expert-tipsters

Some more expert opinions, only 2 of 24 tipsters picked us to win today. One was John Silvester and the other was "the village idiot".

The "village idiot" actually has a good track record

 

[6BTS]

 

[FantasticShirt]

So who's wearing the vest?

 

[WaynesWorld19]

The analysis that some posters write on Bigfooty is better. Ever since I discovered this site, I hardly ever read any footy journalism.

Is that because this site burn't you out and you can't stand to read anything football after being here ?

 

[Vader]

And Lyons certainly did nothing wrong in the NAB rounds. Suspect it was between him and McGovern and perhaps the decision was a bit of structure and a bit of horses for courses.

Possibly.. Could also be the fact that they see McGovern as having a bit of talent that they want to fast track. Lyons is always going to be a limited player, who is already at his ceiling.

I think it's a bold decision, similar to selecting Cameron at the start of 2015, when he wasn't best 22. Cameron developed nicely, and is now definitely best 22. I think McGovern is behind Lyons in his development right now, but has scope to be much better - so his development is being fast tracked.

I like the idea of fast tracking the more highly talented players, at the expense of those with proven but limited ability.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

So who's wearing the vest?

Think M.Crouch will go to grab the vest in the changerooms ...just thu habit

 

[Iron]

The commentators will be creaming themselves over how many opportunities there will be to unnecessarily mention Dangerfield

"And Matt Crouch passes to Brad Crouch, who does a 1-2 with Matt Crouch, who thinks about kicking it to Dangerfield before he realizes Danger's actually playing for Geelong now. Instead he sends it long inside 50 to the perfect advantage of Walker. Of course if Dangerfield was here, he would have run inside 50 using his elite speed and kicked the goal himself, but instead this was a perfectly serviceable team play that leads to a Walker goal"

"That's right BT, Adelaide does look weaker overall without Dangerfield, despite Walker kicking his 7th goal from perfect delivery from a dominant midfield. Brad Crouch is up to 35 disposals, Milera looks good with 10 kicks and 5 score assists, but I can't help feeling that this team would be more than just 70 points up against last year's prelim finalist if Dangerfield was still in the navy, red and gold"

Even if we were somehow runner up this year they'd still say well if only they had Danger they'd have won the premiership.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Possibly.. Could also be the fact that they see McGovern as having a bit of talent that they want to fast track. Lyons is always going to be a limited player, who is already at his ceiling.

I think it's a bold decision, similar to selecting Cameron at the start of 2015, when he wasn't best 22. Cameron developed nicely, and is now definitely best 22. I think McGovern is behind Lyons in his development right now, but has scope to be much better - so his development is being fast tracked.

I like the idea of fast tracking the more highly talented players, at the expense of those with proven but limited ability.

I agree with all this (I've been a McGovern fan for quite a while), except for your claim that Lyons is already at his ceiling.

Lyons has easily had his best pre-season, fitness is finally getting to acceptable standards. If an inside mid gets injured and he gets his chance then I think you'll find he has nowhere near reached his ceiling.

 

[Infra Ted]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/expert-tipsters

Some more expert opinions, only 2 of 24 tipsters picked us to win today. One was John Silvester and the other was "the village idiot".

LOL and Geelong have more tips to beat Hawthorn 13-11.

F**k me I don't think I have ever seen a team more overrated.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I agree with all this (I've been a McGovern fan for quite a while), except for your claim that Lyons is already at his ceiling.

Lyons has easily had his best pre-season, fitness is finally getting to acceptable standards. If an inside mid gets injured and he gets his chance then I think you'll find he has nowhere near reached his ceiling.

Problem i can see with Lyons is the lack of hurt factor with his disposals

Despite that, I think he'll play a similar amount of games in 2016 to 2015 ......but not just quite cementing his position

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Does anyone think McGovern could be our version of Jack Darling ?

Absolutely, and I love the extra dimension he gives us with his marking power. None of Tex, Jenkins and Lynch are fantastic overhead. None can command the aerial ball and hit the pack like McGovern.

Beyond Darling, I also see McGovern as a player in the Adam Hunter mould who could be a legitimate swingman (though more a natural forward than back, converse to Hunter). This added dimension makes him a very unique player in our current line-up and one that hopefully means he finds his niche in the 22.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Problem i can see with Lyons is the lack of hurt factor with his disposals

Despite that, I think he'll play a similar amount of games in 2016 to 2015 ......but not just quite cementing his position

I'd say his kicking into forward 50 hurts the opposition more than almost all our current mids.

 

[Elite Crow]

I'd say his kicking into forward 50 hurts the opposition more than almost all our current mids.

And when he's inside 50

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Absolutely, and I love the extra dimension he gives us with his marking power. None of Tex, Jenkins and Lynch are fantastic overhead. None can command the aerial ball and hit the pack like McGovern.

Beyond Darling, I also see McGovern as a player in the Adam Hunter mould who could be a legitimate swingman (though more a natural forward than back, converse to Hunter). This added dimension makes him a very unique player in our current line-up and one that hopefully means he finds his niche in the 22.

Similar flexibility to his brother ......everyone knows how much emphasis i place on players who are good overhead ......they win you finals games

Didn't realise he was as quick ......could he play midfield as well .....height, speed, and marking makes a good combination ......just remember people to temper expectations .....it's only his first game

 

[Elite Crow]

Similar flexibility to his brother ......everyone knows how much emphasis i place on players who are good overhead ......they win you finals games

Didn't realise he was as quick ......could he play midfield as well .....height, speed, and marking makes a good combination ......just remember people to temper expectations .....it's only his first game

Everyone knows, why do you always bring posts back to yourself?

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I'd say his kicking into forward 50 hurts the opposition more than almost all our current mids.

And that's a problem with our midfield ......Douglas and Smith the best IMO

Even Brouch kicks tend to have a high arc and take awhile to reach the forwards ......not the best, whereas Smith and Dougies are quite flat and they can change the angle of the kick from where they're facing

 

[Elite Crow]

And that's a problem with our midfield ......Douglas and Smith the best IMO

Even Brouch kicks tend to have a high arc and take awhile to reach the forwards ......not the best, whereas Smith and Dougies are quite flat and they can change the angle of the kick from where they're facing

Seedsman, Milera and Atkins aren't too bad

 

[Glenno23]

The commentators will be creaming themselves over how many opportunities there will be to unnecessarily mention Dangerfield

"And Matt Crouch passes to Brad Crouch, who does a 1-2 with Matt Crouch, who thinks about kicking it to Dangerfield before he realizes Danger's actually playing for Geelong now. Instead he sends it long inside 50 to the perfect advantage of Walker. Of course if Dangerfield was here, he would have run inside 50 using his elite speed and kicked the goal himself, but instead this was a perfectly serviceable team play that leads to a Walker goal"

"That's right BT, Adelaide does look weaker overall without Dangerfield, despite Walker kicking his 7th goal from perfect delivery from a dominant midfield. Brad Crouch is up to 35 disposals, Milera looks good with 10 kicks and 5 score assists, but I can't help feeling that this team would be more than just 70 points up against last year's prelim finalist if Dangerfield was still in the navy, red and gold"

Mercifully, BT and the channel 7 team have been sent to Syd v Collingwood

Of course there'll still be Danger mentions.... but not from BT! Wowee!