Review The OFFICIAL Ballarat North v Dogs wash up thread

[Gold_Cup_96]

I'm more concerned about the handball to kick ratio than anything else.

The tackle count was lowish, but I expect (hope) that is by design.

Tarrant showed promise as a foil for Petrie, however he must convert his chances when playing the back up role. If we can find a second tall marking forward that can take an opponent, 6-8 marks and kick 2 goals a match, then our forward line will improve drastically. The midfielders were all solid in their time on the ground. Ziebell, Bastinac, Swallow and Wells are all primed. Greenwood was smashing in hard again in the 1st half, and Atley racked up touches. Goldstein was strong the rucks.

The Firrito criticisms are slightly odd. If not for he and Thompson we would have been overrun in the 1st half. Cam Delaney shows promise.

I think the lack of continuity which accompanies players being on the field for very limited game time has skewed a few observations.

I am expecting a much more realistic hit out against Carlton on the weekend.

 

[Roobound]

From another thread that l should have posted here....Im going to come from a different angle and mostly tell you what l thought happened not hope to see happen l am less optimistic on some of our youngsters especially than others on here.

Scott Thompson easily the biggest positive great game defending and attacking.
Cam Delanay was our best young player for mine he could be a real quality player

Boomer and Wells proably the difference between some real negative posts on here without those two would likely not have kicked a winning score against a very depleted Bulldogs midfield especially after half time.
Completely smacked in the clearances i would suggest the bulldogs youngsters shone brighter than Norths.
Tarrant for mine is ordinary if he does not catch it and he only did that with conviction after
Lake left the ground if you are honest. He changes direction like a ruckman goes to ground way to easily (watch it again) still not convinced but he is probably the best option on the list for the role he is playing.
Harper had an ordinary game 6 possessions what are you people on about, but was in the right spot for 2 handball recieves at a time where we finally created a gap on the scoreboard took his chances and they were both good goals. He is a real talent but judge his game honestly.
Atley did not show much for a guy with his speed and such big flanks and wings to work with that ground should suit him.
Firitto such poor disposal ? 87% effective really what are you people looking at ?
Stupid free kick to give away real brain fades are a problem from him though thats a given.

Against a depleted Bulldogs team we struggled to a decent score (although 30 scoring shots was decent enough) l see no real improvement but we have only added afew half back flankers and potentially Gibson to the 22 from last year. So any improvement will likely come from natural progression and a better draw l am optiimistic about where we will likely finish this year but there are a lot of question marks over quite a few on the list for mine.
I couldn`t give two hoots about winning these things l just look at the play as it unfolds against the opposition and we were ver unconvincing. It is harder to look good with so many periferal players playing l hope and expect to the round 1 team next week against the Blues then we will see where we stand.

 

[Roobound]

Re: Ballarat wash up thread

Good summary, Harpergun.

I'll add that we seemed to treat it as a Michael Mouse game. If we were serious we're bottom 4 standard. But who's worried?

We continue to miss unmissable goals and when blokes take a mark on a slight angle they insist on making it worse by running to the boundary line. Where's the professionalism????

I didn't see anyone in our side who has improved as much as Dalhouse. Judging by the way we coped with him, we're going to have trouble with any fast small forwards who play up in the midfield. Nahas, Milne, Rioli etc.

After a pre-season of intensive skill work the delivery into the forward line has improved to ****ing ****house. Shows how bad it was last year.

When Wellsy and Boomer came on they lifted our skill and class levels by about 1000%. No exaggeration.

Overall, I was really looking forward to it and then before long I was bloody glad it was over.

This is exactly how it played out great honest post MR
These games can`t be taken to seriously but the glaring issues of last year appear to be the glaring issues of this year. With other teams who were below us impressing more than we have l can only say lucky we are not playing with last years draw this year.

 

[MaddAdam]

Our problem was we seemed like we lacked a bit direction and oh yeah, we didn't play our highly influential KPF our our two startuing KPDs.

 

[Zondor]

Well what did Zondors make of our performance in Ballarat?

Well I'll tell yah what I made of it.

I found it interesting that we attempted to run in waves and handball the ball through the midfield. Our kick to handball ratio was close to one to one. We did look good doing it at times. Not sure if this style of play will hold up against the top sides which are good at applying pressure. Maybe it was a match day thing.

We got done on the counter far too easily at times. Dahlhaus especially exposed us with his pace. Our midfield must learn to run the other way.

Our kick out set up is for the tip. We went long from the kick out down the guts on a couple of occasions early which was interesting. There however seems an inability by our side to hit up a few passes from the kick outs on a consistent basis. Surely this shit can be worked on. Surely.

Now these games are as the Artichoke put it "Like doing the horizontal hokey pokey with yah sister" so I'm not sure what to make of the lack of pressure at times from our side. However it was pleasing to see the increase in intensity in the last 10 minutes of the game to ensure victory.

Anyways it was a fun day and once again I enjoyed the Ballarat experience even if the ground lacked a Baked Potatoe stand. Look forward to next Sunday against the Blues at Visy. We should hopefully learn more of where our side is at.

 

[boat13]

My thoughts on the game are overall not so optimistic. It was like a game of two halves, the first half with what people may see as our future in and the second with the old firm.

The first half in my view was very poor and substandard, we got off to a flying start with probably the first 5 scoring shots but then the wheels fell off, defensive pressure was non existant allowing the likes of dahlhaus and griffen to run rampant and take the contested ball. Patch was probably my pick for the first half in terms of midfielders for us, BOG at the time was clearly Dahlhaus. We showed signs that we still have too much trouble trying to clear the zone from a kick in, against a team that had very few afl games. Thompson was our best up back, Firrito had flashes of brilliance counterbalanced with massive brain fades and very poor disposal (giving a free kick 50m off the ball resulting in a dogs shot at goal, grow the **** up). Brad needs to find some quality ball users because this seems to be a constant issue for us, especially up back. I liked basti in the first half as well, not so much for the rest of our guys, couldn't find levi bar for a few touches and tackles, cunners looked like he was gunning for any dog he could get but he didn't look too effective for me.

The second half rolled along and on came our best in wells, harvey, spitta, and i think maybe campbell (didn't see him 1st half, not sure if he was on), and we had periods of utter dominance where we would have 3-4 shots at goal is a space of about 4 minutes. Tarrant was about in this half having some decent delivery and taking about 8 lead up marks, he also hit the post like 3 times in the match so goal kicking accuracy is an issue, likewise for thomas. Those two were a big reason we had 18 in the behind column (there was a bit of a breeze across the ground as well). When we wernt dominating the game was usually a very scappy affair by both teams, skill level was sub vfl at times.

HMac went off after the first half and Goldy showed us why he is such a good tap ruck in the 2nd owning the dogs roughead (he is still young though). Wells took a bit to get into it but thats understandable, he was pure class whenever he had the ball, kicked a big supergoal and set up spitta 40m directly in front from snapping on the boundary line. Our defense 2nd half seemed to be asleep, we hardly needed it but when we did it seemed ineffective, the reason the dogs werent scoring is because they were just as ineffective in their 50. Harper was good in the 4th but by the race was over so overall i would say he was ineffective. Thomas found the ball, but also found the point or out of bounds. Boomer not slowing down, dominated, end of story. Spitta was neither outstanding nor poor imo. Urquhart is not afl standard, i would rate him as our worst at disposal, especially considering he got most of his ball in defense.

Thats about all i can remember, following the game was tough because of the ****ing sound issues from foxtel. But overall i was not impressed

 

[Booze Nasty]

Re: Ballarat wash up thread

When Wellsy and Boomer came on they lifted our skill and class levels by about 1000%. No exaggeration.

This. Very noticeable. Their decision making brings others into the game.

Boomer still needed in the middle to ignite things.

Thompson was very good today. Slippery little character he is.

Great leading and marking by Tarrant. There is a spot there for the taking at CHF. More goals please.

We are not getting the advantage I would expect from our AA ruck combination.
McIntosh reminds me of the Kagu bird of New Calendonia.
i.e. Almost flightless, it a spends its time on or near the ground.
Goldstein yet to get going.
We don't have the foot skills to utilize their height advantage in the forward line. Case in point Hale kicking 6 at Hawthorn.
One or the other but not both please.

If you going to run around your none preferred you need to deliver. Super boot Urq's kicks more flat punts then Doug Wade.

LT's goal/point/obf kicking will loose us a game one day and this will annoy me greatly. I had a kick after the game (scoreboard end) and had no trouble scoring...GOALS. Hammies sore today.

I saw Campbell, Wright, Adams, Harper and Anthony all do some good things. I also missed plenty as that ground is ridiculously flat and it's hard to see the action at the other end. I prefer the Medallion Club around wing/CHF.

Too many of our players get 13 possession only per game. If we don't have possession, generally the opposition do. The players we have with skills don't find the pill enough. I hope this changes as the year goes on.

I enjoy my annual road trip to Ballarat and I look forward to playing official games there.
Building a 15K (later 25K) stadium is a vital step towards preserving our club. I have no doubt the people of Ballarat will fill it. This issue requires more consideration please Ted.

 

[Contra Mundum]

Didn't go, didn't see, didn't hear.

It would great if people could leave their thoughts here to give a little insight into how our boys went individually & collectively, how the coach had the team set up and play, and if Ballarat has a decent hot potato stand.

The one question I'd really like to hear thoughts on is; Did we set up and play as if this was a serious match or just another Michael Mouse training drill?

Cheers.

Good atmosphere and a pretty big crowd. Venue will need millions poured into it to make it AFL standard. Highlight for me was Harper's two silky goals - could be our Stevie J

 

[R00StaR]

They said it was a full house on fox, great to see the game well supported and appeared there were many North supporters. Great job Ballarat

 

[Bigeasy]

I just watched the replay and there was a lot of good things come out of the game.

Atley was good across half back and his kicking was nowhere as bad as what some people are saying. Can he improve? Yes but I think it is improving. I was more disappointed in Jacks kicking to be honest.

Pretty blustery conditions and a very exposed ground is not conducive to high skills. I really saw an improvement in the game plan which is what I was hoping for. More purpose moving the ball, setting up better in kick outs and the forward movement was good.

Cunningtons work inside was very good and continues to impress. Break out year coming up. Loved Tarrants game and Adams' first half was excellent.

We gave a player in Cam Delaney. Loved the way he attacks the pack when he spoils and his ground level work is very good. Needs a few kilos but he has the frame to do it. He will be CHB from 2013 onwards.

We are building nicely to round 1

PS in the last quarter when the wind really picked up and favouring the end the Bulldogs were kicking was just about our best quarter with regards to structures and sticking to team rules. Good hit out.

 

[hilly]

Re: Ballarat wash up thread

I didn't see anyone in our side who has improved as much as Dalhouse.

After a pre-season of intensive skill work the delivery into the forward line has improved to ****ing ****house. Shows how bad it was last year.

You can't praise Dahlhaus and then lament our skill level in the same post. The bloke can't kick.

 

[cleveland]

Re: Ballarat wash up thread

You can't praise Dahlhaus and then lament our skill level in the same post. The bloke can't kick.

Who can't kick??? Dahlhaus??

you have to be joking

 

[Comebackmick]

North seemed to adopt a "play on at all costs" game style for this one. I also don't recall seeing one north player kick the ball backwards all game. Did I miss anything? The dogs did it a few times. Might be a sign of things to come this year with some genuine tall marking targets (Petrie, tarrant, black, Edwards, mcintosh) inside 50.

Good positive post. Bad luck that noone got to reply "tough t***ies".

 

[roosmad]

I thought we were outstanding in patches today, and aside from that I don't know what you can really take out of game that wasn't for four points, and in which we didn't start some relative unknowns - Wells, Harvey, Swallow and McKenzie (who are these chaps again?) until half time. No Drew Petrie, Scott McMahon, and Rampaging Lachlan Hansen either.

Some shit you can wrap your mits around:

Cunning is cherry ripe, and I presume caught the train to Ballarat, because he has ****ing arrived.

Atley is a step up on last year, and is a superb user. Really toey for pace and a good user in traffic. I have no ****ing idea what roosmad is on about, and assume he (roosmad that is) was drunk the entire match.

Ziebell - how good is Jack Ziebell?

Liam Anthony looked like a blonde, flashy ball magnet we picked up a few years ago and disappeared from view after a horrendous shoulder injury? Anyone remember who that kid was? Don't piss yourself if Anthony gets a go round 1 - he's there and about.

Spud is ****ed. I love Spud, but unless he suddenly discovers a yard he needs to get a whole ****ing lot better with his disposal, because he is looking shit. No offence Spud fans (including myself), but he is shaping as this year's Pratt.

Adams was good early, as was Campbell later on. Dalaney showed a bit, and I am still unimpressed with Tarrant, but Big Men Do Take Time.

I like Black. I'd like to see how he went with a whole game at FF just belting out leads. Edwards looks set for another good season.

Thomas is still kicking like a mule, but his effort is still decent.

McIntosh looks the goods too.

Haprer is superb, and Sammy Wright is a god. How sweet is shit looking that we can afford to play these guys at either end of the ground and the midfield is too strong to allow them in permanently?

Massive negative, and the only thing I am in any way concerned about after that is that out kick ins - both as an offence and a defence - are shitful. They are the only thing which has not come on at all after the removal of Three Times A Laidley.

Can we fix this shit up please? I remember being at training mid week early last season and watching kick in training. The team kicking in turned it over every single time. We suck at this. Please fix whoever is backlin coach FFS.

Another minor concern is getting done on the break, it happened a bit yesterday and happened a bit against Richmond too.

Otherwise I have watched two games worth of footy so far this preseason and the thing I can confidently say is that we have the makings of a quality midfield that will work for us for the next decade.

What is not to be excited about with that?

Atley is a step up on last year you say? based on what?????
I hope the kid becomes a superstar but looks very very ordinary at the moment...

Cunnington, upstaged by libba and and that other twat at the clearances..

Firrito would of been second best defender no question, did he make one mistake yeah o'k but apart from that it appeared to me he was the defensive general....

McIntosh looked very ordinary, yes delivery was not great and its only one game but nothing more than average at best

Harper had like 6 touches and you rate him superb???????
simply does not get enough of the ball....

I completely agree with you on the kick ins we really struggle here...

 

[danj]

kicking in from full back still looks like a nightmare, no improvement, field kicking generally poor
opposition seem to bring the ball in from a kick in very easy

that will do....

That was my impression as well when are we going to bring the ball in without kicking to a massive contest? It still seems like kick and hope for the best, from memory there was at least one occaision when the ball was brought in with short passes and it resulted in a goal because we retained control, we have to get this right if we are to get anywhere near the good sides this season.

 

[roosmad]

From another thread that l should have posted here....Im going to come from a different angle and mostly tell you what l thought happened not hope to see happen l am less optimistic on some of our youngsters especially than others on here.

Scott Thompson easily the biggest positive great game defending and attacking.
Cam Delanay was our best young player for mine he could be a real quality player

Boomer and Wells proably the difference between some real negative posts on here without those two would likely not have kicked a winning score against a very depleted Bulldogs midfield especially after half time.
Completely smacked in the clearances i would suggest the bulldogs youngsters shone brighter than Norths.
Tarrant for mine is ordinary if he does not catch it and he only did that with conviction after
Lake left the ground if you are honest. He changes direction like a ruckman goes to ground way to easily (watch it again) still not convinced but he is probably the best option on the list for the role he is playing.
Harper had an ordinary game 6 possessions what are you people on about, but was in the right spot for 2 handball recieves at a time where we finally created a gap on the scoreboard took his chances and they were both good goals. He is a real talent but judge his game honestly.
Atley did not show much for a guy with his speed and such big flanks and wings to work with that ground should suit him.
Firitto such poor disposal ? 87% effective really what are you people looking at ?
Stupid free kick to give away real brain fades are a problem from him though thats a given.

Against a depleted Bulldogs team we struggled to a decent score (although 30 scoring shots was decent enough) l see no real improvement but we have only added afew half back flankers and potentially Gibson to the 22 from last year. So any improvement will likely come from natural progression and a better draw l am optiimistic about where we will likely finish this year but there are a lot of question marks over quite a few on the list for mine.
I couldn`t give two hoots about winning these things l just look at the play as it unfolds against the opposition and we were ver unconvincing. It is harder to look good with so many periferal players playing l hope and expect to the round 1 team next week against the Blues then we will see where we stand.

Great post, you were watching the game without your North Melbourne goggles on, be good if a few more on here could do the same

 

[DunderHead]

It looked like we played man on man yesterday. I wasn't at the game could anyone who went confirm?

The Bulldogs' spread was a lot better than ours, in contested situations they ran forward well-before the ball had been won by either side which worked to their advantage considering the number of hardballs they won.

Under normal conditions I think we'll find the ball won't end up going there way quite as much and this will open them up. They've been doing it for years, as have Essendon and Carlton.

Watching the game again I saw less negatives.

Tarrant should have kicked at least two goals but he contested really well all day.

Delaney will probably be competing with Hansen and Grima for a spot in the team and I think we've found a good tall defender there. He is a natural defender, hard at the contest, and comfortable with the ball in his hands.

Midfield was a bit down yesterday but if we'd played Greenwood, adams, Harvey, Wells and Swallow all in the same period I don't think the Bulldogs would have touched the footy. A few of our younger guys have some developing to do and yesterday they were outshone by the Bulldogs young brigade. We'll see how they cope next week.

 

[Archer_11]

Only saw the second half. I thought our ball movement was very impressive and we looked dangerous up forward.

This is why I hate the preseason.

 

[ReturnOfTheKing]

Scott Thompson in early form is a plus. Usually starts the season like shit.

Not sure why Firrito is running around with the ball in one hand looking flashy than missing easy targets. Just keep it simple FFS.

Tarrant was good.

Ziebell goin to be damn good player.

Thomas is shot.

 

[longlivenmfc]

I'm interested in some of the selections that have been made - mainly in respect of who hasn't been given a run yet.

Now that Delaney, McKenzie, Gav, Black, Gibson and Cruize have all been given a run, I can only conclude that Bon must really be off McKinley. We also haven't seen Will, but perhaps he's not yet over his hammy? I also can't recall seeing Milky (or did he play game 1?). But we know that McKinley is fit as he played on the weekend, but zero interest it seems from Bon.

 

[Johnny99]

Re: Ballarat wash up thread

Who can't kick??? Dahlhaus??

you have to be joking

Agree with this guy.
Dahlhaus is a gun...

 

[Strummaster]

I thought we were outstanding in patches today, and aside from that I don't know what you can really take out of game that wasn't for four points, and in which we didn't start some relative unknowns - Wells, Harvey, Swallow and McKenzie (who are these chaps again?) until half time. No Drew Petrie, Scott McMahon, and Rampaging Lachlan Hansen either.

Some shit you can wrap your mits around:

Cunning is cherry ripe, and I presume caught the train to Ballarat, because he has ****ing arrived.

Atley is a step up on last year, and is a superb user. Really toey for pace and a good user in traffic. I have no ****ing idea what roosmad is on about, and assume he (roosmad that is) was drunk the entire match.

Ziebell - how good is Jack Ziebell?

Liam Anthony looked like a blonde, flashy ball magnet we picked up a few years ago and disappeared from view after a horrendous shoulder injury? Anyone remember who that kid was? Don't piss yourself if Anthony gets a go round 1 - he's there and about.

Spud is ****ed. I love Spud, but unless he suddenly discovers a yard he needs to get a whole ****ing lot better with his disposal, because he is looking shit. No offence Spud fans (including myself), but he is shaping as this year's Pratt.

Adams was good early, as was Campbell later on. Dalaney showed a bit, and I am still unimpressed with Tarrant, but Big Men Do Take Time.

I like Black. I'd like to see how he went with a whole game at FF just belting out leads. Edwards looks set for another good season.

Thomas is still kicking like a mule, but his effort is still decent.

McIntosh looks the goods too.

Haprer is superb, and Sammy Wright is a god. How sweet is shit looking that we can afford to play these guys at either end of the ground and the midfield is too strong to allow them in permanently?

Massive negative, and the only thing I am in any way concerned about after that is that out kick ins - both as an offence and a defence - are shitful. They are the only thing which has not come on at all after the removal of Three Times A Laidley.

Can we fix this shit up please? I remember being at training mid week early last season and watching kick in training. The team kicking in turned it over every single time. We suck at this. Please fix whoever is backlin coach FFS.

Another minor concern is getting done on the break, it happened a bit yesterday and happened a bit against Richmond too.

Otherwise I have watched two games worth of footy so far this preseason and the thing I can confidently say is that we have the makings of a quality midfield that will work for us for the next decade.

What is not to be excited about with that?

I'm with you here I think we need to get LT to kick in from full back if his field kicking has such a reputation that he gets picked

 

[rm3504]

The two teams most vulnerable from last years top 8 IMO are stk and ess.

Freo, rich, adel and ourselves are competing for those two spots.

From what I've seen our deficiencies haven't been rectified.

We haven't been overly impressive so far albeit early.

Our problems include
Kicking skills, kick ins, power defenders, proven matchwinners.

We appear a fringe 8 team again, I look fwd to being proven wrong.

 

[Hopper10]

Since Arch's glowing endorsemnt of Urq's kicking skills, he's been lucky to hit his foot with the ball. I cringe everytime he kicks it on the run, it looks rushed and all over the place. From what a saw against the doggies, he's a list clogger that's costing us heaps.

Good reports guys, plenty of opinions which is what makes this a good site to visit. Only saw the last 1/2 and my biggest concern is the kick ins, as mentioned by pretty much everyone, this needs to improve ASAP. Bring on Rnd 1.

 

[Shinboner Schem]

Was watching AFL Insider tonight and they talked about Melbourne's kickins from the weekend.
I thought ours were bad, they stunk!

(Although they did mention they were a lot better the previous week)