2025 VFL Games.

[imuninformedtwo]

I'll be surprised if Paton is recalled after he was "tactically" subbed off at half-time last week. I don't think Cox was impressed. And while he found a decent amount of the ball in this week's VFL game, he didn't do anything particularly noteworthy or eye-catching with it.

I think they'd probably prefer to give Mills another game in the VFL - and they still might. But if he pulled up OK after his half on Friday, they might just bite the bullet and bring him back into the AFL team now. If they're worried about the volume of work he'd have to do as a midfielder, he could start as a medium defender to replace Francis. Maybe as a designated spare man, with Blakey taking a more opponent-responsible role. I know that's not ideal for Blakey as it stops his run somewhat. But his run can also be stopped if he is tagged in defence, so using him as a key defender (against a side whose tall attacking options aren't any more impressive than ours) might circumvent that tag.

Paton isn’t up to it. His kicking was awful on return to the ressies too. Butcher.

In some good news, Dattoli will play a half in ressies this week, according to the injury update issued today.

[crackedactor 01]

Paton isn’t up to it. His kicking was awful on return to the ressies too. Butcher.

In some good news, Dattoli will play a half in ressies this week, according to the injury update issued today.

I was shocked when they extended Dattoli contract without him playing a game. Hope they know what they are doing?

[liz]

I was shocked when they extended Dattoli contract without him playing a game. Hope they know what they are doing?

I'm not sure that it was shocking. Top twenty picks now automatically get three years on their initial contracts, and he wasn't far off being a top 20 pick. A lot of clubs try to extend their draftees almost as soon as they join the club. I presume the reasoning is that it gives them a bit more stability and confidence to develop gradually. They would have seen something of his attitude towards training before he was extended, and they know what he's capable of because they've been tracking him for several years.

[imuninformedtwo]

I'm not sure that it was shocking. Top twenty picks now automatically get three years on their initial contracts, and he wasn't far off being a top 20 pick. A lot of clubs try to extend their draftees almost as soon as they join the club. I presume the reasoning is that it gives them a bit more stability and confidence to develop gradually. They would have seen something of his attitude towards training before he was extended, and they know what he's capable of because they've been tracking him for several years.

Plus, it’d be a dirt cheap base salary, with incentives. If he’s a dud, costs us bugger all. If he clicks, he gets his reward.

[Thunder Shaker]

I'm looking forward to seeing how well Dattoli goes in the VFL this weekend.

[dejavoodoo44]

Team for the match against Coburg, which takes place at 1.05pm on Saturday.

B: B. Leidler (32), T. Longmire (58), P. Snell (41)
HB: I. Kirk (31), B. Paton (25), A. Hanrahan (53)
C: M. Geddes (61), W. Green (45), M. Lloyd (51)
HF: N. Bowman (23), T. Hanily (40), J. Dattoli (18)
F: H. Podmore-Taylor (62), J. Kluske (47), J. Buller (39)
R: C. Mitchell (35), B. Edwards (50), J. Tidemann (64)
INT: C. MacDonald (63), J. Endemann (57), T. Hitchens (56), B. Laws (55), W. Smit (66)
23rd Player: H. Podmore-Taylor (62)
EMG: P. Roseby (54), C. Este (65), C. McClennan (67)

IN: J. Dattoli, A. Hanrahan, C. Mitchell, H. Podmore-Taylor
OUT: T. Adams, H. McLean, C. Mills (AFL), L. Hunter (unavailable)

[bandwagon]

Anybody else watching this? QTR time Sydney up 4.2 v 2.4, but with the benefit of strong breeze.
Astonishing goal to Endemann - easily 80m.

[Dow]

What a goal they was - wind kept us in front and I am scared for the next quarter lol - Discipline still a issue - Bowman working hard ret are sos so

[dejavoodoo44]

In front 26-16 at quarter time, but we had the wind advantage. Which was emphasised by Endemann attempting to barrel the ball into a vacant area of the forward fifty, but instead kicking a 90m goal. Mitchell has been playing on the half back flank and has looked pretty good. I don't think that Dattoli has been on yet.

[bandwagon]

Coburg used the wind much better than we did, and now lead 6.10 v 5.5
I've kept an eye on a few of the senior listed players:
- Buller has a high work rate and competes and marks well, but his kick is a bit hit or miss (2.4 so far)
- Paton 21 disposals for the half without really standing out. Perhaps I'm biased against him
- Mitchell has played wing and defence, has looked composed and competes hard
- Leidler, first time I have really noticed him this season. Looks confident and keeps the ball moving. Something to work with.

[dejavoodoo44]

Now behind 35-46 after Coburg kicked a couple of late goals. Buller has been good, but has struggled a little with his set shots in the blustery wind. Edwards has been energetic around the ball. Kirk has been playing more as inside mid, which I think suits him a bit more. Dattoli has had a few minutes, but obviously too early to make any judgements.

[bandwagon]

Very disappointing quarter, Coburg extended their lead 8.16 v 7.9. They used forward handball chains through the middle which we were unable to defend, and our delivery into F50 was mediocre.
Still, the commentary by Gemma Bastiani was excellent.

[dejavoodoo44]

Bit disappointing that Coburg were able to slightly increase their lead, despite kicking into the breeze. Generally they looked like they've played as a team a lot more. Which is probably true. I didn't see Bowman that quarter, so I assume that he's been held over as the AFL emergency. Which is good for his confidence, but not so good for the VFL side, as it leaves Buller with even more to do.

[bandwagon]

Got to be thankful Coburg didn't kick straight 11.23 v 8.9, they completely out played us in the second half.
Anyhow here are my glass half full opinions on some players:
- Paton stayed busy throughout, went into the centre in the last Q and was more impactful
- Mitchell also worked hard, used his long kicking but not always successfully
- Buller competed well in the first half, soundly beaten in the second, though delivery was awful
- Dattoli had 11 disposals in a half. There wasn't much happening around goal, but won some nice clearances using his pace and elusiveness
- Green - last time I saw him he was very disappointing. This time he was ok.. So that is a positive?
The rest were good in parts, but unlikely they will use this in their highlights reel

[dejavoodoo44]

As has been the case for a while, the game became tougher to watch in the second half. I think the main reason for that, is that it's a very unsettled squad, with players coming in and out: many of them VFL listed players, whose disposal skills are usually not as good as AFL listed players. So, that affects the ability to move the ball efficiently, which during the match, sees confidence levels decrease and frustration levels increase.

I thought Mitchell was probably our best today. He now plays mainly as a defensive flanker, and I think that suits him. He applies good pressure, generally moves the ball quickly and usually hits a target. Edwards got plenty of it in the middle. As did Paton, who had more midfield time than usual. Buller battled hard up forward, but he generally doesn't get good service and he almost certainly would benefit from having another genuine marking target or two, sharing the forward line with him.

Dattoli did a few good things in his first game, but looked a bit short of a run. All our other AFL listed players did decent things, but I wouldn't say any increased their chances of being promoted.