VFL Games 2026

[dejavoodoo44]

Good effort to get back in front, after St Kilda looked like running away with it in the first part of that quarter. Our fortunes seemed to largely depend on what Ladhams was doing in the ruck. When St Kilda was on top, if he got his hands on the ball, he was largely tapping it or handballing it to St Kilda players. When we were on top, he sometimes got it to one of our players. Hamling did well to keep us in it. Ryan is still having a big game.

[Dow]

How Ladhams isn't in the 1s is a crime

[UUaswan]

How Ladhams isn't in the 1s is a crime

There aren't 12 Rucks in the AFL better than him, no idea why he signed on, clearly no interest

[Dow]

Exciting game, buggar we lost

[dejavoodoo44]

How Ladhams isn't in the 1s is a crime

I have quite the opposite view. I think the main reason why we got beaten convincingly in the clearances today, was the number of times that Ladhams tapped the ball directly to the advantage of St Kilda. The commentators also went on about him getting ten clearances, but I think almost every one of those was either a handball or kick directly to an opponent. Did some handy things in open play, though.

[UUaswan]

I have quite the opposite view. I think the main reason why we got beaten convincingly in the clearances today, was the number of times that Ladhams tapped the ball directly to the advantage of St Kilda. The commentators also went on about him getting ten clearances, but I think almost every one of those was either a handball or kick directly to an opponent. Did some handy things in open play, though.

But in contrast to who is keeping him out, does Mclean even Ruck in the 2s ?

[dejavoodoo44]

But in contrast to who is keeping him out, does Mclean even Ruck in the 2s ?

Well, because we've been playing one ruck and a chop out, Grundy is keeping him out.

[crackedactor 01]

Ladhams was BOG again. Maybe its time to give Amartey or Mcclean a rest next week and try Ladhams as 2nd ruck/Forward. Dattoli, Bowman and Snell were all just fair today and generally disappointing. Tom Ryan's 5 goals was a surprise.

[lwjoyner]

problem with pete is that he is just a ruck cant really play fwd. if someone needs resting, dropping its amartey he definetly cant ruck whereas Hayedn can and is a better/more reliable kcik for goal.

[UUaswan]

problem with pete is that he is just a ruck cant really play fwd. if someone needs resting, dropping its amartey he definetly cant ruck whereas Hayedn can and is a better/more reliable kcik for goal.

Freo and Hawks 2nd ruck is less than 50% game time

Its a specific role, Ruck Relief

[BRS328]

problem with pete is that he is just a ruck cant really play fwd. if someone needs resting, dropping its amartey he definetly cant ruck whereas Hayedn can and is a better/more reliable kcik for goal.

I respectfully disagree with you. Hayden struggles in the ruck because of his lack of height against genuine ruckmen. I have never doubted his competitiveness but I feel Ladhams is is way ahead when it comes to the ruck.
The reason Armartey is preferred as a forward is because he has the ability to apply pressure when the ball hits the ground, which has been mentioned by Cox numerous times.

[dejavoodoo44]

The team for tomorrow's match against Southport, which takes place at Sharks at 10am. We lose a fair bit of experience with Cunningham and Hamling covering AFL injuries and Warner being the travelling emergency. However, we do regain the very experienced Adams, who returns after a long injury break. Hopefully he can improve our clearances. At the other end of the scale, we're giving games to a couple of current academy players, who didn’t quite make the Allies squad: Clifton and Norris. Clifton is a mobile ruck, who was impressive in his overage season. In a couple of games, I would have awarded him BOG. While Norris is a tough defender, who isn't quite tall enough to be drafted as a KPD.

And on academy players, Southport have two of them, Christian Webster and Noah Casalini.

They also have injury problems, with the most notable being Crossley, who for the last few seasons, has been one the best ruckmen in the VFL. They don't seem to have a genuine ruckman, so Ladhams should get plenty of it. Hopefully he can use it to our advantage.

B: B. Laws (55), P. Snell (41), K. Gibbs (70)
HB: A. Norris (46), N. Bowman (23), N. Shipley (52)
C: J. Tidemann (57), B. Cootee (25), J. Sutton (54)
HF: J. Phillipou (18), J. Dattoli (9), C. Peters (53)
F: T. Ryan (64), M. Mellis (50), J. Longmire (56)
R: P. Ladhams (19), T. Adams (3), J. Harrison (65)
INT: A. Curry (68), J. O'Loughlin (60), H. Cameron (69), K. Harbour (66), O. Clifton (72)
23rd Player: J. O'Loughlin (60)
EMG: N. Andreacchio (67), J. Callegari (59), O. Davis (63)

IN: T. Adams, O. Clifton, A. Curry, B. Laws, J. Longmire, A. Norris
OUT: H. Cunningham, J. Hamling, C. Warner (AFL), T. Hanily (concussion), M. Geddes, H. Podmore-Taylor (omitted)
NEW: Oscar Clifton, 18, 198cm, Sydney Swans Academy/UNSW-ES Bulldogs; Alex Norris, 17, 188cm, Sydney Swans Academy/UNSW-ES Bulldogs

[bandwagon]

Oh dear - looks like Adams has done his hamstring again. While he wasn't likely to feature much in the firsts, this is really tragic for him.

[dejavoodoo44]

Oh dear - looks like Adams has done his hamstring again. While he wasn't likely to feature much in the firsts, this is really tragic for him.

Yes, it's not what you want to see.

I thought we did well in that quarter to get back momentum, after Southport started quickly. Defence is going well, led by Snell and Shipley. Dattoli is showing his class playing forward. While the contribution of O'Loughlin is intriguing.

[bandwagon]

Q1 2.2 v 3.4
Southport scored twice in the first 5 minutes, but after that we looked pretty much in control. Good effort from some of our VFL players - Shipley, O'loughlin, and a really good quarter for Dattoli