The positives thread

[liz]

Sure, we got done by 39 points. But surely we can get to at least page 2 of a thread like this just focussing on the good stuff? Can't we?

To kick off...

1 Barry Hall. Made something out of almost every chance that came his way. Played like he had super glue on his hands - best I've seen him mark at night time for a fair while. But it wasn't just that his hands were secure. He attacked contests with a renewed vigour, winning some contests he looked well out of position for. Sure, it was only against Harry Taylor, not Matty Scarlett, but still as dominant a forward performance as you can get with so little quality ball coming your way.

2 Craig Bird. If nothing else comes of this season, even if we bomb out over the next fortnight and miss the finals altogether, this season will have been worth it for the pleasure of watching this lad blossom and grow. Still needs to find more of it, get fitter, stronger, etc etc but the way his confidence, vision and skills have improved as the season has progressed has been a delight. The goal he kicked tonight was evidence of this. 15 weeks ago he wouldn't have had the confidence. Tonight he knew exactly what he was trying to do, wasn't over-awed by the nearby presence of Hall demanding the ball, and had the skills to execute it too.

Next...

[swantastic]

Monty's return was pretty good.

[Goal Sneak]

The biggest positive IMO was that we tried to play a more exciting brand of footy. We played on much more than we usually would have in the past. This is exactly what I was hoping Roos would try and encourage and it looked like he actually saw that the old game plan was not cutting it against the top sides.

Apart from the points already mentioned, Malceski got another game under his belt and hopefully put an end to the "his season is over" rumors. It's one less game before Mick O'Loughlin comes back, Fosdike's tat makes him look tougher and Tadhg's arm only popped out once.

[mcs]

Bird is going to be an absolute gun imo. He has all the ingredients imo to be a fantastic player for the club for a very long time.
Hall also looked much better then he has been going. Marked it very well, and even though he had a first year player on him did a lot of good things.
It might sound funny but the other positive I took was that maybe just maybe finally it has stuck in the minds of the coaching staff that we need to adapt our gameplan and change how we plan. It probably will be a hindrance in the short term (Ie look at how many handballs were dreadful and missed targets etc), but I thought I saw it a bit against the Dogs and definetly saw it against the cats, we tried where we could to move the ball quick and play in a different way. If it continues and more importantly is how we try to start playing more often, then longer term I think its a big positive.

[tasswan]

Mal, Mattner and Kenelley all played.

I thought all the players really gave there all, yes we made some stupid errors but gee they tried hard, a good example of this was Mattner, made many mistakes but gave everything he had.

Bird was very good as was J bolton, Kirk, Hall and Crouch

[Swansinger]

1.We got three points closer than last time :-)

2.We got to see G.Ablett play - probably the best (or at least , most eye-catching) performance by an opposition player in Sydney since Matthew Richardson kicked 7 at the SCG in the wet a few years ago.

3.Confirmation that Spider is clogging our list and has to go at season's end - or sooner.

Agree about Bazza - best performance in a long while.

[hot potato]

Bird's lightning sidestep on the Eastern flank right on the boundary to then drive the ball long into the goalsquare was GaryAblettesque and better.....

[satchmopugdog]

Bird's lightning sidestep on the Eastern flank right on the boundary to then drive the ball long into the goalsquare was GaryAblettesque and better.....

That's what I like to hear...go you good thing Birdy.

[AlexC]

I saw Barry Hall's first half, then switched it to something else when it was like 100-57, can anyone tell me did add to his goals or keep his form going at least in the 2nd half?

[Primmy]

Barry's marking technique has shifted. I noted it, and when I asked my mob they had also noted independently he is bending his arms up like a big shovel, and allowing the ball to fall into it, and turning his body to prevent spoiling. Works for him, works for me.

Another good thing is that the boys did not hang their heads.
Other teams have lost to Geelong by far greater margins.
Bevan played a game of guts and determination, we've got a keeper here.
Birdy makes first year mistakes, and he will improve as time goes on. Rememer when Kirky couldn't even get a game? But the prospects are good. Tough little unit.
Our kicking for goal has improved a bit.

On the negative side, what's with the handballs. Our mob is making a new rule, three handballs, then kick the silly thing.

LRT made some shockers, and he had some great moments. A new Leo down back do we think? Horrid and Hero?
And just think of the future. All those kiddies to be tried and tested yet to come.
We got to see Geelong without having to shell out for air fares.

My Pollyanna moment has run it course.

[dimelb]

Hall was good all night.
Several players had ordinary games and you'd expect them to lift: Jolly, Richards come first to mind.

[NMWBloods]

- We've struggled to score goals and Geelong has one of the best defences in the competition, but we managed to score 14 goals which wasn't bad (nothwithstanding some extra benefits).

- Although Hall beat a first-year player, it may be very good for his confidence.

- Bird is looking like a top-line midfielder for us in the future.

- Bevan's defensive skills continue to get better and against better teams, and while offensively not great he is looking more solid and has more potential than Ablett at both aspects.

- Although not spectacular, a solid return from Fosdike.

- Some good run in the midfield from Buchanan.

- The team seems to have finally recognised that the stop-start-chip game is finished as the primary tactic.

[JudesaGun]

I thought Crouch gave us fantastic run all night and was a key to our more attacking style of play.

[TheGrimReaper]

-Barry Hall was a real positive I thought. Imagine, if he had played right throughout the season? He could have easily kicked 70 plus goals for us.
-The continued good form of Martin Mattner, he has been a real good pick up for us this year.
-Amon Buchanan's return after a 4 week break.
-And I thought Jude Bolton has defied his critics again after last nights performance. He has been great this season, and should continue on from it, in the next two or three seasons hopefully.

[hammo]

-And I thought Jude Bolton has defied his critics again after last nights performance. He has been great this season, and should continue on from it, in the next two or three seasons hopefully.

I don't think Jude has had any critics for a couple of months now and rightly so. He's the form player in the team.