I watched most of the game, though with a limited attention span at times, and I would agree with you on what I saw of Newman. Got caught out at least 2 times with indecision, made some horrible blunders by foot, created pressure on himself, didn't like what I saw from him. ( first time I've seen him though, not writing him off, but the papers having him in the best perplexed me) Can say positive things about nearly everyone else, whether consistently through the game or just in glimpses. Hewett is strong, Papley hard, Mills what a beautiful kick, Heeneys vision, buddy's unselfish play. Lots of positives.
This weeks NAB Challenge against Carlton
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That stood out to me also, he's s strong boy.Comment
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What has happened to Smith? I thought his form started to trail off towards the end of last year. He has been terrible. If he doesnt turn it around he will be in the reserves by the end of the year. Hope I'm wrong.
Watched Newman expecting to see this beautiful left foot. Like a few others here I though his disposal was rubbish. Strange so few actually seemed to notice.
Lloyd was really good last night. Can't understand why he gets so much sustained criticism.
Lots of orher positives last night. Hopefully, they can build on that. Great drafting last year. We seem to have found 2 or 3 really good prospects.Comment
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I personally believe our list has great potential, even for this season, but I must say, after what I've read here today, and considering post 2015 season hopes for a change in game plan, it is very disappointing to hear that it doesn't seem to have changed at all! That could go for skills and decision making as well. Sigh.......is the dreaded slide down the ladder a possibility, unless things markedly improve?Comment
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Went to Melb for the game and watched from the first deck on centre wing, perfect spot, and free entry - nice :-) My two bobs worth -
Sinclair looks a good pick up but gee he fumbles marks
Hewett has skills and a football brain, a certain starter IMO
Talia, not sure why he's getting negative opinions on here, did the job he had to, looks composed and has some pace, he's a KPD not a mid
Papley looks a likely type that we have been missing, doubt he's ready but will debut this year
Rose is lively but still a little way off
Lloyd, another I fail to understand the negatives, is a role player not a game changer who works hard and does the job, tick for me
Cunningham I'm unconvinced of but will be retained for his pace, needs to find more ball
JPK, just ticking over
Hanners made a couple of bad errors but then miraculously retrieved the situation. Want to watch them on the replay. BOG
Newman looks to be a likely type, generally better delivery than the rest of the team a couple of clangers excepted
Rampe OOF x 3 - WTF, get a haircut lad!
Not all doom but gee we need a good run with injuries this year.Comment
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For mine this NAB Challenge has been a success for one reason - TOM PAPLEY!!
We've had a bloke from the rookie list come in, take his chance and look every bit a senior footballer.
Plus we've seen Mills come in and look very much the finished product and Heeney looking great and Buddy fit and happy.
I'm assuming Ted will be OK but Reid and Jarad won't , so this my starting 22 against the scum
Smith Ted Laidler
Mills Reg Rampe
Heeney Mitchell Jack
Towers Buddy Parker
Papley Tippett Harry
Sinclair JPK Hanners
Hewett Rose Jones Talia
In reserve
Reid (inj) McVeigh (inj) Rohan (inj) BJ Robbo McGlynn
A decent side but I look at that and I still reckon we are a couple short on depth, it's why we need a Davis or Dawson to step up throughout the yearComment
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It's all about how potent we are once a number of the above types are in the side, particularly given how a number of sides around us have improved over summer and we haven't.
Prepare for a ladder slide if injuries continue at the current rate.Comment
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On reflection the coaches tried a few different strategies. The mids strategies were an abject failure. The second quarter strategy of moving the ball quickly and cutting off their attack worked very well and forced them into errors. That left Bud in Pagan's Paddock several times with a couple of smalls. Lovely to see smalls playing under our big blokes. Papley is going to be invaluable in that game plan.
In the third they tried something different, we probably will never know what it actually entailed or what the outcomes were to be other than goals of course because it was an abject failure. That happens. I thought we tried some hit up footy and played it really well in the last half of the last quarter. Our players can deliver it is just that with a @@@@ty game plan they lose enthusiasm and concentration. We still put far too much pressure on our defenders. We need to win far more clearances, especially centre clearances. But I still think the most pleasing thing was we didn't just bomb and we rarely handballed back for long periods like usual. We were getting the ball forward on most accasions and that bodes well. We also played some really exciting footy at times and when the players get used to the new set ups I thuink we will be ok.
It always helps to have a few people who know different styles. Francou is in that vein and Kirky has always been a quirky individual and would pull stuff out of the aether. Very left field. Makes it more interesting. I'm glad Horse has decided to change. It was looking as though our game plan would have been the same as the last two to three years.
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Rose is a far different player to Papley. Papley is your real small forward, crumbs, in packs getting ball out, kicks crumbing goals. Rose is a lead up forward who can crumb but isn't much for in and under. He is a very good mark. Quite different types.Comment
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I personally believe our list has great potential, even for this season, but I must say, after what I've read here today, and considering post 2015 season hopes for a change in game plan, it is very disappointing to hear that it doesn't seem to have changed at all! That could go for skills and decision making as well. Sigh.......is the dreaded slide down the ladder a possibility, unless things markedly improve?
I think they tried new things in this game. The second quarter we were running a Pagan's Paddock style set up. Bud was set up several times. We also took advantage of having a strong small forward in Papley and used him on several occasions in transition. Passing instead of bombing. Hewett and Parks both took advantage of good passing by making great leads. This was a set up we haven't seen before. Hewett changes the dynamic quite a bit. His beautiful delivery and ability to make space make him another dangerous option forward.
We tried things against Carlton. some worked, some didn't (third quarter and part of last). Our new midfield set ups didn't quite work but they will tweak them like last year and we will hold our own. So in the first two games it seemed a bit of same old same old but in the Carlton game we played far differently. We need to win far more clearances to take the pressure off the defence though.Comment
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It will certainly be an interesting selection week, I hope they both get a run.Comment
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