Round 1 Match Day Thread. Sydney V Collingwood SCG.

[liz]

Lloyd gets to play the absolute perfect role for him. In a midfield alongside Parker, Hannebery, Kennedy, Jack, Mitchell (and even Heeney and soon Mills) he's not going to be high on the opposition's priority list to assign someone to him to stop. He's pretty small, he's not overly quick and his skills are good enough without being eye-catching. So he's allowed to do his thing, use his main weapons (his endurance and knowledge of where to run) to become that important link player for Sydney.

He was very good last night. But he had a few mates. It's pretty hard to pick someone who didn't make an impact. Even those less showy still made valuable contributions - the likes of Towers and Cunningham. I don't think it would have been too comfortable a night, in some ways, for McVeigh, Reid, Rohan, McGlynn and Ted. It is just one game, though, and we'll meet stiffer challenges. Reid and McVeigh will come back into the side as soon as they're ready - with no injuries, for Robinson and someone unlucky. The coaches have the luxury, for another week or two, or giving McGlynn and Richards sufficient time in the reserves to really build some fitness, and to earn their spots. Who'd have thought that even 24 hours ago.

[bloodspirit]

I enjoyed that match more than any match we have played in a year! Next best was probably v Adelaide at the SCG last year (and that includes beating Hawthorn).

Neilfws, think you're on to something pointing out the possible influence of Kirky on Papley especially. Papley was simply wonderful and an answer to my/our prayers for a small crumbing forward to go with our strong KPF stocks. Hewett was brilliant, even if he faded slightly towards the end. Was simply so exciting to have such a wonderful and satisfying result against dastardly Pies. Even more so given that we had such a young side.

I have shared Ludwig's faith and hope for our younger generation and so not totally surprised. That said, it was only one round and the Pies didn't cover themselves in glory. I think it was not just that we were great (which we were) but they also let themselves down and we can't expect it to go like that every week. I am not locking us in top 4 just yet.

Parker magnificent. Possibly Lloyd's best game yet. Mitchell excellent. Jack very solid.

Glad people saw positive's in Talia's performance. I didn't watch him closely and was worried that maybe he didn't do enough so am happy to hear that people watching more closely than I saw stuff to be pleased about.

Robbo, I think, will be first omitted from this team, sadly for him.

On another note: how many players did we have playing who were originally rookies? With Robbo and Papley in there, it might have been even more than usual.

[liz]

Smith, Grundy, Jack, Lloyd, Rampe, Robinson, Papley. Cunningham, Laidler (on Geelong's list). Pretty normal for Sydney in recent seasons. Remember we were one down with Pyke retired.

[Danzar]

Guess this will really annoy you Pies play 11 of next 13 at the MCG

@@@@, that many??

[Primmy]

Yes, I have had those thoughts too. Kirkyesque written all over it. Haven't seen synergy like that in far too long. And the trust shown in each other. Deeply satisfying for first game of season.
Will I relax now? Nup.

[Ludwig]

Just a few additional comments:

Talia played a very solid game. I feel very confident that he'll succeed Ted in our backline.

The variety of players we had going forward allowed others, like Towers, to find himself in the packs all over the ground. It wasn't his usual role, yet he popped up to kick a nice goal as well.

And fittingly that goal came as a result of one of many telling disposals from George Hewett. I always felt he was going to be a very good player. Now I think he will join the elite young midfielders we have along with Mills and Heeney. What I always liked about George is that he has no apparent weaknesses. He does all the basics very well, marking, kicking, tackling, and he's a good decision maker too. He sees the game well and finds the open man.

Even a big Jake Lloyd fan like myself was surprised at how well he played. There's something different about how he's running this year. He's shortened his gate a bit which has given him a quicker first couple of steps. Maybe its the new shoes. And he can kick on his left side as well, something I didn't see much of last year. I also noted a nice left footer from Mills and JPK as well.

And wolfie, thankfully the boys didn't follow Horse's worn out predictable game plan and just decided to go out there and do their own thing.

Collingwood were probably off their game yesterday after hearing that Eddie McGuire tested positive for hemorrhoids.

[Levii3]

Dockers playings the game i feared we might play yesterday

[Scottee]

Lloyd gets to play the absolute perfect role for him. In a midfield alongside Parker, Hannebery, Kennedy, Jack, Mitchell (and even Heeney and soon Mills) he's not going to be high on the opposition's priority list to assign someone to him to stop. He's pretty small, he's not overly quick and his skills are good enough without being eye-catching. So he's allowed to do his thing, use his main weapons (his endurance and knowledge of where to run) to become that important link player for Sydney.

He was very good last night. But he had a few mates. It's pretty hard to pick someone who didn't make an impact. Even those less showy still made valuable contributions - the likes of Towers and Cunningham. I don't think it would have been too comfortable a night, in some ways, for McVeigh, Reid, Rohan, McGlynn and Ted. It is just one game, though, and we'll meet stiffer challenges. Reid and McVeigh will come back into the side as soon as they're ready - with no injuries, for Robinson and someone unlucky. The coaches have the luxury, for another week or two, or giving McGlynn and Richards sufficient time in the reserves to really build some fitness, and to earn their spots. Who'd have thought that even 24 hours ago.

Lloyd was easily BOG in the first half and I thought his sweeper role in the back line was a clever move. He is really well equipped to set up play from down back. It is perhaps interesting that he is aproaching that 50 game mark when many players move to another level. Really good to see.

[Doctor]

Other than kicking for goal, it was almost a complete performance. Sure a few kicks missed their targets, but you're not going to hit every single one. Our pressure was outstanding and we seem to have adjusted to the new rules well and quickly, which is unusual for us! We also played like the weight of injuries, illness and controversy has been lifted from our shoulders. It has to count for something. Papley may be the small forward we've lacked, but lets give him time and not put too much pressure on him. He's bound to start attracting more defensive attention pretty quickly.

[Dosser]

If anyone is wondering how they can make this good feeling last even longer, may i suggest a read of the Collingwood gameday thread on bigfooty? Perhaps the most poignant moment was when someone asked who they should choose with the number 1 draft pick this year when they were reminded that they have already traded their first pick to GWS!

[Meg]

Perhaps the most poignant moment was when someone asked who they should choose with the number 1 draft pick this year when they were reminded that they have already traded their first pick to GWS!

Oh I laughed, that's great! Yes the new draft system allowing clubs to trade future years picks is going to lead to some regrets with hindsight.

[dejavoodoo44]

Well, I laughed: until I realised that there was a chance that GWS might end up with another very high draft pick. I was going to say another number one pick, but I think that Essendon might have that sewn up.
Which is sort of interesting? Does Essendon really deserve to get a number one pick, when most of their best players will be coming back next year, rested and rearing to go?

[Meg]

Yes, I certainly am not laughing that it is GWS getting the benefit of Collingwood's sorrow.

[dejavoodoo44]

Yes, I certainly am not laughing that it is GWS getting the benefit of Collingwood's sorrow.

But hey, do feel free to chuckle away at Collingwood's sorrow.

[barry]

To eddie: chins up.

To swans fans: Are we a better team without mcveigh?