Match Day 2nd ELIMINATION FINAL Sydney v Essendon

[barry]

Awesome win, but it's a little concerning that Rohan had the 2nd least number of possessions on the ground, only beating bellchambers.

Cunningham had 19 possies.

Tough choice for selectors next week if they want to bring anyone in.

[Industrial Fan]

Team selection vindicated this afternoon.

We won't lose many games when Sinclair and Towers kick 6.

[Ludwig]

Callum Mills: was that a faultless game by him or what.

He is just so composed for a kid that age, hard to see him moving into the midfield any time soon

It's exactly for this reason that you want to have Mills in the midfield. He wins his own ball, makes great decisions and executes quickly and precisely. You want that kind of player to have the most opportunities to use the football. He will be a star wherever he plays. It's a question of where he can have the most impact.

[0918330512]

Awesome win, but it's a little concerning that Rohan had the 2nd least number of possessions on the ground, only beating bellchambers.

Not sure about that. He's reminding me of a much more athletic version of Derek Kickett for us. Might drift in and out of a game and not have too many disposals but the few disposals he does have can turn a game and they are often special. Except that Gaz at this point of his career he could still be anything.

[wolftone57]

Callum Mills: was that a faultless game by him or what.

Not faultless. I think you have forgotten that dreadful pass to Newman that was picked off.

[Wardy]

Rohan did alright - stats are deceiving - you can rack up 30 and 20 of them could be rubbish (ie One TMitchell springs to mind) Rohan applies pressure - and when he gets the ball he's spot on. Never under estimate the role he plays. He's certainly got us over the line a couple of times this year. Towers (who I've been known to lose my @@@@ over) finally "gets it" and Sinclair he's improved out of sight. We need to keep a lid on things and not get caught up in the hype - let's see what the next week brings.

[stellation]

Rohan did alright - stats are deceiving - you can rack up 30 and 20 of them could be rubbish (ie One TMitchell springs to mind) Rohan applies pressure - and when he gets the ball he's spot on. Never under estimate the role he plays. He's certainly got us over the line a couple of times this year. Towers (who I've been known to lose my @@@@ over) finally "gets it" and Sinclair he's improved out of sight. We need to keep a lid on things and not get caught up in the hype - let's see what the next week brings.

Absolutely, Wardy. I thought Gary was done for the game when he hobbled off (I think in the first), and he looked to be a little sore for the rest of the game. Sure 7 touches isn't much, but he pressured like crazy all game and he goaled when we needed someone to stand up and keep the scoreboard ticking over just to be 100% comfy. That pack mark and then kick to Buddy on the lead in the second was an absolute thing of beauty.

The area we ended up in (towards the back in the Churchill, right behind goals) was a mini Dean Towers "this bloke used to drive me nuts but look at him now!" fan club by the end of the game. It was a wonderful, positive atmosphere to be around (easy for fans to be cheery when your team dominates like that on a beautiful day).

[S.S. Bleeder]

Did anyone else see that handball by Papley to Buddy's advantage in the second quarter? Maybe it was the camera angle but it looked like it bent around the Essendon player.

[Billericay]

Did anyone else see that handball by Papley to Buddy's advantage in the second quarter? Maybe it was the camera angle but it looked like it bent around the Essendon player.

Didn't see that but did see Paps' flick, turn and handball to Towering in the 4th that was off the charts.

[O'Reilly Boy]

Rohan did alright - stats are deceiving - you can rack up 30 and 20 of them could be rubbish (ie One TMitchell springs to mind) Rohan applies pressure - and when he gets the ball he's spot on. Never under estimate the role he plays. He's certainly got us over the line a couple of times this year. Towers (who I've been known to lose my @@@@ over) finally "gets it" and Sinclair he's improved out of sight. We need to keep a lid on things and not get caught up in the hype - let's see what the next week brings.

Yes, I think the idea that circulates that 'Rohan drifts in and out of games' is very unfair. He plays a structure, sagging off to the fat side and pulling a man with him, opening up space. His closing speed means that he can, when necessary, quickly close down space and pressure ball carriers. Ditto for Towers, and Papley too, who spends a lot of time well off the ball in a pocket but is able to quickly cover ground to get to the drop or to a contest.

[O'Reilly Boy]

And Papley looked stuffed in the third quarter: he is so hard when he goes that he just gets battered, and he was standing blokes twice his size. We started calling him Tyrion Lannister as he hobbled, grimacing, from contest to contest, looking like every particle of his body was screaming. Had an ice pack as big as his head on his knee after the game. He's like a less angry Ben McGlynn.

[Ludwig]

I have to admit that I got my pre-game analysis all wrong. The 2 players I called nervous nellies stepped up big time early when the game was hot.

We actually did play only one ruckman with Sinclair playing as a full time forward and playing the game of his life. I didn't think he had it in him. Congratulations Sinkers. Keep up the good work.

Our coaching staff got things spot on and the players executed the game play to perfection. Towers also played a career best game, given the pressure of a final and his previous inability to perform in similar situations. His ruck work was superb.

If Towers and Sinclair can consistently play with that level of confidence my evaluation of our of team strength jumps to another level.

A special mention to Lloyd, Jones and Hewett, who all had excellent games. If you took any of them with a top 10 draft pick you'd be thinking you got your money's worth.

[barry]

Yes, I think the idea that circulates that 'Rohan drifts in and out of games' is very unfair. He plays a structure, sagging off to the fat side and pulling a man with him, opening up space. His closing speed means that he can, when necessary, quickly close down space and pressure ball carriers. Ditto for Towers, and Papley too, who spends a lot of time well off the ball in a pocket but is able to quickly cover ground to get to the drop or to a contest.

I agree he applied good pressure. 5 tackles I think. But pressure should be a given for a finals player.
He just need to get more of the ball.

[The Big Cat]

Not faultless. I think you have forgotten that dreadful pass to Newman that was picked off.

Wasn't that Heeney

[Blood Fever]

Wasn't that Heeney

Pretty sure it was Heeney and we dodged a bullet when they didn't capitalise. He can be a bit careless at times.