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I'm thinking Amartey and Stoddart into the one's next week.....but then we are playing Freo and a seven foot two ruckman. Definitely Stoddart in.....keeps delivering week in, week out.
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Goal Kickers: H. Mclean 3, J. Amartey 2, D. Menzel 2, S. Thorne, J. Barling, R. Stoddart, Z. Foot, J. McVeigh, R. Fox, S. Wicks
Best Players: R. Stoddart, R. Clarke, D. Menzel, H. Mclean, R. Fox, J. AmarteyComment
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I can't help think that Clarke has been out of the seniors because of the night club issue. He played well enough to keep his spot. Has to be ahead of Jack and Ronke and would have been useful as a tagger against Carlton. Finally, Stoddart must get a run.Comment
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Well, after watching our season peter out against Carlton, it was nice to see our reserves put in their best performance for a while: though I suspect that Southport were a bit understrength. Pretty well everyone of our players were good and most of those pushing for promotion probably helped their cases. Stoddart had another very good game, in a defence that got better as the game went on. His game was nicely topped off by a late goal, from about 70 metres out. Of course, he was probably aiming for the marking targets at the top of the square, but hey, they missed it and he gets to brag about his 70 metre effort. Considering the underwhelming performance of some of our forwards against Carlton, Menzel probably did enough for a recall: 2 goals and 22 possessions, ranging much further up the ground than last week. Clarke was probably best on ground overall, and possibly Fox was best in the second half? McVeigh did enough to prove his fitness, playing most of the game and looking pretty sharp. Amartey did well. He spent more time in the ruck than usual, took a few strong marks and kicked a couple of goals. Though he was possibly starting to tire in the final quarter? Thurlow and Rose were handy, without really kicking the door down.
Of those not pushing for promotion, McLean continued his gradual improvement. He was the leading goalkicker with 3.3 and probably should have had another, but the umpire didn't pay a mark, that he seemed to grab on the second attempt, about ten metres out and straight in front. Considering that he didn't spend the preseason with us and then spent much of the first half of the season injured, he may now be getting close to earning a contract for next year. Wicks was also good up forward, although he spent a fair bit of time in midfield. At the other end of the ground, I thought that all of our defence performed really well in the second half. Along with the previously mentioned Stoddart, young McKellar was very good. As the year has progressed, he has looked stronger, fitter and increasingly at home at NEAFL level: so I guess he must be pushing for a future rookie listing. Also looking comfortable at NEAFL level was Sam Thorne. He probably helped his chances of being taken late in the draft or as a rookie.
Pretty well everyone else did good stuff. An allround pleasing performance, that got better as the game went on.Comment
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Best Players looks to be lining up at least three changes next week, Clarke continues to rack up big numbers and proved a very good tagger in the seniors, could have done with him today. Stoddart, get them in while they're hot, not like they botched late 2017 with Dawson. Menzel, well he has to give us more than Ronke or KJ.
Still want anyone to ruck rather than Aliir who is needed down back.Comment
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Yes, their all pushing for selection, as well as a couple of others. Though it's a bit of a challenge where to fit them. With Menzel, I think him and Hayward are similar players, and since Hayward now officially has the yips, then Menzel could easily come in for him. Then, as it's likely that Ronke and Jack may be demoted, then there's a couple of spots to be filled. Since McVeigh was mainly playing forward, then he might come in for one of them. Which leaves Stoddart. As the person that has done the most to command selection, then he should be promoted. One possibility is that Ronke goes out, Cunningham goes forward and Stoddart slots in down back. After that, I'm not sure who goes out, if we want to fit in Clarke or Amartey?Comment
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I thought Clarke was good enough to get another shot in the seniors, but I would put Fox ahead of Clarke. He uses the ball better and is more damaging when he has the ball. He has a good a game awareness and is one of the leaders on the ground.
I have a good feeling about Sam Wicks. He's a really solid player who can have an impact in several positions.
Amartey kicked a great goal at the 3rd qtr siren. He would probably find AFL level challenging, but less so than Knoll, who also wasn't too bad.
I also thought Thorne had the composure of a more senior player.
Amartey, Stoddart, Fox and Clarke all in the selection mix this week.Comment
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With an eye to the seniors, I look forward to the tackle count for Menzel.
With most predictions for the removal of all (or most) of the small forwards in Ronke, Haywood and Jack, any replacement needs to bring forward pressure - something Menzel didn't apparently have in his Geelong era.Comment
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Ronke also 2 tackles, with 9 disposals and zero marksComment
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