Round 1 vs Adelaide Cows

[Captain]

Very impressed with Brand. I think he looks to be a good long term replacement for Grundy. Strong marking.

Heeney stepped up as he needed to.

Very impressed with Naismith. He made a massive difference and really helps JPK and Parker.

Good to see Rowbottom and Florent get a run through the middle. Would de nice to put Dawson on a wing as well.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Dawson is a dilemma isn’t he.

Do you play him in defence because he’s got the foot skills to cut through a press and we don’t have a lot of that, or on a wing to deliver the ball into f50.

I can see what the coaches are wrestling with.

[KSAS]

Hope Nick Blakey is not going to suffer the dreaded 2nd year blues and that the coaching staff can address whatever is behind his below par performances, which was noticeable from the Marsh series.

[O'Reilly Boy]

Two observations:

1) Having a proper ruck was fantastic. Not only was he getting his hands on the ball, but he was setting up shepherds and blocks in the centre, which was creating quick release avenues for Kennedy and Parker, delivering balls to outside runners. And Naismith was not terrible around the ground. Nice hands.

2) Omitting Hewitt allowed for a better mid mix. Perhaps this is a shift in policy: only two out of Parker, Kennedy, Hewitt in any selection, allowing for McInerney, Rowbottom, and Florent to rotate through the middle more.

[aguy]

I suspect hewetts omission had more to do wirh new baby

[liz]

I suspect hewetts omission had more to do wirh new baby

Indirectly, it absolutely did. (And possibly directly.)

Longmire was asked about Hewett in his press conference and made it clear that he’s a very important player and will be back as soon as he is ready. He noted that Hewett has missed quite a bit of training recently.

[Ralph Dawg]

Two observations:

1) Having a proper ruck was fantastic. Not only was he getting his hands on the ball, but he was setting up shepherds and blocks in the centre, which was creating quick release avenues for Kennedy and Parker, delivering balls to outside runners. And Naismith was not terrible around the ground. Nice hands.

2) Omitting Hewitt allowed for a better mid mix. Perhaps this is a shift in policy: only two out of Parker, Kennedy, Hewitt in any selection, allowing for McInerney, Rowbottom, and Florent to rotate through the middle more.

I agree with both points. I have been a vocal sceptic re the difference Sam would make and also a critic of his around the ground worth. Based on yesterday's game, it looks like he might prove me wrong and I'm certainly happy for this to happen.

Re Hewitt, I do suspect he wasn't playing due to family reasons. However, our midfield looked alot zipper. Perhaps on his return, he can play the lockdown role in forward 50, which he had done successfully previously. He's pretty strong overhead and a good shot on goal too.

[Wardy]

Great win!

I don't know that they should be playing, but it's given me and Stella Jr a sense of normality and happiness in all this weirdness this weekend.

Stell!!!! How old is Stell jnr now?? I feel I’ve known of him long enough that he should be now in long pants!! ????????

[Auntie.Gerald]

Thought Mills and AA looked very rusty

Mills kicking 2 low pressure exists straight into man on the mark and took out AA twice in the contest very clumsy

But they will come back into form no doubt

I thought our forward line and midfield were really good in the rotation of players which was super pleasing.

JM 2nd game was vey good against a midfield that has some very experienced players

Parks, Heeney, Cunningham and Ollie very strong

[Markwebbos]

I was pleased to see Papley was most enthusiastic in the song celebrations! Gives indication he's definitely committed this year (and won't let his circumstances affect his form as it appeared at the back end last year). Also gives hope he may yet re-committ at season's end.

Isn't he already committed?

[Kumarangk]

Thought Mills and AA looked very rusty

Mills kicking 2 low pressure exists straight into man on the mark and took out AA twice in the contest very clumsy

But they will come back into form no doubt

I thought our forward line and midfield were really good in the rotation of players which was super pleasing.

JM 2nd game was vey good against a midfield that has some very experienced players

Parks, Heeney, Cunningham and Ollie very strong

Still believe Mills for a lot of posters here is a protected spices. Just my opinion but do some people here like the way he looks when doing things rather than the result of his possessions ?

[KSAS]

Isn't he already committed?

Even though Papley is contracted for another 3 years, I'm hoping he won't request to be traded again at season's end and honour (recommit to) his existing contract.

[stevoswan]

Wrong thread......

[AnnieH]

WHOOO HOOOOOO
We finished in the 8.
All you horse bashers... got anything to say?

As to the game, these kids have got to learn to play four full quarters. We were very lucky that tex walker is @@@@ at kicking goals these days.

[bloodspirit]

Even though in some ways it seemed silly to start the season and then only play one game, I'm so glad we did. Made my day! Gave me a great lift.

It helped that we won. But just as exciting was the fact that we smashed the opposition out of the centre. It's been a long while since we've been able to say that. And that was without one of our frontline midfielders and thanks in fair part to the young talent (Ollie, Rowie, even McInerney) as well as the strong showings from our champions (JPK, Parker, but Rampe not so much).

All the conjecture about Naismith, and whether he would make a difference has its answer. Albeit it was only one game and his longevity remains to be seen. Bring on Round 2! I wonder what chance there is that it will happen? Fingers crossed.