Round 1 vs Adelaide Cows

[neilfws]

Strange times.

I enjoyed the game. I thought Richmond v Carlton minus crowd was dreadful, but it didn't bother me as much this game. Maybe it took a game to get used to it, maybe I cared less because I was more focused on the players when it was my own team? It is interesting to hear the yelling and banter, like being boundary-side at a quiet game.

I thought there was a lot to like: Naismith looked good, Heeney on form, new boys going OK and getting into it. Good physical, committed stuff. Some times I think I see flashes of Jude Bolton when Cunningham gets moving, is it just me?
Heart attack finish that went our way for once!
Always a bit of rustiness in the early games. Would like to have seen Dawson go better after his great season last year, let's hope that comes around again.

So that could be it for the year, realistically. But who knows, still a chance for a June restart if control measures get those numbers down enough. Just have to see where it all goes.

[Auntie.Gerald]

How did everyone see our defence, attack, skills, game plan flexibility vs other teams on the weekend?

It was lovely to see our team hang on and get the win.

Adelaide didnt kick very well at goal last qtr thank goodness.

Relativity for me was the Hawks playing the no2 team from 2019:
Hawks who no one on this site appears to rate completely man handled Brisbane Lions yest..........
Brisbane who came 2nd last year and Brisbane who had double the amount of wins as us in 2019 ie 16 wins vs 8 wins were not only out played, but also out executed and out coached significantly by Clarkson and his team !!!!

[liz]

Adelaide didnt kick very well at goal last qtr thank goodness.

They kicked 2.3. We kicked 0.4.

[707]

They kicked 2.3. We kicked 0.4.

On The Couch tonight Gerard had an interesting stat. First three quarters we played on after a mark 33% of the time, 0% in the last quarter.

[liz]

On The Couch tonight Gerard had an interesting stat. First three quarters we played on after a mark 33% of the time, 0% in the last quarter.

Not sure if they went defensive or were just out on their feet. Or maybe they went defensive because they were out on their feet. Not quite sure why they should have been especially tired, given the shortened games and extended breaks. But they looked it.

[Auntie.Gerald]

They kicked 2.3. We kicked 0.4.

Thanks Liz
My suggestion was they had a few easy ones they missed and ours were a bit tougher

[liz]

Thanks Liz
My suggestion was they had a few easy ones they missed and ours were a bit tougher

I'll have to go back and watch the game again (something I have plenty of opportunity to do for the next two months, at least).

But off the top of my head, one of our misses was Heeney - a set shot many degrees easier than some of those he kicked. And at least one of the Crows' misses was that very long range shot from Walker at the death, something only a handful of players in the comp would even attempt, and most of those wouldn't have a high conversion rate from there.

[barry]

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.

Typical Tex walker to attempt a shot from 60m rather than look for a pass, so he can cover himself with glory.

Was a great game, and makes the future look bright.
Shut up a few Naismith doubters too. If he played last year we'd be back in the 8.

[TheBloods]

Only just managed to catch the game after a very busy few days.

As expected, some good take aways, some not so. This will be the new normal for the next few years as we navigate the unpredictable waters of a rebuild.

- Sam 'Crayfish' Naismith was ELECTRIC. That was a dominant tap performance that would've featured heavily in the footy shows this week were there not much bigger issues at play. So glad for him.

- His tap work appeared to reenergise Kennedy and Parker, who looked not unlike their 2016 selves. 25 and 30 possession games in a shortened format is akin to 30 and 35 in a regular match. Dominance. They were immovable forces all match.

- The new faces in our midfield Florent and Rowbottom really impressed with some exceptional clearance work. Florent especially was on fire in the second quarter. Quite encouraging signs for the future, with Hewett also still to return.

- The mosquito fleet inside 50 lived up to their billing. Papley, Gray and Ronke were frenetic. So pleasing to see our forwards making the opposition defenders sweat, and not the other way round for once.

- I was encouraged by the endeavour to play a faster, more direct style of footy. It didn't always come off, and there are a number of reasons why, but for most of the day we did look too quick and too clean for the Crows.

[stevoswan]

Yes, there were lots of positives in the win over the Crows as aptly highlighted in the article below:

Positives in Round 1 performance

[bloodspirit]

Coaches' votes are in:

10 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
7 Luke Parker (SYD)
5 Josh Kennedy (SYD)
3 Oliver Florent (SYD)
2 Dane Rampe (SYD)
2 Rory Laird (ADEL)
1 Wayne Milera (ADEL)

Incidentally, I note that both Zak Jones and Hanners polled votes for the Saints in their match, despite losing. Zak polled the most of any Saint (6) and equal second best afield.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/390188/aflca-votes-r1-dominant-pie-misses-out-on-perfect-10

[MattW]

Coaches' votes are in:

10 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
7 Luke Parker (SYD)
5 Josh Kennedy (SYD)
3 Oliver Florent (SYD)
2 Dane Rampe (SYD)
2 Rory Laird (ADEL)
1 Wayne Milera (ADEL)

Incidentally, I note that both Zak Jones and Hanners polled votes for the Saints in their match, despite losing. Zak polled the most of any Saint (6) and equal second best afield.

AFLCA votes, R1: Dominant Pie misses out on perfect 10

Yes, although with Jones, on the stats alone, the known issues present:
- 59% disposal efficiency
- 4 turnovers
- 0.3 kicking for goal.

[bloodspirit]

Based only on having watched the game the once, I'm a little surprised Rampe polled votes. I didn't really notice him. Can anyone else comment? What did he do well? How well did he do it? It's easier to appreciate some players' contributions when you are there live, in person. I think defenders in general can easily fall into this category, and even then you still need to be paying attention.

[TheBloods]

Based only on having watched the game the once, I'm a little surprised Rampe polled votes. I didn't really notice him. Can anyone else comment? What did he do well? How well did he do it? It's easier to appreciate some players' contributions when you are there live, in person. I think defenders in general can easily fall into this category, and even then you still need to be paying attention.

Rampe was neither here nor there. More of the 1v1 defending was left to Aliir & Brand, so had 10 possessions in a more attacking role. I am assuming there might’ve been more appreciation for his leadership in a young defensive group under strange circumstances. But it’s not good enough, yet another example of our club just phoning in these media duties. Only one vote less than Florent who ignited the victory for us. Sammy Naismith, along with Heeney, was the difference between the two teams. More than Florent, more than Parker, more than Kennedy, certainly more than Rampe, but doesn’t earn a single vote? It’s rubbish.

[dejavoodoo44]

Yes, although with Jones, on the stats alone, the known issues present:
- 59% disposal efficiency
- 4 turnovers
- 0.3 kicking for goal.

Yes, I watched a bit of that game, and while both he and Hanners got plenty of it, I wouldn't say that many of their possessions were clearly beneficial to the Saints. Certainly not enough to make me feel regretful that we let them go. Hanners looked fit, though.