Round 3 Vs North Melbourne

[KSAS]

I sincerely hope that what you’ve said comes true because he is a uniquely talented player. Hits up, has amazing ability to sense an opportunity, reads the play well and taunts opposition players mercilessly.
Unfortunately such talents do not go unnoticed in Melbourne and I remember too well a similar scenario with Tom Mitchell.
It will be impossible for us to match some of the offers he will receive from clubs desperate for his services.
This is the reality of free agency. Developing talented juniors, recognising overlooked diamonds, then falling prey to robber barons. We’ve seen it all before and been guilty ourselves in the past.
Let’s enjoy him while we can support him and wish him well when he leaves.

Keep in mind Papley is contracted with us for another 2 years and is not a free agent. We can hold him to his contract even if he does request a trade (again) at season's end. This has been an unprecedented season with the impact of covid-19 & resulting financial hit across the competition, which may influence Papley to re-think his situation from 12 months ago.

[Ralph Dawg]

Keep in mind Papley is contracted with us for another 2 years and is not a free agent. We can hold him to his contract even if he does request a trade (again) at season's end. This has been an unprecedented season with the impact of covid-19 & resulting financial hit across the competition, which may influence Papley to re-think his situation from 12 months ago.

Here's hoping this plays out in a similar fashion to Ryan O'Keefe. From memory, he wanted to go to the Hawks but was on contract, trade couldn't be facilitated and he ended up staying with us until retirement, still playing great footy for most of the time.

[Kumarangk]

I have no doubt that Rowbottom will become a star. That was definitely his best game this season though. He's tracking just fine for a 19yo. Thought Aliir had a great game too.

I suspect Hayward may be outed for a week for the late swinging arm in that marking contest.

What was he thinking? This act will only ensure his gets extra niggling from the opposition
the next couple of games.He has plateaued as a player ATM.

[Kumarangk]

I have been reading a lot how people are frustrated with Hayward, McCartin and Blakey. I have also been frustrated but I stopped and thought that in the absence of Buddy and Reid, these young players have the best and second best defender on them each week. It's going to be a learning curve and we have to try and be patient.

Hopefully McCartin is ok. I don't think he will be playing next week especially with a 5 day break.

Good point.Mind you my frustrations center on Mills when he is under pressure and Reid's chalky body.

[bloodspirit]

Reflecting on this some more, I think we can be pretty satisfied with this win. North had been going really well. As Longmire pointed out (repeatedly) they were the number one pressure team in the comp to that point (albeit only 2 rounds spread months apart). Still a lot of players lifted and, I reckon, the coaches actually deserve a lot of credit for this win. More than the players playing out of their skin it was some smart decisions that helped us out:

* the decision to bring in McLean and relieve Heeney of being the key forward was a good one

* effectively shutting down North's key playmaker (Higgins) by sending Hewett to him worked a treat

* Fox justified his selection by having a decent game, as did the other players selected, including Gray and Hayward

* effectively reviewing the previous week's effort and getting the young players to lift their effort and consistency and win more one on one contests reflects well on the coaches, as well as the players

* I note that Shaw commended our performance and said we were setting up very well and intelligently around the stoppages - again credit has to go to Macca, Cox and Horse for this.

All that said, it was an effort North fans are entitled to be disappointed with. Although we had something to do with it, they didn't play to the level they had set in the preceding rounds (especially against GWS) and, while we played well, we weren't world beaters.

It's an interesting, unpredictable season, not just across the comp, but even with just the Swans.

[Auntie.Gerald]

It was a little bit vintage Bloods ie tag the toes off the opposition so they cant play their natural game

Oriordan, Fox, Hewett, Gray etc did their pesty best

When I start to see serious pressure more qtrs by any team i see a team that can beat anyone on their day

Anyone watched the hunt and the breakaway speed of the Gold coast yet ? holy @@@@ they are bringing the heat !!!!

I realise we cant apply 2nd qtr sydney swans GF vs Hawks 2012 pressure every week......... but we have to hunt in numbers where teams like to kick to like the Tigers have done successfully in recent years and us previous years......

from this pressure we can then adjust our game plans in attack and defence when we want.........when we want rather then in response !!!!!!

PS im trying to work if out if the opposition supporters I watch footy with have convinced me Mills is a dud !!!

that is such a crazy thought pattern when talking about an elite competition and an athlete but geeese he drives me crazy with his super slow costly reaction speed

[Faunac8]

Some recognition of just how hard Isaac worked to set up Blakey’s goal

https://www.facebook.com/63513051416/posts/10157376033781417/

Very impressive and was probably not noticed by many during the game

[bloodspirit]

Coaches' votes are in:

9 Isaac Heeney (SYD) 5/4 votes
9 Jy Simpkin (NMFC) 5/4 votes
4 George Hewett (SYD) 2/2 or 3/1 votes (I reckon 2/2)
4 Tom Papley (SYD) 2/2 or 3/1 votes (I reckon 3/1)
3 Luke Parker (SYD) 3 votes
1 Jake Lloyd (SYD) 1 vote

[dimelb]

I shared the criticism of Mills at first, but watching him in the match highlights I would say that he was the victim of a hospital pass from Harry Cunningham, who otherwise had a pretty decent game. Even so, I'm inclined to agree that he should play more in the centre.

[KSAS]

Some recognition of just how hard Isaac worked to set up Blakey’s goal

https://www.facebook.com/63513051416/posts/10157376033781417/

Very impressive and was probably not noticed by many during the game

Thanks faunac8, that vision of Heeney's work rate is note worthy. Also noticed Matthew's Lloyd comment that players who wonder why they only get 5 - 6 possessions a game, is due to their work rate. Would be interesting to see Hayward's vision in comparison. He might be working hard but not necessarily running into right the spaces (i.e.reading play).

[Nico]

Thanks faunac8, that vision of Heeney's work rate is note worthy. Also noticed Matthew's Lloyd comment that players who wonder why they only get 5 - 6 possessions a game, is due to their work rate. Would be interesting to see Hayward's vision in comparison. He might be working hard but not necessarily running into right the spaces (i.e.reading play).

Yeh, he goes where the ball 'aint.

[707]

Yeh, he goes where the ball 'aint.

Noticed Nicks was positive about Ned McHenry for the Crows, ran 12km for two handpasses :-( Crows in a world of pain with their list, not a lot being shown by the kids and all of the senior players are out of form or even as bad as a shadow of their GF year.

[snajik]

I shared the criticism of Mills at first, but watching him in the match highlights I would say that he was the victim of a hospital pass from Harry Cunningham, who otherwise had a pretty decent game. Even so, I'm inclined to agree that he should play more in the centre.

Refer post #6 of this thread for an eye witness account.