Round 3 Vs North Melbourne

[Ludwig]

I can never resist comparing Simpkin to Florent. North took Simpkin with the next pick after we took Florent, and both were very much in the mix for us (in my mind, based on all the phantom drafts and whatnot - no idea what our recruiters were thinking obviously). Both have proven to be good selections and both are breaking out this season. Jy definitely the more impressive in yesterday's game and, in fact, I don't think Florent has had a performance that good. Yet.

I also compare Jy and Ollie. I felt we would take one of them at our pick. It was a 50-50 call. Jy came into the season ranked among the top few prospects, but got injured. Ollie, on the other hand, finished very strongly. Picking Ollie was, in a sense, the safer call. KB focuses a lot on the progress a player makes during the draft season. Both teams did well with their picks. It doesn't often turn out that way, but this time both clubs would be happy with their choice.

[Ralph Dawg]

I also compare Jy and Ollie. I felt we would take one of them at our pick. It was a 50-50 call. Jy came into the season ranked among the top few prospects, but got injured. Ollie, on the other hand, finished very strongly. Picking Ollie was, in a sense, the safer call. KB focuses a lot on the progress a player makes during the draft season. Both teams did well with their picks. It doesn't often turn out that way, but this time both clubs would be happy with their choice.

Too early to say who was the winner from that trade year but agree that both clubs would be pretty pleased. Can't comment on Jy but Ollie seems to be a really nice fella from a great family, happy we got him. Some others from that draft year are really starting to stamp their mark on the league such as McGrath, McLuggage, Perryman, Taranto and English. Interestingly, we did bid on Cumming, which was matched by GWS (academy) then subsequently took Hayward. I suspect over the longer term, Cumming is going to be the better player.

[i'm-uninformed2]

McLuggage and Taranto are going to be the two standouts of that class (McGrath is a bit vanilla for me). And English I think is good long term value.

But I think Ollie will be the peer of at least anyone else in that class and importantly, seems to have no go home factor about him.

[Ludwig]

Didn’t get to see much of the game. Was Hayward really that bad?

He does a few nice things. Kicked a nice goal. Made a nice hard tackle. Got into a squabble. But then goes missing the rest of the game. Pretty much a repeat of Round 2.

I've been wondering where Hayward goes when the camera isn't on him. A few things have crossed my mind.

a) Took a knee before the first bounce, but no one told him he could stand up again.
b) Went to the bench phone to receive some more confidence-lifting praise from the coach.
c) He heard that an Essendon player had COVID and voluntarily went into self-isolation; safety first.
d) Ask Gary Rohan.

[giant]

He does a few nice things. Kicked a nice goal. Made a nice hard tackle. Got into a squabble. But then goes missing the rest of the game. Pretty much a repeat of Round 2.

I've been wondering where Hayward goes when the camera isn't on him. A few things have crossed my mind.

a) Took a knee before the first bounce, but no one told him he could stand up again.
b) Went to the bench phone to receive some more confidence-lifting praise from the coach.
c) He heard that an Essendon player had COVID and voluntarily went into self-isolation; safety first.
d) Ask Gary Rohan.

His cheap shot on Pittard could ensure his facing a different kind of isolation this weekend. A very undisciplined un-Swanslike act.

But let's not dwell on the negatives - what a great win? Started by our wonderful Bloods leaders and polished off by a few of our ever-improving youngsters, Florent and Rowbottam particularly. And as for the journeymen, I thought Harry C and Rob Fox both made great contributions. May all be for nothing in this crazy old season but brought great joy to my heart.

[Nico]

There was nothing in that Hayward/Pittard incident. Hayward rightly went for the spoil or mark and it is impossible to stop your momentum in that circumstance.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Flo can play genuine inside outside which was crucial when we had Parker, Kennedy, Hewett, Mills, Henney inside etc

Jy for me is much more inside and got let off the chain yest with not Cutti available

Lets see in 24months

[Mel_C]

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.

[Ralph Dawg]

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.

McLean looks handy. Big body, more able to bring the ball down to ground level than the other skinny youngsters, which suits our current setup.

[Blood Fever]

McLean looks handy. Big body, more able to bring the ball down to ground level than the other skinny youngsters, which suits our current setup.

Useful pickup- looks pretty composed and only 21.

[dejavoodoo44]

His cheap shot on Pittard could ensure his facing a different kind of isolation this weekend. A very undisciplined un-Swanslike act.

But let's not dwell on the negatives - what a great win? Started by our wonderful Bloods leaders and polished off by a few of our ever-improving youngsters, Florent and Rowbottam particularly. And as for the journeymen, I thought Harry C and Rob Fox both made great contributions. May all be for nothing in this crazy old season but brought great joy to my heart.

The Hayward/Pittard incident is an interesting one. On the first two camera angles that they showed, I thought that it was a reportable, cheap shot. It looked like he whacked Pittard with a swinging right forearm to the side of the jaw. However, on the third angle that was shown, it seemed clear that he was a fair way away from making contact. Unfortunately, in the highlights package on the AFL site, they don't show that exonerating angle; but I still don't expect him to cop any sort of sanction.

[giant]

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 - McCartin in particular had the very good Tarrant on him for most of the game yesterday (strangely enough at the same time as poor old Haydon was getting a bath from Heeney). That said, there were times when the effort from Tom wasn't nearly good enough. It's tough generally for the younger forwards without some senior presence up there with them, but Will in particular I'd be hoping to see very much more from.

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There was nothing in that Hayward/Pittard incident. Hayward rightly went for the spoil or mark and it is impossible to stop your momentum in that circumstance.

The ball was a couple of metres over the boundary line before he attempted his "spoil" and he missed the ball by another metre. It was clearly premediated - someone else claims he missed with the swing; if so, then his inaccuracy has finally paid off for him!

[dejavoodoo44]

Good point - McCartin in particular had the very good Tarrant on him for most of the game yesterday (strangely enough at the same time as poor old Haydon was getting a bath from Heeney). That said, there were times when the effort from Tom wasn't nearly good enough. It's tough generally for the younger forwards without some senior presence up there with them, but Will in particular I'd be hoping to see very much more from.

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The ball was a couple of metres over the boundary line before he attempted his "spoil" and he missed the ball by another metre. It was clearly premediated - someone else claims he missed with the swing; if so, then his inaccuracy has finally paid off for him!

It wasn't that he missed, it was more that he stopped swinging his arm before it arrived. Which wasn't apparent on the first couple of angles.

[graemed]

Papley was outstanding. King of the smalls and you could see Sqizzy and Heens just lift with his dynamism. He reminds me alot of Paul Chapman in his prime at the Cats. If Carlton or anyone else wants him at season's end, they will need to trade the house. I wouldn't even hand him over for Sam Walsh if they put him on the table (which they won't).

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.

[stevoswan]

There was nothing in that Hayward/Pittard incident. Hayward rightly went for the spoil or mark and it is impossible to stop your momentum in that circumstance.

Cannot agree....with the ball obviously sailing out on the full, ie: nothing to spoil, it looked like a cheap shot. He'll get a week....