Round 9 vs Bombers @ SCG - match thread

[Goal Sneak]

A relatively stress free night at the SCG for once.

I didn’t think the McCartin (T) Caldwell contest should have been a free kick.

Bit of a breakout game for the Chad I suspect (in terms of getting noticed outside of Sydney).

Thought Wicks was a great in. The twin rucks went well. I’d still like to see Florent being used more offensively. That kick inside 50 in I think Q3 showed his class.

The Mongrel Punt has this to say about JPKs twin GOAT achievements

Sydney v Essendon - The Big Questions - The Mongrel Punt

They should have stopped the game, gave him the game-ball and honoured a bloke that has been an absolute warrior for the club, and a bastion of all that is good about the league.

Stress free viewing was welcome but I was frustrated they didn't really put them to the sword. We did get to see some quality kicking and fast, effective corridor use. Overall it was a big improvement and a step in the right direction.

No issue whatsoever for Tom McCartin. I think James Rowbottom will get off with a fine.

The Mongrel Punt is always a good read, particularly liked the reference to Tom and Paddy as "McCartin & McCartin - Defence Attorneys" ("The Iron McCartin" is better though).

[TheBloods]

He doesn’t strike as the sort of bloke who gets too down on confidence.

It’s not always as easy when you’re not at the ground to observe running patterns and power, but from what I could see he wasn’t doing the long surging runs between the arcs he’s renowned for. Whether that’s because he was playing a bit more behind the ball, or he has a bit of a niggle, hard to know. But from what I could tell, he lacked his usual burst which suggests the latter.

Hes a young player . He wont be on every week , hes allowed a few bad games . Leg wasnt strapped so no excuse , just an off night . He will come good in no time ,

[Scottee]

Watching the replay of the Rowbottom-Merritt incident, it appears to me that Mills nudges RB in the back with his right hand and pushes him off balance. It doesn't look like a hard push, but enough to throw RB off balance where he was not in total control of his body when he comes in contact with Merritt. Both Mills an RB were running hard at the contest, so even a little push could throw someone off balance. The nudge from Mills pushes RB's body upward so his head is now directly in line with Merritt's head approaching from the other direction, so RB raises his arms to protect himself.

I don't know how the incident will be adjudged, but I don't think RB was trying to bump and could do nothing else under the circumstances.

Interested what others think.

Agree.

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[bandwagon]

Just watched the replay, and have got to say that giving Essendon a thrashing is a pleasure that will never get stale. The sky is just a little bluer this morning, the first coffee of the day just a little more satisfying. For them to be clear bottom 4 when they were talked up as flag chances is hilarious. Perhaps I'm being a little too mean spirited?

[Nico]

He doesn’t strike as the sort of bloke who gets too down on confidence.

It’s not always as easy when you’re not at the ground to observe running patterns and power, but from what I could see he wasn’t doing the long surging runs between the arcs he’s renowned for. Whether that’s because he was playing a bit more behind the ball, or he has a bit of a niggle, hard to know. But from what I could tell, he lacked his usual burst which suggests the latter.

Next week: In Campbell out J Mac (managed)

[bandwagon]

I seem to be agreeing with everything that the RWO hive-mind has brought up:
- 2 rucks worked well (even better if they kicked straight in front of goal).
- Bell, and especially Wicks justified their inclusions with effective games.
- Defence as a whole was stingy and composed. The McCartins in particular were outstanding all night.
- Very even effort, particularly at the clearances where the rotation of Mills, Parker, Rowbottom, Warner & Kennedy were dominant.
- And yes I feel McInerney is off the boil. Perhaps if he is needing a rest we can bring Campbell back and put him on the wing.

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Next week: In Campbell out J Mac (managed)

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[Goal Sneak]

I seem to be agreeing with everything that the RWO hive-mind has brought up:

It's in your nature bandwagon

[caj23]

James Bell thread closed by Liz for some inexplicable reason so will continue to post on his performances in the weekly match threads

One of his better games last night but that’s not really saying much, the bar seems to be set at Paul Chambers level for him. 10 possessions, 3 turnovers plus a few other examples of poor decision making

Wicks does the same role but as demonstrated last night he does a much better job at hitting the scoreboard and had more pressure acts

[stevoswan]

Great to know your perfect.

Do you feel better about yourself after writing that?

I'm sure he does.....

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Parker’s little dig is going to be divisive, I feel (some might see it as humorous, others as unnecessary) . It would be interesting to know what brought it on. Luke seems, to me, to be a genuinely nice guy. But also very competitive and the heat of the moment might have got the better of him. Strategically, it might have given that edge to get Dyl off his game a little too. Unless there is something between those two perhaps? But sure ask heck, if you dance that dance, you’d want to have a pretty flawless game after that, so it doesn’t come back to bite you.

Parker has so many 'credits' from his stellar career, he can get away with this behaviour. His achievements make him 'bite back' proof.

[stevoswan]

Can’t believe the AFL website even suggests the McCartin-Caldwell incident will come under scrutiny. It was simply a great contest by both players with eyes on the ball. Bravo to both of them.

As for Rowbottom, I suspect the fact Merrett played out the game saves him. It’ll likely be careless, low impact and high, which is a fine. But given he ran past the ball, which is a no no, there’s a chance it gets graded as intentional, which would mean a week.

Clearly both players had their eyes on the ball, both were trying to mark it. The umps weren't concerned at first but when it was obvious Caldwell was hurt, a belated whistle came.....and for the ump to then say 'front on contact' was laughable. It was actually front on contact to McCartin, if the true letter of the law was to be observed....but the resulting injury determined the free kick....wrongly. Should have been play on, which was the umpires first instinct.

No 'scrutiny' needed in reality.

Rowbottom's hit on Merrett will be looked at.....I believe he should get off but because he's a Swan, he'll probably get offered a week.

[neilfws]

Good to be back to winning, albeit against the lowliest opposition.

Is Hickey "the difference" - a bit simplistic perhaps, but we look so much better with him in the side. I thought Wicks was handy in his position too. Good to see Papley starting to see what he does best as well. I did have a bit of a giggle when Buddy crumbed and goaled from that one that went out the back.

The "Caldwell incident", from where I was sitting, just two blokes with eyes only for the ball and most of us would come off second-best in a collision with Tom I'd say. The "Parker incident" - he's always enjoyed a bit of a sledge, TV picked this one up but you see it at the ground all the time

Not entirely happy with 14.21, should have been a 100+ smashing, but the team as a whole are looking better. And just as well, some big challenges coming up.

[wolftone57]

Stating the obvious but we can only play against the opposition that shows up. And the fact that the Bombers didn't even bring their
B game shouldn't detract from our performance. Sometimes part of being on song is you don't allow the opposition to play their best.
As one of the commentators said, 21 scoring shots in a half of footy is pretty damn good. Mighty impressed with Warners game and
Mills confirmed again he is our best player week in, week out. A bit surprised to see Parker having a go at Shiel though. He probably
didn't need to do that. Shiel is a good player having a bad run at the moment. It happens.
Anyways, onwards and upwards....

I do not agree about Parker. I though he was psyching Shiel out. Shiel is soft and Parker was telling him he is soft. Shiel is OK if things are going his way but as soon as the going gets tough he disappears. He only rinds hard if he and his teammates have the ball. As soon as the opposition have it he stops. Does not chase. So Parker let him know how everyone sees him. A soft player with no heart

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[Meg]

Clearly both players had their eyes on the ball, both were trying to mark it ...... for the ump to then say 'front on contact' was laughable. It was actually front on contact to McCartin, if the true letter of the law was to be observed....Should have been play on .... .

That’s the way I saw it as well.

[TheBloods]

Parker and Shiel are mates , played juniors together and used to hang around each other when Shiel was at the crosstown scum . It was a bit of banter , move on

[bandwagon]

James Bell thread closed by Liz for some inexplicable reason so will continue to post on his performances in the weekly match threads ...

But why the negative focus on Bell? I would have preferred Ronke be retained, buy really the choice between the 22nd and 23rd-best player on the list isn't match defining. If Bell continues to do what the coaches want and there isn't a obviously better player in the 2s, then I guess he will get picked.