Opening Round 2024

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  • neilfws
    Senior Player
    • Aug 2009
    • 1818

    That turned out all right in the end! Scrappy stuff from both teams for 3 quarters, hot and humid, slippery ball I guess. They lifted when it mattered, it didn't look in doubt after those 4 consecutive goals in the last quarter.

    I thought Blakey, Heeney and Grundy were all very good, also McInerney (aside from the 2 passes to Errol when he had a player right on him). Papley lively, the defence was pretty solid. McDonald visibly relieved when he finally marked and goaled after toiling hard.

    Good resilience from McLean after missing a sitter, nailed the next one from 50 and had impact around the ground after that. I can see why Roberts got a game and he looked quite comfortable and self-assured. Strange to see Errol have a low-impact game after so many good ones last year but I'm sure he'll rebound.

    A reasonable write-up here I thought:

    Sydney v Melbourne - the big questions

    I'm looking forward to next week, which will certainly be challenging if the Pies bring their 2023 form.

    Comment

    • Captain
      Captain of the Side
      • Feb 2004
      • 3602

      Awesome win, though boring game for a lot of it.

      Heeney should always play middle, so much better there.

      Chad really lifted in the 2nd half, Rowbottom tackled well and it's awesome to have Grundy in the ruck.

      I thought Melican played alright too and am coming around to him.

      Comment

      • longmile
        Crumber
        • Apr 2011
        • 3360

        Originally posted by longmile
        Great game - any word on whether AFL.com.au will have the replays of games available?
        FYI its now available - work day sorted

        Comment

        • crackedactor 01
          Regular in the Side
          • Jun 2020
          • 730

          I think McLean is becoming one of my favourite players. After a poor start he really shined in that 3rd quarter and was a big reason we where still in front at 3 quarter time. Apart from Amartey I thought most of the team played a valuable role including fringe players Roberts and Fox.

          Comment

          • Merdo5555
            Warming the Bench
            • Apr 2017
            • 260

            Great first up performance, especially good to see the team run out the 4th quarter. The humid, overcast and oppressive summer may have finally shown a real benefit.

            Comment

            • Merdo5555
              Warming the Bench
              • Apr 2017
              • 260

              great performance, especially pleasing to see the team run out the 4th quarter. The crappy, overcast and humid summer may have finally shown a benefit.

              Comment

              • Thunder Shaker
                Aut vincere aut mori
                • Apr 2004
                • 4150

                Originally posted by Dow
                This is the complete opposite of our last quarters last year .
                I noticed this as well. The club has probably worked on fitness more over the summer. Having healthy players with a full pre-season has helped.

                Last year, we won 9 last quarters, drew 3 and lost 12, and scored 4.1 points fewer than our opponents in last quarters on average. Our best 3 last quarters last year were +37 points (Richmond, round 5), +34 (West Coast, round 15) and +18 points (Carlton, round 11).

                It is significant that we ended up winning last night's last quarter by 20 points. That is a better last-quarter performance than all but two games last year, and those two last quarters were against undermanned and outclassed opponents.
                "Unbelievable!" -- Nick Davis leaves his mark on the 2005 semi final

                Comment

                • i'm-uninformed2
                  Reefer Madness
                  • Oct 2003
                  • 4653

                  Originally posted by crackedactor 01
                  I think McLean is becoming one of my favourite players. After a poor start he really shined in that 3rd quarter and was a big reason we where still in front at 3 quarter time. Apart from Amartey I thought most of the team played a valuable role including fringe players Roberts and Fox.
                  As the early, self-appointed president of the Hayden McLean fan club, welcome aboard. And yes - I thought he struggled in the second quarter too; but the physical work he put in (along with Grundy) to grind down Max Gawn paid dividends in the third and fourth quarters, and his bounce back from an unusual easy miss (as he has one of our best set shot routines) was terrific to see. I also thought while neither he nor Logan were able to grab many marks, they did a far better job in the third and fourth quarters of at least having contests.
                  'Delicious' is a fun word to say

                  Comment

                  • BRS328
                    Warming the Bench
                    • Feb 2018
                    • 343

                    I’m,
                    Hayden’s practice match form had been very ordinary and I was worried that he may have regressed over the off season, and had even suggested that he be replaced by Ladhams based on recent form.
                    Up until half time I was convinced I was correct, but full credit to him for the way he overcame this in the second half. I was impressed by the way he brings the ball to the ground to bring the smaller players into which was evident last night. He played his role very well.

                    Comment

                    • 0918330512
                      Senior Player
                      • Sep 2011
                      • 1654

                      Originally posted by Ruck'n'Roll
                      It is wonderful to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Cecil Football club - and it's iconic blue and white colours. . . . .

                      For those that choose to cheer, cheer the red and the white - the 157th anniversary of those colours is also a wonderful thing.

                      Either way, I hope it's a joyous year for all.
                      I’ve read your view on this on many occasions over many previous posts, but given that it won’t change the club’s official stance (and thus, the only opinion that really matters) on the history and foundation, is there any chance you can let it go for a lengthy while during the season of our 150th celebration - or just start up a seperate thread where you offer your thoughts and “facts” in as much detail as you want and people can read or ignore it as they so choose?

                      Comment

                      • MattW
                        Veterans List
                        • May 2011
                        • 4193

                        Originally posted by neilfws
                        That turned out all right in the end! Scrappy stuff from both teams for 3 quarters, hot and humid, slippery ball I guess. They lifted when it mattered, it didn't look in doubt after those 4 consecutive goals in the last quarter.

                        I thought Blakey, Heeney and Grundy were all very good, also McInerney (aside from the 2 passes to Errol when he had a player right on him). Papley lively, the defence was pretty solid. McDonald visibly relieved when he finally marked and goaled after toiling hard.

                        Good resilience from McLean after missing a sitter, nailed the next one from 50 and had impact around the ground after that. I can see why Roberts got a game and he looked quite comfortable and self-assured. Strange to see Errol have a low-impact game after so many good ones last year but I'm sure he'll rebound.

                        A reasonable write-up here I thought:

                        Sydney v Melbourne - the big questions

                        I'm looking forward to next week, which will certainly be challenging if the Pies bring their 2023 form.
                        Logan did work very hard against a very strong opponent.

                        Comment

                        • wolftone57
                          Veterans List
                          • Aug 2008
                          • 5835

                          just a little note to those who constantly knock Lewis Melican. He was very good last night. He has always been good barring injury. He is a player who gives 100% every time. His efforts paid off last night & he was again that player who was previously a very consistent player. If it weren't for injury I don't think the conversation about him would ever have come up. He had been a consistent performer. But injury killed his form & his confidence.

                          Comment

                          • Dow
                            Regular in the Side
                            • Sep 2022
                            • 799

                            Originally posted by Thunder Shaker
                            I noticed this as well. The club has probably worked on fitness more over the summer. Having healthy players with a full pre-season has helped.

                            Last year, we won 9 last quarters, drew 3 and lost 12, and scored 4.1 points fewer than our opponents in last quarters on average. Our best 3 last quarters last year were +37 points (Richmond, round 5), +34 (West Coast, round 15) and +18 points (Carlton, round 11).

                            It is significant that we ended up winning last night's last quarter by 20 points. That is a better last-quarter performance than all but two games last year, and those two last quarters were against undermanned and outclassed opponents.
                            Originally posted by wolftone57
                            just a little note to those who constantly knock Lewis Melican. He was very good last night. He has always been good barring injury. He is a player who gives 100% every time. His efforts paid off last night & he was again that player who was previously a very consistent player. If it weren't for injury I don't think the conversation about him would ever have come up. He had been a consistent performer. But injury killed his form & his confidence.
                            Not a fan, but if he can can keep this type of effort up he will hold his spot in the team.

                            Where is Lloyd playing at them moment was hard to get a handle on what his role will be, seems Roberts and Campbell are spending time down back

                            Comment

                            • barry
                              Veterans List
                              • Jan 2003
                              • 8499

                              This might be an unpopular opinion, but I reckon Grundy went alright for his first game.

                              Comment

                              • dejavoodoo44
                                Veterans List
                                • Apr 2015
                                • 8491

                                Originally posted by i'm-uninformed2
                                As the early, self-appointed president of the Hayden McLean fan club, welcome aboard. And yes - I thought he struggled in the second quarter too; but the physical work he put in (along with Grundy) to grind down Max Gawn paid dividends in the third and fourth quarters, and his bounce back from an unusual easy miss (as he has one of our best set shot routines) was terrific to see. I also thought while neither he nor Logan were able to grab many marks, they did a far better job in the third and fourth quarters of at least having contests.
                                And they certainly did better than Van Rooyen and Schache at the other end. I think the best that can be said about Schache's performance, is that he clearly demonstrates, that a number 2 pick is no guarantee of getting a high quality player.

                                - - - Updated - - -

                                Originally posted by wolftone57
                                just a little note to those who constantly knock Lewis Melican. He was very good last night. He has always been good barring injury. He is a player who gives 100% every time. His efforts paid off last night & he was again that player who was previously a very consistent player. If it weren't for injury I don't think the conversation about him would ever have come up. He had been a consistent performer. But injury killed his form & his confidence.
                                I was impressed by how well he played late last season, after I thought another soft tissue injury may have finished his career.

                                Comment

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