Opening Round 2024

[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.

[Captain]

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.

[longmile]

Great game - any word on whether AFL.com.au will have the replays of games available?

FYI its now available - work day sorted

[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.

[Merdo5555]

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.

[Merdo5555]

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.

[Thunder Shaker]

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.

[i'm-uninformed2]

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.

[BRS328]

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.

[0918330512]

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?

[MattW]

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.

[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.

[Dow]

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.

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

[barry]

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

[dejavoodoo44]

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 - - -

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.