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Firstly, good effort by both clubs to play for such a great cause, raising plenty of money. Definitely both need to be congratulated, as well as the AFL. It was a great night and a close entertaining game would have served as a slight distraction for those suffering, even if only for a few hours.
Now the game.
* Foot skills were very poor, but it's early in the season. Still, we need to be working hard on this area as we lacked in our execution and perhaps most importantly, our decision making. Too many times going forward we picked the wrong option. Pretty frustrating, even if it's a NAB Cup - but we'll improve.
* The senior players were a little disappointing. Johnson was great in the last but down a little in the three quarters prior. Still he stepped up when needed. Eagleton, Skipper & Wight were continually frustrating. Eagle did some nice things in the last but really, he justified why his spot in the 22 is under fierce pressure. Wight/Skip struggled and are no good. Gilbee's disposal was ordinary and Gia/Boyd ditto. Lake struggled a bit too, but the majority of these guys are obvious quality players who will perform in the real thing - we hope and have come to expect.
* Grant was very impressive in his first display. He wasn't matched on by duds either. Took some strong grabs, showed fantastic defensive pressure every time, showed some serious pace and really gets involved in a contest on the ground, scooping the ball out several times. His ability to win a contest both in the air and on the ground is extremely pleasing. He WILL be a gun KPF - so long as he fixes his kicking, which really needs work. An awkward approach, too much room for nerves and ultimately error. If he can improve this he's going to be a seriously good player, and based on tonight, him playing 10+ games is certainly within reach. He positions his body well and has that "know how", even though he's an inexperienced kid.
* Wood showed some solid signs of being able to develop into a good player. He has terrific size and uses it. Not afraid to get in and get the ball out. He used his body to get shrug tackles a few times really well. He has an instinctive ability to bust through packs, take them on, bounce the ball and run hard. His decision making was average but he did hit up a nice long 50m target in the last quarter. IMO he showed plenty to work with and he could be a real smokey to impress this year. Definitely will make his debut in 09 for mine, going to be keeping a close eye on this kid.
* Harbrow is eager and full of heart. Hates losing a contest and gives 110% every single time. He looks a lot fitter and is moving really well. Looks exceptionally quick and his hunger to win the ball really shows through. He wins contests on sheer desire, he also manages to slip out of tackles or at least fire a handball away too. He looks the goods, in for a big year. Made some errors skill wise IE the shot for goal, but who didn't? Most of his passes were pretty good.
* Higgins looked impressive for three quarters. Much cleaner in the midfield due to being clearly much fitter. Moving across the ground very well, he looks really classy and prior to the last quarter he proved this when some silky skills. Really looking forward to this year, he looks set.
* Stack showed a few signs, moved well and kicked a nice goal, seems to have a nice gauge on controlling the ball, but I think he lacks a bit of intensity IE. instead of working the ball in his favour, grab it strongly with two hands. Not sold on his ability to play at this level yet. He has some talent but he doesn't seem to use it enough. Not sure if it's a confidence thing, a fitness thing, or what. But he probably needs to intensify his game to improve for mine. Still - some decent signs considering it was his first game.
I'll probably write more later as it comes to mind. Overall not a great night for us, lot to work on over the coming weeks, but kinda to be expected. Some nice signs with a few of the kids and a few of the developing players though.
Now the game.
* Foot skills were very poor, but it's early in the season. Still, we need to be working hard on this area as we lacked in our execution and perhaps most importantly, our decision making. Too many times going forward we picked the wrong option. Pretty frustrating, even if it's a NAB Cup - but we'll improve.
* The senior players were a little disappointing. Johnson was great in the last but down a little in the three quarters prior. Still he stepped up when needed. Eagleton, Skipper & Wight were continually frustrating. Eagle did some nice things in the last but really, he justified why his spot in the 22 is under fierce pressure. Wight/Skip struggled and are no good. Gilbee's disposal was ordinary and Gia/Boyd ditto. Lake struggled a bit too, but the majority of these guys are obvious quality players who will perform in the real thing - we hope and have come to expect.
* Grant was very impressive in his first display. He wasn't matched on by duds either. Took some strong grabs, showed fantastic defensive pressure every time, showed some serious pace and really gets involved in a contest on the ground, scooping the ball out several times. His ability to win a contest both in the air and on the ground is extremely pleasing. He WILL be a gun KPF - so long as he fixes his kicking, which really needs work. An awkward approach, too much room for nerves and ultimately error. If he can improve this he's going to be a seriously good player, and based on tonight, him playing 10+ games is certainly within reach. He positions his body well and has that "know how", even though he's an inexperienced kid.
* Wood showed some solid signs of being able to develop into a good player. He has terrific size and uses it. Not afraid to get in and get the ball out. He used his body to get shrug tackles a few times really well. He has an instinctive ability to bust through packs, take them on, bounce the ball and run hard. His decision making was average but he did hit up a nice long 50m target in the last quarter. IMO he showed plenty to work with and he could be a real smokey to impress this year. Definitely will make his debut in 09 for mine, going to be keeping a close eye on this kid.
* Harbrow is eager and full of heart. Hates losing a contest and gives 110% every single time. He looks a lot fitter and is moving really well. Looks exceptionally quick and his hunger to win the ball really shows through. He wins contests on sheer desire, he also manages to slip out of tackles or at least fire a handball away too. He looks the goods, in for a big year. Made some errors skill wise IE the shot for goal, but who didn't? Most of his passes were pretty good.
* Higgins looked impressive for three quarters. Much cleaner in the midfield due to being clearly much fitter. Moving across the ground very well, he looks really classy and prior to the last quarter he proved this when some silky skills. Really looking forward to this year, he looks set.
* Stack showed a few signs, moved well and kicked a nice goal, seems to have a nice gauge on controlling the ball, but I think he lacks a bit of intensity IE. instead of working the ball in his favour, grab it strongly with two hands. Not sold on his ability to play at this level yet. He has some talent but he doesn't seem to use it enough. Not sure if it's a confidence thing, a fitness thing, or what. But he probably needs to intensify his game to improve for mine. Still - some decent signs considering it was his first game.
I'll probably write more later as it comes to mind. Overall not a great night for us, lot to work on over the coming weeks, but kinda to be expected. Some nice signs with a few of the kids and a few of the developing players though.
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