NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

[lemmon]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

And that comes right down to his decision making. He even throws his own team mates off because he will turn into another direction when the first option was already a good one. By the time he tries to go back to the first option the opposition have closed the gap and then his skill level is being tested. I know he has a legion of supporters here but in my opinion he needs become more far decisive and direct.

Mate I was agreeing with you, at times he seems to run around in circles.

[The Pie Man]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Mate I was agreeing with you, at times he seems to run around in circles.

Saw Harbrow dropped an overhead mark last night, he recovered the pill but I thought he could use stickier hands at times. He mostly looked good last night though.

Higgins looked great I agree, though did he seem to want to use his left heaps when on the ball? Perhaps just circumstance - given the direction he was running. Very encouraging anyway.

Haven't read any J Grant for round 1 calls - doubtful or realistic?

Wight was horrible, his ability (?) to give up front spot in a marking contest is first class. So much potential too, a real shame. I'll spew if he plays seniors again, he's useless. Skip turned it over too much, after being a fan of his off and on, I'm really not sure why we re-signed him.

Oh and Essendon fans...a special breed indeed. In last quarter this moron was yelling out 'it's the Brad Johnson rule' and was absolutley losing his sh_t about deliberate rushed behinds not being paid - and I'll concede he had a fair point there (he was farrrrken annoying though)

Nice touch from both teams to go to the fence together. Andrew Lovett looked the goods for them, a good kick up the arse in trade week seems to have done the trick (maybe)

[Bornadog]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

the essendon fans really got into it it. fair enough, it was a close match and it was the first match of the year so footy fever was high. the people around me though were estactic. jumping around and high fiving like they won the GF. mexican wave was fun.

One of the reasons why I don't go to these matches, ie the high fiving, the passion etc over a practise match. Prefer to wacth on the telly.

From what I saw and picked up, Grant has some potential, needs some muscle, but looked impressive, Wood looked great with his run and carry, needs to ensure his periferal vision is working, as at times he was caught out, Picken looks like a VFL player to me (at this stage), but never stops trying, great endevaour, Higgns needs to improve his kicking. His kicking was bad in the finals series last year and not much better last night. A few of the boys were rusty, like Gilbee's kicking, Lake still has a brain fade every now and then, Skipper needs to deliver the ball to a man and not just slam it on his foot to kick the hell out of it.

Gia looked great with 27 disposals, however, should have had a couple of more goals on the board. Harbrow is continuing on from where he left off last year, Stack did a couple of good things when he was on the ground. Overall a good hit out which they should have won if they had of kicked straight.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Mate I was agreeing with you, at times he seems to run around in circles.

I certainly didn't take it any other way.

[azabob]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I still hear about the first time we played them last season when they apparently had us on toast before McVeigh went down with an injury and we only just got over the line....by 5 goals.

Seriously, Essendon fans are a special breed - as previously mentioned, the roar from their fans after the game was hilarious. Pathetic, but hilarious.

We played awful that night and we were lucky that they got a couple of injuries late in the 3rd term and in the 4th quarter. I clearly remember we were lucky to win that game.

[lemmon]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I certainly didn't take it any other way.

Sorry, hard to pick things up on the net.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Wight was horrible, his ability (?) to give up front spot in a marking contest is first class.

Nicely put, I wince when he goes near the ball.

[DOG GOD]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Grant and Wood were the definate shining lights for me. Hadnt seen anything of Wood so was suprised with his size and attack on the footy.

To me, personally i see Grant as more of a leadup CHF Murphy type than a KPF in the making. I might be wrong but what i saw of his kicking didnt stem any confidence in me if he was kicking for goal from 45m.

Ward played a silky game although i dont think he was used that much (i thought he wouldve had more game time). All my friends thinks this guy is special, just by his hands, feet and decision making. Should have a good year.

Higgins was impressive, and if fit should have his best year yet. Consistant 4 qtr efforts is whats required though.

Once again our reliance on Johnno in the fwd 50 was predictable for me. We really need to find other avenues, and i cant see any reason why we wont see our mid sized players rotating around the 50 other than Minson pinch hitting there sometimes.

Wight and Skipper will not be at the club next year. Both are nowhere near the standard, and o'shea, while having balls of steel, has poor skill level, and id be very suprised to see him retained even at this early stage.

Eagle frustrates me. That kick on his right in the ess fwd 50 was a joke. If he is getting games while players like ward is at Willy i wont be happy.

Very disappointing that we lost, but our skills can only improve, our decision making can only improve and with a group of stars to return, I'm still hopeful of a top 4 finish in 09.

[Jose]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I went along on Friday night for my first live game at a function in the endeavour room. I may have met some of you. We had Juan Gonzalez junior there and a number of people from Mission. And we heard that James Fantasia speak who is good with the microphone. I met G-VD and he tried to explain some of the rules.Super goals very hard to understand. Some loco fool started the Mexican wave so please dont blame us.

As for the Bombers We will get them next time.

[hujsh]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Once again our reliance on Johnno in the fwd 50 was predictable for me. We really need to find other avenues, and i cant see any reason why we wont see our mid sized players rotating around the 50 other than Minson pinch hitting there sometimes.

The guy kicked like what, 40 goals last year? And that's what you call reliance.

Just add Welsh, Murphy, Hahn and Aka and suddenly our reliance want be so important, as we saw last year

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Whilst it was nice to see a number of the young blokes playing I left the ground feeling rather empty because if we are supposed to be a genuine contender they are the games we should win. We can all take solace in that the home and away season is the big picture but to push further into the competition would have been vgood for us.

[Remi Moses]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I still hear about the first time we played them last season when they apparently had us on toast before McVeigh went down with an injury and we only just got over the line....by 5 goals.

Seriously, Essendon fans are a special breed - as previously mentioned, the roar from their fans after the game was hilarious. Pathetic, but hilarious.

The SEN boys were saying Rohan Connolly was fist pumping after the siren rang
How the mighty have fallen

[Remi Moses]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Whilst it was nice to see a number of the young blokes playing I left the ground feeling rather empty because if we are supposed to be a genuine contender they are the games we should win. We can all take solace in that the home and away season is the big picture but to push further into the competition would have been vgood for us.

Interesting theory. Just remember they beat us by 10 goals plus in this micky mouse cup last season. I'll just keep my wrist slashing to the months of March to Sept.

[hujsh]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Whilst it was nice to see a number of the young blokes playing I left the ground feeling rather empty because if we are supposed to be a genuine contender they are the games we should win. We can all take solace in that the home and away season is the big picture but to push further into the competition would have been vgood for us.

Meaningless pre-season matches?



(well not entirely meaningless as it raised money for a cause but the result was meaningless)

[Desipura]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

The guy kicked like what, 40 goals last year? And that's what you call reliance.

Just add Welsh, Murphy, Hahn and Aka and suddenly our reliance want be so important, as we saw last year

I thought our lack of pace in the midfield stood out when Essendon got a run with Houli, Lovett and co were taking us on and we were not able to lay a tackle on them, especially Lovett.
This resulted in some quality disposal being delivered to their forwards.
I know Cooney & Griffen will help, however not sure that we have a player with the same pace as a Lovett or a Davey up forward that we really miss. Or perhaps Lovett & co looked quicker as our midfield was a bit one paced without Griffen & Cooney........