-
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool" -
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Thanks for th e reports guys, had to work... would have loved to go today.Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
It was a little hard to pick out some of the players, especially on the far side of the ground closest to the highway. Despite that it was a nice day, pretty good turnout and plenty of enthusiasum amongst the supporters. Here's what I got out of the session;
* Higgins was BOG for mine. Just about everything he did was silky, left and right foot. Really controlled the ball well in contested situations too. Just seems to find a way to maintain possession, create space and then pick a target. A couple of errors but all in all, very classy display.
* Ward looks like he's taking another step. He worked pretty hard, often dropping back deep and then carrying the football up the ground. His disposal was a little untidy at times like most, but he did look very good. Fights hard for the ball and also kicked a beautiful running goal from about 50m.
* Roughead looks the goods, despite being beaten by Hudson. They rucked all session and it was a good hitout. Roughy can certainly leap, he just needs to work on timing. I was impressed with his around the ground work too. Still a few years away but I think he'll do OK in the coming weeks.
* Hall is moving really well and as GVG said, he came off early into the third quarter. He didn't star but he did enough to suggest he's going to be pretty handy. Murphy spotted him up a couple of times, they already seem to have an understanding. Pushed his weight around, reads the play well. He's very quick off the lead too - burnt Williams a couple of times.
* Jones was very impressive. He set-up a couple of goals and could have kicked a few more. He took some really good grabs out there and if he didn't mark it, he'd bring it to ground. The wraps on him are warranted; the boy's going to be a real talent. AT times he was matched up on by Lake and Morris, yet he still found ways to either beat them or get into the play. He's really quick, reads the play and leads to the right positions. Looking forward to seeing him play this season.
* Grant did some nice things too. He kicked a couple, but he still needs to work on his kicking because they weren't convincing off the boot. Nevertheless, he got involved too and showed sticky hands a couple of times. The thing I loved about Grant today was his work ethic. He made a contest of it in the air but was extremely quick to contest the ball on the ground, too. Delivery wasn't always great but he didn't give up which was really pleasing to see. I still think he's going to be a very good player.
* Boumann's confidence is growing and he did some good stuff out there today. He covers the ground quickly and follows up his work. He made a few too many mistakes by foot, but the pleasing aspect of today was that he didn't drop his head. He kept going and a couple of times eventually atoned for the mistakes. Certainly the type of player to look out for this year and in the coming weeks. His improvement is pleasing.
* Moles was very good. I found it hard to spot him because there's 4-5 guys that all look similar and I haven't seen him up close, yet. But what I saw was impressive. I'll be watching closely how he plays next week on TV.
* Cooney and Griff looked good. Both moved well and generally did the right thing when in possession of the ball. Coons got quite a bit of it early whilst Griff was solid in the middle part of the game.
* Hill was in my Top 5 or so players. His disposal was better than most and he always seemed to find space. Looked pretty happy after the game too, signing autographs etc. Murph continues to look the best he has for a while as well. Hahn was strong in the contest and did well too.
* Everitt looks a much, much better player. He's clearly fitter and stronger. He's moving a whole lot better and his skills are very good. He'll definitely be playing a lot more footy this season. Good to see.
* Panos lacks fitness but I thought he held himself well. Obviously needs to get stronger but that'll come. He was matched up on by Morris early but he did some nice things and knows how to position himself to mark the ball. Very straight kick for goal.
* Addison tried hard and did some great things, but he also did some poor things too. His attack on the ball and the man is first rate. He won the ball a fair few times and even ran hard to present. However, too often his decision making is costly. He's uncertain when confronted what to do. It's a big problem for him because it undoes all his good work. Still - I liked the way he went about it today.
If I think of more, I'll add some later, but I am sure there will be plenty of other reports. It was a typical intra-club game though. Hundreds of turnovers and not the most entertaining to watch, but a good hitout for the players all the same.W00F!Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Great report TBB. Thanks for the effort.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
I'd echo a lot of TBBs post
Hall a crowd favourite, moved well, hands were good, crunched a few, created a few, kicked a few
Depth should be improved as Everitt, Addison, Stack, Wood and Hill have all improved. Hill was gliding over the ground in the first half.
Cooney and Murphy are much further advanced than last year and are moving well
Griffen, Higgins, Ward were classy
Boyd, Cross, Gia their usual industrious selves - Moles might have been also - he was one I had trouble spotting
Jones showed a lot - his mobility still has to improve again, but he is a very good prospect, good hands, good feel for the game.
Grant showed a bit, and is closer, but he's still too hard on himself
Hahn very sharp up forward.Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Ah, a few more things.
* Stack was quiet early but he got involved a little more as the game wore on. Ended up doing OK. He looks in great condition and is pretty silky in the way he moves. Foot skills were generally OK.
* Akermanis didn't play too long but looked very good. His skills and decision making are ahead of most by a long way. He was getting quite a bit of it early on.
* Hargrave got a heap of the ball. They gave it to him as much as they possibly could coming out of the backline. He didn't always use it well though.
* Williams was ordinary early but got better towards the end. He needs continuity before he can improve his game. He struggles to read the play at the moment and this results in either being out of position or trailing behind on the lead. As quick as he is, making up three to four paces is too much. I was happy that he got a little better afterwards though.
* Cordy only played a quarter and was quiet. I've read on the other site a few were impressed with the way he moved. For mine, I am yet to see anything. I know he's slight but the reality is that anyone could do what he's doing to date. Whilst that's probably to be expected, I'm not sure how people can ride Grant hard and yet praise Cordy.W00F!Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Thanks for great reports guys. What about Tim Callan? Dont think i've heard him mentioned all summer....Comment
-
Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Thanks for all the reports guys shame there isn't a few more. Mantis and Coon Dog must be on strike
I couldnt get there today so these are invaluable.Doing my best to use emojis more frequently :oComment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Just a few comments because a lot has already been covered and I really struggled without the numbers...
- Liked the way Everitt and Hill were moving. Both have the talent to add depth/quality to our 22.
- Great to see Higgins put in a quality performance after some injury concerns.
- Jones keeps on looking the goods. Will be great to see him in the NAB Cup.
- Liked Roughead's game. Nice leap, looks a natural ruckman but also moves well around the ground.
- Aker was lively in the brief time he was on.
- Hall already looks a big difference to what we had. Height + strength + ability to catch a ball is certainly a novelty.Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Jones was the bolter in the game from my vantage point. A guy I know little about but to an outsider would have looked a gun. Should play a role in the NAB Cup. Will follow his progress with more interest.
Higgins looked like he was traveling well. Used the ball very well relative to the general standard and was prominent when on.
Hall brings some presence, his chasing and pressure is done with genuine intent and will show some good results for us I believe. And the fact he can take a mark, of course. He is big as well, amazing.
I think a lot of fans left excited about the prospects of Roughhead and perhaps even Boumann as well.Time and Tide Waits For No ManComment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
The match fitness of Jones might be his only problem. Looks great but playing blokes underdone isn't ideal. He's got a lot of talent though.
Both had good seasons last year and seem to have progressed further again now.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Tim Callan played was a bit hard to pick a few of the boys as alot of them have shaved heads.
Very impressed with Liam Jones think he may sneek a game this year .Brodie Moles is going to give us plenty of midfield depth and really liked Dre's game today.
It was also good to see many former Dogs stars there today Luke Darcy Scotty West and Brett Montgomery there to although the last two where there to spy on us.Comment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Re: 2nd point
Roughhead looked like he was taking massive steps late last year, I'd expect him to get a game at some stage in 2010 - Minson and Huddo have had a good run injury wise surely we'll have to cover for one soon enough. Maybe early in the piece with Minson's foot issue?
Boumann strikes me as a kid who has figured out what he needs to do to make the most of his chances at this level. Would be a massive boost to the squad if he became a good seniors player.Time and Tide Waits For No ManComment
-
Re: Intra Club Practice Match - 6 Feb
Red Team - Callan, Lake, Markovic, Wood, Williams, Cross, Roughead, Griffen, Boyd, Ward, Moles, Stack, Murphy, Panos, Rose, Hall, Hargrave,
White Team - Aker, Jones, Grant, Higgins, Hahn, Hill, Hudson, Picken, Cooney, Giansiracusa, Everitt, Addison, Gilbee, Boumann, Mulligan, Tutt
Swapped Teams - Hall, Everitt, Jones
Scores
White 13 - 8 - 86 def Red 10 - 5 - 65
Goals
White - Gia 2, Hahn 2, Grant 2, Jones, Hill, Cooney, Gilbee, Hudson, Hall 1.
Red - Griffen 2, Panos, 2, Hall, 2, Ward, Rose, Hargrave, unknown 1.
White were generally the better side leading most of the game by about a goal or two.
Whites
* Higgins was best on for me. Masterful display through midfield and half forward.
* Aker very lively early on across the half forward line. Played around 1/2 a game
* Hill was 2nd best for Whites for me. Creative and got a fair bit of the ball mainly around the flanks.
* Grant started well with 3 good marks in the first 1/4 as the CHF. Opposing him were Markovic and williams. Quiet after that. Kicked first and last goals of the game
* Jones presented very well. Should have done better than 1 goal. Marked strongly but didn't finish off. Swapped teams and continued to be prominent.
* Hahn made an impact on the game in the 2nd 1/4 with strong marking and typical bullocking work up forward.
Reds
* Roughead contested very well against Hudson early but really got into the game in the second half. Won a lot of hit outs and plenty of possies in midfield. Should have kicked a goal from up a mark up forward.
* Ward played a very solid game and looks very strong and very professional. Got wacked by Boumann 10m off the ball. Ignored it, instead he attacked and won the ball and finished it with a great goal. the kind of stuff that makes a champion.
* Stack was very lively across a half forward flank. Leading and marking very well. Nice game.
* Hall did exactly as we hoped. Provided the big power target. Kicked 2 goals for the Reds & 1 for the Whites. Will still kick a few goals from intimidation alone.
* Hargrave was solid. Got a hard time from Higgo early but still ran hard from defence to link and scored a goal this way.
* Murphy was very good all over the field. Not wasteful!
A Few Observations
* a courageous mark from addison running with the flight into on coming forwards was a highlight
* Hall flattening Gilbee. Gilbee got up laughing. What else would he do?
* While Jones was certainly a highlight with his strong performance I couldn't say the same about Boumann. I though he had a horror day. Started well enough and linked nicely with a few passes but it all went sour after he had a crack at Ward. Maybe he got told off for it but he then seemed to try and do team things all the time and generally stuffed it up.
* Mulligan battled hard and did well. One excellent pass onto the chest of a leading forward had many people around me wanting to know who he was and if he was on the main list.
* Tutt looked a bit over awed to me.
Not a bad game for a season starter. I look forward to this game each year and today didn't disappoint me even if it wasn't do or die stuff. It's great to have the footy back.Listening to Brahm's 3rd RacketComment
Tweet
Comment