Round 5: Footscray v South Port - Saturday 22 April 2023

[jazzadogs]

Re: Round 5: Footscray v South Port - Saturday 22 April 2023

I understand what you want to know...I thought the backline was under immense pressure after Q1 with the way Southport were able to slingshot the ball into their forward half which meant most of our defenders (including Gardy) were caught running around in circles. Generally, the Southport fwd line looked slightly bigger and stronger so he was on a bit of a hiding to none considering O'Donnell was his next tallest support.

I'll be generous and say he defended the best he could considering the pace the ball was coming into their forward line at times.

Thanks Smads. I worry that he will struggle to showcase his skills in the VFL when we are fielding below-standard mids, and allowing repeated entries with minimal pressure. Same goes for the forward roles - when you're in a bad team, it's hard to show what you're capable of.

Nice to hear that O'Donnell had a good game!

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 5: Footscray v South Port - Saturday 22 April 2023

VFL player summary: Round 5
Development coach Travis Varcoe reviews the 12 senior-listed players who featured for Footscray at the weekend against Southport.

Jedd Busslinger
13 disposals, three marks, three tackles

?It was awesome to see Jedd put a nice block of work together. To be able to soak up the information that we?ve provided to him in terms of structures ? it?s good to see him out there implementing those strategies. It?s a nice little game to have under his belt. He?ll get better with time.?

Charlie Clarke
Nine disposals, two marks, one clearance

?It was a tough day for our forwards in general ? our kicking efficiency across the board was down, so in front of the ball it?s very hard to get those opportunities, but Charlie worked hard all day. I always love seeing his pressure and his tackling ability. For him, coming off a short run-up ? it?s just about getting that continuity in his training and playing. It?s another tick of the box for Charlie.?

Hayden Crozier
17 disposals, three tackles, two clearances

?It?s always nice to have an older head down in the backline. He?s had a bit of bad luck (injury-wise), so for him to come back from a stop-start throughout this year and slot in, while giving the team the bounce that we needed and helping organise the crew down there, was great.?

Sam Darcy
11 disposals, four marks, two clearances, two goals

?Darc had a challenging day ? he copped a lot of attention but fought through it. He never waivered throughout the whole day, even when the game was sort of out of our reach. That?s just the type of person he is. He just fights to the death. It could?ve been a massive day if he?d kicked straight, but the main thing is that he?s putting himself in the right positions to have the opportunities.?

Rhylee West
14 disposals, six tackles, four clearances, one goal

?I really liked Westy?s game. He had that usual grunt ? his pressure was that chaotic nature, and he brings his teammates along with him as well. That was really impressive, because it?s something that can be hard to generate at times ? but he led that from the front.?

James O?Donnell
15 disposals, eight marks

?In terms of a first hit-out, for Jimmy?s first game in nearly three years, it was as good as you?re going to get. It?s an exciting prospect to have someone like that ? with his attributes and make-up. It will be crazy to see what he can do and piece together over the next couple of months. For him, I?m just happy that he was able to get through the game, have an aerial presence for us down back and just use his skill.?

Laith Vandermeer
Five disposals, three marks, three tackles

?We probably should?ve used him a little bit more - with his AFL quality he makes everything sort of count. Even though he didn?t get the ball a lot, he opened up his teammates and got other people involved indirectly. Like Croz ? for Laith to have such an interrupted season so far, and then go down again with his ribs, it?s just frustrating because you want him to have a good, clean run at it. I was really impressed with what he was able to do during the time he was on.?

Robbie McComb
16 disposals, six tackles, six clearances

?That tight and in-close stuff really suits Robbie ? especially against Southport, which like to have that contested brand. Robbie just fought hard all day and was able to give us that grunt inside that we needed. He?s also had a bit of a stop-start throughout the last 3-4 weeks ? he?s been sub, up, down ? so it?s nice for him to be able to have a full run and hit-out.?

Luke Cleary
18 disposals, four marks

?Clizz was really good ? he was able to come forward and intercept the ball, and generate some bounce for us with Croz. It was another good performance put forward by Luke. He?s really building nicely.?

Cody Raak
15 disposals, three marks, three tackles

?Raaky has started to settle in that backline. I really liked his involvements ? he was also able to intercept a few by coming forward, and then slide back to help out our tall defenders. I always like getting the ball in his hands ? he found some good targets by foot too.?

Jordon Sweet
10 disposals, seven tackles, three clearances, 39 hit-outs

?That contested brand really suited Sweety ? I thought he competed well in the ruck. He had his hands full around the ground, but was combative ? we really needed that sort of stuff from our big guys. It?s always nice when he gives access to our mids and then plays from there.?

Ryan Gardner
Eight disposals, two marks

?With Gardy and Croz down back, it?s always nice to have that sort of composure and experience. He pulls things into line when he needs to, and has the ability to come off (his opponent) and help his teammates by spoiling the ball. All the things you?d expect from Gardy, he delivered. It was a great hit-out from Gardy.?

[hujsh]

Re: Round 5: Footscray v South Port - Saturday 22 April 2023

I really thought O'Donnell was impressive. Couldn't finish the game out (think he didn't get a touch in the last) but it's a fantastic start (also hopefully the question mark issue is fixed soon)