Fantastic win by the boys tonight. Really good signs that some of the things that Ratten has tried to put in place over the pre-season are starting to work. It didn't look so good all those weeks ago, I must admit but full credit to the coaching staff nad the boys for how they have turned it around after the Essendon* game.
It's particularly pleasing that some of the favourite whipping boys of days gone by that the MC have stuck by have been really good this year - talking most specifically about Russell and Houlihan. Jordy has been our defensive general and really provides us the attacking half back flanker that provides us with the run that we have been really missing...and he can shut down an opponent too. I know stats sometimes don't mean a lot but 35 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency is a great return - and the third time this year he has posted a career high. Just goes to show the boys really look to him coming out of the back half now and his confidence is increasing daily as a result.
As for Hoops, his last four weeks have been brilliant. In successive weeks he has taken Goodwin, Enright, Shaw and Fisher to the cleaners, particularly Fisher this week - 6 disposals, compared to Hoops' 17 and a goal. That is four All-Australian calibre attacking defenders - when you see the damage Russell is doing at the other end for us, his role has been really underrated.
I also love when Carrots plays the kind of role that he did on Dal Santo. When he doesn't kick chase he has fantastic discipline and it also allows Joseph to play back which helps the matchups in our back six.
Scotland's move back to the midfield has been another win for us, gives us extra depth and hardness around the contest (and he provides better skills than McLean/Hadley). Even with Murph reasonably held, Gibbs probably just lowering his colours to Goddard and Judd breaking even with Hayes, we still dominated in the mids due to lesser lights like Scotto, Carrots and Simmo stepping up again.
And how dangerous were our forwards. Waite and Garlett set the tone (so good to see Jarrad's first quarter) and Eddie and Setanta were the cream. Love that every week, it seems to be someone different stepping up.
Can you tell I'm happy!!! GO BLUES!!
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