Amazing game of footy. A very early sub, one man down leaving us with one ruck/tall on the ground, backs against the wall after 360 degree shellackings from media and supporters all week...and we comprehensively smash the league leader and arch nemesis AGAIN. The scoreboard was flattering - we could have won by 10 goals again, and that small period of inaccuracy in the 3rd (about 7 goals by my count) kept them in touch for a bit, but our full 4 quarter performance in the face of complete dismissal by the entire football world is the stuff that seasons are made on. One of the best games I've seen us play in the last decade and one of the few true 4 quarter dominations we've delivered in the last few seasons.
Most pleasing was the performance of so many players in the firing line here every week - 1. McLean's contribution was undeniable - a player who knows his limitations and exploits his strengths. While we've slumped hard, I honestly believe in Murphy's absence we'd have been even worse without Brock. Maybe offer decreased pay if he wants to stay next year, there's a place for him no doubt. 2. AJ very solid tonight, hard at it all night. 3. Gibbsy playing season-best footy, the way we know he can and even got into the hard stuff, very nice. 4. Kreuzer, the supposed failed golden goose on one leg pulls out a stellar performance as the only ruckman. Granted it's only Collingwood ruck-wise, but it had shades of Warnock's finals campaign last year with so much more - he really is our #1 ruckman and I can't wait til his body is right after another preseason. 5. Yarran showing everything he has and then some - his run tonight was terrific and indicates he may finally be fit and switched on. His goal was a crucial game icer and his silky skills were on show tonight. 6. An improved showing by Garlett, tackling pressure back to his best, the goals will come, he's defintiely a confidence player and more run will break the drought.
Judd did everything a player of his calibre should tonight, a lot of his early stuff went under the radar but really tightened us up, really dominated in the latter stages. Nick Duigan is proving to be such a valuable part of our toolbox, he really does embody toughness and resilience in our backline, and he brought that same steely determination to our forward line tonight - a pleasure to watch. Definitely a master stroke moving him up tonight, even if some flogs/blind Ratten haters are crediting that move to Richardson/Brown tonight. Carrots, what can I say? 26 touches at 100%, 6 tackles and 7 clearances on Beams, oustanding. Jamo starting to find a bit of physical presence tonight, a lot of spoils and while he was shaky on a couple of disposals, I hope this is a sign he is turning a corner at long last. The longer Matty Watson gets a run, the better he gets. Hard to believe this is the same kid getting absolutely reamed against Collingwood last year. Wins the 1-on-1s almost every time and has second efforts I didn't think he was capable of last year...a lot of promise. McInnes slotted in well, not a game breaker but a solid first game, 12 touches 5 tackles...nice. Walker pulling out a few freaky things, Eddie Betts one of most valuable players - and to think some were calling for him to be traded last year. And Robbo - what a maniac! Starting to really stamp his authority like he did earlier last season. Hammer going down was a shame as he looked switched on, hope the PCL isn't too bad. Gotta admit I was worried when Simmo went down as he was really in everything tonight. Wellingham the dog will get 4 weeks at least for that one. The Collingwood flog in the crowd cheering him off was disgusting - the whole thing had shades of Milburn/SOS all over again. Loved that the boys wanted to punch on tonight, they fought for each other and they didn't shirk the rough stuff on the ball either - spoils/smothers/tackles were off the charts.
This doesn't change a lot, but it does release the pressure valve a little bit, allow Sticks/Ratts etc some breathing room to stay out of the media, get back to business and get the boys focused for a tilt from here. Should impose a media ban for the next few weeks and get back to basics. Ratts is probably still gone next year, but do we really need to be discussing that after such an impressive win? Yeah it woulda been nice if we showed that from Round 3 til now, but we didn't...can't change that. What we can change is from here - bring that game, that passion for the jumper, for Ratts and each other and we're in every game. It's clear the players and Ratts have a good relationship, it was evident after the game. This week of incredible scrutiny may finally have been the rocket that fired them back into action. Judd saying the players finally gave Ratts the reapect he deserves tonight speaks volumes. He may be gone next year, but it's not the players' call. Let's focus on footy - we still have a real shot if we play like that each week...and a slim chance if we're sporadic with it.
So happy, so proud of what the boys did tonight and to the Filth no less. It's only one week at a time from here on out make no mistake, but boy oh boy is this week sweet!
Login
Register
FAQ
