Sin City wrote:
As a team I thought our field kicking was terrible. Really hope we're going to play a shorter kicking game plan when the real stuff starts. Kicked ourselves out of it with poor field and goal kicking in the late first and early second quarters.
There were some areas that looked better this week but I'm not quite buying into the improved performance that has been talked about. Freo really aren't that great although they really had us covered for leg speed around the ground. We got exposed a few times with the Hills, Pearce and Walters getting free. Aside from Murphy our midfield has Cripps, Gibbs, Kerridge, Palmer etc. It'd be one of the slower midfields around. SPS, and Pickett will make a difference but we really need guys like Polson, Cuningham and Lebois to come on as well.
The handballing was a lot cleaner this week, if we're going to use it that much and keep going backwards then run off half back is going to be so important. This is where it's a bit of a worry having so many tall defenders in the team.
Fyfe - pay him whatever the hell he wants to get him over. Machine.
Marchbank and Plowman were good again. Plowman kept Walters pretty quiet by his standards, might do alright as a medium defender after I had some early reservations about it.
Liked Smedts better down back last week than as a mid/fwd.
Docherty, Cripps, Kreuzer, Murphy, Curnow all good. Simpson outstanding. Gibbs coasting as he always does in the pre-season but all class when he has the ball.
Can't really see a spot for Lamb in the team. With Pickett and Wright in, Polson and Lebois coming through he needs to try making it as a small defender.
Thomas worked so hard and was everywhere, to finish with just the 16 touches and some really poor disposals. Just looks like he doesn't have it. Back pocket or bust IMO.
Palmer was quiet again. I'd have Armfield in before him ATM.
Pickett was very impressive again. Lock as a small forward for round one. More rounded game this week showing off his marking and tackling skills.
Wright was very good in the first half.
Weitering was good at CHF. No one else has put their hand up to be our other tall forward so I'd say he stays up there. 9 marks, exactly what we need.
Silvagni is unlike our other forwards in that he does his best work deep in the forward line instead of up the ground. It didn't get down there enough but he almost always got involved and makes a positive contribution. Important to get 22 games into him this year.
Time for the real stuff, bring on round one.
