nytdog wrote:
my two cents...
some players are natural footballers, some are natural athletes who play football, and the best are the ones that are footballers who can also execute well due to athletic ability.
Hoops, Simo, Scotto, Stevo, Gibbs are a class above becaues they are footballers but can also execute.
Anyone who thinks Houla isn't in our best 22 are kidding themselves. Provided they don't play him deep in defence and he spends most of his time in the midfield and forward of centre he will be in our top 5 in the B&F again. He is class.
Simo is also class. His work rate and football brain impress me more and more. I really hope they consider him for captain. Very worthy IMHO.
Now I do love carrots because he is a natural footballer, but his execution will always prevent him from being elite. He was horrible yesterday. Still in our best midfield rotation but I would really like to see him have 20 handballs a game and 10 kicks rather than the other way around. His kicking style isn't great and he takes too long to get the ball to foot which often results in kicking under pressure or execution errors.
The best signs for me from the game was from Grigg and Bower. Grigg looks to have the class that Simo et al have. Great technique and as he gets more experienced just seems to have natural composure. I see him taking a Christou type role in our defence and making HBF his. Bower also really showed he is concentrating harder on his defensive side and always has good (and fun to watch) dash. These guys along with Jamo will be the foundation of our defence for the next 7-8 years. Add Setanta and Thornton and it looks like we are building a formidible back line. People that think Thornton isn't in our best 22 are also kidding themselves. He reads the game so well and can also execute. Classy player. Hopefully Austin will mature (come out of his shell) and come on also. Remember this kid was under age and is still a baby. Eventhough Waitey had a good game, I'm not a fan of him in defence. I prefer him as a forward but who am I to argue with Ratts the mastermind.
Pfeiffer really showed plenty and should be a fairly permanent fixture this year. very impressive debut. He has great size and goes hard.
Armfield looked mature and strong. He loves to handball which I think we need more of. Waitey needs to take a leaf from these guys. Waitey to me isnt a natural defender yet because he doesnt look to handball quickly enough when he takes possession in the backline (particularly from a mark). We really need to play on more and back ourselves when gaining possession in the backline.
I know not many people will agree with me here, but I like the look of Russell. He has excellent technique and with some confidence I think he will come on and be a good player. He just needs to learn how to find the ball more, so hopefully Juddy and the other ball winners can teach him a few tricks. He has all the other attributes (including size now).
Hammer looks extremely impressive and I'm so happy that he'll make it tough for Ackland to get a game. We don't need mid sized, low work-rate ruckman starting in our best 22 ever again. And sorry to say, but Cloke will be a pinch hitter at best for the Blues. I love his work ethic but he just isn't athletic enough for his size to lock down a position (including ruck). He'll be support cast only. Those who think he has a shot at CHF are kidding themselves. CHF these days needs to be much more mobile that in the old days (ala Pav, Rooey, etc). And clokey just doesnt have that.
Edwards took a few nice grabs but needs to lift his workrate by 100% (take a leaf from Fev's book) otherwise he will be as what others have said - a one trick poney. He has the athletic ability, but not the football brain as yet it seems. Hopefully it will develop otherwise he'll truggle to get a game this year and may end up getting the chop. Good luck to him because he appears to have all the tools.
Murph had a shocker which is great. It'll only make him work harder which is a good thing at this time of year. Watch him redeem himself shortly.
Jamo is definitely going to make it. Really like his style (ala M Sexton) who was one of my favs for many years.
ok thats enough from me. sorry about the length of the post.
yep, fair summary IMO.
I thought Pfeiifer was excellent, Ellard showed his nervousness early but settled well. His ability to collect the ball at top pace was very good.
Armfield impressed, Bower was very good and Hammer has the world at his feet.
Once he learns to direct the ball a bit better and his team mates understand his capabilities, we'll see a huge improvement.
I thought Jake Edwards showed a bit for his first real hitout. I disagree about Fev. He was excellent at times but chooses too often when he wants to be defensive.
If he definitely knows he can get the ball/player he'll chase but if the ball is 10+ metres away, he wont chase to apply pressure.
At one stage Port turned it over at half back and Fev recieved the pass 50 metres on his own in the goalsquare. He should be embarrased to be there.
Efforts like those need to be eradicated for us to compete against the top teams. How often did Krakouer stroll off half back setting up play?
Murph had a downer but Port worked him over hard. Cassisi has become an elite stopper/ball winner.
Structurally, I thought we missed Hartlett enormously. We also need to have a 3rd man up in the marking contests far more often in the backline.
These things will take time. we're coming from a long way behind tactically.
That was clearly demonstrated by our inability to attempt to counter Ports stoppage work. But lets not beat ourselves up about that. 15 other clubs know how port will set up at stoppages. Yet few can counter it. Port just execute it better than opponents can counter it.
All up, a good effort. Great to see the kids running around. Lastly, dont be critical of Carrazzo. He is often rushed and his disposal isnt always the best but while he's winning the ball and wobbling it our way, its not in the hands of our opponents.
He's a ball winner and until someone better comes along, i'll take him everytime.
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