PRO: As above generally
CON: Fisher
ENCOURAGEMENT: L Hill - showed some poise and dash........has he shown this in the "2"s? O'Keefe also showed a bit.

Pro

- Agree with above
- One additional point. Chris Johnson is already shown to be an insightful piece of recruiting. Not only does he give us that kicking accuracy from defence that we lack but in light of the Scotland injury, he releases Stevens back to the midfield. His recruitment is like two players in one.

Con

- We are gone without Fev. Just do not have the forward line structure and big man presence without him. We desperately need young Key position players. The injury risk with Fev's extra weight worries me.

Lachie showed more in one quarter than in the entire season last year when he struggled to find the ball. Congratulations to the decision makers at the club who saw something worth holding on to.

As a couple of others have already mentioned, Jordy Russell seemed to find a new level with greater reliance on him. He has also been much more consistent and hasn't gone missing in any of the games this year so maybe he is also about to reflect his original draft status.

Bentley was impressive and might be an early favourite for the Liston trophy. He absolutely knows how to find the ball and where to run to receive the ball but, despite his high level of effort, he seems to be just a bit too slow to displace our better midfielders. Should provide excellent insurance on the rookie list.

T-Bird has always had the ability that he is showing now but he was so often required to man up on the opposition's best forward he rarely had a chance to show it. The current trend to defensive zones plus the form of Jamison & Bower will allow T-Bird and Waite to excel across HB.

Johnson does possess an excellent kick but he seems to turn it over too often - maybe he has too much confidence in threading the needle or maybe he gets lazy sometimes.

_________________
Hey Rocky; there are too many rabbits ... in China.

Was great to see Hill get a run. The team looked very quick with Gartlett, Yarran, Hampson and Joseph running around. Was happy for Russell too. Nice to finally have a bit of depth with blokes having to earn positions this year.

_________________
Chris Judd: 'I've since watched some Steven Seagal movies and realise pressure points are no laughing matter.'

Some really great signs ....
Russell was fantastic all night; brilliant ability to win the 50-50 ball and his disposal was very good.
Hadley showed us what we have been missing; absolutely all class and a walk up start in our best 22; very excited by the prospect of adding fit hadley and walker to last years midfield mix; will be best midfield in comp 2009.
Joseph's job on Ablett was great; blistering pace; definitely put himself in line for promotion from the rookie list (with Garlett IMO)
Austin showed that he can play and makes good decisions; his kick to Cloke showed great vision and football smarts; very exciting prospect.