VFL 2019 Rd 16: Northern Blues vs Williamstown

[laj]

We have 3 rucks in the VFL, which doesn't do De Koning alot of good. When he rucked on his own last week he is something outstanding. This week when just stuck forward, quiet. It's something we have to look at there. Given we run the NB's these days De Koning's development has to come first.

[laj]

From where he was, the only was was up.

That's a point but good thing is that has been very good in the midfield. We finding lately our mids we recruited like Kennedy do better forward and those we recruit as forwards like Fasolo are doing well as mids. Good we are finding their right spots at least.

[crashlander]

Northern Blues 4.1-25 4.3-27 6.6-42 7.7-49
Williamstown 2.3-15 4.10-34 4.20-44 8.22-70

NORTHERN BLUES
Goal Kickers: M. Lobbe 2, S. Fisher, A. Fasolo, F. O''Dwyer, M. Owies, J. Palmer
Best Players: J. O''Rourke, A. Phillips, F. Anderson, A. Fasolo, A. Johnson, C. Polson

WILLIAMSTOWN
Goal Kickers: N. Rodda 3, S. Dunell 2, L. Hunt, J. Thorpe, M. Hibberd
Best Players: L. Masters, J. Ottavi, N. Rodda, J. Pongracic, N. Sing, B. Myers

The Blues appear to be quick out of the blocks and then they tire: this has been noticeable all year. As usual, one or more of our rucks dominates, and yet we do not win centre clearances. That suggests that we are not fit enough as a group, no big surprise with so many speculative picks and real youngsters getting a game at the moment. It also suggests that our midfield cannot sustain their effort.
Note also that most of last year's VFL pickups are not producing as much as last year. Fisher remains the best of them, but his form has been down all year. Palmer has been down. Hill cannot get into the team.
Of this year's recruits, Alex Johnson is improving and provides quite a bit in defence. Jono O'Rourke has struggled with injury, but is improving. Collins cannot get on the park at all.
Of the unheralded recruits Anderson remains the best, but he has also struggled with injury.
And then, the best mid, Captain Tom Wilson, has missed most of the season with an ACL injury, and probably will miss until early next year.
That puts pressure on the AFL listed players, but few of them have developed enough to win games and even fewer are true midfielders.
I cannot see us improving significantly at this level until a few more of these lads are ready to step up.

[flyboy77]

Not that I get to many games these days, but agreed. Tom Wilson was a huge loss....

We need a couple of more quality mids in the 1s, then the junior types eg Dow, LOB can skill up in the 2s.

[LP]

We need patience, the junior types will be the quality mids for next year, just like SPS and SoJ have improved this year!