VFL Round 3 NBs vs Collingwood

[crashlander]

Thanks a lot, RR. Great stuff.
My comments in colour.

I went along to the game - old Vic Park was a good place to watch a very competitive game. Big shout out to the Northern player #80 (Keppel, I presume - a tall robust player) who took two powerful overhead marks to repel the Pies' final 2 attacks in the last minute/s of the game. Yeah, 80 is Keppel and he shows a bit.

Kennedy might have had the most possessions but he did stuff all with them. He looks faster than last year but is still a very slow player who always seems to be under pressure (or being tackled) when he gets the ball so most of his disposals are ineffective hand-passes and scrubby kicks - hard to believe he was a 1st round draft pick. Nick Graham was a better footballer. This is the most disappointing thing I've read here. I had hopes for Kennedy.

Ruck contests were interesting in that the Pies' #45 absolutely dominated against Lobbe, who did most of the 1st half ruckwork, but Phillips jumped all over the top of him and was instrumental in the Blues' win. This is not so bad. I know Lobbe's limitations. I am very glad the Phillips came to party when it was required.

Goddard looked quite good overhead (marking and spoiling), is a nice left foot kick and seems to play with a fair bit of poise. He followed Ben Reid wherever he went but was lucky Reid missed some relatively easy goals. Pace? That was my worry after his injuries. He wasn't that slow as an U18, but... I think he is a chance.

Kerr was effective and should have kicked a couple more goals. However, to me he seems to be a one trick pony - good mark on the lead but not so good overhead unless the ball is kicked to his advantage and lacks mobility when the ball hits the ground.

Stocker was disappointing for a player who cost us so much in the drafting - many of his disposals were as the designated kicker after a behind - he is a beautiful kick but so was Matthew Watson and Stocker didn't seem to have a lot else going for him - no great speed. This is the biggest disappointment from me. I was hoping that Stocker would have the answer to some of our problems.

Macreadie played well at half back but frequently found himself at full back where he was more limited. I like him further up the ground.

Williamson was possibly our best player over the game for his poise, decision making, decisiveness in marking contests, his penetrating kicking and run through the lines from half-back. This is most promising.

Ben Silvagni followed Goldsack around (mostly at half-back) and kept him quiet. Taller, faster, more athletic, a better mark and a much better kick that Jack. Might take a little time but looks okay. Good news as well.

Cottrell and Owies played on the wings. Cottrell did some nice things and seems to have better size and pace than Owies, who doesn't seem quick enough for a player his size.

Lang was much the same as last year - disappointing and not a strong player.

Garlett was similarly unimpressive but looked more interested than Lang.

Fasolo had only a handful of possessions that I can recall but he kicked an excellent goal and twice hit the leading Kerr, lace out. Too slow to provide any small forward tackling pressure (unless someone runs into him) but if he stops trying to do what he was once able to do and plays within his limitations, I think he could still have something to offer around the goals.