AFL 2022 - Pre-season - Week 1 vs St. Kilda

[Baggers]

I think that the Princes Park curator will have a job on his hands collecting the piles of rust that were deposited all over the hallowed turf.  Kicking for goal was average and both defences had the better of their opponents.  Defensive pressure was a key objective but we still played an attacking style, and looked very good when got the overlap going.  Best of all, we played the entire game without an extra man behind the ball.

Our forward line was cobbled together and, while Kemp did OK as a key forward, he’s got a lot to learn in that role.  Silvagni was very good as forward/ruck/swingman and Charlie did some nice things.  Owies and Durdin didn’t have much impact and Fogarty played mainly in the midfield when he came on in the last quarter.  Fisher spent a lot of time up the ground and in the midfield.

According to the commentators, Harry and Jack Martin played in a match simulation before the practice match so both look like being available for our next hitout.  That should make for a much more potent forward line.

The defence was solid with Boyd being the only one who lowered his colours.  McGovern did some nice things but he’s not Jeremy.  Playing in defence might save his career but he’s on a steep learning curve.  Willo was good and I think that he’s one player who could thrive under Vossy.

All in all, it was a promising start by Vossy’s boys but it’s very much a work in progress.

Nice summary, David.

We can't expect McGov to slot in seamlessly... a work in progress. Took Jones a season to get the hang of it. I think, eventually and hopefully, the comparisons between Jones and McGov will fade. If McGov does make it in defense the bottom line is that he'll do some things better than Jones and some things not as good.

I thought our best qtr was actually our final qtr. They had the scoring end and we were defending a scrawny lead. We toughed it out and that is a good sign. But still plenty of work to be done on the 4-7 goal run-ons we give opponents/wilt under opposition pressure when they challenge us/our GP. Glad the new coaches got to see first hand our 2nd qtr fade... a discipline/mental thing that has cost us dearly for yonks and still exists.