06-25-2022, 11:08 AM
A very close call against an opponent we should have thrashed. However, with so few AFL lads available, especially as both Motlop and Setterfield came out at the last minute, it was a performance that showed heart. I will enjoy looking at his game a little later.
From the stats:
[1] Mirkov is certainly not having a great patch at the moment. He was beaten by a no-name today, which is hugely disappointing. However, last week he seemed to really struggle in the conditions. He didn't read the ball in the air at the centre bounce and sometimes couldn't even make a contest. I don't think he has played much under lights, especially when it is was cold and slippery.
I'm reasonable sure he probably did the same thing tonight, but I won't know until I've seen the replay. Certainly he played much better on dry tracks in the daytime. To be honest, I think he would do better at Marvel, where it is dry and hard.
He has a long way to go at the moment. With him not playing anywhere near his best, the need on our list of another ruckman, a bull type, is obvious. The question is who?
[2] Paddy Dow continues to do his best to get a go in the seniors, but even at this level his issues appear obvious. He really needs to tackle harder and more often. He had 34 possessions and 7 clearances, but 0 tackles. That is probably why he isn't getting senior games.
[3] With Boyd going down late in today's game, Stocker has put his name forward at the most opportune time. He had 28 possessions and 10 marks. He'll be considered for next week on that effort, although his kicks are inflated by his taking the kickouts.
[4] With Carroll having a quiet one, it was the VFL boys who really stood up today:
Joel Trudgeon had 30 possessions, 9 marks and 5 tackles. He may lack a little pace, but he does a lot of things right.
Zavier Maher had 27 possessions. He isn't consistent enough for me, but he had a good one today. he also shows more than a little of the Voss influence in the way he approaches the game.
Will Hayes had 25 possessions. he might have been good, but he probably would be lucky to get a senior game from his recent performances. He also appears to prefer a hard, dry track. His overhead work is adequate, but he wouldn't displace Lochie O'Brien at the moment.
Patrick Dozzi had his 2nd or 3rd game and got 22 possessions. I don't know much about this kid, but I'm going to find out. He is one of the leaders at the Northern Knights, apparently.
Alex Cincotta is putting himself forward as a possible rookie pick-up for next year. He may not get off the ground a lot, but he runs hard, he tackles hard and his kicking is pretty good. He would offer more than a few of our listed players, even if he fills a spot we generally have covered.
Ned Cahill, David Handley and Stefan Radavanovic also did their part. Cahill is down from his early season form, but he is still offering something.
[5] Josh Cripps continues to disappoint. He isn't getting the possessions and he is making no impact as a 2nd or 3rd ruck. His ruck work looks very ordinary and he struggles to get much off the ground. I think he will also do better when the grounds get harder, but he is not showing what I hoped he would. Maybe we will keep him on at this level, but he really needs to put in a hell of a lot of hard work, especially running work. At this point, I can't see him making it.
For that matter, Sam Philp must be putting his spot on the list at risk. He isn't making much of a contribution at the moment, although he did better last week up the ground and in the centre square. At the moment, he would be the favourite to make way.
From the stats:
[1] Mirkov is certainly not having a great patch at the moment. He was beaten by a no-name today, which is hugely disappointing. However, last week he seemed to really struggle in the conditions. He didn't read the ball in the air at the centre bounce and sometimes couldn't even make a contest. I don't think he has played much under lights, especially when it is was cold and slippery.
I'm reasonable sure he probably did the same thing tonight, but I won't know until I've seen the replay. Certainly he played much better on dry tracks in the daytime. To be honest, I think he would do better at Marvel, where it is dry and hard.
He has a long way to go at the moment. With him not playing anywhere near his best, the need on our list of another ruckman, a bull type, is obvious. The question is who?
[2] Paddy Dow continues to do his best to get a go in the seniors, but even at this level his issues appear obvious. He really needs to tackle harder and more often. He had 34 possessions and 7 clearances, but 0 tackles. That is probably why he isn't getting senior games.
[3] With Boyd going down late in today's game, Stocker has put his name forward at the most opportune time. He had 28 possessions and 10 marks. He'll be considered for next week on that effort, although his kicks are inflated by his taking the kickouts.
[4] With Carroll having a quiet one, it was the VFL boys who really stood up today:
Joel Trudgeon had 30 possessions, 9 marks and 5 tackles. He may lack a little pace, but he does a lot of things right.
Zavier Maher had 27 possessions. He isn't consistent enough for me, but he had a good one today. he also shows more than a little of the Voss influence in the way he approaches the game.
Will Hayes had 25 possessions. he might have been good, but he probably would be lucky to get a senior game from his recent performances. He also appears to prefer a hard, dry track. His overhead work is adequate, but he wouldn't displace Lochie O'Brien at the moment.
Patrick Dozzi had his 2nd or 3rd game and got 22 possessions. I don't know much about this kid, but I'm going to find out. He is one of the leaders at the Northern Knights, apparently.
Alex Cincotta is putting himself forward as a possible rookie pick-up for next year. He may not get off the ground a lot, but he runs hard, he tackles hard and his kicking is pretty good. He would offer more than a few of our listed players, even if he fills a spot we generally have covered.
Ned Cahill, David Handley and Stefan Radavanovic also did their part. Cahill is down from his early season form, but he is still offering something.
[5] Josh Cripps continues to disappoint. He isn't getting the possessions and he is making no impact as a 2nd or 3rd ruck. His ruck work looks very ordinary and he struggles to get much off the ground. I think he will also do better when the grounds get harder, but he is not showing what I hoped he would. Maybe we will keep him on at this level, but he really needs to put in a hell of a lot of hard work, especially running work. At this point, I can't see him making it.
For that matter, Sam Philp must be putting his spot on the list at risk. He isn't making much of a contribution at the moment, although he did better last week up the ground and in the centre square. At the moment, he would be the favourite to make way.
Live Long and Prosper!