Practice Match: Blues v Pies, Fri 24 Feb

[ElwoodBlues1]

Not really a lot to get out of the game today. Probably only going at 80% all round....plus the hot weather doesn't help.

But a couple things worth mentioning IMO.

- Motlop and Honey might surprise a few in terms of games played this year. In 2022, Owies and Durdin were both favoured over those 2 for the small forward role but that might flip on its head this year.
- Docherty and Ed may be options to run through the midfield, but i would have plenty ahead of them in that role. Much prefer Docherty permanently back as he looked a little lost a couple of times. Ed, obviously has a lot of cobwebs he has to blow off first, but there might be a bit more than first thought.
- Cincotta may not have done a lot, but he does the right things and seemed to be at ease with the pace. A dodge/baulk here, and a quick hand to stop a handball out of a stoppage there....little things that show me he could go ok if/when he gets a callup.
- Acres....got enough of the ball. Was not terrible with it like some seem to have suggested. Runs both ways and does a job. Good get.
- Kennedy+Hewitt need to stay fit. Very important for our success/depth through the midfield. If those 2 are the 'backups' to Cripps, Walsh, Cerra.....then we will give teams a lot of headaches because they are about as good '4th and 5th' midfielders going round.

Agree on Docherty, I didnt say Acres was terrible, just that some of his kicks were up and under floaters and he could improve on that. He would be a lock for round 1, I also like the look of Hollands and would have him on the other wing in round 1, has way more upside than our other wing candidates.