Post Match. NAB Challenge - Blues down Pies

[jackcass]

[Woods]

Just back from Bendigo.

Went to the game but didn't see as much of it as I wanted to due to the big turnout and limited vantage points at the ground.

Can't add much detail to the observations of others.

The main take out for me was that when the Blues went forward they did it with great speed and accurate kicking and marking which the Pies has no answer to.

When the Pies went forward it was always a hard, slow slug up the ground that gave the opposition plenty of time to man up on our forwards. Cloke was just another man in the pack in the contested marks (I remember him snatching them in the pack a few years ago).

Blair, Gault and Sinclair stood out for me. And Langdon - he reads the game so well.

This game was winnable for the Pies right to the end, but a few poor decisions and poor kicking sealed a win for the Blues.

After the Hawthorn match Buckley was saying he's still unable to settle on our best line-up of players - there being too many promising players in the mix.
After Sunday's game he's going to have an easier job sifting the wheat from the chaff.

[Flashman]

I don't get all the pessimism.

Yes we played like crap. Yes we didn't have a player in the top half dozen on the ground. Yes we got beaten (even then only just).

But if you reckon that was a all out effort we (or Carlton) put in you're kidding yourself. Ask yourself how much gut busting running did you see? How much close checking did you see? How many tactical changes did you see? How much pressure on the ball carrier did you see? How many crunching tackles did you see? How much forward pressure was there?

The answer to all of the above is bugger all.

It was little more intensive than an intraclub match with the goal being getting game time and run in the legs and a little touch with the ball with an emphasis on not getting hurt. By and large this was achieved but of course there were incidental knocks due to it still being a contact sport but they were absolutely miniscule compared to an average h/a game.

Pendles gathered 17 possessions in almost a full match of football. Normally he'd get that in about a quarter and a half. Swanny didn't do much either but he didn't want to. He had a run, had a couple of kicks and his body pulled up well. Great. A few of the young blokes haven't kicked the door in as regards to picking themselves for round one but we are still 3 weeks away from round 1 and the club knows what is expected of them better than we do and will make the selections accordingly.

Getting down about yesterday is about as sensible as booking September holidays because we rolled Hawthorn reserves a fortnight back. The games are meaningless, even more so now there is no silverware and prize money on offer and are but a mere aperitif for us fans before we can sink our teeth into the real stuff and should be seen as such.

[John Wren]

[jackcass]

[Piesnchess]

[35forever]

Flogging Hawthorn was great, especially with the performances from new guys like DeGoey, Crisp, Paddy, etc. But of course when we lose it's "Only a NAB game", which is true, but geez I wish we hadn't lost in that particular manner... 1 goal 8 in the second half is just way too f***ing familiar!!! If that crap continues it'll be a long way back. Why bother playing FOOTball if you can't kick the bloody thing!!!!????
I liked it better when there was something to play for, otherwise its just the same old "pre-season practice matches" we used to have back in the olden days!

And while it certainly doesn't mean much to the clubs, it has to mean a fair bit to fringe players trying to bust into the best 22. They really need to get not only the coaching staff, but also the fans on-side. The less impressive games from DeGoey and Paddy really disappointed me, successive great games would've seen the pair really looking set for a Rd.1 start (it might still happen, but they need to get another shot against Footscray).
I think Crispy and Levi have done wonderfully, and Gault could be a chance. If any or all of these 3 are rested against the mutts it might be a sign they’ve done enough.
I Really don't understand why White and Elliot didn't play. I loved the way big Jess went at it against the Hawks, It looked like his last few for Sydney. I'd also like to get a look at the rest of the draft picks, especially Michael Manteit, I have a good feeling about him, and Brendan Abbot could be a big, Cloke/Franklin, type forward one day, but I guess they're keeping him up the sleeve!

[Dave The Man]

[Flashman]

De Goey has been really good for a babe. Looks assured (dropped chest mark aside), solid and skilful.

But he's not quite ready for round 1 imo and it wouldn't hurt to have him cut his teeth in the twos for the first half of the season. Let him learn to find a bit more of the ball and to test his mettle against hardened bodies. It wont hurt and will hold him in good stead for the back end of the season or even from next year on. There's no rush.

Gault has really come along from last season though. I didn't really rate him even on last years form but he's been a really pleasant surprise. He's always had the athleticism and size but his football smarts, positioning and skill looks to be coming together and on exposed form he's a very good chance to get a game.

[uncanny]

plenty to think about for the selectors heading in to round 1 after that tune up
as others have pointed out entries into the forward 50 were the biggest (ongoing) concern
Paddy K doesn't seem to have it at this stage at least.
Gault shows promise.
They need Reid to come into the forward line I think.
Browny looked good again down back so they can build the backline around him.

[CarringbushCigar]

[Fatui Attata]