Footy Tragic

Hawthorn vs Essendon:

Looking Good:

• Lance Franklin: The most talked about individual game of the weekend was Franklin’s, with his two amazing runs down the wing in the last quarter the highlights. He is looking so much more confident in his body and his form this year and could be a really good trade option for those with a weak forward line.
• Jobe Watson: Was especially influential in the second half when the game turned towards the Bombers, despite a tough tag from Sewell. Watson is working just as hard outside the contests these days and it is helping his DT scoring exponentially.
• Michael Osborne: Played more time through the midfield this week and played with plenty of spark through the four quarters. Was one of Hawthorn’s best in delivering the ball inside-50.

Disappointing:

• Michael Hurley: After a very good game last week, Hurley again failed to deliver much fire-power to the Dons. He does try very hard, and it must be remembered he is only in his second year, despite his great finish to 2009.
• Chance Bateman: Played a tagging role on Stanton and it killed his own scoring. He was also concussed in the last quarter, however strangely can’t remember how it happened.
• Luke Hodge: Took a knock to the knee early and it really slowed down his explosiveness. He was also heavily tagged by Welsh who gave him no room, despite the injury. The injury fortunately, doesn’t look serious enough to make him miss any games.

Blip on the Radar:

• Beau Muston: Those who saw the game would have been pretty impressed by Muston in his defensive forward role, but his score of 46 was a clear sign that he should not be a dream team target.

Fremantle vs Carlton:

Looking Good:

• Aaron Sandilands: When Kruezer was injured in the first quarter, big Sandi stepped it up a notch, dominating the much younger Sam Jacobs. He came one hitout short of the magical 50 mark, also clocking up 19 disposals and a bonus goal.
• Michael Barlow: Played more around the half-forward flanks, but it didn’t hinder his ball-winning abilities at all. He racked up another 30 possessions, as well as a very good four goals.
• Andrew Walker: Was one of the Blues best as a rebounder off the half-back line. He has been playing this role really well this year, and most importantly, consistently – he reached 27 disposals with 12 marks.

Disappointing:

• Heath Scotland: Second week in a row he has been down on form, only reaching 20 disposals, despite still playing through the midfield. The Blues had very little lift or form through the first three quarters and Scotland helped tell that tale.
• Alex Silvagni: Played in defence on Henderson and only had 6 disposals – his lowest of the year. He shouldn’t lose his spot, but the arrival of Roberton may take some of his kicks.
• Matthew Kruezer: Landed awkwardly in the first quarter and it was all bad news for the rising star – it was confirmed on Sunday that he has ruptured his ACL and will miss the remainder of the year.

Blip on the Radar:

• Garrick Ibbotson: In his 50^th game, seemed to attract more ball than usual, playing in the backline. He plays shut-down roles these days, so occasional big scores like this one are more due to over-possessing the ball than a role change.

Brisbane vs Richmond:

Looking Good:

• Jack Redden: It’s not surprising this kid has now played a couple of very good games in a row after a great breakout season in 2009. Unfortunately, it’s only been the past couple of weeks we have seen this promised form after a slowish start to the year. He is a great in-and-under players and looks to be one of the few Lions who are trying to lead a team quickly falling apart.
• Angus Graham: Has been thriving this past month as Richmond’s number one ruckman – once again he produced the goods, racking up 23 disposals and 12 marks for the game.
• Daniel Connors: In his second game back from suspension, Connors was again a highlight for the Tigers. He looks very dedicated to paying the club back after his earlier indiscretions and is certainly going the right way about it with a strong 23 possession game.

Disappointing:

• Brendan Fevola: In his 200^th game, Fev had an absolute stinker. Despite being the target of 13 Brisbane inside-50s, he only capitalised with the one goal. In Vossy’s presser afterwards, strong intimations came that no-one was safe, even Fevola – if I were him I’d be pretty concerned about my spot in the team right about now.

• Trent Cotchin: He is a class player but just can’t handle the tag – this time, the attention of Sheldon kept him to just the 46 points.
• Ben Griffiths: I only had to bring it up as it is the first time (which I can remember) that this has happened – thanks to Griffith’s first three scores of 19, 15 and 19, could he be the first $89k player to go DOWN in price after his first three games??

Blip on the Radar:

• Matt White: White played well around the half-forward line, and he presents himself as a good player, but he currently looks much more like a player who will break out in 2011 than in the latter half of this year. In a young team and consistently thrown between roles, inconsistent scores can be expected.

Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne:

Looking Good:

• Brent Harvey: Harvey was best afield for the Roos and Port had no answers for him, with neither Kane Cornes or Cassisi capable of shutting him down. Harvey is a top DT choice, however his main flaw is his ability to pull out the odd mega shocker – his ability to break the tag this week and the Roos good form are both good signs though!
• Jay Schulz: Booted seven goals as the most dominant forward on the ground. His form has been decent this year, but seven goals was totally out of the box from what we should typically expect of Schultz.
• Lachlan Hansen: Is starting to become accustomed to his new role up forward and his press in the papers didn’t seem to do him too badly either as he kicked five goals on Chad Cornes. I am still a sceptic, but he may not be as poor an option as I have originally suggested.

Disappointing:

• Lindsay Thomas: After his mega game last week, Thomas returned to his usual form with a standard 1.3 goals. Proof that you shouldn’t jump on a player after just one good game.
• Jackson Trengove: Second week in a row he has stunk it up now, which is unfortunate, as the past two weeks are about the only ones he will have been needed all season thanks to him covering for plenty of teams who have the injured Hille.
• Mitch Banner: Many were relieved to see him return, but a low game time saw him feature only a little in the stats. Only finished with the 15 disposals, well down on what he made us expect earlier in the year.

Blip on the Radar:

• Jacob Surjan: Surjan has been having a good year, but he is your typical tough-nut defender who does more one-percenters than he has disposals. In this game he held Lindsay Thomas tight and was allowed to run off him on occasion – something that won’t be allowed by his opponents too frequently this year.

Western Bulldogs vs West Coast:

Looking Good:

• Daniel Giansiracusa: Gia played a very good game again as a permanent forward, kicking two goals. He is still learning the role, but his leading up the flanks is getting stronger and he was the Bulldogs best player in the first half. Fortunately, he is also building on his consistency – something that has been queried so far this season.
• Beau Waters: Another strong game in the backline where he played loose man for the first three quarters. He drifts around and gets so much of the ball – he also uses it pretty well too so his teammates will continue to trust him with it. His role also sees him drifting into the midfield on occasions – his game could be well likened to Malceski or Duffield.
• Jarrod Harbrow: Played further afield thanks to the lack of Eagle small forwards and he played very well. However, I wouldn’t be expecting a permanent shift thanks to his great form to date as a defender.

Disappointing:

• Josh Kennedy: Just couldn’t exert any influence on the contest, only kicking the one goal through a good mark in the third term. Was very well held by Morris – also, the delivery from West Coast’s backline was shocking, certainly not helping his case.
• Brad Johnson: This was Johno’s first game back from an achilles injury and he certainly doesn’t look 100% – I predict a few DTers will look at Johnson’s price and get a bit excited, but already he has proven this year that he is no longer capable of the sort of scoring that was expected of him a few years ago. Also, his body can no longer be trusted.
• Barry Hall: When Jack Riewoldt kicked 10 goals against the WCE backline last week, Hall owners may have been excited about his prospects in this game. Unfortunately, he could only make it to three goals for the game.

Blip on the Radar:

• Will Schofield: Schofield played his game on both Lake and Johnson – two players who hate standing still and love venturing far away from their direct opponent, styles which allowed Schofield to be left alone plenty of times through the game and attract plenty of the ball as loose man. Whilst he is progressing well as a defender, he is not the right choice for dream team.