Footy Tragic

Adelaide vs Geelong:

Looking Good:

• Bernie Vince: Played another great game through the midfield, further damaging my prediction of a few weeks ago that he wouldn’t come good this season. Has returned from injury well and is leading the Crows resurgence.
• Joel Selwood: Was one of only a few in-form Geelong midfielders on the night as their high-possession game plan seemed to fall by the wayside. Finished with a very impressive 35 disposals and 6 marks.
• Harry Taylor: Was fantastic in the Cats defence, mopping up plenty of Adelaide attacks. He played on a variety of younger opponents and was allowed to run off them when the likes of Scarlett and Enright weren’t. Played very well, but don’t expect too many games like this one.

Disappointing:

• Corey Enright: Second week in a row he has stunk it up so he tops my disappointing list. He used to be Mr. Consistent, but has lately been finding himself tagged out of games with the likes of Hunt and Taylor taking up his rebounding responsibilities in the process. Should really come good soon - I think it is more coincidence than form issues that have seen him give out two poor scores in a row.
• Kurt Tippett: Looked lively early when manned by Lonergan, but as soon as Scarlett moved to him he was held very quiet. Finished with just one goal, but it was his five frees against that really killed his score.
• Gary Ablett: Ablett finished on a respectable 81 points, but his game was quite poor by his standards. In fact, his form across the past month or so has been quite average - at this point I would not consider making him captain at all! He is getting frustrated by his game, is going to ground more and receiving less support from both his teammates and umpires. It may just be coincidence, but this Gold Coast decision certainly seems to be looming over his head.

Blip on the Radar:

• Harry Taylor: As I stated above, Taylor’s game was a great one, however not one that will likely be repeated too often this year. He is close to AA form this year, but his game does not typically involve much rebound from defence, especially with players like Scarlett, Milburn and Enright alongside him.

Collingwood vs St.Kilda:

Looking Good:

• Dane Swan: Best on ground again for Swan with 36 touches and 7 marks. He is stunning through traffic and great at finding his own space, hence being the ball-winning man that we love. He simply keeps producing. I am already salivating about him playing Richmond next week at the MCG! Especially with Jackson out suspended!
• Sam Fisher: Was the Saints best player, acting as a loose man in defence and chopping off plenty of Collingwood forward-entries. He had a whopping 18 marks amongst 33 disposals. Hopefully this can be the start of a purple patch for him.
• Dale Thomas: Was great all day, but especially in the second half when Collingwood started displaying their party tricks. Played through the midfield all day again and is still keeping his consistency up with 27 disposals and 12 marks. He won’t ever sell a dummy to Hayes again though…

Disappointing:

• Farren Ray: Played as a small defender on the repositioned Heath Shaw and lacked any sort of rebound. Has been ultra consistent since crossing from the Dogs, so it is a shame to see him have a bit of a shocker.
• Stephen Milne: Just the one goal for Milne, and it was a gift from Pattison. He simply struggles in big games, and proved it here with another poor showing.
• Chris Dawes: Was held pretty tight by Dawson and only kicked the one goal for the game. Saints have got a typically good record on Tall forwards, and with no Cloke to act in support, Dawes’ game wasn’t necessarily a surprise.

Blip on the Radar:

• Jarryn Geary: Has been a good developing player for Saints, but is more of a role player than a ball winner. This season he has switched from defence to defensive forward each week, with this game seeing him given a role as the latter. The Saints often played through him to keep his opponent accountable, but it is not a typically high scoring role, nor one we will see him in consistently.

Hawthorn vs Brisbane:

Looking Good:

• Jordan Lewis:
  

  Played again on the half forward flank and kicked a bag of four goals, including three in the first quarter. His role was a defensive one of Travis Johnstone, but to keep Johnstone accountable, the Hawks regularly went through Lewis to get into the forward line, hence his massive score. He plays this role very well, suggesting this is where he will play out the season from.

• Brad Sewell: Sewell was dropped in selection this week due to his continued poor form, but was given a reprieve when Buddy was a late withdrawal. Sewell came out swinging, finishing with 39 disposals and 6 tackles - a huge increase on what he has been dishing out up until now. Whilst I wouldn’t pounce on him yet, if he can recapture his 2009 form he is currently dirt cheap.
• Wayde Skipper: Played his best game for the Brown and Gold, making plenty of owners thankful that Hille had reinjured his hamstring. Whilst he wasn’t prolific, he showed good ball winning skills and a good set of hands. Kicked a nice goal too which was some good icing on the cake.

Disappointing:

• Jonathan Brown: In his first game in over a month, Brown showed that he will likely take a few weeks to adjust back to the pace. He kicked three goals but did very little else, being well held by Gibson.
• Brendan Fevola: Only three possessions and a goal for Fev this week, showing the three goals against the Saints last week was simply a blip on the radar. He is in simply shocking form and is playing with no passion or love for the Brisbane Guernsey.
• Justin Sherman: Another player deserving to be dropped from the squad after playing his fourth game of under ten disposals in a row. What’s worse is that he is actually playing a role as a ball-winning midfielder, not a tagger, so these sorts of stats are very damning.

Blip on the Radar:

• Shaun Burgoyne: Burgoyne is a star and was one of Hawthorn’s best two or three players, and will likely continue to be for the remaining rounds. Then why has he made this section? Simple - he is not a dream teamer. Whilst he will play occasional games of over 100 points, typically he will be averaging between 80 and 90, not quite good enough to be selecting at this time of year. He is a brilliant user of the ball and one of the best clearance players in the AFL, but unfortunately, Dream Team doesn’t reward either of these things and he is only an average ball-winner - the most important stat to us.

Essendon vs West Coast:

Looking Good:

• Mark LeCras: This game from LeCras was something special - he finished the game with 12 goals and two behinds - a total of 76 points worth of scoring, or an incredible 118 points worth of DT points if you count the kicks he made to kick the goals! It was an amazing effort and brilliant to watch as Essendon interchanged four opponents on him to no avail.
• Matt Priddis: Priddis controlled the midfield all night, especially in the second and third terms as he pushed West Coast towards the win. He is such a good dream teamer, finishing with 32 touches and 6 tackles.
• Dean Cox: Without wanting to speak too soon, Cox looks to be coming into a bit of form over the past fortnight. As Naitanui begins to tire, Cox’s body seems to be getting fitter with every week - he ended this game with 18 disposals and 7 marks as one of West Coast’s better players.

Disappointing:

• Patrick Ryder: Paddy has really dropped off over the past month, mirroring Essendon’s poor form. Whether he is waiting for Hille to return, or the lack of forward entries are hurting him, I am unsure, but one thing I am sure of is that I would avoid bringing him in after a couple of poor performances in a row.
• Beau Waters: Played another negating role in the backline, killing his dream team potential. After his massive purple patch a month ago it is hard watching his scoring peter away - hopefully it can return for the finals.
• Jay Neagle: After a good game last week, this game he was kept very quiet by Schofield, proving he is not a player for your DT.

Blip on the Radar:

• Ben Howlett: Nearly cracked the ton, but got a lot of the ball in the final quarter junk time. Don’t get too sucked into this one large score though, he is bench cover at best - we all know Knights’ selection policy, so therefore it is probably best to keep well away.

Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide:

Looking Good:

• Daniel Cross: Crossy was the Dogs best, and as is his usual trademark, he was hard all day, helping himself to 33 hard-fought disposals, which also included 14 marks (well up on his average). He is super consistent and a great option heading to finals if you do need a midfielder.
• Matthew Boyd: Speaking of consistency, Boyd was brilliant again, winning plenty of ball through the middle and also dropping forward of centre to snag himself two goals. Strangely unheralded, Boyd is hardly a step behind Dream Team stars such as Montagna and Swan.
• Kane Cornes: In his 200^th game it was fitting that Cornes ran around picking up ridiculous amounts of disposals, as has been his trademark for his previous 199 games. He finished with 35 disposals for the game and a bonus two goals.

Disappointing:

• Cameron Hitchcock: Hitchcock has been a godsend to plenty of forward benches this year but is fading fast. Unfortunately, the AFL season is a long one and takes its toll on younger players like Hitchcock. He was hardly sighted in this game, picking up just the 9 disposals.
• Daniel Giansiracusa: Gia, for me, has been one of the most frustrating players in DT 2010 - his new role in the forward line has been less than beneficial as his points have varied between mid-40’s, all the way to over 150 points! He gives off too many goals and I don’t think his hands are good enough to play as a key forward, so I’m praying for a cameo midfield role though the finals series… somehow I think I’m going to be disappointed.
• Jay Schultz: Possibly took mark of the year, but was unfortunately well held other than that. I think he would be a great third tall forward but struggles as the key target. He did still kick two goals on Lake though - certainly better than most!

Blip on the Radar:

• Nathan Eagleton: Eagleton is very close to being the 22^nd player selected at the Dogs - he is an exclusively outside player, something that the Dogs have in abundance. He is able to find the ball, but his form wavers quite frequently, meaning he is not an ideal selection, this end of the season, or even at the start.

Carlton vs Sydney:

Looking Good:

• Adam Goodes: Once again playing through the midfield, and once again best on ground. He is thriving on his returned responsibilities, now with only occasional time spent in the forward line. Could easily average over 100 for the remaining rounds if this role continues.
• Bryce Gibbs: Gibbs followed Goodes around most of the day and won plenty of his own ball too, finishing with 24 disposals and 6 tackles. He’s still not playing great footy, but is at least building to some good form - hopefully he can sustain some scores over 100 throughout the DT finals.
• Heath Grundy: After a number of weeks of average scores, Grundy clocked up his first ton in a while. He played in defence and helped run plenty of the ball out alongside Malceski and Kennelly. Whilst the oppositions lack of pressure certainly helped, hopefully the Blues have played him back into some form.

Disappointing:

• Lachie Henderson: Was largely ineffective again, finishing with just the five disposals. It has to be remembered that he is a project player and will take a couple of years - at least he is playing better than Fev!
• Paul Bower: Bower played a purely defensive role, ruining his own DT scoring in the process. I’m totally confused about Bower’s season - either his role seems to change every week, or he is injured. Maybe a good 2011 prospect, but I would still be hesitant.
• Brett Kirk: Kirk is a great player, but he plays for the Swans, not your Dream Team. He is one player who looks like he wouldn’t give two stuffs about DT - if he finishes with two disposals and his opponent the same, then he is happy. His point scoring fluctuates as much as anyone, so he is not the type of player you want in your side.

Blip on the Radar:

• Shaun Grigg: Grigg has been in and out the the side all year (more so out), and will likely to continue to be as the Blues continue to fix their forward line on the run. He plays a half-forward role, but can be as inconsistent as hell.

North Melbourne vs Richmond:

Looking Good:

• Leigh Adams: Racked up the ball all day on a forward flank, finishing with 28 disposals and 3 goals. The Roos regularly used him across the half-forward position and he was a strong reason for their win.
• Daniel Connors: Continued his great recent form with another 30 possession game coming out of the backline. He is almost becoming too good to start on your bench with three scores in a row over 115 points.
• Andrew Swallow: Got the hard stuff all day and fed all his fellow midfielders with his superb pack-work. Racked up 31 touches and 8 tackles for the game.

Disappointing:

• Trent Cotchin: Was well held by Greenwood, managing only the 12 touches. His game was further soured by a head-high hit on Wright, which will unfortunately likely see him suspended, despite it being totally accidental. This will be a big talking point in the media this week.
• Aaron Edwards: Has been dominating in the VFL, but just couldn’t mirror the form to AFL level, finishing with only a handful of disposals. May find himself looking for a new club at season’s end.
• Jack Riewoldt: Grima did a great job of holding Riewoldt to just the three goals and 8 disposals. Unfortunately, he can’t dominate every week, especially when his midfield is thrashed.

Blip on the Radar:

• Jake King: If you got points for trying hard, King would be a must have addition to your Dream Team. But unfortunately, trying won’t get you too far in DT - he is a tagger, nothing more, and is not a player you want in your team, ever!

Fremantle vs Melbourne:

Looking Good:

• Paul Duffield: Duffield rarely dominates a game, but he drifts in for several key plays through the game, and every time he always ends with a beautiful pass into the forward line, a great run down the wing, or a great tackle - he is becoming a great player, and a very consistent one at that. Finished with 22 disposals, 7 marks and 6 tackles.
• Colin Sylvia: He started up forward, but was quickly, and fortunately, moved into the midfield for most of the game. He had some good passages and was particularly prevalent when the Dees were getting back into the game. He even got himself a 14-pointer, which was a sight for sore eyes (tackle, free kick, kick, goal = 14).
• Jack Watts: I really wanted to single this kid out for a very impressive game - the stats don’t speak the whole story here, but his workrate up through the midfield and along the wings was first-rate. He followed up plenty of his hard work for some one-twos and looks very ready to lead the Dees young forward line. If he had a bit more meat on the bones he would command a real presence I think - I’m really excited about the future of this kid!

Disappointing:

• Brent Moloney: Was tagged out of the game early by McPhee and really struggled, managing just 16 points in two and a half quarters of footy. He then got a corked thigh in the third, for which he was put in cotton wool - I think he could have kept playing, but was having no effect on the game so was therefore rested.
• Ryan Crowley: Played as a tagging forward and also as a small defender in bursts and it killed his scoring. Whilst he is not typically a big scorer, 26 points is well below what should be expected.
• Mark Jamar: Jamar competed well against Sandilands in the ruck, but struggled for much effect around the ground. In fact, Johnson was the most dominating ruckman around the ground.

Blip on the Radar:

• Joel MacDonald: I like Joel, but I think he is way too much on the cusp of selection at Melbourne. The Dees want to play the kids, so the senior players only need to give the slightest excuse to be dropped. Grimes back in a couple of weeks will also put some pressure on him.