Essendon vs West Coast:

Looking Good:

  • David Hille: This was the ton that Hille owners have been waiting for since the start of last year! He far from dominated, but he seems to be building the fitness base to allow him to pick up plenty of kicks and marks around the ground, as he showed here.
  • Dean Cox: This was easily his best game for the season – he was able to spend more time through the middle, and from all reports he pulled up really well. Worsforld said he is probably 2 – 3 weeks from returning to his best, and this display was certainly a step in the right direction!
  • Beau Waters: Solid again in defence – I’m really impressed by his form considering the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines. Should continue to get better as his match fitness improves.

Disappointing:

  • Scott Gumbleton: Got poor supply, but he does really look like a player still adjusting to the high speed of AFL. By the end of the season I expect he will be significantly better, however don’t expect anything more than an inconsistent season from the young big-man.
  • Michael Hurley: His first game of the season probably didn’t impress as much as hoped, but I know I’ll still be keeping a close eye on him in the coming weeks! This kid has the potential to be a legitimate superstar – and I’m sure there wouldn’t be too many people surprised if it happened this year.
  • Marc LeCras: LeCras is such a creative, smart player, but I just can’t understand why Worsfold doesn’t play him in the midfield and bring McKinley into the team. He didn’t have a disappointing game necessarily, but it is just frustrating to see such a good player stuck in the forward pocket.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Nathan Lovett-Murray: Can be an exciting player, but is not a dream team star. Although he is at a reasonable price for what his 84 points suggests, a player who will simply maintain his mid-ranged average is not worth the trade.

North Melbourne vs Sydney:

Looking Good:

  • Ryan Bastinac: Hands up which coaches left him on the pine because he was playing Sydney!? ME! (big mistake!). He had another great game, this time tagging McVeigh (and was very successful). His ability to tag and opponent, yet break free and win plenty of his own ball is testament to Basti in just his fourth game! Looks in for a huge year!
  • Daniel Hannebery: Those set on already giving the rising star award to Naitanui ought to have another look at Hannebery – the kid is a great player – he is tenacious in winning his own ball, but has a good outside game too. Will be one of the big sub-50 game improvers this year.
  • Daniel Bradshaw: Easily his best game for his new club, Bradshaw kicked four goals. He will continue to get better as he overcomes his off-season injuries, however don’t expect him to pull in too many big numbers this year.

Disappointing:

  • Nick Malceski: Got stuck playing on a man for most of the game and it killed his DT score. Don’t write him off straight away after one game – he will bounce back!
  • Ben McGlynn: After two huge games where he seemed to have all the space in the world around him, McGlynn suddenly found himself given much more attention by the opposition taggers. Don’t expect this every week though.
  • Sam Wright: So much for Brad Scott’s philosophy of putting his developing players in important roles – Wright seems to have pulled the short still and played the game as a defensive forward.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Shane Mumford: This is Mummy’s second good game in a row, and coincidentally, Seaby’s second poor one in a row. Coincidence? No. Sydney seem to have no consistency on which player will play the primary ruck role – for this reason and the subsequent inconsistencies that will follow, I would be avoiding either ruckman if possible!

Adelaide vs Carlton:

Looking Good:

  • Marc Murphy: Ok… I think he is over his pre-season injury issues now. Murphy dominated both inside and outside the contests with 32 possessions. Hopefully he can continue to replicate this, regardless of his team’s inconsistent form.
  • Chris Judd: Carlton play so much better when this man is in their team – he is not a natural ball-winner, although doesn’t seem to have too much trouble clocking up a ton. His presence should also help lift the rest of his teammates scoring.
  • Kade Simpson: Doesn’t look like slowing down, despite the Carlton having their full contingent of midfielders playing. Could be a fantastic unique pick in your team – these are the kind of players that will win you DT!
Adelaide Crows Training Session


Disappointing:

  • Kurt Tippett: Still playing between the forward line and ruck and it is not helping him. He needs to stay in the forward line permanently and continue to learn that caper. His injury isn’t assisting him either – in fact, things aren’t looking all too positive at the moment for Tippett owners.
  • Jason Porplyzia: His match fitness is way down on what it should be and it shows in his consequential output. Didn’t kick a goal all day – however, I expect in a few weeks that things could start looking a bit better for Adelaide players as most of them are coming off shortened pre-seasons. They are much like Hawthorn of 2009.
  • Mitch Robinson: The return of Judd and the good form of Kane Lucas pushed the developing Robinson out to the flanks where he failed to have much impact.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Andrew Walker: Walker’s game wasn’t really one I would expect to see any of the umpires voting for, but for us in DT land it was a dream game – he spent most of him time sitting in the backline taking uncontested marks and kicks. After three poor games in a row, I think Walker more found himself in the right place at the right time, rather than found form.

Collingwood vs Hawthorn:

Looking Good:

  • Dane Swan: Was back to his ball-winning best, clocking up an impressive 34 touches. I don’t think he’s quite back into his 2009 form yet, although he doesn’t look far off! There will be plenty of massive scores ahead!
  • Steele Sidebottom: Played a very good game between HFF and the midfield and had 27 possessions. It’s great to see Steele beginning to have the big DT games we always knew he was capable of when drafted in 2008.
  • Luke Hodge: Appears to be unstoppable this year, and I for one am confused as to why no opposition teams seem to tag him! He is in great form, and what is more positive is the fact he still seems capable of scoring a ton, despite the fact his team got pumped!

Disappointing:

  • Josh Fraser: Kicked 2 behinds playing mainly as a forward. As a forward in a team so dominant, it is disappointing he couldn’t have added at least a couple of goals to the scoreboard. Jolly’s arrival appears to be the end of Fraser’s time as a DT star.
  • Rick Ladson: The fact he had 18 disposals, yet only scored 48 points was frustrating – he handballs way to much which cruels his potentially high DT score.
  • Jarryd Roughead: Only kicked one goal despite being the main target form Hawthorn. He seems to operate much better with Buddy in the side. Also, he WAS well held by Presti…

Blip on the Radar:

  • Stephen Gilham: The fact that Gilham, one of the league’s least attacking full-backs was able to rack up 21 disposals and 86 DT points was an indictment to his opponent, Leigh Brown. Don’t be expecting this too often!

Brisbane vs Western Bulldogs:

Looking Good:

  • Jared Brennan: Was instrumental in the Lions win and lit the Gabba alight with his amazing skills and one-handed pick-ups. He has proven to me that his first two scores weren’t just one-offs and he seems to have finally found the consistency he has lacked for most of his career.
  • Matthew Leuenberger: Was really impressive in the absence of Mitch Clark. He is not quite as agile as the likes of Clarke, but he competes well around the ground and appears to be much stronger than I was previously aware.
  • Shaun Higgins: One of the Dog’s better players – he played the game through the midfield which was great to see. It wasn’t his best day as a few skill errors let him down, yet still he did compete more than many of his teammates.

Disappointing:

  • Robert Murphy: Seemed unable to take a mark and really struggled to have any form all game. Just looked to be having one of those days where nothing goes right.
  • Lindsay Gilbee: Saw very little of the ball, despite getting little opposition attention. Wasn’t the only one, so I expect he should be able to bounce back next week.
  • Daniel Rich: Four weeks into the season and he is still showing little of his 2009 Rising Star form. He continues to give to many frees away and seems easily frustrated. Maybe some time in the QAFL could help to regain his confidence.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Dylan Addison: Got a couple of very opportunistic goals which really bellied his score. He is typically a tagger, and is often one of the last picked, meaning that he is typically in and out of the team. Not what you want.

Melbourne vs Richmond:

Looking Good:

  • Colin Sylvia: Great to see him back in the side and had a fantastic game, in turn proving that there is no concern over his recently broken jaw. His only worry will be a report in quarter two, but otherwise it was a great return.
  • Brent Moloney: Having a very good, unheralded start to the year – this game is definitely his best so far. He proved last year he is a great ball-winner, however I would be hesitant to spend the big bucks on him due to the fact he plays for Melbourne, meaning his score could potentially fluctuate rapidly.
  • Ben Nason: Played predominantly as a small forward and it suited him. He plays a high-intensity game so tackles and touches seemed relatively easy to come by.

Disappointing:

  • Joel Macdonald: Before the season started, much was expected of Macdonald as a senior player coming across to an inexperienced one in Melbourne. However, whilst his form has been solid, it has not converted into any spectacular DT form – unfortunately, I can’t see this changing as it more seems to be about the role he is playing rather than his actual form.
  • Dustin Martin: I’m sure I am not the only coach who feels burnt by Martin this season – after a scintillating NAB cup campaign, he has come into the season and only averaged a mediocre 60 points. Really needs the support of his team before we really start to see an improvement I think.
  • Jamie Bennell: Played as a small forward and saw very little of the ball, being well held by an oddly positioned Shane Tuck.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Shane Tuck: There is no arguing Tuck’s brilliant ability as a Dream Teamer, but unfortunately, his coach does not seem to have him in his team. Tuck will continuously find himself in and out of the team all year, as well as getting stuck in strange positions such as in a back pocket… So although he should score well when he plays, the last thing you want is a DT star who only plays every second week!

Geelong vs Port Adelaide:

Looking Good:

  • James Podsiadly: I doubt I was the only one to be a bit surprised when Pods was named in this weeks team, despite the inclusion of Mooney from suspension. However, he did his chances of keeping his spot no harm at all, booting 5 goals – more than Mooney and Hawkins combined!
  • Gary Ablett Jnr: As seems to be the case down at Skilled Stadium, Ablett had the ball on a string, plucking 37 possessions and a bonus 3 goals whilst ‘resting’ up forward. Still hasn’t peaked form-wise this year, so expect the best is yet to come – scary!
  • Joel Corey: Bounced back after a couple of average game to start the year – he, like Ablett, racked up 37 touches and was one of the big reasons for their massive victory. Could be a great pick at his current bargain price.

Disappointing:

  • Robbie Gray: He was actually one of Port’s better players, although 65 points was probably not ideal for the coaches who have held onto him for three weeks. Just remember (before you think of trading him), he won’t play the Cats every week, at Skilled Stadium, in a team which lost by nearly 100 points… I’m certain he will bounce back!
  • Steven Salopek: Went head-to-head with Bartel and was soundly beaten. Once again – Cats, Skilled, 100 points – don’t be too concerned.
  • Joel Selwood: Shut down very well by Cassissi which made plenty of coaches (who didn’t own him) very happy – he will be dirt cheap in a couple of weeks, so be sure you pounce!

Blip on the Radar:

  • Cameron Ling: The Mayor of Geelong is definitely a player capable of some high scores, but it if far from what he bases his game around. He is first and foremost a tagger, meaning he will shut down his opposition before helping himself to the ball.

St.Kilda vs Fremantle:

Looking Good:

  • Nick DalSanto: Was bizarrely left to run alone for most of the match and it allowed him to become the highest disposal winner on the field. Was great in the packs but played predominantly an outside game, setting up plenty of the Saints’ forays forward.
  • Brendon Goddard: Easily the best on ground playing most of the game at Centre Half Forward. He kicked five goals and worked really hard. He was a far superior player for Freo’s backline and they struggled to contain him. His great contested marks and amazingly accurate boot were highlights.
  • Paul Duffield: Played from behind the play and took mark after mark after mark – the perfect DT game! Spent a bit of time through the midfield, but mainly he was setting up from behind play, playing a mostly uncontested game.
  • Aaron Sandilands: Sandilands was heavily exploited due to the lack of tall Saints players on the field. He won plenty of contested marks and was great around the field – already a lock for All-Australian ruckman.

Disappointing:

  • Hayden Ballantyne: Struggled to have much impact with the Saints fast ball use in the backline causing him to struggle to chase many of them down. Baker sat on him for the game which was also a big cause for his low impact.
  • Des Headland: Did very little playing mainly on a HFF – never threatened to kick a goal and was easily run off by his Saints opponents.
  • Brett Peake: First game against his old club and despite a couple of nice highlights, he did very little. Needs to build on his consistency to be considered a regular for the Saints best-22.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Roger Hayden: I thought his game was brilliant – his run out of the backline was incredible, and he was often the start of many Freo scoring chains. But unfortunately, this dash seems to be somewhat of a rarity, meaning his DT average is typically around the 60 – 70 range. If he were played as a loose man and given a real rebounding role he could be a must-have player, but unfortunately it is not the case and his game is foremost built around defensive football.