Footy Tragic

Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide:

Looking Good:

• Daniel Giansiracusa: Scored his first ton for the year in great style – moved to the midfield in Boyd’s absence and carved Adelaide up. Hopefully his form here could see it become a more permanent move!
• Ryan Griffen: Griffen is finally starting to learn how to win the ball, not just dispose of it well. He was best-afield with his brilliant kicking, and set up the win for the Dogs early on.
• Lindsay Gilbee: Was solid off half-back, with plenty of marks and kicks really helping his DT score. Shows what he is capable of when he doesn’t have an opponent sitting on him all game!

Disappointing:

• Patrick Dangerfield: Copped a knock early in the game and never really got into it. His main DT problem is going to be his lack of kicks, marks and tackles – he just seems to love handballing!
• Nathan VanBerlo: This was his first game of the year and understandably he never really got into it. The fact his game time was limited and the fact his team saw little of the ball meant his first game back was nothing to be too excited by.
• Robert Murphy: Didn’t participate too much in the match until he got a bunch of bonus points in a kick-to-kick session at the end of the match. Still doesn’t seem to have come into any form yet this year…

Blip on the Radar:

• Nathan Eagleton: Generally is a good participant in the game and is one of the Dog’s more outside players. Whilst there shouldn’t be any doubt on his potential to rack up the stats, his problem is both his consistency and his age; his form can be very up and down, coupled with the fact his age increases his likelihood of getting injured (as we saw with his late start to the season).

Sydney vs West Coast:

Looking Good:

• Beau Waters: Was a really solid player again for the Eagles and looked to move more upfield in the absence of Kerr. His form and fitness have proven to be one of the great DT stories so far this year!
• Dean Cox: He’s baaaaaaaaack!! Cox finally looks to be over his injury worries and is looking to have his form back. Whilst still switching between ruck and the forward line, he was clearly Woosha’s first-choice ruckman for the game. He has now bottomed out, so this is the time to pounce!
• Ryan O’Keefe: Was best afield all the way until three-quarter time (he spent most of the last quarter on the bench). He continues to rack up the disposals through the midfield with the highlight being the fact he continues to kick more than he handballs!

Disappointing:

• Dan Hannebery: After two super games in a row, the second year player saw very little of the ball, and frustratingly was exclusively handballing.
• Chris Masten: Has proven to be one of the worst DT ‘bargains’ of the year – his form has been really average – he just looks like he can’t get anywhere near it. The absence of Kerr will hurt him (as we saw here), as it means he will now be the main tag target in the team.
• Nic Naitanui: Cox’s return to form hurt Nic-Nat’s scoring as it relegated him to mainly playing in the forward line. If there were one slight on Naitanui’s game, it would be his marking, meaning his form as a forward is not fantastic.

Blip on the Radar:

• Kieran Jack: Was one of the most pivotal players in the game with his hard brand of football. But whilst he is a potential future star, Jack’s current role in the team is that of a tagger – and whilst this week he was not required to lock down as hard, against better opposition he will ultimately have to sacrifice his own game for the good of the team.

Melbourne vs Brisbane:

Looking Good:

• Jack Trengove: Easily his best game in the red and blue – was probably the classiest midfielder on the field and his accurate passes and great goals were highlights. Is really building on his form, proving that throwing the kids to the wolves is by far the best way to develop youngsters.
• Michael Rischitelli: Is in great form at the moment, and I was especially impressed by his work around the stoppages. Whilst he fell just short of the ton, I thought he was one of the few Brisbane players capable of walking off with their heads held high.
• Colin Sylvia: Another super game by the Melbourne tyro – he again played his game between both the forward line and the midfield and threw his body into every possible contest, proving that he has no reservations about the jaw he broke just over a month ago.

Disappointing:

• Jonathan Brown: There was much speculation coming into the game about Brown’s fitness – and whilst he played, he was clearly hampered. He would have been better to sit the game out, and by the way he was looking, don’t be too surprised if he is out of next week’s team.
• Tom Scully: I feel guilty singling this kid out as he definitely isn’t a bad player – but his game is just not the most suited to dream team (too many handballs, not enough kicks or marks). Those who picked him over Trengove may now be feeling a bit bashful…
• Ash McGrath: After such a strong finish to the 2009 season as a rebounder, McGrath looks to be back into a defensive role. Disappointing from a DT point of view.

Blip on the Radar:

• Joel Patful: Patful is one of the more versatile ‘defensive’ players on the Lions’ list, meaning he is regularly rotating through different roles, depending on what is most suited. Whilst he spend this game running off Petterd, most of the time he plays as either a dour defender or a tagger – two rubbish DT positions.

Port Adelaide vs St.Kilda:

Looking Good:

• Domenic Cassisi: This was Cassisi’s best game for the season and was exactly the kind of game he relishes – it was in tight and close and hard. Worth noting is how cheap he is at the moment after a slow start to the year – but if he (and Port) can keep this form up, he could prove an absolute steal!
• David Rodan: In only his second game back from a knee reconstruction, Rodan was clearly the best on field. The Saints stupidly allowed him to run free (Montagna was his opponent) and he took full advantage of it with some brilliant runs up the middle.
• Leigh Montagna: One of the better Saints on the night and the highest disposal getter on the ground – thanks to the omission of both Gram and Ray, Montagna was the only elite outside player left in the Saints team, meaning he was continually delivered the ball.

Disappointing:

• Justin Koschitzke: Was easily the worst player on the ground – if there were one player who needed to step up, it was Kosi. Yet every time he had his chances – a big mark or a goal – he stuffed it up. Needs to find form, and fast.
• Brendon Goddard: Was attempting to play a very outside role for the game (he is typically a ball-winner, not just receiver) due to the loss of Gram and Ray, but due to the fact the game was played so tight, it meant his disposal count suffered. Will bounce back.
• Robbie Gray: Played predominantly as a forward and didn’t do too much. He sat out much of the last quarter with cramp which suggests he is not fully match fit after his stint on the sidelines. I am very worried about if and when he will come good…

Blip on the Radar:

• Paul Stewart: Still a young player with plenty of scope, but found himself the loose man on many occasions. This won’t be a regular occurrence, so until it becomes a consistent thing don’t get too excited.

Essendon vs Collingwood:

Looking Good:

• Sharrod Wellingham: Is really stepping up this year, minus the plaudits. Has both an inside and outside game and runs the lines really well. What initially looked like a bit of a flash in the pan is becoming somewhat of a consistency instead.
• Dayne Beams: Another player taking his game to a new level – had 11 brilliantly weighted inside-50s, making him the most important player on the ground. Is proving he is more than just a hard-ball winner.
• Brent Stanton: Returned from a week off and picked up where he left off. His ball-winning skills are sublime, and as we spoke of in the pre-season, his consistency is becoming a real highlight.

Disappointing:

• Dane Swan: Whilst 83 points isn’t something to be ashamed by, but when you are Dane Swan and the most popular captain choice in dream team, it is appalling. He just couldn’t get into the game, being well held by Hocking. A move to behind the ball in the last quarter proved to be a points-saviour.
• Mark McVeigh: Played again as a tagger, this time on Leon Davis, meaning he was relegated to the back pocket for long sections of the match. This role is a total DT-killer. Get rid of him before he starts to leak cash!
• Michael Hurley: Kicked only one goal whilst spending most of the game in the forward line. Admittedly, the Bomber’s forward line was totally dysfunctional, however Hurley’s form is nothing close to what he promised at the end of last year!

Blip on the Radar:

• Josh Fraser: Got amongst the goals and played stints in the ruck in his best game of the year. But as he has proven in the other four games this year, his new role of forward/ruck (rather than ruck/forward – No, this is not a Zoolander quote…) has proven to be detrimental to his DT scoring – I wouldn’t expect that this game will prove a permanent form turnaround.

Hawthorn vs North Melbourne:

Looking Good:

• Luke Hodge: Again played an awesome utility game, adding another string to his bow by becoming the key ruckman in the absence of Renouf. Still seems to play most of the game without an opponent.
• Jordan Lewis: Looks to be back in touch after his round 3 concussion ruined both that round and his week after. Was back to his hard and tough best and low looks a bargain option for any midfield!
• Daniel Wells: Was back into the midfield after a stint off the half-back line and was the Kangaroo’s best. Not only did his kick three pretty decent goals, he seems to be racking up the disposals too. Seems to be finally maturing.

Disappointing:

• Clinton Young: Still lacking some much needed match fitness and only gained himself 10 disposals. Young is one of the most important players on the Hawks list, so they will play him into form. The only worry is that it may take a while for him to get there.
• Rick Ladson: As usual he got plenty of the ball in patches, yet finished with only 66 points. He played stints in the midfield, so I was disappointed that this wasn’t able to improve on his scoring.
• Gavin Urquhart: For so long now I have held high hopes for this kid, yet since his debut season he just hasn’t come along. He is a player capable of kicking the ball so well, yet he always feels the need to just bomb it long…

Blip on the Radar:

• Stephen Gilham: Yes, I know I used Gilham as an example last week… and yes, that does kinda defeat the purpose of this segment if he is scoring consistently! But still, the warning remains: Do not go near Gilham – he has been lucky (two weeks in a row now) at winning plenty of cheap ball, but it is not part of his game requirements. Don’t be sucked in by two games in a row! Please!

Fremantle vs Richmond:

Looking Good:

• Michael Barlow: Looked back to the form he showed in the opening rounds with some really strong ball-winning skills and a huge kick. Runs around like a really mature player and always makes the right decision.
• Brett Deledio: Was played off the half-back line and his creativity set up a lot of Richmond’s scoring. He looked really at home down there, despite his opponent having three shots on goal (fortunately he only kicked 1.2). He was good enough to make this a permanent move.
• Nat Fyfe: Was ultra impressive in his first game – the kid looks like he’s still mid-puberty, but he clunks a mark like a pro! Was really lively in the forward line and I was impressed with his marking and quick handballing skills. Unfortunately, his goal-kicking was the one let-down of his game.

Disappointing:

• Michael Johnson: Was back-up to Sandilands, but really just floated around the packs without much contribution. I think he would be much more suited to playing a key-position, but unfortunately with Zac Clarke still developing it looks like Johnson is the only real 2^nd ruck option.
• Troy Simmonds: Spent his time trying to nullify Sandilands instead of actually trying to get a hit-out and struggled all day. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him when his kick at goal at the end of the game went straight into the man on the mark, and as he scurried after it, he tripped and fell over the line… It sorta summed up his game.
• David Astbury: Whilst I talked up his game last week, I struggled to even catch a glimpse of him this week. I just wanted to make the point that he is perhaps not the forward to bring in (if you are looking at doing a downgrade) – perhaps the likes of Fyfe would be a better option.

Blip on the Radar:

• Adam McPhee: Played definitely his best game for Freo since his return, although it was still marred with plenty of his trademark turnovers and trips… Personally I wouldn’t go near him, because even though he may be finding some form, the form he has found is still nothing spectacular.

Geelong vs Carlton:

Looking Good:

• Gary Ablett Jnr: Despite being tagged by his nemesis Aaron Joseph, Ablett did as he pleased and racked up a game high 33 disposals. He still does not look like slowing down – those who invested in Dane Swan over Ablett will be starting to get pretty angry…
• Bryce Gibbs: His first game this year where he has actually impressed me. Played more as a straight midfielder rather than being assigned a job – those coaches getting worried may finally be able to breath a sigh of relief.
• Chris Judd: Dominated just as he did last week, although Ling did slow him down a bit in the second half. It is hard not to love Judd’s hard-ball winning ability – it is second to none in the AFL. He is finally looking over his injuries too, which will only help him.

Disappointing:

• Steve Johnson: Was absolutely dominated by Jordan Russell and was kept to only one goal and one mark for the game. The Cats forward line seemed totally dysfunctional without his contribution – I also worry that he may still not be 100% recovered from his hip injury.
• Tom Hawkins: He is still not getting any of the ball, and for the second week in a row was totally ineffective. He didn’t even get a kick, let alone kick a goal!
• Lachie Henderson: Had several chances to take an easy mark in front of goal but dropped all of them – he is still very young and raw, and it must be remembered that the Blues are not using him as a main option in the forward line with their new three-small forward structure.

Blip on the Radar:

• Jordan Russell: Played out of his skin, totally dominating Steve Johnson. Not only did he stop Johnson’s effect on the game, he ran off him to the tune of 21 possessions and 10 marks – a great dream team game. Russell has shown signs in his few games this year, however I do worry a little about his consistency in this role for the rest of the season, especially with the eventual return of Waite and Thornton. He could prove a DT star of the future, but this year I feel may be a bit too early.