Post match. Pies skin Cats! All comments

[Miz]

The ruck was handled admirably by the hotheaded youngster Cam Cloke, and abley assisted by Fraser

Not sure how you can say this because Fraser was absolutely terrible which is why Cam Cloke's effort was even more impressive.

[Johnson#26]

Agree morrison was pretty poor, doubt egan will be dropped. I think Julian Rowe will actually, 2 big turnovers which led to goal opportunities. He needs a rest and some time to settle. Has all the skills, just doesnt have the experience to use them yet.

Johnson in, Rowe out may be the only change i reckon. I think Woey did ok, was useful enough.

I wouldn't dump Rowe. He's starting to consolidate as a player.

[swooper]

Oh, apart from what everybody else has mentioned...how AMAZING was the ovation the boys got coming off at half-time?!!! We were sitting right above the race and just about everyone was up on their feet applauding and cheering - it was as if the game was over and won! Stirring stuff.
I'm sure the players were chuffed too - great stuff.

[PeterWH]

From what I saw on TV Friday night,we had the best 22 on the field,they did what they had to do,the PIES won the game,they are just one win outside the 8 and the 'D's next week.
By the time the ROOS beat them today,and we get hold of them next Monday,we shopuld be tapping on the door of the top 8.
I recon that soem of the comments from the past 2 days arent waranted.
I remember correctly that I reconned that we would make the top 8,and as Rex Hunt says....the game aint over til the 'fat lady sings' and she aint sung yet.

[LIL PRESTIGIACOMO]

Hey All!!

What a game!! I had an absolute BLAST! Was a special guest at the Presidents Dinner thing with my parents, was a really good night! So weird to be at the footy all dressed up and eating all this swanky food with these 'posh' people...NOT, lol still plenty of ferals abusing the shit out of the players!

I've been telling people for weeks that we'd fire up for Simon's 150th but barely anyone believed me when I said we were playing Geelong!! Haha, shove that up your ass!! GO PIES!!

But anyways, if anybody has any photos of the banner or of his kids running out with him, no actually ANY photos at all could you please post them cos my mum and I would greatly appreciate them!!

THANKS!!

Love Always

Leezie

XoXoX

[spoljar]

I thought it was a great win from the boys. I thought the score actually flattered Geelong in the end as they effectively played one good quarter of footy compared to our two and one was about even!
Once again our defence was great and its nice to see some accurate movement of the ball as the confidence is really starting to build.
The forward line is really starting to excite me. The amount of options and versatility in there will make it hard for any defence to stop them.

The one really great thing for me is that they are starting to learn how to win without Bucks and Rocca. The reality is that they can't play forever and we are starting to create the depth we need to have another real crack at a premiership!

[perthmagpie]

Well, just arrived back from Melbourne feeling good about the future. It was only my second game for the year and was a great game to be able to make it to. We are playing with the intensity and confidence of the second half of 2003. I should say that this season anything is possible after the last three weeks. So get ready for the ride. Lets see how far we will go. Even a loss in the next two weeks won't be the end. We are one game and % out of the 8. I think 7 more wins would do it and 9 might sneak us in to a top 4 position like it did in 2002.

Anyway my thoughts on the game. The Magpie Army was really back in full voice. The noise was incredible and the ovation at half time was awe inspiring. I was lucky enough to be down the end where Didak delivered two acts of magic. I was a little hoarse on Saturday.

The biggest indicator of the level of performances is our tackle count and opposition turnovers from them. In the 2002 grand final we almost stole the flag with incredible tackling and pressure. We haven't played with that intensity since the 2003 preliminary final until four weeks ago. The Richmond game was the turning point and the intensity has spread through the whole team. I believe if we keep this up in the next three weeks we will really pump a team who isn't ready for it.

As for the changes MM will be very reluctant to make more than 1 change although might think Egan has got a bit ahead of himself. Johnson will come back in. Others to go could be one of Woey, Rowe and Morrison. I doubt any of these will be dropped. I'd like to see Davis come back in if Egan goes but I don't know if Leon is ready yet or deserves it.

Woey worries me. Since he was away we have changed dramatically. His slowness to move the ball on and inability to kick long to a lead don't fit in with the way we are playing. Tarrant, Rusling, Shaw and T.Cloke are making lightning fast leads into space and Woey simply misses the longest leads and kicks to a stationary player 30 metres away. This didn't stand out as much when we prepared to chip around against a flood. But the flood won't happen with all those fast guys leading. Perhaps Woey needs a role change from half back wing to a rotating midfielder for when Lica, Burnsy and Holland tire.

Travis Cloke is so exciting. He can be a superstar of the future if he wants to be. I hope he keeps up the momentum and hard running. A definite CHF as can go both ways and will get bigger and a little taller (hopefully not too much). Will only keep improving. For me the most exciting player we have. Will release Rocca and Fraser to anywhere we feel like.

Rusling, only two games but looks to be an exceptional prospect. Yes it would be great if he stood up this year and kicked heaps of goals. But we may have found a full forward of the future. Actually looks faster than Tarrant on the lead and very strong hands. Lets hope his set shots are better than Taz.

Fraser still looks unfit and light on for body strength. Should get back to his best within a month. The break will do him good after Melbourne. Cam Cloke stood up and played his most promising game. Improving gradually and wil be a regular by years end. Just needs to mature and take a leaf out of Travis's book of how to apply his aggression. That'll come with time.

Tarrant is a much better asset in the role he played last night. When you are that fast and fit you'd want to use it and he doesn't really get to do that hanging around in the square as our number one forward target. He is a great link man when we have possession in the back half and we have no one to kick the ball to and keep the ball away from a contest. I think Taz is about to hit form. Last night he played with freedom and took 10 marks. Perhaps the knee cyst is almost gone.

Jimmy Clement is a pleasure to watch. He is a backman in tophat and tails who shows how its done. Incredible poise and strength in a contest. His damaging clearances are setting up so many inside fiftys.

I think we can win next week. If we go up a notch with our pressure and continue to kick straight again for the fourth week in a row. Melbourne have many class players and fantastic long kickers. But any team can be beaten if they face pressure they are not used to. We will need to keep up for 4 quarters.

[DaVe86]

The way the boys ran off at half time was the highlight of my year. We all stood up and applauded. Heads were up, the atmosphere was awesome. Just fantastic

[Eunos]

Hey All!!

What a game!! I had an absolute BLAST! Was a special guest at the Presidents Dinner thing with my parents, was a really good night! So weird to be at the footy all dressed up and eating all this swanky food with these 'posh' people...NOT, lol still plenty of ferals abusing the shit out of the players!

I've been telling people for weeks that we'd fire up for Simon's 150th but barely anyone believed me when I said we were playing Geelong!! Haha, shove that up your ass!! GO PIES!!

But anyways, if anybody has any photos of the banner or of his kids running out with him, no actually ANY photos at all could you please post them cos my mum and I would greatly appreciate them!!

THANKS!!

Love Always

Leezie

XoXoX

Please pass on mine, and I'm sure the whole boards, congratulations to your brother s 150th outing for our Mighty club.
Simon has done the number 35 proud.

.

[perthmagpie]

For the record from Friday's game:

Holland
Clement
Lockyer
Swan

All had career best possession stats. That tells us how hard we are working.

[GreekLunatic]

well done to the pies is this true we kick in our last 3 games 17 18 and 18 goals cause thats a bigg difference to our first 7 games

[3rd degree]

Wrapped with Brodie's and Didak game and Scotty Burns' tackle on Scarlett was great - vintage Burns. And of course Taz's mark and Didak's magic everywhere. Matthew Scarlett has just also won a new award - All Australian 2005 Step Ladder for Chris Tarrant - Also a former Winner in 2003! Congatulations!!!!! Runner up in both years Jumping Jarrad Rooke!

Keep it up Pies long way to go yet lads keep it focused!

[Jace]

The send of at half time was great & for the effort they put in, they deserved it. If not for some questionable calls we would have been up by more as we were well & truely in control of the game. The biggest change in the last few weeks has been the intensity & tackling of the players from O'Bree in the centre to Tarrent chasing out of the forward line.

Question: Do we have the best backline in the league? We all know that Jimmy is all Australian (& doing a great job as captain too btw), but the support he is getting from Presti & Wakes has been brilliant. Plus the other guys also contributing well (inc Tarks tagging role last week on Ablett). Considering the amount of time the ball has spent in our defence the first few games we have had plenty of oppurtunities to get practice...

[jackcass]

And just a quick pat on the back to the young kids - Swan, both Clokes, Maxwell, Rowe all very good tonight

?

I though Rowe was good. Won a bit of the ball and used it well. Happy with his game.

Rowe turned the ball over three times and all resulted in goals to Geelong. He needs to get some power and penetration into his kicking. On each of the three occasions cited above he was actually running out of defence and not under any pressure, yet either failed to hit a target, kick didn't carry the distance, or floated and allowed a Geelong player to intercept.

This kid has a real future if he can improve his disposal and his defensive skills.

[stik35]

It was a fantastic win on Friday night. It was good to get back to Telstra Dome (never thought I'd be saying that a few years ago).

Jimmy is doing a great job as Captain, I loved the way the players ran off as one at half time, cheered on by us, the fans - it was great to see.
I would also have loved to have seen the smile on Buck's face after the game.

Our experienced players stood up, Jimmy, Wakes and Presti, Brodie, O'Bree, Lica and Burnsy. Didak was inspirational, Caracella and Taz worked hard(shame about his conversion), Tarks worked his butt off too and it was good to hear even Cam acknowledge that. (Nick's Cam that is)
I thought Morrison got a bit of it but, unfortunately, turned it over too often, as did Woey. The frustrating thing about Woey is the way he always holds up play looking for an option.

Of the young guys, Travis is a revelation, Cameron did OK in the Ruck - seeing that Fraser was ineffective, Swan was everywhere - great game. Maxwell good again, kicked his first goal. Rusling is fast off the mark and kicked a few as well. I wasn't happy with Rowe's disposal, even when he had time he still turned it over, always kicks long - to the opposition.
Egan still looks untidy to me.

It's been a great few weeks, I hope we keep playing this way - it's hard to believe that after the Freo game we could bounce back and that earlier in the year, after the way we played in the WB and Essendon games in particular, I was thinking about giving it all away as it had no resemblance to the game of footy we love.

We may not make the Finals, who knows? But at least we can once again enjoy the ride.

GO PIES!