Post match. Pies thump Tigers - all comments please.

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

Feels like forever since we've scored so freely!
Great to see Didak in form - He really does bring others in to the game!!.......No wonder medders shows him some love!!
Travis was great on the lead & must've had clear instructions to boot it towards Rocca territory with every possession - which is a pretty good idea V the tigers!

Did someone say workmanlike?!??!?!?!.......i would say it was almost 'showmanlike'!!

But let's face it - Bitchmond are crap!

[David]

Although I caught snippets of the Freo game, and saw the final quarter last week, full-time work has prevented me from catching much football up until yesterday. However, with the day off, I managed to catch the Richmond game in its entirety, which was great. I was quite impressed with how we played - seems, at the very least, that we're keeping up the standard we set last season.

Here's how I viewed each player's game:

Leon Davis: Kicked a great goal and looked in good form. Big tackle at one stage, though could have done better by kicking more accurately. 7
Alan Didak: Didn't have a massive impact, although that's not to say he was poor. Contributed. 6
Nick Maxwell: solid all day in defence, and even managed a goal. 7
Paul Medhurst: Probably the best game I've seen him play for us. Was everywhere all day, kicked 3 big goals and took 14 marks. Will get 3 brownlow votes. 10
Harry O'Brien: Did some good stuff, but didn't see much of him. 7
John Anthony: 2 goals from first 2 kicks, impressive debut. Otherwise had little impact, but already looks a great player. First goal was all class. 5
Scott Pendlebury: Pretty quiet. Hopefully all is well with Pendles, and this game was just an aberration. Some uncharacteristic errors at times, and just didn't have that much influence on the game, although 21 disposals isn't a bad tally. 5
Shane O'Bree: Thought he did some good things without being spectacular. Easy to underrate him, yes, but he didn't have his best day. 6
Dale Thomas: Was quiet for long periods, but more than made up for it when he had the ball. 3 goals was a great return, and the Daicos-like effort from the boundary was a highlight. 8
Shane Wakelin: Typically solid game in defence... Wakes could play another year if he wanted. Still one of the best in the business. 8
Nathan Brown: First time I'd really got a look at Brown, and I was very impressed. Played on Richo for a large portion of the match, and frankly, had the better of him. Looks like a real long-term prospect. 7
Scott Burns: Unusually quiet. Didn't see much of him. 5
Cameron Wood: As with Brown, this was the first time I really got to see Wood play, and frankly, I finally understand all the hype. This guy has the potential to be an A-grade ruckman, and (possibly leaving Fraser aside) may be the best one we've had since Monkhorst. Great to see him bag his first goal as well. 7
Rhyce Shaw: Keeps on silencing the critics with another fine performance. His run out of defence was crucial. 8
Anthony Rocca: Looked good early, and had 3 goals by the early stages of the third quarter, but was otherwise well held by the Richmond defence. Still, if he's taking half a dozen contested marks in the forward line and kicking 3 or 4 goals a match, he's doing his job. 7
Tarkyn Lockyer: Solid match, as we've come to expect from Tarks. 26 touches and 9 marks in another fantastic display. 8
Josh Fraser: Good job in the hitouts (which he and Wood won comprehensively), but did little around the ground. 6
Ben Johnson: Saw some good and bad stuff from Johnson. Got better as the game went on, and his goal was great. 6
Travis Cloke: 2 early goals, but had little impact afterwards. Took 12 marks as well, and looks good when the ball comes near him, but yesterday probably won't go down as one of his best matches of the year. 6
Alan Toovey: Not nearly as bad as some people would have you believe, Toovey often showed a lot of poise in pressure situations. His kicking was also spot on, apart from a couple of bloopers - speaking of which, he did make far too many mistakes. Will probably be playing seconds next week, but he'll be good once he improves some of his decision making. 4
Dane Swan: Pretty disappointed by Swan's game, not up to the lofty standard that he has been setting for the past two seasons. 18 touches and 5 tackles aren't terrible statistics, but I think there's room for improvement. 6
Heath Shaw: Never put a foot wrong until the last minute. 33 disposals, most of them quality, he dominated from the backline. Even took a bit of a screamer in the third quarter. Only Medhurst's incredible performance will stop Heater from getting the 3 votes. 9

So, to wrap it up, I'd list my best on ground as the following: Medhurst, H. Shaw, R. Shaw, Wakelin, Lockyer, Thomas, Brown, Davis.

(with honourable mentions to JA, for an impressive debut).

[RudeBoy]

I agree with a lot of your assessments David, but think your rating of Didak was way off the mark. Playing mainly in the midfield he picked up 24 possessions, including 12 in the last quarter, which showed just how fit he is. They were all kicks and they all hit their targets. Watching the quality of his disposals was one of the highlights of the game for mine. I'd have rated his game 7 or 8.

[ktszyu1]

I'll give it a try too David:

Leon Davis: If he had've nailed a couple of those trademark goals, he could've gotten higher. 8
Alan Didak: Very good in the midfield. Creates something out of nothing, repeatedly. Didn't get higher because he didn't kick any.8
Nick Maxwell: Typical Maxy, good game. 7
Paul Medhurst: Outstanding. Best on for me. 10
Harry O'Brien: Played on Deledio when he was forward, and beat him. Nice game, but not involved too much. 7
John Anthony: 2 goals from first 2 kicks, impressive debut. Otherwise had little impact, but already looks a great player. First goal was all class. (I just left your comment David)5
Scott Pendlebury: Worried about him. He is fumbling a lot, where clean collects and disposal is his trademark. Still was pretty good, particularly in the first half. 6
Shane O'Bree: A quiet day for Cheesy. But wasn't poor at all. 6
Dale Thomas: Outstanding effort by the young man. His hands are amazing, and the way he backs himself just sends shivers down the spine. Broke their goal streak with his 'Daicos' goal, and just tore them apart. Must play more midfield IMO! We will win clearances with him in there. 8
Shane Wakelin: Very good game for Wakes. Couldn't fault him. 8
Nathan Brown: Another fantastic game. 7.5
Scott Burns: Struggled. But will bounce back.5
Cameron Wood: Looked really good in the ruck again, kicked his first goal and looks very comfortable around the ground, and up forward. 7
Rhyce Shaw: Excellent game by Rhyce. Hope he keeps it up.8
Anthony Rocca: Nice game by Pebbles. Always provided an option, crashed the packs, kicked a few. Can't ask for much else. On another note, I thought our crumbers didn't crumb off him too well yesterday. 7
Tarkyn Lockyer: Despite the stats, he wasn't at his best. Looked a bit slow a times, and made a few errors. But still a good game. 7.5
Josh Fraser: Good in the ruck, struggled around the ground. Worried about him too. 6
Ben Johnson: A much better performance from Johnson. Made very few errors compared to last week, looked more comfortable.6.5
Travis Cloke: Provided a very good option leading up from HF. Hands were as good as ever, kicked a couple of goals. Didn't have a massive impact in the 2nd half, but still looked good. 7
Alan Toovey: Not bad from Tooves. Was probably one of his better games. Despite a few bad errors, he backed himself a bit, and was solid in defense. Goldsack to replace him though.5
Dane Swan: Didn't play to his best in terms of the usual accumulation, but was good when he had it. Will bounce back. 6
Heath Shaw: Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. KILLED Nathan Brown, and setup everything from half back. He is a STAR, and will be AA for sure if he continues. 9.5

So, to wrap it up, I'd list my best on ground as the following: Medhurst, H. Shaw, R. Shaw, Didak, Thomas, Davis.

[spoljar]

We were switched on from the start. The endevour and skills were excellent. Although we probably should have won by more, I was really pleased with the result.

Normally our boys bring out their C Grade game against gooses like Richmond, however I think our team may have turned the corner in that regard.

[David]

Thanks guys. Rudeboy, after reading the votes thread I think I might have judged Didak way too harshly... perhaps it's a bad idea to do this the next day when the game's no longer fresh in my memory.

Nice work too ktszyu1, can't disagree with much there.

[John Wren]

We were switched on from the start. The endevour and skills were excellent. Although we probably should have won by more, I was really pleased with the result.

Normally our boys bring out their C Grade game against gooses like Richmond, however I think our team may have turned the corner in that regard.

time to roast the next goose. though, we generally don't have a problem with teams like richmond int he first half of the year. normally it is when we have a supposedly easy run home (or they have nothing to play for other than a list position) that we struggle.

[3rd degree]

Some enjoyable sooking from Punt Road End!


Week after week we have to see this rubbish about Richmond. Quite frankly I am tired of our gutless team. This year they have been quiet in talk and said they would talk on the field with performance. Well I see and hear gents and its pitiful. Its not only the coach who should go this year but a lot of you underperformers all over the club. We supporters have put up with this garbage far too long.
Its time to play Riewoldt and hughes to give them game time.

Terry I always thought you were NOT the coach for Richmond and 4 years later I see why.

[RudeBoy]

Some enjoyable sooking from Punt Road End!


Week after week we have to see this rubbish about Richmond. Quite frankly I am tired of our gutless team. This year they have been quiet in talk and said they would talk on the field with performance. Well I see and hear gents and its pitiful. Its not only the coach who should go this year but a lot of you underperformers all over the club. We supporters have put up with this garbage far too long.
Its time to play Riewoldt and hughes to give them game time.

Terry I always thought you were NOT the coach for Richmond and 4 years later I see why.

I can just about smell the truck full of manure heading down Punt Rd.

[piedys]

Whilest i notice everybody raving about our forward line, i'm still not convinced it can't be fine-tuned further.
Contest after contest, Rocca takes out 2-3 opponents in the pack, even if he can't haul in the mark. Why was the ball constantly swept away by Bitchmond defenders? Where were our small crumbing forwards at Rocca's feet? Surely they didn't have THAT many blokes flooding back in defence?

[DaicosMagic]

Whilest i notice everybody raving about our forward line, i'm still not convinced it can't be fine-tuned further.
Contest after contest, Rocca takes out 2-3 opponents in the pack, even if he can't haul in the mark. Why was the ball constantly swept away by Bitchmond defenders? Where were our small crumbing forwards at Rocca's feet? Surely they didn't have THAT many blokes flooding back in defence?

It's called FRONT & CENTRE. Anyone who knows me on Nick's by now knows I bring this up at least once or twice a year. Barely any of our players know how to crumb. Leon constantly flies for hanger's above Rocca instead of being at his feet. Rupert Betheras was our best at this, and to a lesser extent O'Bree when he used to rest up forward.

The funny thing is, it is the Collingwood Football Club who ingrained the FRONT & CENTRE philosophy into me when I did a pre season down at Victoria Park in 1998. Tony Shaw and his cronies consistently reiterated FRONT & CENTRE, FRONT & CENTRE. Every drill was designed around this notion. Being a half-forward / golakicking winger, I always pay close attention to the goings-on of our forward line and our smaller forwards. Believe me, we have not crumbed well in nearly a decade ... since T.Shaw left, actually ...

You would think by now MM can freakin' teach our small forwards (even smaller players around the ground when a pack forms) how to be FRONT & CENTRE.

With the plethora of silky smooth small forwards and the tall timber to bring the ball to ground, it's just WRONG that we don't register more cheap crumbing goals. We could really do some damage if we add 2-3 crumbing goals per week.

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

Thanks guys. Rudeboy, after reading the votes thread I think I might have judged Didak way too harshly... perhaps it's a bad idea to do this the next day when the game's no longer fresh in my memory.

Well, looking at the Nicks 'coaching panel' you've assembled perhaps you need to spend more time on the game & less with your staff ?!?!?

[piedys]

...Where were our small crumbing forwards at Rocca's feet?

It's called FRONT & CENTRE. Anyone who knows me on Nick's by now knows I bring this up at least once or twice a year. Barely any of our players know how to crumb. Leon constantly flies for hanger's above Rocca instead of being at his feet. Rupert Betheras was our best at this, and to a lesser extent O'Bree when he used to rest up forward.

Believe me, we have not crumbed well in nearly a decade ... since T.Shaw left, actually ...

You would think by now MM can freakin' teach our small forwards (even smaller players around the ground when a pack forms) how to be FRONT & CENTRE.

With the plethora of silky smooth small forwards and the tall timber to bring the ball to ground, it's just WRONG that we don't register more cheap crumbing goals. We could really do some damage if we add 2-3 crumbing goals per week.

Yo DM, FRONT & CENTRE is indeed the term. But i was begining to wonder if this was some sort of obsolete strategy that may have been ripped out of the play-book without my knowledge? Surely it's still a fundamental source of opportunistic gimme goals? You'd think a player could be allocated from either flank to time his run from the square to meet the contest and scoop up a half-volley Sherrin? Perhaps I over simplify this scenario. You tell me?
Yes, Davis is the biggest abuser of this tactic, as you pointed out flying against Rocca way too frequently. His caper should be exclusively swooping on the spilled ball from marking contests. Not the other way around. Until he gets this selfishness out of his game, i shall constantly be a tough critic of his application to the cause.
And Rupert Betheras was a very smart footballer, and as we've done to death on these pages, crucified in 2003 for MM's pet serial bludgers Cole, A.Williams and Lokan. But hey, that's history now. Move on Dyso...

[DaicosMagic]

...Where were our small crumbing forwards at Rocca's feet?

It's called FRONT & CENTRE. Anyone who knows me on Nick's by now knows I bring this up at least once or twice a year. Barely any of our players know how to crumb. Leon constantly flies for hanger's above Rocca instead of being at his feet. Rupert Betheras was our best at this, and to a lesser extent O'Bree when he used to rest up forward.

Believe me, we have not crumbed well in nearly a decade ... since T.Shaw left, actually ...

You would think by now MM can freakin' teach our small forwards (even smaller players around the ground when a pack forms) how to be FRONT & CENTRE.

With the plethora of silky smooth small forwards and the tall timber to bring the ball to ground, it's just WRONG that we don't register more cheap crumbing goals. We could really do some damage if we add 2-3 crumbing goals per week.

Yo DM, FRONT & CENTRE is indeed the term. But i was begining to wonder if this was some sort of obsolete strategy that may have been ripped out of the play-book without my knowledge? Surely it's still a fundamental source of opportunistic gimme goals? You'd think a player could be allocated from either flank to time his run from the square to meet the contest and scoop up a half-volley Sherrin? Perhaps I over simplify this scenario. You tell me?
Yes, Davis is the biggest abuser of this tactic, as you pointed out flying against Rocca way too frequently. His caper should be exclusively swooping on the spilled ball from marking contests. Not the other way around. Until he gets this selfishness out of his game, i shall constantly be a tough critic of his application to the cause.
And Rupert Betheras was a very smart footballer, and as we've done to death on these pages, crucified in 2003 for MM's pet serial bludgers Cole, A.Williams and Lokan. But hey, that's history now. Move on Dyso...

What he said.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

...Where were our small crumbing forwards at Rocca's feet?

It's called FRONT & CENTRE. Anyone who knows me on Nick's by now knows I bring this up at least once or twice a year. Barely any of our players know how to crumb. Leon constantly flies for hanger's above Rocca instead of being at his feet. Rupert Betheras was our best at this, and to a lesser extent O'Bree when he used to rest up forward.

Believe me, we have not crumbed well in nearly a decade ... since T.Shaw left, actually ...

You would think by now MM can freakin' teach our small forwards (even smaller players around the ground when a pack forms) how to be FRONT & CENTRE.

With the plethora of silky smooth small forwards and the tall timber to bring the ball to ground, it's just WRONG that we don't register more cheap crumbing goals. We could really do some damage if we add 2-3 crumbing goals per week.

Yo DM, FRONT & CENTRE is indeed the term. But i was begining to wonder if this was some sort of obsolete strategy that may have been ripped out of the play-book without my knowledge? Surely it's still a fundamental source of opportunistic gimme goals? You'd think a player could be allocated from either flank to time his run from the square to meet the contest and scoop up a half-volley Sherrin? Perhaps I over simplify this scenario. You tell me?
Yes, Davis is the biggest abuser of this tactic, as you pointed out flying against Rocca way too frequently. His caper should be exclusively swooping on the spilled ball from marking contests. Not the other way around. Until he gets this selfishness out of his game, i shall constantly be a tough critic of his application to the cause.
And Rupert Betheras was a very smart footballer, and as we've done to death on these pages, crucified in 2003 for MM's pet serial bludgers Cole, A.Williams and Lokan. But hey, that's history now. Move on Dyso...

What he said.

Not what they said.
The game has evolved from players simply being one dimensional, front and centre, waiting for the ball to spill at their feet types. I love the fact that guys like Davis, Didak and Medhurst can use their exquisite skills up the ground, creating play and kicking goals themselves. Sure, grab the opportunity when it presents itself but simply waiting around for a crumb is dumb and would only be under utilizing their full capabilities. Those 3 probably had a hand in most of the goals scored on Sunday without being front and centre so I don't see the big deal. I also loved the fact that the forward line was open cos when the big boys were unable to take a grab we had enough numbers in the midfield and flanks to repel or put any impending run out of defence under huge pressure. As for Davis flying with Rocca, that's odd because I'm certain I never saw him do it once on the weekend, maybe I missed em. And secondly, I reckon he was probably our best player in the 1st half, which, incidentally set up our win