How did our new stars go?

[Griff]

It's murder up here in Sydney; the Essendon game was only on Foxtel which I don't have. (Anyone have a spare DVD of it?) Had to listen to it on radio--takes me back to having to listen to the 1967 grand final on radio when I was a bloody kid! So much for progress.

So my question is: How did our new stars go? People have reported on Jack and Will Thursfield, but what about Shane Edwards? Didn't seem to get much of it from the stats, and didn't hear much of him. Jake King seemed to do OK, but would like reports on his game. The commentators liked Patto's game...

Like everyone, I was absolutely shattered we gave up the lead, but excited at the progress that got us three goals in front so close to the end.

 

[Ridley]

Edwards did nothing. 5 possessions in over 50% game time. He's still very light and at this stage does not have clean hands at all; fumbled a lot last night. His kicking is also average at best. But he's got time and might be OK; I wish he was naturally a better kick though.

Patto was average. Attacked the ball hard again but very ordinary skill level and had one of the worst clanger dropped marks you'd ever see. Tries hard but ultimatley I don't think he'll be good enough.

 

[Harro12]

It is good to see Edwards have some bravado to take on the opposition but geez he lacks some clues at times. Still very young and very early. Would love to see Connors get a run next week so long as he is fit enough.

 

[Dyer'ere]

Even though we went close to winning last night a lot of our players were down.

The youngsters/newbs with a few exceptions were off their games.

Pattison had a Fremantle Docker. Worked like a Trojan but got flogged.There were times when his kicking looked to have improved.
Bling looked very ordinary at times. Very.
Edwards was getting to position but didn't have the strength or speed to get through traffic with the ball and his kicking was a real problem at times. Sweet dish to Krakouer for a goal.
King had one of those special games. Everything he touched turned to sh!t. Just couldn't get to the place he was at last week. But he was still tight and he was in plenty. Just inexpereince. I really like this bloke.
Riewoldt did a couple of very neat things. Very much a boy but a smart one. Got some altitude for an attempted hanger but couldn't get his body in position (light).
Meyer looks terribly slow. Relies on his marking to acquire the ball and at eleven stone is not suited to the role at AFL level.
For a while Jackson was used to get Fletcher out of the hole which he did well but then Fletcher was moved off him. Kicked a few- one of which was nothing short of miraculous (fitting as it was very much a prayer). Should have nailed the fourth. Didn't get a lot of it but made it count.
Foley was being blocked by Peverill at the stoppages and struggled to have his usual impact. Still did some good things but did not generate the clearances that has been getting. Had Watson in the last quarter IIRC and was outbodied by the big lad.

Lids was absolutely brilliant in defence, swooping on any loose ball and then turning on the afterburners. His use was as good as it's been. Burnt Davey at one stage. Just torched him for speed.

Thursfield was very good on Lloyd. Was exposed body-on-body once but was able to keep up with Lloyd on the lead and kept him to a respectable goal tally. Lloyd, whose kicking is not what it was, missed a couple of sitters.

Howat gave plenty of run and used the ball better than usual. Worked harder defensively and inside.