rosy23 said:
Rayzorwire said:
If you're suggesting he's in the process of being reinvented as a tagger, then he'll have to keep his opponent to a few less than 27 possessions in atrocious weather playing with a losing midfield before he gets my vote, or I say he was anything better than ok.
I wasn't suggesting that at all. Tivva stuck on Harvey all day but it wasn't a negative role as a tagger might play. 27 possessions isn't a concern if they don't really advantage his team. It's common for players to rack up large possession counts the way the game's being played this year.
Greg may have only had one goal but his delivery into 50 gave our forwards a decent advantage. I haven't seen the stats. How many into 50's did he have? I'd be surprised if he didn't lead that stat. One that interests me more highly than overall possession tally.
Not sure about the atrocious weather comment in regard to number of possessions. It was freezing cold no doubt but there was no rain and I didn't notice too much wind influence. Would be interested to know if the fog made breathing difficult out there.
I thought Tivvers played serviceably today. I wouldnt expect him to get as many possessions as a Coughlan or a Tuck as he is a link player, an outside player. He gave alot of drive in that second half. and the goal he kicked was inspirational not only the authoritive way he kicked the goal, but the fact that he setup the initial handball. He did make a few mistakes, I still think at times he is tryng to drill the ball too hard and fast which does make it difficult to control for the receiver. However, very valuable contribution today.
Brown showed his true class. To come back from so many games away and perform the way he did just shows his importance. That setting up of the goal in the 3rd quarter where he held the ball right until the perfect moment and then handballed was champagne to watch.
Deledio got alot of possessions but feel he still needs a bit more confidence. A few times I thought he held on the ball after a mark for too long, but gee he's a strong mark and very quick and is going to be a star.
Meyer was great. Opportunistic goals, quick hands, still getting run down once or twice too often, but great to see him taking them on, and will only improve with further experience. Liked his game alot. Do people see him playing predominantly forward?
Krakouer, doesn't always go in. At one stage he was running beside a North player streaming towards goal. Not sure what the go was there. Goal, where Simmonds crashed through and deftly handballed to him was a great goal, but need to see alot more of it.
Pettifer, it just astounds me how he gets so much space. It's clear why, he just runs and runs. Browny mentioned that he was tested for distance in Geelong match and run 18 kilometres. He has improved in that area immensely, and the rewards are showing. I know he kicked 4 goals, but the highlight for me, was when he broke through a tackle on the half-forward flank and running out of space on the boudary deftly snapped the ball arund to Simmonds who subsequently kicked a long goal. He is kickin goals but also setting up goals. Then his defensive play when pushed into the backline in the last quarter. He's just inspirational atm.
Simmonds, no need to say anything, he's a pickup and an asset. I had total faith in him as he improved towards the end of last year and has proven his worth as a flexible player in the ruck and in the forward line. His mobilitiy is a huge advantage, and todays game wa massive.
Hall, beaten by a very good player today in Thompson until he was taken off him. Once taken off Thompson he scrambled quite well, but still had 2 brain fades, the worst was the free kick in the goal square. Was right behind the goals and couldnt believe the way Hall was holding Thompson to prevent him from leading. It was just way too obvious. The second was when he ran into the front of (I think it was Thompson) without watching the ball and gave away an obvious free kick. Saying that some of his scrambling ground work, and handballs were good especially in the third quarter.
Finally a mention to P Bowden, much maligned before even his first game by some. Played a great game today. I just think his flexibility in playing both ends of the grounds is going to be a great asset to have.
Jus for the record, that goal that Rawlings kicked where it bounced through for a goal, he was NOT having a shot. Was right there and could see him look up at a North player running from centre-half forward towards goal. He went for him and luckily the ball rolled through. The luck went both ways today.
Umpiring, didnt think it was anywhere near as bad as Fremantle. Still some puzzling decisions, but in Oz Rules, with grey rules, thats going to happen in every match. Report on Tambling was soft, also 50 metres to Pettifer, in light of the trend of decisions for the night.
Great win by the Tigers, defeating two hoodoos, North Mebourne and the month of June. Hoodoos being killed every match, thats a very very good sign.
Cheers
;D