by Grahaml » Sat May 05, 2007 8:20 pm
Wasn't the last kick of the day, but was certainly late in the game.
League team never looked like losing to me. Getting first use of the ball in all the contests and deciding the play ourselves. Too many turnovers especially early, and sloppy tackling coupled with poor kicking for goal hurt us, but so long as we're winning the 50/50 ball most of the time I'll back us in every time. Caught a bit short with Giles missing and Cowan going off in the early minutes meant we had a heck of a time trying to move the ball forward past 1/2 way but the remaining talls in McKenzie, Westhoff, Schell, Lawrie and Grima stood up well. Symes, Goodrem and Ware looked dangerous, Switala was serviceable while the Gowans' ball use was just so much better than anything anyone else could do and brought about important goals. Sibenaler, Graham, O'sullivan, L. Wethoff, Wilson, Stengle, Pfitzner among others to press for selection over the next month will see hot competition for spots, and a very strong reserves team. Things looking very good long term. Thought Goodrem was great today and shows lots of promise. Almost certainly too old to be drafted but good on him for adjusting to the pace so quickly. Glad to see the dogs trying to play dry weather football whenever they could despite the heavy ground. No point learning a style that won't likely do any good in the finals, and also good to see what we do is effective enough should we happen to get a wet September/October this season.
Biggest disappointments were Cowan going off so early when he was just starting to look good this season, and Wilson not coming up for the game. Sadly we may not see the white 20 worn by a Wilson again.
For Glenelg, I just never felt they were a threat. Mitchell kicked goals, but other than that nobody seemed likely to hurt us other than ourselves. I suspect until they get some players who can win the ball and they can create play that isn't based on opposition mistakes they won't be premiership contenders, or even finalists for that matter.