The umpires seem really hard on Newman. He gets pinged for holding the ball in situations in which other players are allowed to play on. I don't think his technique is particularly bad. I wonder if he was holding the ball once and this was picked up as an umpire learning example and he has been targeted since.
Hopefully the umpires will unlearn any such bias after review of the Carlton game. He was pinged once for holding the ball where he never came close to taking possession. The ball was in dispute and he was still paddling it in front waiting for an opportunity to take possession.
In: nainsmith, hannerbury, papley.
Out: ????
Some of the play ons and taking on tacklers seemed downright idiotic. I was wondering if he plays this way on his own volition or was instructed to take the game on at all cost. Remember, Rhyce Shaw was that kind of player too and may be developing Aliir in a similar mould. After 4 years at the club I would think the subject of Aliir's playing style would have been a matter of discussion over a long period of time. Either he's playing against instructions or he's playing to instructions, but has days when it just doesn't come off that well. In the end, he has to learn to play within his limitations. It helps to learn what those limitations are in real game situations if one is going to play within them.
Most of these plays that people are referring to took place well after the game was in the bag, so there wasn't much risk to try some speculative (wild) things at that stage. He wasn't going to play senior footy anyway, so it's a moot point relating his NEAFL performance with finals playing prospects.
I wouldn't be surprised if Cunningham stays in and is given a defensive job on Tipungwuti. Last time we played Essendon, Rohan played on him for most of the game before switching forward at the end to take that mark. They'll want Rohan forward this time.
If Naismith plays in the seniors and Sinclair is dropped who will ruck for the reserves, is Sinclair eligible to play in reserves.
He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)
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