Agree. I thought our backline, on the whole, looked a little scratchy. That might be being harsh on them, given the team conceded more inside 50s than it created and yet the defence kept West Coast to a losing score. But the nature of some of the goals that West Coast did score suggests that the defence has a way to go to get into its groove - multiple players flying at contests and allowing an Eagle on their own at ground level, players losing their feet etc. Mills, in particularly, had a relative poor game for him (notwithstanding his courage in standing under the ball for that excellent mark. Maybe it's a subtle hint to Longmire and friends that he's itching to get up the ground.)
But Smith was the standout for me back there. Cool, reliable, marshalling the troops, generally sound disposal. I also thought Melican continued his solid pre-season form and looks more confident in himself and his game than last year (not that he looked uncomfortable last year - he just looks better now).
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