Some great shots here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDEJAHqj...=19k6l97bjqilj
Some great shots here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDEJAHqj...=19k6l97bjqilj
I thought Ling had a decent first game. It felt a bit like Nick Smith was back.
Very happy to see Ling play. Definitely one of the better games for a defender 1st game. Usually I find the first gamer defenders look off the pace and get out bodied and out run. He looked neither. Didn’t get a while lot of the ball until the final quarter but didn’t look deer in the headlights either ( like I think Melican often looks ).
I can't wait for Ling to adjust to the pace of the game at AFL level, although he only seemed a little rushed for a 1st gamer. He has the ability to create time and space, is an elusive and fast runner and can find and hit targets. I think he'll became a fan favourite.
Looking like a deer in the headlights isn't always a bad thing.
Leo Barry looked like that nearly every possession he ever had. Worked o.k. for him.
Oh, and LRT had the same look...worked ok for him too.
But, I agree that Ling was lovely and calm looking under pressure.
I reckon he'll be around a long time.
His last quarter was his best which is always a good sign. Could see him quickly adapting to the pace.
I was screaming at him before that ball up in the second qr to get on Wingard more closely (I don't know why, I was in the second stand of the Trumper, do I really think he's gonna hear me?), but he learned the hard way you need to play closer than that. But has the look of someone who will learn quickly I think.
Looks like a footballer which is a good start.
After two years of mainly rehab, is now a mature body, looked composed in play to me. The fact they've identified a position for him and getting expert one on one from Nick Smith gives Matt every chance to have a long and successful career.
Matt's written about finally getting to make his debut last week.
My time finally arrived
Contains this nugget:
"Nick Smith has also been a great mentor for me. He gives lots of tips about positioning and getting to the right spots early, and he’s helped me change my mindset to make me more accountable. I used to think if my opponent got a quick shot on goal out of a pack it was just bad luck, but Nick’s helped me realise you can stop everything."
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