2021 VFL discussion thread

[rojo]

Thanks GD. We should pay you to go to every game! Interesting to have your positive assessment of Clarke and Gray. Good news on McLean which suggests he will be 'the man' to replace Buddy. How would you compare what Brand may have to offer v Melican? The progress of P McCartin is going to be interesting to watch. Gould continues to be the enigma it seems. Maybe he is like some of the big, tall forwards who struggle when they transfer to the seniors. They have been able to dominate at lower levels without having to work too hard. Hopefully his apparent weaknesses can be addressed in time.

[Scottee]

Good summary. On Barry OConnor, I actually thought he was really good until he got hurt in the last quarter. Great agility.

From what I saw I was also most impressed by BOC. I think he will get game this year, very composed, agile and reads the game well, disposal looks pretty good too.

[Ludwig]

It doesn't seem that I will be able to register for Kayo Sports as it appears that they have a way of checking my location even if I use a VPN connected through Australia. You're supposed to be located in Australia to view the games. I can get up to the final step to register, receiving the 6 number code on my phone, but Kayo rejects the number as incorrect. There's no further explanation, so I'm just assuming that they can detect that I'm overseas and not eligible to register.

If there are any other overseas RWOers who have managed to register, could you please tell me how you did it.

[graemed]

Thanks GD. We should pay you to go to every game! Interesting to have your positive assessment of Clarke and Gray. Good news on McLean which suggests he will be 'the man' to replace Buddy. How would you compare what Brand may have to offer v Melican? The progress of P McCartin is going to be interesting to watch. Gould continues to be the enigma it seems. Maybe he is like some of the big, tall forwards who struggle when they transfer to the seniors. They have been able to dominate at lower levels without having to work too hard. Hopefully his apparent weaknesses can be addressed in time.

I still am in the Melican camp v Brand. Although prone to simple errors he has more pace and reads the ball in the air as well if not better when marking. Would like to see him spoil more which one of Brand’s strengths.
Melican is a better footballer when he has Rampe nearby but that is true of everyone back there.

Further on O’Connor, I also believe he has real potential and have been impressed ever since I saw him running laps two pre-seasons ago. He is a very solidly built individual and will be a very real threat with another season under his belt, especially now that he’ll actually be able to play.

[MattW]

Watched all but the first 10mins of the VFL match at Tramway last week.

I was particularly keen to see some of the next level players:

W. Gould
J. Rowbottom
C. O'Riordan
H. McLean
M. Ling
D. Stephens

also some of other players from past years:

C. Sinclair
S. Gray
R. Clarke
L. Taylor
B. O'Connor
J. Armetey
K. Brand
R. Fox
P McCartin

The missing players were Stephens (Medical Sub) and Fox (still injured). Here is my assessment of their performances:

W. Gould:
Very hard at it, but needs to find some power in his running. He has pace but needs to build up speed and was consistently beaten to the contest.
Will have issues against small forwards that can get lost in transition.

J. Rowbottom:
Consistently won every one on one contest. Sharked ball well at stoppages, delivered well into forward line, used sparingly.

C. O'Riordan:
Did not have a good game, looked better suited to zone defence. Kept losing his man and found it hard to win his own ball. Looked short of a run seemed to be picking the game up again after a stint in the home country.

H. McLean:
Clearly our most decisive and consistent winner. Dominated the forward line. Brutal in aerial contests and fiercely competitive.

M. Ling:
Looked to be struggling to get into the game. Still seems to be learning how to position himself and contribute when playing in defence. Was much more impressive with the ball and roaming around the midfield and creating the loose man.

C. Sinclair:
Dominated the ruck contests against Flynn and company. Played on the ball for extended intervals. Unusually did not take many contested marks, drifted into defence regularly to assist against Hogan.

S. Gray:
Played on the wing and was a valuable contributor and link in forward moves from defence. Won a lot ground balls and consistently hit targets.

R. Clarke:
In my opinion our best player. Won the ball, made excellent decisions, converted chances and brought others into the game. Really good game and must be pressing for selection on that form.

L. Taylor:
Very busy but in my opinion that is exactly the problem. Some of the places and occasions when he calls for the ball actually place himself or others under greater pressure. He needs to be more considered in his judgement and seek to relieve pressure on his team mates before playing on or "taking" a possession.

B. O'Connor:
Still a work in progress. Opposed to the 2nd tall, he was sound without impressing. Generally able to bring the ball to ground, he appeared more comfortable scrapping in one on one situations than protecting a leading lane or reading the play from upfield.

J. Armetey:
A little disappointing. I thought he might make a bigger impact, especially after seeing his form in the intraclub matches and practice games. Did well in marking contests but looked lost when the ball was on the deck and needs to work harder defensively.

K. Brand:
Played on Jesse Hogan for the game and although Hogan kicked 3 goals, I thought his contribution was very sound. He assisted others around him, was good on the ground, looked to organise when possible and generally looked calm and assured.

P McCartin:
Wasn't sure what to expect. He played the game off the FB/HB line picking up the 2nd and 3rd tall. Clearly more comfortable with ball with creating play than defending but was earnest and hard working. Did not commit to many marking contests but when in possession of the footy he was compelling. His skills are extraordinary.

This is great; thanks.

[Aaron]

Solid win in the end, rather than emphatic. Giants upped their cohesion in the second half and the Swans’ cohesion dipped a bit. But still plenty of individual efforts / plays to warm the soul.

I’ll add some comments on individual players later tonight when I get home.

Haven't seen your comments on individual players yet. Looking forward to that.

[Aprilbr]

Watched all but the first 10mins of the VFL match at Tramway last week.

I was particularly keen to see some of the next level players:

W. Gould
J. Rowbottom
C. O'Riordan
H. McLean
M. Ling
D. Stephens

also some of other players from past years:

C. Sinclair
S. Gray
R. Clarke
L. Taylor
B. O'Connor
J. Armetey
K. Brand
R. Fox
P McCartin

The missing players were Stephens (Medical Sub) and Fox (still injured). Here is my assessment of their performances:

W. Gould:
Very hard at it, but needs to find some power in his running. He has pace but needs to build up speed and was consistently beaten to the contest.
Will have issues against small forwards that can get lost in transition.

J. Rowbottom:
Consistently won every one on one contest. Sharked ball well at stoppages, delivered well into forward line, used sparingly.

C. O'Riordan:
Did not have a good game, looked better suited to zone defence. Kept losing his man and found it hard to win his own ball. Looked short of a run seemed to be picking the game up again after a stint in the home country.

H. McLean:
Clearly our most decisive and consistent winner. Dominated the forward line. Brutal in aerial contests and fiercely competitive.

M. Ling:
Looked to be struggling to get into the game. Still seems to be learning how to position himself and contribute when playing in defence. Was much more impressive with the ball and roaming around the midfield and creating the loose man.

C. Sinclair:
Dominated the ruck contests against Flynn and company. Played on the ball for extended intervals. Unusually did not take many contested marks, drifted into defence regularly to assist against Hogan.

S. Gray:
Played on the wing and was a valuable contributor and link in forward moves from defence. Won a lot ground balls and consistently hit targets.

R. Clarke:
In my opinion our best player. Won the ball, made excellent decisions, converted chances and brought others into the game. Really good game and must be pressing for selection on that form.

L. Taylor:
Very busy but in my opinion that is exactly the problem. Some of the places and occasions when he calls for the ball actually place himself or others under greater pressure. He needs to be more considered in his judgement and seek to relieve pressure on his team mates before playing on or "taking" a possession.

B. O'Connor:
Still a work in progress. Opposed to the 2nd tall, he was sound without impressing. Generally able to bring the ball to ground, he appeared more comfortable scrapping in one on one situations than protecting a leading lane or reading the play from upfield.

J. Armetey:
A little disappointing. I thought he might make a bigger impact, especially after seeing his form in the intraclub matches and practice games. Did well in marking contests but looked lost when the ball was on the deck and needs to work harder defensively.

K. Brand:
Played on Jesse Hogan for the game and although Hogan kicked 3 goals, I thought his contribution was very sound. He assisted others around him, was good on the ground, looked to organise when possible and generally looked calm and assured.

P McCartin:
Wasn't sure what to expect. He played the game off the FB/HB line picking up the 2nd and 3rd tall. Clearly more comfortable with ball with creating play than defending but was earnest and hard working. Did not commit to many marking contests but when in possession of the footy he was compelling. His skills are extraordinary.

Some great player insights there, Graeme! Thanks so much.

I am going to be on the Gold Coast for tomorrow's game. I am considering attending the VFL as well as the seniors game. Does anybody on here know where the "Council Training Oval" is located? This is the venue for the seconds game. It does not seem to show up on Google Maps.

[Aaron]

Some great player insights there, Graeme! Thanks so much.

I am going to be on the Gold Coast for tomorrow's game. I am considering attending the VFL as well as the seniors game. Does anybody on here know where the "Council Training Oval" is located? This is the venue for the seconds game. It does not seem to show up on Google Maps.

I read somewhere that it would be a curtain raiser to the Senior Game to be play at Metricon Stadium. On the Sun Website, it says
Gold Coast SUNS v Sydney Swans
Saturday, April 24
Gates open: 9.30am
VFL First Bounce: 9.45am
AFL First Bounce: 1.45pm

[dejavoodoo44]

Some great player insights there, Graeme! Thanks so much.

I am going to be on the Gold Coast for tomorrow's game. I am considering attending the VFL as well as the seniors game. Does anybody on here know where the "Council Training Oval" is located? This is the venue for the seconds game. It does not seem to show up on Google Maps.

Pretty sure it's now been changed to inside Metricon; instead of just outside Metricon.

[ugg]

Logan Mcdonald to play VFL tomorrow

[Aprilbr]

Thanks gang. I have just arrived on the GC and a local person told me he thinks that it is the training oval adjoining the Metricon stadium. There certainly will be some players to watch given the Outs!

[MattW]

Here's the full team:

https://www.instagram.com/p/COAJZkJh...=1h24ixek49w33.

Looks like Campbell is the seniors' sub.