How the new faces shaped up
19 February 2005
Herald Sun
BRETT DELEDIOStarted on the bench and was eased into the contest, but it wasn't long before the boy from Kyabram showed why he was the No. 1 pick in the 2004 national draft.
With just his second kick, the silky youngster swooped on a loose ball and drilled a goal from 30m on the run after the old guard -- Wayne Campbell and Matthew Richardson -- had combined.
Was used predominantly up forward, and there was a touch of class and poise in everything he did.
Tired late but that was to be expected.
Clearly belongs at the elite level.
RICHARD TAMBLING Brilliant. Couldn't have scripted a better debut.
Wiry, fast and exciting, he is sure to feature in highlights packages this year.
Began up forward and wasted no time in using his pace and skill to quickly win possessions when let loose in the midfield.
Provided the goal of the night when, building pace, he latched on to the ball in the middle, easily evaded a desperate dive from Scott Burns and, with poise, speared through a super goal from 55m. Simply magic.
Like Daniel Wells and Aaron Davey, Tambling will be compelling viewing when he is near the ball.
ADAM PATTISON Saw little action and didn't lodge a possession. A major learning curve for the thinly built 198cm youngster.
MARK GRAHAM Handed a lifeline by the Tigers when taken late in the national draft, the former Hawk -- a life member at his old club -- began in the unfamiliar position of centre half-forward.
The surprise move looked good early when he hauled in a strong mark but missed the shot at goal.
Moved to defence late in the last quarter when the Tigers were under siege and looked far more comfortable. The young cubs will learn plenty from him.
TRENT KNOBEL The criticism of the former Saint was that while he regularly dominated the hitouts, he was otherwise a non-factor.
He did little to change that view but worked hard and crashed packs just as Wallace wanted.
Still only 24, Knobel has time to improve and will provide one half of a strong tandem with Greg Stafford.
TROY SIMMONDS Worth the effort that went into snaring him. At 196cm and 100kg-plus, the former Docker is a mountain of a man and was an imposing figure up forward.
Spent a lot of time at full-forward which allowed Richardson to move to a pocket and not be the focus of all attacking moves.
Splits packs with the power of a jackhammer and brought the ball to ground when unable to mark, allowing the likes of Tambling and Andrew Krakouer to stay involved.
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