It's a 11 goal loss (treating all goals as 6 points - 14.18 to 4.10) so it was obviously one-sided but not a 100+ point total annihlation. It was their first full 4- quarter competitive match and they've done better than we did preseason 2010 against the Hawks down there. They'll win a game or two this year against the other bottom sides. GWS main glaring issue is their forward line structure. There's no big key forward to rely on with Izzy still learning the game and the rest being kids. Never thought I would ever say a side needed Setanta O'hAilpan
but they do need him. As with many young sides they push back and then there's no one ahead of the play to kick to. It's a temporary issue anyway as in 5 years time they'll have a top side - Coniglio and Smith are ready made; Cameron, Tyson, Greene and a couple of others showed enough also; Giles competes well enough in the ruck; speedy Wilson was their most lively forward. I actually thought it was a few of their senior experienced players that were disappointing today (ie. Scully).
The thing that sucks is Hawthorn are gifted a % booster win in the NAB Cup while others club like us have to travel to play Freo and Geelong. It makes a farce of the preseason comp. that some sides are given a carpet ride into a preseason GF while others have no chance due to the tough draw they are given. The AFL should at least make some effort to weight the preseason fixture. For example if you're playing GWS then your other games should be against top 4 opposition.
Btw Essendon and St Kilda game in Wangaratta has been cancalled because the Bombers couldn't get a flight up there. The Saints went by bus so they made it. The game has been called a draw. A right royal stuff up as I believe AFL rules state that a team needs to arrive at least 24 hours before the game starts if flying by plane.
