I got to the gameabout 1/2 way through the 2nd term of the ressies, and stayed until the bitter end.
As has been noted, there was no scoreboard so it's impossible to report actual scores. But the reserves, which included Richmond-listed players: O'Reilly, Hicks, Grimes, Contin and Westhoff, lost a pretty even game by a margin of about 3-4 goals. Grimes in particular really caught my eye. He was in everything across the half back line.Once he fills out a bit he looks like he'll be a big key defender for us. Hicks is a smart little crummer too, who featured in several goals either directly or indirectly.
I wish I could be as encouraged by what I saw in the seniors. But the truth is, after quarter time, when we were about 5 goals to 3 down, we were absolutely smashed. The golkickers to that stage were Polak, Rance and White.
I think the final blowout must have been by at least 10 goals, and more likely 12 or more. It certainly felt that lopsided. To be honest, I was so fed up by that stage that my attention was wandering, and my mate and I were getting side-tracked with conversation.
Polak did more than he seemed to by last week's reports. He took a few marks, kicked a couple of goals, and missed a few shots too, but overall seemed more involved.
Rance looked good at times. His attack on the ball in the air, and at ground level was good, and he covered a lot of territory across the forward line. He still has the odd brain fade though. Like playing on one time after a mark and getting collared, when he should have gone back and had a kick. I think he lacks awareness at times.
White got a lot of the ball,but typically butchered it on many occasions. These included a missed running shot on goal from close range that he should have nailed, to subjecting a teammate to the old hospital pass.
I hardly sighted Tuck.
McMahon was quiet, and on one occasion got into a bit of biffo with probably one of his old teammates, which raised the ire of the crowd.
Astbury didn't stand out, but like a lot of our forwards was starved of opportunity.
He finished the day with his injured heel in a bucket of ice water. I hope it was just precautionary.
In the last term Collins had a set shot on goal,kicked off the side of his boot into the man on the mark and was dragged. He came back on soon after and had the chance to redeem himself, but fluffed that kick too. I don't know what's happened to him lately. His kicking used to be a feature of his game.
Webberley's game was one of the few highlights for me. He looks to be a pretty hard worker out there who keeps battling away when the odds are against us.
Finally, for future reference there is a toilet out there. It's at the end of a long corridor in the new administration building. So you wont have to spend the next day out there crossing your legs.
