Got this from a poster on another forum. Happy to pass on link and details if required.
Just a few thoughts on the game from a cold and windy Ballarat. North Ballarat were too good and controlled the game throughout and won by 39 points. The first quarter was fairly even, with North having an 8 point lead at the first break. Angus kicked the first goal of the game, and
Cogs also kicked a goal. It was a fairly scrappy game, with the windy conditions making it difficult to spot up targets.
They were dropping their big ruckman Stephenson back across half back, and in true Tiger style, we seemed to find him with many of our forward entries! The Roosters were a little too good in the second quarter, kicking 3 goals to one, to take a handy 4 goal lead into the main
break. This quarter contained lots of play between the half back lines, but we were struggling to get much run happening, and North looked the
more dangerous going forward.
The third quarter saw the game open up a little more. Andrew Raines was more prominent in this quarter, and we at least looked a little more
dangerous when moving forward. JON was providing a decent target across half forward, but he couldn't hit Pamela Anderson on the chest if she
was leading towards him 20 metres away. JON got a free 15 metres out directly in front, which would have brought Coburg back within a couple
of goals near 3/4 time, but he kicked out of bounds on the full. I suspect the goal umpire may sue JON for tearing a hamstring as he tried
desparately to get across to his right to signal a score as the ball sailed past the behind post :-)
We were 20 points down at the final break, but the boys were confident in the huddle, saying they thought their run would provide the
difference. Jade Rawlings gave JON a massive pump up, saying how much of an impact he was having on the game. He kept a straight face as he was saying it, which was even more impressive :-) He did add that the set shot at goal JON had "wasn't the greatest he had ever seen"!
Andrew Raines and Dan Conners were getting some pretty serious work on their back and hammy areas in the breaks. David King and Brian Royal were in the huddle, and Kingy was into Tristen Cartledge's ear, and Rawlings asked him for the biggest quarter of the season so far to get
us home. We started well, and kicked three of the first four goals to be a bit of a chance, but then the Roosters kicked the last five goals
to run out convincing winners.
There were few players to stand out over the game, but conditions were tough. We must make a ruckman a priority in this draft (if not one
through the national draft and one in the rookie draft), as it is a glaring weakness. Stephenson was far too strong for Gus when he was in
there, and Cartledge is simply not an AFL ruckman.
A few thoughts on the Tiger listed players:
Raines - got a bit of it in the middle stages of the game, and seemed to be moving ok. May get a call up by the end of the year. I think is
he contracted for 2009, which will be a massive year for him.
Polo - Rawlings said he had been moved around a lot, but didn't see a heap of action.
Rance - came on in the second half and moves well. Got a decent build, and I like the look of him and his approach to his footy.
Putt - took a nice mark and kicked a goal. Needs to borrow 10kg from Ryan O'Connor, who was in the huddle, but seems to move well, and I am
happy to have a ruck prospect in the "oven cooking".
Meyer - didn't see too much of it. Was hoping he had a good one to demand a game back in his home state next week. He may still get a call
up based on previous good form, but he didn't demand a spot today.
Cogs - he seemed to play most of the game, kicked an early goal from reasonable distance, and spent plenty of time getting his hands dirty.
Any thing we get from Cogs is a bonus, but he is looking ok.
JON - refer earlier comments above. Tries hard, great enthusiasm, but just doesn't look like an AFL player to me.
Hyde - got a bit of it, ran the lines, tried to sell a few dummies, was ok, but looks like a man who realises he is done and dusted at AFL
level.
Tivers - good at this level, would have had 20+ possessions, most to advantage, but would only get a game if it is a farewell game in round
22.
Silvester - does a good defensive job, but his skills are shocking. Kicked in from full back in the second quarter straight to Spolding
about 15 metres out for an easy goal. Nowhere near AFL standard.
Cartledge - lifted in the last quarter, but we appeared to be smashed out of the centre and clearances, and I thought Stephenson was one of
their best.
Conners - did a few things, tried a fancy handpass in the second quarter which was picked off by the Roosters. Every time I see him, I
think this kid could be good if he ever gets fit!
Collins - was expecting him to get more of it. I would be interested to know how many possessions he had. Seems to move well, but didn't get a
heap of it. We may see him later in the year, if only to increase our number of debuts for the year!
Howat - runs hard, and turns on his left foot every time. A good trier, but please, please, please, don't rookie him again!
Graham - looked ok up forward, but was just pushed aside in the ruck contests. Happy for him to have another year to develop to see if he
will become an AFL player, but he is fair way off now.
Spotted Michael Roach watching Tommy play. He still looks in great shape! Not a great day for the Burgers, but looking forward to seeing
how we shape up in Mcleod's 300th on Sunday!
