Might as well keep my summaries going for this late game.. Good first half, scrappy Q3... Gold Coast pulled most (all?) of their starters at 3QT so 4th quarter onwards is probably going to be irrelevant...
BRIS:
Notable absentees: Neale, Berry, McKenna, Doedee, Robertson, Ashcroft
They were probably missing more players than Gold Coast but still looked relatively convincing. No injuries as far as I'm aware so will be happy with the run.
Coleman: Great first half, gets on some really good chains. To be honest I loved the look of him. No McKenna today and was much quieter in Q3, which has been a knock on him historically that he doesn't run out games well (and something I read in a pre-season thread about him this season too) - still, has piqued my interest. That bye makes it very hard though, especially if picking Williams
Rayner - Had some CBA's but didn't do much with them. Looked fine in his normal role otherwise.
Gardiner - Forward for those that didn't know. Looked fine out there. Probably starts the season in that role, seems ahead of Morris/Ryan.
Sharp - Was wing most of the game, awkwardly priced. Depth for now behind Fletcher/Berry/Wilmot
Wilmot - Was defence first half and took the 2 kick-ins Brisbane had. Went to the wing in Q3 when Prior came on. Seems will be a utility again this season rotating where he is needed.
Starc - Shaved head, easier to recognise now
Payne - Looks fit in defence after missing prelim/GF last year
Tunstill - Can't read too much into it as no Berry/Neale/Robertson today, but was in the centre square often in Q1, then mostly on the wing. Racked it up. $123,900 forward but another who I assume is depth at this stage.
Lyons - Looked like a backup player, wasn't his best game. On standby if Neale/Dunkley was to miss games.
Charlie - 3 Q1 goals.. 2 Q2 goals... Very solid
Andrews - Good form
Madden - Playing in McKenna's spot, just ok, Nice goal in Q3... Straight out for McKenna when he's fit which I assume is next week
McLuggage - Usual self
Fletcher - Good on the wing
Dunks - Usual self.. Went back with flight of ball and big collision with Lemmens.. Seemed fine still after that
Big O / Fort - Splitting time, don't think Big O high TOG at all
Prior - On 2nd half in defence
Bailey - Wasn't going to particularly mention him but kept racking it up so he has to get a mention
-------------------------------------------
GC:
Notable absentees: Ellis, Weller, Powell, Davies, Walter
Not missing many, looks very likely Ellis/Powell in for next week's practice match.
Macpherson: FWD for those who didn't know (yay more room for cheap GC defenders
)
Sexton - Racked it up.. Few kick-ins.. High usage.. Only missing Powell in defence and I assume Powell will take Uwland or Lemmens spot. Looked a great selection in SC, and on field for me.
Swallow - Deep defence.. Few intercept marks.. His new role and he was also good down there
Ainsworth - First goal, was around the ball a lot (#9 so always notice him when looking for #6 or even #3 lol)
Budarick - Nice burst out of defence, looked solid
Flanders - Gun. Was good in first half. Did quieten a bit in Q3 but hard to know how much of that was just lower TOG. Main concern is that he's the 4th Sun in terms of CBA's, but I think there's enough for all 4 (Touk Rowell Anderson Flanders)
Clohesy - On a wing (presumably for Ellis) - did some good things but also pretty poor at times. Don't think he's quite ready. $102K DEF if he was to get games (needs an injury to Ellis or Fiorini IMO)
Uwland - He had some good moments but I would definitely say Sexton/Swallow/Budarick/Lemmens were all better and Powell is to come back in. Some intercept marks, some bad turnovers. I just don't think he will be in the 22. $137,100 DEF if he was.
Tsistas - Mainly forward but saw wing Q1 late..
Touk - Quiet first quarter then got going (although did kick a big goal late in Q1)
Anderson - Fine first half
Fiorini - Wing to himself
Witts - Not noticed him much to be honest
Humphrey - Role wasn't great, didnt' see any CBA's. Was busy enough in the forward line though, kicking 1.2 in the 2nd quarter from set shots.
Read - On in 2nd half (for? A defender but not sure who) - Dropped sitter.. Did mark later a few times. $171,300 RUC if he was to get games, but expect he is depth to Ballard/Collins.
Athomas thoughts:
Brisbane feel pretty irrelvant, with the Round 2 bye not helping.
Coleman is the main interest to me, he averaged 90SC post-bye but priced at 71. Looked great today but also no McKenna, but I don't think he's a major impact.
Tunstill was great but surely not close to the 22.
Flanders I already felt pretty good on, his first half in particular was ace. Otherwise it's all about the abundance of possible defenders.
Sexton looks like a lock on the field, but I don't think
Uwland did enough today to put his hand up over Swallow, Budarick, Lemmens or Powell. I don't think
Budarick will do enough at his price either, although Lemmens plays more of a lockdown role at least. I can't see
Clohesy or
Read in the team either early on in the season.