Bombers - Were the better side, also playing a much stronger version of their 22, maybe says more about the list quality overall but weren't really missing any game changer types and the guys that filled in are more or less the same player so does make things a bit easier to judge, probably more to takeaway from them than the Dogs, imo.
Missing Parish, Ridley, Durham and McKay who are best 22 types and Gresham, Setterfield, Cox and Laverde who are guys that you'd kind of hope aren't but might be best 22.
McGrath - Same role as LY, did notice him take one CBA but was mostly in defense as the more accountable defender.
Draper - Very similar to English, played about 70% as KPF and 30% as ruck, actually was pretty solid as a forward but can't see it as a good fantasy role.
Langford - Same forward role.
Tsatas - Role was great, did a very good job getting hands on the ball and then the problems started. Definitely needs to develop a lot more composure once he wins the ball as the hack kicks and panic handballs aren't going to end well if he doesn't get on top of it. Durham and Parish both out makes this a hard read, but he did a good job getting the pill and the role was great, hopefully can tidy up the ball use as he gets more confidence and continuity. Very strong watch given his price, hopefully we get a read with the full midfield. He's a very high draft pick so might get chances ahead of the low potential types of Durham/Caldwell if he can earn it but I doubt it given his coach has never ever shown an interest in development of youth over winning immediately.
Caldwell - Looks fit, role was great, still looks like he's never kicked a ball in his life, had one kick where the commentators said "not his worst kick" and I instinctively just blurted out "not close to his worst though" while watching. He tries really hard and I love how he goes about it, just a shame that his kicking seems to be inherently broken.
Merrett - Pure class, he was playing a different sport to everyone else out there. It genuinely looked like when the coach plays against the under 15s. Looked awesome, shame about that bye.
Hobbs - HF/Mid role, good chances. Same as Tsatas it's really hard to read much more into it with the outs. I thought he was relatively good with the ball and he goes about it well. Would take a couple of LTI to open a pathway to fantasy relevance but he's worth watching if that does happen.
Shiel - Played pure HB and this is going to be a very interesting experiment. He's a sloot, he's always been a sloot and being HB just heightens that opportunity. He's also one of the worst kicks of the last 20 years and if this game is evidence, the space at HB isn't fixing something that broken. He also had a couple of howlers defensively where he was pretty lucky not to get burned, he never liked defending as a midfielder and it's hard to see that changing. One of those moves where there will be good moments, he can still break lines at an elite level but whether the kicking is going to cancel that out with interest is the question. Definitely one for the draft leagues, especially in DT where the kick is worth 3 regardless of the team it goes to. I mean he's worthless to the midfield at this point so it's worth a shot for the Bombers but I'd be terrified every time he dashes if I was a fan because those D50 turnovers are so brutal. Still, he's worth watching for the DPP change and how well he scores, maybe he'll learn the old bomb it long trick that games the SC scoring system and his metres gained will be very high.
Kako - Very exciting prospect. Played higher than I thought he would but still mostly forward half bound, did some very nice things, most importantly works hard without the ball which is what keeps young small forwards in the best 22. He definitely fills a hole of the speedy and pressuring small forward. Should be best 22, I'd say he prospects as a bench rookie though and the premium price isn't ideal for that. Definitely on the radar though, will mostly depend how many of the other forwards make it to round 1 but I suspect he's an option at the least.
Perkins - Still stuck at HF, I still rate him and he was great in the 2nd quarter despite the role but can't see the breakout playing that role. Was the forward half HF anchor role that's not good for fantasy.
Hayes - Actually really impressive playing as a KPD. Did some nice things and didn't have any howlers. I know if I was a Bombers' fan I'd be praying that he can beat out Laverde so he isn't playing AFL ever again. Pure bench option if he was playing but I'd guess he's behind Reid/McKay and that Ridley would be the preferred 3rd tall and I'm not sure he's ideal in that role.
Wright - Came on in 2nd half and didn't really do anything to demand respect. Not sure what happened two years ago for him to have that season but it still looks the anomaly.
Roberts - Played HB, was pretty rarely sighted. I like him but not this year in the real stuff.
Jones - Played wing. Did nothing of note.
Bryan - Clear #1 ruck role, 70% ruck for mine. Given he was mostly against Crossley I'd say the word to describe him was underwhelming. I actually really rate him but this wasn't a good game for him. Crossley is the kind of guy you want to see him dominate and really expose and if anything Crossley probably took the points. Still, the role is the key takeaway, he's about 50k more than I'd want to pick him but he could be a genuine option. The worry is he's the one trick pony, which means sub bait, and I expect they go with the hot hand and Draper is the epitome of streaky who could get hot and see Bryan basically forced to the vest. Want to see a lot more in the next game.
Prior - Played HB, was not terrible. Basically the same player he was at Brisbane. Cheap enough to be relevant if he wins a starting spot though. I can't really see it but he'd be fringe and playing first half a good sign.
Redman - Took kick-ins. Shiel is just as much a problem for his scoring as Martin was last year, so it's a pass for me but watch for that not being a problem as he can score.
Duursma - Wing, same old.
Menzie - Small forward, same old.
Caddy - KPF and very solid overall, not fantasy relevant but did play well and gave a good contest.
Reid - KPD, more or less unsighted which is exactly what you want from your KPD but not ideal for fantasy purposes. Purest of bench plays but I thought he gave a good account and is a solid round 1 chance. Tremendous potential if he can stay on the park. Anything that helps push Laverde out of the team is a big win for Bombers.
Martin - Roaming high half forward role. Was solid but not worth picking in that role where he'd be at best fairly priced. One to watch for the DPP changes though as could get forward right around the time his price hits fair value and he's likely to score well in this role also. Think of something similar to Zorko when he was a forward, for the role.
El-Hawli - I feel racist saying it but he genuinely looks and moves like if Houli and Saad had a child together. He started wing, had a couple of involvements. He went to back pocket in the 3rd quarter. I can't say he blew my socks off but he didn't do anything bad either, just didn't do a lot. Admittedly very tough conditions for wingers with the wind and even harder for him with Shiel, Caldwell and Tsatas so often being the guys looking for targets as well. Definitely on the watchlist. Projects as something like Windsor/Hollands over the past couple of years, probably a notch below those two, for fantasy role. Means solid bench/loop rookie.
Edwards - Came on for the 3rd, pretty good signs up forward, just one of those Steve J bobs up in the right places types (not at that level but just stylistically). Fighting for an SPP place but put his hand up with what I saw.
