Looks like the preseason thread got closed, so not sure where to post this but this will do...
Kangas Intraclub Match
Watched the first half.
General - Clean conditions, clear "best 22" vs the rest scenario. Not sure if it's a good or awful sign but the best 22 really struggled to get ahead, they were behind fairly late into the 2nd quarter before a late burst got them ahead but given half the "rest" side weren't even AFL guys I'd lean more towards bad sign than good, maybe they've just got outstanding depth though! Was a shockingly competitive match, even included a double goal from a bit of a scuffle and some very decent tackling. Credit to North the commentary quality was actually great with various guests in to add some very useful tidbits.
O'Sullivan - Played a pure wing role from what I could tell. It didn't feel like he would have had a huge fantasy score but I will admit I wasn't watching like a hawk. He moved well, held width well and the the guest commentators all pretty much confirmed he'd play round one if he's fit for it. Premium price is really the only issue, wing role is more loop than start ideally but he's got the ability to score regardless. Definitely in the mix.
Sheezel - He was everywhere. Started mid, rotated through HF, still pushed to HB for some cheapies and just a class above. He's just really, really good at football.
Corr - Lined up in the pink (2nds) team, North would be hoping he stays there ideally (I rate him very lowly). Didn't do anything to really force his way out of it for mine.
Daniel - Primary rebound role as advertised. Lock him in if fit for round 1, has 100+ potential in that role. No Fisher there which meant absolute funneling to him but still going to happen. He took the bulk, if not all, of the kick-ins in the first half.
Wardlaw/Simpkin/Fisher/CCJ/Goater - These are the guys I'm fairly certain didn't play in at least the 1st half. Simpkin is playing in the indigenous team, not sure about Fisher, rest I believe injured.
Duursma - Started midfield for pink team, started like a house on fire, had a shoulder knock and I have to say I didn't notice him much after that, not sure if he went off, missing or I just didn't notice, I was watching blue team guys a lot closer to be fair.
Scott - Kicked a nice goal, otherwise same old for him, unquestionable work rate, very questionable skills/decision making. Like Corr, he'd be a guy I hope to not see play if I was a Kangas fan as it would mean the kids have pushed him out.
LDU - His horrible tackling stands out even more when it's his teammates. It's clear that he doesn't want to tackle as there's no reason for him to be so bad at it beyond that. Outside that, he looks in great nick, he played solidly and he even found a bit of outside ball which is always a flaw in his game. He felt like the clear #2 midfielder to Sheezel though, something he hasn't been for a while. That's a wrinkle that makes me hesitant to start him. If it wasn't for his bye, he'd probably be my first picked mid, fwiw, so that hesitance is definitely of note. It's an intraclub and I'm not going to take too much from it but I'd say he did nothing to move the scale in either direction.
McKercher - From what I've seen of the other write-ups I'm and the headline of the article that was above the video for the game I'm guessing he had a monster 2nd half as he was pretty incognito in the 1st. He's a stud and would be surprised if he's not a future star, I don't love his role though, seems to be the 3rd winger rotating through HF which can be a very difficult role to score well from. Had a couple of nice touches but fantasy wise I'd prefer he was where Daniels is! Given the bye, he's on the watchlist for me, was in a first draft but I don't know if that bye can be wasted on speculative keepers.
McDonald - Same old for him, defensive small defender.
Tucker - Playing HB, file him in the Scott/Corr category of the ideal result being him not playing very much. I still haven't actually worked out what he does at an AFL level yet.
Urquhart - Shame about the team he's ended up with because he looked fantastic as a bigger bodied midfielder. Will struggle to get games for North I dare say but he was the best midfielder for not insignificant parts of this game. Great size and looks to really enjoy smashing in, really liked the look of him, actually some Luke Parker vibes to him for mine albeit definitely with more toe. One to watch if he breaks in later in the season. Not sure if he can play any other role as played pure mid for pink team but he was a real standout for them.
Stephens - Played for pink team on the wing, actually played pretty well but not to the level of beating out those ahead right now.
Hardeman - Pink team at HB, did nothing to move the scale either way for mine.
Dawson x2 - I think they might have been playing but it was pink team if they were and I honestly didn't notice (or look) for either of them so I really can't add anything here
Logue - Was in defense for the blue team. He avoided mistakes which is basically the marker for him doing well.
Larkey - KPF for blue team, duh. He was alright, uncharacteristically bad kicking aside. Should benefit from Darling a bit.
Goad - He'll be one of my favourite backup rucks moving forward. Guys that size that move like he does are pretty rare. Xerri wore him down towards the end of the 2nd half but he definitely had his moments and held his own for the most part and looks a genuinely great prospect to me. He's only playing in the case of disaster but he was great. Real positive for Kangas fans, imo.
Payne - Did not notice him, not sure if not playing or on pink team.
Powell - In the first midfield group, had moments, went missing for long periods, basically standard Powell things. I still haven't worked out whether he's exceedingly average that has great moments or if he has the potential to be great but hasn't gotten there yet. He confuses me as much as any player in that regard. Annoyingly for my draft team plans he seemed to be clearly ahead of Parker for midfield burn, which with Wardlaw and Simpkin also to bob up isn't ideal.
Curtis - Played a really solid game up forward. So much talent but his consistency is going to remain the question until he answers it. I rate him, so hopefully can take another step this year.
Parker - Forward with midfield stints rather than the other way around which isn't ideal for fantasy and with the couple of outs that will impact him negatively in that regard. Definitely keen for the bigger preseason games but this was a solid X against his name for mine. Really needs to average 90+ and he never really did that when in this role at Sydney and the Swans are stronger than the Kangas project to be. Watchlist still but if I had to lock in a team now, he'd be outside looking in. Much better draft pick for now.
Bergman - Defense in the pink team, played well in his moments.
Darling - Was genuinely good for the blue team. Not fantasy relevant but if he can play at that level this year he'll definitely help them as a team.
Phillips - The other guy getting midfield burn alongside Parker, Powell, LDU and Sheezel. He played alright but you'd kind of like to see more than that for the guy on the fringe of the 22 playing against the VFL guys. Has just never recovered from the glandular fever and didn't show any signs that's changed in this game. Really hope he can find a way to get back because he's getting really close to the bust territory now and he was such an exceptional young talent.
Comben - Playing KPD, played well, should probably look to give to Daniel more and kick less though!
Pink - KPD for the pink team, he was solid.
George - Another I didn't notice but also wasn't looking for him. No idea if he played.
Archer - Blue team at HB, probably holding the spot for Fisher (It's him or Tucker, imo) but he had a really solid game. Defensively sound and more involved offensive than usual, played within himself and didn't force things, definitely looked for Daniel as well which is what he should be doing.
Kangas Intraclub Match
Watched the first half.
General - Clean conditions, clear "best 22" vs the rest scenario. Not sure if it's a good or awful sign but the best 22 really struggled to get ahead, they were behind fairly late into the 2nd quarter before a late burst got them ahead but given half the "rest" side weren't even AFL guys I'd lean more towards bad sign than good, maybe they've just got outstanding depth though! Was a shockingly competitive match, even included a double goal from a bit of a scuffle and some very decent tackling. Credit to North the commentary quality was actually great with various guests in to add some very useful tidbits.
O'Sullivan - Played a pure wing role from what I could tell. It didn't feel like he would have had a huge fantasy score but I will admit I wasn't watching like a hawk. He moved well, held width well and the the guest commentators all pretty much confirmed he'd play round one if he's fit for it. Premium price is really the only issue, wing role is more loop than start ideally but he's got the ability to score regardless. Definitely in the mix.
Sheezel - He was everywhere. Started mid, rotated through HF, still pushed to HB for some cheapies and just a class above. He's just really, really good at football.
Corr - Lined up in the pink (2nds) team, North would be hoping he stays there ideally (I rate him very lowly). Didn't do anything to really force his way out of it for mine.
Daniel - Primary rebound role as advertised. Lock him in if fit for round 1, has 100+ potential in that role. No Fisher there which meant absolute funneling to him but still going to happen. He took the bulk, if not all, of the kick-ins in the first half.
Wardlaw/Simpkin/Fisher/CCJ/Goater - These are the guys I'm fairly certain didn't play in at least the 1st half. Simpkin is playing in the indigenous team, not sure about Fisher, rest I believe injured.
Duursma - Started midfield for pink team, started like a house on fire, had a shoulder knock and I have to say I didn't notice him much after that, not sure if he went off, missing or I just didn't notice, I was watching blue team guys a lot closer to be fair.
Scott - Kicked a nice goal, otherwise same old for him, unquestionable work rate, very questionable skills/decision making. Like Corr, he'd be a guy I hope to not see play if I was a Kangas fan as it would mean the kids have pushed him out.
LDU - His horrible tackling stands out even more when it's his teammates. It's clear that he doesn't want to tackle as there's no reason for him to be so bad at it beyond that. Outside that, he looks in great nick, he played solidly and he even found a bit of outside ball which is always a flaw in his game. He felt like the clear #2 midfielder to Sheezel though, something he hasn't been for a while. That's a wrinkle that makes me hesitant to start him. If it wasn't for his bye, he'd probably be my first picked mid, fwiw, so that hesitance is definitely of note. It's an intraclub and I'm not going to take too much from it but I'd say he did nothing to move the scale in either direction.
McKercher - From what I've seen of the other write-ups I'm and the headline of the article that was above the video for the game I'm guessing he had a monster 2nd half as he was pretty incognito in the 1st. He's a stud and would be surprised if he's not a future star, I don't love his role though, seems to be the 3rd winger rotating through HF which can be a very difficult role to score well from. Had a couple of nice touches but fantasy wise I'd prefer he was where Daniels is! Given the bye, he's on the watchlist for me, was in a first draft but I don't know if that bye can be wasted on speculative keepers.
McDonald - Same old for him, defensive small defender.
Tucker - Playing HB, file him in the Scott/Corr category of the ideal result being him not playing very much. I still haven't actually worked out what he does at an AFL level yet.
Urquhart - Shame about the team he's ended up with because he looked fantastic as a bigger bodied midfielder. Will struggle to get games for North I dare say but he was the best midfielder for not insignificant parts of this game. Great size and looks to really enjoy smashing in, really liked the look of him, actually some Luke Parker vibes to him for mine albeit definitely with more toe. One to watch if he breaks in later in the season. Not sure if he can play any other role as played pure mid for pink team but he was a real standout for them.
Stephens - Played for pink team on the wing, actually played pretty well but not to the level of beating out those ahead right now.
Hardeman - Pink team at HB, did nothing to move the scale either way for mine.
Dawson x2 - I think they might have been playing but it was pink team if they were and I honestly didn't notice (or look) for either of them so I really can't add anything here
Logue - Was in defense for the blue team. He avoided mistakes which is basically the marker for him doing well.
Larkey - KPF for blue team, duh. He was alright, uncharacteristically bad kicking aside. Should benefit from Darling a bit.
Goad - He'll be one of my favourite backup rucks moving forward. Guys that size that move like he does are pretty rare. Xerri wore him down towards the end of the 2nd half but he definitely had his moments and held his own for the most part and looks a genuinely great prospect to me. He's only playing in the case of disaster but he was great. Real positive for Kangas fans, imo.
Payne - Did not notice him, not sure if not playing or on pink team.
Powell - In the first midfield group, had moments, went missing for long periods, basically standard Powell things. I still haven't worked out whether he's exceedingly average that has great moments or if he has the potential to be great but hasn't gotten there yet. He confuses me as much as any player in that regard. Annoyingly for my draft team plans he seemed to be clearly ahead of Parker for midfield burn, which with Wardlaw and Simpkin also to bob up isn't ideal.
Curtis - Played a really solid game up forward. So much talent but his consistency is going to remain the question until he answers it. I rate him, so hopefully can take another step this year.
Parker - Forward with midfield stints rather than the other way around which isn't ideal for fantasy and with the couple of outs that will impact him negatively in that regard. Definitely keen for the bigger preseason games but this was a solid X against his name for mine. Really needs to average 90+ and he never really did that when in this role at Sydney and the Swans are stronger than the Kangas project to be. Watchlist still but if I had to lock in a team now, he'd be outside looking in. Much better draft pick for now.
Bergman - Defense in the pink team, played well in his moments.
Darling - Was genuinely good for the blue team. Not fantasy relevant but if he can play at that level this year he'll definitely help them as a team.
Phillips - The other guy getting midfield burn alongside Parker, Powell, LDU and Sheezel. He played alright but you'd kind of like to see more than that for the guy on the fringe of the 22 playing against the VFL guys. Has just never recovered from the glandular fever and didn't show any signs that's changed in this game. Really hope he can find a way to get back because he's getting really close to the bust territory now and he was such an exceptional young talent.
Comben - Playing KPD, played well, should probably look to give to Daniel more and kick less though!
Pink - KPD for the pink team, he was solid.
George - Another I didn't notice but also wasn't looking for him. No idea if he played.
Archer - Blue team at HB, probably holding the spot for Fisher (It's him or Tucker, imo) but he had a really solid game. Defensively sound and more involved offensive than usual, played within himself and didn't force things, definitely looked for Daniel as well which is what he should be doing.
