Discussion 2020 Pre-Season AFL Intra Club Matches & Marsh Series Reports

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#1
Thought it might be worth having a thread to share any pre-season reports for any intra-club, scratch or Marsh series reports so we can keep this all in one go to area.

I know Pies v Cats had a scratch match but there's not much info that has come out of it and as we speak port seem to be going through the motions.

I'll post what I can find here and if there is another thread for this or it's not needed my apologies and just delete please mods.
 
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#2
Saint Kilda Intra - 13th Feb 2020 - CreditBrutThough BF

My observations from today:

Billings was best on for me. Got a heap of it and used it well. Played a combination of wing, inside mid and some time up forward. Kicked a goal, sprayed a set shot. Just the typical Billings performance. He was also one of the ones who was consistently good in every quarter.

Jones was also good. Used his speed a lot - also played a combination of wing and inside. I didn't know what to expect from him but I was pleasantly surprised and think he will add a different dynamic to our midfield which we desperately need. I know his kicking can be an issue, but nothing dramatically bad stuck out today which can only be a good thing.

Long great again at half back. He will frustrate though because he does a lot of good thing but he was taking on every opponent rather than sometimes passing to the first option presented. He got out of it today but he will end up getting caught in a real game and costing some goals. But when it works, it's great to watch.

Hanners looked good. He was rotated a lot more than everyone else but looked fit and ran the game out well. And his skills are first class. The biggest thing for him is how vocal he is through the entire match no matter if he is playing or on the bench. If you could guarantee 22 games out of him, he would be captain with no hesitation.

King did some good things but sprayed some shots or dropped some gettable marks. I can't wait to watch him in a real game to see how he goe because he is such an eye catching player. Even seeing him run to the bench was majestic.

Steele looked good in patches. As did Gresh - probably got better in the 2nd half. Ross played the first 3 with his calf strapped and then rested for the 4th. Marshall played as expected. Didn't notice Bytel at all. Disappointing for Dunstan that he went off injured because I thought he started well. Hopefully doesnt sideline him for too long.

Wilkie was a solid as you expect - didn't notice him do anything wrong, never looked flustered or frustrated. I thought Carlisle looked good - he didnt do anything spectacular but I thought he was moving better than he has for ages and is clearly much fitter. He was also already getting frustrated with the umpires which I enjoyed.

Sinclair was typical Sinclair in that he didnt get much of the ball but when he did, he has great vision and used it well. Kent went unsighted for me in the first half but kicked 3 really good set shots in the 2nd half which really stood out considering how bad the goal kicking was - played the whole game on the AFL team so expect him to play early. Butler was better than Lonie for me but I expect both to play early - Lonie was further up the ground than Butler but Dan's speed caught my eye more. Hardly noticed Membrey expect for him spraying his set shots.

Overall, a solid hit out. Nothing spectacular but nothing horrific either. Looking forward to seeing how they go against real opponents and seeing how Ryder and Marshall go together. We are definitely more dynamic, especially in the midfield, then last year and suddenly have some more depth options which is all good things at this time of year.
 

Connoisseur

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#3
Thought it might be worth having a thread to share any pre-season reports for any intra-club, scratch or Marsh series reports so we can keep this all in one go to area.

I know Pies v Cats had a scratch match but there's not much info that has come out of it and as we speak port seem to be going through the motions.

I'll post what I can find here and if there is another thread for this or it's not needed my apologies and just delete please mods.
An opportunity for @Tails and I to use our newfound power. :unsure:;)
 

KLo30

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#5
Majak pushes for R1 return, second-year Kanga shines
Athletic Roo Majak Daw dominates in Friday's intraclub at Arden St as Tarryn Thomas catches the eye
By Marc McGowan

MAJAK Daw has taken another big step towards a triumphant senior return with a promising performance down back in North Melbourne's intraclub game on Friday.
In a contest missing the likes of Ben Brown (calf), captain Jack Ziebell (calf), Robbie Tarrant (foot), Jared Polec (foot) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (groin), it was Daw who improved his stocks more than any other.

Ziebell has had some setbacks in the pre-season but remains in round one contention, while Brown's injury isn't considered serious and Davies-Uniacke should play in the next practice match.

Mason Wood's transition from attack to defence continued but he sat out the second half because of a lower back issue that isn't likely to set him back too much.
Ben Jacobs (concussion-related symptoms), Ed Vickers-Willis (knee), Kyron Hayden (Achilles) and Flynn Perez (knee) also sat the match out, while Curtis Taylor, Joel Crocker and Tom Campbell were rested.
However, Daw – who was last sighted at AFL level in round 23, 2018 before his horrific hip and pelvic injuries – was the story, with his physicality, movement and sturdy hands in defence.

Fellow defender Jasper Pittard was suitably impressed with Daw's performance, as well as how the backline functioned in general.

"Probably the improvement we've seen in Maj comes off the back of him playing on our best forwards throughout most of this summer," Pittard told reporters.

"We know when we give him a job on good players like 'Browny' and 'Larks' (Nick Larkey), who's just coming along so well as well, that's great practice for him – and that's what he's going to have to do.

"We have to be pretty cautious and over his career he's had a lot of injuries as well, so he's pretty much training Monday and Friday and keeping pretty quiet in the middle, to make sure come round one he's ready to go."

Daw grasped a strong intercept mark in the opening minutes to set the tone and had three telling spoils by quarter-time, including one where he chased down Larkey from a position of disadvantage.
Larkey kicked just one goal to half-time but added three more after Daw switched to his team.
Daw remained an imposing presence – instead opposed to first-year draftee Charlie Comben – and set up a Jy Simpkin goal with another intercept mark in the second half.
Whether Daw is being prepared for a lockdown defensive post or more of a free-roaming, intercept role alongside Tarrant will be one of the interesting elements of the Roos' pre-season.
He looks a certain round one starter based on his form in match simulation and Friday's intraclub hit-out, where he outshone other defensive contenders Josh Walker, Ben McKay and Sam Durdin.
Ex-Cat and Lion Walker also had some good moments as he pushes for a round one berth.
Jed Anderson was another standout from the get-go in an important performance for him, given North's vast midfield depth.
His physicality, as always, could not be missed, particularly one moment in the second quarter, when he crunched a VFL-listed opponent during a marking contest.
Midfield stars Ben Cunnington and Shaun Higgins were typically prominent on opposite sides, with Cunnington again demonstrating how effective he can also be when resting up forward.
Tarryn Thomas also turned in an eye-catching display and looks ready to be a serious contributor after an impressive rookie campaign.

"The sky's the limit for Tarryn, and what I've loved about him as a first, now second-year player is how well he's picked up the little things we value in terms of the defensive stuff," Pittard said.

"I haven't seen too many kids – Bailey Scott is similar – at that age who've just been able to pick up all the tough decision-making stuff we learn.

"But he's just picked up that stuff and he knows what we value as a club and that's what gets him games.
The excitement is off the back of that … we're lucky to have him.
- Jasper Pittard on Tarryn Thomas​
Someone who elevated himself was ruck-forward Tristan Xerri, who played the first half against Todd Goldstein before they joined forces, while draftee Jack Mahony had some nice glimpses.
Xerri competed admirably against Goldstein but it was his marking prowess inside 50 that will have given Kangaroos coaches something to think about.
Recruit Aiden Bonar was given all the midfield minutes he could handle and improved as the contest wore on.
Dom Tyson (groin) and Luke McDonald (ankle) sat out the fourth quarter as a precautionary measure.
 
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#7
Saint Kilda Intra - 13th Feb 2020 - Credit saints man BF


I only managed to watch the first half but these are my observations.

Entry in the forward 50 was still not great but I think it is also important to take in that the defenders have been training with the forwards all year and know the game plan. The ball was spread well out of defense and the team set up well/had a good understanding. Communication and direction was good on the field.

It seems that at a contested contest, players are positioning them selves well and the player who has the ball has awareness of where the players was which lead to a lot of handballs out of the pack to a player in space.

Has been said on here before but I will say it again. Hannerburry is looking good. Definitely the most vocal on the ground. If he wasn't "being repaired" also wasn't known for his love of nose beers (not the only substances) he would be a great candidate for captain.

From what i saw of Long in the first half. BOG and lock him in your back 6. Takes the game on, not afraid to run and carry, has a nice side step, dont argued some one on the run at some point. Was every where and also providing a option.

Abbott competed really well against Marshall in the ruck.

King, first time seeing him in person. He is a big boy. Still looks a little bit out of place in game sim but at the same time most defenders were worrying about him and going body. He stays very level headed and does not get frustrated. Which means they know what they know what he is capable of. When there was a clean passage down the middle and he got on the lead there was no chance his defender was catching up with him. Kicked it straight through the middle from about 30 out on a little bit of a angle. Brown gave away a free for holding the man in the goal square which he kicked as well. Did some really nice pick ups off the ground and held onto the ball until the right option was there.

Gresham, didn't have a massive day from what i saw. But the positive was he held onto the ball for a bit longer which lead him to keeping his kicks low.

Jones, used his pace at times and really stands tall when being tackled. He should be a handy addition.

Dougs, was always there when the ball was coming down and got a fist in.

Brown, is looking very fit and will hold other defenders accountable.

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Saint Kilda Intra - 13th Feb 2020 - Credit Hotdogs7 BF

My observations from today:

Jones: BOG - Started inside and played mostly there but also played a little on the wing. Won the hard ball and tackled well.

Long: Was incredible early but drifted a little as the game wore on. Is very elusive and can see him making that HB spot his own.

Billings: Started slowly but was prominent in the second half with some damaging forward of centre touches.

King: His ability to pick up the ball below his knees is as good as most midfielders. Kicked 4 goals (1 snap, 1 from a chest mark, 1 from a free and 1 from a soccer off the ground). Didnt see any contested marks and dropped a few he should have taken

Marshall: Played mostly against Abbott with no Ryder - wasn't so instrumental with hitouts but won ball around the ground and featured well up forward too

Coffield: looks to have put on size and did a few nice things

Clark: lacked a little composure today. A couple of times he got the ball and just booted it long when he clearly had more time

Dunstan: limped off injured. He looked unfit as there were two occasions where the ball was on one side and he was stuck by himself on the other.

Battle: started on-ball and then played backline

Ross: good to get gametime into him and got some touches early before being rested second half

Butler: kicked a couple of goals and was in some good crumbing positions
 

KLo30

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#8
Port newcomer emerges as R1 bolter, Watts make successful return
First-year forward Mitch Georgiades starred in Port Adelaide's tough intraclub hitout on Friday
By Lee Gaskin

EXCITING Port Adelaide prospect Mitch Georgiades has emerged as a round one bolter after an eye-catching performance in the Power's intraclub game at Alberton Oval on Friday night.
The 19-year-old, 192cm forward launched for everything in the air and wasn't afraid to throw his body around against more experienced defenders.
Georgiades missed all of last season with a serious quad injury, but the Western Australian hasn't missed a beat since being selected by the Power with the 18th overall pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft.

The Power replenished their forward stocks at the top-end of last year's draft, with Miles Bergman (14th overall pick) and Dylan Williams (23rd overall) looking lively.
Bergman kicked a beautiful goal on the run while Williams grabbed a strong overhead mark and kicked a couple of goals.

It wasn't just the newcomers who had a point to prove.

Utility Jack Watts made a successful comeback in his first game since suffering a season-ending broken leg in round two against Carlton last year.
Watts was assured in defence with his accurate skills by foot an asset in the back half of the ground.

Veteran swingman Justin Westhoff has adjusted to his new key defensive role, taking several intercept marks and reading the play like a seasoned back.
NAB AFL Rising Star runner-up Connor Rozee looked dangerous in the midfield, using his speed to burst away from packs.
But he was also lethal when playing forward, putting on the jets to evade a defence and kick a sharp goal from the pocket.​
Dan Houston found plenty of the ball playing permanently in the midfield, reigning best and fairest Travis Boak was in great nick and Tom Rockliff was heavily involved.

Key forward Charlie Dixon was a strong target in attack and Scott Lycett narrowly got the edge over Peter Ladhams in the ruck duel.
The only injury during the game was a minor one - winger Xavier Duursma required stitches under his left eye after a head clash in the third quarter.

Vice-captain Ollie Wines (shoulder) and father-son draftee Jackson Mead (hamstring) were the only two players who missed the game through injury.
The Power take on Brisbane (at Moreton Bay, February 23) and the Western Bulldogs (in Whyalla, March 7) in the Marsh Community Series.
 
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Goodie's Guns

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#14
Went to the Hawks intra club tonight, couple of my take aways...

- Tom Mitchell. Played on the Blue team (the lesser side) for the first half, you wouldn't have known he missed 12 months of footy. Just found the footy for fun playing against our more senior midfielders, with little support around him also. Changed to the orange side in place of Wingard for a bit of the third term before sitting out the last term. Going to have to seriously consider.

- Jon Patton. In terrible conditions for a big bulking key forward, he was exceptional. Not exactly sure how many snags he ended up with, but whatever it was he should've kicked another 2-3 after missing set shots. Was very good below his knees, crashed packs (had 2-3 blokes sitting in the hole in front of him in the first half), and gave Ceglar small chopouts in the ruck.

- Chad Wingard. In wet conditions, he was a class in the half or so he played. Played entirely in the midfield. Still definitely a watch for me and very keen to see his midfield time when we put out all of O'Meara, Mitchell, Worpel and Shiels.

- James Sicily. 100% of his TOG was spent down back. Didn't have a lot to do in the first half due to a lack of entries from the Blue side. Still showed his class, particularly late when he really built into the game. Off the top of my head I reckon maybe 10 touches in the last term.
 

KLo30

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#15
Went to the Hawks intra club tonight, couple of my take aways...

- Tom Mitchell. Played on the Blue team (the lesser side) for the first half, you wouldn't have known he missed 12 months of footy. Just found the footy for fun playing against our more senior midfielders, with little support around him also. Changed to the orange side in place of Wingard for a bit of the third term before sitting out the last term. Going to have to seriously consider.

- Jon Patton. In terrible conditions for a big bulking key forward, he was exceptional. Not exactly sure how many snags he ended up with, but whatever it was he should've kicked another 2-3 after missing set shots. Was very good below his knees, crashed packs (had 2-3 blokes sitting in the hole in front of him in the first half), and gave Ceglar small chopouts in the ruck.

- Chad Wingard. In wet conditions, he was a class in the half or so he played. Played entirely in the midfield. Still definitely a watch for me and very keen to see his midfield time when we put out all of O'Meara, Mitchell, Worpel and Shiels.

- James Sicily. 100% of his TOG was spent down back. Didn't have a lot to do in the first half due to a lack of entries from the Blue side. Still showed his class, particularly late when he really built into the game. Off the top of my head I reckon maybe 10 touches in the last term.
Interestingly, Mitch Lewis, who is set to partner Patton in a land-of-giants forward line this season, played for the blue side as he makes his way back from post-season shoulder surgery.

Smith was outstanding, Tom Scully's famed running power was on show – especially in one passage where he bolted past everyone to present inside 50 – and Jon Ceglar won the ruck battle against Ned Reeves.

Ben McEvoy was stationed in defence, where he ended last season and trained all summer.
 

Goodie's Guns

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#16
Interestingly, Mitch Lewis, who is set to partner Patton in a land-of-giants forward line this season, played for the blue side as he makes his way back from post-season shoulder surgery.

Smith was outstanding, Tom Scully's famed running power was on show – especially in one passage where he bolted past everyone to present inside 50 – and Jon Ceglar won the ruck battle against Ned Reeves.

Ben McEvoy was stationed in defence, where he ended last season and trained all summer.
Yep, to be honest Mitch Lewis looked disinterested in the first half when on the Blue side. Poor conditions and no footy coming his way.
He did change to the orange side in the second half and certainly sharpened up, was good below his knees and creative at ground level around goal.

Reeves did a few things that impressed me, had reasonable hands in the contest.

From what I can recall, McEvoy didn't take one ruck contest. Lewis, Patton and O'Brien each relieved the main rucks at stages.
 
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#17
I'll be starting Mitchell barring any hiccups these next few weeks - Sicily hasn't left my team either but I suspect he'll be popular. the issue for me will be Laird. I'll only take 2 of Laird, Sicily and Houston at this stage.

Westhoff has burnt me several times but I like the idea of him behind the ball but I feel he needs to be settled in a position all year.
 
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