Fremantle - Great first 10 minutes and then the foot completely off the throat and just preseason motions being gone through. I'll be honest, I don't think they're as good on paper as they've played, which is a credit to Longmuir and the job he's done, so I actually don't think the talent gap between them and Adelaide is huge so there's a little part of me that thinks there's an element that they just got outplayed but the first 10 minutes were so good you question it. I probably have more questions than answers after their game about where they're at. They had a very clearly defined midfield group though which probably answered a couple of important questions I did have. Like Crows, very few guys missing to my eye and the ones missing all play very specific roles that don't really create uncertainty at least.
Missing - Walters, Ryan, Amiss, Chapman, NOD, Frederick, Colyer, Cox,
Sturt - Played as a small forward all 3 quarters, he did some nice things and is definitely an attractive price. This is where the "certain roles" guys helps though. He's out once Frederick and Walters are back, so unless they're both out for 8 weeks he's a no go for mine.
O'Meara - One of 4 midfielders for them, got heavy minutes, played alright. Same issues he's always had and I'm not sure I've ever seen someone get caught holding the ball and tackled as many times as he did in this game in a preseason game, was actually crazy, felt like every holding the ball in the game was against him! Was solid though overall, always looks fit, even when he isn't, but looks fit
Serong - I thought he was their best midfielder, also in the core 4 and played well. Got a fair bit of easy ball which has been a weaker area for him and is probably a symptom of playing with Mr Easy Ball in Brayshaw. If anyone was considering him then I think they'd have liked this game. I'm not and I still thought he was intriguing because I do really rate him as a player.
Darcy - Might be the first ruckman to actually show any interest in being picked by me this preseason, definitely had him as the guy to come out and try in a preseason game and look good, totally guys, believe me! He monstered ROB, honestly I think Mitch Owens against Gawn yesterday looked more competitive than ROB vs Darcy. He did a couple of nice things around the ground, Mumforded Berry into a new planet at one point, took a couple of nice marks around the ground and, perhaps most importantly, dominated the ruck attendance numbers. I had him at 14 of 17 when I stopped counting for CBA and I'd say he was just as prevalent around the ground, he even took several I50 stoppages when Jackson was there with Jackson falling into a giant rover role, this is important because Darcy has been very Tom Hawkins like as a F50 ruckman where he loves to take it from the ruck and snap, I'd guess at least half his goals to date come from F50 stoppages. He looked thinner than he normally does this time of year and didn't have any extra tape that I could see outside his customary full leg taping he's always had. For the first time I'm giving a ruck a genuine tick this o***eason!
Schultz/Switkowski/Banfield - Mosquito fleet engage, stock standard here.
Clark - Playing HB, same as last year, expect similar scoring. He took a kick-in (Crows also kicked way too straight for any info here). Was solid.
Fyfe - Well I think I'm wrong here, didn't even sniff a midfield role, worse than that he didn't even sniff a HF role. Was basically playing leadup full forward role, still can't kick set shots so that's a pretty drastic combination to be heavily reliant on as his main scoring source. I still expect he gets a better role in the real stuff but that's definitely not with any certainty, he did the role pretty well and it's a clear weak area for them so it makes sense. A firm X next to his name for mine.
Brayshaw - Looked pretty much identical to last year. He's a really good player but I'm just not sure that his style of player overlaps into SC very well. He's going to have to brute force it with pure numbers and I'm not sure just how much more ball he can get. Still think tags will restrict him because of how he plays. Basically, as someone who has only really considered him for DT so far this preseason I didn't see anything that would change my perspective, if anything O'Meara pushes him even more outside in their midfield group. Another textbook example of those that were already picking him had no change to their opinion and those not picking him wouldn't be any closer type games/roles.
Jackson - He was alright, barely rucked as mentioned in Darcy and was primarily a KPF, he did show some good development in that area. He still does a few special things but he also completely drifted out of the game for long periods and is very much still flash in the pan moments. I'll continue to question his desire and workrate until I start to see an answer against the doubts and nothing really changed with this game. I think he could average mid 90s on his talent level alone and he could go higher, especially if Darcy was injured which is definitely plausible. I'd say he's the better of premium end DPP R/F guys for sure but I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable he's going to be a top 6 forward picking him, he could though which is enough for some!
Aish - Pure wing role, same old.
Wilson - Playing defense, took a kick-in (statistically that's 50% when I stopped counting), didn't do much else. I expect he goes out for Ryan/Chapman.
Hughes - Played well early, faded. Played at HB. Like Wilson, he's a pretty obvious guy to go out for Ryan/Chapman/Cox.
Brodie - The 4th midfielder, they all had very even counts but he did start both halves on the bench suggesting he is the 4th right now, he probably scored the most fantasy points though of the 4 and he looked really solid doing it. Wouldn't be shocked if he pushed to 115 this year, he's almost certainly got the most natural SC game of the 4 and scores explosively. Didn't look any more/less fit than last year so that will almost certainly remain his issue, if he could not be the NicNat of mids he definitely could go huge.
Taberner - Awkward price point but he was really good in H1, especially Q1. Playing CHF and playing it well, Jackson and Fyfe there makes his job a lot easier and he really enjoyed being one out. Probably more of a draft league guy but could push towards 80 I think.
Hamling - Good to see him out there, played FB, was solid. Expect he goes out for Cox though.
Henry - Played wing. I suspect he could go out for NOD/Chapman/Frederick to squeeze in but this was the best I've seen him play, took it on a bit, worked hard into space and was actually used as an option often. I think there'll be better options as he's another who is probably not a high enough scorer or job security to justify the price but was good to see him play well.
Pearce - Same old from him.
Young - It felt like he had really low TOG to me, as one of the players I was legitimately watching for I barely noticed him all game. He didn't take a kick-in but it's terrible sample size so can't read much into that. It just felt like he was out there for a trot and that's about it. One of those if you were looking for a sign you definitely didn't get it but for those taking him I imagine it's almost a blessing game, he did nothing and scared a few away for sure, which when going for a unique player is a good thing. I have zero doubts what his role will be in the real stuff or that he'll improve as a player, too talented, my only doubt remains can he improve enough to reach the top end. This game offered me zero information. I wouldn't be concerned though either.
Walker - Playing HB, played pretty well and held Rankine well. I think he's in a genuine battle to hold his spot.
Treacy - Played forward, I think came on after Taberner was done, he did a few nice things. Impressive unit still but the football aspect is still a work in progress.
Missing - Walters, Ryan, Amiss, Chapman, NOD, Frederick, Colyer, Cox,
Sturt - Played as a small forward all 3 quarters, he did some nice things and is definitely an attractive price. This is where the "certain roles" guys helps though. He's out once Frederick and Walters are back, so unless they're both out for 8 weeks he's a no go for mine.
O'Meara - One of 4 midfielders for them, got heavy minutes, played alright. Same issues he's always had and I'm not sure I've ever seen someone get caught holding the ball and tackled as many times as he did in this game in a preseason game, was actually crazy, felt like every holding the ball in the game was against him! Was solid though overall, always looks fit, even when he isn't, but looks fit
Serong - I thought he was their best midfielder, also in the core 4 and played well. Got a fair bit of easy ball which has been a weaker area for him and is probably a symptom of playing with Mr Easy Ball in Brayshaw. If anyone was considering him then I think they'd have liked this game. I'm not and I still thought he was intriguing because I do really rate him as a player.
Darcy - Might be the first ruckman to actually show any interest in being picked by me this preseason, definitely had him as the guy to come out and try in a preseason game and look good, totally guys, believe me! He monstered ROB, honestly I think Mitch Owens against Gawn yesterday looked more competitive than ROB vs Darcy. He did a couple of nice things around the ground, Mumforded Berry into a new planet at one point, took a couple of nice marks around the ground and, perhaps most importantly, dominated the ruck attendance numbers. I had him at 14 of 17 when I stopped counting for CBA and I'd say he was just as prevalent around the ground, he even took several I50 stoppages when Jackson was there with Jackson falling into a giant rover role, this is important because Darcy has been very Tom Hawkins like as a F50 ruckman where he loves to take it from the ruck and snap, I'd guess at least half his goals to date come from F50 stoppages. He looked thinner than he normally does this time of year and didn't have any extra tape that I could see outside his customary full leg taping he's always had. For the first time I'm giving a ruck a genuine tick this o***eason!
Schultz/Switkowski/Banfield - Mosquito fleet engage, stock standard here.
Clark - Playing HB, same as last year, expect similar scoring. He took a kick-in (Crows also kicked way too straight for any info here). Was solid.
Fyfe - Well I think I'm wrong here, didn't even sniff a midfield role, worse than that he didn't even sniff a HF role. Was basically playing leadup full forward role, still can't kick set shots so that's a pretty drastic combination to be heavily reliant on as his main scoring source. I still expect he gets a better role in the real stuff but that's definitely not with any certainty, he did the role pretty well and it's a clear weak area for them so it makes sense. A firm X next to his name for mine.
Brayshaw - Looked pretty much identical to last year. He's a really good player but I'm just not sure that his style of player overlaps into SC very well. He's going to have to brute force it with pure numbers and I'm not sure just how much more ball he can get. Still think tags will restrict him because of how he plays. Basically, as someone who has only really considered him for DT so far this preseason I didn't see anything that would change my perspective, if anything O'Meara pushes him even more outside in their midfield group. Another textbook example of those that were already picking him had no change to their opinion and those not picking him wouldn't be any closer type games/roles.
Jackson - He was alright, barely rucked as mentioned in Darcy and was primarily a KPF, he did show some good development in that area. He still does a few special things but he also completely drifted out of the game for long periods and is very much still flash in the pan moments. I'll continue to question his desire and workrate until I start to see an answer against the doubts and nothing really changed with this game. I think he could average mid 90s on his talent level alone and he could go higher, especially if Darcy was injured which is definitely plausible. I'd say he's the better of premium end DPP R/F guys for sure but I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable he's going to be a top 6 forward picking him, he could though which is enough for some!
Aish - Pure wing role, same old.
Wilson - Playing defense, took a kick-in (statistically that's 50% when I stopped counting), didn't do much else. I expect he goes out for Ryan/Chapman.
Hughes - Played well early, faded. Played at HB. Like Wilson, he's a pretty obvious guy to go out for Ryan/Chapman/Cox.
Brodie - The 4th midfielder, they all had very even counts but he did start both halves on the bench suggesting he is the 4th right now, he probably scored the most fantasy points though of the 4 and he looked really solid doing it. Wouldn't be shocked if he pushed to 115 this year, he's almost certainly got the most natural SC game of the 4 and scores explosively. Didn't look any more/less fit than last year so that will almost certainly remain his issue, if he could not be the NicNat of mids he definitely could go huge.
Taberner - Awkward price point but he was really good in H1, especially Q1. Playing CHF and playing it well, Jackson and Fyfe there makes his job a lot easier and he really enjoyed being one out. Probably more of a draft league guy but could push towards 80 I think.
Hamling - Good to see him out there, played FB, was solid. Expect he goes out for Cox though.
Henry - Played wing. I suspect he could go out for NOD/Chapman/Frederick to squeeze in but this was the best I've seen him play, took it on a bit, worked hard into space and was actually used as an option often. I think there'll be better options as he's another who is probably not a high enough scorer or job security to justify the price but was good to see him play well.
Pearce - Same old from him.
Young - It felt like he had really low TOG to me, as one of the players I was legitimately watching for I barely noticed him all game. He didn't take a kick-in but it's terrible sample size so can't read much into that. It just felt like he was out there for a trot and that's about it. One of those if you were looking for a sign you definitely didn't get it but for those taking him I imagine it's almost a blessing game, he did nothing and scared a few away for sure, which when going for a unique player is a good thing. I have zero doubts what his role will be in the real stuff or that he'll improve as a player, too talented, my only doubt remains can he improve enough to reach the top end. This game offered me zero information. I wouldn't be concerned though either.
Walker - Playing HB, played pretty well and held Rankine well. I think he's in a genuine battle to hold his spot.
Treacy - Played forward, I think came on after Taberner was done, he did a few nice things. Impressive unit still but the football aspect is still a work in progress.
