Demons vs Tigers
General - Seemed a much more intense game than the Bombers game to me. Strong wind to one end meant we got more idea of structures and also that guys really only had half a game each to score if they were at the ends. I watched 3/4 as is my norm, don't think anything that happened after that point is changing my thoughts.
I again didn't notice anything with the man on the mark rule. Short probably at the very top of the list of guys I'd expect benefit from it and it really wasn't noticeable even with him.
Tigers - Very strong team, missing Lambert and Prestia who do influence things but I think we got a pretty good read. Looked the same as always, Lynch still an asshole on the field, lots of flopping and moving the ball with speed and no real intention to retain possession as much as field control, they looked solid.
Vlastuin - Same old role, he's likely to be an almost premium but still think he could with a couple of big games throughout the year.
Martin - Role was solid but he was definitely going at preseason pace and his role was better than his performance for sure. Looked fit though and good to see him out there.
Ross - Not relevant other than maybe draft leagues but he looked really good and seemed to be the clear 4th mid after Edwards, Martin and Cotchin to me.
Castagna - I hadn't given him a seconds thought really but he was everywhere, HF pushing way up the ground. I'd say he was playing Lambert's role though so not going overboard but he sure looked like he could push the 90 mark in that role. Can't pick a guy with that head though.
Short - Same old, think he's a strong mid 90s pick with a chance to go up or down based on big/small games. Represents a decent starting punt.
Lynch - Still deep forward mostly, not fantasy relevant in that role.
Nankervis - Was really solid out there against an overwhelming opponent. Just looks good as the sole ruck.
Bolton - Terrible role, seemed to be playing genuine forward pocket with tiny bursts on the ball and looked all out of sorts in that role as he has for most of his career. Would need to see something vastly different next week to even consider him myself.
Martyn - He looked really good. Probably gets pushed out by Prestia and Lambert but he definitely threw down the gauntlet to Graham and Ross for what is probably one spot in the side. Liked the look of him and expect he plays a few games this year. Whether he can lock down a spot for round one is the big question.
Ralphsmith - Probably the most impressive from a fantasy perspective to me from the Tigers. Playing off HB and very active and involved. Obviously the issue is Houli out but if he looked like missing the first month I think Ralphsmith stamped his name in that opening and he looks very capable of producing good fantasy numbers. Shame that there really isn't an opening there outside Houli as he's not going to jump ahead of Short, Baker or Vlastuin.
Demons - Fairly strong side for them as well, obviously missing forwards but they'll be out a while and seeing how they use their stars to plug gaps is vital knowledge given that. Brayshaw and Viney the main names missing who may or may not impact the other mids, god only knows with Goodwin... They looked decent to me.
May - Took a lot of the kick-ins and looked really, really good. I think there's a bit too much happening down back for him to hit premium numbers but he's going to be close if he plays like this.
Salem - Same story as May basically.
Harmes - Role was really good and I think he outplayed the role from a performance point of view which is even better. They were talking up how big his preseason has been and he really did cover some yardage. Brayshaw and Viney are the obvious huge question marks, he was their 3rd mid though in this one which bodes well as he's at least in the mix. Hopefully can get a better idea next game but as someone who hadn't strongly considered him he definitely put his name on my board with this one.
Petracca - Role was really poor but he still was dominant and to be fair Oliver also had a similarly poor role so it's hard to judge if they were out there as much for the run as anything or if they're genuinely planning to use them like that. Basically he'd take the centre bounce and then drift to HF with bursts on the ball. Don't want to be negative as he looked brilliant out there but that's not a role that pretty much anyone can put up midfield premium numbers in consistently, basically a Martin like role and Martin has maxed out in the low 100s in that role, as good as Petracca is to expect him to be significantly better than Martin in that role is an enormous ask. Want to see something very different next week.
Jackson - Still not sure what his future role is but he moves so well for the size. Problem is he doesn't seem to be able to use it for much still.
Lever - Was a standout for the Demons, still bad by foot quite often but intercepting everything that Gawn didn't get to first. Probably more of a draft option but he certainly could push the 90s in that role.
Gawn - Enormous, must have had about 120 at half time if we were scoring. Would have had probably 8-10 contested marks and just dominant in the air. He rested forward which was an interesting change and took a couple of nice big marks in the F50, also looked to push forward. Still not active enough in F50 stoppages for mine but that's a minor quibble. His work defensively was also terrific. Playing like that the 130+ is definitely sustainable.
Oliver - His role kind of gives me a bit more hope with Petracca as he was quite similar to be honest. More midfield but still going forward for large stints. Did some nice things and I couldn't tell his preseason was interrupted except for it being a possible reason why he was forward as much. Think it's probably a case of wanting to give the fringe guys a bigger chance to stamp their positions than anything related to the guns (I hope?). Oliver didn't offer much up forward which is a good/bad thing, Petracca in comparison was beastly.
Jordon - Role was solid but I'm not sure he really took the opportunity. If I was looking for the guys holding the spots up he'd be at the top of the list. That he got the chance is still a really good sign and will hopefully build on it. Not saying he was poor or anything just that with the role he had you're hoping for more of a Dow type output where they demand it long term rather than kind of just being there. Still at his price if he ends up in the mix he's in play.
McDonald - Was very impressive, working a lot higher and a lot more involved. Looked a lot more like the 2018 version than he has the last two years. Don't think he's worth the risk but could be a good late flyer in draft leagues.
Hunt - A very interesting option to me. Playing off HB where he's been a solid 70+ guy previously and is cheap enough that he could pay off with that. He's the guy that exists if the rookies fall to pieces up forward but otherwise wouldn't look at but he's a name to keep in the bag in that scenario.
Sparrow - Similar to Jordon really, which given they're competing for what is likely the same spot is good for both I guess. He was underwhelming and didn't do enough to grab the chance but he's in the mix.
Baker - Shame about his price and/or position because he was everywhere. Looks to have added to his tank substantially and just owned his wing. Must have been close to 75 range in the first half for DT, just seemed to be getting a lot of marks in space and tackling everything when he didn't have it. Too much of a punt at 290k when you'll be one of about 5 people who've picked him but wouldn't shock me if he pushes 90+ based on his role and performance. Strong draft league option.
Chandler - For me the most impressive Demon other than Gawn from a fantasy perspective. Playing small forward, which is obviously bad, but he was excellent and put his name at the top of the class for the position which is certainly in play. Melksham, Pickett and a couple of others are obviously missing but he was just really good. 160k is an awkward price and I think he's a "no other options" type value because of the role but he'd have put up probably an 80+ pace from what I saw. Deceptively good mark for his size, seems to have a really neat left foot on him and goes at 100mph when applying pressure. Reminded me a lot of a young Papley when he burst on the scene. Reckon he's got a spot to lose on the back of that game.
Wouldn't that be a job though!