Pretty convincing win for the Saints. Both teams missing similar key players but Essendon did rest Merrett/Reid/Stringer/Goldy at HT so potentially that aided the dominance.
SAINTS:
Notable absentees: Sinclair, Crouch, Jones, Butler, Clark, Dow, Paton
Defence held up really well against the wind in the first quarter, then they basically ran over the top for the rest of the game.
Windhager - Opening CBA - Early hand injury and did not return
Phillipou - Opening CBA.. High midfield time, especially in Q1... Didn't do much for mine
Steele - Was kinda rusty early on in the game but did have a big Q4 to keep me interested... No Crouch (or Dow) today. Just did enough to not dismiss him
Bonner - Was pretty dominant across the backline, I guess you could say in a Sinclair role (no Sinclair today). Racked it up, took multiple kick-ins (probably more than NWM), kicked a goal off one foot from 50m. Was close to BOG. $290K a very awkward price, and not sure he's even in the team with Sinclair back (probably is though, maybe at the expense of someone like Paton?)
Wilson - He was great as a HFF, maybe a similar role to Philipou last year (which makes sense as Philipou had a lot of midfield time today with Crouch missing) - plenty of lead up marks. $130,800, the FWD line rookie stocks continue to be strong, has MID status too which is handy, can fit him in the mids for someone like Mannagh, presuming he doesn't get up
King - Shrugged McKay off for his first goal, racking up goals in Q4, did see Hayes on him at times in the fourth quarter so aided by the matchup
Campbell - 2nd ruck
Marshall - Nice intercept mark Q1, similar Q2.. Probably less TOG today with Campbell in the side
NWM - Looking his usual self, although Bonner probably got more of the ball lol
Henry - Did some good things, will be a good recruit I think. Definitely wasn't perfect
Garcia - Unsighted Q1 if he was out there, but a nice tackle, and goal, later on in Q2. Did some work up the ground although was usually deep. I expect he's against Butler for a spot in the side possibly (who was missing today)
Sharman - Deep FWD, gets goals
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BOMBERS:
Notable absentees: Shiel, Kelly, Wright, Ridley, Draper, Hobbs, Caddy
I wasn't impressed, but Wright/Ridley/Draper are some key pillars missing today.
Tsatas - Looks set to be on the wing this season. Was quiet in the first quarter but did pick up more ball as the game went on. Too awkward a price for me
McGrath - First CBA, think was mostly defence (had some kick-ins) - nothing of particular note
McKay - Some intercept marks, was ok
Merrett - Thought he was pretty meh, then sat at HT. Just a pre-season game of course.
Martin - Probably a polarising game and a polarising selection. Was getting some nice chains early, not particularly deep at all, many kick-ins & heavily utilised. Ball use was just ok, nearly entirely uncontested. Definitely feels more an AFL Fantasy selection, I'm not sure how effective he can be in SC. Also felt he was more damaging last year when he'd drift forward and kick crucial goals. I've probably cooled in SC but stayed the same for AF. See how Ridley affects him next week, if at all
Guelfi - Missed set shot from 10m out lol, seemed to be more forward the first three quarters, but was wing in the fourth
Cox - Still not locked down position wise, was in the midfield early but in defence late
Weideman - 2nd ruck
Reid - Saw once in the first quarter, deepest defender. I'm not sure he touched the ball. Also not sure if Essendon will run McKay, Laverde, Reid & Ridley, or just the three with Ridley taking the third tallest forward. Only thing can be certain about is don't put him on the field.
Durham - Didn't see much early but had the opening centre bounce clerance in Q2. Has trained as a mid at times this pre-season to give him more flexibility.
Duursma - Locked into the wing but thought he was really quiet. Caught HTB in Q4 with no awareness. Would want him to bounce back next week in general.
Goldy/Stringer - Sat at HT
Hayes - Played second half, replacing Reid. Thought he was pretty poor
Langford - Looked good, shining light today
Setterfield - Solid role
Redman - Was quietish, had some kick-ins, did have his once a game huge 55m goal
Gresham - Not huge numbers but clean when he got it on the half-forward line
Hind - Second half only
Athomas thoughts:
Steele/Marshall did enough if you were interested in them.
Bonner was huge even though not really fantasy relevant, has to be worth noting.
Wilson was good and I think did enough for a Round 1 debut, although would prefer him on the bench unless playing a bottom 4 team.
Garcia was ok but I think we are spoilt for choice and don't need to go there, if he was to get named. I didn't talk about
NWM much but the prescence of Bonner has to be a concern.
Merrett going through the motions a bit.
Martin is the one to watch and I think this match left me with more questions than answers
- hopefully it clears up with
Ridley playing next week, but have to ask what he needs to average to be a successful selection.
Reid is an option if literally no defender rookies appear, at D8, for me.