Opinion 2025: PRESEASON TRAINING, MATCH SIM & GAME NOTES (Non Discussion)

[wogitalia]

Swans vs GWS

Watched the 1st half only.

General - Two strong sides and a good battle. Only watched a half as no real point over-analysing a preseason game when both sides will play round 0 and give us genuine information to make decisions on. Plenty to take away from it though.

Sydney - Very strong side and played to win. As a high skill, speedy and somewhat soft side, obviously preseason games are well suited. There really wasn't any hugely noticeable difference in game plan to me, felt maybe a little bit more handball release and a little bit more looking sideways instead of pure long bomb but not to any level where you'd say there was a change over it just being what Giants structure was giving them. Not missing many but the guys missing are pretty important structurally.

Missing - McLean, McDonald, Cunningham, Papley, Mills, Cleary, Fox and Lloyd of the guys that are genuine best 22 options.

Warner - Started mid, we were definitely spitting both Heeney and Warner forward out of centre bounces to allow McInenery to flow through. He looked very fit and was good. Definitely took this game more seriously than most, even making some rare defensive efforts, if he plays like that the contract is just going to go up and up.

Adams - He played which is unfortunate. HF with a few midfield opportunities, still rubbish.

Grundy - #1 ruck, was a pretty even battle with Briggs, probably slight edge to Grundy but it didn't feel like either really made a statement.

Heeney - Solid hitout, midfield starting role and same as Warner was spitting forward. 2nd quarter he played a lot more forward to my eye. Not a big outing but no real surprises there.

Rowbottom - Pretty pure midfield role, tried hard as he always does, I always like the games where he doesn't try to kick and actually shows composure and this one was pretty good for that, type who when there's time for him to think is actually not bad but that goes away in the real stuff so we'll see, I still don't get it to be honest.

Hayward - Forward as always, same old.

Francis - Playing KPD, it felt to me like he was playing off the bench and basically was out there instead of Melican rather than alongside. I like him and Hamling as depth but I'd prefer we go a bit more mobile with Blakey and Rampe in the KPD slots alongside Melican.

Sheldrick - 4th midfielder role, assume Mills takes that from the talk but he was really good. I'll say it every time but I have no idea why WCE haven't sold the farm for him the last couple of years. He's an absolute gun stuck behind the best midfield in the league. He still reminds me strongly of Serong as a player. He'll play this year but his weakness is he hasn't really shown any other roles and as good as he is and will be, he's not better than Heeney, Warner and Mills. I'd prefer him to Rowbottom but no evidence to suggest that the kompromat he had on Horse hasn't continued to Cox unfortunately...

Florent - Same old off HB.

Wicks - Playing small defender, he's a very ordinary ball user but has got speed so an interesting move. Not a terrible punt in late rounds of draft leagues but I can't see him being very active with ball to justify in the real stuff. I imagine the spot he's gunning for is Cunningham more than anyone else, he's got a lot more size which has always been an area that Cunnigham can be exposed so it's worth a shot.

Campbell - Playing a similar role to the Toby Greene role as a genuine F50 target that's small and he was brilliant in this half. He's the type that's always going to look better in preseason with the speed and exquisite skills but this was one of his better showings. Like the role for him and hope he can stick it, too talented to not make it at AFL.

Jordon - Playing wing and some HF, no tagging today but that will be his gig.

Ladhams - 2nd ruck, did nothing to demand a regular game, almost certain changing off the bench with Grundy so don't think 2 rucks is a goal.

Gulden - Lapped it up, another who is obviously suited to preseason and lapped it up. Wing with some midfield bursts, I'd prefer it in reverse but will take what I can get. He's a gun.

Blakey - Same old down back, playing KP and if no McCartin will have to defend a bit more.

Rampe - Same old.

Paton - Played HB and was very good, imo. All of Cunningham, Lloyd, Mills and Fox could take the slot but I've always liked him and nothing has changed in that regard. Shows good composure with the pill, works to space to be an option and defends decently. I like him more than Wicks but have to note that Wicks started on field and Paton on bench so would assume that's probably the pecking order. He'd be fieldable if he is in the best 22 but I can't help but think he's probably the 1st picked reserve small defender right now which isn't ideal in a team who has an army of small defenders that never miss games!

McInerney - As mentioned, starting HF but playing a wide roaming role. Probably got more ball around HB than HF but I didn't notice him line up anywhere but HF. I like the role as he's a great line breaker that generally uses pretty well. Definitely prefer him to Adams at HF.

McCartin - Forward as advertised, he was good imo. He's obviously a much better defender but I think we can cover that and if we can't then it's an easy fix but he worked very hard on the lead, most of it unrewarded, gave a good contest and that's going to be the key, McLean/McDonald/Amartey all as single effort non-defenders was a liability together, if McCartin can make multiple efforts and bring it to ground reliably, something none of those 3 do, then he's an upgrade at our position of by far biggest need. It's worth a crack basically.

Roberts - Playing HB, slutting it up. Same old for him. Without the round 0 aspect he'd be right up there on the DEF options for me, the question is whether he can go far enough to pick despite that.

Mitchell - Played wing, there's a good player there in a couple more preseasons as he needs a bit more size but like the running patterns and skills. Would expect Lloyd replaces him at r0 though.

Amartey - Probably already spent his one good game of the year in this one but he was genuinely impressive. Very good at filling in the leading pockets that McCartin was opening with his hard leads, finished well. Still would like to see some genuine moungrel out of him, he's so athletic that he should be dangerous defensively but that's his weakness. Would like to see repeat efforts. I still like him more than McLean but I'd hope we're only going to see one or even neither of them if McDonald can get it together.

Co. Warner - Played HF and was very decent today. Better with ball and better at finding space to receive. Definitely liked his game more than Adams. Papley is in for one of the Co Warner, Adams and Campbell trio for sure so good that Adams was worst, imo, so far.

Hanily - If he was on in Q1, I didn't notice him, think he came on about midway through the 2nd. Another small forward and his couple of actions were neat but didn't do a lot at the end of the day.

Melican - #1 KPD and did the job well on Hogan mostly. Big responsibility for him but I think he's a good defender, not a world beater by any means but can do the job with the talent around him.

 

[wogitalia]

GWS - A bit younger side and a few of their most influential players missing so not a surprise they fell away a bit the longer it went. Think they'd be fairly happy though. Nothing shocking here and look set to play more or less the same as last year to me, list is at an interesting spot now where they no longer have the clear talent advantages and will need to play well as a team also.

Missing - Coniglio, Green, Taylor & Stringer of the guys I think will be best 22.

Thomas - I like him but the role was pretty ordinary, was really hoping he'd be the guy they prioritise with Green out but seemed to be mostly stuck at HF and not even the roaming HF just genuine HF. Still reminds me so much of Gulden but will have to wait and see if they plan to hold him back this year again.

Jones - Small forward as you'd expect, few nice things, next step for him is more consistent involvement.

Greene - Forward role as normal, a bit of midfield time late in 2nd but didn't feel like they plan to use him there even without Green. I don't really get him forward these days with Stringer now there to play the role he was playing and a midfield that has thinned out significantly in the last few years that could really use him. I'd only consider if he plays genuine midfield in round 0.

Cadman - Forward, like him but nothing to suggest he's relevant this year.

Whitfield - HB, same old.

Ash - Ditto.

Ward - Wing again, good role player, nothing more.

Wehr - Playing HB, did nothing to really demand a position, did nothing wrong.

Gothard - Started as a small forward, didn't do a lot but that's promising that he started. He's nippy and was in the right positions mostly just didn't bounce his way. Not likely to be fieldable anyway but really cheap bench option if he's there.

Bedford - Weird use of him, I guess to practice their structures but basically had him in the midfield but not tagging anyone so kind of going 2v3 there by choice a lot. Be interesting to see if they stick with the tagger.

Daniels - Small forward, half forward a bit higher than others but nothing special about it.

Callaghan - Pure inside midfield role. Started well but faded a fair bit and again struggled to find the inside/outside balance. He seems to either be pure inside where he kind of turns into a Taranto style hacker or a pure outside guy where he gets to showcase the skills but can't win enough ball. He's so young though so it will take time and I do rate him, next step is realising he can go from inside to outside and how to transition to dangerous areas for handball receives when his teammates win the clearances.

Stone - Really solid outing at HB. Didn't do anything special, didn't do anything wrong. Showed some good dash, couple of hatchet jobs with the kicks but he's skilled and that shouldn't be the norm. Was good to see him actively push to get the ball from other defenders. Round 0 will answer the question on him but I like him as a fieldable rookie in this role.

Aleer - He's an exceptional talent. Like Sheldrick at Sydney, I'm surprised no one has backed up a truck to lure him away. Both of Buckley and Himmel can play a bit smaller but it's hard to fit him in with Taylor back there and those two ahead of him but he's got the potential to be an elite intercept defender, imo, and they're so valuable.

Kelly - Pure midfield role in this one, not sure how much of that is Green not being there and how much is that's the role for him. Reality is that midfield has actually become close to their weakest area on the field after years of stupid levels of depth there, so this is genuinely where he's needed, that he's fit and playing is a good start also. We all know what he's capable of in this role and the wing role last year devalued him a lot. Oh god, here we go towards this mistake again

Hogan - FF, same old. Looks in good nick.

Riccardi - KPF and 2nd ruck, same old.

Himmelberg - Was a bit more lock down in this game rather than free to float and intercept. Very preseason type of outing though.

Angove - One of the most impressive for the Giants, kicked a couple, and gave great effort on the wing. Ward and O'Halloran are not high level wingers so he could demand a spot. On a negative, he genuinely looks skinny enough that he could have gone over to Royal Randwick and gotten a ride or two without any issue of making weight, so there's certainly the question of whether he will hold up physically, line up against Mitchell who also has a couple of years more in a gym ahead of him is a bit different to coming head to head with an Acres type on the wing but he looked good and did all he can to push for r1 selection. If he wins the role he's probably in that Hollands or Windsor profile of pretty mediocre scoring with a few bigger outings but he's dirt cheap and M/F so one to watch out for.

McMullin - Forward and mid role, felt like their 4th mid, which is kind of the proof of how thin their midfield is right now. He wasn't bad but he didn't do anything to scream AFL midfielder to me either which is what he needs to do when he gets the chances. At 235k he's probably a bit too expensive but if he had that role, he could definitely score some points.

Briggs - Same old, good to see him out there given how often his body falls apart on him, held his own with Grundy and will be up there near the better rucks again I expect.

O'Halloran - Playing wing, didn't notice him anywhere else, occasionally he does some nice things but I don't really see the AFL player still which is a concern this far in. I still think he's probably the starting wing though.

Idun - Same old in defense.

Buckley - Ditto.

 

[Under The Dome]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1893171829709381723

View: https://twitter.com/Woodzyyyyy____/status/1893171829709381723

 

[wogitalia]

North vs Melbourne

Watched the first half

General - Pretty good hitout. Not a lot to be read into Melbourne with their outs, North a bit better but a couple of key guys that will impact overall selections. Solid wind to the right of screen but didn't really impact the scoring much. Both teams went hard, skills were a bit more questionable but a bit to takeaway from it.

Melbourne - Hard to read too much into this, basically missing too many key players to overreact to any of the roles of the fantasy relevant guys unfortunately but will take what I can from it.

Missing - May, Salem, McVee, Petracca, Windsor, Viney, Spargo, Gawn, Tholstrup, Langdon, Melksham, Fritsch, yep, half their best 22 basically...

JVR - KPF, little bit of 2nd ruck, same old.

Lever - Same old.

Turner - He was pretty well kept, did a little early but not much else. Probably not a great sign he had to wear Fritsch's jumper as would be a tell they didn't bother making him one to play in...

Oliver - Looks in much better nick than last year and playing a pure midfield role. Hands clean and what he did was solid. Not too comitted to the preseason but still found his share of scuffles. A tick for mine.

Billings - I think I can give up him ever getting to play his natural midfield role, no idea why coaches don't ever want him there but must be something behind the scenes. Even with the whole midfield basically out he rotted in the forward pocket. Played ok but not fantasy relevant.

Laurie - Got some midfield minutes, didn't do much to demand more of them.

Bowey - Down back in standard role, took the lion's share of the kick-ins to my eye. Same old though.

Langford - One of those guys who moves weirdly and it throws other players off, booming left foot, playing HF and some mid minutes, pushing up from HF and did a good job. Definitely put his hand up for round 1 and was one of their better performers for mine. Looks AFL ready. Would expect a lot less mid which is definitely where he looked his best and found the majority of the pill, seems a loophole type of rookie to me.

Lindsay - Played pure wing, couple of nice things, nothing to demand round 1 selection but definitely nothing to kill the chances. No Langdon means one of the wings is probably gone from this game and Lindsay was clearly outplayed by Woewodin on the other wing but he's a good young player. If he was 120k it's easy but at his price with that role he's a fringe selection for mine even if there round 1.

Jefferson - Playing as the deeper forward mostly, basically in Fritsch's role and did a pretty decent job given supply wasn't exactly pretty. Good mover and size, should be a chance at games. Wouldn't likely be a strong rookie, pure bench to me where you'd be hoping for a bag or two for any price generation, think your Ash Johnson type.

Howes - HB, alright, nothing special.

Rivers - Pure midfield role, playing something akin to the role Brayshaw used to for them as the sweeper that stays mostly behind the midfield rather than pushing hard forward like Petracca, Oliver and Viney all tend to. He was prolific, would expect he was among the fantasy leaders on pure eye test and definitely a tick for those considering. Again with Petracca, Viney and Salem all missing the balance is the question. He's got a huge projected scoring range, imo, and definitely has a chunk of that range within the winning pick level. Will be watching very closely next game, hopefully with a bit more of the midfield in. Doesn't hurt to be the one who's actually fit enough to play though, that's a head start...

McDonald - KPD.

Hore - Defense, nothing of note at his price.

Campbell - Held his own in the ruck, didn't venture forward at all which says they see him as the cover for Gawn and not the next Grundy to mistakenly play alongside.

Sharp - Playing a high HF type role and did a very nice job of it. No idea whether he's best 22 as the small forward group probably is the guys going out for the mids but I liked the game for him.

Sparrow - Playing the HF switch role, Pickett being the mid to switch out after CB. Sparrow was solid, same player he's been for a while. Might be interesting if he gets FWD later on and is playing good midfield minutes.

Petty - KPD.

Pickett - Starting at several CB, then going forward. Same role as years past, looks solid. Suspension ends him anyway though.

Chandler - Small forward, same old.

Woewodin - He was by far the most impressive Demon for mine. Was annihilated by the sub vest last year but played a pure wing role in this one and was close to their best. It's not an ideal fantasy role but at 150k and DEF eligible, he's a must watch if he's going to play to that level. For mine he was clearly better than Lindsay so if you assume Langdon takes one wing, he's at least leading for the other. Commentary talk was they want Langdon more central which could open both up and help more, but a very good outing for him. Probably the most interesting takeaway from the whole game.

Edit: I missed Moniz-Wakefield when doing this but reading the AFL writeup they say serious injury, that's a shame as he was very solid for Melbourne. Hopefully not a worst case for him.

 

[wogitalia]

North - Had a much stronger side, still behind so that's a worry, still some positive signs. I liked their competitive edge, definitely a little braver and not as easily bullied in this one at least. Still have the trait of bad sides of having their best users springing free their worst users and their worst users are still really bad at it so that's a huge hurt. When you watch sides like Brisbane, Sydney or Collignwood for example they do the opposite, something they need to improve.

Missing - Wardlaw, Duursma, Simpkin, Fisher and Whitlock

FOS - Solid outing. Same role as intra-club on a wing. Looks set to play there. He's a pickable rookie but not ideal as on the wing I don't think he's a strong starting type. Would project very similar to Windsor, Holland and Callaghan for mine, who were all mid to high 50s, wing is just a really hard role to score well in for these kids, even as elite prospects. There's definitely some hope he goes to HB at times but he's a guy who probably makes cash but I'm definitely not saying he's a lock at this point.

Sheezel - Strong midfield role in Q1, it felt like he didn't play as much in Q2 but he was solid. He's so clean with the ball and nothing to change my opinion that he's about as close as a premium can be to a lock at this stage.

Corr - Unfortunately for both fantasy and North Melbourne, he was playing. To his credit, he had one of his very rare good games (which could be argued is even worse!) but maybe that's a good sign.

Daniel - Role as advertised, took majority of kick-ins. He's a lock, imo.

Scott - One of the aforementioned terrible kicks that always ends up on the end of it. Not sure what it is with the #8 and prolific guys you don't want kicking the ball but you've got Brayshaw, Fiorini, Ward, Frost (admittedly not prolific), Kennedy, Rowbottom and, of course Scott all at it! Same old for him, taking a wing, kicking it more to the opponents than North and working really, really hard.

LDU - Extremely prolific and had a strong game. Like Scott, the kicking is still a huge issue but at least he's mostly butchering it in contested situations instead of wide open space. Still finding it hard to not pick him personally, he can't kick but I love everything else he does.

McKercher - I honestly don't get why they're playing him at HF, you kind of hedge in his ability to use his best skills of speed and kicking and nothing I've seen from him suggests he's got natural forward craft, he's basically a midfielder that can win the ball and do things but there's no craft going into it. I don't think he's fantasy relevant in this role but he's a jet of a player. IMO he should be playing either HB or in their first 3 mids, I think he's pretty easily better than all but LDU and Sheezel already.

McDonald - Same old at HB.

Tucker - Another terrible kick who doesn't seem to know it. I will never understand how he's still in the AFL and I just have to accept that

Logue - Solid game down back.

Larkey - Solid game up forward.

Powell - Was the clear #2 midfielder in rotations, I still don't know if he's a good player or not. I'm almost certain he's not better than McKercher though so it makes it weird the order they put the two in. He worked hard and he did some nice things, if he was a FWD I'd even say he's worth a look but as a pure mid at his price, not for me, which isn't to say he can't score very well this year.

Curtis - Small forward, standard.

Parker - A few midfield rotations but mostly forward to my eye. He's got two Xs next to his name now for mine. It's hard to tell as you know what he is and maybe they're giving some of the other guys the chance to impress but have to think they plan on playing him forward a lot, especially with Simpkin and Wardlaw still to come back in.

Darling - Was solid again, imo. 2nd ruck as well.

Phillips - Got a lot of midfield time. This was one of his better games for sure. File another one on the "I have no idea why he's ahead of McKercher" though. Credit to him though for actually playing quite well and using the chances to push for selection.

Comben - KPD again, definitely the preferred intercept option, actually think he should score very well this year but too awkwardly priced for me.

Archer - Defense again, not as active chasing the ball this game as last, he's too expensive but he's so close to being an option if he's going to be best 22 in a defense getting a lot of it and definitely looking more interested in the ball this year.

Xerri - Pure #1 ruck, to be honest he didn't dominate Campbell like you'd hope but he was solid enough. Did nothing to really change opinions.

Konstanty - Pure small forward, often the deepest. Like that he had the defined role as it suggests he will have it come round 1. Don't like what that role is for fantasy purposes . Would be a pure bench play, imo, but it's nice to have them around at least in the worst case scenario.

Zurhaar - Solid outing as the 3rd target forward.

Hansen Jr - Bit of wing but mostly HF, did a few nice things, kind of the opposite of Konstanty where his lack of defined role is probably an indicator who Simpkin comes in for but he showed a bit. Will play plenty this year I expect but at his price I think he projects as a pure bench type also, so not ideal.

 

[wogitalia]

Adelaide vs Port

Watched the first 2 quarters.

General - Both sides named strong teams so should be pretty good indications of roles. Was very windy to one end. Adelaide definitely trying a lot harder, Port had the going through the motions preseason flag waving and Adelaide had the this means something to us flag going and that influenced the result. The difference between midfields where guys are fighting for their spot there and guaranteed to be there was pretty stark. Important not to read too much into it because of that, imo.

Adelaide - Having said that, they have to be happy. They had plenty of games last year where they tried hard and nothing came of it so putting runs on the board is great for them. Annoyingly Rankine missing is probably the single worst player that can be missing as he directly impacts pretty much every fantasy relevant player and makes reading too much into anything a dangerous exercise.

Missing - Berry, Murphy, Pedlar, Michalanney, Taylor, Rankine, Schoenberg, Nankervis, Smith, Borlase, Sholl, Butts and Cumming - Some of these may have played later on, this is just the list of guys I think are fringe 22 or better that I didn't see out there.

Jones - Pure wing role for him. Crows fans would be hoping that Sholl and Cumming push him out of the team I imagine. He wasn't bad by my very low standards for him.

Keays - That defensive forward role. Will be his role this year for sure.

Crouch - Pure midfield role. Was pretty good albeit he and Dawson were the two Crows midfielders who played like they knew what their role will be regardless of this game.

Curtin - Played forward with a couple of wing bursts. I don't like the role but I do like the player. I don't think it's a good fantasy role and he'll be at best a loop option, imo. Hopefully there's better fantasy options but he's a good player.

Thilthorpe - KPF and 2nd ruck, was solid but didn't do anything to move me towards daring to risk taking him. I do think he can actually score somewhere in the range that Jackson does as a forward/ruck (so 80s to low 90s) in the same role but I'm not sure he's worth the risk because wouldn't surprise me if he gets nowhere near that either.

Rachele - Continues to coast on natural ability unfortunately. One of those rare few AFL players who somehow seems to look less fit each preseason he shows up for, hopefully I'm wrong because he's a great talent but just doesn't work hard out there and he physically looks like that carries off the field also.

Murray - KPD, solid game.

Dawson - Started HF, played mostly mid though. He was solid enough. Definitely a fringe starting option that could work out well or be a disaster and I still have no read which way I'm leaning. That weird scoring profile where last year matches in with 2 out of the past 3 other seasons and yet I do think I lean that the exceptional season is actually closer to what I expect from him.

Walker - He looks very fit. FF and good game.

Soligo - Probably the standout for the Crows, also the guy who's desperately fighting for his spot and it looked like he was the guy with his life on the line while everyone else knew they were safe. Like a Survivor challenge where one guy knows he's going home if he doesn't win it! Credit to him though, when you're that guy you want to have a game like this. He was excellent. He's a textbook example of Rankine's impact though, if he's there he probably isn't even in this position, now at least he's reminded them that he should be. Will watch closely next week, I think he's way too expensive to be relevant as can't see premium numbers but he was good.

Hinge - Same role as LY, was very solid. Laird will impact him too much for me to pick him unfortunately but think he can score similarly.

Worrell - He's a really good player, similar role to LY and expect similar scoring, maybe a bit of natural improvement.

Peatling - Same story as Soligo, he was good and I'd still think he's ahead of Soligo but feels like there's one spot for the two of them and Soligo definitely threw down the gauntlet. Feels like Peatling could get hurt by being a bit better in other roles as well, Peatling has been alright forward in the past while Soligo really hasn't. It's a fierce battle though so credit to them fighting it out. Will be very interesting to see the mix with Rankine in there. Pealting is exceptionally relevant if he wins that sort of 3.5 role that Rankine creates to share with how he will push forward from his mid role. Peatling himself was a big tick but Soligo taints that.

ANB - Solid, very similar to role at Melbourne. Should score solidly and make them a much better side.

Laird - HB as expected, waxed a bit but mostly just out there for a trot. I think he's a very interesting starting pick, should get DEF and be a top level there but I can't see upside to justify starting in mids but the DEF is so weak there's at least case for him being fair priced which is better than most of the DEF can say that don't have round 0 issues. Negative is finding a DEF rookie to field over a mid rookie and I just struggle to see it being a winning player at this point in time.

Milera - HB, he plays like he thinks he's clear cut best 22 and as a result never actually proves that he is. Mercurial talent where his good is great but god he's a lazy player, that guy you want seeking the ball but rarely does. Hopefully he can do something this year with all his talent. Not sure how much longer his work ethic issues that lead to durability and performance issues will take the back seat to his potential, eventually potential stops counting for much!

Dowling - Started wing, played decently. Same as Jones, will be battling to stay in the team but I like him long term.

Fog - KPF, same old.

Draper - I liked his game but if anyone is going to be impacted by Rankine it's him. Played some mid and some HF, had a couple of nice plays but no continual impact and nothing to really demand a spot. At best it feels like he'd be 22nd picked and at constant threat of the vest unfortunately for our fantasy options!

Bond - Defensive smaller defender, feels like he's basically just playing Michalanney's role to me.

ROB - Same old from him. He's not going to overexert himself in preseason.

Keane - Defense, solid, same old.

 

[wogitalia]

Port - Not sure if this kind of arrogant preseason display is what their fans want after bombing out last year but it's what they got I guess. They're at a real interesting point right now, pessimist would say they're just not that good, optimist says this was as pure a "we don't care about preseason" game as you'll see, again given how last year ended I'm not sure either of those is a good outcome. They fielded a strong side but it played like a 22 that knows it's basically the only 22 and so what does trying matter. Some concerns there if they back it up but I do think it's the genuine we don't care about this game at this point, their leaders in Butters and Rozee probably the two biggest offenders so that will always trickle down.

Missing - Williams, BZT, Ratugolea - Williams may have played later, the other two dour KPD. There's a few other borderline best 22 types maybe but all guys you'd hope don't play.

Rozee - Pretty strong midfield role, short forward stints. Very going through the motions vibe. I'm not sure he attempted a tackle, I'm almost certain he didn't risk breaking a nail at any point. Can't really read much into it, role was a tick.

SPP - Rusty looking but playing and that's most important. Let's be honest, he's a certainly fieldable, exceptional loop level rookie at a not unfair price that's clear cut best 22. If he's there round 1 he should be in basically all sides and this game was a good enough hitout for him.

Burton - Took some kick-ins, pretty sure he didn't come back on after limping off with lower leg type injury, given his history that's not a good sign. To physically unreliable to pick even if he's one of the bigger benefactors of Houston leaving.

Berry - Was really solid down forward and probably showed more in this half than McEntee or Mead have shown in all their games as small forwards. That's a big tick. Be surprised if he's not playing round 1. Definitely some sub risk just purely on age and role but he was good and looks a classy player. Will be more of a bench/loop type, imo, but did show good tendencies to pop up in open spaces for touches.

Farrell - Was alright, he should improve this year but hard to say it will be enough to justify. Not really interested in very speculative r12 bye picks personally. You need to be a lock because that bye is bad enough already.

Burgoyne - Surprised he played given AS game. Didn't do an awful lot. Played wing.

Sinn - Playing small defender role. He honestly looks a broken man to me, that guy who's not a good defender and is a great ball user but looks so shook that all he does is try and defend and stay near his man and as a result doesn't use his best skills. Hopefully he can find some confidence because he's got the skills if he'd used them. Shame he's not 100k cheaper though!

Butters - He made Rozee look like he cared out there! I'm not phased because as much as I like him I can't say I've considered him at all yet with his bye but this game wasn't changing that feeling. He could average 130 quite easily with how well he does all the SC things. Looks fit at least which is a tick.

Boak - Wing, same old.

Finlayson - I think he might have come on for Burton possibly, I didn't notice early and when I did notice it was in defense.

Lukosius - Was forward and was as nonchalant as ever. I don't know if there's ever been a player who gives off a stronger "I don't care about this at all" vibe for their entire career than Luko.

Bergman - Was very solid down back. I think he's the best of the Port defender options but I just think it will be a committee replacement of Houston and all end up short. His intercept marking gives him an advantage over the other guys though. Had a good game and he maintained his spot on my watch list at least.

Rioli - Forward, was solid.

Wines - Midfield, I think off the bench. Surprised that he also didn't seem to be trying, maybe the internal memo is stronger for him but I'm not sure he's best 22 anymore so surprised to see him not trying to command a spot.

JHF - Probably the only real positive for Port in this game. He played a great game, most impressed that he actually did some defensive things, if he adds that to his game he can go into the elite scoring category. His kicking will always be a slot machine of outcomes but he's so good in the contest that he doesn't need much more. Played a very heavy midfield role, to my eye test he'd have been #1 but it was pretty even so not by a lot but the big 3 were all very prevalent.

Georgiades - Forward, standard.

Aliir - Defense, standard.

Evans - Down back and didn't do anything to make me want to punt on him and that's as someone who likes him as a player.

Sweet - Did nothing to move the needle for me but was #1 ruck and held his own.

Drew - Like Wines for mine, although he played a bit forward at least and does have that string to his bow. He's a hard worker which is his defining trait as well as being able to tag if needed. For mine he's the 4th mid though and would expect something more like how Soligo and Peatling went about it.

Lord - I saw him a couple of times, not sure how much he played but very little impact.

DBJ - Forward, not fantasy relevant there.

Jones - Down back, was solid and tried hard as he always does but not showing anything exceptional to make him fantasy relevant to me.

Richards - Playing forward, was solid, not a great role but he put his hand up to be in the side, just a good little player that's probably only ever going to be a good little player.

Lorenz - A lot of minutes on the wing but didn't do anything demand a position, in fact it was more of a notice he's not doing anything each time he'd surface on screen. That he's out there is certainly a positive though as he's at least in contention. Can't see him beating out Boak and Burgoyne though on the back of this. Would be a brave person to field him but could be a benchy if he does make the cut. Like Berry would be sub bait though.

Mead - Also played wing. He's the Port guy who is basically that singular position that is the same position that their best half dozen players all play and he just doesn't really have the skillset to play anywhere else. I can imagine that he just dominates for the B team midfield in all the intra club stuff, forcing his way into the main team to then have to play wing or small forward and then go back to the magoos, dominate again in his only real position, rinse repeat. That's a long winded way of saying he's not fantasy relevant but I think he's better than he looks