Radio call of todays game in Morwell

[Trev from the Bush]

Right, I'm in my leather recliner after my pre-season hit out of 4 quarters on a hard steel bench. Great atmosphere at Morwell and the playing surface was exceptional. Whoever curates Marvel Stadium needs to come down for a chat with Latrobe City Council.

It was widely publicized the Saints would have 17 fresh faces today, many who I have never seen. No surprise, then, this was a completely different style of game to last week. Player by player, my observations as follows:

Coffield, as Tony 74 reported the other week, was a boy now a man. Look for good progression from him through the season.

Jones, very quick, tackles hard and threw himself into the contest for four quarters. Looks a good pick up and spent a lot of time in the midfield.

Savage, what you would expect from a 150 game player.

Ross, did not spend a lot of time in the midfield and a fair bit of time on the bench. Good when he was near the ball, but this game was not about the likes of him.

Geary, played a little over half a game. Appeared a little rusty at times, sure to get more game time next week.

Roberton, like a comfortable pair of shoes he is just the perfect fit down back. The Grand marshal of the defence his presence was immediately noticeable just as his absence has been the past 2 seasons. He is just a good footballer.

Brown, don't fall for the crap that this bloke will struggle to get a game. His height and judgement came to the fore many times.

Bytel, came on at half time and was straight into it. Easy to see why he was drafted, pre-existing injuries and all. Won't be walk up start but he is a player we'll follow closely as the season rolls on.

Austin, played mainly the first half and impressed me with his strong marking, good kicking and all round nous. Reports of demise are premature, he'll work his way back into the team at some point. Strong unit.

[tony74]

Looks like everyone got through unscathed.

[Otiman]

Bit of a spiel from Ratts on instagram, no injuries, good time into some youngsters and giving them exposure to the level they'll need to get to. Disappointed (and seemed slightly apologetic) we didn't kick straight.

[St Loxton]

Right, I'm in my leather recliner after my pre-season hit out of 4 quarters on a hard steel bench. Great atmosphere at Morwell and the playing surface was exceptional. Whoever curates Marvel Stadium needs to come down for a chat with Latrobe City Council.

It was widely publicized the Saints would have 17 fresh faces today, many who I have never seen. No surprise, then, this was a completely different style of game to last week. Player by player, my observations as follows:

Coffield, as Tony 74 reported the other week, was a boy now a man. Look for good progression from him through the season.

Jones, very quick, tackles hard and threw himself into the contest for four quarters. Looks a good pick up and spent a lot of time in the midfield.

Savage, what you would expect from a 150 game player.

Ross, did not spend a lot of time in the midfield and a fair bit of time on the bench. Good when he was near the ball, but this game was not about the likes of him.

Geary, played a little over half a game. Appeared a little rusty at times, sure to get more game time next week.

Roberton, like a comfortable pair of shoes he is just the perfect fit down back. The Grand marshal of the defence his presence was immediately noticeable just as his absence has been the past 2 seasons. He is just a good footballer.

Brown, don't fall for the crap that this bloke will struggle to get a game. His height and judgement came to the fore many times.

Bytel, came on at half time and was straight into it. Easy to see why he was drafted, pre-existing injuries and all. Won't be walk up start but he is a player we'll follow closely as the season rolls on.

Austin, played mainly the first half and impressed me with his strong marking, good kicking and all round nous. Reports of demise are premature, he'll work his way back into the team at some point. Strong unit.

Trev, Bytel was there in the first Qtr. I really didn't see him until he received a handball and then dished it off. Had to remind myself he was no. 23.

Good analysis also.

[Trev from the Bush]

As I was saying (before the cat walked across my tablet and the submit button!):

Battle, played everywhere. Believe it or not, he was one of our more senior players. He seemed to recognise this and played accordingly, which was pleasing (my nod to Richo).

Abbott, seemed to get where the ball was a lot but didn't do much. Got shoved around in the ruck contests a little too easily. A cheap insurance policy. Put it this way, if he plays in the seniors we will loose.

Webster, good to see him back. Played mainly the first half, but was very effective down back and kicked well.

Phillips, has turned surfie with long blonde hair and headband. Give it away We, you will never be Trevor Barker. Got a fair bit of the ball but disposal was hit and miss. Did a few good things.

Byrnes, impressive first up. Good sponsorship pick up Kosi! Mainly played second half, fitted in well and snapped a nice goal in the last. Great to see the players all get around him.

Paton, one of our best in my opinion. Got plenty of the ball and generally used it well. Will be looking to consolidate his place in the team this year, played wing / half back.

Parker, played first half only then rested. Took a couple of terrific marks and was very busy. My big knock on him is his kicking for goal..Has the talent, needs to improve.

McKenzie, played mainly second half. Took spectacular mark and kicked a long goal in the third. Took several good marks and generally kicked well. Coffield likely to keep him out of the team at this stage.

Connolly, forgive me. If he played, I did not see him.

Clavarino, I was interested to see him in the flesh. And, from his second half (sat out the first), I I was pretty impressed. Has poise, reads the ball well, took some strong marks a nice kick. Nice kid to. Stayed out on the ground on the outer side after the game talking to locals (Clavarino is a noted footy name in Gippsland) and even took a selfie with y daughter. I had a chat with him, certainly no tickets on himself. A work in progress, I'm tipping he'll be worth the wait.

Joyce, still has too many rough edges. A good season at Sandy awaits.

Hind, really needed the run. Got into it more in the second half but couldn't get into space. Lonie is a lock for round 1.

Marsh, contests well, tackles well, good mark and suprisingly fast over the ground. Played toward and in the midfield, he'll earn a spot in the team as the season develops. A bargain.

Alabaskis, a project player. I firmly believe football skills can be thought but footy smarts you develop yourself. Appeared to me to demonstrate very few skills and has bugger all in the way of smarts. Love for him to prove me wrong but, at this stage, he's a bust.

Langlands, in and out, spent time toward and, like all the others, in the midfield. Didn't do a lot.

Mayo, tall lad, well muscled and played full forward. Lovely strong left foot kick. Got sweet little help early due to wayward and undisciplined delivery but got more of the ball as he gained confidence. Kicked a ripping goal from a set shot from about 55 metres from near the boundary line in the last. Keep an eye on his progress at Sandy, I like him.

Overall, really good opportunity to see where our bottom 20 players are at, some could be gems, some look just stones. Far better than an intra club match, opportunities like this match just don't happen in these days of over-regulated AFL officialdom. Still, nearly as many security guards than spectators, a welcome to country and commandeering of the only grandstand were typical, and unnecessary AFL trademarks. Despite that, everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. I left after the four skydivers landed in the centre square and everyone moved out onto the ground to watch the Origin match. Well done to all concerned.

[samuraisaint]

Looks like everyone got through unscathed.

Thanks tony74.
Third generation supporter and member here - and I am very worried about Hannebury.
Didn't play again this afternoon. Reckon he's real unlikely to play round 1.
Am I warm?

[Cordz2]

Thanks a lot for that Trev - everything I wanted to know. Cheers

[Harves Man]

Thank you very much, Trev from the Bush and St Loxton - really appreciate the reports and both of your views on players.

[minneapolis]

Radio is calling Ben Paton a fair bit. Where is he playing?

Morwell.

[saintspremiers]

Good training drill for the newbies.

I assume we will see a best 22 next game with Jones Robbo Gears and Hanners slotted in

[stevie]

Thanks for the report guys, much appreciated

[goods]

Right, I'm in my leather recliner after my pre-season hit out of 4 quarters on a hard steel bench. Great atmosphere at Morwell and the playing surface was exceptional. Whoever curates Marvel Stadium needs to come down for a chat with Latrobe City Council.

It was widely publicized the Saints would have 17 fresh faces today, many who I have never seen. No surprise, then, this was a completely different style of game to last week. Player by player, my observations as follows:

Coffield, as Tony 74 reported the other week, was a boy now a man. Look for good progression from him through the season.

Jones, very quick, tackles hard and threw himself into the contest for four quarters. Looks a good pick up and spent a lot of time in the midfield.

Savage, what you would expect from a 150 game player.

Ross, did not spend a lot of time in the midfield and a fair bit of time on the bench. Good when he was near the ball, but this game was not about the likes of him.

Geary, played a little over half a game. Appeared a little rusty at times, sure to get more game time next week.

Roberton, like a comfortable pair of shoes he is just the perfect fit down back. The Grand marshal of the defence his presence was immediately noticeable just as his absence has been the past 2 seasons. He is just a good footballer.

Brown, don't fall for the crap that this bloke will struggle to get a game. His height and judgement came to the fore many times.

Bytel, came on at half time and was straight into it. Easy to see why he was drafted, pre-existing injuries and all. Won't be walk up start but he is a player we'll follow closely as the season rolls on.

Austin, played mainly the first half and impressed me with his strong marking, good kicking and all round nous. Reports of demise are premature, he'll work his way back into the team at some point. Strong unit.

Thanks - Jack Bytel was the best clearance specialist at stoppage in under 18 nationally by stats if I recall correctly. Any stats on him in second half?

[Trev from the Bush]

Stats are pretty worthless in the type of game it was. Besides, I lost my pen at half time! I just watched the game to see how individual players handled themselves in varying situations.