The test came and in two of the three games we passed it handsomely.
The colts obviously need to win but importantly they needed to put 4 quarters together. $ goals each quarter and holding Peel to 5 was a really good effort. Peels ruckman Edwards was a dominate force but did not have the support once the ball hit the ground. Our backline lead by Baily Harbour, Kemp and Nannup ensured that we controlled the opposition inside 50's. The mids did a really good job in what was a really scrappy and hard-fought tussle. The interest forward was the return of Williams, he had a unspectacular return but that is to be expected. The shining light was the effort by Xavier Walsh, not a able return 13 possessions with 2 goals 3. Good win and a timely one in the season's context.
The reserves game was a tight tussle with our boys eventually taking control after half time. It was great to see Msando back but in a racing parlance, he will be better for the run. North and Dittmar will also benefit from the run, Dittmar was coming back from the elbow injury and did well despite seemingly being targeted by some the Peel players. MMM, North or Robertson every coach makes an error at the table and oops that was one for sure! Ramshaw played well but yep, he had 26 possessions but if you stacked his efficiency against Brooks and Regans use of the ball I am sorry they were better players on the day. Others worthy of a mention are Miller and Cappeau both of whom are showing good form after coming up from the Colts. Edwards and Boules played their usual very good games!
And then we get to the league. Lots of possessions from the usual suspects but we seemed to fall into the junk variety again which just places the process under pressure, and we really did not handle that very well. Two injuries did impact on the mids, Crowden tweaked and ankle and watching him he struggled to make the usual bursts through other players when in possession, 25 possessions is still good, but his use was restricted, the other was to Ameduri who played on with an injured knee and that did restrict him. Our kicking efficiency up forward suffered from Peels pressure and the longer the game went the pressure came from within and there ain't much you can do to stop that! The backline was its own worst enemy, the errors were often and costly, as others have said the glaring issue is Robertson (although you cannot put all of the blame on him) he is fine against a stand and deliver forward but he is found out by a mobile and taller opponent who is willing to deal with his push and shove. 6 goals is an accurate reflection of the game but I take some heart from the fact that Peel had 10 AFL players on the park and a couple of them a clearly above WAFL standard. Liam Reidy is a beast!
I am always a bit reluctant to criticise players, but a couple of the players were found out in yesterday's game and their continued presence needs to be questioned.
Next weeks game (and I will start another thread so this one doesn't get hijacked) presents some interesting slection table decisions.
