Funny how a trip to watch your team can bring on so many emotions good, bad, maudlin and anger all in the space 7 hours, sorta like listen in to dumm rrr's commentators on the TV.
The good was a really great performance by the reserves. The boys played really well and are showing the form of two seasons ago. Strong at the ball and man with the ball. Mitch Fraser was clearly the best player, poise and using the ball with common sense showed he is back from the ACL and ready for a recall. Jaxon Cahill showed why he o highly rated with another aggressive performance. The backline set up so many attacks and that is down to being a stable group. Josh Hewitt played another good game. One of the best things was seeing two (I think) Sudanese boys leading the ruck, one from the Eagles,Okolongo and the other a our Home grown and developed Ajang Ajang. 60 hitouts between them.
The good in the colts was the first half whilst the not so was the second half, that is without taking anything away from the Sharks who after 1/2 time came out and showed more aggression, more skill and an ability to control the game. For us Lewis Mill showed that he will be another formidable backman in the 18's.
At half time of the league I went into the EF past players and a sense of maudlin came over me seeing so many past greats of the blue and whites there and a sense that nest year and in the years to come many of them will have passed I will not have the chance to see Jack Sheedy, Wilson Onions and others of their ilk and greatness.
I have restricted my comments abt the league games to another place but feel it necessary to make a comment here abt a couple of the things. Those of you who have some inkling about my likes and dislikes in our great WAFL game know that I don't mind a bit of biff and hard play. Yesterday a couple of bumps resulted in reports, Wellinghams on Snadden just showed what a sook Snadden is, if it was a bad as he made out he would have needed an ambulance, he should be reported for simulation. Schofields (WCE) hit was a hit but is only worth a fine and as for the other report I think it came out of the melee and should be thrown out given the circumstances.
My anger is with a player who is beaten for a mark, is rough in his followup in restricting the player moving (all ok by me) but what is not alright is to punch the guy who is on the ground and defenseless but not only punch but to bring the elbow through as well. To put the actions into perspective Shane Hille who is a hard at the ball players and not noted for his unnecessary aggression was first in to take on Schofield. It resulted in a melee but it was in the current vernacular a 'dog' act and should seem him suspended for at least three weeks.
The player on the receiving end of the above act was Asher Samelko who was clearly the best player with EF best player Jono Marsh which for me is a great result for both young men!
