Rocca's six fires Pies

[AFL_Record]

[quote="Big T"]To me the best news is Ben Johnson - he is a barometer for us.[/quote]

Ben is an interesting footballer.
Is it me, Or does Johnson look to give off a handball once he has the football in his hands. I think this is a part of his game where he can improve.
He is a very good footballer nonetheless...

[HAL]

Maybe you should tell him how you feel about him.

[AFL_Record]

[quote="HAL"]Maybe you should tell him how you feel about him.[/quote]

What... Me?

Should I tell him he is a quality footballer... Because that's what I think of him.

[warburton lad]

I saw the whole match today and offer the following:

The first thing I did when I walked in the gate was to spit on the ground at the Robert heatley stand end, immature I know, but a small tradition my father employed every time we went there since the 1960's.

Our ball movement in the first quarter was impressive. The team played direct and looked to move it into Rocca quick. The rresults speak 4 themselves!

I never doubted that North would fight back, but was pleased with the way we ran out the last quarter- no doubt with Adam Simpson off, they lost drive from the bounces but we still had to win the game.

If we have a stella r year, expect Caracella to kick about 40 goals- he bobs up exactly where you need to to kick a goal.

I will not rate every player however would like to make comment on the following:

Rocca- was very good, but his kicking seemed to lack penetration from 50 when tested. He may kick 80 goals if left in the square- he is a very clever player.
Buckley looked awesome- I don't bet, but smart punters would be wise to have a small punt on him for the Copeland- he looks in tip-top shape to me and appears hungry for finals action again!
Jason Cloke- seems to be displaying his vaunted intensity, a couple of impressive efforts.
Cook- looked sharp on the wing and has a bit of poise, has good disposal.
Stanley- has a mature body and did a few good things in the guts.
O'Brien - looked the goods, not afraid to run with it and should be encouraged to play that dashing style!
Iles- looked ok what he did.
Davies- showed great courage when running back with the flight in first quarter (with Saveloy) coming the other way! He should play EVERY game this year.
Morrison- if he is a regular this year, we will not finish top 10, let alone the 8!! Too slow and does not appear to have a top gear.
Lonie- made some good moves today.
Didak, impressed with his endeavour and tackling, this is a step forward for him.
Richards and Fanning both did some good tapwork in the clearances today.
Egan missed a sitter on the run in 3rd, then slotted one from the boundary 5 minutes later- that kid could be anything- at least he chased a few guys down today.

Neon Leon was exciting today- goals when the chips were down in the last.
I will reserve judgement on Hall- he has the build, but needs to work on the footy smarts.

Cameron Cloke only seems intent on kicking the ball 80 metres every time he gets it- must concentrate on crashing a few packs with that big body, like his father used to.

By the way, Malthouse was right about rules interpretations- its bloody soft now, virtually no contact allowed in marking duels in the forward 50.



Considering we were missing (Licuria, Burns, Holland, Tarrant, Fraser, Lockyer, Presti, Rhys Shaw, Rusling, O'Bree, Travis Cloke etc) today it was a fine effort.

I am impressed as the team appears quicker and fiercer at the man, although this will need to carry over to the 'real' stuff...

My father reminds me, any win is a good win, bring on the Crows- the more tough games the better for us in 2006- we need to regain some respect boys.

[Cam]

[punkologist]

Rooooccccaaaaaaaa!!!!!

[skaman]

[fan4collingwood]

Johnson26, thanks mate for posting the score on Big Footy in the 3rd quarter, couldn't get onto Nicks, maybe there were too many on or something, but thanks to Luke, I heard how we were going, and texted (is that a word?) Tess to find out the final score.

Really nice to have a win and for Ant to be in form, man am I getting excited for the Season to start!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fire Up]

ok on the match.

before the 1st bounce rocca had 3 shots at goal and MISSED all 3 by a huge margin!

rocca played good in the match spent most of the time as ff which was good to see and a few other good things. also a awsum mark over shannon watt.

leon davis- played awsum as well today also took a great mark in the goals quare. leon played fantastic as well.

bucks was just bucks

as for tazza saw him in the robert heatley stand in a suit with eddie. eddie was wearing a t-shirt and jeans

[rosspies]

Great to have a win. We show team spirit in all 3 pre-season games to regroup when we fall behind late in the game. Wish we could just finish of teams but hopefully in time.

Personal highlights.....
Leon was brilliant
Egan kicking much improved
Rocca outstanding in the air and on the ground
Davies much on the improve
O'brien belongs in the seniors
Richards some great tap outs and some positives around ground

Personal negatives
Ben Johnson worries me. Expected more improment then he showed.
Morrison dissapointing. more negative things to say then positive
Nicholls will hopefully learn from the experience

I know we did make some midfield changes in the third qtr. but very few stood up. Just shows if midfield let you down. Puts immense pressure on backline.

[pietillidie]

I see Dids seems to have played reasonably well today. I'm just watching the game against Freo and he had a shocker - brushed off the ball, run into the ground and basically pushed about too easily. Of course the conditions were shocking and he may not have come to play, so I'm happy to overlook the Freo game assuming he looked better today.

The reason I mention this is that my only concern with Dids is that he needs more muscle to play a central midfield role. Other teams know this and go after him, which is to their detriment when he is in the forward line, but possibly to their advantage when he is in the middle.

As has been pointed out, his body is a bit like the Macedonian Marvels, who eventually bulked up enough to play full forward and used his body brilliantly. Dids also uses his body brilliantly, but I'd like him to add some muscle to play in the middle.

Any word on this aspect of his game today?

[hoggy]

[punkologist]

One thing I also liked about today was this:

Encouraging signs.

[Lone Ranger]

[pietillidie]

Exciting graphic punkologist!