scratch match this morning

[Saintmike65]

The scratch match at RSEA Park this morning was played at a solid pace, with the team in the black jumpers stacked with regular senior players.
Jack Higgins and jade Gresham were outstanding with the 2 alternating forward & midfield (Higgins B.O.G).
Both had a couple of great moments with strong centre clearances.
Max kicked 3 or 4, mostly opposed to Carlisle, with McKernan offering good support up forward.
Butler snared a couple of typically opportunistic goals, Wilkie, Howards & Coffield very solid down back.
Sinclair was a good link between the arcs and looks super fit.
Young Highmore was prominent in yellow, as well as Jimmy Webster, who took a couple of nice marks.
Carlisle did a serviceable job in defense for the yellows.
Crouch was quiet for the black team, Hunter Clark did enough as did Membrey.
Mason Wood did a couple of nice things, Frawley didn't play, along with Long, Hannebery, Clavarino

[Mr Magic]

Thanks for the report

[fugazi 2021]

Good news re Higgins

[bergsone]

Any reports on the rucks,who played on who,and how they went

[stkfc1]

Higgins and Gresh rotating mid and forward already has the hallmarks of a great in team partnership. Salavating stuff.

[Gershwin]

Did Josh Battle play?

[Saintmike65]

Any reports on the rucks, who played on who,and how they went

Both Ryder and Marshall played on opposite sides, neither had much impact, I believe both of their workloads have been conservative.
McKernan did some ruck work but was mainly used forward...Alabaskis still seems a mile off.

[Saintmike65]

Did Josh Battle play?

Josh Battle did play, spent time on the interchange, did a couple of things but not very noticeable, played a mix of forward & wing.

[MC Gusto]

Great report, thanks Saintmike

[Yorkeys]

Does the form of Wood, and the forward synergy between Higgins and Gresham make Jack Lonie's selection prospects (more) problematic. Even though Wood can't (?) be classed as a small forward - he is quite large - there are only so many places; Wood is left footed, yes, quick and I suspect a better o/head mark.

[Saintmike65]

Does the form of Wood, and the forward synergy between Higgins and Gresham make Jack Lonie's selection prospects (more) problematic. Even though Wood can't (?) be classed as a small forward - he is quite large - there are only so many places; Wood is left footed, yes, quick and I suspect a better o/head mark.

Lonie was very creative and quite influential for the yellow team, however would be 4th in line behind Butler, Gresham & Higgins...possibly also behind Kent.
Wood may be a handy hybrid type, in case we get injuries to Membrey or Battle.

[stkfc1]

If we add MW to the forward mix

Wood Marshall Gresh/Higgins
Butler King Membrey

That is a nice looking forward line.

Wood gives us another excellent marking option.

Billings Crouch and Steele would also be rotating in there also.

Can't see a spot for either Lonie or Kent unless in for injuries.

[CQ SAINT]

Integral to Hawthorn's and Richmond's success has been depth, strength and flexibility in their VFL sides. Just looks like we are progressing towards that. Sandy need a real ruckman though. We better find one soon and list him.

[saynta]

Does the form of Wood, and the forward synergy between Higgins and Gresham make Jack Lonie's selection prospects (more) problematic. Even though Wood can't (?) be classed as a small forward - he is quite large - there are only so many places; Wood is left footed, yes, quick and I suspect a better o/head mark.

Every one on the AFL's 18 lists is a better overhead mark than Lonie, I suspect.

[B.M]

Not sure Lonie is in the team for his ‘overhead marking’

Dougal Howard and Jake Carlisle are pretty poor clearance players too.

He is a small crumbing forward who applies pressure

His job isn’t to take pack marks, that would be King, Marshall and Membrey

[Vortex]

The thing about Lones is he strikes you as one of those players that teammates love playing with due to an edginess that is hard to articulate. When he is on we usually win.

I won't be surprised if he cements a spot this year

[Joffa Burns]

Does the form of Wood, and the forward synergy between Higgins and Gresham make Jack Lonie's selection prospects (more) problematic. Even though Wood can't (?) be classed as a small forward - he is quite large - there are only so many places; Wood is left footed, yes, quick and I suspect a better o/head mark.

Every one on the AFL's 18 lists is a better overhead mark than Lonie, I suspect.

Daniel was AA and deservedly so, but got exposed in the air by Geary in the final last season.

Pretty sure 175cm players are not expected to be overly strong overhead

[Harves Man]

Good news re Higgins

I'll say!!!

[Harves Man]

Higgins and Gresh rotating mid and forward already has the hallmarks of a great in team partnership. Salavating stuff.

It is indeed salavating stuff. Fantastic to see them doing this already - we have men of vision now, both in the coaching staff and of course little AFL "gifts" like Lethlean and new and better recruitment staff (great to hear in Saintmike65's report that Butler kicked a couple of typically opportunitic goals - he was last year's huge gift from both the new recruitment staff's brilliant opportunistic eyes and the Tigers - amazing to see sometimes how he creates a goal from seemingly nowhere!).

[Joffa Burns]

If we add MW to the forward mix

We are re-drafting Mav Weller???

[sunsaint]

Daniel was AA and deservedly so, but got exposed in the air by Geary in the final last season.

Pretty sure 175cm players are not expected to be overly strong overhead

I would be very comfortable in saying that none of our smalls play tall when it comes to marking
at least Lonie plays smart
am i missing something - but no mention of Hill?

[Joffa Burns]

Daniel was AA and deservedly so, but got exposed in the air by Geary in the final last season.

Pretty sure 175cm players are not expected to be overly strong overhead

I would be very comfortable in saying that none of our smalls play tall when it comes to marking
at least Lonie plays smart
am i missing something - but no mention of Hill?

Long is a small who is pretty handy in the air.
But I agree we don't have a Liam Ryan type small who is very good in the air.

[CQ SAINT]

Daniel was AA and deservedly so, but got exposed in the air by Geary in the final last season.

Pretty sure 175cm players are not expected to be overly strong overhead

I would be very comfortable in saying that none of our smalls play tall when it comes to marking
at least Lonie plays smart
am i missing something - but no mention of Hill?

Long is a small who is pretty handy in the air.
But I agree we don't have a Liam Ryan type small who is very good in the air.

Higgins goes ok.

[B.M]

Long is 182cm

So whilst he is not tall, he is not 174 like Lonie and definitely not as small as Caleb Daniel who I think is less than 170

And yes, he is a good grab overhead because he has a good leap and attacks the footy in the air.