Scratch match report - Friday Feb 12

[Saintmike65]

Another scratch match this morning, with the black jumpers vs yellow jumpers again.
The black jumpers had the first choice mids and forwards, with the yellow's having the first choice defenders mixed with Sandy fill ins.
For the blacks, Gresham, Crouch, and Steel were the starting mids, with Hill, Ross & Battle alternating on the wings.
Ross was good, racking up a fair bit of the ball & kicking a lovely check side goal from a step!
Gresham was again outstanding, relishing the freedom that the midfield brings, racking up a lot of possessions & kicking a lovely set shot goal from the boundary on his left.
Billings was very good also, with Membrey & King always a threat.
Higgins was quieter than last week but was busy later in the game, as were Hill, Battle, and Butler.
Steel was excellent as usual, Crouch accumulated possessions fairly consistently, Jones did enough.
Marshall was predominantly forward, did a few nice things before being rested for the second part of the game.
Ryder was terrific in the ruck, pitted mostly against the newbie Hunter, who would've learned a lot!
For the yellow's, Long, Paton, Wilkie, Coffield & Howard were good in defense, Carlisle had a good duel with Max, Hunter Clark creative as usual.
McKernan & Wood were both quiet, Wood should've kicked 2 but missed both.
Highmoor looks very promising & should debut at some stage this year, as should Connelly, whose run & carry is a feature of his game.
Sinclair was again very creative and linking defense and attack very well & Bytel was good, particularly early, as was Byrnes, who unfortunately did his Hammy.
Dunstan was a solid contributor and also bobbed up with a goal.
Young Allison was quiet but does show a bit, needs to fill out but still only very young.

[Sanctorum]

Appreciate you going to the trouble to write this report Mike, guess we shouldn't draw many too conclusions this early in the pre-season as there's a long way to go before the serious stuff starts to happen.

Nonetheless, these sessions are really important for the aspirants as they get to showcase their form and skills for the selectors.

[skeptic]

No Hannebery?

[Saintmike65]

Appreciate you going to the trouble to write this report Mike, guess we shouldn't draw many too conclusions this early in the pre-season as there's a long way to go before the serious stuff starts to happen.

Nonetheless, these sessions are really important for the aspirants as they get to showcase their form and skills for the selectors.

I guess the important thing with these games is to develop cohesion and chemistry, with so many new players over the past couple of years, plus the players need to get their head around that ridiculous new man on the mark rule...penny hasn't quite dropped, as there were a few 50 metre penalties.

[cwrcyn]

Highmore sounds like he's making an impression. Could be another steal by our recruiting staff.

[Saintmike65]

No Hannebery?

Still no Hannebery, Frawley also conspicuous by his absence.

[Vazelos]

Bytel Byrnes are known to us the next one to get a little excited about is Leo Connolly.
Skilled with both feet and classy ball carrier.
Once his physical development matches his skills it’s an exciting prospect.

[loris]

I thought someone mentioned in the last scratch match, Long went off with a badly injured hand and would be out for weeks. Yet he he is playing already!!!!!

[whiskers3614]

No Hannebery?

That slippery staircase again!

[The_Dud]

No Hannebery?

2 weeks.

[skeptic]

Could have sworn we were told it was a slight strain that occurred 2 weeks ago and he would be back to full training on the Monday just gone

[magnifisaint]

Could have sworn we were told it was a slight strain that occurred 2 weeks ago and he would be back to full training on the Monday just gone

So?
You would think they would ease him into training. No point throwing him into match practice after an injury.

[skeptic]

Could have sworn we were told it was a slight strain that occurred 2 weeks ago and he would be back to full training on the Monday just gone

So?
You would think they would ease him into training. No point throwing him into match practice after an injury.

Yeah ur right... it’s pbly nothing

[saint58]

What about Oscar have not herd anything about him thought this would have been a ideal time to impress.

[minneapolis]

"McKernan & Wood were both quiet"

I am happy we got Wood but am really doubtful about McKernan.

What was the club's thinking? A mature body as an emergency if Paddy, MArshall both go down? I think I would rather play Hunter for 2 games this year to get a feel for him than McKernan to keep his eye in.

Guess we have to keep watch for a couple of months. Just sayin'

[MC Gusto]

Thanks again Mike, really appreciate the report.

Some exciting stuff there on a few of the youngsters and it seems like Gresh is doing everything right to set himself up for a big year!

Go saints

[Saintmike65]

What about Oscar have not herd anything about him thought this would have been a ideal time to impress.

Clavarino did play but had no impact...in his defense, he's had another restricted pre season, just can't seem to get a good run at it young Oskar.

[Impatient Sainter]

Thanks for the great write up its much appreciated particularly by us interstate members. Did you notice Paul Hunter at all Saintmike65? Interested to see how he is fitting in and see whether he will make the list?

[skeptic]

"McKernan & Wood were both quiet"

I am happy we got Wood but am really doubtful about McKernan.

What was the club's thinking? A mature body as an emergency if Paddy, MArshall both go down? I think I would rather play Hunter for 2 games this year to get a feel for him than McKernan to keep his eye in.

Guess we have to keep watch for a couple of months. Just sayin'

Have to imagine that the club learned from the Richmond semi as to just how important a second ruck is...
Our structure seems somewhat built around the idea that it’s Marshall and Ryder rotating from ruck to forward to stretch the defence and allow us the flexibility of playing Battle wherever it suits us on the day.

McKernan is the better than nothing replacement option

[Saintmike65]

Thanks for the great write up its much appreciated particularly by us interstate members. Did you notice Paul Hunter at all Saintmike65? Interested to see how he is fitting in and see whether he will make the list?

Paul Hunter was taught a lesson from Ryder...The wily old fox was just too smart for him in body positioning.
Very inauspicious plus gave away a couple of free kicks and only had a couple of possessions, so maybe back to the drawing board for an extra ruck option.