DEVELOPMENT coach Brad Miller reviews the Melbourne-listed players who played in the VFL and the AFL Victoria Development League at Casey Fields on Saturday
THIS week’s game was against the Northern Blues and it was our first four quarter performance for the year. It was really pleasing to see the boys attack the game in the manner they did – right from the start until the end. They played a really contested one-on-one style of football and we were really clean at ground level. When the boys play like this they are a completely different football side and they look like they could match it with the majority of the teams in the VFL. It was a pleasing effort.
VFL: Casey Scorpions 13.14 (92) d Northern Blues 6.14 (50)
Dom Barry: Dom had 19 disposals, two tackles, zero missed tackles and zero fumbles. He had the job on Jeff Garlett and played all over the ground, starting on the half-back line. Dom also played a little bit on the wing, inside mid and back-pocket, as the Blues moved Garlett around to try and get an advantage. Playing on a known AFL player, we were really pleased with Dom’s effort, and his ability to limit Garlett’s influence on the game. The only time Garlett looked dangerous was when Dom had minor concentration errors around traffic and stoppages. One resulted in a shot on goal, but for the majority of the day, Dom beat Garlett in any position they played. A great aspect of Dom’s game this week, as well as playing on and beating a good player, was his ability to win his share of the ball, which has been the area lacking in previous weeks. He had it 20-odd times and rarely makes an error by foot. He was also really clean at ground level and gave the ball to a teammate in a better position.
Mitch Clisby: Mitch had 24 disposals, two tackles, two missed tackles and three fumbles. He won his share of the ball, playing wing and a little bit half-forward. Clis is working really hard to join in, often being in the right place to receive the handball. We found this week his handballing was a little sloppy to teammates and it’s an area we’ll work on with him. There were a couple of times where he could have been tighter on his man and defend with intensity. When he gets the ball and drives it with his legs, he’s a damaging player.
Michael Evans: Michael had 13 disposals, six tackles, one missed tackle and zero fumbles. He played inside mid and on the wing. It was Michael’s first game back from a shoulder injury and he didn’t have a significant impact on the game, which was probably to be expected. He’ll be better for the run and we look forward to him having an impact over the next few weeks. The most pleasing aspect of Michael’s game was laying six tackles and gaining the confidence in his shoulder to compete, and still be physical.
Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack had 13 disposals, two tackles, zero missed tackles and zero fumbles. He played forward and ruck. Jack had another really solid game this week. He worked really hard as a forward and was effective when filling in for Gawny in the ruck. Jack was able to take marks in the forward line, presenting at the ball. His past month has been really impressive in this area. When Jack leads at the ball and takes it at the highest point, he is really hard to stop. His speed allows him to get off his defender and take a lot of marks. Jack had six shots at goal, kicking 3.3. Again, If he had have kicked straight, he would have had a huge day. We’re pleased with the form that Jack’s in and his impact on games.
Alex Georgiou: Alex had 14 disposals, zero tackles, zero missed tackles and one fumble. He had a really solid game at full-back and we thought he played his role well this week. When Alex strips everything back and decides to play right up on his man, he rarely gets beaten in a contest – and he did that well this week. When he simplifies his game and brings out his competitive best, we see him play his best football.
Max Gawn: Max had 18 disposals, three tackles, one missed tackle and one fumble. He had another terrific game and was the standout Melbourne-listed player on the day. Max played in the ruck and forward, having 54 hit outs and kicking 3.1. He was able to create some real synergy with the mids this week and we felt we got some real advantage from his 54 hit outs. A pleasing aspect of Max’s game was the amount of territory he covered as a ruckman. He really gets around the ground and has a presence in the backline, through the midfield and also forward. He’s also been able to take marks and kick goals, when resting forward, which has been something he’s been focused on. Max has really worked hard in this area and it’s great to see him getting his reward. He’s in great form.
James Harmes: James had 22 disposals, eight tackles, one missed tackle and three fumbles. Harmesy started in the forward line and then played inside mid for periods of the game. He had a slow start to the game, but really worked himself into it in the second quarter and after half-time. The most pleasing aspect of Harmesy’s game was his strength in and around the contest to drive through tackles – and get a composed handball to a teammate. He laid eight tackles, which is his best for the season. It’s really pleasing to see him improving in this area. The next level James needs to go to in his game is to curb simple concentration mistakes that creep in when he’s tired. He also needs to follow through on the basics, like not getting drawn to the ball, when his man is over the top or out the back. Harmesy showed some class at times and proved again he has a plenty to work with.
Matt Jones: Matty had 26 disposals, three tackles, zero missed tackles and one fumble. He played inside mid and wing. Matty had a terrific game this week. He not only used his running ability to spread hard and work his opponents over, Matty also won plenty of contested ball in and around the stoppage. He was strong over the ball at ground level and showed real intensity around the contest. It’s an area that Matty was focused on this week. It was terrific to see such vast improvement from the week before in this area. The next step for Matty is to get more impact out of his kicking. When he gets this right, he will be really damaging.
Viv Michie: Viv had 26 disposals, two tackles, zero missed tackles and zero fumbles. He played inside mid and half-forward. Viv had a terrific game this week. He won a lot of the ball and linked up really well with Maxy Gawn’s dominance in the ruck. His ability to win the ball around the contest really stood out and he’s worked really hard to tidy up his defensive transition, which has definitely improved. Viv had eight inside 50s, which is another really pleasing aspect of his game, as we’re getting a lot of advantage from him in this area.
Daniel Nicholson: Daniel had 16 disposals, six tackles, zero missed tackles and zero fumbles. Nicho played wing and half-back, and was again really strong over the ball this week, winning a lot of his ball in a contested situation. He also showed plenty of strength to drive through tackles. His run and carry was again pleasing on the day, as he breaks the lines and draws a forward to lead at him, when he does this. Although he didn’t have the same numbers as last week, we felt like he was much more damaging this week, from his 16 disposals and four inside 50s. Nicho’s in solid form.
Christian Salem: Christian had nine disposals, three tackles, zero missed tackles and zero fumbles. He had a fairly quiet day possession wise as can sometimes happen when playing the HF role. Although he didn’t win a lot of the ball, what we liked about his game was his physicality. Whenever there was a contest, he asserted himself and attacked the ball with vigour. We’d like to see him win a bit more of the ball, so we can use his kick to our advantage.
James Strauss: Straussy had 19 disposals, two tackles, one missed tackle, zero fumbles and he played across half-back. Although he didn’t win as much of the ball as he has in the previous month – he had 19 disposals – we felt he had a solid impact on the game. He breaks the lines with his run and carry and again showed plenty of dash. He has a great kick and he has been really damaging in this area in the past month. Still, Straussy will need to tidy up his defensive game, as he can still trail in through a lack of concentration at times.
AFL Victoria Development League: Casey Scorpions 12.7 (79) d Northern Blues 9.14 (68)
Maia Westrupp: Maia didn’t have a lot of influence on the game. When he didn’t trail his opponent and was able to cause a contest, he broke even. But on too many occasions, he let his man dictate terms to him. Maia also wasn’t close enough to put enough pressure on his man or stop him from getting the footy.
