Glenelg trial report

Firstly, it’s a little disconcerting when you go to the footy and see a giant For Lease sign on your clubrooms but such is the future for struggling SANFL clubs.

The Reserves played a draw, 12.11 apiece, in the curtain-raiser, with premiership points on the line.

Westies fielded about 28 players for their senior trial against Glenelg tonight. They are developing a new style of game based on quick movement/hard tackling/running from defence and it looked impressive against Glenelg tonight as they ran out easy winners 12.11 to 5.7.

Early indications are that some hard decisions will be made on the first selection night with many skilful young players making the transition from U18 footy to senior level. Credit must be given to the club for developing these kids over the
off- season. There seems to be a nice blend of senior players like Ezard, Hartlett, Schmidt with some talented juniors like Aaron Francis, Will Snelling and Hugh Haysman. This new style of footy may present certain challenges to some of the more established players, such as Tuck and Fielke.

It took 12 minutes for Westies to score a goal tonight but at half time we were in front 9.4 to 0.3 as we dominated a hapless Glenelg. Schmidt probably our best at that point followed closely by our new spearhead, Shannon Green, with 5 goals! The backline was superb. Francis was impassable across half back. He is a big unit, a strong mark but mobile and a quick thinker. Enjoy him this year. He had plenty of support from Hartlett, Ezard and Keough. We played some exciting footy for the first 50 minutes but perhaps the highlight was a Willets goal late in the 2Q when we went coast to coast down the grandstand wing with about 3 kicks FB to FF.

Lots of run from Wong, Haysman, Snelling, Helbig Hill, Stevens, etc. Our clearance work, skill levels and tackling were all excellent. Richard Newell has added some muscle, Kaine Stevens some pace.

Glenelg came back strongly after half time and we lost a little in our defensive intensity. In the last Q we saw something from Corey Solley, Brett Turner and Aaron Sharpe who kicked a goal with his first kick, albeit with some help from the umpire.

Hardy was assisted off the ground in the last Q after landing heavily.

We were outscored 5 goals to 3 in the last half but we continued to run and create chances against a slightly more determined opposition. Still early days but better to barrack for Westies than the Bays.

Really loved Francis game tonight. To bad he will be gone at season though

Thanks again, B & R.

First, the good news is that the For Lease sign is for the upstairs (old Bingo Room) section of the club only, which will bring in much needed funds for an underused part of the building.

As you say, the trial was very encouraging, especially the performances of all of the younger players, with Francis being a standout and Snelling and Haysman and others terrific.

Caire, Beech and Porplyzia didn't play and Webb played Reserves, so there's a lot of competition for spots for the first time for a fair while.

Our intensity was great and I thought our skills were much better, apart from some awful inside-50 entries and some kicking for goal from easy set shots again.

The Reserves drew their game, again with poor goalkicking costing us a win.

Is it anything serious with Hardy, he looked good last week I hope he's ok

Random Thoughts.

1. Surely if you go and support the reserves the club should be able to provide a team sheet of both teams before half time.
2. Surely if you go and support the reserves then the new scoreboard should be turned on at the start of the game.
3. Reserves played some great football and some rubbish football.
4. Favretto was fantastic tonight.
5. Lots of good players in the league team tonight.
6. West this year has very good numbers and lots of good players will be playing at their local clubs.
7. Lots of last year under 18s players could be playing in game 1.
8. Greeny was unstoppable tonight up forward.
9. Schmidt and Ezard look fantastic at half back.
10. Westies best 21 will be good to watch this year.

ST, perhaps they didn't provide team sheets or turn the scoreboard on because they looked at the club website and saw that the game was played on February 27.

Very good performance last night.
Should have won by more.
Foot skills still need improving.
Hardy got his hands on the ball many times but failed
to hold onto marks. Hope his injury is ok.
Loved the way Francis played last night.

It's fantastic to watch Francis,Snelling,Agostino,Turner and Haysman
all playing really good football.

If Caire doesn't play next week then he wouldn't make the league
Side for the 1st match against the Eagles due to a lack of match fitness

ST, your comments about the team sheets and scoreboard is fair enough and it was a stuff up.

Justin Hardy rolled his ankle and hopefully shouldn't miss too much, but we'll have to wait to see.  Kaine Stevens went for X-Rays on his jaw, so we've all got our fingers crossed for him.

It was great to see that our emphasis on adding the pace, talent and enthusiasm of talented juniors is also adding some excitement to the group.

I've spoken to Kaine Stevens and the good news is that his X-Ray is all clear.

Cheers for the update Lee , glad to hear that Stevens is ok and it isn't Hardy's knee again even though an ankle isn't great either

Lachlan wrote:Very good performance last night.
Should have won by more.
Foot skills still need improving.
Hardy got his hands on the ball many times but failed
to hold onto marks. Hope his injury is ok.
Loved the way Francis played last night.

It's fantastic to watch Francis,Snelling,Agostino,Turner and Haysman
all playing really good football.

If Caire doesn't play next week then he wouldn't make the league
Side for the 1st match against the Eagles due to a lack of match fitness

Lachlan I think Daniel Caire is out of round 1 due to being suspended in the last minor round game last year.

Testy

You are right about Caire. When you get to my age I forget what I did yesterday