Bloods v Crows Reserves match report

Daniel Caire and Peter Nelson dropped out of the named team and Haysman played, on a cool evening at Richmond in front of a crowd of just less than 2000, mainly Westies supporters. James Ezard, a wonderful servant of the club, played his 150th game.

The game was a strange one as Westies started badly but gradually improved during the night and they finished all over the Crows Reserves to win 15.13 to 11.8.

The conditions were slippery all night so it must have been that we were either nervous, complacent or over-eager that produced some basic early mistakes gifting goals to the opposition. We were also guilty of poor decision making, possibly under-rating the Crows who chased and pressured us into error and played the better footy in the first half. It was only through some strong defence from Tom Keough, the class of Chris Schmidt and the in and under efforts of Snelling and Schiller that kept us in touch to half time. At this point we had had 15 shots (5.10) to the Crows 10 (7.3) but trailed in a frustrating 50 minutes of footy. In the second Q Helbig turned the ball over for the Crows to goal, Webb gave away 2 x 25m penalties to gift them a goal, Green had 2 set shots for 1 behind and it was only a brilliant crumbing late goal from Porplyzia that provided any sort of highlight.

In the third Q we started to assert ourselves and play with more purpose. Our tackling improved but never reached the level of last week. We kicked 5 goals, 2 of them late in time-on to open a 13 pt margin at 3Q time. Green got 2, Webb kicked a terrific 50m goal at the 25m mark and then Beech took a screamer to goal at the 27m mark. It still wasn't pretty but we were in front.

In the last we gradually pulled away with players like Fielke and Helbig asserting themselves into the game and we ran out easy winners 15.13 to 11.8. While it was frustrating to watch it is of some comfort that we won with plenty of room for improvement.

Keogh again starred down back with his athleticism and skill and is a huge improver from last year. He combines well with Hartlett who is playing great footy. Schiller (19 handballs) has stepped up and is becoming a key team player and Snelling is just terrific at getting the hard ball and placing it to advantage, mainly through handball. Schmidt (36 touches) was excellent in the slippery conditions and Agostino was cool and effective.

Despite booting 15 goals we still lack a key forward who can take a strong mark. One can only hope that Hardy can step into that role but Middleton also could play a part. We have guys like Porplyzia, Fielke and Green who can feed of taller and stronger players who can keep the ball in our attacking zone. Green kicked 3 and 2 each to Porps, Helbig, Fielke and Stevens. None of these blokes are over 185cm!

Too often tonight we went sideways or backwards when we look so good going long and quick. But what a great start to the season, 2 from 2 - we'll take that! Terrific to see James Ezard chaired off the ground.

Random Thoughts.

1. Well done to Jimmy on 150 games. Great effort and well deserved.
2. Very poor start and first half again. Second half much better.
3. Gave away a couple of 25m gifts and 2 centre infringements that cost us.
4. Well done to Schiller. Getting better and better.
5. Skills were very bad at times tonight. Turnovers with our kicking was costly.
6. Great goal at the end from a kick out. Quick ball movement was good to watch.
7. Good to kick 15 goals with multiple goal kickers.
8. Great to see Fielkes get into it. Exciting to watch.
9. Handball at times was deplorable.
10. Hows our carparks going. Great parking in the street.
11. We will need to be alot better to beat Sturt next week.
12. Are we on top of the ladder yet?

Excellent report BR. Thanks.
* scores do not reflect our domination of the game.
* great balance of youth and experience
* Porp is to "skill and poise" as Tuck is to "in and under"....loving the teams diversity.
* Even when a plane is taking off you can hear Ryan "Brucey?😄" Willits on the field. awesome presence and a great asset. Just needs to take a few more marks.
* Hartlett - along with some clear manscaping work during the off season seems more focused and my bet he will be in State of Origin contention if continues. Look forward to how he deals with his off field demons against the blues!!!
* A lot to be excited about with this team right now! And BTW I think a good barometer of this is the number of positive points in ST's summary!! I'm holding out hopes on seeing a 😳😃😳 this season ST !!

A side note...it is taking longer to complete the Brooker Road works than it did to compete the Southern Expressway!!!!! There was only about a dozen Crows supporters at the game last night and street parking was a big problem. I suspect the access issues associated with these works might be a real issue affecting gate takings for games this season. Anyone at the club who can wake up someone at the WT council on this issue? 😳😳😳😳😳

Good report yet again B&R. I find myself also agreeing with Souths coach about Friday night games against the AFL reserves. These pampered pussys can sleep in till noon on game day if they want and prepare for the game at their leisure. SANFL players though have to get up at around 6am and go do a days work/study first. Could this be why we were so slow off the blocks last night? Only when the Crows started to tire did we start making an impact. In addition to the roadworks we need signage to give direction to Richmond oval. The 2,500 crow supporters we were promised obviously couldn't find it.

Speaking to Porps after the game he mentioned that the ground was really greasy either from the rain or the night dew & it took some time to adjust to the conditions. The Crows implied pressure early also made us panic a bit with our ball handling & disposal.
It was ordinary but once again we held our composure & fought bloody hard to stay in the game again. Our ferocity at the contests & our quick transition ball movement is wonderful to watch. This is the new Bloods trademark. As a result the hard work paid off in the end as we gradually wore them down. Our fitness is fantastic & has been an asset in the past two games. Now for the dog park at Unley, a place we have not enjoyed visiting very often over the years so it is time to turn the tables.

To answer the car park question, the Council have been a little slow in getting started but have assured us that they will be working on it during the next two weeks before the next home game.

Re Brooker Terrace I'm not entirely sure but I don't think the roadworks have any thing to do with the council. It is a State Govt issue & yes seems to be taking an eternity.

We should praise our council as they are far more supportive than any other council towards their local SANFL club.

GO BLOODS!!!!!!

Incidentally it was really great to see some memorable Past Players at the game.

Tony Modra came with his beautiful wife Erica, Bruce "The Pres" Lindner, Greg Summerton, Leon Grosser, Peter Meuret, Simon Frazer, Rodney Pope (Popey always), Robert Day, Gerrard Touhey. These guys joined other regulars like BERNIE CONLEN, Keiren SPORN & the list goes on.

A good result to have been witnessed by these fellows. The club was packed after the game both in the Westonians room & the main bar after a well attended pre-match function (138 for dinner).

Things are looking good. Let's hope it converts into improved revenue.

It's nice to have a sense of anticipation when you turn up to watch the Bloods and that's exactly what our fans arrived with last night.  Somehow, the rest of the football world had marked our win last week as either luck or a failure by the Eagles.  We knew it wasn't so.

15 minutes in, we weren't so sure. Four goals to nothing and there was a relieved cheer when we kicked our first goal.

From that time on, although the scores were close for a long time, we were always going to win. Regardless, we'll have to keep working hard to eliminate costly mistakes if we're to beat all the better teams.  Even allowing for the conditions and the pressure, all too often in the first half we fumbled or made poor decisions. It often cost us a goal, or put real pressure on our defence.

On the good side of the ledger, though, we forced constant turnovers through our own pressure.  We dominated possession, Ryan Willits rucked terrifically against two taller opponents and Graham Cornes doesn't need to spend much time looking at other before he writes Tom Keough's name in as State full back.

Brad Helbig is coming to grips with the different pace and style of SANFL football, again mixing some great play with some not-so-great, but his two goals and some lovely work in the last quarter shows he's close.

Jimmy Eeeeezard played on Callinan and after some early fumbles he showed just what a wonderful player he is, with a great game. Needless to say, he's humble, a leader and a role model for any footballer.

As for the youngsters, again a pleasing night. Will Snelling was good again, Jack Agostino the same, while Hugh Haysman, quiet last week, found plenty of the ball and also showed good decision making and plenty of pace when needed.  The other good thing with Hugh is that I was able to confidently write down a goal in the budget before he had his kick from 40 out, in front.

The senior players did as they needed to, and more. Schmidt, Tuck, Silverlock (two excellent games so far) and others did what was needed, while Josh Schiller has perhaps surprisingly revelled in his new role as an inside mid, dishing out handballs from hard ball pack gets like a metronome. Oh, and up forward Greeney and Fielks are terrific with their skill, work rate and pressure. Apologies to any I've left out, there were no passengers.

The difference in style is noticeable.  We've kicked 95 and 103 points in our two games, have looked quick and direct and have caused a multitude of turnovers through pressure and fitness.  There's also a big confidence that we'll run games out well.

Selection issues this week, with no-one deservig to be omitted, but Caire and perhaps Francis to be considered.  Also noticed Brett Turner getting treatment for his shoulder injury.

Finally, Porp's goal off the hands of the pack was the difference between a very good player and an absolute class player. It was the Taj Mahal plonked on the shore of Sydney Harbour.

Love your assessment Lee

We weren't at our best last night but we won and thats the main thing.

Lee you summed up Josh Shiller very well. He has really played well in our opening 2 matches
and his role as an inside Mid certainly suits him. His quick hands have been great to watch.
I didn't  think this kid was a in our best 21 this year. I'm happy to say I was wrong

Tait Silverlock has been a very  consistent performer and has been in our best players regularly over the past 18 months. He is all class

Helbig when moved into the midfield in the second half was another good contributor as was Haysman in his second game.

Special mention to Ryan Willits who has rucked extremely well in our 2 games.

I still think we are one tall forward short and therefore against Sturt I would play Nelson and have Webb as the marking target. if Francis is available then he can play forward and Nelson would play ressies

Daniel Caire has only played 1 reserves trial and he may have to start in the ressies

As for Ezard he was definitely in our best players and half back is a great position for him to play. This guy is a superstar of our club

Write up's say it all.
Good team effort..I agree with Lachlan we are one tall forward short.

Lee's right about the Porps goal... Rolls Royce .
He is one of the most sublimely skilled footballers I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Injuries have taken their toll but to see Porp's in full flight is worth the admission price of going to the footy.
A few young kids injected into the team and enthusiasm is up.Great to watch
Go Bloods

It's not only a long time since we had three home-grown kids debut in Round One, but it's even more remarkable that all three have contributed so much and looked so comfortable at League level right from the start.

I have always said if a 17/18 year old is good enough, they will make an impact - You have to give credit to Ron Fuller at the Eagles in his reign. He promoted lots of kids aged 16-18 with quite a few winning premiership medals or being drafted the year after.

We missed the boat with Schammer and possibly could have had a couple of lads playing league now debut earlier too - But its great that Mark Mickan will play kids up - His confidence in them and juniors will further promote the U18's programme from Jarrod Meers through to Shane Pill - Keep an eye out for Turner, Brind and Bonner in the future...

From the paper http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/bloods-running-hot-early-with-win-over-crows-leaving-2-0-record/story-fnii0294-1227310694165

Our highest crowd v Crows was Sat Night - I guess the threatening weather may have held a few back

Game 1 - 1750
Game 2 - 1302
Game 3 - 1875

Another way at looking at it is.....it was our first home match for the year hence larger crowd than usual. Where I was sitting it was all West supporters bar 3.

95% wafc supporters for sure