Trial match.

Sprinklers have come on during play in the last qtr.....how did this happen?

It may have been only a trial but anytime you beat Norwood is a good result.

An excellent team effort tonight. We were quicker and tougher and when the sprinklers came on at 9.30pm sharp we were well in front late in the last Q 13.10 to 8.8. Pretty much outclassed them all game and in the last Q they looked shot as they defended grimly with their chipping sideways game. Our tackling was awesome all night.

Beech kicked 3, Middleton and Bates 2 apiece. Bates was terrific all night despite a scare with his shoulder at one point. Green looks to be set to take on the Daniel Caire role down back. Interesting to see who will lead the ruck. Parella took another step down that track tonight. His field play may see him edge out TMac. Can’t see us playing 2 ruckmen with Webb and Middleton able to help out.

The forward set up looked good tonight with Beech, Middleton and Hupfeld able to create opportunities.

A much improved effort on last week’s game.

For those interested in Porps fitness, he went for a run at Q time but was well beaten for pace by his 2yo daughter.

BloodsFireUp wrote:Sprinklers have come on during play in the last qtr.....how did this happen?

Someone not doing there job

Well done to the boys. Ran and tackled hard all night and made Norwood cough it up.
We now have two big ruckman that are improving and lots of quick little guys. Great to have beechy back also.

As you may know the ground is owned & maintained by council so I can only assume it is their fault for having the sprinkler timer set to come on at that time.
We control the lights but not the sprinklers. I’m sure there will be a call to the relevant person at council early on Monday morning.

Still embarrassing all the same.

Although both sides short changed with the “outs” of a few League players we are starting to take shape nicely. Early days though.

Well done Gavin & the team.

Well said M.P.

Thanks for the write-up B&R, really appreciate it.
I like the fact that we're playing as strong a side as we can at the moment, as this has to help with familiarity and confidence. And with 18-game seasons these days I don't think there's any danger of burning the players out.

Agree 100% BlackandRed - was a great team effort and the boys will gain some confidence going into the season ahead. Our forward line looked very settled and we had many options going forward. Most impressive was our quick ball movement all over the ground and a real hunger under Gav to make an impact when the ball was in dispute, and to make a contest. Tackling pressure and our defensive effort forced Norwood to make mistakes and turn the footy over.

Might have missed this - but where is Josh Smithson?

Josh decided to play country football. We will keep in close touch with him.

Thanks Lee. After being so close to being drafted too. Maybe that's the issue?

Yes. Without referring to Josh specifically, there is a definite problem with young lads being drafted and then cut, or missing the draft when they think they're a good chance.

There is a big drop-off to local leagues to just play without stress, or dropping out of footy altogether, because their dream is shattered.

Josh is a great lad and I hope he might be back after a break to settle down.

Half time.. West 7.4 Sturt 6.2

Best players & goal kickers pls Lee

Rankin 2 Hupfeld 2

Agostino Parella Karpany Keough Batley Noble several others

In the end it was frustrating to lose tonight. We were in front most of the game but were crucified by the umpires. Pretty stupid comment to make about a trial game but they impacted us big time. There is something to be said for top sides being advantaged in the one on one contest when opposed to a team at the other end of the table.

In the last Q we were looking good but ran out of steam when a few younger kids, not on the team sheet, had a run. When Sturt kicked a late one the margin was around ten points.

Parella had a strong match. Hupfeld played forward and kicked a couple of goals. Waite was impressive. Karpany played, arguably, his best game for the club. Jake Wilson seemed to run out the game OK. Agostino is a class act and Noble was busy all night.

There was plenty of spirit in this game. Our tackling was, again, terrific and it frustrated the reigning premiers. What was really good was how we never gave in against some classy opposition and took the game right up to them. We're not shirking the contest and that sets us up well for our game next week against the Eagles.

Very good summary, b&r.

Obviously I can't comment on umpires, but your analysis of the game was spot on.

With just a touch of luck we may have won well.

Our skills were often good, but hurt us badly at times.

I loved our pressure and attitude.

Ago - all class. Kenny Karpany excellent, Parella dominated the ruck (hello lachlan). Beech didn't play.

Thought our boys were very good for most of the game. Considering the injuries we had through the game upsetting rotations it was a sound hit out. I really liked the forward line pressure to keep the ball in our forward 50 over the last 2 weeks. The quality of the opposition this week was a step up from last week but we were up for it. Lots of positives thus far, hope it continues.

I couldn’t get to the trial last night, however to read Parella played well is very pleasing. Both of our young ruckmen have done ok through the trials. I thought McPherson was good against Adelaide.
It will be interesting to see who will be the first choice Ruckman next week.

The umpires were against you correctly stated B&R.

That doesn’t surprise me in the least considering we had two serious reports from the Norwood trial for striking & rough conduct which has ended up costing us dearly with suspensions in the early part of our 2018 season campaign. Kain was a little unfortunate but the other one. Well stupid comes to mind.

The umpires are human, they talk & we cop it. It has happened for years on & off so unfortunately we do have a poor reputation.

The upside is that Gavin was quite angry about one of those incidents & although he is coaching an aggressive & highly competitive style he no doubt wants it to be within the rules & controlled.

A pretty positive pre-season really and I'd even give us half a chance against WWT if Stevens was playing. Would Agostino go on ball in his place?

Confident we will beat the Eagles first up

brodlach wrote:Confident we will beat the Eagles first up

I'm glad you are.
We will improve this year, no doubt about that. I think Colville will be a good coach, however The Eagles are a class above and will win easily