NAB Cup Week 1 Review.
Well a review of the first 3 weeks, but the first round. You know what I mean.
Fevola and Lockyer tempted us, Jesus continued working mirales, Richo and BJ stood up and said age don’t matter and Walker and Yarran pulled up sore. But does it really matter?
36 players topped the hundred mark in there first hit-out in 2009, some being the usual suspects like Pendles, Goddard, Nath Brown, Ablett, Corey and Goodwin.
Others 100 scores were alot more surprising that has got me taking notice, Trav Cloke, Hille, Skipworth, Jack Riewoldt, Jackson, Gibbs and Stokesy. Travis Cloke is only 22, but could ‘09 be his year? Hille has pushed for a spot as Number 1 ruckmen, with Cox scoring 30, but mind you Cox played about one quarter of footy. Skipworth will be an extremely cheap 6th forward in alot of sides this year after his ton. While Gibbs proved he is on the move.
Richo, Fevola, Rough all fighting for a spot in the forward line of my side GunBarrelStraight and all of them scored 149+, your not making it easy guys. Lockyer showed he should get picked ahead of Shaw, as did Goddard ahead of Fisher.
Higgins (90) is just reminding those who don’t have him to switch on, as did Hasleby. While my man, BJ (93), showed he ain’t slowing up yet. Apperantly he trained the house down in the off-season, with Cross and Boyd other stand-outs at Whitten Oval. And, they backed that up. Gumby (32) has got alot of improvement, but only 5 games in 3 years, you tend to lose your touch a little. Rich (59) and Hill (94) were the stand-out rookies on the weekend. While Yarron (0) and Walker (23) struggled with minor injuries.
Ham Mc, done nothing to suggest he worthy of 2nd ruckman. Don’t read alot into Pettard’s 12, but Hogan’s 78 could mean he might earn a spot instead of Kelly in the Geelong midfield. Chappy played his first pre-season game for three years. Even though it was only 33 on the board, he is fit and ready to go. Marshmallow (Scott Thompson) didn’t show much up forward, put him back in the midfield where he scores those 150’s. Pyke (1) taught us that AFL is hard than Union. Mattner (59) and Kornes (47) scores look poor, but in only a half of football they should not be crossed off anyone’s list.
Don’t forget about Nicoski and Raines putting their hands up for selection…
I wonder how many coaches are gunna get their hands burnt on Nico again.
Raines will be in my side. My only worry is that Richmond have so many ball hogs in their backlines, e.g McMahon, Newman and Bowden. I am hoping that Bowden plays more up forward this year to free up a spot for Raines. Nicoski is a terrible player to get for SC, turns the ball over too much.
Also for your information, Port has placed Jackson Trengrove on the long term injury list which means one of the rookies could be elevated. Based on their performances against Sydney on the weekend, keep an eye out for Danny Meyer and Wade Thompson.
Will be very interesting with that Richmond backline… I believe that Bowden has been training with the forwards… so I imagine that he’ll be up there (occationally playing the swingman if things go pear shaped).
Still, even without Bowden, it’ll be a tough lineup to break into… If he keeps doing what he’s doing though, he’ll be there – no doubt.
I don’t rate Andrew Raines or Mark Nicoksi at all, probably cause I have had both in the past and have been burnt. Never agian.