Weve see everyone come out for their first bash now. Gotta say, weather-wise, its been a ridiculous time to be playing footy! But, every team will be better for the run out, shaking that rust from out of the systems.

Tune in over the break as I review the best from the 9 games over the weekend. (and apologise profusely for not! Youll see )

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Friday night:
Saints v Cats v Swans.

Some decent football here, while its still tough to make any real calls on the season, I cant see any reason why any other these teams miss the finals this year. While the Saints were pressing higher up the ground than last year, which did (and will) leave them open to the odd rebound, I reckon that with more gametime put into it, theyre only going to get better at it.

Saints:

Tommy Ledger: This is the exact story you want to see in the NAB. Last year Tommy averaged 18 disposals in the VFL before earning his call up to the AFL. Once there, he played two games as a sub, before doing a hammy and ending his season. Two fantastic games of 8 and 9 touches sees him come right back onto the radar. It will be tough to see him get a game over some of the blokes missing tonight, but if he keeps up this form, hell be tough to avoid.

Milera: He only played in the second game of the night, and although he grabbed a goal, he wasnt great. Still on the list, but definitely further down.

Saad: Very happy to see this bloke play, he kicked the first goal of the night, but only two behinds in the second game. His possession count wasnt great, but his forward pressure should be enough to see him getting games. As for if hell be a decent cow, hes never been a prolific ball winner, so Im thinking hell suck a lot of people in.

Ross: Seb was pretty good I thought for a first gamer. Had a bit of the yips early, but really played into the night. Word has been that hes "on track" for a round 1 birth, but I reckon Ledger might have put a little spanner in those works- still, one to watch though.

Wilkes: He did well enough, played his role. But hes a big boy, doing the defensive thing, and just wont get a lot of it.

Cripps: Cripps played 4 games last year, and was sub effected in all of them. So from that alone, you know there is improvement. The question is whether he can get the gametime to accumulate it. I thought he played pretty well off the half back line tonight, and am really hoping to get a few more looks at him.

Cats:

Joel Selwood: Alright, its mostly rookies here, but 16 touches from Selwood and wow, hes looking in some dangerous form early.

Simon Hogan: Got a lot of the ball, 16 touches over both games, and did alright with it, however, based on a 160k price tag, Im thinking hell need to do more. Still one to watch though.

Orren Stephenson: His numbers will have some people worried, but I though Orren looked damned good for a rookie cow. Only 5 touches for both games, but 16 hitouts made for a good night.

Horlin-Smith: He got more of it than I expected and certainly moved himself up on my radar. Still, Scott saying a few weeks ago that hes unlikely for early games has me more than concerned.

Smedts: With a DPP, theres plenty of us hoping he comes on this year, so it was sad to see him play in just the one game. He worked himself into the game well, with 7 touches and certainly hasnt done his chances any harm.

Swans:

Harry Cunningham: First guy for the night who I creally had to say - Who? - Rookie listed, Harry has got some excellent numbers as a junior (23 touch average in the NAB cup), but did struggle last year in the NEAFL, with just 9 touches. Tonight however, at least for the first game. Wow, 8 touches and 2 goals playing as a small forward was a huge opening for the young lad. His second game however, 2 touches off two FFs and a FA moves him very low on my list.

Nick Smith: Not so much a recommendation here, just something that caught my eye. In both of these games, Nick Smith managed to just about get his full-length-game average in disposals. Now, I wasnt taking much not of him (being the general stopper that he is), but Im wondering what has changed here to bring about the increase?

Nathan Gordon: Subbed in one game, it was his other that has brought him onto the radar, awkwardly priced at 160k, Gordon looked pretty good. Well need to keep watching, since his JS is pretty bad, but hes definitely on the radar.


Saturday Night
Lions v Suns v Demons

Seriously fellas, who writes their reviews in a thunderstorm and doesnt save stuff. Just lost my Saturday and Sunday reports cause Im an idiot. Ill probably get to them again tomorrow, but man, Im too annoyed right now!

In short though

Demons:

Good: Magnar
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more:
Mid-price watch: Bate
New Addition to the watchlist: Couch
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is): Tynan (gunna need more time)

Suns:

Good: Hall
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more:
Mid-price watch:
New Addition to the watchlist:
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is): KHunt (The midfield move happened, but its not going to be enough yet)

Lions:

Good: Yeo
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more: Jon Brown
Mid-price watch:
New Addition to the watchlist:
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is):


Power v Crows v Blues
Power:

Good: Wingard
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more: Pfeiffer
Mid-price watch: Gray, Ebert
New Addition to the watchlist: Redden
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is):

Crows:

Good:
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more: Kerridge
Mid-price watch: Sloane,
New Addition to the watchlist: McIntyre
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is):

Blues:

Good:
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more: Bower
Mid-price watch: Lucas, Kreuzer
New Addition to the watchlist:
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is): Bootsma (gunna need more time)

Seriously, so annoyed right now, there was humour, well thought out ideas, rolling narratives that returned upon themselves. It had it all, and now it is gone to the storm.

So in the mean time, fill in your own score card and let us know your thoughts on what wend down this weekend.
Good:
Still on the watchlist, but will need to do more:
Mid-price watch:
New Addition to the watchlist:
Essentially off the list (Not that anyone *really* is):

Or stay tuned for Bearflys indepth Port Power review. I know I find it tough to get much news from out of Alberton, and I gotta say, its a piece of art!