THERE is no hiding just how disappointing last Sunday’s game against Richmond was. While we did a good job to be 33-points up in the last five minutes of the third quarter, from thereon we didn’t play with enough desire to match Richmond and win the game.
In the last quarter, we didn’t have enough good players and didn’t win enough of the important fifty-fifty contests. If you’re winning 70-80 per cent of those contests, you’re a big chance of winning the game and in the last quarter, we didn’t just didn’t show the determination required.
The most important thing for us now, is that we erase the disappointment of last week. The good thing about AFL footy is it gives you a chance to redeem yourself in seven days time against a team like North Melbourne, who like Richmond, have been in good form for the past month.
With both sides sitting right next to each other on the ladder, this is a crucial match. Every game is critical from here on in as teams jostle for positions.
North Melbourne really look like they are getting used to Brad Scott’s game plan and starting to gel as a team. They have had some important players; and obviously Lindsay Thomas has been a dangerous small forward for them. Lachlan Hansen has been very impressive and is just getting better as a young player.
One of the crucial battles on Sunday will be in the midfield. The Kangaroos’ midfield is very hard, led by Andrew Swallow who is their best and fairest winner and a tough in and under type. They still have the brilliance of Brent Harvey who is a sensational player, who almost gets better with age, as well as the improving Daniel Wells. They’ve got the good combination of both the inside hardness and outside run, that make them very dangerous.
Unfortunately this week we have lost Henry Playfair with a serious back injury, while Daniel Bradshaw remains sidelined, which does leave us with some work to do up forward. Goodesy, on a few occasions in the back half of last weekend certainly looked ominous and he just needs to finish off his work. We look to have a number of options who can work up forward and certainly some of the players from the reserves that have been knocking on the door will get a chance.
There have been a few players that have had a good solid period of form who will come into the team. Paul Bevan was probably a bit unlucky early on in the season to be dropped and he is one that has been included, along with Brett Meredith and Ted Richards.
It is FUN-DAY at the SCG on Sunday and my kids Thomas, Billy and Sahara will all be there, wearing their Swannies gear and barracking hard.
We are looking forward to returning to our home ground and in front of our home supporters. Hopefully we will get a big crowd along and SCG starts humming again!
