4 Weeks out from finals and 2 games clear in the 8- who would have thought that during pre-season!!
Positives from yesterday:
- Chad. Big moments in big games call for big players. For a 37 game 20 year old to play like he did yesterday (and for the season for that matter) was incredible. Skills are sublime and a cool head under pressure. Early call I know- but has the talent to win a brownlow. AA lock for sure and if he is left out- well.....
- The entire coaching staff. Some moves throughout the game were a masterstroke from Hinkley. Wingard through HB was instrumental in our 2nd quarter surge, and Jackson Trengove in the ruck in the last 6 minutes won us the game imo.
- Boaky. As per Wingard, big moments in big games call for a teams captain to stand up. Its fair to say Boaky's first 3 quarters were not flash, but his 14 posession, 5 clearance, 3 i50 last term put van berlo to the sword and is edging him mighty close to A Grade midfielder status. The captaincy has elevated his game and he was brilliant when the game was there to be won.
The negatives:
- More so across the season, but our lapses in concentration really give opposition sides chances to punish us- and punish us they do. St. Kilda, Brisbane and Adelaide in the last 3 weeks have put us to the sword in a 15-20 patch where we go to sleep. Its a progression thing but hopefully we see that erode from our game as our squad gains experience.
- Butcher. Im not happy with the way he goes about his footy. His 2nd efforts are non existent and cant seem to influence the contest. He would want to have a huge pre-season next year as our side really need 2 big forwards to challenge for a top 4 position in the years to come. Yesterday got me thinking about Lewis Johnston from Adelaide. Given he is unlikely to play ahead of Walker and Jenkins, is it worth port offering a contract as a 2nd forward- the lad can certainly kick!
Overall im stoked- a massive 4 weeks still for the club. Here is hoping we can break another duck down at the cattery this weekend and virtually seal a finals position.
Must pay a mention to the man upstairs- that stuff defied the laws of physics

“Think of me like Yoda, but instead of being little and green I wear suits and I'm awesome. I'm your bro—I'm Broda!”
HOGG Shield 2015 Division I Premiers.
HOGG Shield 2017 Premier League Premiers.