West v Central trial @ City Mazda Stadium - 14/3/09

[wycbloods]

Where is Big Phil's write up of the game

[Big Phil]

Where is Big Phil's write up of the game

Working on it now wycbloods, will have it posted within the hour...

Had the missus birthday bash last night and took a while to fully recover this morning...

A few coffess later and I'm back on track, will have it up shortly like I say...

[Big Phil]

Anyone know how Dimasi went in the reserves for the dogs?

He didn't really do a lot Mr B, but then he had a fair few team mates in what was a very ugly game of football.

Spent a bot of time on the bench, on the ball and at half forward. Took one nice grab and kicked a goal late in the game but that was about it.

[wycbloods]

Where is Big Phil's write up of the game

Working on it now wycbloods, will have it posted within the hour...

Had the missus birthday bash last night and took a while to fully recover this morning...

A few coffess later and I'm back on track, will have it up shortly like I say...

Liar

[Big Phil]

Liar

The missus got me on house cleaning duties first mate...

Sorry, will try and get it done soon

[smac]

Sounds like this missus of yours is nothing but trouble Phil.

Phlick her for a better one.

[wycbloods]

Liar

The missus got me on house cleaning duties first mate...

Sorry, will try and get it done soon

[redandblack]

Chris Schmidt best player in the paper, with Ezard and Moran also mentiond.

Looking forward to Phil's write-up.

[bundy]

Hello. Calling Phil r u there.

[wycbloods]

I don't think he is too good at the house chores he must still be busy doing them

[whatever]

I wish doing chores with my wife lasted that long

It is interesting when at a game as a nuetral supporter how you can see things very differently. The big disadvantage is half the time you dont know who is who this time of year. I have never been good at judging who is best players as I focus on who is doing the right thing and how the play should unfold rather than taking note of who actually has the ball in their hands. Having my 4 year old at the football for a full day by myself for the first time did not help matters either.

Moran I was not surprised to see make the best players but as a crows supporter I dont think it was a performance that they should get excited about.

Schmidt, I thought his third quarter was very good but to be honest I didn't notice him much in the first half.

[wycbloods]

The game always looks different when you are not emotionally attached to it.

[redandblack]

No problems, whatever, it's always good to read what a neutral supporter sees and it's not surprising that West supporters would take more notice of each player's performance.

I hope Big Phil gives a report on the game. We haven't beaten Centrals, even in a trial game, for a very long time, so his general thoughts would be interesting, even if he can't give a full report.

[Pseudo]

I wish doing chores with my wife lasted that long

You can get a nasal spray for that

[am Bays]

Hello. Calling Phil r u there.

I think his report is in a file next to the Running sheet....

Personally I think the running sheet would be more interesting...

[Well run]

Anyone know how Dimasi went in the reserves for the dogs?

Struggled!!!!

[redandblack]

Well, it was a trial game and both sides had many regulars missing. A 3 goal breeze favoured the northern end and Centrals led by about 3 goals at 1/4 time. The next two quarters were dominated by West against a Centrals team who were put under more pressure than they were obviously expecting. Into the breeze in the 3rd quarter, West totally dominated possession. That domination extended through the first ten minutes of the last quarter, but West kicked 6 points in a row.

That seemed to spur the Dogs into another gear and they kicked a couple of goals and looked like finishing over West, but the Bloods then rallied strongly to a victory that was narrow, but should have been a lot more.

It had been a while since West had 25 scoring shots against Central, even in a trial game.

From a Bloods point of view, Chris Schmidt dominated from defence, Bronik Davies was outstanding, Davenport added plenty and James Ezard had a strong game, along with Scott Blesing. Wade Champion was strong in defence and Brad Moran and Simon Munn were also good.

Centrals certainly had several first-choice players absent, but West will welcome back Ferguson, Birss, Caruso, Hartlett, Anderson, Bailey and others in the next week or two.

As I said, a trial game, but a vastly improved effort from a strongly competitive Bloods outfit.

[Thiele]

Good Report R&B

[Big Phil]

Sorry for the delay gentleman, but here is my little write up from the weekend's clash...

RESERVES :

WEST - 3.3 4.6 4.8 7.9 = 51

CENTRAL - 1.1 3.2 4.2 6.3 = 39


GOAL KICKERS:

WEST – D.Head 2.0, M.Ward, B.Wilson, S.Brown, A.Kinal, B.Williams 1.0, G.Rowe, A.Anderson, D.Christie, M.Borholm, A.Skara 0.1, Rushed 0.4

CENTRAL – D.Havelberg 1.1, A.Henderson, S.Brading, N.Trevena, B.Nason, T.Dimasi 1.0, L.Westhoff, S.Catteral 0.1


BETTER PLAYERS:

WEST – G.Rowe, S.Brown, M.Martin, D.Christie, D.Head

CENTRAL – T.Dunne, N.White, M.Foldesdy, J.Hannath

A scrappy game of football in blustery conditions kicked off proceedings at City Mazda Stadium last Saturday in the trial games between West Adelaide and Central Districts. The reserves game marked the return to action for a few familiar names for both sides with Greg Rowe marking his return in a Bloods jumper after a knee reconstruction with a near best afield performance. Power rookie Matthew Martin also resumed in the reserves for West Adelaide after short injury lay off while Daniel Havelberg and Leigh Westhoff, playing only a half each, resumed for the Dogs for the first time in six months after both suffering foot injuries.

The game itself was a fairly low scoring affair with the tricky, blustery conditions having an effect on the skill level of both sides, while turnovers were plentiful throughout the course of the game. The highlight of the game was probably the confusion that reigned after the half time siren with both sides just about down the players race when they realised West Adelaide were rewarded a free kick and 25m penalty after Matthew Foldesdy was reported for the Dogs and the Bloods were having a shot on goal. At first, Matthew Martin wanted to take the kick as he knew his booming right foot would probably be the best chance from about 60 metres out kicking into the strong southerly breeze.

The umpires intervened and Sturt recruit Marc Borholm was forced to take the kick which failed to register a score, not making the distance. Apart from a last minute comeback by the Dogs late in the final term, the home side looked in control and managed to hold on for a 12 point win. Dustin Head was the only multiple goal kicker for the victors with 2 majors and young Scott Brown was impressive off a wing. Centrals, who had six individual goal kickers, were best served by regular forward Thomas Dunne who was tried on the last line of defence in a sweeping role, while young Jack Hannath showed promise in the ruck at times.


=============================================================================================================================================

LEAGUE :

WEST - 2.0 5.5 7.9 8.17 = 65

CENTRAL - 5.2 5.3 6.7 9.8 = 62


GOAL KICKERS:

WEST – J.Davenport 2.5, B.Moran 2.0, T.Langford 1.2, J.Ezard 1.1, R.Blesing, B.Davies 1.0, B.Fisher 0.2, R.Plant, R.DeJongh, S.Munn, D.Cupido 0.1, Rushed 0.3


CENTRAL – I.Callinan 2.3, B.O’Hara, M.Westhoff 2.0, D.Hynes, L.Habel, E.Sansbury 1.0, P.Thomas, M.Frail, M.Slade 0.1, Rushed 0.2


BETTER PLAYERS:

WEST – J.Davenport, B.Davies, J.Ezard, C.Schmidt, S.Munn, W.Champion, B.Moran

CENTRAL – P.Thomas, I.Callinan, J.Hardy, J.Giles, B.O’Hara, L.Barmby, A.Duncan


Both sides went into this trial game with many regular starters sitting on the sidelines but it gave a good opportunity for some youngsters and new recruits to step in and fill the void. Kicking with a strong breeze blowing in the from the southern end the Dogs got off to a reasonable start kicking 5 goals to 2 with Paul Thomas and Brayden O’Hara on top in the midfield for the visitors before being restricted to just 1 goal 5 in the next 2 quarters of action. In the battle of the fringe AFL ruckman, Centrals Jon Giles and West’s Brad Moran had a good contest against each other throughout the day with Moran probably taking the honours thanks to his 2 goal effort.

Victorian recruits Tom Langford and Bronik Davies were impressive at varying stages of the game with Davies showing his aggression and attack on the ball will lead him and his side in good stead throughout the course of the season. Impressive Power recruit Jason Davenport won plenty of the ball but couldn’t convert on his 7 scoring opportunities up forward finishing with 2 goals 5 for the day with the Bloods inaccuracy, especially late in the game, almost costing them the win. James Ezard showed class in patches and looks to have benefited from an injury free pre season while former West junior, Brisbane Lion and now Adelaide rookie Chris Schmidt proved he will be a handy addition to the Red and Black with a solid 3 quarter performance across half back and on the ball.

Andrew Collins would have been impressed with the pressure his side was putting on the opposition when not in possession and this seemed to work against a Centrals side that turned the ball over and struggled to get the ball effectively out of defence. Ian Callinan showed his class at times on the ball and up forward while Tasmanian recruit Justin Hardy showed good signs down back to suggest he will comfortably hold down a key defensive post for coach Roy Laird. Having been out of football for a couple of seasons and struggling up forward in previous trials, Wade Champion showed some good signs playing across half back in this game and will provide some extra versatility for the Bloods for the season ahead while young Matthew Barber showed promising signs of becoming a solid defender.

Centrals would be disappointed with the amount of turnovers throughout stages of the game, more than the final result itself and will be keen to start getting some more senior players back in the line up before round 1. With the likes of Havelberg, Schell, both Gowans twins, Dutschke, Hayes and Cochrane not playing in this game, the reigning premiers will not be panicked too much but they will have to address their skill level and decision making when under pressure. Similarly for the Bloods, they will welcome back into their line up players of the ilk such as Caruso, Ferguson, Birss, Hartlett, Hassan and Bailey which will only add depth to their squad and improve their structure a little more.

Both sides look forward to 1 more trial game each before kick starting their 2009 season campaign. The Bloods will take on Port Magpies next weekend at 10.30am in an early clash allowing Port ample recovery time before their round 1 opener against Norwood the following Friday night. Centrals will take on the Double Blues at Hamra Homes Oval from 2pm before their season opener against Woodville West Torrens at home the week after in a clash under lights. All in all, both Centrals and West would have taken good and bad points from the clash at City Mazda Stadium and look forward to improving in their next clashes.

[Brodlach]

Well done Big Phil....see nagging works. They nag you to do the report so you did and I am sure your wife nagged you to clean the house and you did. Good boy