With Gunners playing like he's 23 instead of 33; the Chols Royce cooking; the Wizard doing Wizardly things; opposition players bouncing off Crash & Bash, and Duke Nukem flying, the Hawks are back to having fun.
Kudos to Max Ramsden, too. Not to mention the foot lasers from Karl Amon...
This kind of stuff just makes really, really happy.
1. The bye came at a good time – Looking at the way the team covered the ground, the bye may have worked to the advantage of giving a few players a breather to rest their bodies and for the team to regroup on a strategic level as well. The midfield looked particularly fresh with their ability to cover the ground. There were still times where North were able to spread with speed inside to out which highlights our need for some breakaway midfield foot speed.
2. Kill the head of the snake and the body dies – With the Roos strength being their midfield clearance work, the ability of Meek to take on Xerri and provide first use of the ball from the stoppages really assisted our midfielders who were as clean with their hands and movement around the stoppages as they had been all season. This provided opportunities to leave these contests through the front and more importantly, we were rarely pressured to start our attack from a back half chain.
3. Three tall forwards can work for the right opposition – Having to acknowledge that the Roos’ defensive talls are a liability for them, the capacity for Ramsden in particular to take advantage of this structural advantage was important. This actually allowed Gunston to reprise his role from the 2010’s where he played as the third roving tall forward option. When you consider that a couple of his goals were ground balls rather than from the work of a tall forward option.
4. Taking your set shot opportunities does make a huge difference – Being able to create 20 set shot opportunities and to then convert 15 of those for goals does make a huge difference to the scoreboard and the flow of the game. It is even more significant with 4 of these conversions from outside 50 and 1 just inside the arc (Watson). 75% conversion was our highest for the season. We only missed two shots at goal (both set shots) for the game which is the equal lowest for the season.
5. Small/medium forwards hit the scoreboard – For the first time this year, we had a strong return from this group with 8 goals from Watson, Macdonald, Ginnivan and Moore, even though the focus was on Gunston and Chol. This was a key part of our scoring source last year, however they haven’t really hit the scoreboard in unison thus far this year.
6. Exiting from kick outs are on the improve – With the addition of Ramsden, it looks as though our capacity to at least halve the contest for kick outs to the congested side has improved. Both Ramsden and Chol have taken contested marks in recent games and more importantly, not allow the opposition to take a mark allowing them to have a quick re-entry inside their forward 50. The opportunity to take the open side option is a key indicator to the level of game awareness of the opposition. We did it once in the last quarter but couldn’t quite make the right connection after winning the initial contest. It is worth noting a short kick in to Barrass well inside the boundary wasn’t a great option.
7. The sub role looks to have a two-week limit – With Jiath coming into the starting team after two weeks as the sub, it follows the experience from earlier in the year with Frost who after two weeks as sub went back to Box Hill for game time. This was also the experience of Maginness last year. Unlike Breust who with his experience was able to be a specialist sub last year, this doesn’t appear to be a viable option this year. Again, it meant a defensive option was the sub which then means a swing option has to be found if a forward or mid is injured or subbed off.
Observations:
• Nash and Newcombe weren’t going to let some lighter bodies get the better of them at any point in this game. The capacity of these two to break tackles allowed others to work outside the contest to our advantage.
• In the first quarter when the run of the game was going strongly with 5 goals straight, there was some “laziness” rather than lairizing with scoring opportunity wasted by Ward and a forward entry from Watson that missed targets by miles. The quarter-time break may have been handy to realign the process.
• When Jiath gives the first option, he is so much better to the flow of the team’s playing style, so when he takes off on run, it is hard to know how the ball will be distributed in the end. He was harshly judged in the 3rd quarter coming out of a contested stoppage.
• As to whether Mackenzie has done enough to keep Worpel out the team, it was pleasing to see him at least attempt to use his left foot in a game albeit the ball went higher than it travelled forward.
• Meek is coming into his 2024 form after having been challenged in a number of games earlier in the year. His spoil in the 3rd quarter when Xerri had crept forward was outstanding.
• Watson’s centre square work is purely instinct as he doesn’t do any on field work at training. This is not to say that he doesn’t do some work upstairs at Waverley Park.
• Ginnivan’s footy IQ is not given enough credit for his work around the ball.
• 0 disposals quarters – Barrass (2nd quarter)
• Tackle count by quarter – 16/10; 16/8; 14/9; 10/13
• Kicking efficiency (DE): Barrass 100% (100), Moore 100% (94), Battle 91% (83), Ramsden 88% (83), Jiath 86% (87), D’Ambrosio 86% (88) (Note: Battle is an interesting watch as his clangers can be damaging – the one in the last quarter was where he kicked off one step and missed the diagonal inside kick allowing the Roos to goal.
Morrison 63% (75), Macdonald 63% (82), Ward 56% (55), Weddle 40% (67), Butler 25% (63) – one of the smallest differentials between the top and bottom KE%.
Starting 4: (CBA/CC)
1st Qrt: Newcombe (25/3) Nash (26/4) Ward (16/1)
2nd Qrt: Newcombe Nash Butler (12/2)
3rd Qrt: Newcombe Nash Ward
4th Qrt: Newcombe Butler Mackenzie (17/2)
Meek 27/3 Chol 5/0 Watson 4/1 Moore 2/0 Ramsden 2/1
(Morrison 0/1)
The mix of the starting 4 was an interesting watch, particularly in the last quarter, with Butler and Mackenzie starting in there. In the last quarter, it looked as though Newcombe’s load was slightly reduced, giving others an opportunity. Chol’s ruck work in the square was outstanding, so again, the fact that Ramsden was used in the last quarter provided a learning opportunity and he wasn’t out of place against the other 2nd ruck option. Ramsden may also have taken on Xerri at one of these contests.
Issue for the week:
As everyone is aware there is a bigger selection log jam coming in the approaching weeks for both the midfield and forward lines, given that the defensive log jam has been there for the entire year. As to the midfield, it is fair to say that Worpel has credits in the bank which should mean that he returns to the team, particularly as all of those who have come into the team haven’t made themselves indispensable (Ward has made a stronger claim than Mackenzie for the inside role and Butler has the leg speed point of difference).
As to the forward options, with both Dear and Lewis now playing, thus becoming potential options, I’d suggest that there is a more significant dynamic in play here i.e. connection between the forwards as well as between the forwards/midfields. There is no doubt that Gunston’s form has his magnet firmly on the board, so unless he needs some time management, it is unlikely that he will be dropped. Similarly, Chol’s form and his role in the centre square has him in the best 22. This obviously makes Ramsden the one most at risk, yet he has played both an important structural role as the chop out ruck option around the ground and in this game was able to impact the game in the forward half. This is not to say that either Lewis or Dear could be better than him, however the immediate issue is: do either have the credits in the bank that allow them to come in over the top and replace him immediately?
Great review fully concur! TBH much as I like frenchies class I worry he can’t stick a tackle and his kicking is not damaging. On that basis I’d keep Butler in - we need leg speed (see Watson). Also, assuming Worpel goes are we better off putting more games into the young ones.
Also I was at Arden st and Lewis worries me. Such an old school stand and deliver type. I worry the game has passed him by a bit - needs more agility and the ability to contribute to a score if not clunking 5-6 contested marks per game.
We saw that last year before he did the knee. Calsber made such an impact replacing him.
Again, I’d rather we put games into the young ones.
CJ does offer an important point of difference with his speed, but he is prone to a bit of panic in the defensive 50. His haphazard handball resulted in North's first goal and his charge at the opponent rather than corralling, opened up the opportunity for their second goal.
The lack of outside speed continues to be a concern, with neither Morrison nor D'Ambrosio on the wings having leg speed. This is an area where we can be exposed and it does beg the question, would the team be better balanced with CJ on a wing, particularly with an abundance of defenders and while both Massimo and Harry have been serviceable, neither has been outstanding.
Butler's previous two games were noteworthy, with good possession numbers given his game time and good tackle pressure. The different element he brings to the midfield should see him hold his spot ahead of Mackenzie, however, expect to see him go out, which would be disappointing.
Battle's kicking efficiency numbers are misleading as he rarely takes anything other than a short, safe option and as Mick points out, he is good for at least one absolute howler of a clanger most weeks. Scrimshaw is the unlucky player who has fallen out with the arrival of Battle and it's highly questionable whether Battle is a better intercept marker and better user of the ball than Scrimshaw. Our other new defender, Tom Barass, had his worst game for the year by some way - perhaps the bye was not so good for him.
The question of the three talls is interesting as it was a hallmark of our resurgence last season with Mabior, Gunston and Dear being largely mainstays. While Calsher was extremely impressive on the weekend, Ramsden has done enough to hold his spot for now. Regardless of what plays out for Max over the remainder of the season, he's shown that he's a real prospect as a forward/ruck. Each of Mabior, Calsher and Max are very mobile and athletic which makes the three talls option far less of an issue and is potentially a factor that may weigh against Mitch Lewis.
Watching the Box Hill game on the weekend (albeit by livestream), there were several impressive performances - Calsher was a standout with an exceptional marking display, Anderson plays with real energy and is growing into the midfield role, and while he's still a bit rough he has speed, wins the ball and is a very busy player, and Noah Mraz played probably his best game, with a number of outstanding and timely intercept and contested marks. It's no surprise that we extended his contract. Hard not to be encouraged with quite a number of players at BH this season.
With Gunners playing like he's 23 instead of 33; the Chols Royce cooking; the Wizard doing Wizardly things; opposition players bouncing off Crash & Bash, and Duke Nukem flying, the Hawks are back to having fun.
Kudos to Max Ramsden, too. Not to mention the foot lasers from Karl Amon...
This kind of stuff just makes really, really happy.
What was learnt:
1. The bye came at a good time – Looking at the way the team covered the ground, the bye may have worked to the advantage of giving a few players a breather to rest their bodies and for the team to regroup on a strategic level as well. The midfield looked particularly fresh with their ability to cover the ground. There were still times where North were able to spread with speed inside to out which highlights our need for some breakaway midfield foot speed.
2. Kill the head of the snake and the body dies – With the Roos strength being their midfield clearance work, the ability of Meek to take on Xerri and provide first use of the ball from the stoppages really assisted our midfielders who were as clean with their hands and movement around the stoppages as they had been all season. This provided opportunities to leave these contests through the front and more importantly, we were rarely pressured to start our attack from a back half chain.
3. Three tall forwards can work for the right opposition – Having to acknowledge that the Roos’ defensive talls are a liability for them, the capacity for Ramsden in particular to take advantage of this structural advantage was important. This actually allowed Gunston to reprise his role from the 2010’s where he played as the third roving tall forward option. When you consider that a couple of his goals were ground balls rather than from the work of a tall forward option.
4. Taking your set shot opportunities does make a huge difference – Being able to create 20 set shot opportunities and to then convert 15 of those for goals does make a huge difference to the scoreboard and the flow of the game. It is even more significant with 4 of these conversions from outside 50 and 1 just inside the arc (Watson). 75% conversion was our highest for the season. We only missed two shots at goal (both set shots) for the game which is the equal lowest for the season.
5. Small/medium forwards hit the scoreboard – For the first time this year, we had a strong return from this group with 8 goals from Watson, Macdonald, Ginnivan and Moore, even though the focus was on Gunston and Chol. This was a key part of our scoring source last year, however they haven’t really hit the scoreboard in unison thus far this year.
6. Exiting from kick outs are on the improve – With the addition of Ramsden, it looks as though our capacity to at least halve the contest for kick outs to the congested side has improved. Both Ramsden and Chol have taken contested marks in recent games and more importantly, not allow the opposition to take a mark allowing them to have a quick re-entry inside their forward 50. The opportunity to take the open side option is a key indicator to the level of game awareness of the opposition. We did it once in the last quarter but couldn’t quite make the right connection after winning the initial contest. It is worth noting a short kick in to Barrass well inside the boundary wasn’t a great option.
7. The sub role looks to have a two-week limit – With Jiath coming into the starting team after two weeks as the sub, it follows the experience from earlier in the year with Frost who after two weeks as sub went back to Box Hill for game time. This was also the experience of Maginness last year. Unlike Breust who with his experience was able to be a specialist sub last year, this doesn’t appear to be a viable option this year. Again, it meant a defensive option was the sub which then means a swing option has to be found if a forward or mid is injured or subbed off.
Observations:
• Nash and Newcombe weren’t going to let some lighter bodies get the better of them at any point in this game. The capacity of these two to break tackles allowed others to work outside the contest to our advantage.
• In the first quarter when the run of the game was going strongly with 5 goals straight, there was some “laziness” rather than lairizing with scoring opportunity wasted by Ward and a forward entry from Watson that missed targets by miles. The quarter-time break may have been handy to realign the process.
• When Jiath gives the first option, he is so much better to the flow of the team’s playing style, so when he takes off on run, it is hard to know how the ball will be distributed in the end. He was harshly judged in the 3rd quarter coming out of a contested stoppage.
• As to whether Mackenzie has done enough to keep Worpel out the team, it was pleasing to see him at least attempt to use his left foot in a game albeit the ball went higher than it travelled forward.
• Meek is coming into his 2024 form after having been challenged in a number of games earlier in the year. His spoil in the 3rd quarter when Xerri had crept forward was outstanding.
• Watson’s centre square work is purely instinct as he doesn’t do any on field work at training. This is not to say that he doesn’t do some work upstairs at Waverley Park.
• Ginnivan’s footy IQ is not given enough credit for his work around the ball.
• 0 disposals quarters – Barrass (2nd quarter)
• Tackle count by quarter – 16/10; 16/8; 14/9; 10/13
• I50 count by quarter – 19/9; 17/9; 12/9; 15/13.
• TOG % - Bottom 5 (leaving out subs): Ward 68% Butler 73%, D’Ambrosio 74%, Watson 75%, Mackenzie 78%. (Battle 92% highest.)
• Kicking efficiency (DE): Barrass 100% (100), Moore 100% (94), Battle 91% (83), Ramsden 88% (83), Jiath 86% (87), D’Ambrosio 86% (88) (Note: Battle is an interesting watch as his clangers can be damaging – the one in the last quarter was where he kicked off one step and missed the diagonal inside kick allowing the Roos to goal.
Morrison 63% (75), Macdonald 63% (82), Ward 56% (55), Weddle 40% (67), Butler 25% (63) – one of the smallest differentials between the top and bottom KE%.
Starting 4: (CBA/CC)
1st Qrt: Newcombe (25/3) Nash (26/4) Ward (16/1)
2nd Qrt: Newcombe Nash Butler (12/2)
3rd Qrt: Newcombe Nash Ward
4th Qrt: Newcombe Butler Mackenzie (17/2)
Meek 27/3 Chol 5/0 Watson 4/1 Moore 2/0 Ramsden 2/1
(Morrison 0/1)
The mix of the starting 4 was an interesting watch, particularly in the last quarter, with Butler and Mackenzie starting in there. In the last quarter, it looked as though Newcombe’s load was slightly reduced, giving others an opportunity. Chol’s ruck work in the square was outstanding, so again, the fact that Ramsden was used in the last quarter provided a learning opportunity and he wasn’t out of place against the other 2nd ruck option. Ramsden may also have taken on Xerri at one of these contests.
Issue for the week:
As everyone is aware there is a bigger selection log jam coming in the approaching weeks for both the midfield and forward lines, given that the defensive log jam has been there for the entire year. As to the midfield, it is fair to say that Worpel has credits in the bank which should mean that he returns to the team, particularly as all of those who have come into the team haven’t made themselves indispensable (Ward has made a stronger claim than Mackenzie for the inside role and Butler has the leg speed point of difference).
As to the forward options, with both Dear and Lewis now playing, thus becoming potential options, I’d suggest that there is a more significant dynamic in play here i.e. connection between the forwards as well as between the forwards/midfields. There is no doubt that Gunston’s form has his magnet firmly on the board, so unless he needs some time management, it is unlikely that he will be dropped. Similarly, Chol’s form and his role in the centre square has him in the best 22. This obviously makes Ramsden the one most at risk, yet he has played both an important structural role as the chop out ruck option around the ground and in this game was able to impact the game in the forward half. This is not to say that either Lewis or Dear could be better than him, however the immediate issue is: do either have the credits in the bank that allow them to come in over the top and replace him immediately?
Great review fully concur! TBH much as I like frenchies class I worry he can’t stick a tackle and his kicking is not damaging. On that basis I’d keep Butler in - we need leg speed (see Watson). Also, assuming Worpel goes are we better off putting more games into the young ones.
Also I was at Arden st and Lewis worries me. Such an old school stand and deliver type. I worry the game has passed him by a bit - needs more agility and the ability to contribute to a score if not clunking 5-6 contested marks per game.
We saw that last year before he did the knee. Calsber made such an impact replacing him.
Again, I’d rather we put games into the young ones.
Agree on Lewis. Atthis stage my three would be Chol, Gunners and Calsher.
If Lewis comes back in and we start bombing it to him again it is bye bye finals.
5 week rolling ladder
Rd For Agst %
5 91 81 111.82%
6 87 83 105.05%
7 90 81 111.11%
8 96 78 123.14%
9 99 76 129.66%
10 100 73 137.09%
11 96 74 129.38%
12 82 81 101.98%
13 77 84 91.65%
14 68 81 83.54%
16 79 74 107.07%
The losses start to drop out of the cycle with high score this week, boosts the %.
Cracking summary thank you Mick.
CJ does offer an important point of difference with his speed, but he is prone to a bit of panic in the defensive 50. His haphazard handball resulted in North's first goal and his charge at the opponent rather than corralling, opened up the opportunity for their second goal.
The lack of outside speed continues to be a concern, with neither Morrison nor D'Ambrosio on the wings having leg speed. This is an area where we can be exposed and it does beg the question, would the team be better balanced with CJ on a wing, particularly with an abundance of defenders and while both Massimo and Harry have been serviceable, neither has been outstanding.
Butler's previous two games were noteworthy, with good possession numbers given his game time and good tackle pressure. The different element he brings to the midfield should see him hold his spot ahead of Mackenzie, however, expect to see him go out, which would be disappointing.
Battle's kicking efficiency numbers are misleading as he rarely takes anything other than a short, safe option and as Mick points out, he is good for at least one absolute howler of a clanger most weeks. Scrimshaw is the unlucky player who has fallen out with the arrival of Battle and it's highly questionable whether Battle is a better intercept marker and better user of the ball than Scrimshaw. Our other new defender, Tom Barass, had his worst game for the year by some way - perhaps the bye was not so good for him.
The question of the three talls is interesting as it was a hallmark of our resurgence last season with Mabior, Gunston and Dear being largely mainstays. While Calsher was extremely impressive on the weekend, Ramsden has done enough to hold his spot for now. Regardless of what plays out for Max over the remainder of the season, he's shown that he's a real prospect as a forward/ruck. Each of Mabior, Calsher and Max are very mobile and athletic which makes the three talls option far less of an issue and is potentially a factor that may weigh against Mitch Lewis.
Watching the Box Hill game on the weekend (albeit by livestream), there were several impressive performances - Calsher was a standout with an exceptional marking display, Anderson plays with real energy and is growing into the midfield role, and while he's still a bit rough he has speed, wins the ball and is a very busy player, and Noah Mraz played probably his best game, with a number of outstanding and timely intercept and contested marks. It's no surprise that we extended his contract. Hard not to be encouraged with quite a number of players at BH this season.
Coaches' votes
5 Gunston Newcombe
4 Amon Amon
3 Chol Gunston
2 Newcombe Nash
1 Meek Chol
I commented on Nashy's game at half time in our Line In The Sand fb group.
How brutal he was in the guts of the stoppages and his skill levels at dishing the ball to the outside are just getting better and better.
All those pooncy top ten North mids had absolutely no answer to the big Irish.