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Everything Checks Out In Pre-Season Opener
While your lepper clubs like Melbourne get very excited around this time of year, hoping that the they plucked out of the local grammar schools, Fremantle treat the pre-season competition more like a dental check-up. It's something they have to do and they're just hoping that everything is in the same sort of condition it was the last time they had a good look, in mid September.
They eased into the season with a line and length opening quarter. Some running was done, a bit of careful avoidance of the over zealous young Melbourne types, keen to win the love of Paul Roos and make the most of their performance based contracts before the debt collectors roll in to the MCG and liquidate the place. Matt Taberner got in an early confidence booster from a free kick that was clearly there according to the home crowd but when Ballantyne and Pavlich cruised into action with some effortless brilliance, he must have realised he's got his work cut out for him.
It was a pretty routine warm up to the season, plenty of running about, the odd flash of unseasonal genius and plenty of kicks over the head of team mates.
Then came the second quarter. Ross decided to stretch the blokes out a bit and would have been pretty pleased with how he'd turned them out after a long summer. Everything was operational, from Stephen Hill's midfield dancing to Michael Walters boot of majesty, Mundy's power running, Spurr's thin purple line right through to Barlow's naked gut. There was nothing new to see, no tricks were on show, it was just a premiership quality team running through the drills like a professional football team.
Then they appeared to spend half time heading off for a lamb sandwich and a Choc 99 (or the "Colin Sylvia Breakfast" as it was listed on the menu) Presumably confident that everything was in working order, they decided to rest themselves in the third quarter, giving Melbourne a bit of a look at the footy after spending the second quarter rethinking their career options.
The goal of both teams in the last quarter appeared to be simply to meet their contractual obligations with the AFL and finish the required number of minutes, with the sea breeze knocking off early and even the most ardent heritage campaigns rethinking their objections to putting up something to block the sunbaked vista.
There were a few almost highlights to keep the locals interested, Taberner kicked his third goal, but a few lowlights with Duffield leaving the ground holding his arm and a few niggles popping up for Barlow, Mundy and Johnson. As always in March, they'll be better for the run.
Dockerland Budget: Fremantle v Melbourne
To save people forking over their hard earned money to the AFL in exchange for a magazine that gets bigger every week, making it harder to get to the only part you actually want - the names of the players, we've introduced the Dockerland Budget.
Draft Day: Josh Deluca Pick #68
Josh Deluca-Cardillo
Subiaco
Height: 179cm
Weight: 80kg
Position: Forward
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-10/josh-delucacardillo-highlights
Draft Day: Ed Langdon Pick #54
Ed Langdon
Sandringham Dragons
Height: 182cm
Weight: 72kg
Position: Forward
www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-12/meet-ed-langdon
ED LANGDON'S season looked over when he injured his finger at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, which left him recuperating for three months.
But the medium forward/midfielder trained hard, kept up his fitness and made a surprise appearance in the Sandringham Dragons' preliminary final defeat.
Langdon, the younger brother of Collingwood's Tom, was understandably rusty but gathered 18 disposals and eight handball receives to show his run.
It was only his third TAC Cup game in two seasons, meaning recruiters will need to spend some time assessing his form for school side Melbourne Grammar.
WHY THEY SHOULD PICK HIM
Langdon has some elite speed and endurance, which makes his mix a potent one. At last month's combine, he finished in the top-10 for the beep test (level 15.3), the 20-metre sprint (2.92 seconds) and the repeat sprint test (24.06 seconds).
In the game he suffered his finger injury, Langdon kicked four goals to help Vic Metro to a win over South Australia and it was probably the best game of his season, showing the spark and excitement he can bring to a forward set-up.
THE QUERRY
Langdon doesn't have huge polish by foot but it's been a focus for him at the Sandringham Dragons during the year. His improvement in that area from the start of the season to when he was injured was obvious.
The main conundrum for recruiters is the fact Langdon has played so little top-level underage football. This season he managed just two TAC Cup games and three national championship games.
PLAYS LIKE
He's the size and mould of Hawthorn medium forward Luke Breust. Although he doesn't have the same deadeye approach near goal, Langdon's running capacity should see him move into the midfield more permanently, and he has shown a knack for a goal.
DRAFT RANGE
Langdon's lack of footy means he is probably somewhere in the third or fourth round of the draft.
BOTTOM LINE
Langdon can make things happen around the ball in different ways: he's quick, active and he throws himself at the ball. Brings some energy to the forward line.