Thought there were some really good signs.
i) Our improvement in skills and gameplan is coming along nicely, we had many 'almost' moments where we almost pulled off a fantastic package of play that involved skill and execution of game plan. This will come with natural progression of the group of players growing together and learning where players will be and trusting them to be in the require/expected spots. Combine this with the expected improvement in our young players and I think we are on the right track. If you see how Richmond scored last night they are a team that has been together playing the same system and know each other well so put together passages of play that are difficult to defend or stop as they are almost instinctual.
ii) Serong is tracking along nicely and love that he shows no fear or that he is overawed by the situation, he plays like he knows he belongs at this level and is every bit as good or better than his recent opponents.
iii) D Mundy - can't say enough about him as a player - sublime player who is an absolute rolls royce - along with S Burgoyne are the two players in the league who resemble a fine red wine.
iv) Acres - thought he worked into the game well, first half was a bit poor with disposal and fumbles etc. but second half was much better and one of our better players.
v) Hogan - played well for his limited chances, seemed to have a mismatch in size with opponent often and we didn't go to him a few times which caused him frustration, he took some strong marks and our side is better for having him in it, love the idea of hogan and Taberner as link players from HB to HF taking grabs along the wings and providing an option and Lobb and Fyfe operating in the F50 as mismatch players with Henry, Fredrick, crowden and walters working off them.
vi) Brennan Cox played well and has improved in the position he has been asked to play each round. Can really see him settling into one of the key backline spots, seems to work well with Ryan in terms of helping each other out in contests.
vii) Rory Lobb seemed to play more confidently and took some good grabs around the ground
viii) Taberner - I know he's been a whipping boy for some and yes he has the occasional brain explosion and ins't too agile to provide pressure in the F50 once the ball hits the deck but I don't think many people realise how important he is for us structurally in providing a 'break glass in case of emergency' outlet and the power of running he does to provide and option.
ix) Darcy - thought he played well, a few more preseasons and he's going to be a beast, he's hard to shift in the contest now, can't wait to see him become a dominant physical ruckman and push everyone around in a couple of years.
x) JL - So refreshing to have a coach that has a brand of footy that gets me excited to watch our games, appears to be rapidly improving our younger and fringe players and communicates well and clearly about their thoughts on the game and our team without a bunch of marketing and buzzword gibberish.