Dream Team Study Trip: Magpies & Bulldogs
I’ve just returned from Melbourne from my Dream Team Study Trip… which was based on heading to the Collingwood and Western Bulldogs intra-club games.
Friday 5th February.
My original plan was to go and check out the Carlton intra-club game as there are plenty of players there who I am keen, but decided on going to the Collingwood one and catch up with former word number one, Jonathon. I’m glad I made that call, the Blues were soft cocks and didn’t play – because of the rain! Haha. So, none of those blokes will be picked!
Out at Gosch’s Paddock, the Magpies played as blue vs yellow. The US recruit Seamus McNamara kicked the first goal of the game… and to be honest, his skills weren’t too bad! Darren Jolly would have been one of the better players for the yellow team. He dominated the ruck throughout the game and will be the #1 guy. Josh Fraser wasn’t playing, but I wouldn’t worry about how he will impact on his scoring. Dane Swan was amongst it and showed some pace at times, which was nice to see. You wouldn’t pick him, but Leigh Brown was great up forward in the absence of the Walking Head (John Anthony). Travis Cloke didn’t really get into it that much. Sharrod Wellingham could be in for a bit of a breakout year. He spent a fair bit of time in the middle and was racking them up. Heath Shaw was very interesting. Played on the ball… tried to be tagged by Simon Buckley and was on top of him! Did a bit off half-back too. He got ample possessions. Those thinking about Luke Ball wouldn’t have been disappointed, he was solid in his role. Others who were good and did nothing to make me not want them were: John McCarthy, Brent Mcaffer and Alan Didak. Keep an eye on Jarrad Blight. I heard his name plenty… could get a chance sometime this year.
Saturday 6th February.
After just 4 hours of sleep and a thumping headache (must have been something I ate?!), I headed out west to the Whitten Oval for the Bulldogs intra-club game. I smashed down a couple of sausages from the bbq and settled in to watch a decent little match.
The crowd loved Barry Hall – kicked a couple of goals, floored Lindsay Gilbee and gave away a couple of push in the back free kicks. Everything you would have expected. However, he did look fit and is GREAT value. The Bulldogs will be better with him. Gilbee was in amongst everything too. He would have had a decent possession count. Worked hard. The best player on the ground, and the bloke I had a boner over for the whole game was Shaun Higgins. That guy is pure class. Ryan Hargrave was on him for a bit and Higgo made him look stupid. Side stepping and just absolutely dominating. Toot toot – get on! There were plenty of midfield rotations. Callan Ward looked good, Adam Cooney did a bit, Bob Murphy impressed me and Andrejs Everitt could be a bit of a smokie this year. I had the opportunity to interview the ultra sexy Daniel Giansiracusa. He was happy with his effort for the day but named up Jordan Roughead as playing early on as he will be the second ruck option (behind Ben Hudson) because Will Minson looks likely to miss the first few games. Add Roughead into the mix for a ruck bench spot!
It was awesome to see some live footy again! Can’t wait until next weekend. NAB Cup baby! Woohoo!
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Nice report Warnie, thanks.
Any word on the cash league? Still happening?
thanks warneie
Great stuff W Dawg !!
Did you happen to eat a large liquid lunch the day before to give you that head ache? Just a theory.
One word – BOAGS
It was maybe a mix of some dreaded Victorian beer. The sponsors won’t be happy that I was drinking anything other than the yummo Boags Draught, but Carlton Draught and Melbourne Bitter made me feel pretty awful Saturday morning! Haha.
Would Darren Jolly be good ruck option this year?
Im chatting to a few dogs on thursday when there in canberra. I’ll try and find some juciy info for you guys
does any one know how giansiracusa and pendlebury went in thier intra club games…as i have both of them in my team at the moment..
Apparently Gia has been training the house down ( http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/summer-sizzlers/story-e6frf9jf-1225825077437 ) . Also that Murphy is looking the goods thus far (pretty tasty price at 350,000)
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/88882/default.aspx
Great write up warnie. Was hoping the Coon doggie would be tearing it up rather than just “doing abit”.
After your deck of dream team on him ive had him locked in but will need to see so dazzle from him in NAB cup before i decide properly.
Isnt murphy always injured
Warnie, how was Sean Rusling? Was he playing? I really hope he does well.
Interesting Warnie, was that a half or full mongrel over Higgins??
Shaun Higgins has to be my most favourite non-Fremantle player, we both share groin issues when we up our workloads.
will murphy play nab cup anyone????
For anyone interested there is footage of the collingwood intraclub at aus.sirerules.com
I ahven’t downloaded it, so I don’t know what the quality is like.
Some interesting news out of Port’s trial match. Westhoff possibly getting some time in the ruck and Kane Cornes playing as a forward to name a couple.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/89284/default.aspx
cheers warnie and I agree with higgins – what a gun !
reminds me of ben cousins around the same age.
future All Australian
lock for fwd line
Did anyone see Emma Quayle’s headlines in the Age .. ‘Hall must bone up on Dog’s style: Eade’ .. things sound a trifle kinky down there at Western Oval .. could have been worse if she had written Doggie style
yep higgins is in.
just wondering how Rhys Plamer is coming along with his knee? he did it round 5 last year same as Hille. is looking at an early return rounds 2-3???
Great reconnaissance work Warne Dog.
Was Rusling out there? He is on my radar at the moment as either the 7th forward or a bench cash cow depending on my other bench players form in the NAB.
Surely he wont get injured again! (fingers crossed). He has showed that he has DT potential and is basically rookie priced. The other things that I like about him are that there is no Rocca, Cloke is struggling and when at best is a roaming half forward.
pimp my team PLEASE! 90k left for last mid.
hodge, carrazzo, fisher, mcphee, birchall, kennelly, m.farmer (phil davis, h sheperd)
ablett, hayes, gibbs, cooney, dalziell, trengove (shuey, ?)
ottens, hille (skipper,lobbe)
riewoldt, brown, rioli, tippett, gray, ziebell, rohan (dennis-lane, gumbleton)
Please leave comments
Bad team
Not too keen on your injury prone rucks. Very risky. Not to sure about Gibbs early on. Will get the hard tag with Judd and Murphy missing. Tippett might be better off in your rucks.