AAMI First Take: Blues v Cats

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Three quick takes from each club. Listen to the podcast for more! This was originally published shortly after the game finished on Patreon.

Click here for match report featuring Fantasy watch.

1(a). Jagga Smith (MID, $230,000) is a lock. Yes, we all knew it, but he racked up 37 disposals, booted a goal and finished with 118 Fantasy points. He friggen top scored for the game! He looked composed and was in the banana gang with Cripps, Hewett, Walsh (and Lord).

1(b). Sam Walsh (MID, $977,000) was hurt early in the game and went down to the rooms. He got back on and racked up 99 in 68% TOG. Ticked the boxes with his 29 disposals, 5 tackles and goal, but also there were the familiar feeling about his body… especially when it looked like a back.

2. Wade Derkson (DEF, $230,000) could be an unlikely cash cow after seeing his scoring ability down back. He took 8 marks to help him to 83. Weitering was missing – and is likely back for Opening Round – so job security would be shakey at best.

3. The Blues racked up 1901 points. This is not normal, so take scores with a grain of salt in many cases. They averaged 1525 last season.

1. Tanner Bruhn (MID, $517,000) had the juiciest of roles in the first half. He played off half-back and racked up 54 in the first quarter for our first quarter pounder of the AAMI and was on 75 at the half. He went into the middle for significant time after the main break to finish as the Cats’ top scorer on 108 from 70% TOG.

2. Mitchell Edwards (RUC, $230,000) may get gametime this year. The 20yo ended up with 20 hitouts and 56 points from just 54% TOG following SDK (who sucked) and Blics were in the ruck. Neale hurt his shin, so there’s a watch on that. Thankfully for the new ruck rules it wasn’t PCL…

3. Dangerfield only played 18% TOG, Bailey Smith (calf) was missing but should be right for Opening Round, Gryan Miers (thumb) and Jeremy Cameron (quad) are walk up starts when fit.

Warnie

Co-captain of DT Talk since we started this thing in 2007. Best finish was 13th in 2009... that was a long time ago. Follow on Twitter: @WarnieDT and follow on Instagram: @warnedawgs.