A close game but not a great game of footy, both teams making plenty of errors but you cant question the endeavour of both teams. We made a great start despite way less inside 50's but far more efficient than Joondy who had trouble hitting the side of a barn despite dominating the centre clearances and ruck taps. Our backline was terrific by pushing Joondy wide so many shots were taken from out near the boundary. Gus had problems with Keitel who for him, had a horror day in front of goals (2.6) which in the end was the difference. Disposals were pretty close 292 to 284 Joondy's way, they also had more marks, tackles, hit outs and 11 more inside 50's which indicates their poor efficiency and ball use, much to do with solid pressure from our lads. Joondy came back hard and snatched the lead a couple of times but to our credit the boys dug in and did enough to win in the end.
Clark was solid without dominating like he had done in the first 2 games, Mayo is just getting better and better, so mobile for a big bloke, W. Hickmont was good and is now hitting the scoreboard, Alone was at his ferocious best until going off injured later in the game, he is a must pick if fit, Golding and Savigni stepped up in the second half, Savigni's intercept marking is a delight to watch and Cody Eaton continues to develop as an undersized ruck, always making a contest. For them, their 4 experienced mids in Nelson, Meadows, West and Black were very good and got a heap of the ball but like the rest of Joondy were pretty wasteful at times. Young Scaife is one to watch, cant see him not being picked up by an AFL club in the draft, maybe even in that horrible mid year draft.
A lot has been said about the umpires and the 25 - 15 free kick count, so many times they put the whistle away for us but blew it for them, just frustrating inconsistency. Our Joondy colleagues mention the 5 x 50m penalties, I had a clear view of 3 of them and they were all to do with a lack of discipline our just plain dumb play like not standing the mark when instructed, running through the mark when not following a player and disputing/ bagging the ump. I'll look forward to watching the replay to see the rest.
Unlike many I had Joondy as finalists this year and saw nothing to change my mind especially if they can be more efficient with their ball use, we will need to adapt better to the fact that we wont be getting our share of ruck taps at stoppages, plus we were reverting back to the long bomb into the 50 instead of protecting possession of the footy which we did with great success against Peelmantle.
A struggling Tigers next week at Revo, will be tough as i cant see them continuing with their poor form for much longer and they have the best ruckman in the comp in Eastland. 6 teams on 8 points after 3 rounds, what a great comp it's shaping up to be.