Round 1 - Pies hold off Werribee for 7-pt win

[Presti35]

I was at the game.

Poulter is going to be a good player. He did make a couple of small errors tho, but he more than made up for them. And also kicked a great goal too. I like him a lot.

Henry played ok too, he was a little bit selfish in front of goals. Missed a couple, made a couple. Could have handed a few off, but that's ok. I like him a lot.

Cox was Cox.

Tyler Brown was pretty good I thought. Rantall was very good too.

Will Kelly played in defence all game long. I prefer him as a forward. He did alright. I wonder if he's been groomed to come into the back six of the AFL side? (Keane suspended, Howe out, Moore going fwd) Still, I prefer him as a forward.

Murphy was good when he had the ball, but wasnt instrumental. He's returning from injury/concussion. Will look forward to seeing him get a bit more involved.

Ruscoe did some very good things as well. Has a huge ticker that boy.

Lynch looked to hurt himself but played out the game.

A very young team. A very inexperienced team. Take out Cox and WHE, there'd be lucky to be ten AFL games amongst the rest. This was a good hard fought out win.

And I heard them singing the song. They were pumped. It meant something for them all to play in their first win together. It was great.

Werribee fought hard in the last quarter and our back six had to stand up to their final push to win the game. They did that.

Spotted Craig Kelly and his wife sitting with Bucks for the second half.

Also saw Matt Spangher in the huddles during the breaks. And looking very happy after the win. I didnt realise he was working at the club.

[Jezza]

Thank you to everyone for their match updates and reports. Nice to start the season with a win.

I think Buckley should take the leap and select Murphy to replace Mayne for ANZAC Day. Murphy's in his 4th year at the club so it's now or never for him.

I was reading elsewhere that some compared Poulter to Bontempelli? Is that realistic?

[Pies4shaw]

^ Not really. Poulter is a rangy, more outside player. He's much lighter than Bont for his frame (hence my concern about him being picked now). He has genuine talent - his field kicking is long and hard and set up at least 3 goals, maybe 4, as well as the one he kicked himself - but it looks like "wing" talent to me. I suppose he might bulk up and be able to play in the traffic but he couldn't do that safely, at the moment. I'm sure there'll be a replay or highlights and you'll get a look for yourself - I'll post links if they become available.

[Jezza]

Thanks, P4S

[Big T]

[Pies4shaw]

If he continues to show the form he displayed yesterday, I expect he'll get a chance on the wing later this year, Big T. His draft highlights show some of his ball-handling skills - he just seems to be a one-touch player. They also show his light build (he looked about the same in his Collingwood jumper as he does in the video). What is absent from this video (all of which comes from one game) is the magnificent, penetrating field kicking he displayed yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDWImucouaY

My feeling is that how quickly we see him at senior level probably depends more on how the Club sees his physical development - and whether he stays fit - than the need for "football" training. I really hope I'm right and it wasn't just a one-off.

I'd be really interested to know Presti35's view of Poulter's physical readiness?

[RudeBoy]

I thought Poulter and Rantall were our best. Chugg, Murphy and Henry looked good too. Unfortunately, I was rather unimpressed with Kelly, but he's still young.

[Presti35]

Dont forget Kelly is just returning from his injury. He played full back the entire game.

I do prefer him as a forward, but I thought he was alright in his contests.

[Dave The Man]

Replay Here:

https://www.werribeefc.com.au/live-stream

[slangman]

Poulter was a delight to watch. He seems to move similar to the Bont but is a little shorter and lighter (even at the same age).
It will be interesting how they use him in the seniors with his attributes.

[scoobydoo]

Kelly needs some continuity. He’s further back in development than our 2019 recruit’s.

[watt price tully]

[PyreneesPie]

The VFL promises to be possibly more interesting than the AFL this year given that it will provide an opportunity to see how the large bunch of draftees develop.
Great to read the comments here by those who watched the game.
Exciting to read that Rantall and Poulter played well. There could be opportunities for both later in the season and I'm already looking forward to their debuts.

[Presti35]

[Pies4shaw]

How many goals didya kick?