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Yep, similar thoughts. Caught the match sim and the first thing that has been affirmed for me is… get ready for the Nick and jordy show this year. Nick was silk, slotted a nice long range goal, JDG is just pure brute force. Still a loose cannon and looks like he could blow at any stage, but he’s invested and all impact. Nick made me laugh.. was told to have a rest and directed a winded Murley to go off instead.

The other combinations to look for are McStay and Brodie. Big Mac played v well and dominated his opponents, whilst Brodie created and got on the end of a few goals in 2 quarters. Impressive. A minor indictment on our recruiting and list managers of the past ten years that we’ve finally got a nice tall attacking combination. Just a head shaker that it’s come from a VFL backman, and a free agent trade. Stay fit and they will cause headaches this year.

Down back and the Billy / Darcy combo should also bear some tasty, ripened fruit. Darcy still on sidelines building his agility, movement and tank, though still seems a bit off. I don’t expect any practice match action at all. Billy not perfect, but imposing and solid.

Arlo was also good in the middle. Looks to have earned the right, with Carmy a shock omission on the sidelines. In the stands with Krueger and Dean, so here’s hoping it isn’t much.

Mitchell was racking up some touches, reminding that his work around the ground and experience to be in the right position in link up play is another major string to his bow.  Most have focussed on his centre work to date, and how that will benefit the pies midfield.

Lipinski was also solid, again showing a cool and experienced head.

Howe was good down back, looking like he hasn’t lost much.

Maynard had a shocker, two shitty kicks to turnover, then a 50m penalty to gift a goal, to……

The smoky. Tom Wilson I thought was good, with v nice disposal, and the ability to get forward and score. 2 goals by my calcs. Adds flexibility, needs to be a bit more physical / intense, and he could land a few games.

Josh D also good, as you’d expect. If everyone could kick under pressure like him, we’d be a shoe-in. Facing 3 options from the wing with defenders approaching, he was able to split the defenders with a 45m pass, straight to McCreery - I think - who goaled.

McCreery - also good… big bodied running forward who can kick a goal from long range, and find space with his pace. Like. Not to mention his defensive pressure. Best 22 for me, and  scope for more upside as still partially on the mend.

Hill - did his bit, got free then marked with incoming pressure, to hand Brodie an easy goal. Ginni with the assist to Hill, after again getting free and delivering beautifully.  Dangerous.

Allen - did well, got involved, but imo is still lacking that extra split second re decision making or quickness to dispose etc, which is always the case with first year players imo. Eg caught while running into goal, causing a shank. Better for the run and has all the tools, just not fully ready yet.

Rucks - an area of concern, with Darcy C running sideline drills. Cox not imposing, with Begg actually standing out a bit more. Still lumbering for me and v much a VFL player at this stage, so we are v reliant on Darcy. Oscar hardly sighted and coughed it up on wing, with clear options, so he is v much a work in progress for me.

Floreat pica