bondiblue wrote:
Last year we would have crumbled after such a disastrous start....boys are proving to themselves that they have plenty of potential and plenty of improvement in their make up, let alone ability to win games.
They played like a team in the second half. Showed their true potential.
The kids played out the game in a competitive fighting spirit.
Setanta does look like a footballer, and has shown more than enough to prove he has the height, the athleticism and the pace to play CHB and will match the gorillas after one more preseason. He's just getting better with every game, and he's still a kid.
Fev, Lappin, Stevens and Simpson were very good. Lappin has lost a yard, Stevens just has to work on tackling (making and breaking), Simpson is a midfielder, and Fev is just going to improve twofold in 2007; he'll get a bit better, and there will be more and better delivery to him next year, no doubt. 100 goals in 2007.
Russell presented well, and it was delivery to him that was disappointing.
Fisher's marking is outstanding, and his and Waite's ability to keep presenting is just going to get better.
Bannister only 23, but plays with maturity and skill aplenty.
Eddie gives the team the 1%'ers required to make a difference, and sets the tone for the rest of the team. I wish we could have him closer to Fev when Fev's got 2-3 on him. Fev will bring it to the ground if not mark it, and Bettsy is the right bloke to take it away 50% of the time = 20 additional goals in 2007 for him if he does.
Thornton is becoming the equal to any Full back in the competition. He's developed into a class act, and should not have been matched up on Williams (McGrath should have been).
Given Scotland's disposal was off song, Houla had a real quiet one, Blackers wasn't breaking lines, Carazzo was quiet, Walker was relatively quiet, Bentick was tough but quiet on clear possessions, French's and Fisher's misses from close in, a 5 goal head start, that led to a 55 point advantage, the signs are good for the team, and goes to show that we were carrying quite a few today.
A more even contribution from all 22 will improve in 2007 with maturity and experience, and further improved from general strengthening and individual skills work in the preseason, add to that Murphy, Kennedy, Hartlett and Hansen/Gibbs. Things that make you go mmmmmmmm.
I think they have the belief in their ability, and this is one thing we have developed in 2006; the springboard for our quest to Flag 17.
A really good second half boys.
Love your optimism Bondi.
If we draft well this year with picks #1, #17 and #18 (and hopefully get a quality freebee in the pre-season draft) to add to our list I think premiership no 17 won't be as far away as many people think.
All we need is a quality ruckman, CHB and a couple more midfielders i.e 4 more quality players.