Scratchie vs West Perth at Joondy

WAFL Perth
1

I might just wander up to South Geraldton :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue: tomorrow and see the boys against some opposition.

It will be interesting to get an idea how the new recruits might fit into the 22 structure. There will be the obvious ones like Graham (ruck/forward), Jones (midfield), White (forward), but I am also keen to see how Cary, Mills, Etto, Wilkins and the comeback kids Irons and Jacobs will also slot in.

It will be interesting to get an idea of the ruck back-up. I hope that we are not going to be pinch-hitting Latch and Johnston - we must maintain a stable backline.

But then we seem to only have Eyres and Biggs to do the job and I am not confident that either can consistently fill the role adequately.

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I see that the League scratchie starts at 6pm. I guess when this was scheduled they thought that it would be a 40c day. Only going to be 31c today so wont be too hot for the ressies in the earlier game. :whistle:

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Ressies at 3pm Main game at 6pm. The Colts played last night apparently.

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We’ve got the late game,yet it seems everyone else here has slept in.Well it is the long weekend I guess. :silly:

See you at South Gero,Smokey.

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Only saw the last quarter of ressies but was told that Stacky was in very good form. He has slimmed down, looks very fit and has a new hair cut. If he can find some consistent form he will be a great asset.

In the main game all the recruits played except Spencer White. The standout for me was Taran Etto…very quick and silky skills. I can see why GWS wanted to draft him but thankfully Paul Bevan convinced him to come to Perth for a year. No doubt we will only have him for one season, judging from what we saw tonight.

Graham is an imposing size. He claimed the bulk of the hitouts but some were ill directed. It may take time for the midfield to gel with him but he will be a big asset IMO.

Jones was useful but it wasn’t his best game tonight. He did make a few skill errors but he did show enough to suggest that he will have a big influence with his experience and leadership around the ground.

I liked the look of Kristian Cary. He missed a couple of goals he should have nailed but he can play and will prove to be a good pickup.

Wilkins did some useful things without being outstanding.

Mills did very little so will have to reserve judgement on his capabilities.

Zac Fisher, a pint size from the Colts who averaged over 20 possessions a game was very lively and shows a lot of promise.

Marshall Jones and Lachie Dennis had good games and Cody Leggett has slimmed down and looks like he will have a great season.

Julian Jacobs has lost nothing from 2 years out of the game and it is good to see him back. He is superbly fit. Tropo and Bluey did everything we expect from them and they look set for another good season.

The game itself was mainly a scrappy affair. West Perth won.. I think by 13 points.
Falcons were a bit more polished when it counted. Our game was based on a lot of hard running but spoilt with overdoing the handball at times and causing too many turnovers. It is too early to get over excited. We still have a problem up forward IMO which hopefully may change for the better with Spencer White as the target. Tonight we bombed the ball forward too often and turned it over too easily.

A good start though. First outing against good opposition and can only get better. May get a better idea next week. Dene White hurt an ankle and Wolfy didn’t play due to a back problem.

Some good news. There was a whisper that we did today sign another recruit and another is possible. Could not get any details but I was told that the coach is delighted with the signing and is excited about getting the other.

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Thanks Smokester.
No points awarded for winning scratches.
Sounds like Etto and Cary could be handy.
Yes need to take it in context.
Good to hear about the recruits.
Good source Smokester?

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Thanks Smokester.
No points awarded for winning scratches.
Sounds like Etto and Cary could be handy.
Yes need to take it in context.
Good to hear about the recruits.
Good source Smokester?
[/quote]

Yes DF. Someone we know heard the excitement and I have quoted him verbatim. Without directly asking the coach, CEO, or footy manager which there was no way of doing cannot confirm any further but another person we know also confirmed the report. We did ask around a bit but everyone seems to be in the dark but I do believe there is something on the go. Will PM you.

8

Goodo

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Score was 12.8 to 9.12 when I left at the 20 min mark of the last quarter.

Etto looked good. Laid some solid tackles. Leggett was good up forward with 3 goals and Jacobs played well across the middle. Interesting to see Marshall Jones used in the backline. And Joel Leeson running around for WP.

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Smokey summed the League Game up pretty much.

No lack of effort,but overdid the handball.Cardies were more Polished.

Let’s remember,we are attempting to work our way up.They have been there and done that.Played in Grand Finals,won a Flag or 2,something we crave for after a long time out of Finals Action.

Better effectiveness needed in last Hit out,before the season Proper!Forward line production must score 30+ more points next week.

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Yes Dazz, Etto looks the goods to me. Doesn’t mind getting the hard ball and knows what he is doing with it.
I am a big fan of both Cody Leggett and Marshall Jones and good to see Lachie Dennis doing well also.
I didn’t notice Joel Leeson much but good luck at his new club.
I stayed to the end and from memory WP may have kicked another goal.. senior’s bloc so I can’t be certain. Anyway the scores don’t really matter here.

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Thanks for the updates people. Spewing to hear that Dean White has hurt his ankle again. Saw him miss 2 or 3 games with the same thing last year. Hope its not the same one and that there is nothing serious about it. Bit late in the year to be getting new recruits - but we will see. 5 minute patch twice a game Lesson won’t be missed.

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Smokey can you clarify what you said about gws wanting to draft Leto - was he too young to be drafted?

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Smokey can you clarify what you said about gws wanting to draft Leto - was he too young to be drafted?
[/quote]

My understanding is that he was not too young (he is about 20yo I believe) but Paul Bevan encouraged him to come West for 12 months first and recommended him to PFC.
He does look a most likely AFL draft prospect so I don’t think he will stay here more than one season.
His name is Taran Etto.. :cheer:

15

Went to the game last night and was overall impressed by the demons! Should have won if they kicked straight, just needed to not overuse the handball at times, but its the first game and will only get better. Kept a close eye on the recruits though with an old mate of mine.

ETTO - a real scraper, loves the contest in and under, good with ball without being spectacular, very quick across the ground as well, will be good across half forward, i doubt he will go in the mids but. Would have had 15/16 touches and 4 tackles.

CARY - another scraper, fierce competitor, loves the contest, doesn’t have the cleanest skills but makes up for it in pressure in and around the contest, kicked a few goals and looks good probably work with etto as that high half forward id say. Would have had 11/12 touches and 2 goals.

C.JONES - proven player and proved it last night would have had 30+ touches, an awesome pickup, will push for the handover IMO, doesn’t have a right foot though -.-

MILLS - first thought was that he was recruited as a key back (as he is 197cm), but played on the wing and didn’t look out of place at all, very fit and nimble for a bit fella, created some big contests in the air but also tackled really well around the contest, didn’t have a lot of ball but he looks to be a very smart footballer, he has a lot of upside! Would have had 12/13 touches and 7 tackles.

GRAHAM - big unit, and very aggressive, easily the biggest ruck man in the league, uses his aggression in the contest well but sometimes gives away a few stupid free kicks, but won the majority of the taps and with the likes of trepan, mckenna, white, jones at his feet, things look promising.

WILKINS - Didnt see a whole lot of it, but was clean and silky at times, kicked a goal (i think) will be good for the run, we look at him for in the other games.

young fisher was a standout across half forward, so small but so silky.

Only area of concern IMO is latch at full back when big zucchini went off, he just got beaten too many times if he is going to be a key post in the backline.

But a good hitout and look forward to next weekend!1

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Thanks atoms1

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Thanks AT. I take it white didn’t play? Can’t wait to see zuccas running around again. Hopefully this back line gets sorted as I don’t think we will have any trouble kicking goals.

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Thanks ATF, it’s nice to get another perspective.
I feel optimistic that we will improve but we will wait and see by how much.
I am quietly optimistic, but then again we’ve been there before.
There can only be one aim and that is to play finals.
Anything other than that is failure.

Very happy to hear the rumours about the list not being done and dusted.
Maybe there is some good news around the corner.

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On a different note,it’s good for many of us,to be back.Obviously not everyone goes to Scratch Matches,but it’s good to see familiar faces from Perth and West Perth.And new faces as well be it players or club volunteers.Many of our trainers look new to me.Welcome folks!

There was one guy in Red and Blue,who was very familiar.An ex East Perth man.Obviously cheesed off with the Host Club Scam.Under normal circumstances,such a move would be sacrilege.But his situation is not a normal circumstance,so we could hardly blame him.

One more scratch match to go,this one at home and we’ll see a lot more familiar faces,Demons Supporters mainly,many of the boys having their own practice match of Saturday arvo elbow bending in the Pig Pen,after spending Summertime in Air Conditionef Comfort in various Bars,just practising the same fine art. :lol:

I believe the Pig Pen will be renamed Demons Den to scrub up it’s Public Image.But try telling that to the boys.It’s not that bad in there.Just gets a bit willing,when 3 certain chaps in the middle start umpiring them,instead of the game.Stick to the game umps and the flak will be less and fairer.

Looking forward to next week already,then the season proper on Easter Saturday.

Good to see Brett Raponi and thanks to the West Perth Lady who found a better chair for Your’s Truly to occupy for 2 Games.

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Cheers for the brief rundown atf1. Looking forward to seeing how we go on Saturday.