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Friday July 21

Williamstown v Essendon 7:50pm DSV Stadium,VIC

Saturday July 22

Richmond v Box Hill Hawks 10:05AM Swinburne Centre,VIC

Brisbane Lions v Geelong 11:05AMr Bighton Homes Arena,QLD

Carlton v Port MELBOURNE. 11:05AM IKON Park,VIC

Coburg Lions v Casey Demons 1:50pm Piranha Park,VIC

Werribee Tigers v Frankston 1:50pm Avalon Airport Oval,VIC

Northern Bullants v Footscray Bulldogs 2:05PMG Genis Steel Oval,VIC

Sunday July 23

GWS Giants v Gold Coast SUNS 9:40AM Manuka Oval,ACT

Collingwood v Sandringham Zebras 12:00PM AIA Centre,VIC

aj9172's picture
aj9172
Last seen: 1 month 2 weeks ago
Joined: 26/08/2019 - 16:45

Frankston start with a 4.2 to 2.4 quarter at Werribee.....thinking "here we go boys"......then completely fall asleep for two quarters. The joys of following a talented but inexperienced side eh? Werribee though are very good. No panic at all from them when challenged, their foot skills around the ground are immaculate and they're good in the air. Hope they go on with this and win the flag.

Sad to see things go from disastrous to worse at Preston. Can anyone remember the last time a team went goalless for the day?

Robbo
Last seen: 1 week 3 days ago
Joined: 21/03/2004 - 00:00

AJ Bullants went goalless last game at Werribee last year when they kicked 0-10(10)

It’s lowest score by a team in a VFA/VFL Game since Northcote kicked 0-4(4) vs Nth Melb at Arden Street in round 15 1919

 

On the Dolphins thought we were good again today against the best stand alone side in the comp on their home ground.

NorthPort's picture
NorthPort
Last seen: 1 week 4 days ago
Joined: 03/11/2003 - 00:00

The Preston score will generate a lot of comment.. And it has already on Facebook. 

 

I feel that a competition where one club has a salary cap of $13.5 million versus a club with a salary cap of of $250k (an not able to pay up to that) is going to give results like this.  Perhaps the AFL with record $$$ from AFL broadcast rights could actually invest in Victorian football. They wouldn't even stump up the $1m to run the VFL Development League (reserves) so actually developing players in the the VFL is bloody tough going.

 


* It's time to restore the VFA name.

NorthPort's picture
NorthPort
Last seen: 1 week 4 days ago
Joined: 03/11/2003 - 00:00

Carlton too classy overall and their height also caused issues for the Borough today. 

I've only just finished watching the game as I was at a kids birthday party.  The 11am scheduling is atrocious. 

Port kept at it but we're let down by skill errors and I think we were a fair way of d being a serious challenger. 

That's the season over for Port's men finals aspirations.

Will we look at a coaching change? I'm not sure if Adam's position is up for renewal or not... 

Is love to see Port recruit a drawcard forward due next year (Buddy Franklin could be handy 😊). As I feel VFL clubs need someone that supporters will go through turnstiles just to see. 

Interesting times in the VFA /VFL that's for sure. 

 


* It's time to restore the VFA name.

Bearsman's picture
Bearsman
Last seen: 2 weeks 16 hours ago
Joined: 01/08/2014 - 20:20

Werribee's second and third quarters were sensational. As skilled as any team in the VFL for a long time. Ran rings around Frankston when they were on, and if they can produce four quarters of that standard in the finals they will be very hard to beat. Goalkicking was a bit off in the first half, at one stage they were 4 - 14 but made up for that in the second half with some really classy goals from very difficult shots. Will be checking out their premiership odds during the week.

aj9172's picture
aj9172
Last seen: 1 month 2 weeks ago
Joined: 26/08/2019 - 16:45

Credit where it's due for sure Bearsman, Werribee are the real deal and have some great users of the footy. Paea up forward is a bit of a freak too, can kick them from anywhere. I'll definitely be hoping they win the flag.

Robbo, I understand we want to support the boys always, and I'm with you on that. But I won't be happy if we're patting them on the back for playing half a game of footy. The second and third quarters were complete rubbish from a group who have shown themselves to be capable of much more. Some blokes need to have a serious look at how they dispose of the footy. Stoddart for example is a very skilful footballer, but seems to want to stop and make a picnic lunch before he gets rid of it - not acceptable at this level. The Riley boys are both prolific ball winners and great runners, with dismal foot skills. Kai Owens has all of his brother's skills, but never takes his first option when he wins the ball, is trying to find the perfect avenue before he gets rid of it. Werribee pounced on those blokes in particular in the middle quarters and it led to countless turnovers. The first quarter showed what happens when we take the game on and move it quickly. The chip around possession game has never worked for Frankston, so how about we ditch it and get back to what we're good at which is up tempo physical footy.

Bearsman's picture
Bearsman
Last seen: 2 weeks 16 hours ago
Joined: 01/08/2014 - 20:20

Couldnt agree more AJ. I cringe when the clanger king Connor Riley gets the ball - honestly, it could go anywhere. Also a number of guys need to lift their intensity eg, Colby Nayna. Super skilled but never takes the game on, looks like he is having a kick with the kids in the park. Could be a serious footballer if he lifts. 

Danny needs to sit a few of these blokes down and show them a tape of how hard Fordham and Mynott attack the ball and how they gut run to make position. The difference in the level of intensity between these two and the rest is very pronounced. If they can get another half a dozen or so at that level things will change pretty quickly.

Wally from Will...
Last seen: 4 hours 13 sec ago
Joined: 07/09/2009 - 11:55

Yep, Sandringham at Williamstown in 2018 

paul
Last seen: 1 month 4 weeks ago
Joined: 11/04/2006 - 00:00

What a beautiful Point Gellibrand day that was!

Wally from Will...
Last seen: 4 hours 13 sec ago
Joined: 07/09/2009 - 11:55

One of the worse days i've ever seen there and some of the old timers said it was THE worst day ever. The rain stopped and the ground dried up and we kicked 8 goals in the last quarter so it wasn't all bad.  

paul
Last seen: 1 month 4 weeks ago
Joined: 11/04/2006 - 00:00

I remember it like it was yesterday. Was a destruction in the last quarter.

blackrocker's picture
blackrocker
Last seen: 1 week 2 days ago
Joined: 16/05/2005 - 00:00

I was there that day and can say it was the worst conditions I 've seen a game played. I got the impression a few players would have preferred the comfort of the water & wind proof Docklands; their heart was not in the game.

The Preston Footscray scores are indicative of the imbalance of the competition.

On a positive note. . I went to Willy on Friday night to witness Ben's recording breaking game. It was an enjoyable night out. idea conditions, and a good game of footy. I thought more of Williamstown royalty would have been there to recognise the occasion. (they might have been in the function room)

Wally from Will...
Last seen: 4 hours 13 sec ago
Joined: 07/09/2009 - 11:55

I can recall talking with Willi's Billy Myers after that game and he said that a few of the St Kilda lads playing for Sandy made it clear that they didn't want to be there - there was a rather large gathering in the function room on Friday night for our inaugural wine, beer and gin tasting evening which was a great success 

paul
Last seen: 1 month 4 weeks ago
Joined: 11/04/2006 - 00:00

I love the fact that the Bullants made a resurrection, I wish they could have been strong, but having two stand alone clubs within a few KMs in the northern suburbs has made it almost impossible for both of them.

MegaA
Last seen: 8 hours 53 min ago
Joined: 12/10/2012 - 23:04

I agree with A.J. - I'm a huge fan of giving credit where credit is due but some of the pat on the back stuff where Port has definitely underperformed I think is unnecessary and at times can be disingenuous.  Not a fan of seeing comments of "proud of the boys, they tried their hearts out" after 10 goal losses, I feel as Semi professionals (and at a club that certainly expects better) they don't need to be cotton wooled - not directed to anybody here btw.

Whilst bullants are struggling and indeed hard to watch I think Werribee and Williamstown are showing with the right set up success is not impossible for stand alone clubs. Many supporters I feel tend to overlook this and forget that in 2019 Port Melbourne made a preliminary and Southport made a final last year when they state the competition is unfair and unbalanced with huge favouritism and advantage to the AFL  rather than stating that year their club just wasn't good enough. 

17 PREMIERSHIPS, 19 X Runners up

THE VFLS MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUB - THE MIGHTY PORT MELBOURNE BOROUGH!

I'M PORT MELBURNE BORN, I'M PORT MELBOURNE BRED, I'LL BE PORT UNTIL I'M DEAD!!!

Bearsman's picture
Bearsman
Last seen: 2 weeks 16 hours ago
Joined: 01/08/2014 - 20:20

I agree with A.J. - I'm a huge fan of giving credit where credit is due but some of the pat on the back stuff where Port has definitely underperformed I think is unnecessary and at times can be disingenuous.  Not a fan of seeing comments of "proud of the boys, they tried their hearts out" after 10 goal losses, I feel as Semi professionals (and at a club that certainly expects better) they don't need to be cotton wooled - not directed to anybody here btw.

Couldnt agree more Mega - same happens at Frankston on their social media pages. I appreciate the need to keep positive after a loss, but some of the comments can sound a bit demeaning too.

Re Point Gellibrand Oval. There was a game there vs Frankston years ago when the wind was so strong the kick ins from the Grandstand end were coming back to the kicker. Never seen anything like it before or after that...

MegaA
Last seen: 8 hours 53 min ago
Joined: 12/10/2012 - 23:04

Thanks Bearsman.

Northport yes I believe that the coaching position is up for renewal, Port has always done year by year deals and I'm pretty sure that's a format that they still follow. Ild be surprised if Adam is re appointed and I feel that (not that this should have bearing on any decision) if Adam was to stay that it would cause a level of frustration that crowds would further drop - its hard to put a case for Skrobolak staying when it looks pretty certain we will finish the season with less wins than the prior.

17 PREMIERSHIPS, 19 X Runners up

THE VFLS MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUB - THE MIGHTY PORT MELBOURNE BOROUGH!

I'M PORT MELBURNE BORN, I'M PORT MELBOURNE BRED, I'LL BE PORT UNTIL I'M DEAD!!!

digs
Last seen: 17 hours 42 min ago
Joined: 31/05/2007 - 00:00

Must have been bad if it could not have been worse than the day they played against the Roosters & the  interchange players & coaches had to sit in the back row of the grandstand & still got drenched. Worse day ever !

We might be from the bush. but we ain't green

Wally from Will...
Last seen: 4 hours 13 sec ago
Joined: 07/09/2009 - 11:55

Don't remember that game digs - must have been a shocker if Ballarat folk are complaining about the weather lol  

aj9172's picture
aj9172
Last seen: 1 month 2 weeks ago
Joined: 26/08/2019 - 16:45

Bearsman, we have a definite problem at Frankston. I too understand the need for positivity, and I also understand that the club has done exceedingly well to identify the best talent available under current circumstances. For the most part these blokes DO do us proud with their efforts and I don't want to put any of them down. However, while we know they are trying, this is one bloody tough competition and trying simply doesn't cut it. When we have seen that these blokes have the potential for much better, they need to be reminded of it. 

It's ok to be mediocre, if you're happy to live there forever. I will support the club and the players if we finish bottom 3 for the next 20 years.....but if we're a serious footy club (like Port) we won't take it lying down and we'll aim to get better. I still harbour dreams of us one day lifting that elusive cup. If we aren't aspiring to that, then why the hell is the club still going around? I guarantee that unless we're pushing for that, we won't grow membership or sponsorship, and before long we'll be looking at oblivion yet again.

Bearsman's picture
Bearsman
Last seen: 2 weeks 16 hours ago
Joined: 01/08/2014 - 20:20

The evoloution of a strong playing list hasnt happened at Frankston as we would have liked. Obviously because of finances, and in the current climate I cant see it changing much in the next couple of years. We have 5 or 6 top line players and then it drops away a bit , but I agree with you - most of the 'battlers' are goers. 

Fingers crossed we dont lose any of our best next year -  I couldn't stand to see Frankston in the predicament Preston is in at the moment.

aj9172's picture
aj9172
Last seen: 1 month 2 weeks ago
Joined: 26/08/2019 - 16:45

Yeah mate, my heart goes out to the Preston faithful. I went to our game up there earlier this year and was chatting to some of their supporters.....gee the quiet desperation in their voices reminded me of us a few years ago. I truly hope they and Coburg can find a way to build solid lists moving forward. 

Player retention is again going to be our biggest challenge for the year no doubt. Fordham has verbally committed long term which has to be a big bonus.....he's clearly well respected in footy circles and players will be keen to play alongside him. Mynott, Stoddart, Owens, Newnes, Lambert, Michin, Williams, O'Leary Johnson, Nayna and Voss are all musts to sign. Keep those blokes and we're halfway to building a good side. Roberts is interesting as a ruckman, though pretty raw. Add a couple more decent talls and I'll be getting excited for next season. There are a few of the new kids that I hope hang around.....Quirk, Marotta, Davies and McManus all need work but show promise. As always, we just need these blokes to get a bit more experience under their belts. Let's hope they do with no more mass exoduses this time round.

Bearsman's picture
Bearsman
Last seen: 2 weeks 16 hours ago
Joined: 01/08/2014 - 20:20

My worry is that Fordham and co have committed to Frankston believing that there was a bright short term outlook (which there was a couple of years ago) but things have changed dramatically. Will they feel the same if their payments are less next year, and if, as was the case last year, limited recruitng is done and ? 

Couldn't blame any of them if they bail to get decent money playing local footy.

aj9172's picture
aj9172
Last seen: 1 month 2 weeks ago
Joined: 26/08/2019 - 16:45

There was an article I read only a few weeks ago, think it came from the club newsletter.....in it he said he was committed to staying with the club because he wanted to be part of building something special there. He's given up on being drafted and said he won't nominate again. It was definitely his stance mid-season, so gotta be hopeful.

Bearsman's picture
Bearsman
Last seen: 2 weeks 16 hours ago
Joined: 01/08/2014 - 20:20

I really like Roberts. Saw a bit of him at Langwarrin and he was very good, and as you say he's still raw, but there is plenty of potential there. Can't judge him on this year as he missed too much footy but he would be a priority signing for me. Could be a good replacement for Reidy.

Hopefully they can retain the guys you mentioned, but I have a feeling Lambert might be hard to keep. He's still young but his lack of pace is a worry and may have him thinking. Noble Park want him and will be flashing $$$ at him.

The biggest improver this year is Barlow and would definitely like to see him go round again.

 

digs
Last seen: 17 hours 42 min ago
Joined: 31/05/2007 - 00:00

Think it was a TV game Wal.

Ballarat has a lot of plusses going for it....  But the weather is not one of them !

We might be from the bush. but we ain't green

blackrocker's picture
blackrocker
Last seen: 1 week 2 days ago
Joined: 16/05/2005 - 00:00

 I remember a Nth B v  Willy game in 1996 my hands were so cold I had to buy a cold can of beer to keep my hands warm. On the way home it was snowing not far out of Ballarat