Ball movement coach Mark Williams runs through the 22 players who played in Melbourne’s 27-point win against Richmond at the MCG
Jamie Bennell: Jamie had a reasonable game. Defensively he was good, but we want to see more of his attacking game. We need to see him rebounding off half-back, which is one of his strengths, as well as more involvement in our counter attack.
James Frawley: James was very solid again. His physicality was good, as was his rebounding run and carry. He takes on the opposition’s key forward each week, and gets the job done. He is a very important player to us, and is in some very good form.
Colin Garland: Col was the general of the backline. He organised our defensive matchups and setups. Col won some really good one-on-one contests, and continues to set up quick counter attack off half-back.
Brad Green: Brad was outstanding, especially early in the game. He helped set the win up with three goals. Greeny also presented intelligently, and his pressure when the ball hit the ground was terrific. He is regularly hitting the scoreboard now he has settled back in the forward line.
Jordan Gysberts: Jordie used the ball very efficiently. He worked hard to move the ball quickly. His defensive work was very good. He laid an outstanding tackle in the last quarter, when the game was almost over - which typified his effort.
Jeremy Howe: Jeremy had a quieter game, and fumbled a little bit early. He still kicked an important goal and his work-rate was again a highlight. He continues to gain valuable experience just by being out on the ground.
Mark Jamar: It was great to have the big Russian back. His first half was played mainly up forward, with a couple of runs on the ball. Once he got his confidence up, he played more as a ruckman. He had 27 hit outs and influenced the game by giving our mids first use and hitting the ball to advantage at stoppages. He gives our midfielders great confidence, and is very important for the synergy of the group.
Nathan Jones: Nathan’s had a very solid block of form. He’s continuing to improve with his structural play. His ball use was again significant and his ability to cover the ground is a great asset for our team. His confidence is contagious and really helps those around him.
Liam Jurrah: Liam was much livelier this week. He had a couple of simple focuses and carried them out to the letter. He now needs to focus on his finishing. It was great to see him enjoying himself on the big stage again.
Joel Macdonald: Joel’s knee swelled up in the warm-up before the game for no apparent reason. He got himself onto the ground and was solid, until his knee forced him off. He continues to play his role for the team, and his team mates love playing with him.
Stefan Martin: Steffy continues to impose himself on the game. His spread through the midfield was fantastic. He continues to finish his work with goals, which is very pleasing. His ruck work was again very good and his agility really tested the tiger talls.
Jordie McKenzie: Again, Jordie put away a really good player in Trent Cotchin. His physicality and determination set a great example for his team mates. He continues to win the hard ball in and under, and distribute it intelligently by hand, putting team mates into space at every opportunity. He’s in good form and continues to gain valuable experience playing together with the midfield group.
Brent Moloney: Beamer was very happy to have the big Russian back, and quickly got back into the groove with him. Brent had a very good game, accumulating 14 first possessions and 11 clearances from stoppages, while being closely checked by Jackson. He also finished with 30 disposals and five scoring involvements. Beamer is leading the way with his work ethic, voice and physicality.
Cale Morton: Cale came on as the sub late in the game. He was pretty solid, and involved himself in the game, which is always a challenge as sub. He continues to develop, and has a clear focus on the areas he needs to improve in, which he is working diligently on at training and in games.
Daniel Nicholson: Daniel played with confidence, and took the game on, which is what we want to see from our youngsters. His defensive game was good, and his offensive game off half-back is fast becoming a weapon.
Ricky Petterd: Ricky was a bit scratchy early, but he worked his way into the game. He had six scoring involvements. We were really pleased with his pressure and tackling inside our forward 50, which caused many turnovers and created opportunities for his teammates to score.
Jared Rivers: Jared had 13 spoils, which showed his defensive game was outstanding. He continues to play out in front and make the play, which is a great example for all our backs. His ball use was again efficient, and his direction and leadership were invaluable to those around him.
Tom Scully: Sculls worked very hard inside, and also spread like a maniac around the ground. He provided some fantastic connection for our backline to use when under pressure. Tom’s work rate was outstanding, and his ability to get to contests in general play to create an outnumber is a real asset for our team. Tom’s focus continues to be his ball use and quick hands under pressure.
James Strauss: Straussy continued his good form in defence. He won some really good one-on-one contests, and kicked the ball very well under pressure. He continues to build good form and confidence. He’s starting to see himself as an AFL footballer.
Colin Sylvia: Col was a little bit quieter than usual, although he still had an influence on the game. He kicked a really good goal at an important time, and we feel he’s just about ready to explode with a massive game. His spread was really important, and his defensive game continues to improve.
Jack Trengove: Although he didn’t have a lot of the ball, every time he got it, he made the opposition pay. His defensive work was very good. He had seven tackles, and was hard and aggressive. Jack finished the game with three very important goals, and played his role impressively.
Jack Watts: Jack again took another big step forward. His confidence has grown through a good block of form, and now I think he sees himself as an AFL footballer, which is important. He continues to hit the scoreboard, and bring others into the game with intelligent decision making and ball use. His tackling continues to get better each game he plays, as does his use of his body in marking contests.
Jamie Bennell: Jamie had a reasonable game. Defensively he was good, but we want to see more of his attacking game. We need to see him rebounding off half-back, which is one of his strengths, as well as more involvement in our counter attack.
James Frawley: James was very solid again. His physicality was good, as was his rebounding run and carry. He takes on the opposition’s key forward each week, and gets the job done. He is a very important player to us, and is in some very good form.
Colin Garland: Col was the general of the backline. He organised our defensive matchups and setups. Col won some really good one-on-one contests, and continues to set up quick counter attack off half-back.
Brad Green: Brad was outstanding, especially early in the game. He helped set the win up with three goals. Greeny also presented intelligently, and his pressure when the ball hit the ground was terrific. He is regularly hitting the scoreboard now he has settled back in the forward line.
Jordan Gysberts: Jordie used the ball very efficiently. He worked hard to move the ball quickly. His defensive work was very good. He laid an outstanding tackle in the last quarter, when the game was almost over - which typified his effort.
Jeremy Howe: Jeremy had a quieter game, and fumbled a little bit early. He still kicked an important goal and his work-rate was again a highlight. He continues to gain valuable experience just by being out on the ground.
Mark Jamar: It was great to have the big Russian back. His first half was played mainly up forward, with a couple of runs on the ball. Once he got his confidence up, he played more as a ruckman. He had 27 hit outs and influenced the game by giving our mids first use and hitting the ball to advantage at stoppages. He gives our midfielders great confidence, and is very important for the synergy of the group.
Nathan Jones: Nathan’s had a very solid block of form. He’s continuing to improve with his structural play. His ball use was again significant and his ability to cover the ground is a great asset for our team. His confidence is contagious and really helps those around him.
Liam Jurrah: Liam was much livelier this week. He had a couple of simple focuses and carried them out to the letter. He now needs to focus on his finishing. It was great to see him enjoying himself on the big stage again.
Joel Macdonald: Joel’s knee swelled up in the warm-up before the game for no apparent reason. He got himself onto the ground and was solid, until his knee forced him off. He continues to play his role for the team, and his team mates love playing with him.
Stefan Martin: Steffy continues to impose himself on the game. His spread through the midfield was fantastic. He continues to finish his work with goals, which is very pleasing. His ruck work was again very good and his agility really tested the tiger talls.
Jordie McKenzie: Again, Jordie put away a really good player in Trent Cotchin. His physicality and determination set a great example for his team mates. He continues to win the hard ball in and under, and distribute it intelligently by hand, putting team mates into space at every opportunity. He’s in good form and continues to gain valuable experience playing together with the midfield group.
Brent Moloney: Beamer was very happy to have the big Russian back, and quickly got back into the groove with him. Brent had a very good game, accumulating 14 first possessions and 11 clearances from stoppages, while being closely checked by Jackson. He also finished with 30 disposals and five scoring involvements. Beamer is leading the way with his work ethic, voice and physicality.
Cale Morton: Cale came on as the sub late in the game. He was pretty solid, and involved himself in the game, which is always a challenge as sub. He continues to develop, and has a clear focus on the areas he needs to improve in, which he is working diligently on at training and in games.
Daniel Nicholson: Daniel played with confidence, and took the game on, which is what we want to see from our youngsters. His defensive game was good, and his offensive game off half-back is fast becoming a weapon.
Ricky Petterd: Ricky was a bit scratchy early, but he worked his way into the game. He had six scoring involvements. We were really pleased with his pressure and tackling inside our forward 50, which caused many turnovers and created opportunities for his teammates to score.
Jared Rivers: Jared had 13 spoils, which showed his defensive game was outstanding. He continues to play out in front and make the play, which is a great example for all our backs. His ball use was again efficient, and his direction and leadership were invaluable to those around him.
Tom Scully: Sculls worked very hard inside, and also spread like a maniac around the ground. He provided some fantastic connection for our backline to use when under pressure. Tom’s work rate was outstanding, and his ability to get to contests in general play to create an outnumber is a real asset for our team. Tom’s focus continues to be his ball use and quick hands under pressure.
James Strauss: Straussy continued his good form in defence. He won some really good one-on-one contests, and kicked the ball very well under pressure. He continues to build good form and confidence. He’s starting to see himself as an AFL footballer.
Colin Sylvia: Col was a little bit quieter than usual, although he still had an influence on the game. He kicked a really good goal at an important time, and we feel he’s just about ready to explode with a massive game. His spread was really important, and his defensive game continues to improve.
Jack Trengove: Although he didn’t have a lot of the ball, every time he got it, he made the opposition pay. His defensive work was very good. He had seven tackles, and was hard and aggressive. Jack finished the game with three very important goals, and played his role impressively.
Jack Watts: Jack again took another big step forward. His confidence has grown through a good block of form, and now I think he sees himself as an AFL footballer, which is important. He continues to hit the scoreboard, and bring others into the game with intelligent decision making and ball use. His tackling continues to get better each game he plays, as does his use of his body in marking contests.
