Round 7 - Kangaroos Match Preview

By No32
How much can a Kangaroo Poo!

Now idea why I wrote that and is probably indicative of the way we played last week…no idea what was happening.

I haven’t watched the game from last week yet, but I will. The news of the week Bachar “Ummmm” Houli will make his long awaited debut in the mighty Red and Black. We also see the return of the Mountain Man (Hille) and AWB (Cole) to the side and out with the bath water goes Bolton (keep on Wanderers), Dyson (with destiny) and Heffernan (Bill)….

What this means is Patrick “Let it” Ryder will assume the position across half back which is one of the building blocks for our defensive unit. And Kevin Sheedy is obviously being an idiot when he names Fletcher at FF and Courtney Johns in the back pocket… he is either really really old and stupid or just really bored and hoping for some publicity on just this naming of the team.

Key Match Ups

Courtney Johns vs Michael Furitto – The Banana Fritta will look to great some run and drive off half back, and with no Lloyd the position of either “One Out, Clear Out” the forward 50 for CJ is required to allow him to ply his trade and give him the feed needed for him to kick a bag from FF, either that or leave Lucas at FF and allow CJ to roam the half forward line… either way Johns will get the Fritta and they need to run the ball through him as he will have a distinct advantage overhead and body on body…. cannot let the Fritta go off!!

Mark McVeigh vs Brent Harvey – Harvey has been in red hot form of late and if he gets going can be a really catalyst for Roo’s firing, so he needs to be closely checked but also by someone a little bigger, stronger and agro. Harvey’s tendency is that if unsettled early can get lazy and give away cheap free kicks. Also they need to be able to run off him once they have the upper hand.

David Hille vs Hamish McIntosh – Hamish is the form ruckman in the competition and also providing the Roo’s middle men with first use of the ball and in prime corridors for effective clearances. Hille will have his work cut out for him as McIntosh is also mobile much like Hille and being first game back after a 2 week hiatus could really stretch Hille.

The X Factor

I said it again last week and I will say it again. When will Kevin “Bloody” Sheedy actually utilise The Messiah the full effect… FFS open up the forward line or the across CHF so he can roam freely, lead and present without prejudice of other players impeding his run, options.. Winderlich streaming down the middle to a hard leading Johns is what I want to see.

Ryder, I am guessing Ryder will be called into the ruck “AGAIN” because Hille could get hammered by McIntosh and Laycock (if he plays) is not only in poor form, but also just not match fit to be playing.

The Y Factor

Jason Laycock, it’s plain to see that he is just not even close to “in form” or any reasonable shape to run out a game in the ruck. Which is a poor reflection on the work he has put in over the off season as it looks like he hasn’t done enough as after 4 games he has not improved one iota.

Mark Johnson, very close to losing his spot IMHO. Just seems either out of form or touch, cannot play in the back pocket as he doesn’t have the pace anymore it seems or the nous to guard those little fireflies anymore… as I have said before as stint up forward will do him wonders as he grunt and hardness at the ball and ball carrier could add to Davey’s “aura” also and create a pressure cooker these Roo’s might crumble over… but alas that would mean Sheedy would actually use considered thought to make a position change which has logic attached to it.

Predictions

First Goal – “The Messiah”
BOG – Patrick “I Wanna” Ryder
Result – Kangaroos by 12 points

Posted 10 May 07 in News