From The Armchair #5 - A Knights Tale "Episode 2"

By No32
WOW!!!

That’s a pretty simple way to open up this edition of FTAC. Simply that was some of the best football I have seen this club play for the last 5-6 years.

The first 30 minutes of the game it looked as though the guys had their foot hard on the gas, but the wheels were spinning. I don’t think it was their work rate, nor effort. It just appeared that it wasn’t clicking with umpire decisions going against us, the borderline calls weren’t falling our way. They were aggressive, hard at it but not finding the space to be in the right place at the right time.

I received a phone call at quarter time from a good mate and supporter and his tirade was violent and what looked like at the time (to him) called for. He was a Sheedy supporter and the only way to get him off the phone (besides hanging up) was to offer up $50 for a win. Which he paused and said “Are you insane?, why would you do that?”. To which my response was “The foot is on the pedal and the wheels are spinning, wait till they grip”. I cannot try and recount his response to that but the bet was on, and 5 minutes into the 2nd quarter I got a text message saying “Crisp $50 thanks”.

Knights never panicked, he stuck to the plan and sure enough the wheels gripped, and my goodness did the machine take off. The team kept the pedal to the floor from beginning to end.

Now for the reality check, we have won our openers in 06’ and 07’ and have not served up anything worth much chop for the remainder of the season. So with that in mind we supporters need to keep our hearts in check and open our heads to reality. Not that I am saying we will fall over, but the key difference against the 07’ Premiership side and imposing unit is for this years Rnd 2 clash to be competitive, hard fought. If we go down, we must go down fighting, go down with the foot on the pedal. The past differences with our loses at times in the early parts of the year is they are meek, weak performances and day and night is between them and the victories. That gap must close. That said the task will also be much harder without the services of Scott Lucas who is out for 8-12 with a PCL injury and maybe longer depending on his recovery and fitness.

The side today booted away without Lucas, do not be mistaken this is not the makeup that will carry you through the year as the structure has been built around stretching the opposition defence with height and pressure. North Melbourne do not have an overall tall or mobile back line and many say they are under-rated. It’s funny as Firrito in 2007 had more goals kicked against him (his direct opponent) than any other Full Back in the league. So he may provide run, drive etc… but he also kicks a few kicked on him. So people park the “We don’t need Johns, Neagle etc… because we smashed Norf”, Knights will not fall into the trap of one big win. He knows we need another big body up forward to enable him to execute on his structure for Laycock/Hille w/ McPhee/NLM.

WHY JOHNS? – “The Messiah” will get a chance again much like 06’ when Lloyd ripped his hamstring off the bone to impress and the main difference between now and then is the anticipation and nervous expectation has passed, his fitness base is far more advance than it was 24 months ago as is his skill base. Matthew Knights also has much faith and belief in “The Messiah” and it might be just what the Web2.0 version of Loki needs to really hit his straps. Another key factor is he will not be expected to kick a bag each week because the options are more advanced and vast than in previous years with the likes of Hille, Laycock, McPhee, NLM and owning the space forward of centre. Courtney’s role could be much simpler as a lead up the spine, hit the packs hard forward and with Knights rotations and emphasis on bursts CJ will play spend time on the pine to rest but will be accustomed to it through the current pre-season regime. The other difference also is that Courtney has not played with just Lloyd, so it will be interesting to see the difference as Lucas at times lead into CJ’s space in the early games of his career which is something Lucas has improved on (His awareness of others leads and those around him), also with Lloyd being the Captain his role as guiding CJ as opposed to guiding him out of his way could be pivotal in his development over the season 2008. I have the faith

WHY NEAGLE? – He can be best described as the Human version of Goliath (from Knight Rider), Jay is one bloody massive unit, not so much in height, but across the shoulders and pure presence is someone very imposing. From that FAT RATS CLACKER CUP game against St Kilda Swans he with a few big marks and goals he showed everyone a twinkle into the what could be an good career ahead of him at Windy Hill.

I have also seen him at Bendigo play a few games down back and he like Courtney love to crash packs and take BIG Marks overhead. Does he have the fitness base which many people seem skeptical about, well he like Johns will be played to their strengths and these guys cannot be expected to run like McPhee, NLM or Stanton all day…It’s not their nature or their ability but you can guarantee that the pre-season regime they have gone through would have Jay (& CJ) positioned perfectly to take their chance FULL TILT.

Jay has great hands, solid kick and looks really good below his knees and loves the hard stuff which might be what is needed against Geelong.

If Jay is fit it will be line ball between him and Courtney, although I would expect “The Messiah” to get the nod ahead of Jay as Knighter would be thinking (IMHO) Jay has been off the track for a few weeks on light duties so he wants the side to be as 100% ready as possible coming up against the Cats.

Against the Cat’s they will have us covered for skill by hand and foot as they are well drilled and have been working on this and as a unit for well over 2-3 years now. They also have more experience and they are the reigning premiers. Where Knights will plan to exploit them is for speed and aggression. Geelong they are tough but there is one area which needs to be a focus by Knights which no one has been able to achieve to date.

Physical Pressure on their Defensive Unit – The likes of Harley, Scarlett, Mackie, Enright all are very skillful but they have not been put to the sword from what I could see in 07’ with “Physical Pressure”. This will be (IMHO) key to us taking down their drive from half back where they start so many of their runs. Lloyd, Johns/Neagle, McPhee, NLM should all have a single goal in the first quarter, BREAK THE ROCK (Geelong Defence), and chasing, and hitting HARD with legitimate tackles will be key to enforce turnovers and create pressure.

Let’s keep the foot on the pedal and show the football world we are not a mirage, we are BULLISH!

Posted 24 March 08 in News