Macca19 will give player reviews for his best players each week.
The opinions in these player reviews will be Macca19’s, and not of the club or its coaches.
Top 5 v Essendon - NAB Challenge
Jasper Pittard
Wowzers. By far the best and most damaging game he's played at AFL level. A couple of shaky moments early in the first but aside from that, he didn’t put a foot wrong for 3 1/2 quarters. Confident, aggressive and used the ball really well all evening. Seemed to play 'full court' football. Was pushing back in defence then running hard to create a genuine option further up the field. 8 rebound 50s and 5 inside 50s shows how hard he worked. His best games last year were against St Kilda and Geelong playing a bit further up the ground and it’s what we saw again tonight. Has he finally found his position that he can thrive in? Let’s hope so. Flittered between him and Polec as BOG but overall Pittard takes the points.
Jared Polec
BOG for much of the game but slowed down in the last quarter with Pittard over taking him. I struggle to find the words to display just how excited I am at seeing what he can deliver this year. 2 games in and he’s been near enough best on in both. There is so much to like about his game. Again I was impressed at how well he puts himself over the ball and never shirks a contest. Even more impressive is his ball use. Either left or right, he hits targets, any targets, under any pressure. He has a lot of Jarrad Schofield about him in his ability to hit the ball at pace, run 15 metres and deliver a well weighted pass to a leading player that barely goes above eye level. His goal from outside 50 was all class. Could be one of the best recruits our club has had in the last 10 years. No pressure...
Justin Westhoff
Slow start but went bang after a double goal late in the first. Worked hard all across teh ground in that forward sweeping role that saw him start the year so well in 2013. 9 marks and 5 goals was a fine reward for his work ethic and ability to find space in the forward half. Such a good player when on song and when hes switched on hes just about impossible to match up on. Looking forward to another big year in 2014.
Matthew Broadbent
Played as the half back or quarter back as he did for much of the second half of 2013 and really did a fantastic job. Was one of the keys - if not the key - in getting us back into the contest late in the first and through the second quarter. Was the defensive general, taking grabs, killing contests and hitting players with his disposal. Was matched up on a bit tighter after half time but still had plenty of influence in the second half. Looks fit and was much more switched on than last week against Adelaide. Can’t help but feel that Broady playing across half back will be one of our keys to success this year.
Jack Hombsch
Did a great job on Steinberg who had no real impact on the play. He's yet another player in our defensive group who can perform a number of different roles. He can play as a shut down defender and get in good position to defend strongly. He can shut down leads effectively. He can play loose and reads the play well. He is one of the best users of the ball in our squad in my opinion. He'll play plenty of football this year and will only get better with Trengove and Carlile out there.
Best young players
Ollie Wines
Bit more game time tonight and still had plenty of influence. So clever with the ball in his hand and just knows what to do with it and sees targets that many wouldnt see. Looks fitter and capable of running for longer than in 2013. Pushed back across half back as a link up option well. A lot to like.
Tom Clurey
Had a real good game. Very good game. Continued on from his second half of last week with some great defensive work on Winderlich, followed by a period where he performed well dropping back as the loose man. But it was all about his defensive work. Kept a fast, skillful player in Winderlich completely out of the game. Didn’t miss a disposal all night (100% efficiency) though he probably didn’t push himself with his options. He’s pacey, he gets in good position to spoil and he knows how to spread. He will play plenty of footy this year.
