Everything suddenly seems ok

Dear Justin,

Well, everything suddenly feels a lot better after a win: only our first win, a win against a fellow struggler, a win described in the paper as scrappy, but a win nonetheless.

Now I know you didn't have the chance to see the game, so I'll try to be a little more descriptive than usual. We went in to the match small - much too small, in my (pre-match) view. But Dean pulled a surprise by playing Firrito on their Brown, freeing up Petrie to play (ineffectually) at full-forward and in the ruck. Our Brown also played forward (more on that later).

We started well. Shagga had more touches in the first ten minutes than he did last week. Uncharacteristically, we took our chances while they didn't. I remember good goals from Wells, Thomas and Brown. Their Brown was inaccurate, as he would be throughout. Although they could have matched us if they'd kicked straight, on balance we were still on top in the middle.

In the second quarter, things turned around. Their midfield got right on top, although they still couldn't kick for goal. So, although we were just up a halftime, you'd have to say that you felt they might run over the top of us, a la the past few weeks (as they'd say in Paris).

However, we managed to turn things around in the midfield in the second half. Wells and Simmo, in particular, were instrumental in this (each had 18 touches in the second half). Monster continued to ruck well (more on that below too). In fact, we failed to capitalise on our dominance in the third - due not so much to kicking for goal, but due to such incompetence as CJ dropping two chest marks on his own, 30 from goal, in two minutes.

So we started the last about a goal up. Thanks in part to a gem of a soccer goal from Hamish, we found ourselves two goals up as the game tightened. It looked like we were going to go negative and try to lose it. But thankfully Arch went crazy tackling and smothering, and we hung in in defence. And then, for the first time in a long time, we kicked two late goals so that the margin flattered us (including a ripper from Wellsy).

Undoubtedly, BOG was Hamish. He rucked alone for much of the game, got about 20 touches, and kicked a goal. One key contest in their goalsquare in the last, he got down to make a contest, then kept his feet to push it through on the ground. He suddenly looks like he will be a top-line player - the first player to show that since Wells.

Wells was good again. Although he still does team thing too much, he is our best player now by a mile (possible apologies to Boomer, who was good again). In fact, he was probably the classiest player on the ground.

Our backline actually impressed me. Firrito did a good job on their Brown, although if he'd kicked straight I might not be saying that. Arch was, well, Arch. Pratt was solid again, as were Watt and Gibbo, who impressed me last week too. And we should have Petrie to go back there next week, and Smith to come in soon.

As for the forward line... Edwards impressed, playing more at half forward. He presented, contested, and showed he can contribute other than out of the square. A smart player. By contrast, CJ was abject. And not smart. Petrie had no impact in the forward line, but will be back "at home" on Mooney next week. Brown was patchy, but kicked a couple of goals. One in particular, where he got in front and marked a quick, miskicked ball, was impressive. Campbell impressed again, keeps trying, even though he weighs as much as Jonathan Brown's left leg.

So all in all, a satisfying win (although at this stage, there isn't any other type). Dean almost cried with relief, and I felt sorry for him. I'll leave any negative comments for this week.

Big game in Geelong next week. Hopefully this win, and the lack of any expectation of rolling them down there, will see us play some good footy next week.

You should buy the DVD.

Dan