NAB ANALYSIS: Carlton v Essendon

It was like Land of the Bloody Giants down at Princess Park this arvo.

Out of the Windy Hill toxic peptide waste swamp have risen a pack of hulking towering man beasts. They had me scrawling into the old notebook like a frothing rabid dog. And mark my words – a few of them are fantasy relevant.

24 hours ago we were stroking ourselves in satisfaction at having identified Mason Cox as a lock. We now have a few more Ruck/Forward rookies to have a think about.

Missing from best 22:

Carlton (9): Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Cornboy Cripps, Bryce Squibbs, Dennie Armfield, Andrew Walker, Dale Thomas, Matthew Wright, Lachie Plowman

Essendon (7): Mathew Leuenhamneggnburger, James Kelly, Matty Stokes, Mark Jamar, Adam Cooney, Nathan Grima, Mark Baguley

Essendon:

These two lads below are the kids I’m talking about folks. They impressed the absolute crap out of me. But it’s complicated. Yes – they performed impressively today. However we need to think about where these kids fit at Essendon alongside Leuenhamegg, Jamar and McKernan;

Sam Grimley $124K RUCK/FWD Was discarded by the Hawks and snagged by Essendon as a top up player. And he was a real focal point up forward. With his height and forward sense he would provide a thumping headache to coaches trying to cope with Daniher alongside him up FWD. Played with aggression and spirit with his highlight a huge grab over the top of 2 Carlton defenders early on. Did it a few times. Can’t kick the side of a barn door kicking wise based on what we saw.. but also got up the ground and was instrumental setting up a few across half forward. Can see him sneaking ahead of Jamar and McKernan in the pecking order with his versatility. Finished with 1 goal 4 today. 

Sam Michael $124K RUCK Yes he was a good lead up target across high half forward a few times. Yes he showed some real penetration driving it into the forward line. What really impacted on the trouser was his mobility at ground level. At one point in the second quarter he crashed into a pack at ground level, plucked out the pill, was dispossessed but then willed himself to the pill on the third effort to drive it into the forward line. His desire on the second and third effort was evident on more than a few occasions. Again I’m left wondering where Jamar and McKernan fit in this lineup. His lack of DPP and doubt around his place in the 22 at Essendon will keep him out of most teams given the quality we’ve been provided with. But given he cracks a RD1 spot he could be a real special. 

I want a GIF of that Sam Michael bull rush. MAJESTIC.

— Patch (@PatchToTheMax) February 28, 2016

Mitch Brown $117K FWD/DEF Lock him away into your team. Played the General both deep in defence and higher up across half back and the wing. Experience at senior level was very evident. Composed. Clean. Reads the ball in flight beautifully and his decisions driving out of defence were wonderful. Plenty of pill today, finishing with 20 disposals at 85% efficiency. 

Darcy Parish $202K MID showed us all how he earned his #5 selection in the draft. 104 Supercoach points. Poised. Looked more mature than he should be for his age. Makes good decisions under pressure which is critical. Will clearly line up in the best 22 based on what we saw today but I won’t consider selecting him at this elevated rookie price. 19 disposals, 5 marks and 4 clearances today.

Nick Kommer $124K FWD Was quiet early and looked bloody angry all day. Would suggest it may have something to do with the ridiculous dag of hair having off the back of his head. Get fair dinkum and cut the think off Nick. Just the 7 possessions at 57% efficiency which will sow that seed of doubt for looking at him as a FWD bench option.  

Michael Hartley $117K DEF  Looked slow early but eased into it. Shoulders heavily strapped and looked tentative. Best and fairest at Coburg and has been impressive there. Showed poise clearing out of defensive 50. 14 possessions at 85%.  

 Jonathan Simpkin $223K MID/FWD has been high on my watchlist as a midpriced FWD option. Was quiet early but worked his way into the game. Nothing flash – just a middle of the road workman like performance. 11 kicks,  6 handballs but did deliver the ball inside forward 50 six times. 

Craig Bird $348K MID/FWD I expected a bit more of although he did accumulate as many tackles (9) as anyone out there today. Didn’t have a significant impact on the game – but Worsfold will enjoy some of his defensive pressure work in the clinches. Just 14 touches today. 

Ryan Crowley $203K MID Was booed every time he went near it – but he went near it plenty. Plenty of ball deep in defence early and appeared to roam free all over the field. This is the first time in a long time we’ve seen him hunting his own ball without hanging off the jumper of the poor prick he’s tagging. 17 possessions and a sausage. 

Brendon Goddard $525K MID Also copped the boo every time he had the ball, and he had it 21 times today. Played all over the joint and roamed free which is a luxury he won’t have when the real stuff kicks into gear. Kicked em from the boundary 55m out and was as influential as always. Not much to take out of this performance fantasy wise – just know that he’ll cop a savage tag when the real stuff arrives. 

Will Hams $158K FWD Didn’t see much of it but did slot one after a 50m penalty in the first half. 21 year old – can’t see him slotting straight into the Essendon 22.  

David Zaharakis $414K MID Was dominant and is looking very fit. Interesting point of difference selection at this price and given his proven scoring capacity. Again – you’d think he’ll cop some heavy attention once the season kicks into gear so you’d need some robust plums to go there.  

Zach Merrett $447K FWD/MID Based on what we saw today he’ll absolutely compete with Bird for a regular spot in the guts at Essendon given their situation this year. Was very lively with 22 possessions and looks as if he’s  increased in general body girth. Impressive 9 pointer on the bounce in the second quarter and was instrumental in a number of Essendon forward movements. Interested in Patch’s thoughts here. 122 Supercoach Points

Zach Merrett a nice option in #SuperCoach, finishing with 15 handball receives and 122 points. Also attended 9 CB’s.

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) February 28, 2016

Jake Long $117K MID/FWD the son of legend and great mate Michael Long hit the park in the second quarter where he was amongst the action quickly. Coughed it up with his first touch but minutes later presented well on the lead and slotted one from 40m. Won’t see him early and not one to consider but looking forward to seeing him emerge over the coming seasons. 

CARLTON

Jacob Weiterung DEF $221K showed he can certainly step straight into senior football this year. He collected 19 posessions and an incredible 9 marks in his first senior hit out. Will be a special player for a long time if Carlton can hold him – but at this price I’m reluctant to consider him. Brilliant reader of the ball coming into the opposition FWD line. Took a number of composed intercept marks across the backline – will be fantasy relevant for years to come ESPECIALLY in CoachKings where these intercept marks are worth big arse points. Did not have him on my watch list before today but I’ll admit I’m tempted. Rare talent and a great bloke. 

David Cuningham MID $122K really disappointed me today because I know this kid can play. Started in the guts for the first few centre bounces but looked overwhelmed early. Barely sighted for the rest of the game and I’m not sure he even touched the bloody thing. Could be time to remove him from the cheat sheet. Might see him later on in the season as a downgrade target. Chin up David – I know you’re a good JR Community man. NEVER relent. NEVER give in old mate.

Andrew Gallucci FWD $102K was absolutely towelled up by Mitch Brown early but showed some aggots by working his way into the game. Copped a few very harsh frees against which will make his Supercoach score look ordinary, and did cough here up quite a few times. He’s a premiership player for Williamstown but will be up against it to crack into the best 22 this season. 

Ciaran Byrne $124K DEF showed a bit of twinkle toed flair and had the Carlton Army up and about at Princess Park on more than one Occassion. Still on the rookie list and probably needs to do a bit more to force the selectors hand. Just the 8 touches. 

Jack Silvagni FWD $117K didn’t get his kit on till half time. Had a few touches but didn’t show enough to warrant any meaningful fantasy arousal. 5 touches and nearly blew the roof of the park with his 3rd quarter behind. 

Charlie Curnow FWD $171K started to get his hand on the ball this week. Didn’t set the world on fire and by no stretch of the imagination will he make any of my starting team lineups. 

Sam Docherty DEF $473K wasn’t fair dinkum today. Had to double check to make sure he was out there which isn’t a good sign. 6 touches, 3 of them clearances out of defensive 50.

Kade Simpson DEF $500K only played the first half and did what he usually does. Not much to take out of this game. Same role, same magnificent Kade. 

There you have it community – let me know if you saw something I missed! Love you all.

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