Round 15 v Fremantle at Carrara

We’ve seen a lot of games like this in 2020 – low-scoring, constipated affairs played without much flair or fluency. There always seems to be too many players around the ball, especially in the forward 50-metre zone, where it’s inordinately hard to find any space or win clean possession. It’s frustrating to watch, and you can see that it’s frustrating for the players and coaches as well. In summary, this game was an unattractive scrap from which the Tigers did well to emerge with victory, on the back of only two quarters of good play. Looking for positive things to say about it all, this is what comes to mind:

Marlion Pickett seems to have really lifted his game in the past few weeks. His peculiar loping style is a pleasure to watch, and he’s one of those players who seem to make the game slow down when he has the ball. He has a special talent for subtly changing the angle of the play too, and I thought he was our best on the night. 

Jayden Short’s run and dash has been a pleasure to watch all season. His ability to transfer quickly from defence into attack is as good as anyone’s and I don’t reckon he’s played a bad game all year.

Fridge Graham has been playing with terrific, sustained intent. Get tackled by this bloke and you stay tackled. He’s not flashy but he’s brutally effective, and I hope his strong performances over recent weeks will be enough to cement his place in the team.

Kamdyn McIntosh seems to have new hair but, fortunately, this hasn’t changed his distinctive running style or his cartoonish Popeye arm-flexing routine when he celebrates a goal or some other notable passage of play. In a game where a lot of our mid-fielders didn’t rise to any great heights, it was McIntosh and Pickett on the wings that carried much of our game ‘between the arcs’ (as they say in the commentary booth). 

I don’t think this was a match than anyone will really want to revisit. But the Tigers won, so that’s what counts. Our next game against Geelong promises to be a bigger and better occasion.

Benny Votes

5. Marlion Pickett
4. Jayden Short
3. Jack Graham
2. Kamdyn McIntosh
1. Jake Aarts

Leaderboard
26: Martin
22: Bolton
17: Short
14: Vlastuin
13: Grimes
12: Balta
11: Cotchin, McIntosh
10: Lambert, Graham
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Riewoldt, Pickett
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol, Houli
4: Caddy
3: Lynch
2: Aarts
1: Castagna

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy for Tackles
Kane Lambert 46
Marlion Pickett 42
Trent Cotchin 39
Jack Graham 38
Dan Rioli 36