Watched Fremantle Vs Kalamunda
& Rockingham Vs Giants.
Good to see Kalamunda get up, unfortunate on Ken Allen memorial day for Freo, but good for the competition. The Bulldogs have a good team cohesion and if they can keep injury free and keep the majority of their players (the WA job enviroment is very tempting to alot of players) they can push for the finals this year. Their halves played an excellent game, and although it was the first game of the season, they showed great maturity in pushing their team around the field.
Was a bit disapointed overall with Fremantles performance. Some big efforts from the usual suspects, but they lack a dominant half and are missing a bit of mongrel in the forward pack. Prob did enough to win yesterday anyway, but great marks given to Bulldogs for toughening up, something they would not have done in the last few years.
Overall the game was what was expected in a round one clash. Some minor flashes in brilliance led to tries, but defence was quite good.
Also note - Freo were very good in reserve grade. Will be some knocking on the door of firsts.
In the Sharks Vs Giants game, Giants looked like the better side for the first 15 - 20mins. Along with some mistakes and well deserved penalties, they led 10 -6 and it probably should have been more. Then they let their foot off the gas/ran out of puff/lost their way and ended up getting well beaten. They have what looks like a dominant forward pack, but have no punch out wide (apart from the biggest redhead centre ive ever seen, who was bigger than everyone out there, and their fullback). Thier halves really played well for 20mins and then when their team looked to them, they dissapeared.
The Sharks started sloppily and looked like they were in for a long night, but came to life towards the end of the first half, and dominated the second period. Thier forward pack, althought not big, were very fit and fast, with good footwork in the middle of the field. Will be interesting to see whether they can shape up to the bigger packs of Beach and the Lions. Their centres were fantastic in Attack and Defence and looked dangerous all day. Their halves really benefited from the great forward play and looked dangerous by taking the ball to the line (which the Giants halves should have done more).
All in all, the Giants have plenty of promise and the Sharks look like they will only get better. time will tell.
Note: Sharks reserve grade look very strong again. Will be pushing for 1st grade spots even though 1's got up.
