Well, we have come to the end of another eventful pre-season, and we capped it with the AAMI Series.
HB watched every game (because he is a massive footy nerd) to bring you coverage for The Mongrel, and given his attention to detail, feels well-positioned to offer the ten winners, and ten losers of the pre-season competition.
Let’s jump in.
THE WINNERS
ISAAC KAKO
Four goals, and pressure on the opposition. What else could you ask for from the first round draft pick?
Kako looked fantastic against the Cats, and could have almost had five as he dribbled one toward goal that was soccered through by Sam Draper. Luckily, he later revealed the kick was touched off the boot, so Draper making sure of the goal was the right thing to do. Get excited, Bomber fans, you finally have a replacement for Walla.
PATRICK LIPINSKI
With Josh Daicos moved to half-back, the position of wing was up for grabs.
Lipinski grabbed it, and held onto it tightly. He had 37 touches, as he owned the outside for the Pies, and provided a great linking role.
SAM DAVIDSON
Like Randy Orton’s RKO, Davidson came outta nowhere to be the star of the first half as the Dogs battled the Hawks.
Playing on the wing, his 23 first-half touches were the standout. He was so good that the Hawks had to tighten up on him in the second half. Look, he might have been a little gassed, but screw it, he probably played himself into the Dogs’ season-opener.
JORDAN DAWSON
Just a magician with the footy in his hands. Some of his 55-metre passes, hitting his teammate in stride, were a privilege to watch.
Late in the game, he went forward, got engaged in a bit of yapping with the defenders, and proceeded to take a contested mark and kick the goal to win it for the Crows. Not a bad day out for the captain. Maybe another level beckons in 2025?
LACHIE NEALE
30 touches and ten clearances in a pre-season hit out.
Just an average day at the office for the dual Brownlow Medallist, right? Played with plantar fasciitis for the second half of 2024, and now looks to be moving very freely again. This spells trouble for the opposition. Also, sneaking forward like he did back in his 2020 Brownlow year. Keep an eye on that this season.
ORAZIO FANTASIA
I’m not a Raz fan, but credit where it’s due – this was the best I have seen Fantasia look in navy blue.
He was good with the ball in-hand, chased hard, created opportunities, and even took a big contested grab in the goal square. No, I am not converted, but the hate train has had the brakes applied. He was excellent.
TOM MCCARTIN
Looked all at sea in the scratch match last week, and completely turned things around to be an excellent leading option for the Swans, and a reliable shot at goal, snagging four for the game.
I remember when he started as a forward, back when he was the youngest player in the league, so this role was not completely foreign to him, but seeing him attack the footy with purpose… it put the bloke at the other end of the ground to shame. More on that soon.
JEREMY FINLAYSON
I really rated Finlayson when he played in defence alongside Phil Davis at GWS. So much so, that when he was out of contract, I wanted the Hawks to go after him – as a defender.
Of course, he transitioned into a forward, and that was that. Now, though, the absence of Dan Houston has opened up a spot for a great ball user, and Finlayson’s field kicking has always been a strong suit. He tore the Saints to shreds from defence, picking up 12 of his 29 touches in the first quarter to set up the win.
JACK GRAHAM
Ah, now you know why the Eagles wanted Jack Graham, huh?
He threw his weight around, knocked some North players on their backside, tackled like a demon, and helped swing the momentum West Coast’s way in the second quarter. Looked like a man amongst boys out there. A beast in blue and gold.
JOSH BATTLE
An excellent first outing in brown and gold. Gathered 27 touches and 11 intercepts to be one of the Hawks’ best for the game.
NATHAN O’DRISCOLL
Made the wing his own against the Dees, and capitalised on Ed Langdon being moved into the middle. Was clean by hand, strong overhead, and hit the scoreboard, as well.
A very nice game from NOD, who likely played himself into the Round One team.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA AND CLAYTON OLIVER
They’re baaaack.
They combined for 61 disposals, three goals, 20 clearances, and 19 inside 50s, as the old firm got together again to team with Max Gawn in the middle. A sight for sore Demon eyes.
THE LOSERS
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI
Bont told the boundary rider he’ll be okay, as he walked back from the rooms.
Thanks, Doctor Bontempelli; remind me never to attend your physiotherapy practice. He is now set to miss six weeks with a calf injury, inflicting further pain on Dogs fans, who have also lost Adam Treloar and Liam Jones to calf muscle injuries, as well
ERROL GULDEN
Not weeks… months on the sidelines with a fractured ankle!
Caught in a tackle, one of the most exciting players in the game now has a fractured ankle. It is a horror start to the season for both him, and the Swans, as his running power and precise ball use will be sorely missed.
BEN KING
At the other end of the ground, a full-back masquerading as a full forward showed King how to lead with purpose, how to contest, and how to make an impact.
Meanwhile, King continued his habit of being led to the footy by his direct opponent. The more things change…
JAKE STRINGER
Missed the AAMI Series and the scratch match due to illness, but proceeded to injure his hamstring, anyway.
What would the pre-season be without a Stringer injury, right? A shame, because from all reports, he’d put in the work this year.
PETER WRIGHT
He played the first quarter, and then sat and watched his spot in the Best-23 be taken by Nate Caddy.
Two Metre Peter had one season where he looked like a genuine threat for the Bombers. Now, he looks like an average backup forward. How the mighty have fallen
OLLIE HENRY
Played 68 minutes for two touches of the footy. Yes, one was a goal, but he was out of sorts, and after one big effort at a speckie, he looked like he wasn’t all that interested. Who knows, maybe he wasn’t?
JACOB KOSCHITZKE
The Tigers are undermanned and lack size and strength all over the park.
What does it say, then, that Jacob Koschitzke played in the reserves in the AAMI Series?
THE ST KILDA SKILLS COACH
The Saints would feel like kicking themselves for some of the disposals in this game. True to form, they’d probably miss.
An abysmal display with ball in hand, compounded by Port Adelaide pressure, but teams at this level are supposed to be able to handle pressure. Very disappointing.
CAM ZURHAAR
Could not get a sniff after quarter time, with Jeremy McGovern moving over to spend some time in his company.
Getting Jack Darling was supposed to fre Zurhaar up. Maybe it has – he has a heap of time on his hands now that he is not impacting the play, at all
Got any more to add?
I’m sure you do.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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