Chat Show 08/05/07

Pembleton says:

Welcome to the first edition of thescray.com’s chat show. I am your host, Pembleton, and my fellow bloggers; Rocco Jones and PC are here as well. Hello gentlemen.

Rocco Jones says:

Hi Pembleton, PC and whoever ends up reading this.

PC says:

Yo.

Pembleton says:

Although it is always disappointing to lose, was there enough to be positive about from the Eagles game to keep you guys reasonably happy?

Rocco Jones says:

I think there was Pembleton. We were much harder in our running and in contests than most of our games this year.

PC says:

I thought early in the third it was going to be Semi Final replay time, but you know... it wasn't, so that's a positive.

Rocco Jones says:

Yeah I was worried they would overrun us then too. They kicked the last two goals going into half time and started the third strongly. Good to see us fight back when the heat was really on us.

PC says:

Probably what we needed to do against the Saints a few weeks back. At the very least, it keeps me out of the bar for a bit longer

Pembleton says:

I liked the way the game was played. It resembled the kind of games that Sydney and Adelaide have with the Eagles, and that is the sort of company we want. Ultimately I thought we lost because we couldn't quite match the tackling and harassing pressure that the Eagles exerted, but our intensity was better than in any of the other games so far this season.

Rocco Jones says:

We have to keep that up though. The sides you mention do it nearly every week. It's what you need to grind out the amount of wins to finish in the top 4. As hard as we played, we still showed signs of a team that is not used to being a part of such a hard contest.

PC says:

Someone said to me after the Geelong game that it wasn't pretty, to which I replied that's what top teams do, grind out the wins, but the Geelong game was our best game, so I just think the best is yet to come. Perhaps this loss will be the turning point.

Rocco Jones says:

Yeah I think the top teams know when to play in 1st or 2nd gear and when to step it up too. A lot of their games tend to be closer on the scoreboard than in reality.

Pembleton says:

I am worried about Akermanis. He doesn't seem to be able to get anywhere near running at full pace.

Rocco Jones says:

I think I preferred it when we were worry about his mouth.

PC says:

Aker is a man who hasn't played a lot of football in the last 12 months. His game is as rusty as his handstand in Round 1 - It'll come.

Pembleton says:

I hope that is all it is, but that hamstring could be of bigger concern than we want to believe. Focusing on one big positive, was that Matthew Boyd's best game for the club?

Rocco Jones says:

Definitely. Kerr has been fantastic this season, to stop him like that was amazing. We don't have any players who make life annoying for opposition midfielders. You don't have to be Steven Baker to do that. Holding on at the right time, putting that little bit extra in a tackle or bump. I think Boyd can become that type. He also gets a fair bit of it himself which is important.

PC says:

Kerr is a player that has few downers, especially over the last couple of years, so for Boyd to keep a player who is definitely in the upper echelon of the game to what, 12 touches was it? shows exactly how far he's come since being promoted off the rookie list. A bit of faith from the coach goes a long way.

Rocco Jones says:

Yeah I think Kerr really improved that side of his game this year in particular. He is so great in close that it's very hard for his opponent to affect him. Sensational effort.

Pembleton says:

His ability to keep improving is amazing. He has not only established himself as a regular, but as one of the more important midfielders in the team. From playing an undefeated side to one that is without a win. Surely we will beat the Demons.

Rocco Jones says:

Depends on what we bring. It's not too difficult to be motivated for a game against the best on their own turf, I think our games really look forward to clashes against the Eagles. If we are going to be a decent side, we have to put away sides like the Dees.

PC says:

Yup - This week I think will show the direction this season takes. If we are where we think we are, we'll put them away. I'm starting to fear no team with the form Brian Harris is in!

Pembleton says:

'H' has been looking like Matthew Scarlett at his best.

Rocco Jones says:

Unbelievable form. He looks a lot more comfortable attacking the ball than he does trying to stop his opponent from mark it, doesn't he? Reminds me of Dustin Fletcher and Chad Cornes down back too. I hope being able to release him from the oppositions most dangerous tall forward target is a viable option.

PC says:

When do we bring out the red and blue shirts with a big white "H" on the front? Number 1 seller written all over it.

Rocco Jones says:

Is he called 'H' by anyone other than you Pembleton?

Pembleton says:

If he's not he should be.

Rocco Jones says:

Don't worry, I just thought it was a good opportunity for me to show a bit of personality. It's a wonderful nickname.

Pembleton says:

Mitch Hahn is a really good chance to be included this week if the Werribee reports are accurate. It would be great to see him back. Great for the team too, because on the field provides proverbial truckloads of that intensity we were talking about earlier.

PC says:

I hope Mitch comes back as strong as the other members of the Knee Reco Crew have. Always a fear that a reco victim comes back with a bit of, well fear. The other two have been sensational (all things considered) so hopefully Mitch busts a pack early and gets back to business.

Rocco Jones says:

I think Hahn was a massive key to us starting off last season so well. He creates a lot of goal scoring chances through his physical work. We are pretty light on in what he offers us, I think he will be extremely valuable.

PC says:

We're pretty light on for goals in the last quarter. I hope someone brings that to the table this week too.

Pembleton says:

Rocco Jones to the forward pocket perhaps?

Rocco Jones says:

My kicking is improving Pembles

Pembleton says:

It's tipping time. Dogs by 50.

Rocco Jones says:

Dogs by 38

PC says:

If it's sunny, Dogs by 40, if it's raining Dogs by 40.

Pembleton says:

And something to look out for...

PC says:

4WDs if you're crossing La Trobe Street.

Rocco Jones says:

I will assume our selectors have finally woken up to themselves and will play Doogs. He will celebrate this by kicking many a goal.

Pembleton says:

Aaron Davey. Not many players offer you something genuinely different to watch anymore, so I am looking forward to watching him first hand. I hope we are winning by heaps so I can enjoy watching his work without worrying about the scores.

Rocco Jones says:

His brother is fun to watch as well.

Pembleton says:

I had a kick with Alwyn on the ground after a Bendigo Bombers game the other week. Well, actually I had a kick with some mates, whilst Alwyn was running around playing with a couple of kids nearby. He seemed like a very lovely guy.

Pembleton says:

That is all from us in this edition. We would love to hear about what you would like to see addressed in next week's edition. You can let us know by posting in the comments section of this blog.