Kepler Bradley: Spent three quarters of the match in defence and one quarter up forward. He definitely looked more at home down back and after a couple of early errors he quickly found his feet. He showed terrific courage and was prepared to run off his man at every opportunity – a couple of his efforts indirectly contributing to goals. He also took some telling marks under pressure. It was a very excellent start.
Jay Nash: Spent most of the first half on the bench and when finally let loose in the second half, he didn’t look out of place. He spent most of the game across half -back and won his fair share of the ball. Lacked nothing in courage or composure.
Ricky Dyson: Like Nash, he spent almost a half on the bench. When he came on he went straight into the midfield. Has speed and competed well in close. He will have benefited from the hit out.
Justin Murphy: Spent three quarters of the game in the midfield and competed very well in close. His strength and coolness under pressure telling against his younger opponents. One magnificent pass to Matthew Lloyd underlined just how valuable his disposal will be – he could be worth another five to 10 goals to Lloyd in 2004.
Nathan Lovett-Murray: This kid might just be a star! Starting down back, it wasn’t long before he was moved to half forward where he kicked two goals. He will almost certainly have played himself into next week’s Wizard Cup team to play Fremantle. The key to him realising his potential in 2004 will be his fitness – he has got himself a body as coach Kevin Sheedy would say. But he is also super quick – both in terms of his leg speed and football brain. And to cap it all off he is exciting – his big leap will thrill fans this season. Keep a close eye on his progress this season.
Peter Summers: Limited game time but showed he is slick by hand and foot in the limited time he got on the ground. He didn’t get enough ground time to make a call on his progress at this stage.
Andrew Lovett: Livewire on and off the field. Has electrifying speed but didn’t get many chances to use it. Spent most of his time up forward but didn’t have a real impact until the final minute when he took a well-judged mark and kicked the goal that sealed the game. Outside chance to play in Darwin.
Ben Cosgriff: Spent the first half on the bench and then went to full back. He quickly found out that everything happens a little faster at the top level – one turnover costing his side a goal. He will be better for the run and he lacked nothing when it came to attacking the ball or the opposition.
