Integral Impacts | Round 6
Defence – Sam Docherty
Whilst is was a difficult day down back for most of the Baggers backline, Docherty’s game statistically stood out, with the use of his disposal proving efficient as well as effective. His direct opponent McCarthy was kept quiet with 11 disposals and one goal, however his impact to control out defensive transition was much underappreciated come the end of the night where the backline was criticised as a collective, instead of each individual. It was one of Docherty’s most versatile games of the season and hopefully one for him to build some confidence off to translate in to the rest of the backline.
Docherty totalled 28 disposals, 21 kicks and 7 handballs, going at 93% disposal efficiency and 95% kicking efficiency, the best for the team on the night, only missing one kick, 20/21 effective a quite outstanding stat when considering the intensity and pressure from the Brisbane forwards. Docherty totalled seven marks throughout the match with three intercept marks and one contested mark. Docherty was towards the top end of our one percenters with four, being the minor efforts of his game as his skills with foot were proficient and effective to make up for the little things. Docherty totalled 10 intercepts come the end of the game and topped our defenders for scoring involvements with five, around one per quarter. Docherty had 13 pressure acts, a lower amount compared to the rest of the squad, however kept direct opponents quiet with his effectiveness with ball in hand. Even though Docherty’s pressure acts were lower he topped the tackle count for the Baggers with seven to finish the evening, as well as five rebound 50s to add to his impressive use of the footy to shut down Brisbane’s forward line, in what may have been a much worse result than the scoreboard suggests. You can fault the defensive line as a whole but the efforts of certain individuals such as Docherty, Jones and Weitering cannot be mistaken. The improvement is still up and coming and the effort from Docherty from this round’s game displayed just that.
Midfield – Sam Walsh
Another game, another stellar performance from Walsh. This kid consistently plays with passion for this club and as usual, he leaves us supporters asking where the intent, effort and passion is from most of the other guys running around on the field. Walsh was an integral role to our successes throughout the night, with some crucial goals in times of need as well as some much needed shut downs of key mids in Neale and Zorko when he was breaking through our midfield.
Totalling 33 disposals, Walsh 76% disposal efficiency and 75% kicking efficiency having a very similar night to our previous game against Port. Around the ground, Walsh had five clearances, four stoppage clearances and one centre clearance. He had eight inside 50s throughout the game ad snagged a great goal from the 50 metre mark to spark energy back into the side just before half time. Walsh had nine ground ball gets, showcasing his ability to get his hands dirty and get first to the ball no matter the risk or result, taking a heap of pressure off his teammates. Walsh totalled 19 pressure acts, the best of the midfield group and 4 tackles to close out the match. The running machine was back at it again with 15.8 kilometres run to finish the match, second best to Cottrell’s 16.8, an elite level of endurance for 113 minutes on the ground, averaging one kilometres per seven minutes, which can be broken down to 150 metres per minute, a real elite level of running for the competition. Another week of brilliance from Walsh, a deserving mention yet again and he can only get better with this team.
Forward – Harry McKay
Harry is breaking through this season, with no better example than this round, kicking six goals against a very strong Brisbane backline with the likes of Harris Andrews his direct opponent for most of the match. Harry is putting himself in dangerous positions and is reaping the reward for his efforts proving himself as one of the strong tall forwards in the competition. However obvious to many, his set shot accuracy is deplorable and a real factor that can completely change his game, especially in tight match scenarios. Nevertheless, if the snaps work for him, us supporters cannot complain too heavily, a goal is a goal come the end of the day, and Harry’s six lands him in forward of the week yet again.
McKay totalled 15 disposals going at 80% disposal efficiency and 75% kicking efficiency, a better night for Harry than seen in previous weeks regarding efficiency with ball use. Harry took nine marks throughout the match, making the most of his opportunities with eight scoring shots, most of the time capitalising from a mark inside forward 50 in which he took five. His efforts around the ground were much smaller with three tackles, two one percenters and five pressure acts. McKay had nine scoring involvements and dominated our forward 50, in a game where our small forwards in Betts and Cottrell struggled to make a significant forward 50 impact. McKay is shaping into the footballer he wants to be now and for opposition teams it is hard to stop him with the ability he has to control the ball in contested situations. Harry bag of six lands him his second appearance in forward of the week.
