I almost enjoyed the Heidelberg v Roar game.

Heidelberg showed they are a club with quality both on and off the pitch. Their attacking movements were skilful and well executed, and caused us considerable difficulty. Defensively they were effective all over the pitch - but noting that Roar under that defensive pressure contributed a great deal to Heidelberg's effectiveness.

I am seeing a disturbing trend in our slowing the play down on restarts, back passing, and inability to find a teammate throughout the team. I do not want to think that it is Moon's adopted practice to continually pass backwards until we get caught in a hideous position and lose the ball one way or another. The fact that Moon was getting so frustrated with players passing backwards gives me hope that it is just pre-season wrinkles and players afraid to go forward until they develop some trust in each other.

Danzaki got pulled because his touch and passing were off, and by the looks of it he was ignoring Moon's calls to play higher. He will improve without doubt as he learns how we are playing now compared to what we did last time with him.

If Austin retains his drive and desire through whatever period it takes for the rest of the team to learn how to pass or receive a through ball then he is going to help us to become really dangerous in the front third. If the lack of composure and quality that comes so often into our passing game pisses him off enough early on we could lose him mentally I fear. His touch and vision are a joy to watch and like a lot of really good players he can make seconds of free time when under pressure and surrounded. Love seeing that in players. Also loved seeing him sucking in the deep breaths - he is a fantastic signing for us as both a skilful player and a guide to all those lesser and up-and-coming forwards we have and it can only get better as he gets fitter and his influence reaps rewards.

Not loving Trewin as a 6. His strength is defending and I have yet to consider him a particularly useful link moving forwards - much more as a last ditch, well timed intervenor and interceptor of play coming in than holding down such a critical role bringing the ball out under pressure - especially when we are playing backwards so much and creating a lot of that pressure.

Beautiful strike by Mileusnic. Some very nice bits to our play by a number of contributors - and no doubt much more to come. Hingert had a very good game (I thought - no doubt I am wrong about that again :P ).

That was the sort of role that Daley is built for - getting in and stuffing up the opposition attacks.

Chapman looked to be responsible for some very silly decision making that put us under pressure a few times when it was not necessary. A bit of a worry for me when I am counting on our defensive group to be rock solid and instead we are unable to stop good solo runs or cover the passing options other than as a desperation tackle.

As long as we saw pre-season flaws, and not a style of play that we intend running with, I found the positives for us in a game against a very effective and capable opponent, were another good step towards this coming season.

Well done Heidelberg. Glad we got the win and showed some really good moments.

Mono - if you were there in that shirt I could not see you. Was that you running up and down the sideline perhaps? Mad bugger - if it wasn't you he shares your passion for club!

The "mad bugger: is a fixture at Bergers games... has been for years.... he makes me look indifferent to soccer.. The guy rides every single passage of play like he is on the pitch himself, probably gets more kms in his legs just spectating as most of the players.... 

He goes to Northcote City as well.

TBH I think it's poor form for him to be highlighted on social media.