Re: Round 19 Post Game thread - Blues V Pies
Reply #83 –
I haven’t really commented on the Hawthorn and North games so I thought I would combine my thoughts on our three latest losses.
I think that, regardless of personnel, our slow ball movement and failure to keep a couple of players behind the ball mean that we will not be competitive against reasonable opposition. In one passage of play, we had 29 sequential kicks before scoring a goal (I think it was Boekhorst). While 29 kicks in a row without losing possession is no mean feat, it is tempting fate, particularly against a team like Hawthorn that pounce on the slightest error and make you pay. I suspect that Johnny Barker is trying to limit the damage rather than trying to match the better teams. If so, I would prefer to see us trying to move the ball quickly and get it inside 50 while our marking targets are not out-numbered. For a team that is consistently winning the clearances, we get little benefit and turn the ball over far too often. We will probably still be thumped but we have to start playing more direct and aggressive football.
I have been reasonably happy with Boekhorst. He still has a bit to learn but I think that he is picking up the AFL tempo and showing that he can be competitive. I think that Smith has shown a bit too, although he is still a little out of his depth. Getting these games under his belt should help his development.
I was pleasantly surprised with Whiley’s performance against Collingwood after suspecting that he would be another of our disappointing trades. However, he won plenty of the ball and showed that he is not afraid to throw his weight around. He is not alone in that and it was great to see our young blokes dishing a bit out. Casboult and Kreuzer executed a couple of copy book hip and shoulders too.
I should also comment on Kreuzer’s efforts. His ruckwork against Grundy was some of his best work. Grundy certainly got more hitouts but they were generally ineffective. In contrast, Kreuzer was able to give Cripps and Murphy first use of the ball. Kreuzer's marking has improved a great deal too and is probably back to where it was in his first couple of seasons. It's great to see him attacking the ball and marking cleanly.
It seems fashionable to criticise Everitt but I reckon that we have found one sixth of our forward line. Well, one quarter with Casboult, and perhaps more if we could get the ball inside 50 more quickly and more directly.
We certainly have a very long way to go but there are some promising signs.
Topic: Round 19 Post Game thread - Blues V Pies (Read 28249 times)
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