Re: Post Game Frustrations: AFL 2021 Rd 14: Carlton vs GWS
Reply #50 –
It was truly deplorable. I do however, detect an undercurrent of player frustration with the game plan and maybe some sour views of our recent recruits and their contracts.
4 / 9 is nowhere near where I expected we'd be. Been saying for weeks we were never going to play finals and that is now an impossible target.
It's not just on Teague by any stretch. Half hearted efforts by a large group of players is demoralising and for many, simply inexcusable.
God help me, I could go on, but this is, largely, a selfish list. I was just a kid when we won '68 and my father had waited since '45 for a flag. I asked him night prior how he'd feel if we lost.
He looked up at me and simply said, "a bear with a sore head".
And here I am today, having waited longer ....
Game plan? There is one? Apart from the obvious lack of effort and commitment by many, our game plan allows for 10-20 of decent footy and that's it. Let me highlight some:
- Our kicking out is atrocious, the players appear clue less and struggle to penetrate most oppo set ups a lot of the time.
- Defence: Probably our worse line ATM and the worst in the comp.
- Tackling and pressure on the opo ball carrier is non existent.
- Tackling and pressure on our ball carrier is immense.
- Our delivery into the forward line is shambolic. Kicks to 1 v 2 or 3, kicks straight to defenders who lead our fwds to the ball. Is this an instruction?
- If Richmonds game plan is based on manic pressure and fwd movement of the ball at all costs, ours is the complete opposite. Bruise free, uncontested, guarding grass. Our structures are terrible for most of the game (save for a patches here and there).
Whilst not a game plan issue, our skill level is abysmal. I have little confidence with the majority of our players with ball in hand. Kicks that fall short, loopy high kicks that give the opo time to get across or close in, hand balls at the feet or wide, its constant week in week out.
I have now idea what they are going to do about it but we are so far off the mark its not funny.