So true carrots, but this Vertonghen vision is simply deplorable and is the sort of cheating that only occurs rarely but when it does its a blight on the game.
FIFA should step in and take notice of stuff like this, and retrospectively suspend players who perform this action with no real possible clause. Vertonghen initiated head contact, with the result being an unfair advantage. Given video replays and the delay which normally occurs whilst the red carded player walks off the park, they should be given a minute to review the footage, and determine whether or not the red card was swan dive of this nature, and if so, reverse the decision. That will make players think twice before milking a non existant assasination like the one Vertonghen pulled.
Im all for the trip that isnt seen without exaggerating the contact, but this sort of stuff is just crap.
See the farcicle situation between Hampson and Hille from a few years ago, as to why this in isolation should not be seen to be reason to condemn the game.
Two head high contact decisions given within 10 seconds of each other.
As for this happening every week, I doubt it. This is a once a year proposition at best, and most often the "diving" that people condemn soccer players for, is at worst exaggeration of the foul in order to ensure the ref pays the free kick.
There is a little bit of revisionist history going on re Yarran.
1. He doesnt usually get given a shut down role he gets given a defensive forward.
2. He is rarely beaten and keeps his man quiet.
For number 2, see 1 as to why this is disregarded.
3. He is absolutely electric when he goes off on his attacking forays, but stopping his man going the other way is again revisionist. Its usually up to his teamates to cover his absence or he kicks a goal and gets to reset. Potentially he left us in a mismatch outnumber down back with players scrambling to cover anyway, and this can only make us easier to score against. The question there is, if he goes running is he that potent? IMHO, not really. I dont think he ranks highly for goal assists, but I can tell you now running bounces dont win games of football even though it looks good.
In any case, Im not condemning Yarran, Malthouse even stated that he is still a young bloke and sometimes we expect too much from our players, but I think those going into bat for him are possibly going to far, whilst those stating things against him are using the above thought process and not communicating as well as they could be.
IN any case, we are lucky to have him, and I hope he finds a bit of form, as he is a genuine game breaker for us when he fires. If only it would happen more frequently.
Robinson was our spiritual leader at one point, where he would lift the side with his desperate acts, and the rest would start following his example and come to the party with the physicality.
That wasnt true last season and it was the first time in a few years that I saw players going when it was their turn prior to Robbo leading the way.
I think Robbo really needs to just play smarter footy. He will never become an improved kick of the footy as its just not the way it works, but what he can improve is his composure and decision making. This was highlighted against the Tigers last season with that punch through. Everyone knew about it but him.
Bell is still learning. He can afford to butcher it a bit this year provided he does as much good as he does bad. Robinson needs to become more honest indian with the footy at this stage else his card might be marked.
We just need our boys to develope a steely resolve. Too often in the past we go into our shells when things get hard. I think Malthouse is improving this aspect of our players and I think we saw it most in B. Gibbs last season.
Personally if I were the Crows, I would ensure that Betts plays. Figure out whether or not if we know how to stop him, AND figure out how to prevent that from happening when it really matters.
At the end of the day though it could be negative for them. We might show everyone how to beat Eddie and that could be disastrous for the Crows.
I expect him to do well this season and next, and that will be it for Eddie though.
Cameron Wood: former Magpie, rookie, third in the ruck pecking order behind Kreuzer and Warnock but the Blues say he isn't simply insurance. Expected to play at least a handful of games to lighten the ruck load at strategic times.
Indicates a likely elevation...Or a potential problem that we dont know about.
Yep, this is a very big year for Meat and Rowey and they both must be aware that it's deliver or FO. I have a hunch there will be another clean-out at year's end, though not 25 like last year. Probably 12-15.
Only reason any of them survive is if the elder statesmen decide its time to pull the pin and if we have too many that just continue treading water.
One thing is for sure, Cameron Wood has already done enough to make players feel nervous moving forward, and although I wouldnt be making guarantees, if Cachia keeps doing what he is doing a senior list spot is on the cards for him.
I think we have a new topic of discussion forming here actually. Very few are guaranteed of anything moving forward, and I like it.
Looking solely at his ruck work, he was at best competitive.
Competitive doesnt win you premierships.
Im tired of making excuses for players that will be sometimes players. I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning, and If I were in charge at the Blues, I would put Gibbs negotiations on hold until the end of the season if he knocks back an initial contract offer which is deemed to be fair. It could be a parting of ways that suits both of us as the acquistion and then annual wait for Gibbs to come of age represents exactly why we have taken so long to emerge from mediocrity. We are too afraid to make the hard calls. Moving Hammer on was the first of many that we are required to make.
This all occurred listening to Troy Chaplin on SEN this morning. He was another just going through the motions as a good ordinary AFL footballer and then he moved to Richmond. He had no pressing need to move, but hearing him talk, the move has done him the world of good. Not to mention the opening at Port has allowed others to come in and play his role who might be a bit hungrier and this has also lifted Port. Im not in favour of this occurring En Masse, but in certain situations it might be time. Make an offer, if he asks for time, give him time, and weigh in again later. He is a restricted free agent. If we decide to match any offers, he isnt going anywhere. No point bidding up his price unless absolutely required.
I gotta say...Its premature I know, lost of water to pass under the bridge before an assessment can be proclaimed justified, but trading out Hampson in return for a second rounder that was used to land the big E , whilst covering any benefit Hampson may have provided by selecting Wood via the Rookie draft, might end being a master stroke. Its not as if Wood has to remain injury free the whole season, he just has to be on par with Hampson availability wise for us to brake even in that dept. Hamps doesnt have a outstanding injury free history either.
We used that pick (indirectly) for Docherty? But let's say it was for Andreas...
For me, a lot depends on how Hammer goes at Richmond and if Warnock continues to be a tapping witch's hat.
If Hammer goes well and Everitt/Docherty go well it will probably be seen as a win/win but if Warnock struggles then it will always be a question of whether we made the right trade. Then again, maybe a Warnock trade doesn't get us the pick that lands us Sam....
A Warnock trade would have been near impossible considering he had about 3 years to go on his contract. Reckon he was never considered. Was always gonna be Hammer, regardless.
IMHO a Warnock trade would have been silly.
No matter how good Hammer could have been, he would still be a barely there proposition as opposed to the other two. Warnock and Kreuzer if they are competitive or winning their ruck duals, it will go a long way to winning matches.
I dont think that was ever true of Hammer. The trouble being is that even when he won the ruck dual, it wouldnt necessarily be to our advantage like the other two.
We fielded a side minus at least 10 straight up starters. The Kangabies were far closer to full strength. The Kangabies had the better of the stats.
We learned so much from this game, as well as winning when all the pundits and some here, thought we would not.
On the negative side, we learned - Lucas is a dud. Bootsma is not far behind.
On the positive side, we saw how much value Everitt will likely bring. We won without 10 'first pick blokes' and non-dominant performances from Murph, Gibbs, Robbo, Waite etc...
On stats alone, we should have lost by about 3-5 goals.
Is there anyone else who'd like acknowledge positive indicators from this first hit-out? Sorry, but I think we did really well in this game and there was much to like about our intensity and endeavour... woops, positive
I dont have a lot to say but ill say this
Our newbies showed promise, we got through the game, no injuries that we know about yet and we are a week closer to the start of the season.
Aside from that winning form is good form and winning culture is also important.
I am expecting us to finally have recruited a key position player that will be the pick of the bunch in this draft largely because the expectations are small, and no one has rated him that highly.
He is a good size already and fairly athletic so I dont see why he cant be the surprise packet.
