Ready for the last H & A game for the season.
Crickets...........
Yep. That's pretty much my thoughts as well..........
It was a final for them and a dead rubber for us.
Congrats to Charlie.
The end.
There is speculation in the media that Weitering could be charged with eye gouging Greene.
Congratulations to Charlie.
As for the team. It was a minimally acceptable 2q performance under current conditions. Whether the drop off was by instruction (doubtful IMO) or otherwise. It's not an ideal lead into finals IMO. Nor are the mounting injuries.
I hope our approach doesn't come back to haunt us. The club has been outstanding to bounce back post bye.
Surprised that match stats were relatively even. They only won efficiency inside 50 by a fair margin
Was at the game tonight, not sure what to make of it. Giants playing for place in the finals were hard at it, we were not. Hoping it is a blip on the radar. Go Blues.
Witches hats after half time. Not sure what happened to Acres, collarbone? Weiters is in strife and will miss.
Congratulations to Charlie.
As for the team. It was a minimally acceptable 2q performance under current conditions. Whether the drop off was by instruction (doubtful IMO) or otherwise. It's not an ideal lead into finals IMO. Nor are the mounting injuries.
I hope our approach doesn't come back to haunt us. The club has been outstanding to bounce back post bye.
They wanted it way more and were too quick for us. I thought Coniglio and Whitfield tore us a new one on the outside. Sort of glad we aren't playing them.
Did we put the cue in the rack or did they just have way more to play for ??
Some of the lesser lights were quite poor tonight, in particular Durdin who fumbled badly under pressure.
Was truly hoping to go into the finals on a high, we showed in the first quarter that we were there for the contest but as soon as Curnow got in front on the Coleman we packed up shop.
There is speculation in the media that Weitering could be charged with eye gouging Greene.
It was a complete accident. Moved his hand the very moment it went there.
Did we put the cue in the rack or did they just have way more to play for ??
Some of the lesser lights were quite poor tonight, in particular Durdin who fumbled badly under pressure.
Was truly hoping to go into the finals on a high, we showed in the first quarter that we were there for the contest but as soon as Curnow got in front on the Coleman we packed up shop.
I thought quite a few had the fumbles tonight, slipped over a lot also. We missed too many kicks and hand balls.
It was a complete accident. Moved his hand the very moment it went there.
I hope you're right. Losing Wieters would be disastrous.
They wanted it way more and were too quick for us. I thought Coniglio and Whitfield tore us a new one on the outside. Sort of glad we aren't playing them.
If we were to play them in the finals we'd flog them unmercifully. Players can do what they want and look great when no one is pressuring them. Wasn't hard to guess we'd only play at around 50% tonight. Even it worse when the other side has so much to play for. Many.a side has been flogged last game and won a flag Dogs for one in 2016.
They wanted it way more and were too quick for us. I thought Coniglio and Whitfield tore us a new one on the outside. Sort of glad we aren't playing them.
Both are as soft as butter, same with Kelly, in the finals they wont hold up imo...Whitfield threw in the short steps when attempting a mark early and I thought we had more problems with Daniels and Bedford who cut us up with their pace.
With our full crew back we should be able to take care of all the 6-8th place teams imho although as you say Weitering may have a charge to answer but given Greene seemed ok I cant see it being sustained.
Didnt like the Harry ruck stuff either and want Pittonet back in and Harry back to CHF.
There it is folks. Remember teams who have 5 outs rarely win.
We lost the game at the Selection Table:
[1] Not selecting Pittonet was a mistake: I hope it was due to niggles, as he would have been far more effective in the ruck. Tom got his hand on the ball a bit, but had no control over his taps went. GWS smashed us in the centre.
[2] Cerra had the quietest 22 possession game I can remember him playing. He'll be better for the run. Our best mid was possibly George Hewett, but he had 1 clearance. Dow was our best clearance option, with 8, from 21 possessions; not his best game, but he got most of our clearances.
[3] H needs the run. He was ordinary, and his decision making at times is terrible.
[4] Jack Martin was well beaten for the first time in ages. He struggled to make an impact. Cotters was quiet. Cuningham played his worst game since his return, fumbling and missing targets. Ollie Hollands also had one of his worst games. He was robbed of that goal!
[5] Marchbank was good when he came on.
[6] Weitering was probably our most effective player. He dominated Hogan, even with the ball coming down as it was.
[7] I must mention the umpiring. In the first half it was diabolical. Tackles were not rewarded, leading directly to GWS goals. As to the holding our our key forwards ... I'm just not going there.
Harry not impacting the scoreboard when Charlie is held is a big issue that needs to be addressed.
[7] I must mention the umpiring. In the first half it was diabolical. Tackles were not rewarded, leading directly to GWS goals. As to the holding our our key forwards ... I'm just not going there.
Yep. Just very pro GWS - the numerous HTB not awarded to us but against us. It was maddening.
Harry not impacting the scoreboard when Charlie is held is a big issue that needs to be addressed.
Don't let Harry ruck, and Charlie will get more help.
The result was highly predictable and in the long run may well be beneficial because we had a game where we were able in parts to demonstrate the pressure we've been showing but didn't have to sustain it.
We were able to rest players who, had we been playing for a finals spot, no doubt would have played.
We ended the game with key players in cotton wool.
The only downside was a few injuries, but we'll see how they come up after a couple of weeks rest.
I suspect the Weitering thing will at least be looked at.
If you have a look at Voss's press conference, tonight was a bit about experimentation and the rest of it was pretty much about what's to come...and that was full of confidence.
There's often this debate about going 100% all the time.
The fact is that's physically and mentally impossible and coaches and fitness staff are all over this.
If there is the opportunity to lessen the load for a period, where nothing is on the line, they'll take that opportunity.
Both Collingwood and Port have had down periods in the recent past.
There's every possibilty that was by design....either through lessening the demands on players or alternatively getting some solid blocks of training into others.
Both are as soft as butter, same with Kelly, in the finals they wont hold up imo...Whitfield threw in the short steps when attempting a mark early and I thought we had more problems with Daniels and Bedford who cut us up with their pace.
With our full crew back we should be able to take care of all the 6-8th place teams imho although as you say Weitering may have a charge to answer but given Greene seemed ok I cant see it being sustained.
Didnt like the Harry ruck stuff either and want Pittonet back in and Harry back to CHF.
Greene did him no favours in a post match interview, said he might be in trouble. When they came back after half time, Greene was talking (almost arguing) with Weiters right in front of us, obviously telling him he was in strife and would miss a final.
We wont take care of anyone if we play like the second half yesterday.
In the post match presser, Voss said early indications on Acres' shoulder "might not be great."
Not sure I understand the cockiness and arrogance some fans are displaying, as if somehow we could smash the Giants or any other team if we really wanted to. We didn't lose by 1 or 2 points. We lost by 5 goals, and I think frankly the scoreline flattered us. Alarm bells ringing all over the ground after that performance.
I'm not going to read too much into that game, it panned out as I expected, early focus on Charlie then play as it happens.
It looked to me like we experimented with a few things, or in particular we didn't do what I would have expected we would do to win the game but tried some different stuff.
I thought the signs were good for Cunningham and Fogarty, the early days in that game were as hot as any final and they showed they have the finals gear.
Hollands is the best runner I've seen since Bradley, go back and watch the replay if you can bear it, you see plenty of occasions where he's involved in a F50 physical contest, then seconds later he's at the feet of the defenders or pressuring a loose opponent in our D50.
I wasn't overly joyed by TDK going solo this week with Harry as support, but if nothing else we saw what TDK is capable of. It also proved to me Harry is OK in F50 but not the centre square. Rucking is so much more than being tall and tapping the footy. I think we missed Pitto's defensive focus to allow us to brake the opposition, he positions himself well to force the opposition to play around him.
It was the run Walsh and Cerra needed, I have full confidence in our midfield for the first final and obviously assuming Cripps comes into the side it will give them a huge boost.
Surely any doubts fans have about Owies or Cottrell are now gone.
In the post match presser, Voss said early indications on Acres' shoulder "might not be great."
Not sure I understand the cockiness and arrogance some fans are displaying, as if somehow we could smash the Giants or any other team if we really wanted to. We didn't lose by 1 or 2 points. We lost by 5 goals, and I think frankly the scoreline flattered us. Alarm bells ringing all over the ground after that performance.
Really? They had everything to play for we had nothing.
Once Acres went off the balance was off, no bigger bodies to smash through.
We do have our big bull to come back in, and Doch! Our defence wasn’t the best but then Weiters did have a broken ? Finger. I’m sure that gives a sting.
We always play well against Syd, I have huge faith. Shattered for Acres though if that’s his season done.
In the post match presser, Voss said early indications on Acres' shoulder "might not be great."
Not sure I understand the cockiness and arrogance some fans are displaying, as if somehow we could smash the Giants or any other team if we really wanted to. We didn't lose by 1 or 2 points. We lost by 5 goals, and I think frankly the scoreline flattered us. Alarm bells ringing all over the ground after that performance.
Don't take some of the comments for cockiness or arrogance.
It's more a personal idea of what that game was all about and the needs of both sides.
Nothing in life is guranteed...and that is sure and certain when it comes to finals.
We could go down in a screaming heap if we're not switched on when we play the Swans.
But there is a confidence that we will be switched on and if we bring our best football we should win.
I think alarm bells were ringing a bit in the previous couple of weeks, and they were telling us that the group had been playing with a pressure and intensity that was starting to take a toll.
Some players needed a rest, some returning players needed a game with a bit less intensity than we'd been bringing, but one that still gave them a hit-out.
All of us have different life experiences in terms of our sporting careers.
When commenting on these things we bring our own perspective and experiences.
Football has changed significantly since I was young.
Players are now full time professionals, you won't see them with a smoke in the change room after a game.
They don't have to rush from work to training through the week.
Diet and training loads are planned, constantly monitored and tweaked if there is an issue.
Strength and conditioning people are all over training loads and when to go hard and when to ease off.
Hard work is done during the pre-season to build a fitness base and it's more about maintaining that through the season.
Injury and even inexplicable loss of form needs to factored into an individual's program.
We don't know what goes on behind the scenes and what players are playing through injury.
Clearly a fully fit Cripps, Docherty and Pittonet (I suspect he was carrying a few niggles, even though he was listed as omitted) would have improved our side last night.
The other issue was the mental side of the game.
GWS had everything to play for, our guys were probably more cautious, just wanting to make sure they were part of the finals side.
Getting into the heads of our players is impossible but some would have had very different ideas about their approach to the game.
Have a look how we started...getting Charlie his required goals...and the effort was great, after that Weitering gets hurt and goes off, the momentum changes, do we want to fight hard against that knowing that next injury could be us. There's an ebb and flow in effort up until half-time and then it's a cue in the rack performance that sees our very best players finish the game on the bench.
No, it's not an arrogance but more a confidence that we're better than that effort.
Of course it depends on whether we are focused and ready to go...and that's never guaranteed.
Overconfidence can bring you unstuck.
It's over to the coaches and players now.
Every game from now on must be a full on effort...because there is no 'next game' if we lose.
And our players are about to experience a pressure unlike any they've struck before.
2022 - 9th.
2023 - 5th. Tick.
H is not a ruckman, but it was probably worth the experiment.
We missed the leadership of Crippa and Doc, especially when they got too many unanswered goals to set up their win in the 3rd.
Once Charles won the Coleman we struggled to find our hunting form.
Too much 'individual' stuff after half time.
Concerned that their physicality seemed to unsettle us.
Hard to imagine that having secured 5th place, and a home final, didn't impact us above the shoulders.
[/quote]
I'm not going to read too much into that game, it panned out as I expected, early focus on Charlie then play as it happens.
It looked to me like we experimented with a few things, or in particular we didn't do what I would have expected we would do to win the game but tried some different stuff.
I thought the signs were good for Cunningham and Fogarty, the early days in that game were as hot as any final and they showed they have the finals gear.
Hollands is the best runner I've seen since Bradley, go back and watch the replay if you can bear it, you see plenty of occasions where he's involved in a F50 physical contest, then seconds later he's at the feet of the defenders or pressuring a loose opponent in our D50.
I wasn't overly joyed by TDK going solo this week with Harry as support, but if nothing else we saw what TDK is capable of. It also proved to me Harry is OK in F50 but not the centre square. Rucking is so much more than being tall and tapping the footy. I think we missed Pitto's defensive focus to allow us to brake the opposition, he positions himself well to force the opposition to play around him.
It was the run Walsh and Cerra needed, I have full confidence in our midfield for the first final and obviously assuming Cripps comes into the side it will give them a huge boost.
Surely any doubts fans have about Owies or Cottrell are now gone.
Owies was good but Cottrell didn't get much of the ball and would still be a fringe player imo and one who is competing for a place rather than cemented in. He had 13 disposals which won't work vs the top 4 teams unless he is playing on a gun player and keeping them quiet as well.
Harry not impacting the scoreboard when Charlie is held is a big issue that needs to be addressed.
Wouldn't take anything out of yesterday. We're barely moved out of first gear. Once Charlie got his Coleman the cue was put in the rack.
Harry did a bit of relief rucking. Still got 16 possies, 10 contested and 5 marks. Happy to keep that one going.
2022 - 9th.
2023 - 5th. Tick.
H is not a ruckman, but it was probably worth the experiment.
We missed the leadership of Crippa and Doc, especially when they got too many unanswered goals to set up their win in the 3rd.
Once Charles won the Coleman we struggled to find our hunting form.
Too much 'individual' stuff after half time.
Concerned that their physicality seemed to unsettle us.
Hard to imagine that having secured 5th place, and a home final, didn't impact us above the shoulders.
Importantly, Harry got plenty of it. Tap outs are overrated.
Cuningham played his worst game since his return, fumbling and missing targets.
24 disposals, 78% time on ground, Disposal efficiency 70.8%. I don't think he'll be dropped from the 23.
2022 - 9th.
2023 - 5th. Tick.
H is not a ruckman, but it was probably worth the experiment.
We missed the leadership of Crippa and Doc, especially when they got too many unanswered goals to set up their win in the 3rd.
Once Charles won the Coleman we struggled to find our hunting form.
Too much 'individual' stuff after half time.
Concerned that their physicality seemed to unsettle us.
Hard to imagine that having secured 5th place, and a home final, didn't impact us above the shoulders.
Good game to stay home for.
24 disposals, 78% time on ground, Disposal efficiency 70.8%. I don't think he'll be dropped from the 23.
Without going back and checking every game it seems we give our midfielders plenty of breaks. ;)
Cerra 23 disposals 74% game time
Walsh 28 diposals -74% game time
Dow 21 disposals- 75% game time
Hewett 20 disposal- 77% game time
The buggers are only playing 3/4 of a game. ::)
Pay them 25% less. :D
A very timely reminder that was reminiscent of earlier in the season when we weren't applying pressure in the midfield and were allowing our opponents to run free. Without that pressure and attack on the player/ball, the giants were able to dissect our defensive set up.
Fisher got a fair bit of the ball but might have played himself out of the finals team because he doesn't perform Saad's role as well as Saad does. There are probably better defensive-minded players who could be selected to free up Saad to do his thing by breaking the lines and kicking with more penetration.
Doc to come in for Fisher probably. Cincotta, Kemp and Gov for general defensive duties while Sydney worry about the trio of Newman, Doc and Saad.
24 disposals, 78% time on ground, Disposal efficiency 70.8%. I don't think he'll be dropped from the 23.
I thought that Cuningham stepped up in Crippa’s absence and played his best game of the season.
He would be stiff to miss out against the Swans.
I thought that Cuningham stepped up in Crippa’s absence and played his best game of the season.
He would be stiff to miss out against the Swans.
Couldn't agree more. Can't see him being dropped. So many of his touches are quality and quick releases, not obvious. Important player.
A very timely reminder that was reminiscent of earlier in the season when we weren't applying pressure in the midfield and were allowing our opponents to run free. Without that pressure and attack on the player/ball, the giants were able to dissect our defensive set up.
Fisher got a fair bit of the ball but might have played himself out of the finals team because he doesn't perform Saad's role as well as Saad does. There are probably better defensive-minded players who could be selected to free up Saad to do his thing by breaking the lines and kicking with more penetration.
Yep. When the real heat came, Zachery was found wanting. Boyd/Doc offers more heat in the clinches, at body and ball. That goal that Zachery gave away was pure panic on the wrong foot.
Couldn't agree more. Can't see him being dropped. So many of his touches are quality and quick releases, not obvious. Important player.
He's a silky player. Seems to have gotten more midfield time last match. He's the guy we can use as our receiver in the centre bounces and has blistering pace to burn. Not to mention a bloody fine kick too.
Couldn't agree more. Can't see him being dropped. So many of his touches are quality and quick releases, not obvious. Important player.
I think that's the key with a player like Cunningham.
It also applies to Binns in the VFL.
If you asked me how many touches he had last night I would have said probably around 10.
Same with Binns, you don't really notice the impact, but you look down at the stat sheet and 'bang' he's had another half dozen while you weren't looking.
The one ruckman ploy should be dead and buried now. JSOS is unlikely so Pittonet simply has to play. Harry is not, and never has been, a ruckman. Easily pushed out of the contest and coming back off a knee injury that was a risk IMO. If nothing else, Harry can play as a high forward and push up the ground...early in the season when he wasn't kicking goals, he was taking a lot of contested marks up the ground.
Fisher's run as a defender should also be over. If we want to play another small defender, I'd have Boyd in there ahead of Fisher...uses the ball much better. Fisher is very one sided and he got caught out a few times.
Hopefully Acres and Weitering are both good to go. On the assumption that they both are, I'd have Cripps, Doc, Pittonet and Motlop back in. Fisher, Fogarty, Durdin and one other out.....maybe Dow gets pushed to sub and Marchbank goes out? Although Sydney can load up with McDonald, Amartey and McLean so Marchbank might be an option.
I thought Dow was good early yesterday and showed some good breakaway pace but was caught out after half time.
The one ruckman ploy should be dead and buried now. JSOS is unlikely so Pittonet simply has to play. Harry is not, and never has been, a ruckman. Easily pushed out of the contest and coming back off a knee injury that was a risk IMO. If nothing else, Harry can play as a high forward and push up the ground...early in the season when he wasn't kicking goals, he was taking a lot of contested marks up the ground.
Fisher's run as a defender should also be over. If we want to play another small defender, I'd have Boyd in there ahead of Fisher...uses the ball much better. Fisher is very one sided and he got caught out a few times.
Hopefully Acres and Weitering are both good to go. On the assumption that they both are, I'd have Cripps, Doc, Pittonet and Motlop back in. Fisher, Fogarty, Durdin and one other out.....maybe Dow gets pushed to sub and Marchbank goes out? Although Sydney can load up with McDonald, Amartey and McLean so Marchbank might be an option.
I thought Dow was good early yesterday and showed some good breakaway pace but was caught out after half time.
He chance of fitting Kennedy back in???
Phantom....Kennedy would replace Dow but probably nobody else. But he will have missed a lot of footy by the time the first final comes around so might not be worth the risk. I thought Dow showed some glimpses yesterday with breakaway pace and centre clearances but let himself down a couple of times with brain fades....ducked into a tackle looking for high contact and then giving away that 50m which cost a goal.
old Carlton back long bomb into F50 only to watch opposition run it out or my 2nd fav the long bomb from fullback kick ins only to watch ball come straight back ,i hope this changes v swanetts.
I think the purpose of the game was to ensure Charlie won the Coleman and to get game time into Cerra, McKay, Walsh, McGovern, Durdin and to rest Cripps, Docherty and Pittonett. It would have been good to win but GWS wanted and needed to win more. I thought Cerra, Walsh and Durdin got better as the match wore on and losing Acres in the third didn't help. I thought Marchbank was good when he came on but our team balance got out of wack.
We got smashed in the centre clearances though Dow was probably our best. Overall we were off. We gave two goals from 50's and Fisher cost us a goal coming out of the back. Owies and Durdin both missed from 15 metres and I still don't know how Hollands goal was overturned.
Since Collingwood whinged about Charlie getting free kicks our key forwards haven't been getting much protection from the umpires.
Hopefully we can tighten up over the next couple of weeks.
I think the purpose of the game was to ensure Charlie won the Coleman and to get game time into Cerra, McKay, Walsh, McGovern, Durdin and to rest Cripps, Docherty and Pittonett. It would have been good to win but GWS wanted and needed to win more. I thought Cerra, Walsh and Durdin got better as the match wore on and losing Acres in the third didn't help. I thought
Gov was terrible yesterday, appart from being short of a gallop, his disposal was all over the shop. A mate of mine and I both thought he spent to much time worrying about his man as opposed to the see-ball-get-ball intercept game.
Durdin is a worry, I have been a big rap for him, yes he has been out for a while, yes he is young but Motlop has gone passed him giving him windburn along the way. I thought he was a witches hat for all 4 qtrs last night as opposed to the others who only that for a half. He will be straight out next game and I doubt we will see him in again this year no matter how far we go.
Despite the negatives re performance, scores were level half-way through the third, and we were barely setting the world on fire. Then Acres gets subbed out with a shoulder injury.
Can't help guessing that every player started think about self-preservation from that point on - it certainly looked like it. Turned into a basketball game from that point on. No hammys or concussions needed for a worthless prize.
2 weeks from now is a different season.
Thank goodness.. Weiters gets a fine 🙂
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/08/30/i-stitched-him-up-toby-greene-apologises-to-jacob-weitering-for-post-game/
Greene can be a bit of a dick ( a lot of the time), but he's a seriously good footballer.
He plays with a bit of emotion, and it probably sees him cross a line every now and then.
I believe he thinks he's probably a bit "hard done by" with some of the criticism that comes his way.
With that in mind...
I thought at the time his comments weren't so much about Weitering, but more about what he perceived was an injustice to himself...."I got done for that, he should too!"
Anyway, He's made an apology, he got it wrong.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/08/30/i-stitched-him-up-toby-greene-apologises-to-jacob-weitering-for-post-game/
Greene can be a bit of a dick ( a lot of the time), but he's a seriously good footballer.
He plays with a bit of emotion, and it probably sees him cross a line every now and then.
I believe he thinks he's probably a bit "hard done by" with some of the criticism that comes his way.
With that in mind...
I thought at the time his comments weren't so much about Weitering, but more about what he perceived was an injustice to himself...."I got done for that, he should too!"
Anyway, He's made an apology, he got it wrong.
Belted McGovern with a swinging fist to the guts during the game and is a sniper, yep great player but a jerk
who needs an uppercut and being captain of the AA team given his form line of transgressions over the journey including deliberate contact with an umpire is laughable much like a few of the selections in the AA team though ,with an idiot like Kane Cornes on the selection panel no real surprise....How Weitering and Taylor lost out to Wilkie I dont know and the backline consists of rebound defenders only...
Agree. Greene is a very good player but is a nasty little jerk by nature. Has plenty of form.
Agree. Greene is a very good player but is a nasty little jerk by nature. Has plenty of form.
Wish he played for us, match winner.
Wish he played for us, match winner.
That, my friend, is a completely different argument. 🙂
Agree. Greene is a very good player but is a nasty little jerk by nature. Has plenty of form.
Great player, plays footy in the wrong era, put him back in the 70s or 80s and he'd be the new Ted Whitten.
Lockett like ...............! ::)
Pocket Lockett?