Keep hearing reports that Boof wants some players and the selectors want others.
In the first Test Boof wanted Smith and Kawaja ahead of Cowan.
How is a coach expected to get results when others tinker with the line up.
Historically Mants, the coach gets a vote, not the power of veto over the selection panel.
I think Boof is right. Selecting 4 openers in a batting line-up says (to me anyway) we don'have faith in the batting order.
I didn't get a chance to watch the last test, but to be honest with what I did see, I had little faith of us winning. That huge last wicket stand with Agar was amazing, but how often will that happen. Then the second innings fail with the bat by batsmen that are payed thousands of dollars to do their job, place all the pressure on another last wicket miracle. Sure they came close when I thought they wouldn't but they are getting larger partnerships further down the order than what should be happening with the first 5 batters. This isn't the first game we see issues with the bat. This has been happening for years now. Watching cricket today and in the last few years really makes me miss Gillcrist, Border, Greg Chappell, Dean Jones, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Hayden, Langer, Slater, Symmonds, Boon, Hussey, Hussey, Healy, Taylor, Ponting (In form) and even Boof. Don't want to even start on the bowlers. I could have rolled out a bigger list but I didn't want to jam up our new system.
Need to pick a squad based on players that can play a role. Openers x2, 1st drop all the way through to keeper and an all rounder and pace bowlers. Change a couple of players per match to add spin, and extra pace, or an injured batter and make them work together to get it all happening. If they start mixing and chopping every game, they will completely do our heads in.
Batsmen:
When a ball is bowled to you remember this;
If it is swinging outside the line of off stump, LEAVE IT ALONE. Don't dab the bat at it. Get to the pitch of a delivery bowled with the bat close to the pad and stroke the shot. Don't half heartedly dab at it with the bat wide of your pad. Use your footwork to get to the pitch of the ball, or get onto the back foot and watch the ball all the way up to where it hits the bat. Play with some confidence you won't be bowled out. Don't half guess a shot. Play the ball with the respect it deserves. If its short hit it. Play your shots with a straight bat and drive it down the line. Use the clever shots once you are in and have read the pace of the pitch, and the swing of the ball. Play like a Kallis. Not like a nervous McGrath. Don't try to be too clever. Be smart. If you aim to play square of the wicket, hit the ball to ground to avoid being caught, but hit with the intension of hitting a boundary. Otherwise play square and elevate it over fielders in catching position. Don't get caught up on the popping crease too often. Stand outside the crease and use your feet. MOVE FFS.
Too many times I am watching the game and I want to throw a bat through the TV screen at the batsmen to let them know I am watching and that they are being too clever, or just plain dumb. Batting isn't as much of a science as our players make it look. Occupy the crease and keep the score board rolling over. Play each delivery with the respect it deserves. Not every delivery is a winner. Not every delivery is a hack. Use your eyes and use your head. Most importantly use your friggen feet. Sorry CIMM, just venting what is probably the bleeding obvious, or just crazy talk.
It concerns me though how slow he is when his opponent leads off him.
He can only learn this by playing AFL games and working hard on his closing speed with training drills. His big body was fine where he came from but he needs to develop more speed and stamina, along with endurance to take the next step. he has plenty of potential if he is prepared to do some hard work to get there.
The tragedy about our win against "Saints Footy" is that Judd was Carlton's best player again......
No player is coming through as the outstanding leader that can bring the side along with him....
Personally I think our best leader coming through is Lachie Henderson. If I had a choice to re pick our captain, he'd be it. He's a bit more extroverted, He speaks well, but most of all is a great onfield leader. Has rarely has put a foot wrong this year. Quickly becoming my favourite, well one of them anyway.
Wouldn't argue with you on this one. he could be our Jono Brown. Wouldn't that be great.
Will be handy for us if Tarrant, Swallow and Hansen all miss to go with the already missing lindsay thomas.
And what a dreadful trap it is to think like that... remember a certain final in '92 when the Pussies lost 3 key dudes and still spanked us!!!
We must always prepare for the best of the opposition. Always. And I think a good number of our boys know how this mob has pulled down our dacks when not expected to.
This game is much more a final than last Saturday night's game against the Aints.
Too true. They do however buckle under pressure more than the Saints do. How they find a way to lose games they are fully in control of, is completely beyond me. Hang on a minute, we have been missing games we could be winning too. On a serious note, I am more confident we can beat North than I was of us beating St Kilda. Need to win the clearances though.
I hear what your saying Sheik and it isn't silly at all. he is not likely to get too much interest in trade week because he is basically untried and not a proven talent at AFL level yet. Keep him around and work on him and definitely get games into this kid. If he shows more capability in the future, he adds value to himself, and allows us better trade prospects in the future. If he plays well enough to be kept, he can blossom into the defender we need. He may even eventually work as a switch up forward at times. His kicking accuracy would justify that. We come across one issue and who is best to work with him to develop his body, his attitude, and add to his current talent base. Good questions though Sheik, good indeed.
Give him a few games and he should bounce back. A player of his ability and intelligence would understand what needs to be done for the teams benefit. I'm sure he knows he isn't bigger than the club and will come good soon.
I'd be tempted to play Waite as CHB when he's available and use him as a swingman with Hendo. Let Hendo and Rowe settle in the forward line a while
Waite was played in defense in the past (I prefer him there too as it should keep him focussed) yet a lot of people were convinced that he just doesn't play tight enough to hold down a role like that.
Put him up on a wing and let him run would be my best position for him.
Waite on the wing is a killing machine. Just need to find another forward and one decent defender to release him all over the ground. He is an absolute weapon we he can run his own space at will. I could never argue with Waite and where he can create damage.
Henderson was just what we needed tonight. Rowe is a keeper if he can get his endurance working . Watson probably did more in the seniors than he does in the juniors. Simo well done, Judd same old magic, and Garlett getting more active along with Yarran. Much better efforts. Not pretty but better for certain.
I just can't agree with you there Mantis, I reckon he is a stop-gap measure until a better option comes along. He plays the CHF position pretty well due to his years of experience in the role at Norwood but he has some limitations which will get exposed against the better teams.
I will say this though, he's a much better key forward option for us than Casboult purely on the back of his kicking for goal.
I'm afraid whether you agree with me or not, in a way you just did exactly that. When Waite is ready and with Henderson number one tall forward , we need Rowe as back up when the other two have injuries or suspensions. Even if we do find another gem, Rowe will be in front of Hampson, Casboult and any other forward options we have. Unless we release walker forward, but that leaves us short in defence. Rowe is close to the best behind Henderson and Waite.
Now the navy blue little craps will need to back it up against the chokers in North and that's on a return from the GABBA.
Hopefully the media will still be in our face throughout the week
No hopefully about it. Friday night and a double flight for them in this game. This is the first time we could pull off a bit of magic. Especially if we bring some of tonights attitude to the game. North had that game in the bag and choked when the heat was turned up.
