For me our main problem is headspace, in the 2nd quarter the Swans up the pressure and our fumbles and hesitation set in, which means we lose time and space and it becomes a feedback loop.
I didn't have an issue with the team and selection other than I think Fantasia has been given too many chances already, when he gets the chop he won't have grounds to complain.
I thought we matched up pretty well against Sydney, and I think the 1st Qtr showed that, afterwards our problems were caused by panic and fumbling. Partly it might be an issue of too many lightweights not willing to wear contact, but perhaps they are being coached that way.
Of our smalls only Owies is prepared to head into heavy traffic, Durdin and Fantasia hardly make contact hunting the footy, although Durdin does chase and tackle he's not as fast as I had hoped. But to carry all three of Fantasia, Owies and Durdin we need them all channelling Papley and Boyd and be willing to get inside and do some of the dirt moving, otherwise we end up down a man in contests all over the deck.
On the umpires, the only thing I say is two massive clangers again, BigH should have been given a 50m, not making excuses for his miss but he should have been on the goal line, and Boyd's penalty for grabbing the footy was ludicrous when a player is basically trying to kick it out of his hands. It is not footy to be kicking it off the ground, it needs to be a focus of the AFL officials to put an end to it. That incident is a main reason I do not want to see prior opportunity removed, it's not football, if fans want to go see that sort of game go and watch soccer instead! I'd be happy to ban kicking off the ground altogether!
I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he's hurt that back again. There was definitely something wrong, and it wasn't just after that heavy bump near the end
Was thinking much the same, but he hunts the pill and gets zero protection, the game the way it is being umpired is starting to reward the snipers.
I don't mind the tackling, but not when they just flop into the backs of Cripps and Walsh without penalty.
Cognitive ability is escaping you slightly. We've had about 10 passengers tonight, two of our best McKay and walsh have cost us dearly, TDK's not getting near the footy, our defense is under siege, our key forwards aren't kicking goals and binns for fantasia is what you're focussing on?
Did you see his one effort at afl level? He's not ready yet.
If only the disappointment was just this one game, but Fantasia is properly cooked, I can't understand why he is being defended.
Talking about the others is just deflection, this bloke Fantasia has underperformed to the point of having zero impact in every game he has played in 2024. So the point of developing someone is quite valid, they won't be worse.
It's a marathon not a sprint. Binns ain't the second coming of Eddie betts. Come finals time if orazio gets up and running he'll be a difference maker. Binns is on L plates. He isn't Sam Walsh, he's in his second year and I'd rather we get orazio up to pace and see if it works. We aren't flushed for outside run either way so they should both be in the mix.
We cannot have Fantasia, Durdin, Ollie Hollands all in the one side, we are carrying too many non-physical types which leaves us too easy to play against.
I'd be happy either way regarding binns but truth be told he isn't vying with fantasia for the same role and binns doesn't bring afl experience to the table.
I love your enthusiasm, but if Fantasia comes in and has another 25pt rating game it's over for him the moment other players get fit.
If we are going to carry a player getting single digit disposals and having little game influence, it may as well be a longer term project. That's just how I see it.
Generally, you have some senior types around the club on the fringes, it is so they can come in and do a job having an immediate impact without the need to learn the ropes. As horrible as this sounds, we got more out of Tutt, Lang, Smedts maybe even Clem Smith than we have out of Fantasia for a similar number of games.
