Not easy bar the Crows and the finals bound teams will be real keen, interesting that Barrett on AFL.coms sliding doors was implying it hasnt been such a great season for Teague in terms of wins and that he will come under pressure. IMO its more next year where he needs to deliver wins, its been a different year this one and you have to factor that in IMO.
Yep Next year is the judgement one for Teague (assuming things are back to relative normality.) With shortened game time, hubs, lack of home comforts and familiar grounds and the 'topsy turvy' results I don't think any coach should be under the pump this year. All pre-season strategies are out the door. They should all get the opportunity for redemption in 2021.
The weird thing about that is we won and Geelong lost. But by the end of the year they were top and we were second last. Players around you in your developing years make a huge difference in terms of support. Murphy and Gibbs were behind the eight ball from the moment they started.
There's a little bit of 'not so subtle' politicking going on. I think some of them realise there will be a reckoning once this is done and dusted.
Scomo and Andrews are almost at pains to assert how closely co-operative they are but....
Andrews (who I credit for fronting up each day) will constantly make the point that Aged Care is a Commonwealth responsibility. That may be the case, but he frames it like the state is actually coming to the 'rescue' of the Commonwealth in coping with the issues in this sector.
For the conservatives.... Morrison is staying above it while letting his attack dogs like Hunt and Frydenberg loose to make the attacks.
The right wing commentators are also laying the boot in.
The last thing we need at the moment is political point scoring...even subtle stuff. Folks will eventually be held accountable, but now is not the time for political games.
Cripps is a BIG presence...He's a 'lead by example' guy much like Judd. The question is 'When he talks does it impact?' ...and for us on the outside that's an unknown One of the issues may be that age and experience wise Cripps is still behind a few. It may also be that because we run a dual captaincy there may be some subtle and unconscious division amongst the players as to who is the key driver of the side. You often get the impression with Cripps, in our bad losses and turn arounds, that he's really frustrated. And that frustration may stem more from his inability to drag the players along with him.
As for Jones going fwd, I dont think effort, endeavour or marking the thing will be a problem, I think his kicking for goal would be a problem
You may be right...I'm probably thinking more about the opportunities he could create for players like Betts, Fisher and Martin. And going ahead you would see it more a 'switch' role. Something you would try mid-game if you needed to shake things up. He's not SOS....but it was a tactic we used to try with Silvagni at times, often with success. McGovern v Jones...I'm not sure we'd lose a lot.
With all these blokes going forward we won't have many left in the Midfield/backline.
But you know, if we ever reach the stage where the seasons done and dusted for us, and if we had a tall back-up defender I wouldn't mind seeing Jones switched to the forward line for a bit of an experiment. The reasoning is... we could do with a tall swingman who could play both ends. We struggle with responses at the moment when the opposition gets a run on. We need to develop a few tricks of our own
You would know in a game or two whether Jones has learnt a bit playing on some of the competitions best forwards. His marking on the weekend was strong ...and we finally have a few small forwards who might be able to make something of the chaos he sometimes creates.
It may be that he proves to be as ineffective as his previous stints forward but if we've nothing to lose give it a go.
I commented on our size today to my daughter at the end of the game when Murph and Shuey where talking, the difference in mass between the two was very noticable (arms/biceps, shoulders neck). Having said that, I think its a little hard to blame Russell for injuries that occur during games, these are gonna happen (eg Martin). Even the chandeliers like Marchbank, Charlie, Cunningham etc, Russell is widely regarded as the best in the business yet...
We have a very good record for destroying the reputations of some of the 'best in the business'
Obviously this is a season unlike others. But we seem to be at a stage where we lack size and strength. Our bigger players are still often beaten in physical contests. The bigger guys also seem to have a fair share of injuries. We're surrendering leads on a regular basis.
I'd like to see Mr Russell sort out the players with repeat injuries, but haven't seen any evidence thus far. Cunners, Charlie, H, Marchy, to name a few. Imagine how many options we'd have with a fit list. Over to you Mr Russell.
Maybe Mr Russell needs a bit of scrutiny?...not just on the injury front.
Question: Where do you thing the greatest hatred lies between supporters? For me, I hate the Cheats, always have always will. No one comes close for me. During the saga I was praying they'd wind them up and padlock the gates. Having said that, in my experiences with other Bluebaggers and supporters of all the other clubs, the Haw - Geelong hatred is the fiercest I've witnessed. Ive been to a couple of Haw-Geel games over the years (due to mates I have) and that hatred is like nothing Ive seen. Thoughts?
"Hate"is probably the wrong word for me. I don't hate any of the following and would miss them terribly if they weren't there to beat. It's the traditional rivals and successful clubs. On the top layer is Collingwood and Essendon and the second tier it's Richmond and Hawthorn.(Can't split them).
But isn't that question equally targeting a Simmo or Walsh?
I think there is still plenty of space for variety, and I suspect a lack of variety is possible a very likely contributing cause for a lack of progress.
Robots only do something unpredictable or weird when they break, too many of the same and everybody knows what you are doing most of the time!
I'm not saying that there isn't a place for the talented, courageous, smaller player. But in terms of having a physical, hurtful, intimidating impact on a contest, which is the area we're lacking, a Walsh or Simpson doesn't really have that same effect as a bigger, stronger player.
