A few interesting things about McGovern His stats aren't dramatically different from his Adelaide time...he's down a bit on averages (especially this year) At 191cm he's a player that 'plays tall' for that height. He has a good leap. The surprising thing for me was that he's only played the 74 games.
Someone watching mentioned here on the forum somewhere that McGovern seemed to be playing the decoy role for McKay and Casboult, not sure if it's true I think it's too hard to tell from a TV broadcast.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone on the forum who was there live and can comment.
That decoy tactic has been mentioned as a role for him before. If that has been the case (and it is speculation) it's arguably a waste....I'd like to see how Gov would go as the main target.
Looking at his 'road-map' from a distance I think his strategy might be to present a worst case set of standards. He can then soften the dates and bring them forward to a grateful state.
Politically that's better than releasing too soon and actually have to keep to or tighten restrictions down the track. Make no mistakes, while the health considerations are still the most important element....'politics' is now a major player and will become increasingly so.
And pollies we've praised will be shown to be the old self-serving mob they've always been.
@ GIC & ianh I was writing this at the same time GIC posted and hadn't read ianh's post. Looks like we agree/ don't agree on a few things
In a normal season I wouldn’t suggest that we don’t try to win every game. But this is such a wacky season that it deserves a wacky ending Jones to the forward line and/or an on/ball role. Let’s see what he’s learnt playing on the key forwards (and get him away from Willo) Not too far though because Williamson goes to the wing and space. Casboult to defence…he’s played there before and done OK. SPS -midfield and half forward. McGovern- A bit has been made of the fact that the Gov still contributes to the side even if he’s not impacting statistically. Change that up and make him the main target. Let Harry play the decoy role. Alternatively…clear everyone, but perhaps a small forward, well out of the goal area and let Harry go one on one with his defender. Harry’s fairly quick for a big bloke Everyone that hasn’t had one gets a game in the last few…especially Owies
I only suggest the Jones forward one because I'm interested to see if by playing on some of the best forwards he's learnt afew forward tricks. SPS gives us little as a defender ...mid/forward or trade
We look physically and mentally fatigued, even drained, from what I can see, with very little energy left to show full commitment and the will to win - a mental thing. Listening to Hodge's analysis during the game, we seemed to be showing poor awareness to situations and making pretty fundamental errors, especially at crucial times in defence which cost us goals. Seems like most of the team would rather be somewhere else.
In all fairness I have seen it in other teams too, but it seems to be really getting to us now.
I think that's the key. It's not just happening to our team. The bizarre nature of the season is affecting all teams at different stages. As teams chances of making finals disappear we're likely to see more capitulations, some quite dramatic. Players will just want it to be over. Some have already switched off. For many there will be real concerns about their playing future. You can condemn that attitude as unprofessional...but these are unprecedented times
Two weeks ago the 'Blues were back.' Results are all over the shop and being influenced by so many different factors.
The season is wrong for so many reasons.
The shortened game times. Short breaks between games. Players away from home, family and routine. Hub life and the distractions. The lack of a proper second tier competition to allow players to develop or even maintain match fitness when not in the senior side. Virtually no time for training between games.
The sooner it's over the better. I'd send Cripps home. He's broken physically...and has other issues that must be playing on his mind.. In a normal season such a move would be unthinkable but I don't think many would begrudge him the break.
Anyone in the hub that hasn't had a game needs to be given a taste. Now the chances of finals are no longer a consideration let them loose and tell them to take the game on.
Not sure what to make of all this... So many of our players seemed to have been nowhere near the ball possession wise. Cripps is struggling. Yet we're staying ahead....their inaccuracy is helping.
